As we head into the final episode of SmackDown before the two-day SummerSlam extravaganza, there appear to be six matches set per night. Here are the matches, what to expect, as well as viewing information for both nights.
WWE SummerSlam 2025 – Night 1 – August 2 at 7pm ET on Peacock
World Heavyweight Championship
Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk
This seems like a great spot for Punk to win his world title. However, I do envision his wife AJ Lee returning to WWE sometime soon. I’m not sure when that will happen, but I’d be shocked if she isn’t a part of a major angle teaming her with Punk against Seth Rollins and his real-life wife Becky Lynch.
As it is, this is Gunther’s second reign as the World Heavyweight Champion and he doesn’t have much else to prove at this point. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him turn face at some point over the next year.
WWE Women’s Championship
Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill
I’m picking Cargill to go over and win her first world title. I also expect Bianca Belair to return to action either on SmackDown or at SummerSlam. No matter when she returns, the potential Bianca-Jade feud is likely coming late in 2025 or early in 2026. Stratton’s title reign has been mid and it’s time to spice up the scene around the title.
Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul
I almost always hate the celebrity match, but there have been a few exceptions. Just about every match Logan Paul has been in has been strong, but we’re doubling up here by adding Jelly Roll. I have all the respect in the world for the work it appears Jelly is putting in, and I acknowledge how good his mic work has been during the build. That said, there’s a lot of work to be done if anyone is going to make him look good in the ring.
Perhaps there will be a massive storyline shift, like an Orton heel turn that adds to the show. That might be quite the wrinkle.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez) (c) vs. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair
I fully expect to see Bliss and Flair win. Teaming with Bliss has put Flair over with the fans again, and she deserves it after a long rehab for her injured knee. For my money, she’s still the greatest women’s wrestler of all time, but Becky Lynch has dramatically closed that gap.
Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
Some are predicting a Jey Uso heel turn here. Perhaps, but there won’t be two huge heel turns on the same day at SummerSlam. And I’d prefer to see Orton flip at this point. As it is, I’m excited to see what kind of show these four men put on, as it is my favorite for match of the night on the first day of SummerSlam.
Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
This could be a huge match for both men. Kross needs something big and memorable in this spot. WWE has placed him in another PLE and he needs an in-ring moment that will make re-signing him a no-brainer.
WWE SummerSlam 2025 – Night 2 – August 3 at 7pm ET on Peacock
Undisputed WWE Championship – Street Fight
John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
There is no doubt in my mind this will be one of the more memorable matches from Cena’s farewell tour. It seems like a match that Rhodes could win, but I almost think it would be better if Rhodes’ next title run comes as a heel. In any case, this one is going to be special. Cena’s character is beginning to soften and it’s been a pleasure to watch the storytelling.
Women’s World Championship – Triple Threat
Naomi (c) vs. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley
The pressure is on Naomi in this one. It’s not about defending the title. The pressure comes from the resurgent veteran being faced with the task of helping Iyo and Rhea deliver a match as good or better than the one the latter two had with Bianca Belair at WrestleMania. If they bring it similarly, we could be looking at another show-stealer.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria
Becky has pulled more out of Lyra than I thought she was ready to deliver at this stage of her career. However, I don’t know if it is time for Lyra to regain her title. The women’s IC belt still needs to be put over a bit more, and Becky is the best person for that task. I’m hoping they have an excellent match that Becky still wins.
United States Championship – Steel Cage Match
Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
I expect this match to be physical but slow-paced. The interference is going to come in some way, but it’ll be interesting to see if anyone besides Jimmy comes to Jacob’s aid when the numbers game swings in Solo’s favor.
Intercontinental Championship
Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
If Dom is going to spend more time with AAA, it would make sense for him to drop the title. That said, Styles doesn’t need it. He’s already been the IC Champion in his career. As his career winds down, the only thing that really makes sense is a World Heavyweight Championship run. That’s not what this is, so I’m a little stumped when it comes to predicting the end of this match.
WWE Tag Team Championship – TLC Match
Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. #DIY vs. Street Profits vs. Fraxiom vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix
It’s a tag team match and those haven’t seen a bunch of love of late in WWE. However, the amount of athleticism and absolute chaos that is possible in this match makes it one of the ones I’m most looking forward to this weekend. Andrade and Rey Fenix or Fraxiom would make great champions. Everyone else in the match has already had their time as champions.
