WWE SummerSlam 2024, taking place over two nights in New Jersey, has already made history as the first dual-night SummerSlam event. The show features high-stakes matches, including John Cena defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight, and CM Punk challenging Gunther for the World Heavyweight Title. With so much at stake, WWE SummerSlam 2024 must-dos are crucial to shaping the future of the company.
This year’s card is stacked with championship bouts such as Solo Sikoa versus Jacob Fatu for the United States Championship inside a steel cage, and Naomi defending the Women’s World Championship against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley. These bouts build the tension, but WWE’s decisions during the two-night event will influence storylines moving forward.
Ensuring Credibility in Celebrity Involvement
WWE has a tradition of involving celebrities in high-profile matches, with rapper Cardi B hosting SummerSlam and celebrity competitors like Logan Paul and Bad Bunny demonstrating considerable in-ring ability. However, booking outcomes needs careful management to preserve the legitimacy of WWE talent. The recent Saturday Night’s Main Event illustrated this when Jelly Roll was booked as a competitor, leading to matches that risked damaging the credibility of established stars.
Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre, both competitors at the event, faced challenges against Jelly Roll and Randy Orton. It’s vital WWE prevents illogical losses that undercut star power; for instance, having McIntyre and Paul defeat Orton and Jelly Roll would protect the reputations of younger and prime talents while keeping celebrity wins believable.
Spotlight on the Intercontinental Championship Rivalry
Dominik Mysterio, the Intercontinental Champion, captured the title at WrestleMania 41 by overcoming formidable opponents including Finn Balor and Bron Breakker. Despite his success, Mysterio’s defenses have often relied on outside interference, and his recent lack of active defenses, partly due to a rib injury, has stalled momentum.
AJ Styles, a popular and skilled former Intercontinental Champion, is set to challenge Mysterio at SummerSlam. Styles’ pursuit of singles gold offers a compelling narrative, given that he last held the Intercontinental Title in 2020. His potential victory could revitalize the title’s prestige while providing fans with a high-level wrestling showcase.
Potential Major Heel Turns in the Women’s Division
The women’s division is ripe for dramatic character shifts at SummerSlam. Bayley, currently embroiled in tension with Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch over the Women’s Intercontinental Title, might cement a heel turn by betraying Valkyria. This would add depth to ongoing storylines and heighten emotional stakes.
Similarly, Rhea Ripley’s frustration over failing to regain the Women’s World Championship or defeat IYO SKY could erupt at SummerSlam. An attack on her friend IYO SKY would create a powerful heel turn, exciting fans who have come to support SKY’s recent ascendancy.
The Rock’s Return and Its Importance to Storyline Continuity
The Rock’s involvement in WWE storylines has been unpredictable, especially after his recent appearances on the RAW show on Netflix, where his character flipped between hero and villain. While Cody Rhodes rejected a supernatural storyline offered by The Rock, John Cena accepted it, setting a foundation for intense future conflict.
The Rock’s absence from WrestleMania 41 despite these storylines left fans confused. His return at SummerSlam 2024, even in a non-wrestling role, is essential for narrative consistency, especially since he promised to be The Final Boss who controls Cena’s soul. His presence would cement major story turns and increase the event’s significance.
Handling Seth Rollins’ Injury with Strategic Impact
Seth Rollins’ recent injury, sustained at Saturday Night’s Main Event, remains officially undiagnosed, fueling speculation about whether it is genuine or part of a storyline. Publicly seen on crutches, Rollins has described his condition as likely long-term, which places the Money in the Bank briefcase spotlight on Paul Heyman, who holds it in Rollins’ absence.
Heyman has hinted at a contingency plan, which might unfold at SummerSlam, particularly if CM Punk captures the title from Gunther. Rollins has vowed not to allow Punk to become champion, intensifying anticipation around how this injury plotline might lead to a dramatic money-in-the-bank cash-in or other surprises during the event.
Why These Moves Matter
The decisions made at WWE SummerSlam 2024 could redefine the company’s trajectory. Correct booking of celebrity matches will maintain credibility while elevating emerging stars. Championship changes, especially in the Intercontinental and Women’s divisions, can reboot stalled storylines and deepen audience engagement. The return of The Rock and the potential use of Rollins’ injury angle promise unpredictable twists that keep fans invested.
As WWE navigates its biggest mid-year event, the SummerSlam must-dos are pivotal in balancing spectacle with storytelling, ensuring legacy characters remain influential while new talent is given the spotlight needed to shape the future of professional wrestling.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WrestleMania or SummerSlam bigger?
A. SummerSlam is a professional wrestling show organized each year by WWE. It has been happening since 1988.
Often called “The Biggest Party of the Summer,” it is seen as WWE’s second most important event after WrestleMania.
