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SummerSlam (2025)

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SummerSlam
Promotional poster featuring John Cena and Cody Rhodes
PromotionWWE
Brand(s)Raw
SmackDown
DateAugust 2–3, 2025
CityEast Rutherford, New Jersey
VenueMetLife Stadium
WWE Network event chronology
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SummerSlam chronology
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2026

The 2025 SummerSlam, also promoted as SummerSlam: New Jersey, is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It will be the 38th annual SummerSlam and is scheduled to take place as a two-night event on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and will be held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. Rapper Cardi B will serve as the hostess of the event.

This will mark the first SummerSlam to take place across two nights, which was previously only reserved for WrestleMania since 2020. This will also be the first SummerSlam to broadcast on Netflix in most international markets after the WWE Network merged under the platform in January 2025 in those areas. This will subsequently be the third WWE event to be held at MetLife Stadium, after WrestleMania 29 and WrestleMania 35 in 2013 and 2019, respectively. This will also be the fourth Summerslam to take place in East Rutherford after the 1989, 1997, and 2007 events. The event will also feature John Cena's last appearance at a SummerSlam as an in-ring performer due to his retirement from professional wrestling at the end of 2025.

Production

Background

The event will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

SummerSlam is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event traditionally held in August by WWE since 1988. Dubbed "The Biggest Party of the Summer",[1] it is one of the promotion's five biggest events of the year, along with WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank, referred to as the "Big Five".[2][3] Out of the five, it is considered WWE's second biggest event of the year behind WrestleMania.[4][5]

On September 26, 2024, in conjunction with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), WWE announced the 38th SummerSlam, scheduled to be held across two nights on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey with a special start time of 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) for both nights. MetLife Stadium previously hosted WrestleMania 29 and WrestleMania 35 in 2013 and 2019, respectively, and this will be the fourth SummerSlam in East Rutherford, after the 1989, 1997, and 2007 events. This will also be the first two-night SummerSlam,[6] though WWE had previously announced that the event would expand to two nights beginning with the 2026 edition in Minneapolis.[7] Previously, only WrestleMania had been held as a two-night WWE event since WrestleMania 36 in 2020 (originally done as a precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic before becoming permanent with WrestleMania 37 the following year). The event will feature wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions,[6] with rapper Cardi B serving as the event's hostess.[8]

To help secure the event, NJSEA committed US$7.125 million from New Jersey's allotment of federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), specifically from a fund intended to provide aid to industries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including travel and tourism. NJSEA said it expected the event to generate US$80 million in economic impact for the region. Bergen newspaper The Record reported that the US$6.24 billion in total funds New Jersey received under the ARP had to be allocated by the end of 2024 and spent before the end of 2026, and noted there was "still money to be used".[9][10]

Broadcast outlets

In addition to airing on traditional PPV worldwide, SummerSlam will be available to livestream on Peacock in the United States, Netflix in most international markets, and the WWE Network in any remaining countries that have not yet transferred to Netflix due to pre-existing contracts. This marks the first SummerSlam to livestream on Netflix following the WWE Network's merger under the service in January 2025 in those areas. The select few territories that still have the standalone WWE Network will eventually merge under Netflix once the pre-existing contracts expire.[11] WWE also partnered with Fandango to broadcast WWE's PPV and livestreaming events in select theaters across the United States, beginning with the 2025 SummerSlam, which will be exclusive to select Regal Cinemas; events after SummerSlam will expand to other theater chains.[12]

As part of SummerSlam weekend, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe will host WWE Late Night, a comedy event that will be held at the Bergen Performing Arts Center after SummerSlam Saturday's conclusion.[13]

Storylines

The card will include matches that result from scripted storylines. Results are predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands, while storylines are produced on WWE's weekly television programs, Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.[14][15]

At Night of Champions, the King and Queen of the Ring finals took place, with the winners receiving a match for the world championship of their respective brand at SummerSlam.[16] The King of the Ring final was won by SmackDown's Cody Rhodes, while in the main event of Night of Champions, John Cena retained SmackDown's Undisputed WWE Championship; this confirmed that Rhodes would challenge Cena for the title at SummerSlam, setting up a rematch from the main event of Night 2 of WrestleMania 41 where Cena had defeated Rhodes to win the title after interference from Travis Scott.[17] During the contract signing on the July 18 episode of SmackDown, Cena attempted to get out of signing the contract so that he would not have to face Rhodes at SummerSlam, but after a brawl, Rhodes forced him to sign it and then revealed the fine print of the contract, which was that their match would be a Street Fight.[18]

The Queen of the Ring final at Night of Champions was won by SmackDown's Jade Cargill.[17] Subsequently at Evolution the following month, Tiffany Stratton retained SmackDown's WWE Women's Championship, thus confirming that Cargill would challenge Stratton for the title at SummerSlam.[19]

On the July 4 episode of SmackDown, Drew McIntyre made a return in his first appearance since Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIX interrupting Randy Orton, and taunted him for not punting Cody Rhodes's head in the final of the King of the Ring tournament at Night of Champions, stating that the legend of Orton was dead, however, Orton performed an RKO on McIntyre.[20] On the following episode while country singer Jelly Roll was performing his song "Liar", he was interrupted by Logan Paul, who stated that no one wanted to see an outsider in WWE. Orton interrupted, demanding that Paul show some respect to Roll. McIntyre appeared and performed a Claymore Kick on Orton. Paul then attacked Orton further only for Roll to intervene. Paul then dismantled Roll's music set.[21] The next evening at Saturday Night's Main Event XL, Orton, who was accompanied by Roll, defeated McIntyre, who was accompanied by Paul. Following the match, Paul attacked Orton, with Roll making the save, before being attacked with a Claymore Kick by McIntyre. Later, Roll stated that he wanted both McIntyre and Paul in a match, with Orton suggesting that the match should take place at SummerSlam. It was subsequently confirmed that Roll and Orton would face McIntyre and Paul in a tag team match at the event.[22]

On the July 14 episode of Raw, a gauntlet match was held between Bron Breakker, CM Punk, Jey Uso, LA Knight, and Penta with the winner facing Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. The gauntlet was won by Punk.[23]

At Evolution, SmackDown's Naomi cashed in her Money in the Bank contract during a singles match between champion Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley, converting it into a triple threat match to win Raw's Women's World Championship; Naomi was subsequently transferred to the Raw brand.[19] During Naomi's celebration on Raw the following night, both Sky and Ripley interrupted, wanting another title match. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce then announced that Naomi would defend the title against both Ripley and Sky in a triple threat match at SummerSlam.[23]

At Evolution, Becky Lynch defeated Bayley and Lyra Valkyria to retain the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship in a triple threat match.[19] The next night on Raw, a two out of three falls match was scheduled between Bayley and Valkyria, with the winner earning a rematch against Lynch for the title at SummerSlam. The match was won by Valkyria.[23] On the following episode, Lynch proposed for the match to be a Last Chance match in which Valkyria would never be able to challenge for the title again for as long as Lynch was champion, the same stipulation from Money In the Bank where Lynch had defeated Valkyria to win the title. Valkyria accepted, but adding that the match should be a No Disqualification, No Countout match to guarantee a winner, which Lynch accepted.[24]

After failing to win the WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania 41,[25] Charlotte Flair was approached by former rival Alexa Bliss, who suggested the two form a tag team, with Flair declining several times before she eventually agreed. At Evolution, Bliss and Flair were part of a fatal four-way tag team match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, where champions The Judgment Day's Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez retained, although neither Bliss or Flair were pinned.[19] On the following episode of SmackDown, Flair announced that after speaking with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, who was filling in for SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis that night, she and Bliss would face Rodriguez and Perez for the title at SummerSlam.[18]

At Night of Champions, Solo Sikoa defeated Jacob Fatu to win the WWE United States Championship after interference from JC Mateo, a returning Tonga Loa, and a debuting Talla Tonga.[17] On the July 4 episode of SmackDown, Fatu defeat Mateo and Sikoa in a tag team match, with Fatu pinning Sikoa.[20] Two weeks later, Fatu was taken by police after an alleged involvement in a car accident involving Sikoa's group (kayfabe), however, later that night, Fatu returned. Following an altercation between Fatu and Sikoa's group, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, who was filling in for SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis that night, announced that Sikoa would defend the championship against Fatu in a Steel Cage match at SummerSlam, with Sikoa being taken by the police after allegedly faking the car accident.[18]

Dominik Mysterio was originally scheduled to defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles at Night of Champions; however, as a result of an injury sustained by Mysterio, the match was postponed.[17] Over the following weeks, Mysterio continued to avoid to wrestle Styles, claiming that he was not medically cleared. However, on the July 14 episode of Raw, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce announced that on the following episode, Mysterio would be re-evaluated by the medical team, and if Mysterio were cleared to compete, he would defend the championship against Styles at SummerSlam.[23] There, after Mysterio continually evaded re-evaluation, Pearce stated that if Mysterio was not re-evaluated, he would be stripped of the Intercontinental Championship. Later, Mysterio attacked Styles, before announcing that he was medically cleared to compete, confirming that he would defend the championship against Styles at SummerSlam.[24]

In the main event of Night 1 of WrestleMania 41, Roman Reigns's special counsel Paul Heyman accompanied his former client CM Punk to the ring as a favor for Punk teaming with Reigns at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2024, much to Reigns's dismay. However, Heyman betrayed both Reigns and Punk, siding with Seth Rollins to help him win the match.[25] Reigns subsequently took a hiatus while over the next couple of months, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed were added to Rollins's alliance (Rollins, however, suffered a knee injury at Saturday Night's Main Event XL on July 12). On the July 14 episode of Raw, Breakker and Reed attacked Punk and Reigns's cousin Jey Uso after their gauntlet match, but Reigns returned from hiatus to even the odds.[23] The following week, Reigns chastised Heyman for his betrayal, only to be attacked by Breakker and Reed. However, Uso appeared and saved Reigns from the attack.[24] On July 22, Reigns proposed a tag team match between himself and Uso against Breakker and Reed at SummerSlam. Uso subsequently accepted and the match was made official.[26]

Matches

Night TBA
No.Matches*Stipulations
1John Cena (c) vs. Cody RhodesStreet Fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship[27]
2Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade CargillSingles match for the WWE Women's Championship[28]
3Randy Orton and Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre and Logan PaulTag team match[29]
4Gunther (c) vs. CM PunkSingles match for the World Heavyweight Championship[30]
5Naomi (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo SkyTriple threat match for the Women's World Championship[31]
6Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra ValkyriaNo Disqualification, No Countout Last Chance match for the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship[32]
If Lynch wins, Valkyria can no longer challenge for the title for as long as Lynch is champion.
7The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez) (c) vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa BlissTag team match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship[33]
8Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob FatuSteel Cage match for the WWE United States Championship[34]
9Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ StylesSingles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship[35]
10Roman Reigns and Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed (with Paul Heyman)Tag team match[36]
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
*Card subject to change

References

  1. ^ Dee, Louie (May 17, 2006). "Let the Party Begin". WWE. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
  2. ^ Hamilton, Ian. Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition. p. 160.
  3. ^ News 3 Staff (August 22, 2021). "Las Vegas to host WWE's Money in the Bank in 2022". KSNV. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Paddock, Matty (August 21, 2017). "WWE SummerSlam results: Brock Lesnar and Jinder Mahal survive as Finn Balor defeats Bray Wyatt". Independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Crosby, Jack; Silverstein, Adam (August 19, 2018). "WWE SummerSlam 2018 matches, card, start time, location, 2018 date, PPV rumors". CBSSports. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Lambert, Jeremy (September 26, 2024). "WWE SummerSlam 2025 To Be A Two-Night Event At MetLife Stadium". Fightful. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  7. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (May 23, 2024). "WWE SummerSlam 2026 Expands To Two Nights, To Be Held In Minnesota". Fightful. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (April 18, 2025). "Cardi B To Host WWE SummerSlam 2025". Fightful. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  9. ^ Sobko, Katie (October 7, 2024). "NJ just earmarked $7M in rescue plan funds for WWE SummerSlam. How much money is left?". The Record. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024 – via NorthJersey.com.
  10. ^ "New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority approves use of funds to host WWE SummerSlam". Sports Business Daily. October 7, 2024. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  11. ^ Gibbons, Aidan (January 25, 2024). "WWE Network to be shut down by the end of 2024". Cultaholic. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  12. ^ Campione, Katie (July 21, 2025). "WWE SummerSlam To Screen Live In Select Regal Cinemas Across U.S. As Start Of Multi-Event Fandango Partnership". Deadline. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  13. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 27, 2025). "Tony Hinchcliffe To Host 'WWE Late Night' During WWE SummerSlam Weekend". Fightful. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  14. ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  15. ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  16. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 6, 2025). "King And Queen Of The Ring Tournaments Announced, Winners Receive Title Matches At WWE SummerSlam". Fightful. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c d Powell, Jason (June 28, 2025). "WWE Night of Champions results: Powell's live review of John Cena vs. CM Punk for the WWE Championship, Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes in the KOTR final, Asuka vs. Jade Cargill in the QOTR final". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on June 28, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  18. ^ a b c Powell, Jason (July 18, 2025). "WWE Smackdown results (7/18): Powell's live review of the John Cena and Cody Rhodes contract signing for SummerSlam, Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre, Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d Powell, Jason (July 13, 2025). "WWE Evolution results: Powell's live review of Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship, Tiffany Stratton vs. Trish Stratus for the WWE Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  20. ^ a b Powell, Jason (July 4, 2025). "WWE Smackdown results (7/4): Powell's review of KOTR winner Cody Rhodes and QOTR winner Jade Cargill's appearances, Tiffany Stratton chooses her challenger for Evolution". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  21. ^ Keller, Wade (July 11, 2025). "WWE SmackDown results (7/11): Keller's report on The Street Profits vs. Wyatt Sicks for WWE Tag Team Titles, R-Truth vs. Aleister Black, final Saturday Night's Main Event build". PWTorch. Archived from the original on July 12, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  22. ^ Lindberg, Nate (July 12, 2025). "WWE Saturday Night's Main Event Live Report: Lindberg's Live Report on Gunther vs. Goldberg, LA Knight vs. Rollins, Orton vs. McIntyre, Sikoa vs. Jimmy Uso, more". PWTorch. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d e Powell, Jason (July 14, 2025). "WWE Raw results (7/14): Powell's live review of CM Punk vs. Jey Uso vs. LA Knight vs. Penta vs. Bron Breakker in a gauntlet match for a World Heavyweight Championship match at SummerSlam". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  24. ^ a b c Powell, Jason (July 21, 2025). "WWE Raw results (7/21): Powell's live review of Roman Reigns and CM Punk appearances, Sheamus vs. Rusev, New Day vs. The Creeds vs. The LWO for a shot at the World Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  25. ^ a b Powell, Jason (April 19, 2025). "WrestleMania 41 results: Powell's live review of night one with Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins, Gunther vs. Jey Uso for the World Heavyweight Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  26. ^ Ucchino, Rick (July 23, 2025). "Roman Reigns Issues Challenge For WWE SummerSlam, Major Tag Team Match Now Set". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  27. ^ WWE.com Staff (July 4, 2025). "Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes (Street Fight)". WWE. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  28. ^ WWE.com Staff (July 14, 2025). "WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill". WWE. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  29. ^ "Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul". WWE. July 12, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  30. ^ "World Heavyweight Champion Gunther vs. CM Punk". WWE. July 14, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  31. ^ WWE.com Staff (July 14, 2025). "Women's World Champion Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY (Triple Threat Match)". WWE. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  32. ^ WWE.com Staff (July 14, 2025). "Women's Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria (No DQ Match)". WWE. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  33. ^ WWE.com Staff (July 18, 2025). "WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss". WWE. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  34. ^ WWE.com Staff (July 18, 2025). "United States Champion Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu (Steel Cage Match)". WWE. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  35. ^ "Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles". WWE. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  36. ^ WWE.com Staff (July 22, 2025). "Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed". WWE. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
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