SummerSlam Night Two Preshow & Discussion
Good morning and welcome back to our LIVE (tonight, that is) coverage of SummerSlam Night Two! If you missed Night One, check out our results coverage here. As of this writing, there are six matches scheduled for tonight. A lot of gold is on the line tonight, folks, and there's a lot of special matches. Becky Lynch will defend her Women's Intercontinental Championship once again against Lyra Valkyria, with the special stipulation that Lyra cannot challenge Becky again for the WIC title again if she loses. AJ Styles will finally get his hands on Dominik Mysterio when he challenges for the IC title tonight.
There'll be a wild six-team TLC match for the WWE Tag Team Championships, featuring the champs the Wyatt Sicks defending against the Street Profits, Fraxiom, DIY, the Motor City Machine Guns, and Andrade & Rey Fenix. Also on tap is a triple-threat for the Women's World Championship, as Naomi tries to battle off Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. Speaking of Rikishi (when are we not?), Solo Sikoa defends his United States title against Jacob Fatu in a steel cage match. And in what should be an excellent main event, Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena will take on Cody Rhodes in a street fight. Cena, apparently, went face Friday on SmackDown so we may finally get face Cena vs face Rhodes.
We'll have all this and roughly 45 minutes of vignettes, starting at 6pm tonight. That's 6pm EST, 5pm for the centralists, 4pm for you mountaineers, and 3pm for the wrong coasters. Have a great Sunday and we'll see you later tonight! Final card adjustments and article updates will roll out about an hour or two before start time.
SummerSlam Night Two Live Results
It's Showtime!
It's 5:59pm and Tigirlily (I'm butchering that, sorry) are singing God Bless America. They've announced our opening match, so I'll post that header now while the Temu Dixie Chicks sing. After a bunch of hype and footage showing Superstars backstage, Triple H comes out at 6:06pm EST and gets in the ring. He hops on the mic. "So here we are. This is it. This is the moment. This is your time! (cheap pop) All of you right now are part of the biggest SummerSlam in history! (cheap pop) And if you thought last night was something, you ain't seen nothin' yet! (cheap pop) So MetLife Stadium, I have one question for ya: are you ready? (cheaper pop) I said...ARE...YOU...READY? (cheapest pop of all time) Then welcome to the biggest SummerSlam in history!" Cue the pyro at the massive entrance stage. Okie dokie then.
WWE Women's World Championship Triple Threat Match: Naomi(c) vs Iyo Sky vs Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley begins her entrance at 6:08pm. Iyo Sky is out next at 6:11pm, followed by our champ Naomi at 6:13pm who had her father--musician Sean Mcray--play her out with a kickass theme. Oh yeah, we were introduced to one of the foreign commentary teams. Also, did you know Drumstick is the snackdown champion? Me neither. Yay for ads all over my wrestling. We get our opening bell at 6:17pm. All three stare each other before Naomi exits the ring. Commentary has reminded us incessantly that Naomi's MitB cash-in cost Iyo & Rhea a "classic" match last month. Rhea and Iyo decide to work together against Naomi and head outside the ring, boxing her in from either side and forcing her to flee into the ring. She tries to flee again in the ring but the challengers won't let her. Iyo and Rhea begin to punch Naomi back and forth between them before sending her to the corner. Ripley whips Iyo into Naomi. Iyo tries to whip Naomi into a Big Boot from Rhea, but Naomi reverses the whip and sends Iyo's face into Ripley's boot.
Naomi heads up top and takes out Iyo & Rhea with a crossbody, then tosses Ripley out of the ring. Naomi kicks a seated Iyo in the face. Naomi uses Iyo's hair for a series of snapmares. Naomi continues to maintain control as Ripley recovers on the outside. Naomi tries to suplex Ripley as she enters; Ripley struggles until Naomi bites her hand, then shoves Ripley off the apron. Naomi takes down an entering Iyo with a suplex and covers for two. Remember, a triple-threat is a no DQ so biting and hair pulling are legal. Naomi slaps a head hold on Iyo, only breaking it when Ripley enters the ring. Naomi shoves Iyo towards Rhea, who catches her in a side head hold because...yeah. Naomi hits a springboard kick off the ropes and onto Rhea's head; this causes Ripley to fall back and, as she's holding Iyo, a DDT happens. Hey, I'm writing what I see. Not the program itself.
Around 6:23pm, Ripley rallies and begins to chain moves together, putting an end to Naomi's opening and dominant stretch. Ripley and Iyo have some fun together, playing up to the crowd. Iyo looks for a 619 and hits it; Ripley grabs Naomi as she staggers back and hits a release German Suplex on her. Naomi rolls out of the ring. Ripley and Iyo stare each other down in the most friendliest manner possible to a big pop. They then, finally, engage with each other. Ripley with an early cover attempt after a package driver, I believe. The crowd's hot for this match. Ripley looks for a Riptide but Iyo counters with a roll-up for two. Iyo counters a Ripley strike into a takedown into a Crossface Crippler, but Ripley escapes. Iyo swings and misses with a kick, but counters a back drop attempt into a driver and a cover attempt. Naomi hits the ring to make the save. Naomi returns to an offensive state, trying to fight off both Iyo and Ripley. Ripley with a stiff kick that sends Naomi out of the ring. Ripley with a Razor's Edge! She follows it up with a bomb and covers, but Naomi drags her out of the ring to make the save. Naomi attempts to enter the ring and cover, but Ripley drags her out. The two begin to brawl outside the ring.
Ripley whips Naomi into the barricade, then the steel steps, then begins to club her back. Iyo takes them both out with a springboard Moonsault from the apron! Big pop for that. Iyo takes control of Naomi in the ring and looks for a Bullet Train Attack. Ripley intercepts her, so Iyo drops Ripley and hits a standing stop. Iyo positions Naomi and Ripley in opposite corners and begins hitting Bullet Train Attacks on them both. Iyo calls for the Over the Moonsault but Ripley rushes over and shoves her back, causing Iyo to crash forward against the turnbuckle. Naomi attacks Ripley from behind then hits her Split-Legged Moonsault, covering. Iyo looks to break it up with an Over the Moonsault but Naomi moves out the way! Iyo crashes into Ripley! Naomi covers Iyo for a close two. The crowd's hot for this tonight. At 6:30pm, Naomi pulls Iyo up and begins to unload on her; Iyo fires off some uppercuts of her own to gain separation. Iyo runs off the ropes but is caught in the face with a running knee by Naomi! Ripley catches Naomi immediately with a Riptide and covers for a close two. Iyo comes flying in from across the ring to make the save at the last possible moment.
Iyo and Rhea begin to slowly strike each other in the ring while Naomi recovers outside. Naomi tries to enter but is sent back outside. Ripley and Iyo again clash, with Ripley dropping Iyo with a big strike. Ripley quickly runs along the apron and hits a Scorpion Kick on Naomi on the outside floor. Ripley gets on the apron; Iyo Sky tries to hit a Sunset Powerbomb but Ripley catches the rope. Iyo hangs on, however, and rushes over with Ripley on her shoulders--she powerbombs Ripley onto Naomi! Sky sends Ripley into the ring and begins climbing the turnbuckle, looking for another Over the Moonsault attempt. Ripley, again, clubs her in the back to stop her progress. The two battle in the corner. Ripley positions on the middle rope and hits an Avalanche Riptide, covering for a close two. Naomi hits Ripley to break the hold, rolls Ripley up immediately, and picks up the win in an exciting finish at 6:33pm!
Your Winner AND STILL Women's World Champion, Naomi! (16 minutes)
TLC 25th Anniversary Announcement
As the famous TLC match took place at SummerSlam 25 years ago, we're shown the Dudley Boyz and the Hardy Boyz in the audience. We're also reminded that in a couple of months, the Dudleyz and Hardyz will have one final match against one another (and I won't have to keep writing Z in place of S like its 1995 anymore!)
WWE Tag Team Championship TLC Match: the Wyatt Sicks(c) vs DIY vs the Street Profits vs Fraxiom vs Motor City Machine Guns vs Andrade & Rey Fenix
It's 6:41pm and we've been given our TLC rules. TLC, in case you're new here, stands for "tables, ladders, and chairs." To win the match, a team must retrieve the titles that are suspended above the ring. The Street Profits are out first. I'll update when we get our bell in approximately 4-6 minutes. DIY was out next, followed by: MCMG, Fraxiom. Fenix & Andrade, then our champs the Wyatt Sicks. This match is brought to you by Mike's Hard Lemonade. Hard days deserve a hard lemonade, and nothing makes you harder than Mike. The Wyatt Sicks will be represented by Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis. All 12 men are in the ring and we get our bell at 6:51pm. Updates will be a bit slower as this match will be chaotic. Please stand by.
All 12 men clash and begin pairing off. The pairing changes too frequently to note. The ring is cleared and the face tag teams (Fraxiom, MCMG) take turns diving and attacking out of the ring, wiping out the heel teams. Fraxiom are the sole ones left in the ring and fetch a ladder, taking it into the ring. The MCMG (Motor City Machine Guns) stop them from doing anything with it. The two teams clash briefly. Eventually the Street Profits clear the ring. They decide to pay homage to the Dudleys by getting tables and setting them up at the ringside area. They stack two tables side-by-side, then place another table on each of those (it's a 2x2 now). Meanwhile, DIY begin using steel chairs to work over the MCMG and torment them. Fenix & Andrade take out the Profits inside the ring, and ultimately Andrade & Fenix each hit the 3 Amigos on the Street Profits. The crowd rips off a loud Eddie chant.
DIY prevents Fenix & Andrade from executing a high-flying finisher. They then use chairs to work over the Profits. Ciampa of DIY then throws another Superstar (I think Fenix) over the corner turnbuckle and to the outside, using him as a weapon to wipe out others. The MCMG hit the ring and try to stop a rallying Wyatt Sicks. They take out Gacy. Lumis and Montez Ford battle outside; there's many tables and ladders set up everywhere. Sorry I'm not doing this match justice, y'all, but I'm live transcribing 12 nutjobs in a warzone right now. Lumis & Gacy sacrifice their bodies to take out two different competitors through tables; Fenix heads up and dives off, taking out Gargano I believe. Dawkins heads up top, looking to take out Ciampa on a table outside but Axiom grabs him and hits a Spanish Fly off the top turnbuckle through the table outside at 6:59pm! Ciampa moved at the last minute!
There's bodies everywhere, there's chaos everywhere. Candace LeRae--the wife of Johnny Gargano of DIY--makes her way out and starts to set up a table. B-Fab, who's aligned with the Street Profits, hits the ring to take out Candace. B-Fab begins to climb the ladder so Nikki Cross/Sister Abigail hits the ring and takes her out, but takes herself out as well. Candace climbs the ladder, trying to get the titles down for her husband. DIY guard the ladder, stopping others from entering so far. Montez Ford kicks Ciampa at 7pm--Ciampa stumbles back, crashing into Gargano; this causes Gargano to accidentally dump the ladder over! Candace LeRae flies to the outsdie and crashes through a table! Holy shit! The crowd erupts for this! Gargano doesn't check on his wife--he just gives her a thumbs up!
The Profits hit the ring and wipe out DIY; Eric Rowan of the Wyatt Sicks hits the ring and begins to clear house! He tries to double-Chokeslam the Profits, but they battle back. The duo use steel chairs to repeatedly beat the ever-loving hell out of Rowan! The crowd are on their feet, have been for a good bit. Rowan recovers so the Profits work together to spear him through the table! All three are down! This is beautiful chaos, folks, and I do recommend watching it when you can. Ciampa sets up a ladder and climbs up. The MCMG both hit the ring and take the ladder out of the way. Ciampa's hanging on to the belt/hook! Frazier of Fraxiom climbs a ladder and tries to spear Ciampa off, but Ciampa avoids it! Frazier and Gargano battle, with Gargano hitting a Superkick on a springboarding Frazier! Gargano places a ladder for Ciampa. Ford leaps onto the ladder and battles Ciampa off! Gargano climbs up; Fraxiom pull him off as Ford works on the titles. Axiom headbutts Ford in the crotch! Axiom and Ford battle on one ladder as the MCM set up a ladder next to them and climb up.
Several men climb up the same ladder and battle. We're left with DIY on the ladder as Uncle Howdy/Bo Dallas hits the ring and shoves over both ladders! Uncle Howdy climbs the ladder but Nathan Frazier races up to stop him! Uncle Howdy locks in the Mandible Claw! Rey Fenix hits Uncle Howdy with a steel chair to no avail. More chaos. Andrade joins the fray and hits a Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the ladder, on Howdy, through a bridged ladder! Rey Fenix gets his fingers on the gold but Lumis & Gacy make the save! They work together to take out Fenix. Gacy climbs as Lumis guards the ladder. The crowd boos loud as Gacy unhooks the titles and pick up the win at 7:07pm!
Your Winners AND STILL WWE Tag Team Champions, the Wyatt Sicks! (16 minutes)
WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship No DQ Match: Becky Lynch(c) vs Lyra Valkyria
It's currently 7:15pm EST. They're showing promos for this match. Connect the dots, tra-lala-la. Bird girl is out first at 7:18pm, but more importantly, Becky Lynch is out at 7:20pm with new music--an actual song with lyrics and stuff. I'll update if I see the song/band name. We skip the official announcements ahead of our bell at 7:22pm. Lyra starts off strong, slapping and punching Becky before going on an offensive stretch featuring hip tosses and takedowns. Becky exits the ring and walks around for a breather Lyra tries for an attack to the outside but Lynch sidesteps it and sends Lyra into the commentary table. Lynch slams Lyra's face into the table a few times. Becky gets a kendo stick from under the ring. The crowd is pretty darn flat for this match. It's kind of sad. Lyra gets a crowbar from under the ring. The two clash weapons; the crowbar wins and Lynch loses her stick. Lynch begs for mercy as Lyra closes in; Lyra swings and misses as Lynch escapes. The two clash outside for a few minutes, with Lyra ending up on top. Highlights include Lyra setting up a table outside, only for Lynch to use a steel chain to choke her out in what Barret calls a "Dublin Grin." Lynch uses the chain and the ring post to deliver maximum punishment. It's 7:27pm.
Lynch eventually takes the action back into the ring and reclaims her kendo stick. Lots of piped in audience sounds right now, its a bit obvious. Lynch uses the kendo to unload on Lyra, whacking her repeatedly. Lynch uses the stick to execute a Side Russian Leg Sweep and tries for our first cover attempt of the night. No joy. Becky lines up, using her kendo like a golf club, and whacks Lyra in the ribs. Cole points out that Lynch is in Happy Gilmore 2. Lynch covers for another two. Lynch slows the pace even more, attempting mind games and unloading with more kendo strikes. Lynch finally heads outside and gets a red metal tool box, then a steel chair and places both in the ring. She goes back and gets a second chair for good measure, then uses it to smack Lyra across the back. The crowd very lightly cheers for more, I think. Hard to hear as they're so quiet. Lynch with a drop toehold to send Lyra's face into a set up steel chair. Becky uses the steel tool box to ram Lyra, and covers for two. No joy. Joy died with this match. Lynch recovers some zip ties from inside the box and uses them to secure Lyra's wrists together.
Lynch continues to dominate for several more minutes. We're now ten minutes in at 7:32pm. Barrett mentions the ref may step in if Lyra can't defend herself. Lynch with a Becksploder, but Lyra rolls out of the ring almost completely unphased. She tries to use the steel steps to saw her zip ties off. Lynch uses Lyra's bound wrists to hang her from the ring post, outside the ring, and uses a kendo to repeatedly batter the challenger. Lynch finally takes it inside and looks for a cover, but Lyra kicks out at two. End this. End me. End the world. Just make it stop. Lynch sets up a chair and looks for a Manhandle Slam, but Lyra get her bound arms around Lynch to block it and trap the champ. Lyra with a headbutt and fires off a belly-to-belly suplex. Both Superstars are down. I'm thinking Lyra's zip ties should've come undone on impact as she was checking them and Wade straight up said they did. They did not.
Lyra, with bound wrists, continues her offense. A dropkick to send Lynch down. Lyra hops on the middle turnbuckles and tries to get her hands free but can't. She still fires off a no-hand Moonsault, executing it flawlessly. She covers for a two. Lyra drags Lynch over to the set-up chair and begins slamming Lynch's face into the steel chair. It's 7:37pm. The crowd is finally alive enough to do a dueling chant. Lynch looks for Lyra, who went under the ring. Lyra blasts Lynch in the face with a fire extinguisher. Lyra looks around for something to break her zip ties. She uses the fire extinguisher's hardware but no joy. She heads back under the ring. Meanwhile, Lynch recovers and grabs a kendo. Lyra finally gets her wrists free and exits from under the ring. She blocks a kendo strike, snatches it, and finally unloads on Lynch to a good pop.
The two continue to battle back-and-forth, culminating with a brief struggle on the steel steps. Lyra ultimately wins that battle, hitting a driver from the steps onto the hard ringside floor. Both women are down. Lyra finally rises to boos, big ones, and takes Becky into the ring. The crowd's either very bored, or behind Becky, or both. The piped-in cheers get louder but it's clearly not the crowd. Lyra tries to send Becky's face into an exposed buckle, but Becky counters with a Manhandle Slam onto two set-up chairs! Big pop (for this match)! Lynch covers but only gets a two! Lyra rolls to the outside for a breather. Lynch pursues, gets a chair, and smacks Lyra with it. Lynch sets up the chair and bounces Lyra's face into it repeatedly. She traps Lyra inside the chair (it's a folding chair, there's a gap and Lyra's tiny). She then ramps Lyra into the barricade a few times, the chair still trapped around Lyra and pinning her arms to her side. Becky uses the legs of the chair to send Lyra down to the floor. Becky traps the chair further on Lyra, climbs the commentary table, and jumps off--landing on the flat back of the chair that's trapping Lyra. The crowd with a pop, a mild one. Lynch gets a crowbar. Cole asks if a director can call this match off. Lynch lines up the club and threatens to swing--but Bayley makes the save at 7:44pm!
Bayley takes the weapon away from Lynch. Lynch tries to bargain with Bayley, encouraging her to attack Lyra and blaming Lyra for taking Bayley's spot at both WrestleMania and SummerSlam. Lynch attempts a sneak attack on Bayley; Bayley sees it coming, blocks it, and unloads on the champ! Remember, it's a no DQ match. Bayley screams at Becky as she sends her face-first into the barricade. Lyra dives in out of nowhere and crashes into Lynch just as she tries to rally, and both women go through the table. Bayley's down off camera. Lyra takes Lynch back into the ring. Lyra lifts Becky up for a Nightwing but Lynch rakes her eyes. Both women clash; Bayley, chain wrapped around her first, hops on the apron and takes a swing at Lynch, but Lynch ducks and Bayley clocks Lyra! Bayley is in shock, not having meant to strike Lyra, but...not upset to get in the ring and stop Becky from picking up the win at 7:47pm. Lyra cannot challenger for Lynch's WIC title as long as she holds it.
Your Winner AND STILL Women's Intercontinental Champion, Becky Lynch! (25 minutes)
------INTERMISSION! WE'RE HALFWAY THROUGH!------
WWE United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Solo Sikoa(c) vs Jacob Fatu
The United States Champion, Solo Sikoa, is out first, solo. No MFT with him. Jacob Fatu is out next. We get our bell at 8:00pm. This match is brought to yo by Breath Death. Kill bad breath. Become legendary if you kill other people's bad breath! Fatu gets a great welcome from the crowd and is the life support the crowd needed after our last match. The two take a few moments to stare each other down; Solo says some inaudible words that prompt Fatu into hitting him. And we're off! Both men jockey for control in our early moments, using various strikes and holds. Fatu drops Solo with a speedy corkscrew elbow. Neither man establishes control for the first few minutes. Finally, the champ takes our first lead of the match, chaining together various offensive strikes while playing up to a booing crowd. Solo with a Senton Bomb. Solo continues to play mind games, yelling insults at Fatu while sending him into the steel cage. Solo covers for two, then tells the ref to open the steel cage door. Solo tries to walk out but Fatu grabs his foot. Solo pummels Fatu; the official locks the door again. Solo tells him to open it again; Fatu grabs Solo's ankle, again. It's god damn Groundhog Day over here! Solo finally looks for a Samoan Spike but Fatu ducks under. Fatu shows life, hitting a side kick before dropping the champ with a clothesline from Hades.
Sikoa tries to rally by sending Fatu into the steel cage; Fatu shrugs it off and gets on fire, planting the champ after a series of powerful strikes and moves. Fatu hops up to the top rope and hits a pair of beautiful Moonsaults to a pop. Fatu covers but only gets a two. Cole tells us this is the first time anyone's kicked out of a Moonsault by the Samoan Werewolf. The crowd boos and we see MFT--My Family Tree--hit the ringside area. Jimmy Uso hits the ring and Superkicks JC Mateo and another MFT member! The 7'0 tall Tala Tanga drops Jimmy Uso with a big kick. Solo tries to crawl out the ring but Fatu stops him. "Close the gate! It's all gas! No god damn way," yells the challenger. He turns around and into a Samoan Spike from Solo! Sikoa covers but Fatu kicks out! Sikoa posts up in the corner then decides to climb out of the cage. Less effort than walking through the door? Fatu begins climbing after Sikoa and the two meet up at the top of the cage. Fatu pulls Sikoa back into the cage and the two battle on the top rope. JC Mateo tries to scale the cage from the outside; Tonga Loa also tries to climb up, as does the gigantic Tala Tonga! Tala has handcuffs in his mouth and cuffs Fatu to the top of the cage! Fatu can't get out of the corner/off the top turnbuckle!
JC Mateo opens the gate door for Sikoa; somehow, Fatu breaks free of his cuffs and drops down, grabbing Sikoa in time to stop him from escaping! Fatu kicks the steel cage door into Mateo's face. Sikoa tries to escape again, getting halfway out before Fatu drags him back into the ring! Tala slams the cage door into Fatu's face and Sikoa falls out of the cage and ring, literally, and picks up the win out of nowhere at 8:13pm. Okay?
Your Winner AND STILL United States Champion, Solo Sikoa! (13 minutes)
After the Match
Jimmy Uso jumps back into the fight as MFT celebrate. Fatu rallies and helps him. Jimmy & Jacob lock themselves in the cage with x. They beat him down. Fatu hops up on the top turnbuckle--then climbs all the way to the top of the cage, standing on the metal platform in the corner. The Samoan Werewolf hits a huge Moonsault off the top of the steel cage, wiping out MFT to a big pop! He pops right back up, just fine after the big spot. Impressive!
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Dominik Mysterio(c) vs AJ Styles
The Intercontinental Championship has been defended sixteen times at SummerSlam. Our current champ, Dominik Mysterio, begins his entrance at 8:24pm EST, sans the Judgment Day. Dominik is celebrating 20 years in the WWE--he's counting his "debut" at SummerSlam when his father had a custody ladder match against Rey Mysterio. AJ Styles is out next at 8:25pm, ahead of our 8:28pm bell. He came out in a lowrider with his son, Avery, by the way. Oh and AJ's tights are Eddie Guerrero themed, modeled after what Guerrero wore in 2005 SummerSlam against Mysterio (Rey). AJ starts off fast, quickly sending Dom fleeing from the ring. The action resumes in the ring, with the challenger in firm control in our opening minutes. At one point, Dom attempts a Hurricanrana on AJ in the corner but Styles counters with a Styles Clash attempt. Mysterio luckily avoids it and Styles continues to dominate with strikes and grapples.
Dominik manages to rally, hitting a Michinoku Driver to start off a short stretch of offense. AJ Styles weathers it for a few moments, then shuts it down with a Brainbuster. Styles heads up top and looks for a Frog Splash but Dom gets the knees up! Dom sets up Styles for, and connects with, a 619! Mysterio heads up top and looks for a Frog Splash but AJ gets the knees up. AJ doesn't give Mysterio time to breathe; Styles locks on a calf crusher. Dom reaches the ropes and forces the break at 8:35pm. The crowd is fully awake, btw. They're ripping off a loud dueling chant for AJ Styles/Dirty Dom. Dom catches Styles with a kick to the face and removes a turnbuckle pad. The ref works on putting it back on; Dom uses the distraction to get a steel chair. Dom smacks the mat, tosses the chair, and drops down! Styles dops down, wrapping the chair around his head! Vintage Eddie! The ref is confused and doesn't know what happened, so this match continues! Styles with a dropkick to a recovering Dom; Mysterio hangs in there and drops the challenger. Styles kicks the rope as Dom tries to cross over them, and the rope catches Dom in the Mysterio family jewels.
Dom shoves Styles into a corner; Styles fights out of the corner, locking in a calf crusher in the middle of the ring! Dirty Dom screams in pain, unable to reach the ropes. Dom wiggles free by slipping out of his boot! Haha. Styles looks for a leaping forearm; Dom moves and Styles nearly clubs the ref. As the ref recovers, Dom hits Styles with his boot. Dom heads up top, hits a Frog Splash, and picks up the win at 8:39pm.
Your Winner AND STILL Intercontinental Champion, Dominik Mysterio! (11 minutes)
Stephanie McMahon Announces SummerSlam Attendance
We return and Steph announces tonight's attendance--60,561 here this evening. "And when you add last night and tonight we get a total of 113,720 people, making this the biggest SummerSlam in history!"
Undisputed WWE Championship Street Fight Main Event Match: John Cena(c) vs Cody Rhodes
It's 8:45pm and they're recapping how "announcers all over the world" called the TLC match. We get our official announcements and are reminded of Street Fight rules--no countouts, no DQ, and the only way to win is by pinfall or submission (aka, a no DQ match). At 8:51pm, out first to a special entrance package is Cody Rhodes. The special package plays quotes and audio from Dusty Rhodes and Rhodes comes out to new music! Lots of pyro and he's wearing a new take on his mask. His regular theme starts up next. The crowd's going wild. Cody takes his sweet time and hugs some people in the front row. For $50k for a ticket, he better hug you. Cody's very emotional in the ring. At 8:56pm, the Greatest of All Time begins his entrance to a massive pop. Full music, full tron, the full John Cena entrance experience. The crowd absolutely erupts when his tron goes from black with his name in white lettering, to his colorful, traditional (aka face) tron. He looks to the camera and begins to speak. "Stu, I missed you, man! Y'all know what time it is!" He then charges to the ring. The crowd is HOT, and definitely for Cena. He poses in the ring to massive roars from the crowd. We're reminded this is his 16th career SummerSlam and he's currently 4-0 against Cody Rhodes in singles competition. At 8:58pm, we get our official introductions and the crowd boos the shit out of Cody! Sure, there's some cheers, but it sounds 80-40 in favor of Cena. The crowd is on their feet for Cena's introduction, and he puts an arm around announcer Alicia Taylor as she announces him--and he salutes the crowd! He's all smiles, face Cena is definitely back (...or so we think.) "Here back tonight at SummerSlam one final time, the Last Real Champion--John Cena!" Soaking it up, folks, because I've got less than a handful of matches to call for Cena. We get our bell at 9:00pm EST.
Both men stand toe-to-toe, just like at the Rumble. Cena gives Cody a hug and talks into his ear off-mic. The two part and immediately unload on each other. We're under way! The action quickly spills outside; remember, this is a Street Fight so no rules. Cody whips Cena into the steel steps for massive boos. Cena fights back, sending Rhodes into the steps as well. The crowd is hot throughout this, and a dueling "lets go Cena/Cena sucks" plays out. Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers gives a crutch to Cena! Cena uses it on Cody to great effect. Tyrese was shown earlier tonight to massive boos from the Knicks fans. Cena slides the solid, heavy base of the steel steps into the ring and enters. Cena stalks Cody then looks for an Attitude Adjustment (AA) on the steps. Cody escapes and slams Cena down on the steps to more boos.
Cody leaves Cena on the step base and heads up the turnbuckles. Cena pops up, rushes over, and shoves Cody to the floor. Cena throws the steel step base at Cody, smacking his wrist and arm. Cena heads outside and begins to work over the challenger before taking it back inside. Rhodes catches Cena with a Disaster Kick as he tries to enter the ring, then attempts a short cover inside. Cody takes a stretch in control. Drop down-right hand from the mat combo by Cody (does it have a name? Weigh in below, I'll credit you if I see it!) Cody uses working holds to try to wear down the champ, but Cena powers to a vertical base and whips the challenger into the corner. Cody rebounds out of the corner and fires off a snap Powerslam for a two count cover. Rhodes and Cena search under opposite sides of the ring, and both get a chair. They meet in the ring, clashing chairs. Cena's is knocked free by Cody; Cody whacks Cena with the chair again and covers for two.
Rhodes stomps on Cena's ankle, then wedges a chair in the corner. Rhodes looks to whip Cena into it but the champ rallies, dropping Rhodes with his patented comeback sequence. Cena its the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Cody recovers and fires off his punching combo to massive boos. A Cody Cutter outta nowhere to more boos; Cody covers but only gets a two at 9:08pm. Cena rallies and hits an AA outta nowhere, covering for a two! The action goes back and forth for several moments, with both Superstars taking turns in control. Rhodes fires off another Cody Cutter, covering for two. Rhodes with a back drop for a cover attempt. No joy. Cena counters a driver with a piledriver! Cody covers but Cena kicks out at two. Wade Barrett points out how that move is banned in many other federations. The ref checks on Cena. Cody pulls Cena up, looking for another piledriver, but Cena hulks up and hits an AA outta nowhere at 9:12pm! Both men are down and the ref checks on both as we get replays.
The two begin to slowly exchange blows. Finally Cena slaps on an STF in the middle of the ring! Cody powers to the ropes but again, the ref won't enforce the break due to the match stipulations. Cody finally uses the ropes to break out of the hold and escapes to the outside. Cena pursues and looks for an Irish Whip; Cody counters, sending Cena over the barricade and into the timekeeper's area. Cody loiters; Cena recovers, hitting Cody across the head with a mic! Cena hits a standing Sunset Flip Powerbomb in shades of young Cena! Cena puts Cody up on the commentary table and climbs up as well. Cena is looking for an AA! Cena leaps off and hits the AA through the Spanish announce table to a huge pop at 9:16pm! It takes Cena several long moments to get Rhodes into the ring; Cena covers but Rhodes kicks out at two. Cena charges Cody as he stands; Cody moves and Cena clashes into the turnbuckles. Cody grabs Cena and hits the Cross Rhodes! Cody covers! Cena kicks out just in time! Cody's frustrated and stalks Cena as he tries to get to his feet. Cody pulls Cena up and puts him on the top turnbuckle Cody punches Cena and repositions the champ, then climbs up. Cody's looking for a Superplex.
Cena begins to fight back, trying to power out. Cena headbutts Rhodes' chest and shoves him off! Cena with a diving Leg Drop off the top rope! Cena hits an AA and covers but Cody kicks out at 9:20pm! Cena looks in disbelief! Then...he grins and rolls out of the ring, plan in mind. Cena gets a steel chair and tosses it aside; he digs under the ring and finds a table to a huge pop. Cena takes the table into the ring and sets it up in the middle. Cena smiles, stalking Cody. Cena hoists up Rhodes; Rhodes shoves the table over and counters the AA attempt with a DDT! Cody covers but only gets two. Cody sets a table up in the corner. The two quickly engage again, jockeying for control. The action spills outside; Cody whips Cena into the barricade, flipping him over, and they begin to battle into the crowd! Cena fights back and the two slug to a big pop, battling further through the crowd. It's 9:23pm.
Cena picks up a steel barricade/fence section and smacks Cody with it. It gets set up at angle and Cody suplexes Cena onto it. I'll say this, Cena looks good. He might not be 30 anymore but he's not fighting out of shape or looking poorer, as other Superstars have this late into their career. Both men continue to fight, now heading underneath the massive stage. There's no cameraman under there. We see smoke rising from the elevator shaft that leads up to the ramp (Cody used it during his entrance earlier). The elevator rises and we see Cena with Cody on his shoulders in a fireman's carry, grinning ear to ear. Cena walks down the ramp a few steps and delivers an AA on "the hardest part of the stage" per Cole. Again, impressive conditioning from the 48-year-old champ as we're 27 minutes into this match. Cena picks Cody up on his shoulders again and marches all the way down the ramp to place Cody in the ring! The crowd shows Cena some respect. Cena enters the ring but Cody Cena's up and attacks him!
Cody drives Cena immediately into the table! Rhodes with a Cross Rhodes outta nowhere at 9:28pm, covering for a close two! Rhodes rushes Cena; Cena drops down, pulling the top rope so that Rhodes spills to the outside. Rhodes grabs a nearby chair and smacks Cena in the face with it. Rhodes heads to a corner and starts to unscrews the bottom turnbuckle, making the bottom rope come loose! Rhodes grabs the steel truncheon he unscrewed (think: metal bar) and clocks the champ! Massive boos! Cody seems to morally struggle with whether or not he should do it again.
Cody hits Cena again with the steel truncheon (with the turnbuckle still attached, mind you) across the head. Boos from the crowd. Cody seems to struggle again with the decision as to whether to continue to use the weapon. Cena begins to slowly rise. Cody goes for a third strike; Cena counters with a drop toehold! Cena locks in the STF! Cena uses the loosened rope to strangle Cody while keeping the STF on! Cody rolls over, reversing it. Cody uses the rope to choke Cena! Cena powers out with sheer determination and some strength. Cody hits a Cross Rhodes! Cody hangs on, pulls Cena up, and hits another Cross Rhodes! Cody pulls Cena up for a third and hits the Triple Cross Rhodes! Cody covers and picks up the w--no!!!! Cena kicks out at 9:32pm! The crowd is in shock, on their feet, and going wild! Cody gets the title and threatens to hit Cena with it. Cena hulks up and hits an Attitude Adjustment! Then another! He tosses the belt out of the ring, refusing to fight dirty. Cena picks Rhodes up, climbs the turnbuckles, and hits an Avalanche AA! Cena covers at 9:34 to pick up the w--no!!! Rhodes kicks out! Rhodes kicks out! Rhodes kicks out!
Cena heads outside the ring and gets table, taking it inside the ring. He sets it up as the crowd chants yet again. Cena takes Rhodes into the corner and places him on the top turnbuckle, then begins to climb up. Cena's looking for another Avalanche AA! Cody begins to fight back, using elbows to break free. Cody drops, but hops back up and hits a weird Cody Cutter off the top and through the table! Cena pops up, shocked, and has no idea where he's at per Wade Barrett. Cena collapses on the ropes and Cody stalks him. Rhodes does a Cena salute then hits a Cross Rhodes, covering and picking up the win at 9:37pm!
Your Winner AND NEW Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes! (37 minutes)
After the Match
Cena rises, grabs title, and hands it to Cody. Cena hugs a crying Cody Rhodes and says some presumably nice thing to him off-mic. Cena raises Cody's hand as the pyro goes off. Cena and Cody shake hands in the corner and talk again. That was one helluva match, folks. Cody takes Cena into the center of the ring and raises Cena's hand as the crowd pops for the Greatest of All Time. A very Hogan/Rock WrestleMania X-8 type of match and moment. Cena stays in the ring as Cody leaves. The crowd rips off a loud "thank you, Cena" chant and he soaks it in. He touches his head, bends down to touch the canvas, and thanks the 60,000 plus in attendance when the drums are struck, the crowd is shocked, and --
A Mister "Beast" Is Here!
THE BEAST IS BACK! Brock Lesnar makes his return to the WWE just weeks after reports of his "banning" by WWE owner TKO! Lesnar, sporting longer hair and a beard, makes his way slowly down the ramp as 60,000+ fans chant "holy shit" and the rest of us yell at our TV's, startling our family members in the same room as us. Cena looks perplexed as Brock makes his way to the ring. Lesnar takes off his vest and hat; Cena readies-up! Lesnar storms the ring and Cena charges him! Lesnar ducks under, picks up Cena, and hits the F5! Cena's out! Lesnar retrieves his articles of clothing and leaves up the ramp. After a few moments, Cena recovers and begins his way up the ramp. They play his music; he calls for it to be cut. He looks very emotional as he heads up the ramp, saying goodbye to SummerSlam one last time. He pauses at the top of the ramp; the crowd cheers and thanks him. He taps his head and his heart, signaling "thank you" to the crowd. The Greatest of All Time gives us one final SummerSlam salute, takes a "mental picture" at 9:50pm, then heads to the back to end our program.
In Closing
Thanks for taking time to join us for the first-ever two-night SummerSlam premium live event. We hope you have a great start to your week and month, and we'll see you Monday night for Raw! Stay frosty, stay safe, and see you next time.
Rajah News & eWrestling's Social Media Interaction
* For late-breaking WWE & AEW news & rumors, follow the official Rajah News account on BlueSky @Rajah.com
* Follow The Powers That Be on X @RajahNews
* Follow the official Rajah Instagram account at Instagram.com/RajahNews
* Follow the official Rajah Facebook page at Facebook.com/RajahWWF
* Join the official Rajah Forums by signing up at Forums.Rajah.com
* Chat with other fans about this article in the official Rajah Disqus feed below, or at Disqus.com/home/forums/rajahcom
In loving Memory of Mr. Awesome and all our fallen RajahManiacs.
