At SummerSlam 2021, Universal Champion Roman Reigns triumphed over John Cena only to come face-to-face with Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley punished Goldberg, Charlotte Flair conquered Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch returned to best SmackDown Women’s Title Match Bianca Belair, Edge scored a dark win ovr Seth Rollins, Damian Priest reigned supreme over United States Champion Sheamus and so much more.
Big E defeated Baron Corbin. (kickoff Match)
It’s back to the drawing board for Baron Corbin. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but even that desperation couldn’t lead Corbin out of the gutter at SummerSlam, as Big E extended his downward spiral.
Last week, Corbin stole Big E’s Money in the Bank briefcase in the hopes of reversing his fortune — a state so pitiful that he cannot even afford entrance music. Ringside fans wouldn’t even slap Corbin’s hand as he walked by. Infuriated by the theft, Big E pounced on Corbin as soon as the bell sounded, hoping to teach the 6-foot-8 competitor a lesson.
Corbin took control after Big E missed on an apron splash, but his wandering eyes for the stolen briefcase allowed its rightful owner back into the bout.
Big E lit up Corbin as he attempted to flee from ringside and followed up with a devastating spear and Big Ending to kick off SummerSlam 2021 with a win and reunite with his rightful Money in the Bank contract. (Via WWE.com)
Last week, Corbin stole Big E’s Money in the Bank briefcase in the hopes of reversing his fortune — a state so pitiful that he cannot even afford entrance music. Ringside fans wouldn’t even slap Corbin’s hand as he walked by. Infuriated by the theft, Big E pounced on Corbin as soon as the bell sounded, hoping to teach the 6-foot-8 competitor a lesson.
Corbin took control after Big E missed on an apron splash, but his wandering eyes for the stolen briefcase allowed its rightful owner back into the bout.
Big E lit up Corbin as he attempted to flee from ringside and followed up with a devastating spear and Big Ending to kick off SummerSlam 2021 with a win and reunite with his rightful Money in the Bank contract. (Via WWE.com)
RAW Tag Team Championship: RK-Bro defeated RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONs, AJ Styles & Omos.
Randy Orton took a gamble on teaming with Riddle, and it paid off at SummerSlam, as RK-Bro raised the Raw Tag Team Championship following an RKO outta nowhere.
Riddle started to recruit Orton for a dream team-up in April, but The Viper refused to commit to the overly enthusiastic competitor. But Riddle finally earned Orton’s respect by evening the odds against Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Omos, setting the stage for a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.
Orton and Riddle, the latter of whom was wearing snake-skin styled gear in a sign of solidarity with his Viper-like partner, caught Styles off-guard quickly after the opening bell with a double-team move. Any RK-Bro momentum came to an immediate halt, though, when Omos tagged into the bout. The 7-foot-3 colossus twisted and threw Riddle around the ring while Orton salivated to get his hands on Omos. Styles tagged back into the match and continued to isolate Riddle, but the grappler snuck away to tag in Orton to a thunderous ovation.
Orton had Styles reeling, and when The Phenomenal One attempted a roll-up pin, Orton slithered free for an RKO outta nowhere to bring home the Raw Tag Team Titles for RK-Bro. (Via WWE.com)
Riddle started to recruit Orton for a dream team-up in April, but The Viper refused to commit to the overly enthusiastic competitor. But Riddle finally earned Orton’s respect by evening the odds against Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Omos, setting the stage for a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.
Orton and Riddle, the latter of whom was wearing snake-skin styled gear in a sign of solidarity with his Viper-like partner, caught Styles off-guard quickly after the opening bell with a double-team move. Any RK-Bro momentum came to an immediate halt, though, when Omos tagged into the bout. The 7-foot-3 colossus twisted and threw Riddle around the ring while Orton salivated to get his hands on Omos. Styles tagged back into the match and continued to isolate Riddle, but the grappler snuck away to tag in Orton to a thunderous ovation.
Orton had Styles reeling, and when The Phenomenal One attempted a roll-up pin, Orton slithered free for an RKO outta nowhere to bring home the Raw Tag Team Titles for RK-Bro. (Via WWE.com)
Alexa Bliss defeated Eva Marie (with Doudrop).
Eva Marie’s confidence became her undoing at SummerSlam. Her hopes of putting the Eva-Lution on full display in her first pay-per-view match in seven years fell short when she opted to play with Lilly. But a loss wasn’t the end of the embarrassment.
After Marie took control of the match by knocking Bliss off her feet, the overly confident Superstar went after Lilly. Marie began to slap Lilly and even attacked Bliss with the doll. Bliss was enraged, unleashing a fury on Marie, who begged for an apathetic Doudrop to “do something.”
Bliss returned Lilly back to its pedestal on the ring post and planted a spooked Eva Marie with a DDT for the win. As Bliss and Lilly left, Doudrop rubbed salt in the wounds by proudly announcing Marie as the loser of the match and mocking her mentor by putting on her entrance robe and strutting away.
The Eva-Lution may have hit a snag. (Via WWE.com)
After Marie took control of the match by knocking Bliss off her feet, the overly confident Superstar went after Lilly. Marie began to slap Lilly and even attacked Bliss with the doll. Bliss was enraged, unleashing a fury on Marie, who begged for an apathetic Doudrop to “do something.”
Bliss returned Lilly back to its pedestal on the ring post and planted a spooked Eva Marie with a DDT for the win. As Bliss and Lilly left, Doudrop rubbed salt in the wounds by proudly announcing Marie as the loser of the match and mocking her mentor by putting on her entrance robe and strutting away.
The Eva-Lution may have hit a snag. (Via WWE.com)
United States Championship: Damian Priest defeated UNITED STATES CHAMPION, Sheamus.
Damian Priest and Sheamus put in all of their chips, but Priest left with the prize after capturing the United States Championship in a physical showdown at SummerSlam 2021.
Priest set the tone for the hard-hitting matchup, catching Sheamus square in the face with a springboard senton to the outside, but he did so at the expense of his own lower back. The veteran U.S. Champion sensed the injury and wisely targeted it. Sheamus was feeling so confident in the beatdown that after one backbreaker, he paused for what felt like an eternity to flex and dust his shoulders.
The 6-foot-5 challenger mustered up a comeback with an amazing hurricanrana, but it was short-lived as Sheamus once again downed Priest by targeting his back. As Priest attempted to climb to his feet, Sheamus began to berate his challenger and the WWE Universe, insisting that Priest was not worthy of holding the United States Championship. That trash talk must have sparked something in Priest, as the towering competitor fired back.
A spectacular spinning heel kick from the top rope nearly ended the bout, but Sheamus improbably kicked out before flattening Priest with a punishing Alabama Slam. Priest followed up with a sit-out chokeslam and Sheamus with a Brogue Kick, but neither could keep his opponent down for the count.
Finally, when Sheamus trapped Priest in a heel hook, Priest countered by ripping off The Celtic Warrior’s protective mask. He then delivered a spinning heel kick and the Reckoning to Sheamus’ exposed face to capture his first championship in WWE.
With victories at WrestleMania and SummerSlam, Priest only strengthened his claim of being Raw’s breakout Superstar of 2021. (Via WWE.com)
Priest set the tone for the hard-hitting matchup, catching Sheamus square in the face with a springboard senton to the outside, but he did so at the expense of his own lower back. The veteran U.S. Champion sensed the injury and wisely targeted it. Sheamus was feeling so confident in the beatdown that after one backbreaker, he paused for what felt like an eternity to flex and dust his shoulders.
The 6-foot-5 challenger mustered up a comeback with an amazing hurricanrana, but it was short-lived as Sheamus once again downed Priest by targeting his back. As Priest attempted to climb to his feet, Sheamus began to berate his challenger and the WWE Universe, insisting that Priest was not worthy of holding the United States Championship. That trash talk must have sparked something in Priest, as the towering competitor fired back.
A spectacular spinning heel kick from the top rope nearly ended the bout, but Sheamus improbably kicked out before flattening Priest with a punishing Alabama Slam. Priest followed up with a sit-out chokeslam and Sheamus with a Brogue Kick, but neither could keep his opponent down for the count.
Finally, when Sheamus trapped Priest in a heel hook, Priest countered by ripping off The Celtic Warrior’s protective mask. He then delivered a spinning heel kick and the Reckoning to Sheamus’ exposed face to capture his first championship in WWE.
With victories at WrestleMania and SummerSlam, Priest only strengthened his claim of being Raw’s breakout Superstar of 2021. (Via WWE.com)
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONs, The Usos defeated The Mysterios.
The Usos once again proved that there’s no team on the SmackDown scene as in sync as them, defeating the father-and-son pairing of Rey and Dominik Mysterio to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at SummerSlam.
The Mysterios have been struggling in the weeks since losing the titles to Jimmy and Jey at WWE Money in the Bank on July 18. Rey inadvertently cost Dominik a singles match last week and Dom unintentionally did the same to his father on Friday’s SmackDown. They hoped to get back on the same page at SummerSlam, but The Usos stood in their way.
Few teams can boast the same level of success as The Usos, and that dominance was on full display, as Jimmy and Jey isolated the upstart Dominik while his legendary father watched with concern and frustration in the corner.
Jey took too long to put Dominik away, though, dragging out a mocking version of Eddie Guerrero’s patented Three Amigos suplexes, giving Dominik an opening to counter and tag in his dad.
Rey seemed poised to bring home the Tag Championship when he lined up for a Frog Splash, but Jimmy blocked the iconic move, and the twins sandwiched Rey with superkicks. Jey followed up with a splash to retain the SmackDown Tag Titles and prove The Usos are simply untouchable. (Via WWE.com)
The Mysterios have been struggling in the weeks since losing the titles to Jimmy and Jey at WWE Money in the Bank on July 18. Rey inadvertently cost Dominik a singles match last week and Dom unintentionally did the same to his father on Friday’s SmackDown. They hoped to get back on the same page at SummerSlam, but The Usos stood in their way.
Few teams can boast the same level of success as The Usos, and that dominance was on full display, as Jimmy and Jey isolated the upstart Dominik while his legendary father watched with concern and frustration in the corner.
Jey took too long to put Dominik away, though, dragging out a mocking version of Eddie Guerrero’s patented Three Amigos suplexes, giving Dominik an opening to counter and tag in his dad.
Rey seemed poised to bring home the Tag Championship when he lined up for a Frog Splash, but Jimmy blocked the iconic move, and the twins sandwiched Rey with superkicks. Jey followed up with a splash to retain the SmackDown Tag Titles and prove The Usos are simply untouchable. (Via WWE.com)
SmackDown Women's Championship: Becky Lynch defeated SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPION, Bianca Belair.
Becky Lynch is back and better than ever. The Man returned to a WWE ring for the first time since giving birth in December 2020 and stunned SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair in an impromptu Title Match.
Belair was originally slated for a WrestleMania rematch against Sasha Banks. The EST was oozing her trademark confidence, with several SmackDown Women’s Titles literally sewn into her gear and a smile across her face, but her excitement quickly soured when it was announced that Carmella would take Banks’ place because The Boss was unable to compete.
Before Belair could lock up with Carmella, though, Becky Lynch’s music hit. The Man returned for the first time since announcing her pregnancy on May 11, 2020. After soaking up a thunderous round of applause, Lynch bounced Carmella and stepped up to the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Lynch laid down the challenge, and the always game Belair welcomed it. But that was a fatal mistake. Lynch immediately surprised Belair with a punch and Manhandle Slam to capture her fifth Women’s Championship.
In an instant, Becky Lynch announced she was back. (Via WWE.com)
Belair was originally slated for a WrestleMania rematch against Sasha Banks. The EST was oozing her trademark confidence, with several SmackDown Women’s Titles literally sewn into her gear and a smile across her face, but her excitement quickly soured when it was announced that Carmella would take Banks’ place because The Boss was unable to compete.
Before Belair could lock up with Carmella, though, Becky Lynch’s music hit. The Man returned for the first time since announcing her pregnancy on May 11, 2020. After soaking up a thunderous round of applause, Lynch bounced Carmella and stepped up to the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Lynch laid down the challenge, and the always game Belair welcomed it. But that was a fatal mistake. Lynch immediately surprised Belair with a punch and Manhandle Slam to capture her fifth Women’s Championship.
In an instant, Becky Lynch announced she was back. (Via WWE.com)
Drew McIntyre defeated Jinder Mahal.
Jinder Mahal has been a thorn in the side of Drew McIntyre for the entire summer. From attempting to destroy McIntyre’s family sword to costing him the Money in the Bank contract, Mahal and his associates Veer and Shanky have done their best to enrage McIntyre. The rage finally caught up with Mahal at SummerSlam, though.
With Veer and Shanky barred from ringside, McIntyre had an even playing field against his onetime best friend Mahal. McIntyre made quick work out of Mahal, absolutely unleashing hell on his opponent. McIntyre tossed him around the ring before connecting with the Claymore to the jaw for the win.
Veer and Shanky arrived after the bell to attempt to exact whatever pound of flesh possible, but McIntyre greeted them with his sword, mercifully ending the trio’s bad night. (Via WWE.com)
With Veer and Shanky barred from ringside, McIntyre had an even playing field against his onetime best friend Mahal. McIntyre made quick work out of Mahal, absolutely unleashing hell on his opponent. McIntyre tossed him around the ring before connecting with the Claymore to the jaw for the win.
Veer and Shanky arrived after the bell to attempt to exact whatever pound of flesh possible, but McIntyre greeted them with his sword, mercifully ending the trio’s bad night. (Via WWE.com)
RAW Women's Championship: Charlotte Flair defeated RAW WOMEN'S CHAMPION, Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley. (Triple Threat Match)
Charlotte Flair reigned supreme once again at SummerSlam, extending her undefeated streak at the event to 5-0 and submitting Nikki A.S.H. to recapture the Raw Women’s Championship.
Flair hoped to prove that her Money in the Bank cash-in loss to A.S.H. on July 19 was a fluke. To do so, The Queen not only had to go through the champion but also the hard-hitting Rhea Ripley.
Flair asserted her dominance immediately after the bell by shoving A.S.H. to the mat and telling her to stay out of the way. The defending champion was not amused, bringing the fight to both competitors until Flair tossed her from the ring.
Flair ignited Ripley by slapping her and calling her a “punk.” Although The Queen booted Ripley from the ring, The Nightmare returned to the action with a double German suplex followed by a missile dropkick from the top rope. As their fight spilled to the outside, A.S.H. greeted them with a soaring crossbody.
Ripley and A.S.H. briefly formed an alliance but appeared to underestimate their opponent, as Flair countered a double-team suplex to plant both of her opponents with DDTs. The Queen followed up with a majestic Corkscrew Moonsault that drove A.S.H. into the barricade and Ripley to the ringside floor.
When the action returned to the ring, A.S.H. went for broke and came up empty. Flair dodged a top-rope crossbody from A.S.H. and locked in the Figure-Eight Leglock, tapping out the champion to reclaim the Raw Women’s Championship. (Via WWE.com)
Flair hoped to prove that her Money in the Bank cash-in loss to A.S.H. on July 19 was a fluke. To do so, The Queen not only had to go through the champion but also the hard-hitting Rhea Ripley.
Flair asserted her dominance immediately after the bell by shoving A.S.H. to the mat and telling her to stay out of the way. The defending champion was not amused, bringing the fight to both competitors until Flair tossed her from the ring.
Flair ignited Ripley by slapping her and calling her a “punk.” Although The Queen booted Ripley from the ring, The Nightmare returned to the action with a double German suplex followed by a missile dropkick from the top rope. As their fight spilled to the outside, A.S.H. greeted them with a soaring crossbody.
Ripley and A.S.H. briefly formed an alliance but appeared to underestimate their opponent, as Flair countered a double-team suplex to plant both of her opponents with DDTs. The Queen followed up with a majestic Corkscrew Moonsault that drove A.S.H. into the barricade and Ripley to the ringside floor.
When the action returned to the ring, A.S.H. went for broke and came up empty. Flair dodged a top-rope crossbody from A.S.H. and locked in the Figure-Eight Leglock, tapping out the champion to reclaim the Raw Women’s Championship. (Via WWE.com)
WWE Hall of Famer, Edge DEFEATED sETH roLLINS BY SUBMISSION.
Edge hoped to humble Seth Rollins at SummerSlam, while Rollins was possessed with ending the WWE Hall of Famer. The dream match that was seven years in the making brought out the best from both Superstars, but Edge masterfully avoided the Stomp to viciously submit Rollins.
Rollins has made it his mission to eliminate Edge because he believes that The Rated-R Superstar has been standing in the way of him reclaiming the Universal Title this year. Edge eliminated Rollins en route to winning the 2021 Royal Rumble Match, so Rollins returned the favor at WWE Money in the Bank in July by interfering in Edge’s Universal Title Match. That sparked a dark side in Edge, and it was on full display at SummerSlam.
One night after Edge ruined Rollins’ pristine white suit with a “Broodbath,” Edge continued his mind games by entering Allegiant Stadium to his old, fiery Brood entrance. Rollins wasn’t amused, immediately targeting Edge’s surgically repaired neck with multiple slams into the steel steps and a neckbreaker.
Edge showed a recklessness the WWE Universe hasn’t seen from him since his improbable in-ring return in 2020. A top-rope swinging neckbreaker showed that Edge was willing to risk it all to punish Rollins.
Rollins once again went for a Stomp, but Edge dodged. Rollins then set up for a Pedigree, but Edge countered with a Glam Slam — a tribute to his wife, fellow WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix. He followed up with a Spear through the ropes, sending both competitors flying to the ringside floor.
When the action returned to the ring, Rollins yet again went for the Stomp, but Edge blocked it and locked in a crossface. After Rollins escaped from the crossface, Edge became incensed, repeatedly smashing his opponent’s face into the mat before locking in a sleeperhold to tap out Rollins.
Edge never forgot when Rollins tried to end him seven years ago, and now, Rollins will never forget when The Rated-R Superstar tapped him out in front of 51,326. (Via WWE.com)
Rollins has made it his mission to eliminate Edge because he believes that The Rated-R Superstar has been standing in the way of him reclaiming the Universal Title this year. Edge eliminated Rollins en route to winning the 2021 Royal Rumble Match, so Rollins returned the favor at WWE Money in the Bank in July by interfering in Edge’s Universal Title Match. That sparked a dark side in Edge, and it was on full display at SummerSlam.
One night after Edge ruined Rollins’ pristine white suit with a “Broodbath,” Edge continued his mind games by entering Allegiant Stadium to his old, fiery Brood entrance. Rollins wasn’t amused, immediately targeting Edge’s surgically repaired neck with multiple slams into the steel steps and a neckbreaker.
Edge showed a recklessness the WWE Universe hasn’t seen from him since his improbable in-ring return in 2020. A top-rope swinging neckbreaker showed that Edge was willing to risk it all to punish Rollins.
Rollins once again went for a Stomp, but Edge dodged. Rollins then set up for a Pedigree, but Edge countered with a Glam Slam — a tribute to his wife, fellow WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix. He followed up with a Spear through the ropes, sending both competitors flying to the ringside floor.
When the action returned to the ring, Rollins yet again went for the Stomp, but Edge blocked it and locked in a crossface. After Rollins escaped from the crossface, Edge became incensed, repeatedly smashing his opponent’s face into the mat before locking in a sleeperhold to tap out Rollins.
Edge never forgot when Rollins tried to end him seven years ago, and now, Rollins will never forget when The Rated-R Superstar tapped him out in front of 51,326. (Via WWE.com)
WWE Championship: WWE CHAMPION, Bobby Lashley (with MVP) defeated WWE Hall of Famer, Goldberg by REFEREE stoppage.
Bobby Lashley didn’t want to beat Goldberg; he wanted to end the WWE Hall of Famer. With the WWE Title on the line in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, the champion in many ways succeeded, dominating Goldberg and securing another milestone victory in one of the most impressive years in WWE history.
Lashley would not be intimidated by Goldberg, refusing to take his eyes off the iconic Superstar as he stormed to the ring. The All Mighty continued that attitude after the bell, controlling the action.
Although Goldberg connected with a Spear on the outside, that same dominance couldn’t translate to the ring, especially after MVP whacked Goldberg’s knee with his cane. The WWE Champion began to focus his attack on the left knee, twice ramming it into the LED ring post before flexing for the crowd.
With Goldberg unable to reach his feet, the referee called for the bell, giving Lashley the victory. But a declared win wasn’t enough for the WWE Champion, who proceeded to pummel his conquered challenger with a steel chair. The beatdown was so insulting that Goldberg’s son Gage, a sophomore in high school, had to rush the ring and jump on Lashley to come to his father’s aid, earning a Hurt Lock for his efforts. MVP insisted it was a mistake, but that excuse wasn’t enough for Goldberg, who promised to end Lashley.
Bobby Lashley stood tall yet again, joining a very rare class of WWE Champions to retain their title at both WrestleMania and SummerSlam in the same year. But it came at the cost of angering a father. (Via WWE.com)
Lashley would not be intimidated by Goldberg, refusing to take his eyes off the iconic Superstar as he stormed to the ring. The All Mighty continued that attitude after the bell, controlling the action.
Although Goldberg connected with a Spear on the outside, that same dominance couldn’t translate to the ring, especially after MVP whacked Goldberg’s knee with his cane. The WWE Champion began to focus his attack on the left knee, twice ramming it into the LED ring post before flexing for the crowd.
With Goldberg unable to reach his feet, the referee called for the bell, giving Lashley the victory. But a declared win wasn’t enough for the WWE Champion, who proceeded to pummel his conquered challenger with a steel chair. The beatdown was so insulting that Goldberg’s son Gage, a sophomore in high school, had to rush the ring and jump on Lashley to come to his father’s aid, earning a Hurt Lock for his efforts. MVP insisted it was a mistake, but that excuse wasn’t enough for Goldberg, who promised to end Lashley.
Bobby Lashley stood tall yet again, joining a very rare class of WWE Champions to retain their title at both WrestleMania and SummerSlam in the same year. But it came at the cost of angering a father. (Via WWE.com)
WWE Universal Championship: WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns defeated John Cena.
Roman Reigns battled through three of John Cena’s Attitude Adjustments to extend his dominant Universal Championship reign, but before he could celebrate, old rival Brock Lesnar returned for the first time since WrestleMania 36 in a jaw-dropping main event to SummerSlam 2021.
Cena has been a fixture at the top of sports-entertainment for nearly two decades. But this year belonged to Universal Champion Reigns, and he wanted to prove to Cena that his time was now. Reigns even raised the stakes of the title clash on Friday, saying “Either I’m leaving that stadium as the Universal Champion or I’m leaving WWE.”
The Superstars toyed with each other to start the matchup, with Cena repeatedly trying to catch Reigns by surprise with a roll-up. At first, Reigns would smirk. But with each attempt, he grew more and more insulted. With every kickout, Reigns would look at his counsel Paul Heyman, bemused that Cena had the nerve to try to pin him.
Then Reigns turned it on, showing Cena why he’s at the top of his game. He began to punish the challenger, bouncing him off the steel steps multiple times before grabbing his Universal Title to pose for the crowd. When the action returned to the ring, Cena once again attempted a rollup, causing Reigns to laugh, “You can’t roll me up. You ain’t gonna win like this.”
Cena seemed to have found a spark by lining up for an Attitude Adjustment, but Reigns shrugged him off. The Universal Champion talked trash to Cena and all of Hollywood as the beatdown continued, but Cena never gave up, mounting a comeback after escaping from a sleeper hold. Cena connected with a Five Knuckle Shuffle and an Attitude Adjustment, but Reigns miraculously kicked out. Even Heyman was bewildered, mouthing, “Oh my God.”
A second AA through the announce table pushed Reigns to the brink again, but the Universal Champion improbably kicked out, causing a desperate Cena to try for a top-rope leg drop, which Reigns countered with a powerbomb.
After delivering another Superman Punch, Reigns declared the match was over and rushed for a Spear, only to come up empty and crash into the ring post. Cena went for broke with a top-rope Attitude Adjustment, but Reigns again kicked out to ensure Cena’s 17th World Title win would not come at his expense.
Cena then tried to embarrass Reigns, saying “Your time is up; my time is now,” and mocking the champion’s signature yell. But he earned a third Superman Punch for his efforts followed by a Spear that spelled the end of Cena.
The celebration was short-lived, though, as the signature riff of Brock Lesnar’s theme hit Allegiant Stadium. Heyman fell to his knees as his longtime client marched to the ring with his eyes set squarely on the blue-strapped title. His first time in a WWE ring in nearly 17 months, Lesnar was ready to throw hands against his longtime rival, but Reigns said not tonight.
The Champ is here, and he sits at the Head of the Table. But a potential new challenger awaits. (Via WWE.com)
Cena has been a fixture at the top of sports-entertainment for nearly two decades. But this year belonged to Universal Champion Reigns, and he wanted to prove to Cena that his time was now. Reigns even raised the stakes of the title clash on Friday, saying “Either I’m leaving that stadium as the Universal Champion or I’m leaving WWE.”
The Superstars toyed with each other to start the matchup, with Cena repeatedly trying to catch Reigns by surprise with a roll-up. At first, Reigns would smirk. But with each attempt, he grew more and more insulted. With every kickout, Reigns would look at his counsel Paul Heyman, bemused that Cena had the nerve to try to pin him.
Then Reigns turned it on, showing Cena why he’s at the top of his game. He began to punish the challenger, bouncing him off the steel steps multiple times before grabbing his Universal Title to pose for the crowd. When the action returned to the ring, Cena once again attempted a rollup, causing Reigns to laugh, “You can’t roll me up. You ain’t gonna win like this.”
Cena seemed to have found a spark by lining up for an Attitude Adjustment, but Reigns shrugged him off. The Universal Champion talked trash to Cena and all of Hollywood as the beatdown continued, but Cena never gave up, mounting a comeback after escaping from a sleeper hold. Cena connected with a Five Knuckle Shuffle and an Attitude Adjustment, but Reigns miraculously kicked out. Even Heyman was bewildered, mouthing, “Oh my God.”
A second AA through the announce table pushed Reigns to the brink again, but the Universal Champion improbably kicked out, causing a desperate Cena to try for a top-rope leg drop, which Reigns countered with a powerbomb.
After delivering another Superman Punch, Reigns declared the match was over and rushed for a Spear, only to come up empty and crash into the ring post. Cena went for broke with a top-rope Attitude Adjustment, but Reigns again kicked out to ensure Cena’s 17th World Title win would not come at his expense.
Cena then tried to embarrass Reigns, saying “Your time is up; my time is now,” and mocking the champion’s signature yell. But he earned a third Superman Punch for his efforts followed by a Spear that spelled the end of Cena.
The celebration was short-lived, though, as the signature riff of Brock Lesnar’s theme hit Allegiant Stadium. Heyman fell to his knees as his longtime client marched to the ring with his eyes set squarely on the blue-strapped title. His first time in a WWE ring in nearly 17 months, Lesnar was ready to throw hands against his longtime rival, but Reigns said not tonight.
The Champ is here, and he sits at the Head of the Table. But a potential new challenger awaits. (Via WWE.com)