Night 1 was wildly eventful and if Night 2 tops it, then Sunday’s action will be epic. We didn’t see title changes, but we did see epic returns, heel turns and memorable in-ring moments. Let’s talk wrestling.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Event: WWE SummerSlam 2026, Night 1
- Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
- Stream: ESPN Unlimited
- Start time: 6 p.m. ET
- Matches: Six
- Title changes: None
- Night 2: Sunday, August 2, 6 p.m. ET
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night 1 Full Results
- Oba Femi def. Brock Lesnar in a Hell in a Cell match
- CM Punk def. Cody Rhodes to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship
- Fatal Influence def. Paige and The Bella Twins
- Gunther def. Nick Aldis
- LA Knight, Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys def. The Usos and Jacob Fatu
- Liv Morgan def. Iyo Sky to retain the Women’s World Championship
Who Won the Women’s World Championship Match?
Morgan and Iyo Sky worked a strong match. It was so good, I think this one that deserves a second and third round. In the end, Morgan retained in a clean win. It was a great show of respect for Morgan and what she’s built in WWE over the past five years.
The booking mattered as much as the result. Morgan has spent months answering the criticism that her title reign leans on Judgment Day interference, and WWE gave her the finish without a single outside assist at the 100-day mark of the reign.
What Happened in the Six-Man Tag Match?
The Bloodline didn’t win, but their entrance was the best of the night.
Fade Away Media captured it.
Solo Sikoa might have fully turned face. He had the crowd eating out of his hands as he turned the corner and seems as over as ever.
WWE posted the moment.
LA Knight, Sikoa and Royce Keys took the win over The Usos and Jacob Fatu, and the reaction Sikoa pulled in Minneapolis is the piece worth tracking into Raw.
Did Nick Aldis Beat Gunther?
Nick Aldis didn’t win, but he too was a winner. He put on an outstanding match, was reinstated as SmackDown GM. He also had a killer entrance.
Gunther took the decision in a match built to protect both men, which is the outcome WWE needed if Aldis is going back behind the desk with his in-ring credibility intact.
What Happened in the Six-Woman Tag Match?
The Fatal Influence vs. Bella Twins and Paige was the worst of the night, but there was a heel turn by the Bellas who turned on Paige. I’m not sure anyone cares. We do care about the fact that Brie seemed to suffer an injury.
Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Lainey Reid took the win, extending a run that already includes the Women’s Tag Team Championships and a victory over Brie Bella and Paige at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 18.
Who Won CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes?
Punk-Rhodes was amazing and Randy Orton crashing the party made it all the more awesome. Despite Orton costing Rhodes the title, I didn’t feel cheated.
Punk retained in 29:43, the longest match on the card, with both men working an injury angle from the opening minutes. Orton’s return is the story WWE will build Raw around.
What Happened Inside Hell in a Cell?
Oba Femi beat Brock Lesnar in 11:39, finishing with Fall From Grace after knocking a chair out of Lesnar’s hands. Lesnar had ripped up the mat earlier and dropped Femi with a Tombstone onto exposed hardwood.
This was the first Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam since 2008, and Lesnar’s tenth SummerSlam main event, a company record. Lesnar acknowledged Femi afterward. Femi, mostly speechless, told Jackie Redmond the moment meant the world to him before declaring that the future is him.
What’s Next for Night 2?
Night 2 runs Sunday from the same building at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited. Femi got his coronation and Orton got his return. Sunday has to answer both.