WWE Summerslam 2026 Night One

By Steve Ward

WWE Summerslam Night One emanated this evening from US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Night one of this two-night extravaganza would feature six matches with two titles contested and would be headlined by a Hell In A Cell Match between Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi.

 

Women’s World Championship

Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky

Winner: Liv Morgan via pinfall

 

Tonight marked Liv’s first defense of her title since she dethroned Stephanie Vaquer at WrestleMania. Her opponent would be the formidable Iyo Sky who defeated Liv in the Queen of the Ring tournament. Iyo was able to withstand outside interference from Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, however, Liv escaped falling victim to the Over The Moonsault multiple times to answer with two Codebreakers (one from the second rope) and finally Oblivion to retain her title.

 

The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) & Jacob Fatu vs. Royce Keys, Solo Sikoa, & LA Knight

Winners: Royce Keys, Solo Sikoa, & LA Knight via pinfall

 

This six man tag team bout saw Solo pull together the forces of Knight and Keys in an attempt to conquer the Bloodline. They were able to do just that as the closing moments saw Solo stun Jey Uso with the Samoan Spike setting him up to be put down with LA Knight’s BFT.

 

Gunther vs. Nick Aldis

Winner: Gunther via submission

 

With Gunther’s growing frustrations over being unable to recapture the Undisputed WWE Championship, he made the mistake of getting physical with Smackdown GM Nick Aldis at Saturday Night’s Main Event which brought us to tonight’s encounter. For those unfamiliar with Nick Aldis’ resume, he is a former TNA World Champion (then known as Magnus) and held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (also known as the Ten Pounds of Gold) to name a couple accomplishments so a three-year hiatus from in-ring competition may not be so daunting for him. Aldis did not demonstrate any ring rust and appeared to be in prime condition. In the closing moments of this hard-fought bout, Aldis seemed moments from a massive upset as he had Gunther trapped in the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf. Gunther was able to escape and followed up with a powerbomb before finally earning the submission victory via the sleeper hold.

 

The Bella Twins & Paige vs. Fatal Influence

Winners: Fatal Influence via pinfall

 

Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid defeated Brie Bella and Paige two weeks ago for the tag team titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Now with Nikki Bella back from injury, the three were out for revenge tonight in a six-woman tag team affair. The end of this match was rather anticlimactic as Jacey Jayne put Paige away with the Rolling Thunder. Following the match, The Bellas delivered a vicious beatdown on Paige as Nikki had taken exception to her stepping in with her sister Brie while she was out with an injury.

 

Undisputed WWE Championship

CM Punk (c) vs. Cody Rhodes

Winner: CM Punk via pinfall

 

Cody Rhodes found himself right back in an Undisputed WWE Championship once again after he confronted his friend CM Punk following his victory over Sami Zayn to reclaim the title. Punk told Cody to say when he wanted a title opportunity which brought us to tonight. Late in the match, Cody seemed fast on his way to winning the championship after Punk had missed an elbow drop from the top rope to Rhodes who was seemingly incapacitated on the announce table - until he rolled out of harm’s way just in time. Cody then attempted a Cody Cutter moments later, but Punk moved leaving referee Charles Robinson there to take it instead. With the referee now out of commission, Randy Orton emerged from the crowd and hit Rhodes with an RKO outta nowhere! Punk then hit Cody with a GTS just in time for Charles Robinson to come to and count the pinfall.

 

Hell In A Cell

Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman vs. Oba Femi

Winner: Oba Femi via pinfall

 

The trilogy between these two unstoppable behemoths would come to a head tonight as the third battle in their trilogy, following encounters at WrestleMania and Clash In Italy, would commence in Hell In A Cell with the series tied at one apiece. These two gladiators wreaked absolute havoc in the cage as they left broken tables, chairs, and ring steps scattered around the ring. In the closing moments, Brock ripped up the ring canvas and padding as he exposed the wood planks. Brock then delivered a Tombstone Piledriver onto the wood. Oba kicked out of the subsequent pinfall attempt and moments later delivered the Fall From Grace to seal the victory.

 

Following the match, Brock returned to the ring, embraced Oba, and proclaimed him the future of WWE.

WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One

By Steve Ward

The “Showcase of the Immortals” returned tonight for its 42nd installment as WWE presented WrestleMania 42 Night One from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. This marks the first time that WrestleMania has been held at the same venue since WrestleMania five and six were each held at Boardwalk Hall (then known as Atlantic City Convention Hall) in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Early this week it was reported, however, that WWE was still behind last year’s night one gate by approximately 20,000 tickets due in part to TKOs inflated prices. While we will need to see if they were able to rebound in sales, it is undeniable that the seven match card is star-studded with four title bouts and a main event featuring Cody Rhodes defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton.

Six Man Tag Team Match

The Usos & LA Knight vs. Logan Paul, Austin Theory, & IShowSpeed

Winners: The Usos & LA Knight via pinfall

With the Usos and LA Knight not involved in any title picture and The Vision depleted in their ranks with the untimely injuries to Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, this special six man tag team attraction was booked to open the ESPN 2 portion of the card. While one would have thought The Usos would have received an opportunity to reclaim their tag team titles from Logan Paul and Theory, this seemed to be the only option to implant Knight on the card. Following some miscues by The Vision late in the match, IShowSpeed received the BFT from LA Knight and was subsequently pinned.

Unsanctioned Match

Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre 

Winner: Jacob Fatu via pinfall 

After Drew McIntyre was unceremoniously removed from the main event after he dropped the Undisputed WWE Championship on an episode of Smackdown several weeks ago to Cody Rhodes, he found himself entered into a feud with Jacob Fatu. Tonight they did battle in an Unsanctioned Match (I suppose this is the PG label for what is essentially a Hardcore Match). Fatu was able to withstand a Claymore Kick and being shoved from the top turnbuckle down through a table staged on the floor at ringside to rebound for a victory. In the closing moments, McIntyre was laid out supine on a table in the ring as Fatu ascended to the top rope and delivered the Mighty Moonsault which sent Drew through the table setting up the pinfall.

Women’s Tag Team Title Fatal Four Way

Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. The Bella Twins vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

Winners: Brie Bella & Paige via pinfall 

The first surprise of the night arrived as The Bella Twins made their entrance with Nikki Bella on crutches. Nikki stated she was not cleared to compete, however, she found a replacement in the form of Paige who just signed back with the company yesterday! In the closing moments, Alexa Bliss failed her attempt at the Twisted Bliss as Paige got her knees up and she quickly countered with the RamPaige for the victory.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship 

AJ Lee ( c ) vs. Becky Lynch

Winner: Becky Lynch via pinfall 

After she was dethroned from her spot as Women’s Intercontinental Champion at Elimination Chamber, The Man received her opportunity at redemption tonight against the woman who took her title, AJ Lee. In the closing moments of this bout, Becky found herself in the corner with an exposed steel turnbuckle behind her. As AJ charged her, Becky pulled referee Jessika Carr in front of her leaving her briefly incapacitated. This allowed Lynch to slam Lee’s head into the dreaded exposed turnbuckle and then hit the Manhandle Slam to reclaim her title.

Gunther vs. Seth Rollins

Winner: Gunther via submission 

It was rumored that Gunther was scheduled to potentially end the career of Rey Mysterio tonight, however, an injury to Rey changed those plans and left Gunther with no WrestleMania plans. Since WWE could not allow the momentum of the Career Killer, who retired AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble, to be stymied, they had him attack Rollins several weeks back on RAW to set up this encounter of megastars. Late in the bout Rollins appeared to be in complete control after he delivered a Pedigree and Stomp on the announce table before Bron Breakker made his shocking return and speared him at ringside. Gunther was then able to capitalize as he cinched in the sleeper hold for the victory.

Women’s World Championship 

Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan

Winner: Liv Morgan via pinfall

Liv Morgan punched her ticket to WrestleMania after she outlasted 29 other women in this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble Match. In a rather anticlimactic title bout, Liv’s Judgement Day cohorts, Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez, made their presence known late which allowed Morgan to hit Oblivion for the win.

Undisputed WWE Championship 

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton w/ Pat McAfee

Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall

Randy Orton earned his opportunity for world championship number 15 tonight following his victory in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. In recent weeks, he was often seen communicating by phone with a mystery individual which lead to rampant speculation that it could be anyone from “Cowboy” Bob Orton to Vince McMahon - much to the WWE Universe’s dismay, it was Pat McAfee (whose agent is coincidentally one of the heads of TKO Holdings and of course is prominently featured on ESPN). Nonetheless, Orton would be pitted against “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes who has met a mixed crowd reaction following his victory over Drew McIntyre to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship in the middle of the Road to WrestleMania on an episode of Smackdown. Prior to the opening bell, McAfee got the jump on Cody Rhodes but this would backfire quickly as Cody would quickly regain the upper hand with the help of Jelly Roll. McAfee would find himself laid out on the announce table and moments later was driven through the table thanks to an elbow drop by Jelly Roll. Late in the match, Randy Orton was disoriented by a vicious eye poke and accidentally RKO’d referee Charles Robinson. Moments later, Pat McAfee returned to the ring with a neck brace and referee shirt on. Orton went for a pin attempt on Cody but he kicked out at two. Seemingly tired of McAfee’s antics, Orton RKO’d McAfee, however, this opened the door for Rhodes to hit the Cross Rhodes and seal the victory. After the match, Orton took out Rhodes with the title belt and delivered a punt to his cranium before standing over him with the title to close the show.

Royal Rumble 2026

By Steve Ward

WWE presented the 39th incarnation of the Royal Rumble from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this evening in front of a crowd of 25,000. Not only was the event held in a crowd substantially smaller than what would’ve been commanded in the United States, it also was within a stadium that was built in a parking lot over the past month. The show, which marks the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania, featured four matches and was headlined by the Men's Royal Rumble Match.

Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Winner: Liv Morgan

The show kicked off with the Women’s Royal Rumble Match where the competitors were all required to wear Saudi-approved attire and more importantly, where the winner would earn a shot at the championship of her choice at WrestleMania.

Order of Entry:

Charlotte Flair
Alexa Bliss
Kiana James
Nia Jax
Ivy Nile
Lola Vice
Candice LeRae
Jordynne Grace
Becky Lynch
Sol Ruca
Roxanne Perez
Maxxine Dupri
Nattie
Liv Morgan
Lash Legend
Zelina
Raquel Rodriguez
Chelsea Green
Giulia
Iyo Sky
Asuka
Rhea Ripley
Bayley
Jacy Jayne
Nikki Bella
Lyra Valkyria
Kelani Jordan
Kairi Sane
Brie Bella
Tiffany Stratton

Final Four: Raquel Rodriguez , Liv Morgan, Sol Ruca, and Tiffany Stratton.

The first of the final eliminations occurred as Liv dumped her Judgement Day stablemate Raquel over the top rope as she celebrated her elimination of Rhea Ripley. Moments later, the final three women found themselves battling on the ring apron. First, Ruca went for the Sol Snatcher but missed and was eliminated by Stratton. This opened the door for Liv Morgan to knock Stratton off the ring apron with the Oblivion to punch her ticket to WrestleMania.

AJ Styles vs. Gunther
Winner: Gunther via submission

This bout came to the forefront after AJ Styles squared off with Gunther on Monday Night RAW earlier this month. Styles seemingly clinched victory with a Calf Crusher submission that prompted The Ring General to tap out, however, the referee didn’t see it and Gunther eventually prevailed after a low blow gave him the edge. This outcome lead Styles to seek a rematch but Gunther would only accept the challenge once Styles put his career on the line. AJ Styles emptied the tank in this contest but in the end, Gunther cinched in a vicious sleeper hold that saw The Phenomenal One unable to answer the call of referee Dan Engler (formerly TNA lead official Rudy Charles) as his career came to an end.

Undisputed WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn
Winner: Drew McIntyre via pinfall

This match came to fruition after McIntyre stunned the WWE Universe by defeating Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship three weeks ago on Friday Night Smackdown and after Zayn won the number one contender’s fatal four way at last week’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. The final minutes of this match saw Sami Zayn square up McIntyre for a Heluva Kick, however, he was intercepted by Drew with a Claymore. Rather than go for a pinfall, Drew elected to deliver more punishment with a second Claymore as he silenced the challenge of Sami Zayn to retain his title.

Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Winner: Roman Reigns

In the main event of the evening, 30 WWE Superstars competed for a main event spot on The Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania, in a 30-man over the top rope battle royal.

Order of entry:

Oba Femi
Bron Breakker
Solo Sikoa
Rey Mysterio
Rusev
Matt Cardona
Damian Priest
Je’Von Evans
Mr. Iguana
Trick Williams
Cody Rhodes
El Grande Americano
El Grande Americano (Chad Gable)
Royce Keys (fka Powerhouse Hobbs)
Austin Theory
Bronson Reed
Ilia Dragunov
La Parka
Dragon Lee
Logan Paul
LA Knight
Brock Lesnar
The Miz
Rey Fénix
Jey Uso
Roman Reigns
Jacob Fatu
Penta
Randy Orton
Gunther

Final Four: Gunther, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and Logan Paul 

One major development that occurred at the onset of the match occurred during Bron Breakker’s entrance. Before he could enter the ring, a masked assailant emerged from the crowd and issued a severe beatdown that was capped off by one of Seth Rollins’ signature moves, The Stomp, which lead many to speculate it was him.

Fast forward to the closing moments of the match where Roman Reigns eliminated Logan Paul after Paul was intercepted with a Superman Punch as a counter to a springboard maneuver he attempted. After Reigns tossed Paul, he received an RKO out of nowhere from The Viper who was promptly tossed by Gunther. Gunther seemed poised to win the match as he had Roman trapped in a sleeper until he was carried towards the corner and had his head propelled towards the ring post. This opened the window for Reigns to spear Gunther before tossing him from the ring to claim his spot in the main event of WrestleMania.

WWE Summerslam 2024

By Steve Ward

WWE Summerslam emanated from Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio this evening in front of a raucous sellout crowd. Tonight’s card featured seven matches, six of which were title bouts. The card was headlined by Cody Rhodes going toe to toe with Solo Sikoa for the WWE Undisputed Championship with the air of speculation as to whether Roman Reigns would make his long-awaited return.

Women’s World Championship 

Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio vs. Liv Morgan (c)

Winner: Liv Morgan via pinfall

Rhea Ripley finally received her opportunity tonight for vindication and to regain the title she never lost. Ripley was previously forced to relinquish her title shortly after WrestleMania due to injury. In the weeks following, Liv Morgan became infatuated with Ripley’s man, Dominik Mysterio, who eventually helped her win the Women’s Title in Saudi Arabia. That brings us to tonight where Ripley, who had seemingly taken Dirty Dom back, attempted to win back her title. In the closing moments of the match, Ripley was unable to finish Morgan with the Riptide so she turned to a steel chair. Dom grabbed the chair warning Ripley that she would be disqualified only to, moments later, toss the chair into the ring so Morgan could drive Ripley’s head into it with the Oblivion.

WWE Intercontinental Championship 

Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn (c)

Winner: Bron Breakker via pinfall

Following his unsuccessful bid to win the Intercontinental Championship at Money In The Bank, Breakker has been on a warpath with Zayn in his crosshairs. While this was not the dominating effort one would anticipate, Breakker withstood a Blue Thunder Bomb from Zayn in the final minutes of the bout and countered the Heluva Kick with a spear. Breakker then put Zayn away with another body breaking spear to claim his first main roster title.

WWE United States Championship 

Logan Paul (c) vs. LA Knight

Winner: LA Knight via pinfall

Logan Paul put his 270-day title reign on the line this evening against another Superstar seeking his main roster singles title, LA Knight. In the closing moments, rapper MGK handed Paul brass knuckles which he managed to use to no avail as moments later Knight countered Paul’s attempt to put him away with the BFT to claim the US Title.

WWE Women’s Championship

Bayley (c) vs. Nia Jax

Winner: Nia Jax via pinfall

Nia Jax earned her shot at Bayley’s title tonight as a result of her victory in the Queen of the Ring tournament. Late in the match, Tiffany Stratton made her way to the ring to distract Bayley. This provided Jax the window of opportunity she needed to turn the tides in her favor as she hit two powerbombs and then not one, but two, Annihilators (an homage to Yokozuna’s Bonzai Drop) to win the title.

CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre

Special Guest Referee - Seth Rollins 

Winner: Drew McIntyre via pinfall

The bitter rivalry between Punk and Drew would come to a head this evening as Punk is finally cleared to wrestle following his torn triceps suffered at the Royal Rumble (despite making regular appearances since WrestleMania where he cost McIntyre his newly earned title to Mr. Money in the Bank Damian Priest five minutes after winning it from Seth Rollins). Seth Rollins would also be the special guest referee tonight after blaming Punk for costing him the World Heavyweight Championship at Money in the Bank last month. Late in the match, Punk got into a verbal altercation with Rollins and eventually boiled over with emotion and delivered the GTS. As Punk turned his attention back to McIntyre, he received a low blow followed by a brutal Claymore Kick. This allowed McIntyre to claim victory and a measure of revenge.

World Heavyweight Championship 

Damian Priest (c) vs. Gunther

Winner: Gunther via submission 

Tonight Damian Priest would be required to defend his title against Gunther who earned his shot by winning the King of the Ring Tournament. The final minutes of the match saw Priest’s Judgement Day running mate Finn Balor make his way to ringside seemingly in support of Damian. Priest proceeded to rally and hit the Razor’s Edge and South of Heaven and proceeded to attempt a pinfall. Balor then betrayed Priest and put Gunther’s leg on the ring rope to break the count. Gunther finally cinched in back-to-back sleeper holds with the second putting Priest to sleep and crowning Gunther with his first World Heavyweight Championship.

WWE Undisputed Championship 

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Solo Sikoa 

Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall

Tonight’s match had been in the making seemingly ever since Solo took control of The Bloodline following Roman Reign’s loss at WrestleMania. Surprisingly, this bout, contested under Bloodline Rules, began with Solo coming to the ring alone. The match began as a typical back and forth affair until Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga intervened only to be quelled by Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. Just moments later, Jacob Fatu intervened to turn the tides in Solo’s favor again. Fatu then put Rhodes through a table but injured himself in the process. Next, the unspeakable happened as Roman Reigns made his long-awaited return and delivered a Superman Punch and spear to Solo which allowed Cody to hit the Cross Rhodes to retain his title.

WWE Money In The Bank 2022

By Steve Ward

WWE made their return to Las Vegas this evening as Money In The Bank emanated from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. One could make the argument that this has evolved into one of the most significant pay per views of the year simply for the massive ramifications it can have on the world championship landscape. For those unfamiliar with the long running event, the respective winners of each Money In The Bank Ladder Match (who are crowned by retrieving the briefcase suspended above the ring) are awarded a world title shot at any point for one calendar year. One note of interest was that the event was originally scheduled to be held at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Raiders, however, sub-par ticket sales lead to the venue change. This evening’s loaded card featured six scheduled matches including two Money In The Bank Ladder Matches, as well as, three title bouts.

Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match

Becky Lynch vs. Asuka vs. Liv Morgan vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Lacey Evans vs. Shotzi vs. Alexa Bliss

Winner: Liv Morgan

The women’s match offered a well rounded field of competitors as it combined many established contenders and former champions, as well as, a few dark horse participants with the winner in position to potentially take a shot at the winner of the Ronda Rousey versus Natalya Neidhart title showdown also featured on the card. In the final moments of the match, we witnessed Becky Lynch seemingly moments from retrieving the briefcase as she ascended a ladder in the center of the ring, however, Liv Morgan came out of nowhere and climbed another ladder right next to her. Morgan was able to dispatch of Lynch and transitioned over to her ladder with a clear path to the briefcase. Morgan retrieved the briefcase and will now be able to cash in an opportunity at the Women’s Champion for one year.

United States Championship

Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory (c)

Winner: Bobby Lashley via submission

After imposing his dominant strength upon Theory for much of the match, Lashley appeared in dire straits in the closing moments as Theory raked his eyes and executed a spear on The Almighty. Theory then hoisted Lashley up on his shoulders for the A-Town Down, however, Lashley used his speed and tact to slip out and promptly cinched in The Hurt Lock for the submission victory.

RAW Women’s Championship

Carmella vs. Bianca Belair (c)

Winner: Bianca Belair via pinfall

Belair was originally slated to defend her title against Rhea Ripley until an injury left her unable to compete. Carmella was subsequently able to insert herself in the match after she won a five-way match recently on RAW. By championship bout standards, this was a relative squash match as Belair had an answer to every ounce of offense Carmella attempted to mount. In the end, Belair retained her title after she put Carmella down with the KOD.

WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship

The Usos (c) vs. The Street Profits

Winners: The Usos via pinfall

The Usos put their historic 348 day title reign on the line this evening as they stood toe-to-toe with Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, The Street Profits, with the Undisputed Tag Team Championship on the line. The Usos frustrated The Street Profits for the majority of this match as they couldn’t put away the champs regardless of the level of risk associated with their offense. In the closing moments, Dawkins was disposed of into the timekeeper’s area leaving Ford to fall victim to some heavy tandem offense at the hands of The Usos. First, he took duel super kicks on the chin and then fell victim to the 1D as The Usos retained their titles. Controversy surfaced after the conclusion of the match as the replay showed that Ford’s shoulder was never down on the canvas as the referee commenced with his three count - there certainly will be more to come of this in the coming days.

Smackdown Women’s Championship

Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Natalya

Winner: Ronda Rousey via submission

Ronda Rousey returned to the ring tonight to defend her championship against another technical wrestler in Natalya. There were not many highlights in the match although the key moment came when Rousey was propelled from the ring and “tweaked” her knee on the landing. Rousey was still able to overcome this and a Sharpshooter attempt from Natalya to lock in an impressive armbar for the submission victory.

Following the match, Liv Morgan rushed to the ring to immediately cash in her Money In The Bank contract as Rousey was hobbled.

Smackdown Women’s Championship

Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Liv Morgan

Winner: Liv Morgan via pinfall

Rousey was able to immediately cinch in the ankle lock, however, Morgan escaped as she targeted Ronda’s knee. Morgan then rolled up Rousey for the pinfall to become the new Smackdown Women’s Champion.

Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match

Riddle vs. Seth Rollins vs. Omos w/ MVP vs. Madcap Moss vs. Sami Zayn vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Theory

Winner: Theory

After all seven competitors entered the ring, WWE executive Adam Pearce made his way out to announce there would be an eighth competitor and he proceeded to introduce Theory who lost the United States Championship earlier. In the closing moments, Riddle disposed of Rollins as he executed an RKO from the top of the ladder before scaling it once again. With the briefcase at his fingertips, Theory met Riddle at the top of the ladder. The two combatants proceeded to exchange blows as Riddle was knocked off of the ladder leaving Theory alone to retrieve the briefcase in possibly the worst Money In The Bank Ladder Match I’ve ever witnessed.