Tag: SummerSlam

Backstage News On SummerSlam Returns, Name Change Note

During last night’s WWE SummerSlam event, Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Io Shirai made their returns after the WWE “Raw” Women’s Title match with champion Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch.

The three would come out to confront Belair, but Lynch would return to the ring to give her backup.

There are several backstage updates about the returns of Bayley, Kai, and Shirai.

Io Shirai will now be going by the ring name, Iyo Sky according to PWInsider. 

According to Fightful Select, Sky’s contract was set to expire soon and there had been no creative plans for her in NXT after her injury. WWE officials couldn’t confirm a new contract had been signed beyond saying, “it appears so.”  Shirai has not been in the WWE ring since WWE WrestleMania 38 weekend when she competed in a fatal four-way match against Mandy Rose, Cora Jade, and Kay Lee Ray (now known as Alba Fyre) at “NXT” Stand And Deliver.

Bayley had been training at the WWE Performance Center and Flatbacks for weeks in preparation for her return to the ring, according to Fightful Select. She had been sidelined since July 2021 with a torn ACL.

Fightful Select also reported that Kai was a name that several people in the company thought Triple H would make a priority to bring back since he is now that he is the head of creative. Before she was released in April, Kai had several main roster looks. AEW talks were said to never move past an introduction.

It was also noted by Fightful Select that this new stable with Bayley, Sky, and Kai was pitched quite a while ago and it was before Kai was first released in April. Vince McMahon had reportedly rejected the idea. There were other versions pitched that include Kay Lee Ray and Raquel Rodriguez.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SummerSlam Results 7/30/2022, Edge, Bayley, Dakota Kai And Io Shirai

“RAW” WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Bianca Belair (c) def. Becky Lynch

– After the match, Lynch offers her hand to Belair and the two of them shake and show their respect for each other. But, Belair doesn’t have to wait long to find out who her next challenger might be…because BAYLEY IS HERE! The Four Horsewomen star has made her return…but so has DAKOTA KAI!!! The two women appear to be on the same page…but they’re not alone. Io Shirai is here as well!!!

All three women then head to the ring, but then Lynch returns and squares off against them alongside Belair. Bayley decides to back off, and her teammates retreat with her.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1553540164613537792
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Logan Paul def. The Miz

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Bobby Lashley (c) def. Theory

NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH
The Mysterios (Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio) def. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor)

The Mysterio’s work together to set their opponents up for a 619, but as they hit the ropes Rhea Ripley pulls their legs to stop it. Priest then connects with the Sound Of Heaven, but then the lights go out and Edge is here!!! He heads to the ring and drops Priest with a big boot before Spearing Balor, and then Spearing Priest as well!

Edge sets up Balor for the classic 619, which both Mysterios hit, and it is over.

Pat McAfee def. Happy Corbin

UNDISPUTED WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH – SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE: JEFF JARRETT
The Usos (c) def. Street Profits

– Riddle then appears from the audience and gets into the ring, and he says he is not medically cleared to compete tonight as he tells the security to shut up. He says he doesn’t take crap from anybody, including Seth Rollins, and he calls him out right now. Despite the fact they have WWE authority figures trying to break them up, the two men start brawling and hit the ring to do battle. Seth takes advantage though and he lays out Riddle with a Stomp as the officials try to send him to the back.

– Riddle then appears from the audience and gets into the ring, and he says he is not medically cleared to compete tonight as he tells the security to shut up. He says he doesn’t take crap from anybody, including Seth Rollins, and he calls him out right now. Despite the fact they have WWE authority figures trying to break them up, the two men start brawling and hit the ring to do battle. Seth takes advantage though and he lays out Riddle with a Stomp as the officials try to send him to the back.

“SMACKDOWN” WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Liv Morgan (c) def. Ronda Rousey

Controversy finish.

Ronda puts on the Armbar yet again, but Morgan turns things around by pinning Rousey while she isn’t noticing, yet at the same time Morgan appears to tap out from the Armbar. Despite the fact that both of the women appeared to lose at the same time, the result is given in Morgan’s favor. Replays show that Morgan tapped out before the 3 count.

– After the match, Ronda Rousey complains to the official, and she takes down Morgan again with the armbar, and as the official tries to break it up, he gets put in the armbar as well.

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP “LAST MAN STANDING” MATCH
Roman Reigns (c) def. Brock Lesnar

Lesnar gets behind the tractor again, and he shoves the ring across the floor, and he then puts it underneath and lifts one corner of the ring all the way into the air, which leads to Reigns flying out of the ring! While he gets to his feet, The Usos then appear, which the Beast is able to deal with, launching them both across the ringside area.

Lesnar  F5’s Heyman through the announce table but that allows Reigns to nail a Spear as both men are down!

With both men down, Theory makes his way down to the ring with his Money In The Bank briefcase, he smashes Roman with it, but before he cashes in Brock F5’s him onto the briefcase, and then The Usos take Lesnar down with a double superkick. He gets up once again and then gets destroyed by another Spear, as the count begins once again, but he gets up again!

Roman then grabs the briefcase and starts beating down Lesnar with it repeatedly as he demands the count continues, yet he beats the count again. This time, Roman uses the title, smashing it into the head of Lesnar, with the Beast being taken down once again, and while he gets up, Roman hits him with the other title, and this time he starts covering him with different items such as the announce table and the steel stairs, and this time he cannot get up.

Credit to Wrestling Inc. for most of the transcript.

WWE SummerSlam 7/30/2022

DATE: July 30, 2022 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
AVAILABLE ON: Peacock (U.S.), WWE Network (International)

CARD

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP “LAST MAN STANDING” MATCH
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (c)

“RAW” WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair (c)

“SMACKDOWN” WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Ronda Rousey vs. Liv Morgan (c)

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Theory vs. Bobby Lashley (c)

UNDISPUTED WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH – SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE: JEFF JARRETT
Street Profits vs. The Usos (c)

Logan Paul vs. The Miz

Happy Corbin vs. Pat McAfee

NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH
The Mysterios (Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio) vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor)

Update On Seth Rollins And Riddle’s WWE SummerSlam Match

The biggest party of the summer will have to party on without one of the marque matches.

During today’s episode of “WWE’s The Bump,” Kayla Braxton broke the news that Riddle is currently dealing with a brachial plexus injury. The injury occurred when Seth Rollins brutally attacked him on Monday Night Raw, leading to their WWE SummerSlam match having to be postponed. The injury was described by Braxton as “a really bad stinger that’s resulted in some weakness,” and Riddle is “medically disqualified” until he’s strong enough to return.

The brutal attack by Rollins sent “WWE Raw” off the air Monday night, as Rollins hit Riddle with his patented Stomp on the arena floor and the ring steps. The show closed with Rollins laughing at an injured Riddle, with commentary stating “How will Riddle be ready for Saturday?”

The feud between Rollins and Riddle took place both on television and, supposedly, in real life, dating back to 2019 when Riddle’s former wife body shammed several female WWE superstars on social media, including Rollins’ wife, Becky Lynch. Riddle confirmed the disdain between the two in 2021, stating that he doesn’t think they like each other and that they’re just “two different people.”

It’s unclear at this time whether or not the Riddle injury is legitimate or part of a storyline, but it’s hard to imagine a star as big as Rollins not having any involvement in SummerSlam this Saturday. This weekend’s event is still set to feature eight matches, headlined by Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar in a Last Man Standing Match for both the WWE and Universal Championships, which Reigns unified by defeating Lesnar at WrestleMania 38. The card will also see both “Raw” and “SmackDown” Women’s Champions defend their belts, and will include Logan Paul’s first match since signing his WWE contract.

UPDATE

New information has started to trickle out regarding the postponement of the match, not all is as it seems.

According to Fightful Select, Riddle’s injury is in fact not a real injury, but a kayfabe one, written to explain why the match will not be taking place this weekend. Sources told Fightful that there are still plans to do the match down the line, and that the change was made due to “creative adjustments.”

Fightful would go on to reveal that Rollins and Riddle were informed of the change Monday before “Raw,”which saw Rollins attack Riddle at the close of the show. As of now, the tentative plan is for the two to wrestle at WWE’s next Premium Live Event, Clash At The Castle, in September, but those plans aren’t final due to the changes that have occurred in WWE over the past week, with Paul Levesque, fka, Triple H, taking over as new head of creative and EVP of Talent Relations.

Despite this, fans can still expect to see Rollins this weekend, as Fightful noted the former WWE Champion is expected to travel to Nashville for SummerSlam weekend and is still booked for certain media obligations before the event. Fightful had no information regarding whether Riddle would also be traveling to Nashville or would remain home to sell the injury.

Even with Rollins vs. Riddle now off the card, SummerSlam will still feature eight matches, headlined by Roman Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Brock Lesnar in a Last Man Standing match. As always, the Premium Live Event will air on the Peacock streaming service.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Officials Are Unhappy With The SummerSlam 2022 Card [Report]

According to a report, WWE officials “don’t like” the current SummerSlam 2022 card. The show is now just 11 days away.

WWE higher-ups aren’t exactly thrilled with the SummerSlam 2022 match card, according to a report.

A source in WWE informed WrestleVotes that “they really don’t like the SummerSlam card.” Interestingly, it was noted by WrestleVotes that “They” refers to the people who constructed the match card. Whether or not they end up making drastic changes to the event remains to be seen, but with the show just 11 days away, the clock is ticking.

This is certainly an interesting report for a variety of reasons. If WWE officials aren’t pleased with it, then why did they construct it as such? The long-term plans should have been heavily mapped out following WrestleMania 38 weekend, which occurred more than three months ago.

Also, the card looks very strong on paper. Whether fans like it or not, Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar in the main event for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship is going to be a massive draw. The other main event matches will include Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship and Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

There are two other highly-anticipated title matches on the card: Bobby Lashley vs. Money in the Bank winner Theory for the United States Championship and The Usos vs. The Street Profits for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships with Jeff Jarrett as the special guest referee.

WWE still has time to make the already stacked card more exciting. Edge and Bayley are both reportedly close to returning, so perhaps we’ll see them at SummerSlam. Drew McIntyre, AJ Styles, Alexa Bliss, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are among the notable talents who haven’t been announced for SummerSlam yet, after all.

Source: TheSportster

Jeff Jarrett Named Special Guest Referee For Usos vs. Street Profits At SummerSlam

WWE has announced that Jeff Jarrett will be the special guest official for the Usos vs. Street Profits match at SummerSlam.

On Friday night, fans learned the identity of the special guest official who will be enforcing the rules between The Street Profits and The Uso at SummerSlam. That special guest official, is none other than Hall of Famer and Sr. Vice President of Special Events for WWE, Jeff Jarrett.

It’s a fairly random choice considering all of the options WWE could have gone with. He’s got no real connection to either team, nor does he have any experience as a WWE official. The best guess as to why WWE chose him was because SummerSlam is taking place in Nashville and they wanted to connect a known Nashville hometown celebrity to the bout. WWE seems to have gone with someone they figure the live fans will cheer at the event. It probably doesn’t hurt that the company had easy access to him as he’s likely on the road and traveling with the roster on a close-to full-time basis.

What’s so intriguing about the decision was that when Adam Pearce made the announcement to close the show, Jarrett wasn’t even on-site. A video package of his greatest moments in WWE — most of which were of him smashing people with his guitar to show he doesn’t mess around — was played. When it ended, The Usos and Street Profits continued to brawl as the show went off the air. Four officials couldn’t break them up.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1548124988992995328

WWE Reportedly Preparing To Hold SummerSlam 2022 In The UK

WWE has reportedly been in talks to have SummerSlam in the UK next year for the first time since 1992.

WWE reportedly held promising talks during its UK tour last week that involved potentially bringing SummerSlam to Cardiff in 2022.

It has been more than a year and a half since WWE has been allowed to leave the US and it is busy attempting to make up for that as quickly as possible. Crown Jewel will air live from Saudi Arabia next month, and there has already been one UK tour since borders started to open back up with another planned before the end of 2021.

According to TalkSport, WWE higher-ups met with people in the UK during this month’s tour to discuss the possibility of holding a major PPV across the pond in 2022. More specifically SummerSlam which could take place in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

The stadium, which welcomed 78,000 fans for an Anthony Joshua fight, has a retractable roof. Following the rain delays at this year’s WrestleMania, and the unpredictable British weather, a stadium that big with a way to protect the ring and the fans from the elements is going to be a frontrunner. TalkSport does clarify that nothing is set in stone, and the discussions could lead to a different UK-based stadium show.

It seems likely that WWE is looking to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the last time it held SummerSlam in the UK. The PPV, which took place at the old Wembley Stadium, was headlined by Bret Hart and The British Bulldog as they battled for the Intercontinental Title. Other than minor PPVs like Rebellion and Insurrextion, that were created for the sake of giving UK fans their own PPVs, SummerSlam coming to Britain next year would be the first time the country has hosted a major show since SummerSlam ’92.

Not only does WWE appear to be keen to give its British fans a PPV, but it is also moving more of its shows to stadiums. Stadium shows were usually reserved for WrestleMania. It has already been announced that both Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank will also be stadium shows in 2022. SummerSlam almost definitely will be too, and the Welsh capital could be picked as the host city.

Source: The Sportster

WWE SummerSlam Was Reportedly “Most Viewed” And “Highest Grossing” In Its History

WWE has announced that Saturday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was the most-viewed and highest-grossing SummerSlam of all-time.

SummerSlam 2021 set records for live global viewership, gate receipts, indoor attendance, merchandise sales, sponsorships and social engagement.

WWE issued the following details today:

WWE® DELIVERS MOST-VIEWED & HIGHEST-GROSSING SUMMERSLAM OF ALL-TIME

Annual Event Sets Records for Live Global Viewership, Gate Receipts, Indoor Attendance, Merchandise Sales, Sponsorships & Social Engagement

STAMFORD, Conn., August 24, 2021 – Following a weekend of record-setting metrics, WWE (NYSE: WWE) delivered the most-viewed and highest-grossing SummerSlam in the company’s history.

Highlights include:

* More people watched Saturday’s event live across Peacock and WWE Network than any other SummerSlam in the company’s history. The seven-figure global audience marked a 55% increase over 2020 and a 29% increase over 2019;

* The sell-out crowd of 51,326 broke SummerSlam records for indoor attendance and gate receipts. With tickets purchased by fans from all 50 U.S. states, Saturday’s live gate was more than four times greater than the last SummerSlam held with fans in attendance in 2019;

* Merchandise sales posted an increase of 155% over 2019;

* SummerSlam set a new sponsorship record, growing by 25% vs. 2019 and 18% vs. 2020;

* With more than four million views, Brock Lesnar’s return became WWE’s most-watched Instagram video of all-time – surpassing the video of John Cena’s return at Money In The Bank. In total, SummerSlam videos generated more than one billion views across all WWE social platforms during the week.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Sasha Banks Reportedly Was Not Cleared To Wrestle At SummerSlam

Bianca Belair was originally supposed to face Sasha Banks at last night’s WWE SummerSlam.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported this morning that Banks wasn’t cleared for action at the PPV, “but they’re hopeful she will be back soon.”

Filling in for Banks was Becky Lynch, making her big return to WWE and winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship in very quick fashion.

Source: Wrestling Inc,

WWE SummerSlam Results 8/21/2021, Becky Lynch And Brock Lesnar Returns

KICKOFF
Big E defeated Baron Corbin

Big E gets the Money In the Bank briefcase back

WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Randy Orton and Riddle defeated AJ Styles and Omos (c) to win the RAW Tag Team Championship

Alexa Bliss defeated Eva Marie

– After the match, Bliss stands tall as her music hits. Eva is down at ringside, begging Doudrop to help her up. Bliss makes her exit with Lilly, laughing at Eva. Doudrop walks away from Eva and doesn’t help her up. Doudrop takes the mic and announces Eva as the loser of the match. Fans cheer Doudrop on. Eva is shocked at Doudrop’s behavior. Doudrop puts Eva’s jacket on and continues taunting her as Eva seethes, mouth open in shock. Doudrop walks away with Eva’s robe on as Eva yells about how she made Doudrop.

WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP
Damian Priest defeated Sheamus (c) to win the WWE US Championship

WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Usos (c) defeated Rey and Dominik Mysterio

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Sasha Banks

Carmella makes her way to the ring and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair looks annoyed. The crowd seems deflated at the match change. Belair seethes as Carmella does her entrance, laughing at her. Belair takes the mic and says it may not be tonight but sooner than later it will be she and Sasha Banks in the ring, but until then… she’s just going to take her frustrations out on Carmella and beat her dusty little self, right now, Belair says. They argue as the bell hits but the music interrupts and out comes Becky Lynch to a big pop. Lynch is fired up as is the crowd. Belair is also hyped up as Lynch heads to the ring.

Becky’s shirt says “The Man’s Back In Vegas.” Becky looks at both competitors, then kicks Carmella and throws her out of the ring. Becky tells Belair she’ll be right back. Becky goes to ringside and sends Carmella into the steel steps. Fans chant Becky’s name now. Becky comes back in and faces off with Belair as fans cheer them on. The staredown goes on for a minute as the crowd gets louder. Becky asks for a mic and proposes she and Belair blow the roof off the stadium, for the title. Belair tares Becky down and gestures for the match to happen. The bell rings and the match is on.

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Becky Lynch defeated Bianca Belair (c) to win the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship

Lynch offers her hand for a shake but instead she decks Belair in the jaw, and drops her with the pumphandle slam to win the title in seconds.

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Drew McIntyre defeated Jinder Mahal
Veer and Shanky banned from ringside.

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Charlotte defeated Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley to win the RAW Women’s Championship

Edge defeated Seth Rollins

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobby Lashley (c) defeated Goldberg by Referee Stoppage

– Lashley looks shocked as the referee calls the match. Lashley brings a steel chair int he ring and takes Goldberg’s leg out as he gets back up. Lashley goes to unload with chair shots now to keep Goldberg down until the referee stops him. Lashley screams at Goldberg while delivering chair shots. Lashley continues to focus on the leg while keeping Goldberg down. Goldberg’s son Gage runs in and jumps on Lashley’s back but Lashley puts him down with The Hurt Lock. MVP stands with Lashley now. MVP takes the mic and says there was no way Lashley could’ve know that was Goldberg’s son attacking him from behind, it could’ve been anyone. Lashley raises the WWE Title at ringside as MVP announces him as the champion. The music hits as MVP and Lashley head to the back. Goldberg checks on his son and yells out at Lashley, saying he’s going to kill the champ. 

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns (c) defeated John Cena

– After the match, Reigns stands tall as Heyman rings the title to him. The music hits and Reigns celebrates. The music stops and Brock Lesnar’s familiar music interrupts, sending Allegiant Stadium into a frenzy. Reigns is riled up and Heyman looks very worried. Lesnar is jacked up as he marches to the ring. Lesnar stands on the ring steps and smiles while staring Reigns down. Lesnar enters the ring and stares Reigns down. Lesnar gets closer, nodding at Reigns and Heyman. Lesnar has a few words for Reigns but we can’t hear them. Reigns backs away as fans boo. Reigns exits the ring, still staring Lesnar down. Heyman backs away with Reigns, mouth still hanging open. Reigns raises the Universal Title in the air and says not tonight. Lesnar’s music starts back up as he raises his arms in the air, playing to each side of the crowd as they cheer him on. Reigns and Heyman head to the back. WWE SummerSlam goes off the air with Lesnar standing tall in the ring.