The second night of WWE‘s first-ever two-night SummerSlam event concluded with shockwaves felt throughout the wrestling world, as Cody Rhodes captured the Undisputed WWE Championship and Brock Lesnar made a surprise return. Held at MetLife Stadium, WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night Two brought a stronger lineup than the previous night and promised the spectacle expected at arguably the biggest wrestling event of the year.
This final night featured grueling battles that showcased both rising stars and veterans, culminating in an emotionally charged main event that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The focus keyword for this report is WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night Two, reflecting the night’s significance in wrestling history.
Opening Women’s World Title Triple Threat Sets the Tone
The night began with a thrilling Triple Threat Match for the Women’s World Title featuring Naomi defending against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. Naomi’s entrance was particularly memorable, as her father played guitar live while escorting her to the ring, creating an intimate and inspiring moment for the audience.
Early in the match, allies briefly formed between Ripley and Sky, but tension quickly escalated, highlighting the contrasting styles of the competitors: Ripley’s raw power, Sky’s aerial skills, and Naomi’s unpredictable energy. The crowd reacted strongly whenever Naomi was thrown out of the ring, eager to see the powerhouse contest between Ripley and Sky reignited from their previous bout at Evolution.
Despite rip-roaring action and several near falls with pin counts narrowly broken at 2.999, Naomi ultimately triumphed after rolling up Ripley following an Avalanche Riptide maneuver by Ripley on Sky. This victory retained Naomi’s championship and garnered a solid start to the evening’s proceedings, earning a 3.75-star rating.
Record-Setting Six-Pack TLC Tag Team Match Provides Carnage
Next came a chaotic Six-Pack Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for the WWE Tag Team Titles, involving six teams including Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy, DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Andrade & Rey Fenix, The Street Profits, and FrAxiom. The match was designed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original TLC match held at SummerSlam 2000, with appearances from Hardy Boyz and Dudley Boyz receiving rapturous ovations from fans.
Though the daylight entrance for Wyatt Sicks felt like a missed theatrical opportunity, the bout itself was a whirlwind of nonstop action. High-flying spots, brutal table crashes, and furious ladder battles unfolded rapidly, creating a dizzying spectacle. Notable moments included Axiom’s Spanish Fly to Angelo Dawkins through two tables and Candice LeRae’s daring ladder fall through a bridged ladder at ringside.
The match also featured multiple interferences and shifting alliances, with Nikki Cross and B-Fab stirring conflicts at ringside. The intense pace left commentators overwhelmed, as Tommaso Ciampa, Nathan Frazer, and Uncle Howdy contributed wild moments, including Uncle Howdy crashing through four stacked tables.
Ultimately, Joe Gacy capitalized on the chaos to retrieve the titles successfully, keeping the champions intact amid a frenzied match full of memorable spots. Despite its complicated nature, the contest was praised for its entertainment value and scored 4.5 stars.
Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria’s No Disqualification Stipulation Tests Limits
In a Last Chance Match for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title, Becky Lynch faced Lyra Valkyria with the stipulation that a loss would bar Lyra from challenging for the title while Becky remained champion. The match introduced Becky’s new, darker entrance music, underlining her heel turn and contrasting with her previously more upbeat theme.
The two competitors delivered a highly physical battle, utilizing the no-disqualification rules to incorporate weapons and brutal tactics. Lynch handcuffed Lyra and viciously assaulted her with kendo sticks and a wrench, but Lyra demonstrated resilience, maintaining bursts of offense despite her restrictions.
A particularly awkward moment occurred when Lyra seemed to free one hand mid-match, only to deliberately re-cuff herself, breaking the immersion for viewers and attracting criticism online. Bayley’s unintended interference at ringside further complicated the match, with her accidental strike leading to Becky’s victory after a Manhandle Slam.
Throughout, the crowd appeared distracted, possibly fatigued after the preceding TLC chaos, resulting in subdued reactions. The extended match length and weapon-heavy format divided opinions, ultimately settling at a 3-star rating for the wrestlers’ efforts.
Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu’s Steel Cage Match Fails to Ignite
The WWE United States Title Steel Cage Match featuring Solo Sikoa defending against Jacob Fatu was marked by moderate crowd interest and heavy interference. Solo’s teammates arrived at ringside but were overwhelmed by Jimmy Uso’s attempt to fight them off, exacerbating the numbers advantage for Solo.
Talla Tonga’s brief use of handcuffs to restrain Fatu was short-lived, as Fatu quickly escaped and pressed his offense, yet the overwhelming teamwork helped Solo escape the cage and retain his title.
The match featured a memorable spot with Jimmy Uso attacking JC Mateo and Tonga Loa inside the cage, culminating in a spectacular Moonsault off the top of the cage by Fatu. Unfortunately, the high-flying maneuver was not enough to salvage a bout that was overshadowed by interference and fell short of expectations. The contest earned a 2.75-star rating.
AJ Styles and Dominik Mysterio Tribute Past Rivalry in Intense Title Match
AJ Styles challenged Dominik Mysterio for the WWE Intercontinental Title in a match steeped in nostalgia. Styles’ entrance featured a lowrider vehicle and attire paying homage to Eddie Guerrero, including a “Styles Heat” shirt inspired by Guerrero’s iconic “Latino Heat” gear from their legendary 2005 SummerSlam Ladder Match.
The audience embraced the emotional undertones, engaging in dueling chants for AJ and Dominik, reminiscent of past wrestling eras. The match featured clever mind games, with Dominik using a concealed steel chair and trickery to gain an edge, while Styles executed signature holds like a Calf Crusher.
Dominik capitalized on a distraction to land a decisive Frog Splash, retaining the title after a technically proficient and respectful contest. The bout was rated 3.5 stars and praised for balancing intensity with nostalgia.
John Cena and Cody Rhodes Deliver Street Fight Classic for Undisputed Title
The main event pitted John Cena against Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship, carrying immense anticipation and high stakes. Cena’s entrance reflected his evolving character, beginning dark before bursting into vibrant colors that energized the MetLife crowd, who overwhelmingly cheered the veteran star.
While Cena enjoyed a strong face reaction, Cody Rhodes faced heavy boos at every moment of offense, emphasizing the role reversal in crowd dynamics. Throughout the brutal exchange, classic moves like Cena’s Five Knuckle Shuffle and an innovative Canadian Destroyer at ringside punctuated the match.
Cody’s use of a piledriver drew surprise due to its rarity in WWE today, leading to spirited crowd chants, while the intense back-and-forth saw multiple Cross Rhodes and Attitude Adjustments traded without conclusive finishes. The climax included a devastating Avalanche Cody Cutter through a table and a final Cross Rhodes pinfall, crowning Cody Rhodes as the new Undisputed WWE Champion.
The match, rated 4.5 stars, marked one of Cena’s finest singles performances in recent years and one of Cody’s standout moments since his return.
Brock Lesnar’s Shock Return Sends the WWE Universe Into Frenzy
Immediately after the main event, as Cody Rhodes celebrated, Brock Lesnar made an unexpected appearance, igniting the crowd and viewers worldwide. With nearly shoulder-length hair, Lesnar stormed the ring and delivered a thunderous F5 to John Cena, leaving the former champion incapacitated and the stadium buzzing with stunned silence.
This startling return defied predictions, especially since speculation surrounding Lesnar’s status followed WWE’s legal controversies involving Vince McMahon and accusations that clouded Lesnar’s standing with the company. Lesnar’s reappearance stirred mixed reactions, as some fans view his comeback with excitement while others remain critical due to past allegations and WWE’s controversial ties with political and international figures.
Michael Cole’s on-air reaction captured the moment perfectly with a clear and resounding “holy shit,” reflecting the magnitude of the surprise.
Context and Implications of Lesnar’s Return on WWE’s Narrative
Lesnar’s comeback appeared to be WWE’s answer following a complicated build-up to Cena’s heel turn, which was widely regarded as mishandled by Dwayne Johnson in the storyline development. Expectations had circulated around a potential involvement from The Rock, but Lesnar instead emerged to insert himself at the center of the company’s top feud.
This move signals WWE’s intent to fuel fresh rivalries and dramatic tension heading into future pay-per-views and live events, with fans eagerly anticipating how this will affect upcoming storylines, including the huge title match challenge issued for the Clash in Paris Premium Live Event.
While highly divisive, Lesnar’s return undeniably reshapes the WWE landscape and ensures that SummerSlam 2025 Night Two will be remembered as a landmark moment.
Overall Assessment of WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night Two
Compared to night one, WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night Two demonstrated notable improvement in match quality, coherence, and crowd engagement. The show delivered a series of compelling matches featuring intense physicality, emotional storytelling, and memorable moments including title defenses, career-defining performances, and surprise appearances.
Some segments faced criticism, particularly the lengthy no-disqualification match between Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria with its confusing moments, but the overall pacing and variety kept fans invested.
Most importantly, the event crowned a new champion in Cody Rhodes and unexpectedly reintroduced Brock Lesnar, providing fresh energy to WWE’s flagship brand as it moves forward into a pivotal year. Fans can expect these developments to influence WWE’s direction for months to come, highlighting the importance of this landmark WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night Two.
