SummerSlam is one of WWE’s biggest events of the year and a return to a live crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas made for a solid show. The event featured surprise returns, title changes and, for one wrestler, a homage paid to the past. So, if you missed it, here’s a look at our top moments from the wrestling spectacle.
Becky Lynch and Brock Lesnar return
In a weekend that featured some big-name stars returning to wrestling, WWE had not only one but two surprises planned for fans.
Giving up her Raw women’s title back in May 2020 after announcing her pregnancy, Becky Lynch returned to the ring in a surprise match against Smackdown women’s champion Bianca Belair. In perhaps an even bigger shock, she captured the title in a short 30-second bout.
However, she wasn’t the only one to make a surprise comeback. Former WWE Universal champion Brock Lesnar, showing up with a new facial hair ponytail combo, also made his return by confronting Roman Reigns after he beat John Cena in a title match. It’s the first time Lesnar has been seen in a WWE ring since April 2020 during WrestleMania 36.
Damian Priest continues his ascent in the WWE
The former NXT North American champion shines again. The Archer of Infamy (as he’s known as) defeated Sheamus for the United States Championship in a well-fought and entertaining match at SummerSlam to capture his first major title while on the Raw brand.
It’s nice to see Priest rewarded for his hard work with the company. After all, it was at WrestleMania 37 that he helped put over Bad Bunny for one of the most memorable celebrity appearances in WWE history, so it’s fair to say he deserves this moment.
Even though Priest is 39, it’ll be interesting to see where he goes now that he is US champion.
John Cena’s first singles match in more than a year
If there’s one current wrestler who is synonymous with the WWE, it’s John Cena. The 16-time former WWE champion took on current WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns in the main event, making his return to the ring for a single’s match in more than a year and a half. Although Cena is now 44, he still carries an appeal that makes him worth watching for many fans, as proven by his match with Reigns.
Edge’s throwback to his days in The Brood
Perhaps this is one for older fans of the WWE to appreciate, but Edge had a brilliant entrance ahead of his match against Seth Rollins. As the lights dimmed and the fire pit appeared at Allegiant Stadium, it could only mean one thing: The Brood.
For those who don’t remember, Edge was a member of a gothic-themed wrestling stable in the late- 1990s before breaking out and becoming a superstar on his own. This entrance was a perfect homage to that time in his career.
While walking out to the ring, he stopped and his old theme song was replaced with his current one, in a nice touch as tribute to his impressive career.
