Welcome to Ringside News’ coverage of WWE SummerSlam 2018!

Tonight’s show is a massive one, both literally and figuratively. Rumours have suggested the show will clock-in somewhere around 7 hours, so let’s keep this intro short!

Any number of matches could be the main event tonight but one in particular is almost certain to close out the show: Roman Reigns Vs. Brock Lesnar. All things considered, WWE has done the best job of making this interesting that it could. That doesn’t change the fact that they were the ones who booked the match but at least they’ve made if fun to watch thus far. The time for Lesnar to be Champion has well and truly passed and tonight must be the end of it.

The other noteworthy matches tonight include Ronda Rousey Vs. Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship, AJ Styles Vs. Samoa Joe with the WWE Championship on the line, Daniel Bryan Vs. The Miz in a grudge match, Seth Rollins Vs. Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship, and Braun Strowman faces Kevin Owens, with the winner getting the Money In The Bank Briefcase. I believe there’s a further eight or so matches on the card, so there’s lots to look forward to. Remember to download the Ringside News app, follow us on Instagram, and enjoy the show!

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Kick-Off Show

The Kick-Off Show begins with the panel of Renee Young, Sam Roberts, Booker T and David Otunga. The panel rundown the entire card for tonight’s show.


We cut to John Bradshaw and Peter Rosenberg on the stage, making jokes about Bradshaw’s poor history at SummerSlam.

We see a video hyping the SmackDown Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match. The panel say Becky Lynch is understandably frustrated but tonight is her chance to step out of Charlotte’s shadow. Booker reckons the Triple Threat rules helps Carmella. They say it’s anyone’s game.

Kevin Owens Vs. Braun Strowman is discussed by Bradshaw and Rosenberg. Peter says Owens is smart, he doesn’t want to stand toe-to-toe with Braun, and asks Bradshaw what you do in that kind of situation. Bradshaw says that when he faced Undertaker at SummerSlam, he realised during the match he physically he couldn’t beat him, so he tried to get the Deadman to disqualify himself to win. He says KO is a great talent but he needs to come up with something to beat Strowman. Rosenberg reminds us that, whoever wins, could cash-in.

The panel discuss The Miz Vs. Daniel Bryan. Roberts says The Miz’s insecurities have haunted him for years, and so he is trying to prove that he is better than Bryan. Booker blames JBL for “creating” The Miz, because he made him dress in the hallway and whatnot. Booker says this match is the one to watch for him.


We get a hype video for Ronda Rousey Vs. Alexa Bliss. The panel discuss Bliss’ antics in getting Ronda suspended and say, on paper she doesn’t stand much chance. However Alexa is wily and may have some tricks up her sleeve.

Rusev & Lana Vs. Andrade Almas & Zelina Vega

Rusev and Almas start the match. Cien leaves the ring and runs around with Rusev chasing him, before sliding back inside and performing tranquilo with Vega beneath him. This prompts Rusev and Lana to flex together on the opposite side of the ring. Again Almas leaves the ring and Rusev chases but this time Cien hits the Bulgarian with a dropkick through the ropes.


Back inside the ring, Rusev takes control by stomping a mudhole in Almas in the corner. Rusev looks for a suplex as the fans chant “Rusev Day”. Vega provides a distraction as Almas attacks Rusev from behind, then tosses him into the ring post. Almas performs an armbar to Rusev, while hanging from the ropes. Almas looks to ground Rusev with a submission as we get a split-screen commercial for SummerSlam. Almas hangs Rusev on the middle rope and chokes him with a knee to the back. Vega again looks to distract Rusev, allowing Cien to charge him in the corner but this time Rusev dodges and Almas hits the turnbuckles. Rusev looks for the tag to Lana but Zelina pulls her from the apron at the last second.

Almas hits Rusev with a flying knee in the corner, then lands a tornado reverse DDT from the middle rope for a near-fall. Almas grinds Rusev with an armlock but the Brute fights back, and reverses a second tornado DDT and shoves Almas to the floor. Rusev crawls to make the tag to Lana and Vega is forced in. Lana connects with two flying attacks, then a bulldog and a spinarooni of sorts. Lana hits a corner splash and a neckbreaker for a two-count. Zelina rolls to the outside but Lana chases after and slams her into the apron. Lana throws her back into the ring and body-slam’s Vega for another two-count. Zelina begs for mercy in the corner but then suckers Lana into eating the turnbuckle! Vega then kicks Lana in the head. She takes to the corner and looks for a running knee but Lana responds with a kick to the gut. Lana looks for the Accolade but Andrade appears on the apron for a distraction. Rusev yanks him down but Almas tosses him into the barricade. Almas comes back to the apron and Lana slaps him, allowing Vega to roll-up Lana and pin her with an assist from the ropes!

Winners: Zelina Vega & Andrade Almas


We return to the Kick-Off panel and Jerry Lawler has joined the crew. Booker makes a joke about Lana’s spinarooni not being very good. The panel again rundown the entire card before we go backstage for an interview between Charly Caruso and Paul Heyman. She asks him if all of this was an elaborate ruse because Brock is scared of Roman. Heyman asks if we’re live and says he doesn’t even get the question. He says we’re here to witness history because tonight Brock will get rid of The Big Dog. Heyman says Brock is so focused on becoming UFC Heavyweight Champion. He’s preparing to take Daniel Cormier and knock him out. Tonight however, Brock looks to finish this feud once and for all. He says everytime Brock F5’s Roman, everytime he suplexes Roman, The Big Dog comes back for more. So tonight he looks to beat him so that he can never come back. He says Brock will F5 Roman and pin him 123 and that’s a spoiler. The panel discuss the match a little, saying Reigns is a major threat to Brock.

We see Kurt Angle, Paige, and Drake Maverick backstage. Paige and Drake say they’re thrilled to be here because this is their first SummerSlam’s as GM’s. Angle says she is excited to see Styles Vs. Joe because that will be an instant classic. In walks Baron Corbin, who says he is here to make sure Kurt is on top of everything. Corbin asks if Angle has prepared Brock’s private dressing room, to which Angle says he has and asks if Corbin would like to go cut Brock’s steak as well? They make jokes at Corbin’s expense and he leaves after poking fun at Maverick’s height.

WWE Cruiseweight Championship Match

(C) Cedric Alexander Vs. Drew Gulak

Alexander and Gulak lock-up and the Champion forces him to the corner. Gulak takes Alexander to the mat but gets kicked to the corner. They lock-up again and this time Alexander catches him with a nice dropkick. Alexander gets caught with a stiff boot to the face, then Gulak drags him from the ring and lands a neckbreaker from the apron.

Gulak lifts Alexander up and drops him on the apron, then throws him back inside. Gulak applies a neck crank as we get another SummerSlam commercial. Alexander fights out of the submission but Gulak catches him with a T-bone suplex. Gulak regains control by grounding Alexander with a headlock. Gulak then gets Alexander in a Gory Special. Eventually Cedric escapes by flipping over Gulak and lands a rope-assisted STO. Alexander chops Gulak in the chest, and the challenger rolls from the ring, so Alexander follows-up with a beautiful senton over the top to the floor!


Alexander throws Gulak back into the ring and climbs to the apron. Alexander looks for a springboard but Gulak swipes his feet and Cedric falls back onto the apron. Gulak then applies the Gu-Lock over the ropes and holds it in until the referee’s four count. Gulak brings Alexander back inside and looks for the Gu-Lock again but this time Alexander escapes and elbows him down. Both men trade shots in the middle of the ring and Gulak gets the better of the exchange with a stiff slap. They trade pin reversals until Alexander hits a Spanish Fly for a near-fall. They trade pins again and this time Alexander rolls-up Gulak for the win!

Winner: Cedric Alexander

We return to Rosenberg and JBL, who discuss the SmackDown Women’s Championship Match. JBL says Becky is the favourite. Rosenberg says the New Yorker in him is rooting for Carmella and JBL agrees, saying the hometown advantage is a real thing.

After a video package, we get an interview with Samoa Joe. The challenger to AJ Styles says he is inside AJ’s head. He says he is a man in control of all of his faculties and he knows what he is doing. He says AJ is an egomaniac, who only cares about himself, and he has him broken mentally. Joe says AJ is fantastic and has won titles everywhere he has went but then he comes and takes those titles from AJ. He tells AJ to hand him the WWE Championship or he’ll rip it from his unconscious hands. The panel are floored by Joe’s cutting words. W return to Rosenberg and JBL on the stage, and they say Joe is a huge threat to Styles. Booker says AJ just beat his record for longest title reign on SmackDown. He then says AJ Styles is this generation’s Shawn Michaels and tonight he will find a way to win. Rosenberg points out that Joe missed WrestleMania and he is hungry for gold. He says Joe has beaten Styles again and he may do so again.

WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match

(C) The B-Team Vs. The Revival

Scott Dawson and Bo Dallas start the match with a lock-up and Bo takes Dawson down with a headlock. Dash Wilder tags in and  connects with a dragonscrew to Dallas,hurting the leg, then catch Axel running in with the Shatter Machine! The referee forces Dawson from the ring and checks on Dallas in the corner.

Dallas gets up and gets beaten back down by Dash. Dawson tags in and connects with a dropkick from the top rope. Dawson stomps on Dallas and tries to injure the leg further. We get another SummerSlam commercial. Dawson is still working on the leg, and Axel is still out on the floor from the Shatter Machine. Dash and Dawson beat on Bo in the corner, then Dawson hits another dragonscrew. Dallas manages to kick Dawson off and into the ring post, then catch him with a roll-up for two. Axel returns to the apron but Dash runs over and kicks him off.

Dawson taunts Dallas before tagging Dash. Dash looks to suplex Bo to the floor but instead Dallas drapes Dash across the ropes and hits a spinning neckbreaker. Axel is back on the apron and tags are made to both men! Axel clotheslines Dawson twice, then splashes him in the corner. Snapmare from Axel, then a neckbreaker. Dawson rolls-up Axel for a two-count. Axel looks for a Perfect Plex but Dash prevents it. Dash gets knocked from the ring by Bo while Dawson rolls-up Axel. Bo gets whiplashed and falls back, reversing the pin attempt from Axel to Dawson and The B-Team score the win.

Winner: The B-Team


The panel rundown the SummerSlam card again, as we’re 20 minutes away from showtime! Charly Caruso tries to score an interview with Alexa Bliss but the Champion shrugs her off. Booker T says she is simply focused on the match with Ronda. They say the pressure in on Alexa because if she loses there will be headlines everywhere and that is weighing on her.

We get a video package for the Roman Reigns/Brock Lesnar rivalry. Rosenberg and JBL discuss the match, with JBL saying Reigns resents Brock’s dominance. Bradshaw says the locker room might feel miffed at Lesnar but it’s simply because of how dominant he is. Rosenberg says that Heyman wants you to believe that Roman cannot beat Brock Lesnar but Reigns believes he already did so. Peter asks if there is any chance Brock is overlooking Roman and thinking all about UFC and JBL says 100% yes. He says nobody has done what Brock wants to do and his ambition may cost him the match.


We return to the panel and Renee agrees with JBL; Brock may be too focused on UFC. They say Paul Heyman may very well be a factor tonight. JBL says he doesn’t believe Brock is stupid, he wants to go down as the greatest of all-time, and that is weighing on him. Rosenberg says this is why Roman is angry, everyone is focused on Brock. Renee asks if you can imagine the noise if Roman wins tonight. Otunga says it is clear Brock is worries about Roman, because of the pepper spray antics.

The panel breakdown the rest of the card to round-out the Kick-Off Show.

SummerSlam 2018 opens with a hype video starring Terry Crews.


Dean Ambrose comes to the stage to a great reception, followed by Seth Rollins. The Champion and the Scottish Psycho are out second.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match

(C) Dolph Ziggler W/ Drew McIntyre Vs. Seth Rollins W/ Dean Ambrose

The bell rings and they lock-up. Dolph forces Rollins to the ropes where Drew is standing. Ambrose comes around and gets right in the face of McIntyre. Rollins looks for a roll-up to no avail, then Dolph tries for one of his own. Ziggler slides out of the ring to re-group as Seth looked for a powerbomb.

Ziggler climbs back inside and kicks Seth in the gut as they feign a lock-up. Dolph hits the ropes but Rollins catches him with a hip toss and again Ziggler leaves the ring. Seth gets out and goes after Dolph but McIntyre steps in front of him. Ambrose comes around the other side and does the same to Dolph. Rollins gets a hold of Dolph while Ambrose and McIntyre engage in a staredown. Rollins ducks a clothesline and unleashes a loud chop, then more in the corner. Dolph reverses a whip to the corner but Rollins responds with a clothesline. Rollins looks for a suplex but Dolph lands on his feet and catches Seth with a neckbreaker.

Dolph controls the pace, slowing things down and rubbing Seth’s face along the top rope. Ziggler chops Seth and whips him into the turnbuckles. Ziggler knocks Rollins from the ring and McIntyre talks trash to him, prompting Ambrose to get in his face again. Back inside the ring, Ziggler applies a sleeper to ground Seth. Eventually Seth escapes but gets floored again by Dolph and the sleeper is re-applied. Rollins again escapes, this time with a jawbreaker. Rollins runs at Dolph against the ropes but gets launched over and to the floor below!


Ziggler gets Seth back into the ring and looks for a crossbody but Seth catches him, lifts him up into a suplex position, then both men fall over the top rope to the floor! Back inside the ring, Ziggler catches Dolph with a slingblade, then unleashes two running forearms in the corner. Rollins boots Dolph in the face and lands a blockbuster for a near-fall. Rollins goes back to the top but Ziggler meets him up there, only to be knocked back down, and Dolph rolls from the ring to avoid the frog splash. Dolph comes back in as Seth drops down, then Seth clotheslines him from the ring and hits a suicide dive! Rollins follows-up with a springboard clothesline and a ripcord knee for a near-fall!

Rollins looks for Buckle Bomb but Dolph reverses to a sleeper. Rollins doesn’t waste any time though as he flings Dolph off. Ziggler rolls to the apron and uses the rope to drape Seth. Rollins gets on the apron and looks to catapult him into the ring post but Dolph kicks him off and then hits the snap DDT on the apron! Seth just makes it back into the ring for the referee’s 9 count. Ziggler looks for the Zig Zag but Rollins holds the ropes, shrugs him off, and lands a superkick. Rollins goes up top and looks for the frog splash but Ziggler gets his knees up and scores a near-fall!

Ziggler tees off on Seth, punching him and taunting. Rollins responds with some rapid-fire punches and Dolph kicks Seth’s knee. Rollins reverses a leap from Dolph and drapes him on the top turnbuckle. Rollins leaps to the top rope and catches Dolph with an inverted suplex, holds on, then hits a modified sidewalk slam for a near-fall! “This Is Awesome” kicks up as Rollins takes to the corner and stomps up the band. On the outside, McIntyre blindsides Ambrose and tosses him into the steel steps! Capitalising on the distraction, Ziggler hits Seth with the Zig Zag and… two-fall! Somehow Rollins has been busted open. Ziggler tunes up the band but misses the superkick and they exchange roll-ups. Seth hits the Buckle Bomb and looks for The Stomp but McIntyre climbs on the apron. Ambrose pulls him down and hits Dirty Deeds. Rollins is looking on and Dolph is ready for a superkick behind him. Seth turns around and catches Dolph with a superkick of his own, then catches him with The Stomp for the win!

Winner and New Intercontinental Champion: Seth Rollins

Rollins celebrates with Dean Ambrose after the match, while Ziggler and Drew are down on the outside.


We go backstage to Renee Young, who interviews The Bella Twins! She asks what brings them here, and they say WWE will always be their home. Renee asks if they will be at WWE’s Evolution PPV and they say they’re focused on their YouTube channel and E! Network shows. Nikki says they have talked about returning to the ring but tonight they’re here to watch Ronda Rousey win and represent the evolution. They will be in the front row for that match.

WWE SmackDown Live Tag Team Championship Match

(C) The Bludgeon Brothers Vs. The New Day

Xavier Woods and Big E are the members taking charge for New Day. Woods starts the match with Erick Rowan. Rowan takes control quickly, flooring Xavier Woods with right hands before tagging in Harper. Harper connects with a big boot and applies a headlock in the middle of the ring. Woods fights out but is floored again. Rowan connects with a splash to Woods after getting a tag from Harper. Rowan catches Woods with a pump handle backbreaker to Woods. Tag to Harper who senton splashes over the top rope onto Woods. Harper knocks Big E from the apron.

On the outside, Rowan scoop slams Harper onto Big E. Rowan tosses Woods out of the ring and grabs the bottom part of the steel steps. Woods reverses Harper and smashes him face first down in the steel steps. Big E kicks Rowan away and then gives him a belly to belly on the floor. Big E catches Harper from the apron, and does the same to him but he lands awkwardly! Big E is now the legal man and gives Harper a belly to belly inside the ring. Big E with a big splash to Harper for a two-count. Harper responds with a sit-out powerslam to Big E.

A tag to Rowan, but E sends him shoulder first into the ring post and he falls to the floor. Woods leaps over the top rope taking out Rowan. Harper with a sidewalk slam on Woods on the floor. Big E follows-up with a spear through the ropes on Harper! Then Rowan comes off the apron taking out Big E. Back in the ring, Harper gets the tag. The Bludgeon Brothers plant Big E with a crucifix bomb and look for the pin but Woods breaks it up. Woods kicks Rowan in the face, gets the tag and kicks Harper as well. Woods goes for a DDT on Harper, but the big man counters and headbutts Woods. Harper with a powerful sit-out powerbomb on Woods for a close two count. Rowan with a back body drop on Kofi Kingston on the outside. Big E comes out and connects with the Big Ending to Rowan on the floor.


Woods tags in Big E, but Harper kicks him in the face, then superkicks Big E. Big E retaliates by planting Harper over the knee of Woods who jumped up near the ring apron. Woods has the tag and goes up top. Harper rolls out. Woods connects with a flying elbow over Harper to the floor! Back inside, Big E has Harper on his shoulder. Woods goes up top. Harper knocks Woods off the top rope using his mallet. Harper hits Big E with the mallet and the referee immediately calls for the bell.

Winners Via Disqualification: The New Day

After the ref calls for the bell, Rowan brings the mallet into the ring and looks to hit Big E with it. Harper stops him and seems to reason with him, but then takes the mallet and hits Big E with it in the gut. The Bludgeon Brothers were disqualified but retain the titles.

We see John Stewart at ringside with his son. The fans in New York haven’t forgotten what he did a few years ago, and he gets booed for it.

Braun Strowman Vs. Kevin Owens

If Strowman Loses, Owens Wins The Money In The Bank Briefcase

The bell rings and Braun immediately splashes Owens in the corner. Then again. Owens rolls to the outside but Strowman slides out, runs around the ring and shoulder tackles Owens upside down! Strowman hits another huge shoulder tackle and throws him back into the ring.

Again Owens rolls from the ring but this time he hits a superkick to Strowman as he follows. Strowman no-sells the superkick, instead he chokeslams KO on the ramp! Nasty bump! Back inside the ring, Owens lifts Braun and hits the running powerslam for the win.

Winner: Braun Strowman

Wow. The fans are very divided on that one. Strowman celebrates his quick win.


WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship

Triple Threat Match

(C) Carmella Vs. Becky Lynch Vs. Charlotte Flair

The match gets underway and Carmella performs a moonwalk and talks some trash. Charlotte and Becky do their tea-drinking pose as a sign of respect and Carmella sucker-punches Lynch. Charlotte responds with a chop to Carmella, then whips her into the corner. Lynch kicks Carmella in the corner, then drops two leg-drops before missing the third. Carmella shoves Charlotte to the floor then slaps Becky on the back of the head and falls to the mat, so Becky looks around thinking Charlotte did it. While Becky and Charlotte start arguing, Carmella shoves Charlotte into Lynch and rolls-up Charlotte but Becky pulls her off. Becky questions Charlotte about slapping her and again Carmella comes between them but this time Becky catches her with an arm drag to the outside.

Charlotte and Becky engage in some pin attempts, then Becky catches Charlotte with two arm-drags and an armlock before Charlotte reverses into an unsuccessful pin attempt. Becky whips Charlotte to the corner and over the ropes, where Carmella shoves her into the ring post. Becky comes out and Carmella shoves her into the ring steps, then does the Flair walk and woo’s. Carmella tosses Becky back inside and scores a two-count before slapping Becky and screaming at her. Carmella applies a sleeper and tries to ground Becky.


Becky breaks free but eats a flying elbow from Carmella. Becky rolls from the ring and Charlotte returns, only for Carmella to slam her by the hair and apply another sleeper. Charlotte climbs to her feet but Carmella knees her in the gut and tosses her from the ring. Becky returns and tries to roll-up Carmella but she kicks out and dropkicks Lynch. Carmella gets in Becky’s face and taunts her, so Becky punches her in the stomach. Carmella slaps Becky and returns to taunting. Becky and Carmella exchange roll-ups and then Charlotte tries to boot Carmella but the Champ dodges and Flair boots Lynch from the ring!

Charlotte catches Carmella’s kick and chops her in the chest. Charlotte hits Carmella with two exploder suplexes, then a back-body-drop. Charlotte wants the Figure Four but Becky reappears on the apron and kicks Charlotte, then takes to the top rope and dropkicks both women at the same time. Lynch gets to her feet and clotheslines Charlotte, then connects with a kick and a flying forearm. Carmella returns and Lynch connects with some kicks and elbows, then hits a Bexploder. Carmella kicks the ropes, causing Becky to fall on the top rope, then she connects with a hurricanrana to Lynch for a near-fall.

Charlotte returns and hits Carmella with a spear that also knocks Becky down. Lynch rolls to the floor as Carmella hits Charlotte’s head off of the turnbuckles. Carmella lifts Charlotte onto the top rope and looks for the same hurricanrana she gave Becky but Charlotte catches her legs and drops to the mat, then applies a Boston crab. Carmella gets near the ropes, so Charlotte transitions to a Figure Four. Lynch comes out of nowhere with a legdrop from the top rope to Charlotte to break the submission. Carmella then breaks the pin attempt and all four women are down.


Charlotte rolls from the ring and Becky takes the fight to Carmella. Lynch is thrown over the top rope and Carmella kicks her to the floor. Carmella hits the ropes and connects with a huge suicide dive! Carmella lifts Becky, meanwhile Charlotte leaps from the top rope with a corkscrew moonsault to take them both out! Charlotte brings Becky back inside and winds-up the Figure Four but Becky reverses and applies the Dis-Arm-Her. Carmella breaks the submission and Becky throws her out of the ring. Becky then catches Charlotte with a modified Rock Bottom but again Carmella breaks it up!

Charlotte rolls from the ring and Becky reverses a headscissors takedown into the Dis-Arm-Her but Carmella reverses into a pin attempt holding the ropes. Lynch kicks out and Carmella superkicks her for a pin but Charlotte breaks it. Carmella kicks Charlotte from the ring but Becky gets her in the Dis-Arm-Her and Carmella reaches the bottom rope. Lynch wastes no time and hits Carmella with the Bexploder and applies the Dis-Arm-Her again but this time Charlotte comes from behind and hits Natural Selection to Becky and wins!

Winner and New Women’s Champion: Charlotte Flair

The fans are booing as Charlotte’s music stops and she offers Becky a hand. The fans chant or Lynch as she and Flair hug. They boo again but out of nowhere Becky floors Charlotte and unleashes some ground and pound! Becky kicks Charlotte from the ring and holds the title as the fans are going nuts. Becky goes out and lifts Charlotte up and throws her into the barricade. Becky tosses Charlotte over the announce table and leaves as the fans chant her name. It’s funny because the commentators talked as though Becky turned heel and did something dastardly but the fans loved every second of it. The fans boo as Charlotte gets to her feet and leaves.


Before the WWE Championship match can get underway, Samoa Joe grabs the microphone and acknowledges Styles’ wife and daughter in the crowd. He tells them not to worry because “daddy’s coming home tonight”. Styles takes a mic and says his family are here to watch him kick Joe’s ass.

WWE Championship Match

(C) AJ Styles Vs. Samoa Joe

The match gets underway and the two circle each other before starting to lock-up. Before the lock-up happens Joe swings a big kick and AJ ducks. The fans chant “TNA” as Styles and Joe do indeed lock-up and Joe powers him to the corner. Joe shoves AJ and the Champions gets fired-up. Styles grabs a headlock and takes Joe down to one knee. He holds onto the headlock for a while until Joe shoots him off and into the ropes, then turns AJ inside out with a shoulder tackle.

We’re still in the feeling out process as AJ connects with a stiff leg kick, followed by some more. Joe takes to the corner and stares at the Champion. AJ goes for the leg kick again but this time Joe checks it and hits one of his own that floors Styles! Joe unleashes some stiff jabs and then kicks him off his feet again. AJ kicks Joe a few times, then Irish whips him, duck, leapfrog, and a picture-perfect dropkick. Styles snapmare’s Joe then kicks him in the back. Joe fights back with a punch but Styles comes back with a kick and a sliding strike. Joe rolls from the ring.


Styles hits the ropes and hits a baseball slide that sends Joe flying into the announce desk. Styles grabs the ropes for a dive but the referee stops him. So Styles leaves the ring, runs along the apron and tries to land a running knee but Joe stops it and kicks Styles’ leg out and he lands hard on the apron. Back inside the ring, Joe floors AJ with a chop. Joe reverses a suplex to drop AJ on his face and the Champion rolls from the ring. Joe follows-up with a suicide dive and Styles crashes into the announce table.

Back inside the ring, Joe cranks AJ’s head in a submission attempt. AJ fights to his feet but gets clocked with a huge clothesline. Joe goes to a side headlock to ground the Phenomenal One. Styles gets to his feet again and trades blows with Joe and he knocks the Samoan from the ring. AJ leaps over the top rope with a Phenomenal Forearm and both men are down. AJ throws Joe back into the ring but gets floored with a right hand and falls to the floor. Joe runs, looking for another suicide dive, but AJ prevents it with an enziguiri. Styles gets into the ring and hits a running forearm to Joe, followed by a corner splash. Styles hits an incredible springboard reverse DDT for a near-fall.

AJ lifts Joe onto the top rope and looks for a hurricanrana but Joe headbutt’s him off. Joe then leaps from the top rope with a right knee to the chest of Styles for a near-fall. Joe kicks AJ on the chest, then hits a urinage and a running senton for a two-count. Styles picks Joe up and connects with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. Styles gets in position for the Styles Clash but Joe shoves him to the corner. AJ climbs to the apron, kicks Joe away, and leaps for the Phenomenal Forearm but nobody’s home. AJ hits the ropes and Joe catches him with a lightning-quick powerslam for a near-fall.


AJ looks for a crucifix pin but Joe rolls through, so AJ superkicks him. AJ then lifts Joe for the Styles Clash and lands it for a near-fall! Styles takes Joe to the corner and unleashes some punches but Joe responds with some huge punches of his own. Styles retaliates with a Pele kick, then runs at Joe in the corner, only to be planted with a urinage and both men are down. Joe grabs AJ but Styles counters him with the Calf-Crusher. Joe feigns tapping before he grabs AJ’s head and slams him into the mat repeatedly. Joe quickly transitions into the Coquida Clutch and AJ free’s his legs from Joe and reaches the bottom rope.

Joe taunts for a special manoeuvre. He sets AJ on the top rope, looking for the Muscle Buster, but AJ punches him away. Joe responds with an enziguiri that knocks AJ to the floor. Samoa Joe gets out of the ring and throws AJ head-first into the steel steps and busts him wide open. Joe then climbs atop the announce table, grabs a microphone and tells AJ’s wife that he said daddy was coming home but that’s not true, but don’t worry he’ll be her new daddy. The fans oooohhh as AJ runs, leaps onto the announce table an tackles Joe off and through the barricade. Styles then punches officials at ringside, grabs a chair and whacks Joe in the back!

Winner Via Disqualification: Samoa Joe


Styles continues to attack Joe with the chair. The fans chant “Who’s Your Daddy?” Styles hits Joe with the chair again as Finlay and others try to stop him. AJ’s wife looks on, so he heads to her at ringside. His wife tells him to stop and his daughter says the same. AJ apologises to them and then walks to the back with them. Joe stomps up the ramp like a man possessed.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Elias.”


Elias introduces himself and asks who wants to walk with him. Elias says he was a child one, then he grew-up and wrote the greatest album ever. He says it is an incredible feeling knowing the entire world loves him. So he figured he would kick tonight’s concert off with high best song to date. He dedicates the song to all New Yorkers because the dirt and filth that fills their mind, and the harsh reality of being a disgusting New Yorker, is about to be washed away. He tells them to hold their applause, silence their cellphones and shut their mouths. Just as he strums the guitar though, the whole thing breaks in his hands.

Elias gets angry and kicks his stool away, then tosses his guitar. He leaves the spotlight and that’s that.

We see The Miz walking backstage and up walk The B-Team. The Miz says if Daniel Bryan followed his advice like they have, he’d be successful too. Miz says if they’re here to wish him luck, they can keep it because he doesn’t need it. He says if they want to party with him after the show, they can get the limo. Axel says they aren’t here to wish him luck, they’re going out to celebrate now. Dallas says they’re not The Miztourage anymore, they’re The B-Team, and B stands for Daniel Bryan. Axels says they want Bryan to win and shut Miz up. Dallas congratulates Miz on his new reality show and says they’re looking for one of their own, called Total Fella’s, but with a B. They cheer and run off as Miz looks angry.


The Miz is out first and Maryse is at ringside with Monroe Skye. Miz gives her a kiss and awaits his opponent. The long-awaited showdown is about to begin!

The Miz Vs. Daniel Bryan

Bryan is decked out in Seattle Seahawks coloured gear tonight. Bryan is all smiles and he cocks his fist as he backs Miz into the corner. The fans are surprisingly divided. Miz keeps ducking between the ropes to force the referee’s intervention. They lock-up and Bryan forces him to the corner, where Miz lands a cheap-shot. Miz beats Bryan down in the corner until the referee stops him.

The Miz lands some Yes Kicks to Bryan’s midsection, followed by some running dropkicks. Bryan then grabs Miz by the throat and unleashes some right hands, followed by his own Yes Kicks! Miz regains some control with a headlock but he gets shot off and kicked in the chest. Bryan applies a headlock and punches Miz on the skull. Bryan lands a bulldog that Miz almost botched somehow. Bryan sets Miz up on the ropes and punches him. The Miz responds with a kitchen sink knee, then applying a surfboard stretch.

Bryan simply sits up in the stretch, then kicks the legs of Miz and applies his own surfboard stretch to much greater effect. Bryan kicks Miz in the chest, then runs at him in the corner but Miz crotches him on the top rope. Miz clotheslines Bryan off the ropes and Bryan landed square on his head. Miz applies a submission to Bryan in the middle of the ring.


Bryan climbs to his feet and punches Miz to free himself. Bryan then chops Miz in the chest but the A-Lister reverses into a neckbreaker. Miz balls his fist, like Bryan did earlier, and he punches Bryan in the face. Miz punches Bryan again and again, forcing him to the corner. Bryan responds with right hands of his own, then springboards over Miz in the corner and hits a flying elbow. Miz pulls himself up in the corner and Bryan lands some running dropkicks and then Yes kicks to the chest. Bryan sets Miz on the top rope and lands a hurricanrana for a near-fall.

Miz climbs to his feet and Bryan chops him hard, then tosses him over the top rope. Bryan hits a running dropkick through the ropes to Miz. Bryan climbs to the top rope and leaps onto Miz with a crossbody on the floor! Bryan punches Miz on the ground before sending him back into the ring. Bryan takes to top rope again but Miz meets him there and looks for a superplex but Bryan drops between his legs and gets Miz in the tree of woe. Bryan hits Yes Kicks to an upside down Miz, before landing a dropkick. Bryan lifts Miz up and hits a back body drop from the top rope for a near-fall. Miz climbs to his knees and Bryan lands the proper Yes Kicks as the crowd chants along. Miz ducks the final Yes Kick and lands a snap DDT for a two-count.

Now Miz lands the It Kicks but the fans chant “No!” Bryan leans into the kicks and Miz looks terrified. Bryan catches Miz’s last kick and he slaps the spit out of Miz’s mouth. Bryan with a dragonscrew to Miz, followed by the final Yes Kick. Bryan takes to the corner and pumps up the Yes chant before looking for the running knee. The Miz catches him in mid-air and catapults Bryan into the ring post, then hits Skull Crushing Finale… but Bryan kicks out!


Now Miz takes to the corner and does the slow Yes chant, going to hit Bryan’s running knee. Miz runs but Bryan kicks him in the head for a near-fall. Miz rolls to the apron and looks to suplex Bryan from the ring to the floor but Bryan lands on the apron and kicks Miz repeately. Miz then moves out of the way and Bryan kicks the ring post. Miz quickly capitalises and applies the Figure Four to Bryan! Daniel struggles and almost reverses the pressure but can’t. Instead Bryan sits up and punches Miz in the face, then reverses the pressure! Miz reaches the bottom rope eventually.

Both men are down. Miz gets to his feet first and he limps over to Bryan and punches him. Bryan gets to his feet and they exchange punches. Miz looks for SKull Crushing Finale again but Bryan drops down, rolls between Miz’s legs and then kicks him hard in the back. Bryan looks for a roll-up but Miz kicks out. Bryan lands some 12-6 elbows to Miz, then applies the Yes Lock. Miz crawls towards the bottom rope and Bryan punches him in the back of the head but Miz reaches the ropes and slides from the ring. Bryan leaps off of the apron with a knee to Miz and he falls over the barricade right next to Maryse, who hands him something. Bryan dropkicks Miz against the barricade. Bryan looks for a suicide dive but Miz clocks him with what appears to be brass knuckles, which the then throws back to Maryse. Miz slides back into the ring and pins Bryan fror the win!

Winner: The MIZ


Corey Graves claims he can’t see Maryse hand Miz anything in the replays. Miz is all smiles as he celebrates his monumental win.

We get a trailer for WWE Super Showdown in Australia, where Triple H will face The Undertaker one last time.

Baron Corbin is out first for his match with Finn Balor, who thankfully comes as The Demon!

Constable Corbin Vs. Finn Balor

Corbin looks frightened and reluctant to get into the ring. He tells the referee he doesn’t want this match. As soon as the bell rings, Balor runs and connects with a dropkicks in the corner. Balor then clotheslines Corbin out of the ring and follows-up with a flying senton over the top rope. Balor then connects with a slingblade at ringside, followed-by a dropkick against the barricade.

The fans are chanting “This Is Aweomse!” Back inside the ring, Balor hits a front dropkick in the corner, followed by the double stomp from the top rope and that’s all she wrote.

Winner: Finn Balor

The Demon is money.


We see Daniel Bryan backstage, icing his head. Brie Bella walks-in and asks if he is OK. Bryan says he should have known Miz would do something like that. He says he proved Miz right tonight. He fought for three years to get back and lose like an idiot. Brie says it isn’t over. She reminds him that he always accomplishes his dreams and will persevere again. He tells Brie to head back out to ringside and enjoy the show.

United States Championship Match

(C) Shinsuke Nakmaura Vs. Jeff Hardy

The bell rings and Jeff punches Nakamura as they gauged the lock-up. They taunt each other with mind games and Jeff slams Nakamura into all four corners. Jeff looks for a jawbreaker but Nakamura counters with a knee to the mouth. Nakamura takes Jeff down with a rear chi lock but Hardy counters with a stunner.


Jeff stomps Shinsuke then Irish whips him but Nakamura slides out of the ring. Jeff chases him out but Nakamura slides 360 on the apron and kicks Jeff in the head. He then drapes Jeff over the apron and knee’s him in the head. Nakamura gets Jeff back inside and scores a two-count. Nakamura applies a submission to Jeff and grounds him. Hardy gets to his feet but Nakamura knees him repeatedly, then eats a dropkick and a slingblade from Jeff.

Jeff gets a head of steam, landing an atomic drop, leg drop, and a dropkick for a near-fall. Nakamura catches Jeff with an enziguiri. He sets Jeff on the top rope and looks for the running knee but nobody’s home. Hardy follows-up with whisper in the wind for a near-fall. Nakamura regains control with a knee to the head of Hardy, followed by some to the gut. Nakamura looks for Kinshasha but Hardy dodges, then Shinsuke tries for the low-blow but Hardy dodges. Jeff hits the Twist of Fate and takes to the rope and lands the Swanton Bomb. Jeff takes hits time making the cover and Shinsuke gets to the bottom rope. Jeff hits another Twist of Fate, takes off his shirt and looks for another Swanton Bomb but Nakamura rolls to the apron. Jeff turns around and leaps for the Swanton Bomb on the apron but nobody’s home! Nakamura gets Hardy back in the ring and hits an axe kick to the back of the head. Nakamura connects with Kinshasha for the win!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura


We see replays of Hardy’s horrible bump on the apron, as well as Nakamura’s victory. As Nakamura celebrates, Randy Orton makes his way down to the ring. Orton turns and leaves without doing anything and heads to the back. Hardy gets to his feet and claps to the fans to end the segment.

Natalya is out first, to a great reception from the WWE Universe. She’s wearing her late father’s jacket that he wore to the ring. Weirdly, Alexa Bliss is out second with no Mickie James. She shoo’s off the Bella Twins at ringside. Ronda is out last with the BMF walk!

WWE Raw Women’s Championship Match

(C) Alexa Bliss Vs. Ronda Rousey w/ nATALYA

The bell rings and Ronda charges Bliss in the corner but Alexa ducks between the ropes. The fans chant “Ronda Rousey”. Alexa looks for a cheap shot but Ronda blocks it and clocks Alexa and she rolls from the ring.

Alexa comes back to the ring, really selling the punch. Bliss looks towards the back and Ronda turns her back and sits down, offering Alexa to attack her. Bliss seems to like her chances because she storms the ring and grabs a headlock on Ronda, who simply stands to her feet and shifts Bliss to a Samoan Drop position. Ronda hits her modified Samoan Drop finish and Alexa rolls from the ring again.

Ronda won’t wait anymore as she chases Alexa around ringside and back into the ring, where Alexa knee’s her in the face and that just makes Ronda mad. Rousey catches Bliss’ kick and flips her head over heels onto the mat. Ronda then tee’s off on Ronda in the corner, then lands two Judo throws in a row. Ronda grabs Alexa by the wrist and completely dislocates Alexa’s elbow – bearing in mind Alexa is double-jointed and not actually hurt. Ronda then applies the armbar and makes Alexa tap!

Winner and New Women’s Champion: Ronda Rousey

We see replays after the match as Ronda celebrates her big win. Natalya comes into the ring and hugs Ronda. Nikki and Brie Bella come into the ring and hug Ronda, to the boo’s of the WWE Universe. They hold Ronda’s hand high, then Ronda runs and leaps into her husband’s arms at ringside. Ronda and Nattie leave up the ramp and pose.


It’s main event time. The Big Dog is out first, to boo’s, followed by the Universal Champion and his advocate.


We get ring introductions for both men before the bell can be rung. And before that bell rings, out comes Mr. Monster In The Bank Braun Strowman! Braun grabs a microphone and says everybody knows the history of this contract. He refuses to be a coward and cash it in when his opponent is down and out. He says he is a monster and he does things face-to-face. He wishes them both good luck and says he will be waiting for whoever wins the match because he will be cashing in right afterwards.

WWE Universal Championship Match

(C) Brock Lesnar Vs. Roman Reigns

Strowman leaves the ring as the bell rings, and Roman hits Brock with a Superman punch right away. Then Roman lands two more Superman punches, followed by two Spears! Roman readies in the corner and hits a third Spear but Lesnar caught him with the guillotine in mid-air!


Of course, Roman doesn’t tap, instead he lifts Brock up and slams him down to break the hold. Both men are down. Brock re-applies the guillotine and Roman does the same again. Brock takes his gloves off and Roman looks for another Superman but Brock lands a German suplex. Another two Germans from Lesnar. The fans chant “you both suck”. Reigns climbs to his feet and Lesnar looks for the F5 but Roman dropped down and went for the Spear but Brock moved out of the way and Roman went flying through the ropes and clocked Strowman. Brock leaves the ring and hits Brock with an F5 at ringside!

Brock then tosses Roman back into the ring before hitting Braun with the briefcase multiple times. Brock throws the briefcase from ringside and cracks the LED boards at the top of the stage. He grabs a chair and cracks Braun with it multiple times. Brock climbs back into the ring with the chair but turns around into the Spear and Reigns wins!

Winner and New WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns

Roman celebrates his big win and rubs it in Paul Heyman’s face. Brock rolls from the ring and Heyman kneels with him. We are not getting the Braun Strowman cash-in, which I don’t think the fans in Brooklyn have realised yet.


Roman celebrates to end the show. That’s it for SummerSlam. Let us know your thoughts in the comments and come back tomorrow night for Raw. Until then, safe travels!

Curtis Dillion

Curtis does our weekly live match-by-match coverage of WWE RAW and SmackDown for Ringside News. In addition to SmackDown, Curtis also does WWE & NXT special event coverage as well. He has been helping out at for Ringside News for many years.

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