SummerSlam 2025 Took Over Every Corner of Entertainment for the Ultimate Summer Event

WWE made history at MetLife Stadium, turning SummerSlam 2025 into a weekend-long spectacle that only they could pull off.

For the first time in the event’s thirty-eight-year run, SummerSlam broke out of its usual one-night format and stretched into a two-night extravaganza. Thanks to Chase Freedom, the action felt bigger than ever, with two massive main events: CM Punk vs. Gunther for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on Night 1, and John Cena putting his Unified WWE Championship on the line against Cody Rhodes on Night 2.

But the party didn’t start when the bell rang. Chase Freedom made sure SummerSlam was more than just a weekend affair — they turned it into a full week of unforgettable events for fans, families, and anyone looking for a good time.

Summer Bash

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Things kicked off Thursday night with Summer Bash at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City, setting the tone for the wild ride ahead. The city was rocking as hip-hop blasted through the speakers. From the same team that brought you WaleMania, Summer Bash merged the worlds of wrestling and rap into one unforgettable night of music, conversation, live performances, and a special appearance by one of wrestling’s all-timers Bret “The Hitman” Hart.

Chase Freedom cardholders had the VIP treatment with an exclusive pre-show meet and greet with the “Excellence of Execution” himself. Shortly after doors opened and things got rocking, the crowd got to hear Bret drop some wild stories during a live taping of The Masked Man Podcast hosted by Kazeem Famuyide and David Shoemaker. Did you know that Bret Hart was taught the iconic sharpshooter move by Lucha Libre legend Konnan in a locker room bathroom, just mere hours before he had to apply it in a match for the first time? Or the secret nuggets he let us know from his iconic SummerSlam 1992 match at Wembley Stadium versus “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith? The conversation was equally insightful as it was entertaining, but more than anything, the conversation felt incredibly authentic.

WWE

Once the podcast wrapped, the party cranked up a notch. With Tim Rivera of Subway Mania and Big Swole running the show, fans were treated to rap battles, surprise moments, and a live performance from none other than Queens MC, Action Bronson.

SummerSlam Superstore

Friday morning, the SummerSlam Superstore officially opened its doors at American Dream, but not before Chase Freedom cardholders got in early for some exclusive access. This was the spot to grab all the SummerSlam merch you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Belt collector? They had every title you could imagine. John Cena fan? You could gear up from head to toe — hat, t-shirt, wristbands, even socks.

But it wasn’t just about the shopping. The Meet & Greet Experience brought fans face-to-face with some of WWE’s biggest stars, including Asuka, Jade Cargill, The Dudley Boyz, Tiffany Stratton, The Undertaker, and plenty more. Whether you were hunting for collectibles or just wanted that photo-op with a legend, the Superstore had something for everybody.

Lookalike Contest

On Saturday and Sunday, before fans even stepped into MetLife Stadium, the energy was electric. WWE and Chase Freedom kept the excitement rolling with a Lookalike Contest, where lucky fans won special prizes for their spot-on superstar fit. Saturday’s winner? Little Cody wore a full suit complete with Cody Rhodes’ logo on his tie and the back of his vest. On Sunday, it was all about Seth “Freakin” Rollins, with a fan whose resemblance had the crowd doing a double-take, even down to the voice.

The vibes were sky-high, the fandom was loud, and by the time doors opened, the stage was set — SummerSlam was ready to take over.

A large crowd of fans cheering and holding signs at an outdoor event, with a clear blue sky in the background. — WWE

SummerSlam Saturday

SummerSlam Saturday kicked off with none other than the night’s special guest for the evening, Cardi B. Every match on the card featured a highlight. The show kicked off with The OTC1 (The Original Tribal Chief) teaming up with his uber-popular cousin Jey Uso, defeating the new unstoppable force of Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed, the latter flanked by Roman Reigns’ former wiseman Paul Heyman in a hard-hitting encounter that saw furniture moving and bodies flying.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, noted with a combined 19 Women’s World Championships between them, defeated Judgment Day tag team Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Sami Zayn defeated Karrion Kross, and Tiffany Stratton defeated the powerhouse Jade Cargill to retain her WWE Women’s Championship and extend her reign to over 210 days.

In the spectacles of all spectacles, fan-favorite Randy Orton teamed up with rapper-turned-country star Jelly Roll to battle former heavyweight champion Drew McIntyre and viral sensation Logan Paul. The biggest spot of the match saw Logan Paul ascend to the heavens to Frog Splash Jelly Roll through the announce table. And while he was down but not out, a gutsy comeback from the Nashville star proved to be unsuccessful as Logan Paul splashed him one more time to secure the victory.

The final match of the night featured all the twists and turns of… well, a wrestling match. CM Punk, looking to secure his first World Championship in WWE in over a decade, went face-to-face with “The Ring General” Gunther. The match was a hard-hitting, intense affair featuring spine-rattling power bombs, gut-wrenching suplexes, and much, much more. But after the veteran CM Punk surprised Gunther with a shot that made him bleed, he leveled him and beat him with his finishing move, the GT S back-to-back for the feel-good moment of the night… or so we thought.

Not even five minutes into his victory, CM Punk’s arch-nemesis, Seth Rollins, emerged from behind the curtain onto the stage. A month ago, it was feared that Rollins was injured and out with a “meniscus injury,” but it proved to be all an elaborate ruse. Using his Money in the Bank briefcase, which ensured him a title match at any point, anywhere, Rollins shed his crutches and knee brace and sprinted down the ring to rain on Punk’s parade. Within a matter of seconds, Punk’s night was over, and he was no longer World Heavyweight Champion – Seth Rollins was.

With an ending like that, Triple H only promised one thing at the post-show event on Saturday, “you ain’t seen nothing yet,” and boy was he right.

A group of men posing at an event, some making peace signs, wearing casual clothing and baseball caps, in a dimly lit venue. — WWE
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SummerSlam Sunday

SummerSlam Sunday was noticeably warmer outside, but still nothing was hotter than the action in the ring. A Championship Sunday with all championship matches, I met fans who entered MetLife that night, and by the end of the night, nothing was the same.

In the opening encounter, Naomi, who was played into the stadium by her guitarist father Shawn McCray, retained her Women’s World Heavyweight Championship against two of the greatest in women’s wrestling, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY.

It was followed by another banger. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first TLC match with The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz ringside, the greatest tag teams in the company competed in a Six-Pack TLC match that featured dives through tables, wives crashing through ladders, and a myriad of other things you shouldn’t try at home. The Wyatt Sicks walked away the victors.

Following that, Becky Lynch retained her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Lyra Valkyria in controversial fashion, Solo Sikoa summoned the power of his family to defeat Jacob Fatu in a Steel Cage Match for the United States Championship match, and Domink Mysterio defeated AJ Styles to retain his Intercontinental Championship in an ode to one of the greatest to ever do it, Eddie Guerrero.

The main event of this evening was a rematch of this year’s WrestleMania. In a match that previously saw low blows and platinum rappers interfere, this match was a world of difference. The viral heel turn that broke the internet in February was abolished, and in true Hustle, Loyalty and Respect fashion, the old John Cena was back to face against the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight for the Undisputed Championship.

From the moment the bell rang, the match had a big fight feel. Two heavyweights of their eras are battling as Cena approaches the end of his retirement run. This would undoubtedly be his last SummerSlam as an active competitor, and he went out with a bang. Finishing move after finishing move. The match spilled to the ringside and around the stadium and back. Cody Rhodes gave it everything he had, and after 30+ grueling minutes, he walked out the victor. Regaining the championship he lost at WrestleMania, he shared an emotional moment in the ring in front of the sold-out MetLife Stadium before exiting to leave the legend in the ring.

A large outdoor wrestling event with a packed stadium. A giant screen displays a wrestling match in progress in the ring below. — WWE

But like the previous night, all things aren’t what they seem. A familiar guitar riff ripped throughout MetLife Stadium, and Brock Lesnar emerged for the first time in 2 years and crushed John Cena with an F-5. Shock, awe, and intrigue throughout the arena as the final moments of the show featured another twist in this story known as WWE.

SummerSlam 2025, presented by Chase Freedom—the Official Credit Card of SummerSlam, wasn’t just a weekend — it was an all-out experience that kept fans on their toes from start to finish. And with more events still to come this year, Chase Freedom is making sure you can cash in on every moment.