Summer Slam2023

Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan
August 5, 2023

 

“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.

Detroit’s own WWE Hall of Famer, Kid Rock, narrates a video highlighting the history of SummerSlam, starting back in 1988 to today. The big main events are highlighted.

We go live into Ford Field to see an enormous crowd that is cheering loudly and ready for a great night of professional wrestling.

“The Maverick” Logan Paul vs. Ricochet
The bell rings, and they go to the center of the ring and go face-to-face. Logan Paul rubs Ricochet’s bald head with some saliva. Ricochet slaps him and hits a handstand head-scissor takeover before dropkicking him out of the ring. Ricochet feigns a dive to the outside, and Paul covers himself in feat. The crowd gives Ricochet a terrific ovation. Ricochet invites Paul back into the ring.

Paul gets in the ring, and Ricochet applies a waistlock before going to a side headlock. Paul whips him off, leapfrogs and drops down twice, and Ricochet puts on the brakes. They trade roll-ups for no counts before Paul absolutely clobbers him with a back elbow. Ricochet gets to his feet, and they circle the ring. Ricochet charges, but Paul applies a front facelock before connecting with a hip toss. Paul applies a rear chin lock, and the crowd loudly boos him. Ricochet fights up and elbows him. Ricochet backs him into the ropes and whips him off. Paul holds the ropes and drops Ricochet on the apron. Ricochet knocks him back, but Paul quickly grabs him and chokes him on the top rope until the referee backs him up. Paul goes to the apron and clubs away at Ricochet. Paul hits a reverse neckbreaker on the apron and kisses his fiancee, Nina Agdal. Paul shouts to Ricochet’s fiancee (also Raw ring announcer), Samantha Irvin. She rolls her eyes.

Paul gets Ricochet in the ring and punches away at the midsection. Paul peppers the midsection with punches. Detroit chants, “You suck!” Paul puts Ricochet on the top rope before hitting a running powerslam for a near fall. Paul did that to taunt Ricochet’s tag team partner, Braun Strowman, who is out with an injury. Paul connects with a hard scoop slam before taunting the crowd. They oblige him with deafening cheers. Paul starts to do the Hulk Hogan pose. Paul hits Ricochet with a big boot and a split-legged leg drop! Ricochet kicks out at two. That is being called the Hogan Paul. Wow.

Ricochet pops up and hits a spinebuster a la Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Ricochet kicks the shoulder and hits the ropes for the most electrifying standing moonsault in sports entertainment today. Ricochet covers for a two-count. Paul soon fights back with a WILD back body drop. Ricochet over-rotated and landed on his hip. Paul has Ricochet on the apron and hits a springboard clothesline. Paul again taunts the crowd. Ricochet is down on the apron. Paul goes for a Spanish Fly off the apron, but they land on their feet! Both are stunned before they begin brawling. Paul charges, but Ricochet hits him with a Spanish Fly on the floor!

Ricochet gets in the ring, but Paul rips him back out. Paul then gets in the ring and CRUSHES Ricochet at ringside with a Buckshot Lariat over the top rope! Paul takes a Prime Energy Drink from a fan and drinks it. Paul gets Ricochet in the ring and goes to the top rope for a diving cross-body block. Paul immediately gets up and hits a standing moonsault for a near fall. Paul gets to his feet and looks a little disappointed that he couldn’t put Ricochet away. Ricochet blocks a right hand and punches back at the Social Media Megastar. Paul shoves him to the corner and charges, but Ricochet moves. Paul hits the ring post shoulder-first. Ricochet goes to the ropes and pulls Paul up. The crowd comes to their feet in an incredible camera shot. Ricochet then hits a swinging neckbreaker off the top rope, made famous by Hurricane Helms.

Both men are down. Paul is somehow the first to his feet. Ricochet gets up and greets him with some kicks and a chop. Paul reverses a whip, but Ricochet counters with a handspring rebound back elbow. Ricochet hits a running clothesline before whipping him to the corner. Ricochet hits a running shoulder thrust and lands on the apron. Ricochet connects with a springboard clothesline. Ricochet hits the Maverick with a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Ricochet says, “I wanted you to kick out.” Ricochet kicks Paul in the chest a few times. Paul yells in pain and has a welt forming under his left eye. Paul tries to fight back, but Ricochet avoids it. Paul elbows him back and hits a springboard moonsault off the second rope, but Ricochet catches him! Paul counters that counter into a tornado DDT for a near fall! The crowd cannot believe it.

Paul sets Ricochet up for a powerbomb, but Ricochet lands on his feet, knees him in the face, and hits the Recoil. Ricochet pulls Paul into position and heads to the top rope. Ricochet holds his ribs, injured earlier in the match by Paul, before going for a shooting star press, but Paul gets the knees up! Paul covers! 1… 2… Ricochet kicks out! Paul tries to pull Ricochet out of the corner, but Ricochet flips and lands on his feet. Paul still manages to catch him with an alley-oop for a two-count. Paul goes to the apron and hits a springboard frog splash 3/4 of the way across the ring for a near fall! Paul punches the mat in frustration. Paul gets to his feet and shakes his head before signaling for his bionic right hand. Ricochet superkicks him and hits a Detonation Kick. Ricochet immediately follows up with a rolling Death Valley Driver. Ricochet hits a springboard moonsault off the top rope for a near fall!

Ricochet pulls Paul close to the corner, which is in position for a 630 Splash. Paul pulls on the ankle to stop him, but Ricochet stomps him. Ricochet goes to the top rope and goes for the 630 Splash, but he crashes and burns when Paul moves! Someone disguised as security is revealed to be an associate of Paul’s. The man puts brass knuckles on Paul’s fist. The referee is distracted by Ricochet, checking on his status. Paul then absolutely crushes Ricochet with a loaded right hand, unbeknownst to the referee, and covers Ricochet for the victory.

Winner by Pinfall: “The Maverick” Logan Paul
Michael Cole says, “That was a great match-up, but the ending sucked.” Paul points at Samantha Irvin, who is seething with anger.

Sheamus drove up to Ford Field in a WWE monster truck. Ridge Holland and Butch were waiting for him.



WWE thanks Steppenwolf for the use of “Born To Be Wild,” the official theme song of Summerslam.

Video Package: Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar

Massive boos for Brock Lesnar coming out. Massive cheers for “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes coming out. This has a true main event feel, but it’s only the second match on SummerSlam.

Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes’s mother Michelle is at ringside.

Cody Rhodes attacks Brock Lesnar from behind, and the referee calls for the bell. Lesnar immediately fights back with a German Suplex. Rhodes rolls to the apron and snaps Lesnar off the top rope. Rhodes kicks him in the midsection and drops down for an uppercut. Rhodes hits a Disaster Kick, but Lesnar is still on his feet. A second Disaster Kick yields the same results. Rhodes goes for a third, but Lesnar head-butts him in the chest out of midair. Lesnar drives him into the corner and hits some shoulder thrusts. Lesnar backs up and charges, but Rhodes sends him shoulder-first into the ring post. Rhodes hits a huge suicide dive and continues to attack. Lesnar cuts off the momentum by slamming Rhodes into the LED ring post.

Rhodes drops down to catch his breath. Lesnar exits the air out of Rhodes’s lungs by clubbing him on the back. Lesnar gets Rhodes in the ring and punches him. Rhodes grabs at him, but Lesnar hooks the head and easily slings him over his shoulder. Rhodes lands awkwardly. Lesnar catches Rhodes with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, another trip to Suplex City. Rhodes takes a moment to recover before fighting back. Lesnar clubs him down and crushes his ribs with a stiff kick. Rhodes struggles to catch his breath. Lesnar hits a snap suplex and covers for a one-count. Rhodes grabs the ankle, but Lesnar quickly grabs him and hits a release German Suplex. Lesnar poses for the crowd. Rhodes’s mother, Michelle, buries her face in her hands. Lesnar hits another release German Suplex, and Rhodes rolls out of the ring to recover. Lesnar tells Rhodes to get up and smiles broadly.

Rhodes pulls himself back into the ring, but Lesnar greets him with another stiff kick to the ribs. Lesnar connects with another release German Suplex. This is becoming academic for Lesnar. Lesnar grabs Rhodes and throws him out of the ring, looking for a count-out. The referee, Chad Patton, starts to count The American Nightmare out. Rhodes gets in at six, and Lesnar shakes his head. Lesnar points at Rhodes as if he made a huge mistake. Lesnar clobbers him with his forearms and knocks him off the apron. Lesnar screams, “Stay down! Save yourself!” The referee is counting Rhodes out, but he rolls back into the ring at the feet of an irate Lesnar. Lesnar says, “Cody, this is only going to get worse!” Lesnar hits a snap suplex and shouts, “You’re not very smart, are you?” Lesnar grabs the arm and rips Rhodes out of the ring before kicking him off the apron. Lesnar again shouts, “Save yourself!” Rhodes pulls himself up on the commentary table and gets in the ring at seven. Lesnar is furious. Lesnar pulls Rhodes up against the ropes and hits a vicious STIFF clothesline over the top rope. The referee again begins counting him out. Rhodes mostly gets his body in at eight.

Lesnar has seen enough. Lesnar pulls Rhodes out of the ring and hits an F5 on the floor! Lesnar gets back in the ring, and the referee is counting Rhodes out again. Rhodes just makes it in at the count of nine. Lesnar is furious. Rhodes pulls himself up on the ropes and screams at Lesnar. Rhodes pops off and punches away at the Beast. Lesnar quickly cuts him off with a release German Suplex. Rhodes rolls out of the ring. Lesnar immediately goes outside and hits an F5 through the commentary table! Michael Cole shouts, “Damn it, Cody, stay down!” Lesnar disrespects Rhodes and gets in the ring. Michael Cole implores Rhodes to stay down. Rhodes is having trouble getting to his feet, but he manages to beat the count at nine. Lesnar is in disbelief.

Lesnar shakes his head as Rhodes gets to his knees and looks him in the eyes. Lesnar clubs the back, but Rhodes responds with some stiff right hands to the midsection. Lesnar shakes it off and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. The side of Rhodes’s ribs are absolutely scraped up. Rhodes looks stunned, but he still pulls himself up in the corner. Lesnar grabs him, but Rhodes holds the ropes. Lesnar rips him away, and the top turnbuckle pad comes off. Lesnar hits a German Suplex. Rhodes gets out of the ring and grabs the ring steps, but Lesnar boots them out of his hands. Rhodes fights back and drives him into the ring post! Rhodes hits Lesnar with the ring steps and gets him in the ring! Rhodes hits a Disaster Kick followed by a Cody Cutter! Rhodes jumps off the middle rope to the top rope and hits a second Cody Cutter for a near fall!

Rhodes screams at Lesnar to get up. Rhodes sets up for Cross Rhodes, but Lesnar counters out and locks him in the Kimura Lock! Rhodes screams in pain as his recently fully healed arm is being tested. Rhodes reaches for the bottom rope, but Lesnar keeps him back. Rhodes guts through it and fights his way to the bottom rope to break the hold. Rhodes pulls himself up, and Lesnar pulls him up for an F5. Rhodes slides off and drives Lesnar sternum-first into the exposed turnbuckle! Rhodes then applies the Kimura Lock to Brock Lesnar! Sweat is pouring off Lesnar’s forehead as he yells in pain. Lesnar manages to pull Rhodes up and lands hard on top of him to break the hold.

Rhodes gets up, but Lesnar pops up and gets him on his shoulders for an F5. Rhodes slides off and catches him with Cross Rhodes. Lesnar’s shorts are all ripped up somehow. Mercifully, he decided not to go commando this night. Rhodes pulls The Beast up and hits a second Cross Rhodes. Not feeling this was enough, Rhodes pulls Lesnar up a third time and hits a third Cross Rhodes! Rhodes covers him. 1… 2… 3!

Winner by Pinfall: Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes is on his feet and holding his ribs. His left arm is dangling a bit. Rhodes looks very serious. Brock Lesnar pulls himself up and removes his gloves. Lesnar and Rhodes go face-to-face. Lesnar bumps heads with Rhodes. Lesnar then shakes hands with Rhodes and hugs him! Lesnar raises Rhodes’s arm up for the crowd as a show of respect.

WWE Payback is coming on September 2.

WrestleMania 40 tickets are available one week from Friday. We see a crowd in Philadelphia chanting about WrestleMania.

A Becky Lynch hype package plays.

Video Package: The rich history of Battle Royals in WWE history

Slim Jim SummerSlam Battle Royal
Participants: Sheamus, Ridge Holland, Butch, Bronson Reed, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci, JD McDonough, Santos Escobar, Erik, Ivar, Matt Riddle, Rick Boogs, Apollo Crews, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tommaso Ciampa, Chad Gable, Otis, Cameron Grimes, Karrion Kross, United States Champion Austin Theory, Grayson Waller, The Miz, LA Knight, AJ Styles, and Omos

The bell rings, but MVP’s voice is quickly heard. MVP says this match cannot begin until the man who is going to win it is actually in it. MVP introduces “The Nigerian Giant” Omos. Everyone in the ring looks a little worried.

As Omos makes his way to the ring, everyone begins brawling in the ring. It’s a cluster-you-know-what. Omos makes a slow walk and finally gets to the ring. Omos grabs Apollo Crews and easily sends him over the top rope to eliminate him. Omos grabs JD McDonough and press slams him out of the ring onto Crews to eliminate him. Rick Boogs goes after Omos, but Omos shakes him off and eliminates him as well. Butch jumps on Omos’s back. The Brawling Brutes put Omos on the ropes while Alpha Academy holds his feet. They start to do a triple 10 Beats of the Bodhran on Omos! Omos fights out and takes them out, but there are no eliminations. Otis is eliminated by Imperium. Gable hits Kaiser with a t-bone suplex. Vinci goes to eliminate Gable, but Gable hits a belly-to-belly over the top rope to eliminate him! Erik attacks Gable, but Gable slams him down. Kaiser then dropkicks Gable down. Ivar goes to the middle rope, but Ciampa sends him over the top rope. Ciampa then eliminates Erik.

Ciampa and Nakamura go at it. Ciampa sends him over the top rope, but Nakamura lands on the apron. Ciampa hits Widow’s Bell and eliminates Nakamura! Reed grabs Ciampa and slams him into the corner before eliminating him. Theory sends Holland to the apron and viciously forearms him in the face to eliminate him. Grimes goes after Theory, 24 hours after they fought on SmackDown. Theory eliminates Grimes. Escobar then eliminates Theory, less than a week before they fight for Theory’s United States Championship. Karrion Kross attacks Escobar from behind and big boots him off the apron to eliminate him.

Kaiser continues to work on Gable and sends him over the top rope. Gable skins the cat and pulls Kaiser over the top rope backward to eliminate him! Butch and Riddle go after Omos. They teamed together in NXT. Omos lifts Riddle and Butch and eliminates them. Omos runs over Gable and Kross in the ring. Omos grabs Waller and holds him before hitting a strong scoop slam. LA Knight goes after Omos and punches away at him. Knight hits a pair of clotheslines that stumble him into the ropes. Knight hits the ropes, but Omos big boots him. Everyone left in the ring gets a shot in on Omos. Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick, but Omos doesn’t go down. Styles hits a Phenomenal Forearm, but Omos is still up. Everyone teams up to eliminate Omos! Omos nearly rips the apron off the ring!

Gable takes Waller down with an ankle lock, but Waller pulls himself under the bottom rope. Miz hits Gable with a Skull Crushing Finale as Waller gets in the ring and hits a reverse STO. They send Gable over the top rope, but he holds on. Miz tries to eliminate Knight, but Knight holds on. Knight then sends Miz over the top rope to eliminate him to a HUGE ovation. Sheamus then clotheslines Waller out of the ring. Styles sends Kross to the apron and hits an overhead kick to eliminate him. Gable goes for a deadlift German Suplex on Reed, but Reed is too heavy. Reed then sends Gable over the top rope.

It’s down to four men: Bronson Reed, LA Knight, Sheamus, and AJ Styles. Knight is put on the apron, but he pulls Reed over the top rope to eliminate him! Sheamus and Styles go at it. Sheamus hits Styles with an Irish Curse Backbreaker. Sheamus then hits Knight with a tilt-a-whirl powerslam. Styles soon takes Sheamus down. Knight puts Styles on the apron. Styles knocks him back. Kross grabs Styles’ ankle. Sheamus then Brogue Kicks Styles off the apron to eliminate him. Kross shouts to Styles that this isn’t over until he says it is.

In the ring, LA Knight hits Sheamus with a scoop slam and hits an elbow with theatrics. The crowd is emphatically behind Knight. Knight goes for Blunt Force Trauma, but Sheamus shoves him off and knees him in the face. Sheamus goes for a Celtic Cross, but Knight slides off and pushes him over the top rope. Sheamus snaps him off the top rope and goes to the top rope. Knight pops up, and they don’t fall off this time, unlike last night. Knight hits a belly-to-belly suplex off the top rope! Knight then clotheslines Sheamus over the top rope to win the match!

Winner: LA Knight
The crowd is going wild for LA Knight! Knight is celebrating this huge win.

A Slim Jim commercial plays with LA Knight and Bianca Belair starring in it.

Video Package: Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler

As first reported by Variety, Michael Cole and Wade Barrett will be the commentary team for WWE Raw moving forward. Michael Cole, Kevin Patrick, and Corey Graves will be the commentary team on SmackDown.

MMA Rules Match
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler
The referee explains the rules. This is not a WWE-sanctioned match. There are no pinfalls, count-outs, or disqualifications. The only way to win is by submission. Rousey offers to touch gloves, but Baszler shuns her.

The bell rings, and Rousey peppers her with some punches. Rousey gets her against the ropes, but Baszler gets away. Rousey hits a judo takedown and punches away at her. Rousey hits another nice takedown and punches away at the kidneys. Baszler manages to take the UFC Hall of Famer down. Rousey quickly gets out and goes for the armbar. Baszler fights out, and they go to their corners.

Rousey approaches Baszler, and Baszler catches her with a stinging kick to the hamstring. Rousey signals for a low kick, and Baszler absolutely stuns her with a kick to the side of the head. Rousey rolls out of the ring. That was reminiscent of Holly Holm. Rousey stumbles into the ring, and Baszler applies a leg lock. Rousey punches out and knocks her back. Rousey then hits a step-up knee to the face. Baszler appears to have her bell rung. The referee checks on Baszler, but Baszler is good to go. Rousey attacks a weakened Baszler and punches away at the kidneys. Rousey then grabs the arm and applies an arm lock. Baszler fights up, and Rousey pulls her over the top rope.

The referee checks on Baszler and orders Rousey to her corner. Baszler is down in the corner holding her left arm. WWE medical personnel check on Baszler, but Rousey pulls them away. Baszler sneers at her former friend and pulls herself up. Baszler throws her mouthguard at Rousey and attacks her. Rousey hits a nasty German Suplex and goes for the Kirifuda Clutch. Baszler hooks the head, but Rousey grabs the ropes. There are no rope breaks. Rousey fights it and takes her down for an armbar, but Baszler holds her arm to stop it from being fully applied. Baszler rolls out and goes for an ankle lock. Rousey quickly takes her down and applies a rear naked choke. Baszler rolls out and gets to her feet. Baszler takes her down and avoids a knee. Baszler catches Rousey with a Kirifuda Clutch. Rousey grabs the injured left arm, which Baszler is not using, and smashes it on her knee. Baszler bites her glove to fight through the pain. Baszler cinches in the Kirifuda Clutch, and Rousey passes out!

Winner by Technical Submission: Shayna Baszler
Shayna Baszler looks emotional as she celebrates in the ring. UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey looks stunned by the loss and is red in the face with emotion. She looks near tears. Rousey walks off with her head hung in shame. Baszler continues to celebrate.

Tonight’s attendance at Ford Field for SummerSlam: 59,194.

Video Package: WWE Intercontinental Championship

WWE Intercontinental Championship
Drew McIntyre vs. Gunther (c)
The bell rings. Gunther paces back and forth, while McIntyre stands still. They slowly circle in the ring. Gunther smirks and speaks to McIntyre. McIntyre gets the crowd going. They finally lock up and hold still. Gunther applies a side headlock. McIntyre whips him off, but Gunther responds with a shoulder tackle. McIntyre stumbles back into the ropes and rebounds with a shoulder tackle that takes Gunther off his feet. McIntyre kicks Gunther, but Gunther takes him down with a headlock takeover. Gunther cinches it in, but McIntyre fights up to his feet and hits a big back suplex. Gunther rolls out of the ring to recover. Gunther holds his neck at ringside. McIntyre goes outside and bounces him off the barricade before bouncing him off the apron. McIntyre puts him in the ring. Gunther attacks McIntyre as he gets in the ring, but McIntyre soon floors him with a Glasgow Kiss. Gunther rolls out of the ring to recover. McIntyre follows him out of the ring and clubs the back. Gunther quickly sends McIntyre head-first into the ring post before hitting a back suplex onto the top step of the ring steps!

Gunther gets McIntyre in the ring and stomps away at him. McIntyre fights back, but his punches don’t have any oomph. Gunther then takes McIntyre off his feet with a vicious chop to the chest. Gunther gets McIntyre to his feet, bends him back a bit, and viciously chops him down again. Gunther connects with a double underhook suplex for a one-count. McIntyre sneers as he rolls onto his stomach. Gunther grabs the right arm and pulls McIntyre in for a short-arm clothesline. Gunther pulls him up and executes a short-arm clothesline, but McIntyre only drops to a knee. Gunther tries again, but McIntyre doesn’t leave his feet at all. McIntyre and Gunther lay in some vicious standing clotheslines before Gunther bounces off the ropes with a clothesline to stun him. Gunther hits a release German Suplex, but McIntyre pops up and hits a nasty lariat.

Both men are down. Gunther slowly gets up and lights McIntyre’s chest up with a chop. McIntyre responds with some stiff chops. Gunther kicks him in the knee, but McIntyre fights back with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. McIntyre hits a second belly-to-belly. McIntyre goes for a Future Shock DDT, but Gunther fights out. McIntyre then hits a reverse neckbreaker. McIntyre lays down for a moment before doing a kip-up. McIntyre sizes The Ring General up for a Claymore Kick, but Gunther avoids it. Gunther then hits a Tyrannosaurus Dropkick. Gunther goes for a Powerbomb, but McIntyre fights out. McIntyre hits Gunther with a Powerbomb, followed by the Future Shock DDT for a near fall! McIntyre cannot believe it. McIntyre goes to the corner and starts to count down, but Gunther rolls out of the ring. McIntyre redirects and hits the ropes for a somersault senton… and he sticks the landing!

McIntyre gets Gunther in the ring and counts down for a Claymore Kick. Gunther connects with a Tyrannosaurus Dropkick followed by a Powerbomb. 1… 2… McIntyre kicks out! Gunther rolls McIntyre over and drops a knee before heading to the top rope. Gunther hits a diving splash for another near fall! Gunther is furious.

Gunther stands over McIntyre and lays in some nasty slaps and punches. McIntyre covers up to protect himself. Gunther goes for a chop, but McIntyre catches his arm. McIntyre chops the chest. Gunther chops him back. They stand in the middle of the ring and crush each other with nasty chops to the chest. They go back and forth with McIntyre coming out on top briefly. Gunther fights back, but McIntyre ducks a chop, hits the ropes, and hits Gunther with a Claymore Kick! McIntyre covers: 1… 2… Gunther kicks out! McIntyre is in absolute disbelief.

The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” McIntyre pulls himself up, and his chest is beet red. McIntyre pulls Gunther up and puts him on the top rope before rocking him with a chop. McIntyre puts one leg over the ropes to set him up and hits another chop. McIntyre sets up for what looks like a piledriver off the second rope. Gunther fights back. They exchange some nasty blows while hanging precariously on the ropes. McIntyre climbs to the top rope, but Gunther knocks him off. McIntyre’s leg gets caught on the top rope on the way down! Gunther quickly hits a diving splash. Realizing that didn’t put McIntyre away before, he stands McIntyre up and wipes him out with a chop. Gunther immediately follows up with a powerbomb and holds the legs to put all his body weight on McIntyre to keep his shoulders pinned to the mat. This incredible reign will continue!

Winner by Pinfall and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Gunther
A furious Drew McIntyre leaves the ring and storms up the ramp. Gunther puts the title around his waist and poses in the ring. He’s one month away from breaking the Honky Tonk Man’s 454 days, which has stood for 35 years.

Video Package: World Heavyweight Championship

World Heavyweight Championship
Finn Bálor vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c)
As Finn Bálor makes his entrance, he shows that he has “Seven” painted on his shoulder, signifying the seven years that have passed since he was forced to relinquish the WWE Universal Championship. The Judgment Day is not with him tonight. Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his entrance wearing the same ring vest he wore at SummerSlam 2016, the same night he injured Bálor’s shoulder and took him out of action, changing the course of Bálor’s career. As the ring introductions are made, Rollins throws the ring vest at Bálor.

An irate Bálor attacks Rollins from behind. Rollins fights back, but the referee quickly steps in and holds them back.

Video Package: World Heavyweight Championship

World Heavyweight Championship
Finn Bálor vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c)
As Finn Bálor makes his entrance, he shows that he has “Seven” painted on his shoulder, signifying the seven years that have passed since he was forced to relinquish the WWE Universal Championship. The Judgment Day is not with him tonight. Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his entrance wearing the same ring vest he wore at SummerSlam 2016, the same night he injured Bálor’s shoulder and took him out of action, changing the course of Bálor’s career. As the ring introductions are made, Rollins throws the ring vest at Bálor.

An irate Bálor attacks Rollins from behind. Rollins fights back, but the referee quickly steps in and holds them back.


The bell rings to officially start this match. They begin brawling in the center of the ring. They exchange heavy blows. Rollins knees him, but Bálor reverses a whip. Rollins quickly grabs him and sends him into the ropes for a back elbow. Rollins chops Bálor in the corner. Bálor stumbles to the next corner, and Rollins chops him again. Bálor walks to another corner, and Rollins chops him there as well. Rollins whips him to the opposite corner and avalanches him. Rollins sends him to the opposite corner and hits another avalanche. Bálor soon manages to kick the left arm and double stomps the chest. Bálor mounts Rollins and punches away at him. Bálor taunts the crowd and looks down at the “Seven,” which covers his surgically repaired right shoulder. Bálor punches Rollins in the ribs and chops the chest. Bálor wraps Rollins’ arm around the top rope and stretches it. Bálor takes Rollins down and applies an armbar, trying to make Rollins feel the pain in his shoulder that he felt seven years ago in Brooklyn at SummerSlam 2016. Bálor applies a hammerlock and cinches it in. Rollins soon fights up and lifts Bálor, but Bálor gets away and reapplies the armbar. Bálor snaps the arm and gets Rollins in the corner. Bálor shoulders him in the midsection and pulls the arm around the top rope. Bálor chops the chest and applies a hammerlock before driving his shoulder into the corner. Balor goes right back to the armbar. The crowd is in a stunned silence. Rollins fights up and hits a right hand to the face. Bálor holds the injured left arm and yanks it. Rollins chops out and punches and chops away with his good right arm. Bálor tries to reverse a whip, but Rollins stops him. Bálor twists over him and hits a Russian Leg Sweep. Bálor then applies a Fujiwara Armbar! Rollins yells in pain and grabs the bottom rope to break the hold. Bálor gets in the referee’s face. Bálor drives his elbow into Rollins’ head before looking at the referee again. Bálor whips Rollins to the opposite corner, but Rollins pops out and clotheslines him down. Rollins kicks him in the midsection, grabs the beard, and head-butts him a few times. Rollins kicks him in the face a few times before hitting a discus lariat for a near fall.

Rollins gets to his feet and collects himself. Rollins sets up for a Pedigree, but Bálor sweeps the feet. Rollins counters a Sling Blade and connects with the falcon arrow for a two-count. Bálor rolls out of the ring to recover. Rollins hits the ropes and hits The Prince with a suicide dive, driving Bálor into the commentary table. Rollins gets in the ring and hits a second suicide dive into the commentary table. Rollins then gets in the ring and hits a THIRD suicide dive. The crowd is coming back into this one. Rollins grabs him by the beard and throws him back into the ring. Bálor is bleeding from the mouth. Rollins goes to the top rope, but Bálor cuts him off and snaps the arm off the top rope. Rollins is on the apron. Bálor then drives Rollins’ injured shoulder into the ring post. Rollins falls in a heap at ringside.

Bálor looks at the barricade and sets up for a Buckle Bomb into it. That’s the same move that blew out his shoulder at SummerSlam 2016. Rollins fights out and gets him in the ring. Bálor kicks him in the head and goes outside. Bálor then hits a Buckle Bomb into the barricade! Bálor gets Rollins in the ring and connects with a Sling Blade! Bálor sizes him up for a Woo Dropkick, but Rollins superkicks him. Rollins grabs him, but Bálor counters into a falling elbow drop for a two-count. Bálor immediately transitions to an armbar. Rollins screams in pain. Rollins manages to roll out of it after a few moments. Rollins powers him up and hits a Buckle Bomb. Using his one good arm, Rollins powers him up again for a second Buckle Bomb. Rollins goes to the top rope and hits a Frog Splash! Rollins takes a moment to hold his injured ribs and covers for a near fall.

Balor spits out some bright red blood. Rollins pulls himself to his feet and hits a discus forearm to the head. Rollins spins him around and rocks him with a forearm to the back of the head. Rollins sets up for a Stomp, but Bálor rolls him and hits a double stomp to the chest. Bálor hits a Woo Dropkick and heads to the top rope. Rollins catches him with a superplex and tries to roll through for a falcon arrow, but Bálor counters with an inside cradle for a near fall. Rollins gets up and hits an enzuigiri. Bálor responds with an overhead kick. They’re both down again!

Bálor gets to his feet and looks irate. They exchange blows in the center of the ring. There is a big welt on Bálor’s back. Rollins fights him off, but Bálor connects with a Woo Dropkick. Bálor goes for a Coup de Grâce, but Rollins avoids it. Rollins connects with a Pedigree and covers, but Bálor just barely kicks out.

The crowd comes to their feet, and Rollins looks over to see Senor Money in the Bank Damian Priest heading to the ring, briefcase in hand. Bálor avoids a Stomp and rolls Rollins up for a near fall. Rollins gets Bálor on his shoulders, but Bálor slides off. Rollins rolls him up, but when Bálor kicks out he sends him into a right hand from Priest. Bálor connects with a Pedigree! 1… 2… Rollins kicks out! Bálor and Priest are in disbelief.

Priest waves his arm, and Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley and NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio run in through the crowd. Priest tells Bálor to use the briefcase, but Bálor doesn’t want to. Ripley and Mysterio distract the referee. Bálor sidesteps Rollins, and Rollins knocks Priest off the apron. Bálor rolls Rollins up, but he rolls through and hits a Stomp for a near fall!

Rollins takes out Priest at ringside and hits Mysterio with a Stomp on the floor. Rollins gets in the ring, and Bálor hits a Woo Dropkick into the corner. Bálor connects with a Coup de Grâce, and the crowd is absolutely apoplectic! 1… 2… Rollins kicks out! Bálor is absolutely floored. Bálor shouts to Priest and says they’re going back to the original plan. Priest looks disappointed and puts the briefcase in the ring. Priest distracts the referee. Bálor goes for the briefcase, but Rollins hits Bálor with a Stomp onto the briefcase for the win!

Winner by Pinfall and still World Heavyweight Champion: Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Bálor is absolutely irate and sneers at Priest. Priest has absolutely no expression on his face.

Alpha Academy is backstage playing WWE 2K23 and drinking their favorite drink, Mike’s Harder Lemonade. Chad Gable, Otis, and Maxxine Dupri talk about the great “Mikes” of WWE. The Miz walks in and says his name is actually Mike. Gable says he’s a Mike. Miz says he’s harder than Gable. He’s the only Mike in this room. They shove Miz into a crate and call him, “Mark.” They pose with their Mike’s Harder Lemonade drinks.

Video Package: WWE Women’s Championship

WWE Women’s Championship – Triple Threat Match
Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka (c) vs. Bianca Belair
The bell rings, and Asuka avoids a big boot. They all avoid a shot from each other. Belair rolls Asuka up, but lays down to duck a kick from Flair. Flair takes Belair down and hits Asuka with a back suplex before kipping up. Belair stands behind The Queen. Flair rolls Belair up for a one-count. Flair cartwheels over her a few times before catching her with a nasty knee to the midsection. Belair reverses a whip to the corner, but Flair rolls up the turnbuckles. Flair lands on the apron, but Asuka pulls her down. Belair hits a plancha and rolls Asuka into the ring. Belair kicks Flair away, and Asuka kicks Belair in the face for a two-count. Asuka grabs the arm and kicks her in the face a few times. Belair soon fights her off and elbows her back. Belair charges, but Asuka lifts her for a knee. Flair breaks up the pin and kicks Asuka back. Asuka sidesteps an avalanche and hits a German Suplex. Asuka starts kicking both women in the chest. Asuka lays out Belair with a kick to the head. Flair ducks the kick and rolls Asuka up for a two-count. Asuka is quickly up and hits Flair with a German Suplex. Flair rolls out of the ring to recover.

Belair elbows out of a German Suplex and goes for a suplex. Asuka counters the suplex into a roll-up for a two-count. Belair goes for a Glam Slam, but Asuka fights it. Flair then takes them out with a cross-body block. Flair chops both women before hitting Asuka with an exploder. Belair receives the same fate. Asuka and Belair are laying against each other in the corner. Flair kips up and looks at her opponents. Flair hits a weak-looking cartwheel into a clothesline. Flair takes them down and hits them with a mistimed double Natural Selection. She covers both for a near fall. Flair boots Belair and goes for a Figure Four Leglock, but Asuka catches her with a Codebreaker for a near fall.

All three exchange blows in the center of the ring. Flair rocks Belair with a chop. Asuka grabs Belair’s braid. Belair is knocked out of the ring. Asuka kicks Flair in the knee. Belair gets back in and hits Flair and Asuka with a double neckbreaker/DDT combo. Belair kips up and gets the crowd going. Belair shoulders Flair in the corner and punches away at Flair. Belair flips over Asuka and hits a spinebuster. Belair takes Flair down and nearly drops her on Asuka’s head. Belair goes for a standing moonsault on them both, but they get their knees up. Asuka soon catches Flair with an Asuka Lock. Flair says, “This way, this way,” so they get in position for Belair to hit a handspring standing moonsault to break it up. Belair clutches her knee in pain. Belair has been limping since being knocked out of the ring at the start of the match.

Belair heads to the top rope, but Asuka punches her in the face and knocks her to the floor. Asuka goes to the top rope, but Flair punches her in the face to knock her to the floor. Flair heads to the top rope and way overshoots a moonsault block on Belair. Asuka, who was standing far off, attacks Flair. Asuka gets her in the ring and hits a wildly mistimed diving DDT. Asuka covers, but Belair breaks up the pin.

Belair grabs Asuka. Asuka goes for a kick, but Belair avoids it. Belair goes for a KOD, but Asuka clumsily pulls herself to the apron. Asuka applies an Asuka Lock against the ropes. Belair gets away as Flair big boots Asuka off the ropes. Belair goes for a KOD, but Flair lands on her feet. Belair avoids a boot and turns her inside out with a slam. Asuka runs in and sends Belair out of the ring, looking to steal the pin, but Flair kicks out. Asuka applies an armbar to Flair. Flair powers her up and hits a hideous slam. Belair runs in and hits a sitout powerbomb on Flair. Asuka pops up and locks Belair in the Asuka Lock. Flair rolls them both up for a near fall.

Flair big boots Asuka down after a moment before hitting Belair with a reverse STO into the middle turnbuckle. Flair heads to the top rope and hits Belair and Asuka with a moonsault for a near fall. Flair is furious. She goes for a double Figure Eight on them, but they easily kick her away. Flair drops Belair over the top rope. She hits the ring steps on the way down before clutching her knee. Belair is in tears as she clutches her knee.

In the ring, Asuka catches Flair with a backslide pin for a near fall. Flair whiffs on a big boot and goes to the top rope. Asuka cuts her off. WWE medical personnel run down to check on Belair. Asuka stands on the top rope and hits a superplex. Belair, who can hardly put any weight on her knee, is helped to the back. Asuka and Flair are both down in the ring. They get to their knees and exchange blows. Asuka rocks her with a spinning back fist before hitting the ropes. Flair spears Asuka down for a near fall. Flair gets to her feet and applies a Figure Four Leglock. Flair transitions into a Figure Eight. Belair breaks away from the medical personnel and limps back. She goes to the top rope. Belair hits Flair with a 450 Splash out of the bridge for the Figure Eight. Belair covers Flair: 1… 2… Flair kicks out!

Flair and Belair are down in the ring. WWE medical personnel have left Belair instead of pleading with her to come to the back with them. Flair and Belair exchange blows in the center of the ring. Belair can hardly stand. Belair ducks a pair of chops and goes for a KOD on Flair. Flair gets out of it. Belair sends Flair into Asuka, who was trying to get on the apron. Flair takes Belair down and applies a Figure Four Leglock before transitioning into the Figure Eight. Belair screams in pain. Asuka crawls into the ring and spits Blue Mist into Flair’s face! Belair then rolls Asuka up to win the title!

Winner by Pinfall and new WWE Women’s Champion: Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair, on one leg, has won the WWE Women’s Championship. She cannot stand.

IYO SKY runs down to the ring alongside Bayley! Bayley takes Charlotte Flair and Asuka out with Sky’s Money in the Bank briefcase. In the ring, Belair fights off Bayley, but Sky quickly wipes out Belair. Sky hits Belair with the briefcase in the knee before hitting her over the head with it. Sky gives the briefcase to the referee. We’re getting a cash-in!

WWE Women’s Championship
Bianca Belair (c) vs. IYO SKY w/ Bayley
The bell rings, and this championship match is official. IYO SKY hits Bianca Belair with the Over the Moonsault for the victory!

Winner by Pinfall and new WWE Women’s Champion: IYO SKY
Bayley embraces IYO SKY in the ring. Dakota Kai, who has been out for months with an injury, gets in the ring and celebrates with her Damage CTRL partners. Damage CTRL stands tall in the ring!

A Liv Morgan highlight reel plays.

Video Package: Undisputed WWE Universal Championship – Tribal Combat

After making a long entrance, Paul Heyman hands Roman Reigns the microphone. Reigns says, “SummerSlam… acknowledge me!” The crowd loudly reacts to him, some acknowledgment and some defiance.

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
Tribal Combat
Jey Uso vs. Roman Reigns (c) w/ Paul Heyman
This is Roman Reigns’ first singles match since defeating Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania. That also marks the last time he defended the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, a little over four months between title defenses (not counting two untelevised defenses against Rey Mysterio at WWE SuperShows, one in June and one in July).

In Tribal Combat, there are no rules, but there must be a definitive winner. Reigns approaches Jey Uso and holds his Ulafala. Reigns says if Jey Uso can beat him for it, he’ll hand it to him personally.

The bell rings, and Tribal Combat has begun! They take a moment before locking up. Reigns powers him to the corner. They get into a shoving match. Reigns soon takes Jey down again and shakes his head at him. Reigns is not being aggressive with his cousin. Dueling chants for Reigns. The crowd is loudly buzzing with not much going on. They lock up, and Jey applies a side headlock. Reigns whips him off, drops down, and smashes his cousin with a back elbow. Reigns shouts at the crowd. Reigns punches Jey and stomps him before digging his boot into his head. Reigns lets him go and circles him. Jey gets to his knees, so Reigns knees him in the face. Reigns goes for a back suplex, but Jey flips through and lands on his feet. Jey lays in some heavy right hands on the current Tribal Chief. Reigns tries for a Samoan Drop, but Jey gets out and knocks him back. Jey clotheslines Reigns over the top rope. Reigns leans against the barricade to recover, but Jey lands on his back with a suicide dive!

Jey grabs Reigns and whips him hard into the steel ring steps. The referee checks on Reigns, but he is good to continue. Jey lifts the apron to loud applause. Jey pulls out a table. Paul Heyman tries to talk some sense into Jey. Jey sets the table up and shouts back at Heyman. Reigns attacks Jey and bounces him off the ring steps. Reigns gets Jey in the ring and punches him. Reigns whips him to the corner, but Jey boots him back. Jey leaps over Reigns. Reigns then grabs him and whiplashes him into the turnbuckles. Reigns becomes furious when the crowd starts chanting for the Usos. Reigns motions for them to be quiet, which makes them loudly boo him. Reigns goes outside and hits Jey with a Drive-By Dropkick for a near fall.

After sauntering around the ring and looking down at his fallen cousin, Jey Uso begins to fight back. Jey hits some kicks before hitting a big spin kick to the face. Reigns is knocked out of the ring. Jey goes for a suicide dive, but Reigns hits him in the face with a kendo stick! Reigns gets in the ring and viciously beats Jey with the kendo stick. Paul Heyman continuously shouts, “Tribal Combat!” Reigns hits Jey again with the stick and talks some trash. Jey writhes in pain on the mat. The crowd chants for the Usos again. Reigns points the kendo stick at the crowd before pulling Jey up by the neck with the kendo stick. Reigns calls him “Little Jey.” Reigns gets him on his feet and winds up for a big swing, but Jey beats him to the punch with a literal punch. Jey punches Reigns to the corner. Reigns quickly turns him around and viciously clubs away at him before throwing him down. Reigns then stands up and extends his arms to loud boos from the crowd.

Reigns then gets locked and loaded, sizing up his cousin. Reigns goes for a Superman Punch, but Jey hits Reigns in the midsection with the kendo stick! Jey viciously smacks Reigns time and time again with the stick, splintering it all over the ring! Jey clotheslines him over the top rope with the kendo stick before wiping him out with a beautiful somersault senton!

Jey gets to his feet and looks at his hands. The kendo stick was most likely pinching his skin after splintering. Jey goes to the top rope and dives, but Reigns takes him out with a Superman Punch for a near fall!

Reigns pulls himself up in the corner and waits for Jey to pull himself up to his feet. Jey is using the ropes to pull himself up in the corner. Reigns lets out a primal scream and charges for a Spear, but Jey leaps over him and rolls him up for a near fall. Jey quickly follows up with a superkick before racing to the top rope for an Uso Splash. 1… 2… Reigns kicks out! Jey Uso cannot believe it. Jey slowly reaches under the ring and pulls out a steel chair. Heyman is in tears and pleads with Jey not to do this, shouting that Reigns loves him. Jey smashes Reigns on the back. Heyman continues to plead. Jey hits Reigns again before throwing the chair aside.

Some in the crowd chant, “One more time.” Jey Uso pulls out a huge pile of chairs and throws them all into the ring. Heyman is in tears and shouts that they grew up together. There are about ten chairs piled in the center of the ring. Jey puts Reigns on the top rope and sets up for a superplex onto them. Reigns fights him off and head-butts him down. Jey stuns the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion on the top rope with a kick to the face. Jey goes to the top rope, but Reigns slips underneath him. Reigns then powerbombs Jey onto the steel chairs for a near fall! Reigns puts his head down in exhaustion.

Reigns sits on the apron for a few moments before going under the ring and bringing out a second table. Reigns puts this one in the ring. The first one is set up at ringside end-to-end from the apron to the barricade. Reigns leans the table in the corner. Jey charges to try to drive him through the table, but Reigns lifts him onto his shoulders. Jey fights it and lands on the apron, hanging precariously by the table set up at ringside. Reigns tries to punch him off through the table, but Jey holds on. Jey punches him back before hitting a shoulder to the midsection. Jey goes for a slingshot, but Reigns uppercuts him out of midair. Jey is back on the apron. Reigns points to the sky and hits the ropes. Jey kicks Reigns in the face before attempting a Samoan Drop off the apron through the table. Reigns fights it, but Jey soon hits him with a Samoan Drop off the apron and through the table at ringside! Reigns landed hard on his left arm. It doesn’t appear to be broken, but Reigns is bleeding heavily from the elbow.

Reigns begins to crawl away, leaving smears of blood from his elbow with each stride. Jey pulls a long leather strap out from under the ring and stuns Reigns with a vicious smack to the back. Jey hits him again, and Reigns retreats over the barricade to escape this. Jey follows him into the crowd and punches his cousin. Jey lifts Reigns up for a Samoan Drop on the floor, but Solo Sikoa blindsides him from out of nowhere. Sikoa looks over at a table with cables on it. Sikoa clears it off and grabs his brother. Sikoa then crushes his older brother with a Spinning Solo through the table!

Sikoa grabs Jey’s arm and begins to drag him through the crowd at the direction of Reigns. Sikoa soon lifts Jey onto his shoulders and throws him back to ringside. Sikoa leaps over the barricade and gets Jey to his feet. Sikoa gets Jey in the ring. Reigns gives Sikoa some direction. Sikoa gets in the ring and hits Jey with the Spinning Solo. Reigns joins Sikoa in the ring. Sikoa looks at his heavily taped thumb. Channeling the spirit of his uncle, the legendary late great Umaga, he pulls Jey up to his feet for a Samoan Spike. Reigns goes for a Spear on Jey as Sikoa hits the Samoan Spike, but Jey gets out of the Samoan Spike and pulls Sikoa into the Spear from Reigns! Jey heads to the corner and hits Reigns with a Spear for a near fall!

Sikoa, struggling to catch his breath, is on all fours. Jey grabs a steel chair and smashes Sikoa on the back with it. Jey then turns to Reigns and hits him with the chair. Jey then hits Sikoa a second time with the chair. Jey is irate and smashes Reigns’ chest with it before slamming it down on his arm. Reigns gets out of the ring to recover. Jey follows him out with the chair. Jey goes to hit Reigns, but Sikoa superkicks him from out of nowhere. Reigns puts a hand out for Sikoa to help him up, but Sikoa declines the request. Sikoa is holding his ribs and seems like he’s accusing Reigns of spearing him on purpose. Reigns says he didn’t. Jey then spears Reigns through the barricade!

Sikoa has seen enough and attacks Jey. Sikoa clears off the commentary table. Jey gets out of a Spinning Solo and superkicks him onto the table. Jey then stands on the barricade and splashes Sikoa through the commentary table, getting revenge for his brother, Jimmy, who Sikoa took out with the same move. Jey gets Reigns in the ring and crushes him with a Spear! Jey goes to the top rope and hits an Uso Splash! 1… 2… a mystery man dressed in black pulls Jey out of the ring! It’s revealed to be Jimmy Uso! The crowd chants, “Are you kidding me?” Jimmy superkicks his brother and puts him in the ring before walking off!

Reigns looks over and sees Jimmy Uso walking off. He looks confused. Reigns then hits Jey with a Spear through the table leaning in the corner and covers him for the victory. Roman Reigns has won Tribal Combat.

Winner by Pinfall and still Undisputed WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns takes his Ulafala and raises it in the air. He will continue on as the Head of the Table and the Tribal Chief. Corey Graves refers to Jimmy Uso as “a piece of human garbage.” An emotional Jey Uso comes to in the ring and realizes that his own twin brother has betrayed him and cost him the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Roman Reigns walks off with Paul Heyman, who holds the Ulafala and the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship up in the air. Heyman then hands the Ulafala to Reigsn, who puts it on. Heyman acknowledges Reigns as Tribal Chief. There are no other Tribal Chiefs but him.

Video Package: WWE SummerSlam highlights

[ SUMMER SLAM INDEX ]