SummerSlam kicks off in the New York and New Jersey area over two nights, marking a historic event for WWE, as it is the first time the show has been split into separate nights. The first night of the event features several high-stakes matches, beginning with CM Punk’s long-awaited title shot against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. This match is expected to be a fierce battle of wills, as Punk aims to claim the championship after a series of setbacks and injuries. The match will be a critical moment for Punk, who has consistently claimed to be the best in the world but has faced various challenges since his return to WWE.
Roman Reigns is also making a return to the ring, joining forces with Jey Uso to face off against the formidable duo of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. This match is anticipated to be a significant moment for Reigns, who has been sidelined for some time, and fans are eager to see his impact on the night’s events. Other notable matches include Tiffany Stratton’s title defense against Jade Cargill, as well as the tag team rivalry between Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss versus Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Additionally, Karrion Kross and Sami Zayn are set to clash, continuing their intense rivalry that has built over several weeks of competing. The event promises to be a blockbuster, with a mix of high-profile matches and dramatic moments that will keep fans engaged throughout the night.
Gunther has held the championship since he won it back from Jey Uso months after his WrestleMania 41 defeat. He defeated Goldberg during their Saturday Night’s Main Event match and now has the challenge of going up against Punk, who is possibly his most formidable opponent in quite some time. The battle between these two is expected to be one of the most anticipated matches of the night, as Gunther defends his title against Punk, who has been working his way back into the limelight after a series of injuries and bad fortune.
Tiffany Stratton has withstood each test she’s faced so far. She dispatched Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 41, Nia Jax in a Last Woman Standing match, and then Trish Stratus at Evolution. She’s been on fire, but she will have her biggest test yet in Jade Cargill. Cargill won the Queen of the Ring Tournament and chose to square off against Stratton. It will be her first shot at a singles title. Cargill put her feud with Naomi behind her, defeating her in a No Holds Barred match at Evolution. The match between Stratton and Cargill is expected to be a highlight of the night, as both competitors are considered among the top women on the SmackDown roster.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss have formed an unexpected alliance that has resonated well with the WWE audience. Flair saved Bliss from a spear at Evolution, and Bliss saved Flair from an onslaught from Raquel Rodriguez during a Friday Night SmackDown episode. Although they are not yet friends, their collaboration has earned them a shot at the tag team titles, which they could potentially secure by the end of the night. The opposing team, consisting of Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez, has also shown their determination to retain the titles. Rodriguez and Perez have defended the titles at Evolution and now have the chance to further solidify their dominance in the division with a victory over the veteran duo of Bliss and Flair.
The rivalry between Karrion Kross and Sami Zayn has been a focal point of the past few weeks, and their clash on the first night of SummerSlam is expected to be the highlight of the night. Zayn got the better of Kross at Night of Champions back in June, and Kross defeated Zayn a few weeks ago. Kross has told Zayn that he will never be a world champion while Zayn has tried to focus on his pursuit of a title and put Kross behind him. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for both performers as it determines their respective standings in the championship race.
Roman Reigns is making his return to the ring, joining forces with Jey Uso to face off against the formidable duo of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. This match is anticipated to be a significant moment for Reigns, who has been sidelined for some time, and fans are eager to see his impact on the night’s events. The match is expected to be a high-stakes showdown, with both teams bringing their full strength to the ring. The event promises to be a blockbuster, with a mix of high-profile matches and dramatic moments that will keep fans engaged throughout the night.