The first-ever two-night WWE SummerSlam took place recently, delivering a mix of excitement, memorable moments, and some controversy. The event featured multiple high-profile matches that highlighted the company’s effort to create the WWE SummerSlam best matches, gaining significant attention from fans and critics alike. While the event included viral marketing tactics, it was the in-ring performances that truly stood out.
Unlike WrestleMania 41 earlier this year, where only one main event impressed, this year’s SummerSlam saw multiple top-tier matches, captivating the live crowd and viewers at home across both nights. This article focuses on the three most outstanding matches from SummerSlam 2025.
A Fierce Battle in the Six-Team TLC Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
The secondary highlight of Night Two was the Six-Pack TLC Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship, featuring teams DIY, The Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns (MCMG), Fraxiom, Andrade & Rey Fenix, and the champions The Wyatt Sicks. The match was intense and physically demanding, with The Wyatt Sicks successfully defending their titles against the competitive field.
Every major tag team from WWE’s SmackDown division participated, and the match effectively elevated all competitors involved. It was promoted as the biggest TLC Match in history, with special appearances from legends like The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz adding to the build-up and expectations.
All teams gave everything they had, aiming to create echoes of the original TLC matches from 25 years prior—pioneered by The Hardys, Dudleys, and Edge & Christian at what WWE calls the biggest party of the summer. This bout delivered brutal action, thrilling spots, and memorable teamwork that honored the match type’s storied past while pushing its participants forward.
John Cena and Cody Rhodes Deliver a Gripping Street Fight
One of the most highly anticipated matchups featured John Cena against Cody Rhodes in a fierce Street Fight. Cena, in the midst of his Farewell Tour, showed a level of performance that felt like a return to his prime, delivering one of his best in-ring efforts since his famous trilogy with AJ Styles.
Cody Rhodes stepped up as a prime example of a full-time main eventer, showcasing his adaptability and stamina across a match exceeding 37 minutes. The bout maintained intense energy throughout, with the crowd captivated by the physicality and storytelling in the ring.
Key moments included an intense struggle under the stage, followed by Cena’s dramatic emergence from the “CodyVator” while carrying Rhodes on his shoulders—an iconic visual in their fierce rivalry. Despite multiple high-impact finishers, the bout’s success lay in the chemistry and drama between the two, displaying why Cena remains known as “Big Match John.”
The crowd support was predominantly for Cena, though with the understanding that Rhodes was poised to regain the title. The match dynamics were improved by Cena’s role as a heroic figure this time, contrasting with his challenging first heel main event at WrestleMania, where crowd reaction complicated his villain role.
This night saw Cena playing to his strengths as a babyface, providing a compelling battle against a determined opponent. The gritty exchanges and lack of overused moves or interruptions kept the wrestling authentic and intense.
CM Punk and Gunther’s Match Emerges as a Potential Match of the Year
Perhaps the standout match of the weekend was the clash between CM Punk and Gunther, widely regarded as a likely candidate for Match of the Year. Their bout was a showcase of raw wrestling skill, setting itself apart by avoiding distractions or gimmicks common in today’s WWE main events.
The story was a straightforward but effective narrative: Punk, the resilient underdog, battled a dominant and punishing Gunther. Despite the match’s slower and repetitive pace, the execution captivated the crowd, demonstrating the duo’s mastery in controlling the ring and audience attention.
The possibility of Seth Rollins interfering added tension, but Punk and Gunther wrestled as if the match’s outcome was all that mattered. It culminated with an iconic moment where Gunther taunted from the announcer’s table before Punk unexpectedly swept his legs out, keeping fans on edge.
This contest avoided a “spot-fest” or a flurry of finishing moves, focusing instead on storytelling through wrestling moves and physicality. Punk sold the pounding he took convincingly and landed the decisive double GTS to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
The post-match scene resonated deeply with fans, mirroring the emotional high of previous big moments like when Cody Rhodes concluded his story at WrestleMania. Despite the drama of what followed, the match itself was a pure wrestling masterpiece.
The Dramatic Conclusion of Night One With Seth Rollins’ Cash-In
While the focus remains on the best matches in ring, the conclusion of Night One at SummerSlam deserves mention for its dramatic impact. Seth Rollins executed a flawless cash-in of his contract, a move that combined precise timing with high-risk excitement.
The cash-in followed the main event closely, creating a roller-coaster of emotions reminiscent of his well-remembered “Heist of the Century” at WrestleMania 31. This strategic and thrilling development left fans tense and eager for what’s next in WWE’s ongoing storylines.
The Lasting Impact of SummerSlam’s Top Matches
WWE SummerSlam 2025’s best matches have set a high standard for wrestling events this year by blending technical skill, storytelling, and emotional stakes. John Cena’s performance reminded fans why he remains a beloved figure, while Cody Rhodes solidified his status as a top main eventer. CM Punk and Gunther provided a wrestling clinic that underlined the value of pure competition in captivating audiences.
The epic TLC Tag Team match added a hard-hitting, chaotic spectacle that honored the match’s history while showcasing new stars. Seth Rollins’ night-ending cash-in brought suspense that will continue to drive narratives and fan engagement.
As WWE moves beyond SummerSlam, expectations are heightened for future events to maintain this level of intensity and quality in their storytelling and match execution.
