It has been a historic night at the MetLife Stadium for the first-ever two-night SummerSlam. The results for the first day of the high-stakes PLE event were not only consequential but also breathtaking, particularly concerning WWE storylines.
Night 1 of SummerSlam 2025 was not only a scintillating experience for fans around the world but also created several important moments as far as the current major storylines in the WWE are concerned. The match card for Night 1 and 2 is mind-boggling in every sense, and the first day of the event delivered on the hype created around it.
In light of the exciting conclusion to the first night of SummerSlam 2025, here are the major developments from the high-stakes PLE event.
Roman Reigns and Jey Uso Outperform Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed in a Hard-Fought Match
SummerSlam 2025 was kickstarted by Cardi B, who made her WWE debut, albeit with some backlash. The first match of the night took place between the combined forces of Jey Uso and Roman Reigns against Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker.
The power-packed faction of Breakker and Reed dominated the initial parts of the match and tried to establish a psychological supremacy over the veteran tag team of Reigns and his cousin, Uso.
However, it did not take long for Roman Reigns to overturn the odds and provide the much-needed relief to his tag team partner, Jey Uso. The former Universal Champion, though, fell short against the enforcers of Seth Rollins inside the ring.
The striking difference between the two teams was the power and determination with which Breakker and Reed struck the members of the legendary Anoa’i family.
In the end, the Superman punch from Reigns to both Breakker and Reed reasserted their dominance in the match. Seeing the match extended for too long, Breakker decided to deliver his famous spear.
Reigns pushed his cousin aside and took the fall for the team. Jey Uso returned the favour by delivering superkicks and carving out a frog splash to pave the way for a win for his team.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss Crowned the New Women’s Tag Team Champions
Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez squared off against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss with the Women’s Tag Team title on the line. The Judgement Day faction had a remarkable start to the match until Alexa Bliss overturned the odds. After dominating large parts of the contest, something unexpected happened.
An accidental attack from Bliss further sidelined Charlotte Flair, who was suffering relentless attacks from Perez and Rodriguez. Alexa Bliss then decided to take matters into her own hands. Eventually, a combined sister Abigail to Perez and boot to Rodriguez meant the end of the title reign for Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez.
Sami Zayn Wins the Match Against Karrion Kross and Hearts of the WWE Universe
Karrion Kross and Sami Zayn have been crossing paths for some time now. A culmination of rivalry and hatred between them took place at SummerSlam 2025. Kross had previously attacked Sami Zayn, which appeared more like a vendetta. Sami Zayn was desperate for revenge for the damage done to his body by Kross.
However, Karrion Kross’s strength and relentless determination kept Zayn on the defensive during the early stages of the match. Kross’s continued aggression, including a failed attempt to strike Zayn with a steel pipe, only fueled Zayn’s emotions, ultimately triggering a dramatic and unexpected comeback.
In a dramatic twist, Scarlett Bordeaux, Karrion Kross’s real-life wife, offered the steel pipe to Sami Zayn. However, Zayn firmly rejected the offer, choosing not to stoop to Kross’s level. Instead, a decisive Helluva Kick sealed the match, earning Zayn a hard-fought moral victory over his rival.
After the match, the duo shared some words inside the ring with fans, suggesting that this might have been the last match for Karrion Kross inside the WWE ring.
A Well-Deserved Win for Tiffany Stratton
The high-stakes contest for the WWE Women’s Championship between Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill was a real work by WWE creative heads. The match, which had a weak build-up as compared to other encounters for the PLE event, was intense and action-packed.
In an exciting, oscillating contest that continued moving to and fro, Tiffany Stratton somehow managed to retain the title after the gymnastic abilities proved to be too much for Cargill.
Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre Decimated Jelly Roll and Randy Orton
Before SummerSlam 2025, WWE has developed enough hype around the clash between Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre against Randy Orton, and Jelly Roll.
The hatred between both teams elevated to the next level during the previous edition of Friday Night SmackDown after a fiery promo from Randy Orton. At the high-stakes PLE event, it was one hell of a ride for both teams.
After a slow progression during the initial parts of the contest, the WWE universe witnessed an impressive run by Jelly Roll, who was irked by Logan Paul with a cheap shot before the start of the match.
The team of Paul and McIntyre quickly asserted control over Jelly Roll, and Randy Orton watched by. The beatdown from Paul and McIntyre continued for large parts of the match. Somehow, the musician did make the tag and unleashed the Apex Predator.
The 14-time World Champion outperformed Paul and McIntyre until he was completely routed by a remarkable Claymore by the Scottish Giant. Jelly Roll subsequently suffered another round of beatdown.
The highlights of the contest came when Logan Paul delivered a stunning splash from the top rope to Jelly Roll through the announce table. The offensive pulled Jelly Roll out of the contest as he took medical assistance.
The Maverick and Scottish Giant turned their attention towards Orton, who had to unfortunately suffer unimaginable odds against him as he found himself in a handicap situation.
In a remarkable turn of events, however, Jelly Roll somehow got back to his feet and rescued Orton to deliver a series of attacks on Logan Paul. But a thunderous Claymore from McIntyre, followed by a second splash from Paul, ended the in-ring debut of Jelly Roll in a defeat.
Seth Rollins Steals World Heavyweight Title From CM Punk
The main event of the first night of SummerSlam 2025 at MetLife Stadium was the iconic clash between CM Punk and Gunther for the World Heavyweight title. Both WWE superstars had earlier delivered some emphatic promos during the build-up to this clash. The WWE universe expected an emphatic clash between them, and they did not disappoint.
The altercation between Gunther and CM Punk was a clash of prominence and experience. The abilities of Gunther against the resolve of CM Punk.
The match started as a technical battle between them as both WWE superstars tested the strengths of the other.
CM Punk was the first to intensify the attacks as he delivered some kicks and chops on the Ring General. But it always felt like the Champion always had the answer to everything, and soon the Second City Saint became a sitting duck for Gunther to attack.
But if there’s one thing we know about Punk, it’s the ability to face unimaginable pain over the years. As the contest became more methodical, the nerves mattered. While Gunther dominated, Punk somehow held against the relentlessness of the Champion.
The chops kept coming, and the beatdown continued. It almost felt like a dissection from the Ring General. Until it didn’t. The attack from Punk started with a counter submission to the Champion, which gave him some time to recuperate.
The dropkick and neckbreaker gave him the kind of confidence he needed. But it was never easy for Punk to bring Gunther down.
As the exhaustion began to settle in, Punk was trying to build momentum steadily. But Gunther never lost control. After the amazing dinosaur kick, the Champion would’ve thought he had him, but Punk was not ready to give in easily.
The match was slowly turning out to be a disaster for Punk. The bragging and premature celebration continued outside the ring. But right there, taking advantage of the distraction, Punk pushed him from the table, which led him to be covered in his blood.
This took a psychological toll on Gunther as he delivered an elbow from the top rope. The Ring General tried the sleeper, but Punk delivered the brilliant GTS twice to seal the win. Punk, the Survivor, the Challenger became a 6-time World Champion.
Just when the celebrations were settling in, Seth Rollins made his way to the ring, confirming once and for all that his injury was, after all, kayfabe.
He attacked Punk to cash in his Money in the Bank contract and delivered his signature move to steal the World Heavyweight title from Punk. The self-styled architect of the WWE did what he does best, as deceit wins over perseverance once again inside the squared circle.
Thus, the first Night of SummerSlam 2025 ended with every drama in its fold that fans had hoped for. The emphatic turn of events sets the bar even higher for tomorrow, where the dynamics are going to get even more chaotic and intense in the WWE.
What was your favourite part of Night 1 of SummerSlam 2025? Share with us in the comments down below.
SummerSlam 2025 is now live on Peacock in the United States and Netflix everywhere else.
