Wrestling
WWE

Betrayal, New Champions and The Tribal Chief is Back. WWE SummerSlam Recap

Griff Bordignon Aug 6, 2024

The 2024 WWE SummerSlam, held on August 3 in Cleveland, featured significant title changes, dramatic betrayals, and the highly anticipated return of Roman Reigns. Here’s a recap of the event’s key moments.

Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley

Liv Morgan successfully defended her title against Rhea Ripley, aided by Dominik Mysterio’s unexpected betrayal of Ripley. The match was marked by intense exchanges and a notable shoulder injury for Ripley. Morgan capitalized on Mysterio’s interference to secure the victory, which elevated both her and Mysterio’s status while positioning Ripley as a sympathetic figure in defeat.

Result: Morgan def. Ripley via pinfall to retain the title. Grade: A.

Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Bron Breakker

In a fast-paced match, Bron Breakker defeated Sami Zayn to claim the Intercontinental Championship. The game included high-energy sequences but ended quickly, setting the stage for a potential rematch.

Result: Breakker def. Zayn (c) to win the title. Grade: B-.

United States Championship: Logan Paul (c) vs. LA Knight

LA Knight emerged victorious against Logan Paul, who was accompanied by Machine Gun Kelly. The match featured back-and-forth action, but Knight ultimately secured the win with a decisive move, marking a significant achievement in his career.

Result: Knight def. Paul (c) to win the title. Grade: A-.

Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Nia Jax

Nia Jax defeated Bayley to become the new Women’s Champion, aided by Tiffany Stratton’s attempted cash-in, which ultimately backfired. Jax’s power moves dominated the match, leading to her victory.

Result: Jax def. Bayley (c) via pinfall to win the title. Grade: B.

Grudge Match: Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk

Drew McIntyre won a hard-fought match against CM Punk, with Seth Rollins serving as the special guest referee. The match was emotionally charged, culminating in McIntyre’s victory after Punk’s focus on a personal item distracted him at a critical moment.

Result: McIntyre def. Punk via pinfall. Grade: A.

World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest (c) vs. Gunther

The match was highly anticipated, featuring Damian Priest defending his World Heavyweight Title against Gunther. The match was described as a masterpiece by fans, with an exciting and unpredictable flow. It started slowly but built up to an intense and thrilling conclusion. An interesting twist in the match involved Finn Balor, who initially came out to support Priest ending up costing Priest the match and the title. The victory marks a significant milestone for Gunther, who has now captured one of WWE’s top championships. Fans seem excited about this development, with many praising the match quality and looking forward to Gunther’s reign as champion.

Result: Gunther def. Priest (c) via submission to win the title. Grade: A.

Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Solo Sikoa

Solo Sikoa started strong, hitting Cody with two Samoan drops and maintaining control for a significant portion of the match. Cody managed to counter a Samoan spike attempt with a Cody Cutter, but Solo continued to apply pressure. The match saw multiple run-ins, including Randy Orton and Kevin Owens coming to Cody’s aid against the Guerrillas of Destiny and Jacob Fatu. Despite the chaos, Solo managed to keep the upper hand at various points. Cody began to build momentum. He executed the Cross Rhodes but faced interruptions from Solo’s allies, including Jacob Fatu, who attempted to secure a victory for Solo. The pivotal moment came when Roman Reigns made a surprise return, attacking Solo with a Superman punch followed by a spear. This unexpected turn allowed Cody to capitalize on the situation. Following Reigns’ interference, Cody delivered another Cross Rhodes to Solo, securing the pinfall and retaining his championship.

Result: Rhodes def. Sikoa via pinfall to retain the title. Grade: A.

Roman Reigns’ Return

The event concluded with the dramatic return of Roman Reigns, who intervened in the main event to assist Cody Rhodes in retaining the Undisputed WWE Championship against Solo Sikoa. Reigns’ return has set the stage for a renewed focus on the Bloodline storyline, hinting at future conflicts within the faction. Overall, SummerSlam 2024 was marked by unexpected twists, character developments, and the crowning of new champions, solidifying its status as a pivotal moment in the WWE landscape going forward.

Griff Bordignon

Hi, my name is Griff and I'm a complete sports nut. I love to play sports, watch sports and most importantly bet on sports too. If I'm not watching or betting on sports, you can find me on the golf course, between the pipes as your average beer league goaltender. Although sports take up most of my life, I also love spending time with my two dogs, streaming usually a 90's Simpson's or attempting to read more books.

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