— Anutosh Bajpai || SEScoops || Wrestling News (@AuthorAnutosh) August 4, 2025
Becky Lynch had been using the ‘Celtic Invasion’ theme by former WWE music producers CFO$ for the last 10 years. With this new theme, she has managed to avoid a theme by Def Rebel, who took over the WWE music production in 2019.
The IC Champion defended her title against Lyra Valkyria in a No DQ match at the show. The defending champion used every weapon she could think of on her opponent, but Valkyria showed great courage and survived all the punishment.
Bayley showed up at the ringside towards the end to stop Becky from using a crowbar on her opponent. Unfortunately for Lyra, Bayley ended up hitting her accidentally while trying to hit Becky. It allowed the Man to retain the title.
As per the match stipulation, Lyra Valkyria now cannot challenge for the IC title again as long as Lynch is the champion. It’s possible we’ll see her feuding with Bayley in coming times.
The SummerSlam PPV featured an unexpected fight, though not between wrestlers.
The company presented the first ever two-night SummerSlam event from MetLife Stadium this week, with both the nights ending on completely unexpected notes.
One of the most surprising moments of weekend however, was completely unplanned. The moment came during Solo Sikoa’s entrance on night two, when a fight broke out between two women in the crowd:
Solo Sikoa defended his United States Championship against former teammate Jacob Fatu in a steel cage match at the show. The trio of JC Mateo, Talla Tonga, and Tonga Loa showed up towards the ending of the bout to help Solo.
Jimmy Uso then came out to even the odds but his support proved to be inadequate. Solo Sikoa retained the title by escaping the cage in the end, after Talla Tonga smashed the cage door into Fatu’s face.
Jimmy Uso attacked Mateo after the match and threw him into the steel cage. Jimmy put Loa with him and Jacob Fatu ended the segment with a Moonsault off the cage on his opponents.
Apart from this, the show also featured the surprise return of Brock Lesnar who attacked John Cena after the main event. You can check out some backstage details of how WWE pulled this off here.
WWE went to great length to keep Brock Lesnar’s WWE return a surprise.
The Beast Incarnate showed up after the SummerSlam Sunday main event between John Cena and Cody Rhodes. The American Nightmare had left the ring after winning back the WWE title but Cena was still around. Brock ended up taking John out with an F5 to end the show.
Top WWE officials had kept the plans for the main event and the post-match angle close to their chest. Not many people were aware of Brock’s return and due to Cena and Cody’s history, some wondered if The Rock was going to make an appearance.
Fightful Select revealed that the former UFC Champion was flown into Minnesota on Saturday and then brought to the Teterboro airport via a private plane.
He was kept hidden throughout the day of his appearance and the former world champion was only seen backstage at about 9:15 PM ET when the main event was already underway. Some staff members then made their way to the stage mid-way through the main event to start filming things.
It’s unknown if the company’s legal department got any kind of ‘clearing of wrongdoing,’ before the officials brought him back. Brock Lesnar has been named in the ongoing Janel Grant Lawsuit against Vince McMahon, though he is not one of the parties being sued.
Many media persons had travelled to the city expecting to take part in the post-SummerSlam press conference before it was cancelled last minute. While not officially announced, the expected backlash over Lesnar’s return is largely believed to be the reason behind this move.
It’s not surprising that Brock is planned for a program with Cena in the coming month after his return, though it’s unknown if he’ll be sticking around the company afterward.
The Game took part in the SummerSlam post show after night 2 of the event from MetLife Stadium. During the talk, he was asked about Naomi’s performance while defending her women’s title at the event.
The WWE Chief Content Officer mentioned how the Women’s World Champion has been part of the roster for a long time. The last few months however, she has shown a completely new side of her:
“Naomi — to me, she might be one of those people where, even though she’s been here for a long time? All of a sudden, [she’s] most improved? You know, where she has just come out of her shell
And for whatever reason — I don’t know if the stuff with Jade (Cargill), that whole situation. But something motivated her to take it to another level and she is. And what a moment tonight with her dad.”
Naomi defended her championship against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY in the opening match of SummerSlam Sunday. The ending of the bout saw Ripley hitting an Avalanche Riptide on SKY. As the Mami went for the pin however, the defending champion swooped in with a rolling pin and retained her title.
Apart from this, Triple H also talked about Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE after the SummerSlam main event. He suggested that a top name was the reason behind it. You can check out what he said here.
Cody Rhodes has commented on his SummerSlam entrance.
The American Nightmare has always been vocal about his love and respect for his dad and late wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes. This emotion was on display once again during his SummerSlam entrance, which featured a special Dusty tribute in the form of one of his classic promos.
During the SummerSlam post-show, Cody Rhodes talked about this. The new Undisputed Champion revealed that it was his idea but he gave credit to the WWE team for the execution:
“You’ve got a really wonderful — Brian in the truck and you have Triple H. I had an idea of maybe some words that could describe the journey of a champion. The words of somebody describing the chase. The words they used — the words they used were his words.”
Cody Rhodes claimed that the words used for his entrance is his favorite Dusty Rhodes quote, and it made him feel like the wrestling legend was with him for his big win over John Cena at the show:
“And ‘The view never changes’ is my favorite thing he ever said because it’s so accurate. And no matter what you do here, it’s so hard to climb and to put that view in a different perspective, and to try and lead the way he suggested.
I can’t have him here with me, but in a moment like that I can feel him with me. And that’s a blessing, I’m lucky to have that. It’s like he came down to the ring with me in a way.”
Triple H is happy with how Brock Lesnar’s WWE return played out.
The Beast Incarnate made his surprise return to the promotion during the closing moments of SummerSlam. He attacked John Cena after his return, setting up a future match between the two.
The Game talked about Brock’s comeback while appearing on the SummerSlam post-show. He mentioned the crowd reaction to Lesnar’s appearance and said that it’s incredible to have him back:
“My reaction was exactly what I thought it was going to be, which is if there was a roof on this place it wouldn’t be there anymore. The dynamic in the room changes when The Beast is here.
Seeing Brock Lesnar come back, anything you thought was happening goes out the window because the factor of Brock now just changes that dynamic. It makes it so unpredictable. So yeah, incredible, just incredible to have him back.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Triple H also suggested that John Cena was responsible for Brock Lesnar’s WWE return, saying that everything that’s happened this year is according to Cena’s retirement wishlist.
While the WWE Executive seem happy about the turn of events, fans online have been vocal in their criticism of this move. You can check out some reactions to Brock’s return here.
The fans have been demanding a more prominent spot for the former NXT Champion for months, but the company has continued to mostly ignore his popularity.
This partiality was on display once again when Triple H appeared on the SummerSlam post-show. The fans were chanting for Kross, but the WWE Chief Content Officer played it off as the chants for the returning Brock Lesnar.
The former NXT star reacted to Triple H’s actions on Twitter. He replied to the video of the incident writing that fans are the one who write the truth:
“Unreal. They write the scripts… But the fans write the truth. Thank you, Tick tock.”
Karrion Kross went up against Sami Zayn during SummerSlam night 1 on Saturday. The former TNA star, however, ended up losing the bout. This decision was criticized by many, including former WWE star Matt Morgan.
It’s believed that the 40-year-old’s contract with the company is set to expire sometimes this month and he could become a free agent if he chooses.
With Kross losing the SummerSlam match and now targeting Triple H, it seems more likely that he will be leaving the promotion instead of sticking around with a new deal.
Triple H has suggested that John Cena is responsible for Brock Lesnar’s WWE return.
The Beast Incarnate made his surprise return during the closing moments of the 2025 SummerSlam PPV. Lesnar attacked John Cena after the main event, setting up a potential future match with him.
The Game talked about the turn of events during his appearance on the PLE post show. Triple H claimed that everything that’s happening is part of John Cena’s retirement tour wishlist:
“This is John Cena’s wishlist. John Cena’s… it’s him writing the last chapter of his book, and I think people saw a conversation with us where he said we’d have to screw it up pretty badly to ruin his career. But it’s not about that for me. It’s about John being able to go out the way he wants to go out. To write his chapter.”
While Triple H did not directly name Brock, he insinuated that John Cena requested the former UFC star as an opponent in his final run:
“I know what that’s like as a performer. I know what that’s like for everybody to feel that, and I think for John to be able to do what he wants to do. One of the very first things I said to him is ‘Who do you want? And how?’ And we’re working through that.”
Brock Lesnar was taken off TV in early 2024 after being named in the Janel Grant Sexual Trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon. Fans have been vocal about their displeasure of the company bringing the former champion back while the lawsuit is still active. You can check out some reactions to his return here.
# What Happened After SummerSlam: John Cena’s Emotional Final Moment Cut Short by Brock Lesnar Attack
**Exclusive footage reveals John Cena’s touching post-match moment at SummerSlam 2025** was dramatically interrupted by Brock Lesnar’s shocking return to WWE.
After losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes in a grueling Street Fight, the 48-year-old Cena remained in the ring at MetLife Stadium as the broadcast concluded. What followed was an emotional scene that showcased why Cena remains one of wrestling’s most beloved figures.
**Cena took his time soaking in the moment** with the 60,561 fans in attendance, clearly moved by what was his final SummerSlam performance. The 16-time world champion appeared to be saying goodbye to the venue and the fans who have supported him throughout his legendary career.
The retiring superstar was visibly emotional as he walked around the ring, taking in the crowd’s appreciation for his effort in the brutal championship match. **It was the kind of genuine moment that defines Cena’s farewell tour** – authentic connection with the WWE Universe during his final year as an active performer.
However, **the touching scene was shattered when Brock Lesnar’s music hit unexpectedly**. The Beast Incarnate, making his first WWE appearance since SummerSlam 2023, immediately targeted the vulnerable Cena who was still recovering from the 40-minute war with Rhodes.
Lesnar wasted no time delivering a devastating F-5 to the unsuspecting legend, leaving Cena laid out in the center of the ring as the show went off the air.
The attack transforms what should have been a beautiful farewell moment into the setup for one final major feud in Cena’s storied career.
The WWE fans are unsure about Brock Lesnar’s WWE return.
The Beast Incarnate made his shocking return to the company to close out night 2 of the 2025 SummerSlam PPV. He came out after the main event match between John Cena and Cody Rhodes. The Cenation Leader dropped the Undisputed WWE title back to The American Nightmare.
Cody had left the ring by the time Lesnar came around but Cena was still in the arena. The former UFC Champion ended up attacking the 17-time world champion and then stood tall to end the show.
Brock Lesnar had not been seen on WWE programming since his loss to Cody Rhodes at the 2023 SummerSlam event. He was scheduled for the 2024 Royal Rumble PPV but the company nixed those plans after the former champion was named in the Janel Grant sexual trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon.
Brock Lesnar's name is mentioned and cited 44 times in Janel Grant's amended complaint against WWE and Vince McMahon. The complaint alleged Vince McMahon tried using Grant for sex favors to get Lesnar under a new contract. pic.twitter.com/BhF1BOb98N
It was alleged that McMahon offered Grant as a favor to the former MMA star in return of re-signing with the company, and Lesnar made demands to her during their phone conversation.
WWE officials seem to be expecting the backlash over Brock’s return as they cancelled the usual post-PLE press conference for the event and replaced it with a more controlled post show.
Though fans have still been voicing their opinion about the whole thing on social media, questioning the company’s decision. You can check out some of these reactions below:
FYI, if anyone comes into my mention defending Brock Lesnar, who enabled and participated in the abhorrent torture of a young woman. I will not argue- I will block you. Protect women! pic.twitter.com/W4HNQPq2SN
— ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? (@SatNextTo) August 4, 2025
Brock Lesnar is a piece of shit. Triple H is a piece of shit. Nick Khan is a piece of shit. TKO board are pieces of shit.
No word of ANY innocence but sure, whatever, hype moments and aura over a woman’s life and the fact he held the title picture hostage for YEARS. Fuck off. pic.twitter.com/KMsy4cyZXw
The main event of the 2025 SummerSlam PPV saw John Cena defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes in a street fight.
Both opponents took each other through hell and hit their finishers multiple times, but failed to get the pin. In the end, Rhodes send Cena crashing through a table from the top rope with a Cody cutter. He then delivered a Cross-Rhodes to win the match and regain the title he lost at WrestleMania 41.
Both WWE veterans showed respect to each other after the match, and the new champion left after shaking hands with John. The Cenation Leader then soaked in the crowd reaction for a while before trying to leave.
Just as Cena was getting ready to get out of the ring however, Brock Lesnar’s music hit. The Beast came out in a new cowboy look to the surprise of everyone.
Brock Lesnar circled the ring for a bit before losing his jacket and hat. John Cena got prepared for a fight but Lesnar took him down with a single F5 after entering the ring. The show ended with Brock standing tall.
The former UFC champion was taken off TV after being named in the Janel Grant sexual trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon. His name has not been dropped from the suit as of this writing.
Naomi is set to defend her Women’s World Championship in a high-stakes triple threat match against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY as the opening contest of SummerSlam 2025 Night Two. WWE made the official announcement earlier today, confirming that the three top superstars will kick off the highly anticipated second night of the event.
Naomi, who captured the Women’s World Championship earlier this year, has been a fighting champion, taking on all challengers. Her reign has been marked by resilience and athleticism, but she faces perhaps her toughest test yet. Rhea Ripley, a former champion herself, has been on a dominant run since returning from injury, while IYO SKY has dazzled fans with her high-flying offense and technical prowess.
The rivalry between these three competitors has been building for weeks, with each woman scoring victories and making statements on Raw and SmackDown. Ripley and SKY have both staked their claim to the title, but Naomi has remained undeterred, vowing to walk out of SummerSlam still the champion.
WWE officials have promised that the opening match will set the tone for the rest of the night, and with three of the best in the division competing for the gold, fans can expect a fast-paced, action-packed showdown. Will Naomi continue her reign, or will Ripley or SKY seize the moment and capture the championship?
Stay tuned to WWE for more updates and full coverage of SummerSlam 2025.
With just hours to go until the main event of SummerSlam Night Two, a new report has revealed that the plans for the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and John Cena are being kept a closely guarded secret, even from many within the company.
According to a report from Fightful Select, the result and major moments for tonight’s main event are on a strict “need-to-know” basis. “We’re told the result and general happenings of the Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena are being kept very close to the vest,” the report states. “There are a number of writers and producers who have not been clued into the direction, by design.” The report adds that as of Sunday, staff had not been informed of any potential involvement from The Rock.
The secrecy surrounding the match adds to an already unpredictable storyline. The feud took a major turn on this past Friday’s SmackDown with John Cena’s apparent return to his babyface persona, which reportedly caught many off guard. That segment was also the first time WWE had vaguely addressed the months-long absences of The Rock and Travis Scott, who were part of Cena’s original heel turn at Elimination Chamber.
The intense secrecy around tonight’s main event follows a shocking conclusion to Night One of SummerSlam last night. In a moment that stunned the wrestling world, Seth Rollins revealed his recent injury was a work and successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on a newly crowned CM Punk to become the new World Heavyweight Champion, setting a high bar for surprises this weekend.
Cody Rhodes has offered massive praise for United States Champion Logan Paul, calling him one of the “hardest working people” he’s ever seen and predicting that he will one day become a world champion in WWE.
Speaking on a new episode of the Bill Simmons podcast, Rhodes was asked if he gets mad at how quickly Paul has taken to professional wrestling. “No. If he had just stepped in and was immediately as good as he was, I’d be furious,” Rhodes said. “One of the hardest working people I’ve ever seen… He took it as seriously as anybody ever.”
“The American Nightmare” then made a bold prediction about Paul’s future, stating his belief that the social media megastar will eventually reach the pinnacle of the industry. “I have a feeling he is going to end up being World Champion or WWE Champion as some point. The internet will explode and we’ll be fine. He is very special,” Rhodes stated. “As legitimate as a prick as you can meet, but I love having him on the team. He is a massive asset to WWE. Going to be a future champion, for sure.”
Rhodes’ high praise comes just one night after Logan Paul competed in a high-profile celebrity tag team match on Night One of SummerSlam. Paul teamed with Drew McIntyre to score a victory over the team of Randy Orton and musical artist Jelly Roll, adding another major win to his impressive resume.
Jacob Fatu has opened up about his journey to the company, revealing in a new interview that he never asked his famous cousins for help and that the official call to bring him in came from Paul Heyman.
Speaking to Peter Rosenberg on Cheap Heat, Fatu explained his desire to make it to WWE on his own merits, without a “handout” from his family, who were at the center of the hottest storyline in wrestling.
“I never asked my cousins for a handout because they were doing Bloodline, the hottest thing. How could I ask them for something when they’re so busy?” Fatu said. “It was more motivating for me, watching them because I’m a fan of my brothers. I love them and am such a fan of their work.”
Fatu revealed that after keeping his free agency quiet, the call finally came from a legendary figure who has always been connected to his family. “It was from Paul Heyman,” he recalled. “Mr. William Regal text me throughout the years, ‘Let us know what’s going on.’ Mr. Heyman has always been tapped in.” Fatu also expressed his gratitude to the company for the opportunity, saying, “Shoutout to Triple H for giving me a chance… WWE blessed me. Took care of everything. They took a chance on me.”
Fatu’s journey has led him to one of the biggest matches of his career tonight on Night Two of SummerSlam. He is scheduled to challenge his cousin, Solo Sikoa, for the United States Championship inside a steel cage.
A former WWE star has criticised the company for its SummerSlam decisions.
Night 1 of the latest WWE PLE featured many unexpected developments, including Seth Rollins’ Money In the Bank cash-in. The one result that fans questioned the most, however, was Karrion Kross’ loss to Sami Zayn.
The former TNA star has seen a rise in popularity in recent times despite the company giving him limited TV time. Many believed that Kross deserved the victory in this rubber match between the two wrestling veterans.
Retired wrestling personality Matt Morgan seems to agree with the sentiment of the fans. He sent out a tweet after the show, claiming that he doesn’t understand the company’s decision not to support a self-made man like Karrion Kross:
“I say this as a huge Sammy Fan. I don’t understand how #WWE continues to beat THE SELF MADE MAN, @realKILLERkross! You can hear it when the most beloved babyface in the company pinned him! The fans were not feeling it. No disrespect to Sammy.”
I say this as a huge Sammy Fan. I don’t understand how #WWE continues to beat THE SELF MADE MAN, @realKILLERkross ! You can hear it when the most beloved babyface in the company pinned him! The fans were not feeling it. No disrespect to Sammy. Secondly don’t put @Jade_Cargill…
Morgan also called out the company on the decision of Tiffany Stratton retaining the Women’s title over Jade Cargill. The former WWE star claimed that Stratton has done nothing to grow the title, and objected to the finish of the match.
The ending of the Women’s title match at SummerSlam saw Jade Cargill hitting her finisher, only for Stratton to use the ropes to break the pin. The defending champion then hit the PME to retain her title.
One of the realities of John Cena’s farewell tour is that he wasn’t actually around that much for the first two months of it. Yes, he cut an emotional promo on the Raw premiere on Netflix and he worked the Royal Rumble, including finishing as the match’s top runner up. That’s really all Cena gave WWE fans to remember from the first sixth of his final year, though.
At Elimination Chamber, Cena turned heel, completely reinventing his 2025. Going into SummerSlam, this is the version of him fans have seen for five months, with the three and a half months of that stretch spent as reigning WWE Champion.
Cena’s WWE Championship defense against Cody Rhodes is expected to close out SummerSlam 2025 and that match should mark both the end of Cena’s last title reign and the end of his work as a heel.
John Cena’s Heel Run Has Run its Course
John Cena on SmackDown. Photo: WWE
Many fans have rejected John Cena’s heel run—citing the matches have been lackluster and the heel alignment falls flat when most of the audience wants to cheer him on his way out of the WWE Universe.
This creative arc has been better than those fans give it credit for, with the novelty of the heel persona making rematches with classic rivals feel fresh, besides the booking intrigue covering up that the champ has clearly lost a step in the ring. However, he’s running out of iconic feuds to revisit and, after over a quarter of the year, the top title in the business does deserve a better in-ring champion.
In many ways, WWE rolling out its Unreal series on Netflix has put a bow on Cena’s heel run, showing how the powers that be decided upon this monumental booking decision in ways that lend closure to the meta-story alongside what should be the end of a story on screen.
A Five-Month Version Of The Babyface Farewell Tour Will Work Better Than The Originally Expected Year
Photo credit: WWE
When John Cena announced that he’d work all of 2025 but that that would be his final year as an in-ring performer, it made fans emotional and created a lot of interest. An uncomfortable truth to go with that narrative, though, was that it was hard to imagine a babyface Cena being featured for twelve months straight and not having the fans turn on him. That point only became clearer as Cena demonstrated he wasn’t as sharp in the ring as he once was.
The heel run gave a segment of fans permission to boo him and a more jaded demographic a chance to cheer the villainous character a lot of them had been calling for for over a decade and had long given up hope of seeing.
However fans have felt about the last five months, now that Cena only has five months remaining as a wrestler, it’s much more palatable for fans of all persuasions to fully get on board the nostalgia train and celebrate a final babyface run.
Another Turn Invites One More Chapter Of The Rock’s Involvement John Cena’s Story
The Rock and John Cena. Photo: WWE.com
The big loose end WWE left dangling coming out John Cena’s heel turn was The Rock’s involvement in it. After all, Rock was there for the moment itself and, alongside Travis Scott, helped Cena brutalize Cody Rhodes. The Final Boss was conspicuous in his absence from WrestleMania 41, though, and hasn’t been a presence in a WWE arena since.
Cena renouncing his bad guy ways could invite one last angle with The Rock. Might The Great One feel betrayed by Cena for eschewing what they’d agreed on. Might he pick another proxy to represent him against Cena and Cody Rhodes, or might The Final Boss himself get back in the ring, be it in singles or tag team action? While folks who loved the Rock vs. Cena matches at WrestleMania 28 and 29 are few and far between, there’s still a lot of intrigue around the possibility of a final showdown between The Final Boss and one of the greatest babyfaces in WWE history in 2025.
WWE has filed to trademark “The Vision” with the United States Patent Trademark Office, officially branding Seth Rollins’ faction that has dominated Monday Night Raw for months. The application was submitted on August 2, 2025 – the same date as Rollins’ triumphant “Ruse of the Century” at SummerSlam.
The faction, consisting of Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and advocate Paul Heyman, formed in April following Heyman’s shocking betrayal of CM Punk and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41. Breakker joined the alliance on the April 21 episode of Raw, while Reed was added during Saturday Night’s Main Event in May.
The Vision
The trademark filing represents the final piece of the puzzle for a group that has lacked an official identity despite months of on-screen dominance. The goods and services description follows WWE’s standard template for entertainment properties, covering wrestling exhibitions and performances across broadcast media and digital platforms.
The strategic timing proves particularly significant, as the trademark application coincided with Rollins’ masterful deception at SummerSlam. After weeks of appearing injured on crutches, Rollins revealed his condition was fabricated when he cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on the newly-crowned CM Punk, reclaiming the World Heavyweight Championship in what Michael Cole dubbed the “Ruse of the Century.”
During Rollins’ absence, Breakker and Reed have stepped into leadership roles. The official “Vision” trademark signals WWE’s long-term commitment to this powerhouse stable, even as its leader recovers.
The filing transforms months of unnamed dominance into a branded legacy, cementing “The Vision” as Rollins’ evolution from solo “Visionary” to faction leader.
While WWE SummerSlam weekend is in full swing, a new report has revealed that one top Raw star was originally expected to have a more significant role on the card. According to Fightful Select, sources within WWE had expected The Judgment Day’s Damian Priest to have a “bigger role” at the event.
The report notes that some within the company were surprised that Priest was not booked for a major match at the two-night premium live event. This is especially the case after he reportedly worked through multiple injuries during his recent high-profile feud with Drew McIntyre.
Despite being a former World Heavyweight Champion and a key member of the dominant Judgment Day faction, Priest does not have a match scheduled for either night of SummerSlam. His last major bout was at the Saturday Night’s Main Event special in July, where he unsuccessfully challenged GUNTHER for the World Heavyweight Championship.
While Priest is not in action, his Judgment Day stablemates have had a busy SummerSlam weekend. On Night One last night, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez lost their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships to the team of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Tonight on Night Two, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio is scheduled to defend his Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles.
Seth Rollins’ fake injury storyline that culminated in him dropping his crutches and cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on CM Punk ranks among WWE’s most memorable swerves this century. Michael Cole’s “Ruse of the Century” moniker draws clear parallels to Rollins’ previous “Heist of the Century” at WrestleMania 31, and the comparison is apt.
The storyline succeeded because it struck the perfect balance between believability and suspicion. While a select group of fans and analysts suspected Rollins’ injury at Saturday Night’s Main Event was fabricated, the majority of the WWE Universe bought into the deception completely. When Rollins hobbled out on crutches after CM Punk’s victory over Gunther, shouting at the new champion in apparent frustration, most fans saw genuine emotion rather than calculated performance. The moment he dropped those crutches and rushed into the ring was pure wrestling theater at its finest.
How It Compares to Other Century-Defining Swerves
The Shield’s Betrayal (2014) Seth Rollins betraying The Shield remains the most pivotal in-ring moment in wrestling this century. Nearly a decade later, this betrayal continues to drive storylines across WWE programming. When Rollins turned on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose with those chair shots, he didn’t just break up a faction—he fundamentally reshaped WWE’s landscape. The ripple effects include Roman’s evolution into the Tribal Chief, countless championship reigns, and the fact that Shield members have dominated the world title scene throughout the 2020s.
John Cena’s Heel Turn (2025) After 22 years as WWE’s ultimate babyface—the longest such run in company history—John Cena’s shocking betrayal of Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber was perhaps the most stunning swerve in over two decades. What made this turn so impactful wasn’t just its execution, but its impossibility. This was supposed to be Cena’s farewell retirement tour, a year of heartfelt goodbyes and nostalgia. Instead, he attacked the WWE Champion and aligned with The Rock, completely rewriting expectations.
The turn worked because WWE finally had a worthy replacement in Cody Rhodes, who had become the company’s emotional center over the previous two years. For the first time in nearly two decades, WWE didn’t need Cena as their top babyface, freeing them to make this unprecedented move.
The Verdict
The “Ruse of the Century” stands as a masterfully executed swerve that successfully fooled most fans while rewarding the skeptical few. Its perfect execution—from the believable injury angle to Rollins’ committed crutch performance—reminded everyone why wrestling swerves work best when they feel both surprising and inevitable in hindsight.
However, it likely falls short of The Shield betrayal in terms of long-term storytelling impact. While Rollins created an unforgettable moment, The Shield’s dissolution fundamentally altered WWE’s trajectory for an entire decade. The “Ruse of the Century” excels in its immediate impact and flawless presentation, cementing its place among the great wrestling swerves of this century.
That Rollins stands at the center of two of this century’s most shocking moments—both as betrayer and deceiver—solidifies his standing as a generational talent whose every move demands the audience’s closest attention.
Two members of the popular former WWE faction, The Hurt Business, are set to reunite for the first time in two years. United Pro Wrestling has announced that Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin will team up for one night only at their “Battleground in Gastonia” event on September 13th.
In an announcement on their Instagram page, UPW confirmed that the former WWE Raw Tag Team Champions will reunite in their ring. The promotion noted that Cedric Alexander was originally targeting the UPW Heavyweight Championship, but is now “calling for a tag team war instead.” Their opponents have not yet been announced.
The reunion is a rare inter-promotional team-up between stars currently signed to two different major companies. Shelton Benjamin is currently in AEW, where he is a member of The Hurt Syndicate alongside Bobby Lashley and MVP. Cedric Alexander, meanwhile, recently made his debut for TNA Wrestling, making this a special attraction match for the independent event.
The one-night reunion sees two wrestlers currently active in major promotions teaming up. Shelton Benjamin is one-half of the reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions, The Hurt Syndicate. Cedric Alexander made his TNA Wrestling debut at the Slammiversary pay-per-view on July 20, where he faced his former WWE colleague, Mustafa Ali, in a singles match.
Tonight, WWE’s biggest party of the summer reaches its explosive conclusion as SummerSlam Night Two emanates from the iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The “Biggest Event of the Summer” promises to deliver championship drama and unforgettable moments as WWE’s top superstars clash under the bright lights of one of sports entertainment’s premier venues. Fans can witness all the action live on Peacock in the United States and Netflix for international audiences.
Here’s the final match card for SummerSlam Sunday:
Street Fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
Women’s World Championship 3-Way: Naomi (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY
Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
Stage Cage Match for the United States Championship: Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
Women’s Intercontinental Championship (No Disqualification): Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria
6-Pack TLC for the WWE Tag Team Championship: The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. The Street Profits vs. The Motor City Machine Guns vs. #DIY vs. Fraxiom vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix
WWE superstar Jacob Fatu will step into a steel cage at SummerSlam this weekend to face Solo Sikoa for the United States Championship, but the most difficult battles of his life happened long before he ever set foot in a wrestling ring.
In a raw and emotional interview on Cheap Heat podcast, Fatu opened up about his criminal past and the jail time that ultimately saved his life. Starting at age 18, Fatu found himself repeatedly behind bars for robbery charges, experiencing a side of life that would fundamentally change his perspective forever.
“I was 18, what? I have great parents. We come from a great family, but man, you know, man, you running around in the streets, all that time on your hands, and you eventually going to get caught up,” Fatu admitted. “It was a whole another mindset. I wasn’t thinking about nobody but myself.”
The reality of incarceration hit harder than any wrestling move ever could. Fatu described the dehumanizing conditions with brutal honesty that few public figures would dare share.
“Being locked up in jail that first time going over there. Man, you can’t you don’t get no privacy over there,” he revealed. “There’s six there’s 12 toilets and they’re not even they’re facing each other, man. It was awkward, man. Sitting down had to use the bathroom looking at another grown man.”
But it was watching his family suffer that truly broke him. The sight of his parents visiting him in jail became the turning point that wrestling alone never could have provided.
“That was the worst, man. Seeing my parents come visit me in that thing. Like man, what the hell?” Fatu said, his voice breaking with emotion. “My mom put her uh man she put up her van man just to bail me out… that’s why when y’all see me here I’m so I’m so thankful I’m here cuz I I know what it could have been.”
Perhaps most remarkably, his future wife stood by him through the darkest period of his life, even helping to name one of their children while he was incarcerated.
“That’s why I knew my wife was the one. You know what I mean? Like, damn, bro. She taking care of me. I’m What the hell am I doing? I’m supposed to be out there taking care of her and my kids,” he reflected.
Now, as one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars, Fatu credits that painful period with giving him the perspective that makes every opportunity precious. When WWE came calling after years of independent wrestling, it wasn’t just a job offer—it was vindication of a completely transformed life.
“WWE blessed me, took care of everything, and you know, um they took a chance on me, not knowing, you know, not know it was just mind-blowing,” he said. “I’m very thankful I have a job now. Very very thankful.”
This weekend at SummerSlam, when Jacob Fatu steps into that steel cage, he’ll be fighting for more than just a championship. He’ll be representing every second chance, every moment of growth, and every person who believes that your past doesn’t have to define your future.
The steel bars around the ring may look intimidating, but they’re nothing compared to the ones he’s already escaped.
The wrestling veteran defended his TNT Championship against Kyle Fletcher in a brutal match earlier this week. Not only did he drop the title, but Rhodes was seemingly written off TV with a post-match attack from Fletcher, which led to Dustin being stretchered out of the arena.
The former Goldust then provided an update on his health on X, revealing that he’ll be undergoing an ‘invasive major surgery’ and will be out for a while.
Fightful Select has now revealed some more details on the situation. While Dustin Rhodes blamed the injury on Fletcher, the site revealed that the 56-year-old is actually headed for a double knee surgery.
The major surgery means the now former TNT Champion will be out of action for a long time and he is not expected back until 2026 at the earliest.
This leaves the fate of the ROH Tag Team Titles currently held by Dustin and his partner, Sammy Guevara, up in the air. Guevara had tweeted about the end of his run with Rhodes, suggesting that their Sons of Texas tag team had come to an end.
This likely means that the duo will be stripped of the title and new champions will be crowned by the company. An official announcement regarding the same however, has not been made so far.
Could Cody Rhodes’ SummerSlam match be affected by his upcoming project?
The American Nightmare is one of the wrestling names set for a role in the upcoming live-action Street Fighter movie, which will begin production later this year.
With Rhodes scheduled to challenge John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Title at night 2 of SummerSlam, a lot of people wondered if the upcoming project would affect the outcome of this match.
Fightful Select recently provided an update on the matter. They revealed the movie, also starring Roman Reigns and possibly Hirooki Goto, is set to film in September.
Though the WWE quarterback is not expected to be on the set for an extended period of time, and sources within the company are optimistic that the filming would not interfere with storylines.
This means the company officials can put the title back on Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam if they choose, without worrying about his upcoming project affecting the plans for the title.
Whether or not it actually happens will only be revealed this Sunday night, as the officials are keeping the plans for the night 2 main event very quiet.
You can check out what happened during the SummerSlam night 1 main event and how the wrestling world reacted to it here.
