– The 2018 WWE SummerSlam Kickoff pre-show opens live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York as fans make their way into the arena. Renee Young welcomes us. She’s joined by Sam Roberts, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T and David Otunga. Renee plugs the Kickoff being live in virtual reality on the NextVR app. The panel goes over tonight’s card.
Renee sends us to JBL and Peter Rosenberg on the ramp in the arena. They joke around before discussing tonight’s WWE Intercontinental Title match. JBL says this match could steal the show tonight and he predicts Dolph Ziggler to retain but says the real winner will be the fans. JBL and Rosenberg plug tonight’s Kickoff pre-show matches next, then send us to a break. We go back to Renee as the camera shows fans finding their seats. We get a promo for tonight’s Triple Threat for the SmackDown Women’s Title. The panel discusses the match and Renee sends us to a backstage video from The New Day, who are hyped up and ready for tonight’s title shot as they look to become five-time champions. JBL and Rosenberg discuss Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens now.
JBL and Rosenberg send us to highlights from SummerSlam Week in the NYC-Metro area next. Renee shows us The Miz, Maryse and Monroe Sky backstage walking. She sends us to a video package for Miz vs. Daniel Bryan and the panel discusses the match. Renee sends us to a promo for Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss next. JBL and Rosenberg discuss the match. JBL believes Bliss has a good chance to retain but Rosenberg disagrees. Rosenberg sends us backstage and we see Aiden English approaching Lana and Rusev. He wants to make up for everything that’s happened. He goes to sing but Rusev interrupts. He says tonight is about Rusev Day and Lana Day, so English needs to stay behind. They walk off.
Rusev and Lana vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega
Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are on commentary as we go to the ring. Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega are out first for tonight’s opener as Greg Hamilton does the introductions. Rusev and Lana are out next for this mixed tag team match.
Fans chant “Rusev Day” as the bell rings. Rusev starts off with Almas and they lock up. They break and Almas goes to the floor. Rusev chases him back in and they run the ropes. Almas ducks and poses on the rope. Vega poses under him. Rusev hits the corner and poses with Lana as the two teams face off. Rusev chases Almas again but gets kicked back. Almas decks Rusev and brings him back in. Almas with knees to the gut. Rusev unloads in the corner after turning it around. Rusev stands tall for a pop. Fans chant for Rusev as he keeps control and scoops Almas for a slam.
Vega ends up distracting Rusev, allowing Almas to turn it around. Almas sends Rusev into the steel ring-post in the corner. Almas ties Rusev’s arm up in the ropes as the referee counts to 5. Almas brings Rusev back to the middle of the ring and works on the arm, keeping him grounded. The screen splits with a promo for tonight’s WWE Universal Title match. Rusev was looking for a tag until Vega pulled Lana off the apron. Almas with a modified DDT for a 2 count. Almas continues working on the arm of Rusev. Rusev ends up running into a boot in the corner. Rusev keeps going and manages to knock Almas from the top to the floor.
Lana finally tags in as does Vega. They go at it and Lana gets the upperhand, hitting a Spin-a-rooni. Lana with double knees and a back elbow in the corner. Lana goes on and hits a neckbreaker for a 2 count. Vega rolls to the floor. Lana follows and slams Vega’s face into the apron. Lana rolls her back in and elbows her again. Lana scoops Vega and slams her in the middle of the ring for another 2 count. Lana charges but Vega sends her face-first into the middle turnbuckle.
Vega with a big kick to the face in the corner. Vega charges for double knees but Lana jumps up with a big kick. Lana hulks up as Almas taunts her from the apron. Rusev pulls Almas off but Almas drops him into the barrier. Lana catches a kick and drops Vega on her face in the middle of the ring. Almas tries to distract again but Lana slaps him. Vega takes advantage of the distraction and rolls Lana up for the win, putting her feet on the ropes for leverage.
Winners: Zelina Vega and Andrade “Cien” Almas
– After the match, a disappointed Rusev and Lana look on as Vega and Almas celebrate. We go to replays. Vega and Almas back up the ramp as Rusev and Lana look on.
– We go back to the panel and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler is out. Lawler is in good spirits as the panel runs down the SummerSlam card again. Charly Caruso is backstage approaching Paul Heyman as he enters Brock Lesnar’s locker room. Heyman says Lesnar is going to get rid of The Big Dog tonight. He also says Lesnar is preparing to be the next UFC Heavyweight Champion and will beat Daniel Cormier. Heyman goes on about Lesnar finally getting rid of Roman Reigns tonight as he prepares to become a two-sport champion. Heyman says The Big Dog will not come back for more this time and that’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler. We go back to the panel for discussion on tonight’s WWE Universal Title match. We go backstage to WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick, RAW General Manager Kurt Angle and SmackDown General Manager Paige. They all discuss some of tonight’s matches until Constable Baron Corbin walks in, to make sure Angle is on top of his game tonight so he doesn’t get a call from RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon. Angle mentions Corbin going to prepare for Finn Balor and Corbin says he will put Balor away in short order tonight.
WWE Cruiserweight Title Match: Drew Gulak vs. Cedric Alexander
Back from a break and we have new announcers – Vic Joseph, Percy Watson and Nigel McGuinness. We go to the ring and Drew Gulak is out first. Jack Gallagher and Brian Kendrick are banned from ringside during this match. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander is out next.
The bell rings and Cedric takes Gulak to the corner. They break and lock up, going back to the corner. They break again and Cedric talks some trash as Gulak watches from the corner. They lock up and go to the mat, trading holds. Gulak ends up taking control and going to work. They trade close calls and Cedric nails a dropkick. Gulak goes to the floor but Cedric follows and decks him. Cedric keeps control and brings it back in. Gulak nails a big kick, dropping Cedric on the apron. Gulak goes to the floor and slams Cedric from the apron to the floor, dropping his neck over the knee. Gulak brings it back in and keeps Cedric grounded in the middle of the ring as the screen splits with a promo for tonight’s WWE Title match.
Back from the break and Gulak still has Cedric down. Drew levels Cedric again and kicks at him while talking some trash. Gulak with a clothesline for a 2 count. Gulak with a version of the Gory Special now. Cedric slides out and fights back now. Cedric drops Gulak hard with a Flatliner. Alexander with more strikes. Cedric drops Gulak again and mounts him with a bunch of punches. Gulak puts on the brakes and rolls to the floor but Cedric leaps over the top, taking Gulak down on the outside.
More back and forth now. Cedric creates an opening but gets dropped over the top turnbuckle. Gulak uses the ropes to apply a Gu-Lock now but he breaks it as the referee counts. Gulak with a close 2 count. Gulak goes for another Gu-Lock but Cedric fights him off. Cedric drops Gulak with a stiff back elbow and they both go down. Cedric keeps control until Gulak rocks him and he goes down. Gulak rolls Cedric for a close 2 count. Gulak with another pin attempt. Cedric comes off the ropes but Gulak drops him into an ankle lock attempt. More back and forth and near falls between the two. Cedric comes out of a pin attempt and rolls Gulak up for the pin.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
– After the match, Cedric takes the title on the outside and celebrates as his music hits. Gulak watches from the ring as Cedric’s arm is raised by the referee.
– We go back to the panel. Renee sends us to JBL and Rosenberg on the ramp again. They discuss tonight’s SmackDown Women’s Title Triple Threat and JBL believes Becky Lynch may have the advantage. They send us to a video package for Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles next. Joe joins the panel from backstage and takes questions. Joe is very confident going into tonight’s match and says he has AJ right where he wants him. Joe sends AJ a message and says he’s coming for the title, and will put AJ to sleep tonight. Renee sends us back to JBL and Rosenberg for discussion on the match. They send us back to the ring.
RAW Tag Team Title Match: The Revival vs. The B Team
We go to the ring and Michael Cole is with Graves and Jonathan Coachman. Out first comes The Revival, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder. JoJo does the introductions. Out next are RAW Tag Team Champions The B Team, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel.
Dallas starts off with Dawson. Dallas takes Dawson to the mat with a headlock. Dash tags in for the double team on Dallas. Dash knocks Axel off the apron. The Revival nails a Shatter Machine to Axel as he comes back out of nowhere. Dallas is selling a leg injury after a Dragon Screw leg whip. The Revival focuses on the hurt leg now. Dawson takes Dallas out and covers for three straight pin attempts. Dawson continues working on the leg and keeping Dallas down. The screen splits with a promo for tonight’s RAW Women’s Title match. Dash keeps Dallas down and tags in Dawson for more double teaming.
Axel is still down on the floor due to the Shatter Machine. Dawson works Dallas around and the referee checks on him. Dallas kicks out of a leg hold, sending Dawson into the steel ring post. Dallas with a pin attempt. Axel comes back to the apron but Dash knocks him back off with a running boot. Dash holds Dallas while Dawson comes off the top with a knee to the jaw. Dawson covers but Dallas kicks out at 2. Dallas finally gets a good opening after a neckbreaker and Axel returns to the apron. Axel tags in and unloads on Dawson.
Dawson plays to the crowd and hits a neckbreaker on Dawson. Dash comes off the top but Axel catches him in mid-air. Dawson comes from behind for a pin but it’s blocked. There’s chaos in the ring as all 4 Superstars get involved. Dawson rolls Axel up and gets more than a 3 count but the referee is distracted by Dash and Dallas on the apron. Dash drops Dallas neck-first over the top rope, Dallas bumps back into Axel and Dawson, forcing Axel to turn the roll-up over for the pin on Dawson.
Winners: The B Team
– After the match, The B Team takes the titles and celebrates as their music hits. We go to replays. The Revival looks on disappointed as The B Team celebrates.
– We go back to the panel and they go over tonight’s matches again. We see Ronda Rousey backstage warming up. Charly Caruso approaches Alexa Bliss backstage and tries to get comments but Bliss refuses to speak and walks off. The panel discusses Rousey vs. Bliss next and then sends us to a video package for tonight’s WWE Universal Title match. The panel, JBL and Rosenberg discuss the match next. JBL and Rosenberg wrap up their gigs and are off to watch the show. The panel talks more about Reigns vs. Lesnar before Renee wraps plugs SummerSlam on the WWE Network one more time. We see Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose backstage walking. That’s it for the SummerSlam Kickoff pre-show.
– The 2018 WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view opens up with a video package, featuring actor Terry Crews.
– We’re live from a sold out Barclays Center in Brooklyn as Michael Cole welcomes us to WWE SummerSlam. He’s joined by Jonathan Coachman and Corey Graves.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler
We go to the ring and out first comes Dean Ambrose. He waits as Seth Rollins makes his way out next. Ambrose will be in Rollins’ corner tonight. JoJo does the introductions as Ambrose and Rollins head to the ring together. WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler is out next. Drew McIntyre is out next to accompany Ziggler to the ring. McIntyre will be in Ziggler’s corner for the match. Cole shows us some of the international announce teams at ringside.
The bell rings and they size each other up. Rollins looks to take control but Ziggler backs him against the ropes. McIntyre looks to provide a distraction but Ambrose marches over and gets in his face. Rollins rolls Ziggler up for a 2 count. Ziggler uppercuts Rollins and rolls him up for 2. Rollins blocks a superkick and they tangle. Ziggler goes to the floor to regroup as fans boo. They come back in and Ziggler raises his arm for a lock-up but he kicks Rollins with a cheap shot instead. Ziggler slams Rollins into the turnbuckle. Rollins makes a counter and hip tosses Ziggler. More back and forth now. They go out and come back in with Rollins chopping Ziggler into the corner. Rollins taunts McIntyre and keeps control of Ziggler.
Ziggler whips Rollins hard into the corner but Rollins comes right out with a clothesline. Ziggler counters a suplex and lands on his feet. More back and forth. Ziggler rocks Rollins while his leg is on the middle rope, softening up the knee. Ziggler with a neckbreaker for a 2 count. Ziggler keeps control in the corners now. Ambrose comes back over to make sure McIntyre isn’t interfering at Ziggler’s request. Ziggler focuses on the knee and keeps Rollins down as fans chant for him.
Ziggler whips Rollins hard into the corner. Rollins lands out on the apron, hitting it hard, and then falls to the floor. Ziggler brings it back into the ring and keeps Rollins down in the middle of the ring. Rollins gets up but Ziggler brings him back down. McIntyre laughs as Ziggler stays on top of Rollins on the mat. Rollins powers back up but Ziggler brings him back down by targeting the injured knee. Ziggler with a Sleeper hold on the mat now. Rollins looks to try for another comeback but Ziggler backdrops him over the top and Rollins lands hard on the floor with his knee going out. The referee counts. Ziggler goes out and brings Rollins back in. Rollins ends up rolling through after a crossbody counter. Rollins goes for a suplex but this causes both Superstars to fall over the top rope to the floor. They land hard and the referee counts.
Rollins and Ziggler make it back into the ring to break the count. Ziggler runs into a boot to the face. Rollins nails a Slingblade. Rollins mounts more momentum but Ziggler rolls him up for 2. Rollins comes back and nails a Blockbuster for a 2 count. Rollins goes to the top but Ziggler jumps up and crotches him. Ziggler rocks Rollins and climbs up. Rollins blocks a superplex and sends Ziggler to the mat. Ziggler rolls out of the way. Rollins charges and clotheslines Ziggler out of the ring. Rollins runs the ropes and nails a suicide dive. Rollins brings Ziggler back in and springboards at him with a flying clothesline. Rollins with the Ripcord knee and a close 2 count.
Rollins goes for the Buckle Bomb now but Ziggler rocks him and avoids it. Rollins tries again but Ziggler applies a Sleeper hold. Rollins tosses Ziggler to the mat to break the hold. Ziggler counters a move and looks to end it. Ziggler catapults Rollins into the ring post on the apron and then catches the rebound to drop Rollins on the apron with a big DDT. Rollins lands out on the floor as the referee counts. Ambrose barks at Rollins to get up. Rollins makes it back in the ring right before the 10 count. Ziggler pounds on Rollins as the referee warns him. Ziggler tells Rollins to come on and bring it. Rollins blocks the Zig Zag and drops Ziggler with a big superkick to the jaw. Rollins goes to the top for the Frogsplash but Ziggler gets his knees up. Ziggler with a close 2 count.
Ziggler takes out the knee again but Rollins blocks the Fame-asser. Rollins positions Ziggler over the top turnbuckle now. Rollins ends up climbing to the top with an inverted superplex. He holds that, rolls through and plants Ziggler with a modified sidewalk slam for a close 2 count. Rollins gets a huge pop from the crowd now. Fans chant “this is awesome” as Rollins gets up and cranks for The Stomp. Fans chant “burn it down” now. Drew launches Ambrose into the steel ring steps. Ziggler takes advantage of the distraction and hits a Zig Zag on Rollins for a close 2 count.
Ziggler cranks for the superkick now. Rollins blocks it and rolls him up for a 2 count. Ziggler uses the tights for a roll-up. Rollins tries again and powers up with the Buckle Bomb. Drew gets on the apron but Ambrose pulls him off and hits Dirty Deeds on the floor. Rollins superkicks Ziggler and hits the big stomp for the pin and the title.
Winner and New WWE Intercontinental Champion: Seth Rollins
– After the match, Ambrose looks on as Rollins is handed the title in the middle of the ring. We go to replays. Ambrose joins Rollins in the ring for the celebration as the heels recover on the floor.
– Renee Young is backstage with The Bella Twins. They won’t say if they’re wrestling at Evolution or not because they’re focused on so many projects these days. They do reveal that they will be ringside to watch Ronda Rousey make history against Alexa Bliss tonight.
SmackDown Tag Team Title Match: The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers
We go to Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Graves on commentary. Out first comes The New Day – Big E and Xavier Woods with Kofi Kingston. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers are out next.
Woods starts off with Rowan and they go at it. Rowan floors Woods with a big kick. Harper tags in and drops Woods for a close 2 count. Harper with a gator roll to keep Woods grounded now. Harper with more offense as Rowan comes back in. Rowan ends up hitting a big splash on the mat. Rowan keeps Woods grounded again.
Rowan continues dominating Woods. Harper tags in and comes over the top rope with a senton. They knock Big E off the apron next and slam him on the outside. Woods gets tossed back to the floor. They take apart the steel ring steps and Rowan goes to slam Woods on them but Woods fights him off. Harper tries next but Woods sends him face-first into the steel. Rowan tries to stop Big E from tagging but he gets it.
Big E with huge suplexes to both opponents on the floor. Harper eats a big suplex in the ring now. Big E runs the ropes and splashes Harper now. Big E rallies fans and misses The Big Ending. Harper catches Big E with a sitdown powerbomb for a 2 count. Big E fights off the double team now. Woods comes in and takes down Rowan on the floor. Harper catches Woods with a big sideslam on the floor. Big E spears Harper from the apron to the floor. Rowan leaps off the apron and tackles Big E on the floor. Rowan brings Big E back into the ring and they go for the double team. They hit the double Crucifix Bomb but Woods breaks Harper’s pin. Woods fights off Rowan and tags in, then kicking Harper in the head. Woods goes for the DDT but it’s blocked. They double team Woods and Harper brings him to the mat with a big sitdown powerbomb but Woods still kicks out.
Kofi rallies fans for The New Day now. Harper can’t believe Woods kicked out. Rowan takes out Kofi on the floor. Big E with a Big Ending to Rowan on the outside. Woods counters Harper and tags in Big E but Harper kicks Woods out of the ring. Harper superkicks Big E. Big E slams Harper from the apron into a waiting Woods backbreaker on the floor. Big E returns to the ring and Woods tags in while Harper is down on the floor. Woods goes to the top and Harper rolls out of the ring. Woods turns and nails the huge elbow drop to Harper on the floor. Big E crawls over to check on Woods and he gets up. Woods brings Harper in and tags in Big E. Big E scoops Harper as Woods goes to the top for the Midnight Hour. Rowan jumps up with his sledgehammer and knocks Woods off for the disqualification.
Winners by DQ: The New Day
– After the bell, Rowan enters and decks Big E with the handle of the hammer. Harper delivers a shot to Big E next. Greg Hamilton announces The New Day as the winners but Harper and Rowan retain. Fans boo. The New Day recovers on the floor as The Bludgeon Brothers leave with the titles while their music plays.
– Back from the break and we see Jon Stewart at ringside with his son.
– We get a video package for the next match.
Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
We go to the ring and out first comes Kevin Owens. Braun Strowman is out next with his Money In the Bank briefcase, which is on the line in this match.
Fans chant “get these hands” as we wait for the bell. The bell rings and Strowman charges and smashes Owens in the corner twice. Owens goes to the floor to recover but Braun runs around the ring and levels Owens. Braun runs around again and floors Owens with another big shoulder. Fans pop. Braun brings it back into the ring but Owens goes right back out. Braun follows and Owens kicks him. That does nothing. Braun grabs Owens and chokeslams him on the ramp. The referee checks on Owens.
Braun brings it back in the ring and tells Owens to get up. Braun with a running powerslam for the easy win.
Winner: Braun Strowman
– After the match, Braun stands tall and takes the briefcase to the stage as his music hits. We go to replays. Braun heads to the back as Owens recovers.
– Back from a break and the blue brand announcers lead us to a video package for the next match.
Triple Threat for the SmackDown Women’s Title: Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella
We go to the ring and out comes Charlotte Flair. Becky Lynch is out next, followed by SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella. We get formal ring introductions from Greg Hamilton.
The bell rings and Carmella starts moonwalking. Flair steps back a bit and Becky gets rocked by Carmella. Becky turns it around and hits the springboard kick int he corner. Becky with a running leg drop and more offense to Carmella. Carmella dodges a leg drop and covers for a 2 count that Flair breaks up. Carmella shoves Flair back and yells at her. Carmella smacks Becky int he back of the head. Carmella leaves and Becky thinks it was Flair who slapped her. Carmella comes back and tries to steal a pin on Flair. Becky and Flair argue about the slap. Carmella comes at them and Becky hip tosses her down. Flair knocks Carmella to the floor.
Becky and Flair have words. Carmella grabs Flair’s leg from the floor and Becky goes for a quick pin attempt. Becky and Flair with more easy back & forth. Becky with an arm drag, and another. Becky keeps Flair down by her arm now. Flair counters with a roll-up attempt. Carmella ends up ramming Flair face-first into the ring post on the floor. Carmella tangles with Becky next and launches her into the steel ring steps. Carmella yells out at the crowd and gets some heat.
Carmella brings Becky back in for a 2 count. Carmella slaps Becky around and yells at her. Becky looks to turn it around but Carmella elbows her and clotheslines her. Flair comes in but Carmella counters and drops her by her hair for a 2 count. Carmella drives elbows into Flair and keeps her grounded now. Carmella with a knee to the gut before tossing Flair out of the ring. Becky runs in to steal a pin but Carmella kicks out at 1. Carmella dropkicks Becky and smears her face into the mat while running her mouth. Becky tries to fight up but Carmella smacks her back down. Becky and Carmella trade pin attempts. Flair comes in and goes for Carmella but drops Becky by accident. Flair and Carmella go at it now. Flair with signature chops.
Flair with an overhead throw to Carmella. Flair with more offense, including a belly-to-back suplex. Flair kips up for a pop. Flair goes for the Figure Four but Becky stops it. Becky goes to the top and dropkicks Flair and Carmella at the same time. Becky clotheslines Carmella and then Flair. Becky keeps control and unloads on Carmella now. Becky with the Bexploder suplex to Carmella. Becky gets sent to the apron but she goes to the top. Carmella crotches her. Carmella brings Becky to the mat and covers for a 2 count. Flair gets back in the mix and tries for two straight pins on Becky. Carmella takes Flair out but shows some frustration. Carmella takes Flair to the top now. Flair turns it back around and applies a Boston Crab in the middle of the ring. Flair turns that into a Figure Four. Becky goes to the top and nails a big leg drop to break the submission. Becky with a 2 count on Flair as Carmella breaks it up.
Becky and Flair trade big shots now. Carmella sends Becky to the apron and knocks her off. Carmella runs the ropes for a suicide dive and nails it, taking Becky down on the floor. Flair goes to the top now and nails a moonsault to the floor, hitting Carmella but Becky also falls. Flair brings Becky back into the ring. Becky counters Natural Selection and turns that into the Dis-Arm-Her. Carmella breaks it up. Becky tosses Carmella to the floor. Becky blocks a big boot from Flair and drops Flair on her head with the Uranage. Carmella breaks Becky’s pin at 2. Carmella counters Becky and sends her into the turnbuckles. Carmella with a 2 count using the ropes. Carmella drops Becky with a kick but Flair breaks the pin up.
Carmella kicks Flair out of the ring and talks some trash. Becky goes for Dis-Arm-Her but can’t get it. Becky tries again and gets the hold locked in as fans pop. Carmella gets the rope to break the hold. Becky with a Bexploder in the middle of the ring. Becky applies the submission again but Flair runs in and breaks it up with a Natural Selection. Flair covers Becky to win the title.
Winner and New SmackDown Women’s Champion: Charlotte Flair
– After the match, Flair takes the title as Carmella immediately rolls to the floor and cries. Becky watches from the mat as Flair stands up with the title, raising it in the air. Carmella heads to the back. Fans boo Flair and cheer Becky’s name as she stands up. They speak and hug in the middle of the ring. Becky pulls back and slaps Flair to the mat with a stiff blow. Fans go wild as Becky beats on Flair and kicks her out of the ring. Becky raises the title as the chants continue. Becky goes to the floor and stands over Flair. Becky launches Flair into the barrier and then over the announce table. Fans chant “you deserve it” as Becky marches to the back. Officials check on Flair, who is still down by the German announce desk.
– Back from a break and we get a promo for the next match.
WWE Title Match: Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles
We go to the ring and out first comes Samoa Joe. WWE Champion AJ Styles is out next. We see AJ’s wife Wendy and their daughter at ringside. Hamilton does formal ring introductions. Joe interrupts Hamilton and points out Wendy, telling her not to worry because daddy is coming home tonight. AJ is ready to fight now. AJ says his family came for one reason – to see him kick Joe’s ass.
They go to lock up but Joe tries for a kick and AJ ducks it. It sounds like there’s a “TNA” chant to start. They lock up and break with Joe talking some trash after a thumb to the eye attempt. They lock up again and Joe takes it to the corner. The referee breaks them and Joe gets in a cheap shot. They lock up again and fans do dueling chants as AJ applies the headlock. Joe ends up dropping AJ with a big shoulder. AJ connects with a stiff kick to the leg. They go to lock up again but AJ delivers another kick to the leg. AJ goes for another kick but Joe drops him with a harder kick. Joe unloads on AJ now.
Back and forth strikes between the two now. They run the ropes and AJ nails a dropkick. Joe fights up and connects with jabs. AJ comes back with a sliding kick. AJ sends Joe back into the announce table. AJ goes to springboard out but the referee stop him. Joe leans on the apron for a breather now. AJ runs around to attack but Joe counters, takes his legs out and brings it back in for a 2 count. AJ fights up and Joe blocks a suplex. Joe counters another suplex attempt and drops AJ face-first. AJ goes to the floor for a breather. AJ runs the ropes and nails a big suicide dive, sending AJ face-first into one of the announce tables.
Joe brings it back into the ring for a 2 count. AJ looks to make a comeback but Joe nails a big clothesline for a 2 count. They trade more big shots and Joe gets rocked. AJ ends up launching himself over the top rope, taking Joe down with a big right hand on the floor again. Fans do dueling chants for AJ now. AJ brings Joe back into the ring but Joe rocks him now. Joe runs the rope for a dive but AJ meets him at the ropes with a kick. AJ fights back in and drops Joe with a clothesline. AJ slides in with a forearm now. Joe is still fired up, working back up to his feet. AJ keeps control with a splash. AJ hits the moonsault into the reverse DDT but Joe still kicks out at 2. Joe fights off a Styles Clash attempt. AJ climbs up with Joe on the top. Joe headbutts AJ to the mat. Joe leaps from the top and nails a huge knee, taking AJ down for another 2 count.
Joe with another headbutt. Joe catches AJ with an inverted atomic drop and drops him for another senton. AJ kicks out at 2. More back and forth between the two. Fans chant for AJ as he gets back up from a power move on Joe. Joe blocks a move and sends AJ into the corner. AJ ends up on the apron. AJ springboards in for the Phenomenal Forearm but has to land on his feet. Joe ends up catching AJ in a huge powerslam for a close 2 count. AJ counters a move but Joe rolls through. AJ with a kick to the mouth. AJ goes for the Styles Clash and nails it in the middle of the ring. Joe kicks out.
AJ looks over at his family and says he’s OK. They both slowly get up and trade shots. They unload with strikes now and Joe takes charge. AJ sends Joe into the corner with a pele kick. AJ charges into the corner but Joe catches him and drives him to the mat with the Uranage. AJ and Joe get up as fans chant. AJ drops Joe into the Calf Crusher, tightening the hold as Joe reaches for a rope. Joe overpowers and slams AJ into the mat several times. Joe turns that into the Coquina Clutch. AJ gets his toes on the bottom rope to break the hold. Joe yells out in frustration. Joe signals for a Musclebuster and takes AJ to the top. AJ fights back from the top. Joe jumps up with an enziguri and knocks AJ from the top to the floor. AJ lands hard. Joe follows and sends AJ face-first into the steel steps.
Joe stands on top of the German announce table and takes the mic. Joe addresses AJ’s wife and says daddy AJ won’t be home but Joe will and he’ll be her new daddy. AJ stands up and he’s furious. AJ charges and knocks Joe from the announce table through the barrier at the timekeeper’s area. AJ snaps and takes out two staffers. AJ smacks Joe in the back with a steel chair for the disqualification.
Winner by DQ: Samoa Joe
– After the bell, AJ, who is bleeding now, screams out and continues hitting Joe with chair shots. Fans chant “who’s your daddy?” now. Producers are out too check on Joe,including Adam Pearce and Fit Finlay. AJ’s wife and daughter look on from the crowd but it looks like they may have stepped back a bit. AJ charges with the chair but Finlay grabs it and stops him. Fans chant “one more time” as AJ looks at his wife. She tells him to stop. AJ goes to his wife and daughter, and apologizes. AJ holds his daughter and fans cheer. AJ hands his daughter back and briefly talks to the referee. AJ walks to the back with his wife and daughter. We go to replays. Joe marches up the ramp and he looks like he still wants to fight.
– Back from a break and Elias is in the ring with a spotlight and his guitar.
Elias invites everyone to Walk With Elias and starts talking about his recent album, calling it the greatest album of all-time. Elias figured he would kick off his SummerSlam concert with his greatest song yet. He gets a pop from the Brooklyn crowd but that turns to heat when he calls them disgusting New Yorkers. Elias says he is a global phenomenon but for now he needs everyone to silence their phones, hold their applause and shut their mouths.
He goes to start playing the guitar but it breaks in two. Fans chant “you fucked up” now. Elias throws a little bit of a fit and tosses the guitar and the stool it looks like. The camera cuts to the back and that’s it for the segment.
– We go backstage for a Miztourage reunion as The Miz walks up on The B Team and downplays their success, saying if they want for old times sake they can fetch his limousine after he defeats Daniel Bryan tonight. They say they didn’t come to wish him good luck, they’re about to leave to go celebrate in Brooklyn but they do know that the “B” in B Team stands for Daniel Bryan. They hope Bryan defeats Miz tonight. They go on taunting their former boss before running off as he stares at them.
– Tom leads us to a video package for the next match.
The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan
We go to the ring and out first comes The Miz. Daniel Bryan is out next.
They size each other up before locking up. Bryan takes it to the corner but Miz rocks him with a cheap shot as they break. Miz unloads and rocks Bryan into the opposite corner. Miz beats on Bryan as the referee warns him. Miz with big kicks in the corner as fans chant “yes!” while he kicks. Miz with the running corner dropkick. He charges for another but Bryan grabs him by the throat. Bryan punches Miz back into the corner as fans chant with him. Bryan unloads with “yes!” kicks in the corner now. Miz turns it right back around. Miz drops Bryan with a shoulder and looks out at the crowd. They run the ropes and Bryan levels Miz with a kick.
More back and forth between the two. Maryse was shown at ringside watching the match. Bryan hits the bulldog for a 2 count. Miz turns it back around and uses Bryan’s surfboard submission in the middle of the ring, also mocking him with it. Bryan gets free and ends up getting the same submission applied. Bryan with kicks in the corner now. Miz crotches Bryan on the top rope and nails a flying clothesline from the second turnbuckle to knock Bryan off the rope. Miz covers for a 2 count. Miz keeps control and drops knees into Bryan’s back next. Miz talks some more trash and keeps Bryan grounded. They tangle some more and Miz gets the upperhand, hitting the neckbreaker for another 2 count.
Miz talks some more trash and rocks Bryan in the face with a right hand, and another. Miz tells Bryan to stay down and rocks him with another right. Bryan gets up but Miz rocks him into the ropes. Miz with more lefts and rights, sending Bryan into the corner. Miz plays to the crowd for some boos. Bryan fights out of the corner with rights. Bryan comes off the top and lands on his feet. Bryan runs the ropes, ducks a clothesline and levels Miz. Fans do dueling chants for the two now. Bryan runs and hits the corner dropkick, and another. Bryan with more “yes!” kicks now. Bryan takes Miz up and brings him down with a hurricanrana for a 2 count. Bryan with more chops and kicks now. Bryan knocks Miz over the top to the floor. Bryan runs the ropes and dropkicks Miz through the ropes, sending him over the German announce table.
Bryan goes to the top and leaps out, taking Miz back down on the floor. Bryan pounds on Miz on the outside. Bryan brings it back into the ring and goes up top. Miz cuts him off. Miz rocks Bryan and climbs up with a few right hands as fans count. Bryan counters and Miz gets hung upside down in a Tree of Woe. Bryan kicks Miz while he’s upside down. Bryan charges in with the low dropkick. Bryan with the belly-to-back superplex for a close 2 count.
Bryan with more “yes!” kicks in the middle of the ring. Miz counters a shot and nails the DDT but Bryan still kicks out at 2. Miz with the “yes!” kicks now. Bryan leans into them as fans chant “no!” for him. Bryan hulks up and shakes his head at Miz. Bryan catches a kick and fires back with slaps to Miz. Bryan with a Dragon Screw leg whip. Bryan drops Miz into the corner with a shot to the face. Bryan chants “yes!” and charges with the knee but Miz catches him and goes for the Figure Four. Bryan tries for a Yes Lock. Miz slingshots him into the corner at the ring post and then nails a Skull Crushing Finale for a close 2 count. Maryse looks on from the front row and is concerned. Miz tries to do a “yes!” chant now. He charges but Bryan drops him with a high kick for a 2 count. Miz tries to suplex Bryan from the ring to the floor but Bryan hangs on and goes to the apron. They go at it. Bryan’s shin goes hard into the ring post and he goes down as Miz moves. Bryan clutches his leg and is in pain. Miz takes advantage and brings Bryan back into the ring for the Figure Four.
Bryan starts punching Miz while in the hold. Miz fights back. Bryan eventually turns the hold over and tries to make Miz tap out. Miz finally gets to the bottom rope and breaks the hold. They get to their feet and trade punches again. Bryan blocks a Skull Crushing Finale and rolls Miz up for a 2 count. More back and forth and pin attempts. Bryan drives elbows into Miz’s neck and jaw now. Bryan applies the Yes Lock and rocks Miz in the back of the head with punches. Miz grabs the bottom rope and breaks the Yes Lock. Miz rolls out to the floor for a breather. Bryan runs and leaps from the apron, nailing the knee strike to the face. Miz crawls over to Maryse and she tends to him. Bryan with a running dropkick from behind, right in front of Maryse. Maryse yells at Bryan. Bryan kicks Miz into the barrier again and runs the ropes for a suicide dive. Miz meets Bryan at the ropes with a foreign object, something he got from Maryse. Miz tosses the object back to Maryse and she hides it. Miz runs back in the ring and pins Bryan for the win.
Winner: The Miz
– After the match, the replays shows Maryse handing something to Miz when he was hanging over the barrier at her. Miz stands tall in the ring and has his arm raised while Bryan is laid out in the middle of the ring. Miz rolls to the floor and taunts Bryan before heading up the ramp.
– Back from a break and Cole leads us to a promo for Triple H vs. The Undertaker at the big WWE Super Show-Down event from Australia on October 6.
Constable Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor
We go to the ring and out comes Constable Baron Corbin as we see the other international announce teams in the arena. Finn Balor is out next but fans pop big because he brought The Demon back to Brooklyn.
Corbin argues with the referee, saying this isn’t what he agreed on. The bell rings and Balor charges, dropkicking Corbin back into the corner. Balor dominates and sends Corbin to the floor, then flies out over the top. Corbin goes back to the floor and Balor hits a second Slingblade on the outside. Balor dropkicks Corbin back into the barrier next. Balor brings Corbin back in the ring and levels him. Balor goes to the top and hits the double stomp as fans chant “this is awesome” now. Balor keeps the quick offense going and goes back to the top. Balor hits Coup de Grace for the easy win.
Winner: Finn Balor
– After the match, The Demon celebrates as we go to replays. Balor’s music plays and he poses in the ring as Corbin recovers on the outside.
– Back from a break and Daniel Bryan is getting his head iced in the back when wife Brie Bella joins him. Brie doesn’t even want to get started on Maryse’s interference. Bryan is frustrated, ranting on how his return has been a bust and he fought for the comeback just to have The Miz. Brie talks him up, reminding him of his dreams and his fight to come back. Brie says she’s going to stay in the back with Bryan but he wants her to go out and enjoy the show, saying he will stay in the back and punch some walls or something.
WWE United States Title Match: Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
We go to the ring and out comes Jeff Hardy as Tom shows us some events that led to this match. WWE United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura is out next.
The bell rings and we get some stalling, some mind games from the two Superstars. Jeff gets a “delete!” chant going. They go at it and Jeff brings out some mind games of his own, mocking Nakamura. Nakamura charges but gets sent from corner to corner to corner to corner. More back and forth now. They go to the floor and Nakamura nails a big kick. Nakamura positions Jeff on the apron and delivers a high knee to the face as the referee counts. Nakamura with a shot to the back of the neck now. Nakamura brings Hardy back into the ring for a 2 count.
Nakamura keeps Hardy down and focuses on the shoulder now. Jeff fights to his feet but Nakamura knocks him back down. Jeff looks to make a comeback, kicking Nakamura back. Jeff with a Slingblade to bring Nakamura down. Nakamura looks to build offense again but Jeff mounts a comeback. Jeff drops Nakamura for a close 2 count. Nakamura with a knee to the gut. Nakamura drops Hardy with another strike. Nakamura drives a knee into Hardy and keeps control against the ropes as the referee warns him. Nakamura blocks a Twist of Fate but misses the follow-up. Nakamura places Hardy on the top turnbuckle but it’s countered. Hardy ends up hitting a Whisper in the Wind for a 2 count.
Hardy goes to the top but Nakamura drops him and delivers a high knee to the gut. Nakamura with a sliding knee for a 2 count. Nakamura drives big knee strikes into Hardy while he’s down. Nakamura waits in the corner for Hardy to get up. He goes for a Kinshasa but it’s blocked. Nakamura blocks Twist of Fate and can’t get the low blow. Hardy gets the upperhand and nails a Twist of Fate. Hardy goes back to the top and hits the Swanton Bomb. Hardy crawls to make the cover but Nakamura kicks out at 2. Hardy nails another Twist of Fate and Nakamura goes down hard. Jeff goes to the top again but Nakamura rolls under the bottom rope. Hardy turns and goes for a Swanton Bomb but Nakamura and Hardy hits the Bomb on the edge of the apron. Hardy lands hard and is in pain.
Nakamura rolls Hardy back into the ring and kicks him across the back of the neck. Nakamura waits for Hardy to get up and hits Kinshasa for the pin.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
– After the match, Nakamura takes the title and stands tall as his music hits. Hardy is still down. The music interrupts as Randy Orton comes out to the stage. Orton stares down at the ring and marches to it while Hardy is down. Nakamura looks on from the apron. Orton moves faster to the ring but apparently changes his mind. Orton turns back around and heads right up the ramp, to the back. Hardy gets back to his feet as fans cheer him on.
– Back from a break and Cole sends us to a video package for the next match.
RAW Women’s Title Match: Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss
We go to the ring and out comes RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss. She stops at ringside to taunt The Bella Twins, who are watching from the front row. Natalya is out to support her friend and she’s wearing her father’s jacket, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart. Ronda Rousey is out next and she’s all business, marching to the ring. JoJo does formal ring introductions.
The bell rings and Rousey charges into corners but Bliss stalls each time and plays some mind games. Bliss goes for a cheap shot but Rousey blocks it. Rousey sends Bliss out of the ring with a strike. Bliss sells on the floor as the referee counts. Bliss comes back in but quickly retreats to the floor when Rousey approaches. Rousey talks some trash and offers to turn her back so Bliss can safely enter the ring. Rousey takes a seat in the middle of the ring. Bliss runs right in and applies a Sleeper from the back while Rousey just sits there. Rousey easily gets up to her feet with Bliss on her back.
Rousey turns Bliss’ hold and puts her on her shoulders. Rousey drives Bliss down on the back of her neck. Bliss rolls to the floor for a breather as the referee counts again. Rousey ends up dominating Bliss in the ring, tossing her to the mat a few times.
Bliss screams in pain as Rousey turns her arm inside out, taunting her and asking if she’s sorry. Rousey finally puts the armbar in place and Bliss taps out.
Winner and New RAW Women’s Champion: Ronda Rousey
– After the match, Rousey takes the title and stands tall with it as her music plays. Rousey hits the corner to pose with the title as fans cheer. We go to replays and come back to Natalya hitting the ring to celebrate with Rousey. The Bella Twins enter the ring next but some fans boo them. Rousey, Natalya and The Bella Twins all pose in the middle of the ring with their arms raised. Rousey leaves the ring and goes to ringside to kiss her husband, Travis Browne. Rousey hugs Natalya on the ramp again as the celebration continues.
– Back from a break and Cole leads us to a video package for tonight’s main event.
WWE Universal Title Match: Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar
We go to the ring for tonight’s main event and out first comes Roman Reigns. Out next comes WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar with Paul Heyman. We get formal ring introductions from JoJo. Heyman takes over and does the introduction for the “defending, defending, defending, defending, defending, defending” Lesnar.
Before the bell rings, the music interrupts and out comes Braun Strowman with his Money In the Bank briefcase. Fans pop as Braun enters the ring and calls for a mic. Braun looks out at the fans and they pop again. Braun says everyone knows the history of the briefcase and he refuses to be a coward and cash it in while his opponent has their back turned. Braun says he’s the monster and he does things face to face. Braun wishes good luck to Roman and Beastie Boy because he’s going to be standing… Lesnar steps up and stares Braun down as a “Beastie Boy” chant starts up. Braun says he will be standing here for the entire match and doesn’t give a damn who wins because one of them will “get these hands” before the night is over. Braun drops the mic and exits the ring as Lesnar stares him down. The bell rings and Reigns immediately nails two Superman Punches, and a third. Reigns calls for the Spear and hits it.
Reigns backs into the corner as Lesnar is stunned. Reigns with another Spear. Reigns hits a third Spear but Lesnar pulls him down with the guillotine choke. Lesnar tightens the hold as Braun looks on from the floor. Reigns tries to power up and he does. Reigns slams Lesnar to break it and they’re both down now.
Heyman screams at ringside as Lesnar pulls Reigns into another choke. Fans do dueling chants. Reigns powers up again and slams Lesnar down to the mat to break the choke. Lesnar rips his gloves off and gets to his feet with bare knuckles. Fans chant “asshole” now. Lesnar ducks a Superman Punch and hits a German suplex. Lesnar with another German. Lesnar jumps up and yells out now. Lesnar with a third German as a “you both suck” chant starts up. Reigns counters a F5. Reigns runs the ropes but Lesnar side-steps, sending Reigns flying out of the ring with a dive to Braun. Lesnar goes out and grabs Braun from behind. Lesnar with a F5 to Braun on the floor. Lesnar smiles while Braun and Reigns are both down on the outside.
Lesnar tosses Reigns back into the ring. Lesnar grabs Braun’s briefcase but Braun grabs his ankle. Lesnar slams the briefcase into Braun a few times. Lesnar slings the briefcase up the ramp and into the stage, sending the papers flying. Lesnar smacks Braun with steel chair shots on the floor now. Lesnar yells at Braun while Braun is down crawling on the ramp. Lesnar returns to the ring with a steel chair in the air but Reigns nails a Spear out of nowhere for the pin and the title.
Winner and New WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns
– After the match, Reigns takes the title and gets up to his feet to a mixed reaction. Reigns talks trash to Heyman, who drops to his knees on the outside and pleads. Lesnar rolls out of the ring and Heyman helps him. Reigns stands tall in the ring as we go to replays. Reigns hits the corners to pose with the title as his music plays. SummerSlam 2018 goes off the air with the new WWE Universal Champion celebrating.
