WWE SummerSlam from Minneapolis, Minnesota, concluded with an epic World Heavyweight Championship bout between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. While that match may dominate the headlines, there is plenty to discuss surrounding the biggest party of the summer. SummerSlam had numerous intriguing moments, leaving the WWE Universe surprised, emotional, and perplexed. With that in mind, here are three takeaways from this weekend’s action.
The main event of night one of SummerSlam featured The Ruler, Oba Femi, and The Beast, Brock Lesnar. There was plenty of hard-hitting action inside the squared circle between the two 300-pounders, but that also proved to be the issue for much of the WWE Universe. The cell itself was hardly used, as Femi tossed Lesnar into it one time. Femi also used it to set up a spot where he Irish Whipped Lesnar through a table. The biggest moments took place in the ring, including when Lesnar hit the Tombstone Piledriver on the exposed boards!
It appears that the only purpose of the cell was to say The Ruler defeated The Beast inside Hell in a Cell. The match would have been just fine without the steel structure, but it probably helped for storyline purposes.
Trick Williams lost the United States Championship to Baron Corbin (who was gon for nearly two years) after a 104-day reign. Little to no one wanted Corbin in this match (there were “We want Melo” chants), let alone winning the belt. The only way this would make sense is if Williams is about to compete for bigger and better things, which would be the WWE Championship.
The current holder of that belt, CM Punk, who successfully defended his belt against Cody Rhodes (albeit with help), has called out the man known as Tricky Willy multiple times. The two had a backstage encounter on the most recent episode of SmackDown, and it feels like a matter of when, not if, they will face off.
Williams will not be “Two Belt Trick” after the loss to Corbin. The name “Main Event Trick” could, however, be imminent.
Chelsea Green won the five-way ladder match, becoming the interim WWE Women’s Champion in the process. It was a long time coming for Green, who was released by the company in 2021, as she finally clawed her way to the top. There were many doubters along the way, and the new champion had a message for one in particular.
For those who are unaware, the current VP of Creative Writing, Michael Hayes, felt Green was not built for the role of Charlotte Flair or Tiffany Stratton (via WWE Unreal). Hayes then went on to say that Green’s job is to make those people. WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque expressed his doubts on that same WWE Unreal episode. During talks about potentially putting the US title back on Green, HHH said she would have to lose to the likes of Jade Cargill and Stratton.
Ironically, three of the women mentioned, Flair, Stratton, and Cargill, competed in this ladder match. Green proved to them, management, and the WWE Universe that she is worthy of this spot. Pledge your allegiance to the new WWE Women’s Champion, well, for now at least, as it does have the interim tag.
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This year’s SummerSlam had a good balance of new and old faces. Punk and Reigns are still at the top of the mountain, Randy Orton and Kevin Owens returned, but there are clearly new challengers for the crown. Femi and Williams could be world champions down the line, Green reached the top of the Women’s Division, and the hometown hero, Chad Gable, finally captured singles gold.
With Green, the title reign could, unfortunately, be short-lived. Former WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, known as The Eradicator, is currently recovering from a torn meniscus. There is no exact timeline for her return to action this time. The company, however, now feels it could be sooner rather than later. It is a strong possibility that The Eradicator will regain the title from Green upon Ripley’s return.
Now, we wait and see what the fallout from this weekend’s action entails. What is next for Rollins? Who will get the next crack at CM Punk? Will Brock Lesnar officially retire? Those questions should be answered soon.
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