WWE‘s SummerSlam 2025, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, featured notable filming moments that captured fans’ attention, including Seth Rollins’ staged injury and a surprise appearance by Brock Lesnar. These events were recorded by WWE and Netflix for the second season of WWE: UNREAL, highlighting key storylines for international viewers. The focus on this content comes amid WWE’s transition of premium live event streaming rights from Peacock to ESPN starting in 2026, although most international WWE content will continue to be available on Netflix.
Seth Rollins’ Injury Storyline and Brock Lesnar’s Unexpected Return
Throughout the two-night SummerSlam event, WWE cameras documented significant plot developments. On the first evening, Seth Rollins’ fake injury was central to the dramatic conclusion, culminating in an opportunistic cash-in that intensified the storyline. On night two, Brock Lesnar’s unannounced comeback provided a memorable finish, promising to be featured prominently in the upcoming season of WWE: UNREAL. This filming marks a continuation of WWE’s blending of scripted drama with live sports entertainment, keeping fans engaged both in the arena and through streaming platforms.
Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes in the Upcoming Street Fighter Film
Looking ahead, WWE Superstar Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes are set to star in the new Street Fighter movie, with Reigns portraying Akuma and Rhodes playing Guile. The film’s production will begin in September in Australia, expected to draw significant media attention due to its open set environment. According to insiders, Rhodes, nicknamed “The American Nightmare,” will not face extended filming commitments, allowing him to balance his WWE responsibilities alongside his acting role. This move underlines WWE’s expanding presence in mainstream entertainment beyond the ring.
Roman Reigns’ WWE Status Discussed Amid Speculation
Roman Reigns has been at the center of recent WWE discussions, especially following rumors about a possible television hiatus after his appearance on WWE Raw in Brooklyn. His ongoing WWE status gained further scrutiny when he featured as a guest on ESPN First Take, promoting ESPN’s new deal to broadcast WWE premium live events and the NFL. Reigns compared WWE’s growth to that of professional football, noting the shift from smaller arenas to stadiums as a sign of the industry’s expanding scale and increasing fan engagement.
“It used to be a lot different, but I mean now, the fact that we’ve continued to grow, it used to be only arenas but, now it’s stadiums,” —Roman Reigns, WWE Superstar
“So in that regard, it’s no different than football.” —Roman Reigns, WWE Superstar
Updates on WWE’s Broadcasting Arrangements and Viewer Impact
While WWE shifts its live event broadcasts in the United States from Peacock to ESPN, Netflix will maintain most WWE-related content for international viewers throughout 2026. This dual arrangement ensures ongoing access for a global audience while expanding WWE’s reach through a major sports network domestically. These changes are expected to influence how fans experience WWE programming and contribute to evolving marketing strategies for the organization’s premium live events and original series like WWE: UNREAL.
Additional Developments at SummerSlam and WWE’s Future
SummerSlam 2025 also saw backstage buzz around other WWE figures, such as Karrion Kross, who appeared to hint at a potential departure following his interactions at the event. Meanwhile, unexpected crowd disturbances during the show drew attention to security concerns at large-scale WWE events. Alongside these narratives, updates about Brock Lesnar’s return detailed his discreet arrival and careful handling by WWE officials, emphasizing the promotion’s efforts to preserve surprise elements for the audience.
These behind-the-scenes revelations and media strategies highlight WWE’s continued evolution as a global sports entertainment powerhouse, blending dramatic storylines with expanding multimedia platforms. As WWE adapts to new broadcasting partnerships and actor-wrestlers branch into film, fans can expect SummerSlam 2025 and its associated content to resonate widely both inside and beyond the wrestling world.
