SummerSlam (2021)

SummerSlam is an annual pay-per-view (PPV) and WWE Network event, produced every August by WWE since 1988. Dubbed "The Biggest Party of the Summer,"[3] it is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along with WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series, referred to as the "Big Four".[4] It has since become considered WWE's second biggest event of the year behind WrestleMania.[5][6] The 2021 event was the 34th event in the SummerSlam chronology and featured wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands.[7] WWE planned for SummerSlam 2021 to be more grandiose than April's WrestleMania 37 event, mostly because the latter had to be held at a reduced venue capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[8] with the company going as far as to promote SummerSlam as their "biggest event of 2021".[9]

On May 28, 2021, WWE announced that SummerSlam would take place live on Saturday, August 21, marking the first SummerSlam to be held on a Saturday since the 1992 event (which was pre-taped on a Saturday and aired on tape delay on a Monday), as well as the first SummerSlam to not be held on a Sunday since the 1994 event, which took place on a Monday.[10] During the 2021 Belmont Stakes' pre-race show on June 5, the Allegiant Stadium in the Las Vegas district of Paradise, Nevada was confirmed as the host venue for SummerSlam.[11] While WWE typically hosts PPVs on a Sunday night, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that it was the Allegiant Stadium that wanted SummerSlam held on a Saturday.[12] This marked the second SummerSlam to be held in a football stadium, with the foremost being the 1992 event at Wembley Stadium in Wembley, London, England, but the first to be held in a National Football League stadium in the United States.[13] Travel packages became available on June 11 while individual tickets went on sale on June 18.[14] In addition to traditional PPV and the WWE Network in other countries, it was the first SummerSlam to air on Peacock in the United States after the American version of the WWE Network merged under Peacock in March.[15] SummerSlam also aired in movie theaters across the United States, thus marking WWE's first pay-per-view event to air in theaters in the country.[16]

As part of SummerSlam Week, WWE held a multi-day tryout in the Las Vegas area to sign new wrestlers to developmental contracts.[17] Additionally, following John Cena's return to WWE at the previous PPV, Money in the Bank, the company began a tour titled the "Summer of Cena." The tour had Cena appearing on Raw, SmackDown, and at WWE Live events in the weeks leading up to and including SummerSlam.[18] WWE also partnered with TikTok to host a contest to select one guest ring announcer for SummerSlam.[19] Music producer and disc jockey Valentino Khan opened the event with a musical performance.[9] Following the event, actress, comedian, and author Tiffany Haddish hosted the official SummerSlam afterparty; additionally, WWE made a donation in support of her foster care charity, the She Ready Foundation.[20]

SummerSlam was held on the same night as the Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugás boxing match, which took place at the nearby T-Mobile Arena.[21][22] WWE planned for SummerSlam to end before the card's main event, so that those attending in-person would have enough time to travel from Allegiant Stadium to T-Mobile Arena in time for the fight, and to avoid counterprogramming for PPV watchers who ordered both shows.[23] SummerSlam ended just as Pacquiao made his entrance.[24]

With COVID-19 cases declining due to vaccinations in the United States and most establishments lifting pandemic protocols, WWE resumed live touring in mid-July, running shows at full venue capacity.[25] Shortly after, however, COVID-19 cases began rising again due to the emergence of the Delta variant of the virus. On August 4, the Allegiant Stadium and Ticketmaster released official statements that all attendees of SummerSlam, regardless of vaccination status, would be required to wear masks during the event.[26][27]

The event comprised eleven matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. The matches resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,[28][29] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.[30]

Following Roman Reigns' successful defense of the Universal Championship at Money in the Bank, he declared that everyone could now acknowledge him. John Cena then made a surprise return to WWE, marking his first appearance with the company since WrestleMania 36 in April 2020, where he had a brief stare down with Reigns before performing his signature "You Can't See Me" taunt at Reigns.[31] Instead of waiting until SmackDown, Cena appeared on Raw the next night to explain himself, declaring that he wanted to put Reigns in his place. He then officially challenged Reigns for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam.[32] On SmackDown, Cena appeared to confront Reigns, however, Reigns rejected the challenge and instead accepted a challenge from Finn Bálor, who himself had returned to SmackDown the previous week.[33] During the contract signing the following week, Reigns signed the contract first, however, as Bálor attempted his signature, he was attacked by Baron Corbin, who instead tried to sign it. Cena then came out, attacked Corbin, and signed the contract himself, thus booking Reigns to defend the Universal Championship against Cena at SummerSlam.[34] After getting into a heated promo on the SmackDown the night before SummerSlam, Reigns said he would leave WWE if he could not defeat Cena.[35]

At Money in the Bank, Nikki A.S.H. won the women's Money in the Bank ladder match, earning a contract for a women's championship match of her choice at anytime of her choosing, while later that night, Charlotte Flair defeated Rhea Ripley to win the Raw Women's Championship.[31] The following night on Raw, Flair defended the title against Ripley in a rematch; however, Flair was disqualified after striking Ripley with the title belt, thus Ripley won the match but not the championship. Ripley and Flair then brawled and Ripley performed the Riptide on Flair at ringside. Nikki then ran out and cashed in her Money in the Bank contract on Flair to win the Raw Women's Championship.[32] The following week, Flair and Ripley staked their claims to challenge Nikki for the title at SummerSlam. WWE officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville resolved the matter by scheduling Nikki to defend the championship against Flair and Ripley in a triple threat match at the event.[36]

Following his dominant victory at Money in the Bank,[31] Bobby Lashley (accompanied by MVP) held an open challenge for the WWE Championship on the following night's episode of Raw. The challenge was accepted by a returning Keith Lee, who had been inactive due to health issues since February. After Lashley defeated Lee, Lashley and MVP were confronted by WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg, appearing for the first time since the Royal Rumble in January. Goldberg proclaimed that he would be Lashley's next challenger for the title.[32] The following week, however, Lashley rejected Goldberg's challenge.[36] On the August 2 episode, Goldberg appeared and confronted the champion face-to-face, stating that he would defeat Lashley for the title. The match was subsequently confirmed for SummerSlam.[37]

After Edge was granted a Universal Championship match at Money in the Bank, Seth Rollins took issue with this decision, feeling that he deserved the opportunity. At the event, Rollins cost Edge the championship and following the match, the two brawled into the crowd.[31] On the following episode of SmackDown, Edge called out Rollins and stated that their issues date back to December 2014 when Rollins had attempted to injure Edge's surgically repaired neck and definitively put an end to his career. Rollins then came out and claimed he despised older wrestlers like Edge and John Cena for coming back and taking opportunities from the current wrestlers who earned them. A brawl then ensued.[33] The following week, Rollins attacked Edge during his entrance and declared that if he cannot be Universal Champion, then neither can Edge.[34] On the August 6 episode, Edge challenged Rollins to a match at SummerSlam which Rollins accepted.[38]

On the July 5 episode of Raw, Drew McIntyre faced and defeated his old 3MB stablemate Jinder Mahal (accompanied by Shanky and Veer) after Mahal felt that McIntyre had cost him an opportunity to compete in the men's Money in the Bank ladder match. Following the match, Mahal, Shanky, and Veer attacked McIntyre and stole McIntyre's family sword that he uses for his entrance theatrics.[39] The following week, Mahal, Shanky, and Veer dismantled the sword only for McIntyre to reveal that it was a replica. McIntyre then proceeded to dismantle Mahal's motorcycle.[40] At Money in the Bank, Mahal, Shanky, and Veer cost McIntyre the men's Money in the Bank ladder match.[31] On the following night's episode of Raw, Mahal, Shanky, and Veer gloated about costing McIntyre the match only for McIntyre to attack all three with a steel chair.[32] McIntyre would then defeat Shanky and Veer in matches over the next couple of weeks.[36][37] On August 13, a match between McIntyre and Mahal was scheduled for SummerSlam.[41] On the August 16 episode of Raw, McIntyre defeated Shanky and Veer in a handicap match, thus banning the two from ringside at SummerSlam.[42]

On Night 1 of WrestleMania 37, Bianca Belair defeated Sasha Banks to win the SmackDown Women's Championship.[43] On the July 30 episode of SmackDown, both Carmella and Zelina Vega staked their claims to challenge Belair for the title. The two then attacked Belair, who was saved by Banks, making her first appearance since the SmackDown after WrestleMania. Banks and Belair then teamed up and defeated Carmella and Vega in a tag team match. Following the match, however, Banks ambushed Belair from behind, thereby turning heel in the process.[34] The subsequent week, Banks challenged Belair to a match for the title at SummerSlam, which Belair accepted.[38]

During the SummerSlam Kickoff pre-show, Big E faced Baron Corbin. In the end, as Corbin tried to leave the match with Big E's Money in the Bank briefcase, Big E tackled Corbin into the barricade. Big E performed the Big Ending on Corbin to win the match and regain possession of his Money in the Bank contract.[44]

The actual pay-per-view opened with AJ Styles and Omos defending the Raw Tag Team Championship against RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle). In the end, Orton performed the RKO on Styles to win the title.[1]

Next, Alexa Bliss took on Eva Marie (accompanied by Doudrop). Before the match began, Bliss placed Lilly (a scary looking doll which is part of Bliss' gimmick) atop a turnbuckle. Marie taunted Bliss by taking the doll and slapping it which enraged Bliss. As Bliss attempted Twisted Bliss on Marie, Marie moved out of the way. In the end, Bliss performed a DDT on Marie to win the match. Following the match, Doudrop announced Marie as the loser of the match and proceeded to wear Marie's robe.[1]

After that, Sheamus defended the United States Championship against Damian Priest. In the closing moments of the match, as Sheamus applied a Leg Lock on Priest, Priest grabbed and removed Sheamus' protective face mask (as Sheamus had broken his nose a few weeks prior). As Sheamus attempted a Brogue Kick, Priest performed a Spinning Kick and the Reckoning on Sheamus to win the title.[1]

In the fourth match, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio. In the end, after an evenly competitive match, The Usos performed a Double Superkick on Rey and Jimmy performed a Superfly Splash on Rey to retain the title.[1]

Following this, a brief segment then occurred with Rick Boogs playing the entrance theme of Intercontinental Champion King Nakamura to the ring. Nakamura eventually made his entrance alongside Boogs, where they danced alongside SmackDown commentator Pat McAfee.[1]

Next, Bianca Belair was scheduled to defend the SmackDown Women's Championship against Sasha Banks. However, it was announced that Banks was not cleared to compete and would be replaced by Carmella. Before the match began, Becky Lynch (in her first appearance since the Raw after Money in the Bank in May 2020) returned from her maternity leave and attacked Carmella. Lynch then challenged Belair for the title, which Belair accepted. As Lynch offered a handshake to which Belair accepted, Lynch struck Belair with a forearm and performed the Manhandle Slam to win the title in 26 seconds.[1]

Following this, a brief segment then occurred where U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists (in wrestling), Tamyra Mensah-Stock and Gable Steveson, came out where the crowd acknowledged them by cheering while the two Olympians proudly displayed their respective medals.[1][45][46][47]

In the sixth match, Drew McIntyre took on Jinder Mahal in which Mahal's teammates Shanky and Veer were banned from ringside. In the end, McIntyre performed the Future Shock DDT and the Claymore Kick on Mahal to win the match. Afterwards, Veer and Shanky came out to check on Mahal and McIntyre chased all three of them off with his sword.[1]

Next, Nikki A.S.H. defended the Raw Women's Championship in a triple threat match against Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair. At the start, Flair shoved Nikki. Both Nikki and Flair countered the Riptide from Ripley. Nikki performed a Crossbody off the top rope onto Ripley and Flair who were outside the ring. Flair countered a Double Suplex into a Double DDT on Ripley and Nikki. Flair then performed a Moonsault on Ripley and Nikki off the top rope. As Flair applied the Figure Eight on Ripley, Nikki performed a Splash to avoid the submission. In the end, after moving out of the way of a Splash from Nikki, Flair forced Nikki to submit to the Figure Eight to win her record sixth Raw Women's Championship, making her 14th overall singles title in WWE, and her 15th title overall, although WWE has promoted it as her 12th singles title, not counting her two NXT Women's Championship reigns.[1]

In the eighth match, Edge took on Seth Rollins. Edge reenacted The Brood's entrance (a group Edge was once a member of earlier in his WWE career in 1998–1999) before coming to the ring to his regular entrance. Rollins began to target the surgically repaired neck of Edge by slamming it into the steel steps. Rollins performed a Frog Splash on Edge for a nearfall. Edge performed a Swinging Neckbreaker from the top rope on Rollins. As Edge went back to the top rope, Rollins performed a Superplex and a Falcon Arrow on Edge for a nearfall. Edge countered The Stomp and a Pedigree from Rollins and performed a Glam Slam for a nearfall. As Rollins went for The Stomp on the apron, Edge countered and performed a Spear on Rollins sending both of them out of the ring. Rollins countered a Spear attempt by Edge into a Pedigree for another nearfall. Edge performed a Corkscrew Moonsault and a Spear on Rollins for a nearfall. In the end, Edge countered The Stomp again and locked in an Edgecator and a Crossface. Edge rammed Rollins' head into the ring mat several times and locked in a Bulldog Choke, submitting Rollins to win the match.[1]

After that, John Morrison and The Miz came to the ring to reveal their surprise, the Drip Stick 2000. The New Day's Xavier Woods came out with the device and sprayed Miz and Morrison out of the ring.[1]

In the penultimate match, Bobby Lashley (accompanied by MVP) defended the WWE Championship against Goldberg. Goldberg performed a Spear on Lashley outside the ring. As Lashley rolled out the ring to recover, MVP struck Goldberg's knee with his cane. Lashley attacked the injured knee with multiple chop blocks and rammed it into the ring post. Goldberg was unable to continue, resulting in the referee calling the match, thus Lashley retained the title. Afterwards, Lashley attacked Goldberg's knee with a steel chair. Following the match, Goldberg's 15-year-old son, Gage, came to his father's aid only for Lashley to apply the Hurt Lock on Gage.[1]

In the main event, Roman Reigns (accompanied by Paul Heyman) defended the Universal Championship against John Cena with a stipulation that Reigns would leave WWE if he lost. Cena started with Roll-Up and Inside Cradle pin attempts. Reigns countered the Attitude Adjustment into a DDT for a nearfall. Reigns locked in a Guillotine Choke, however, Cena escaped. As Reigns attempted a Spear, Cena countered with a kick and a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on Reigns for a nearfall. As Cena applied the STF, Reigns reached the rope to void the submission. Cena performed a second Attitude Adjustment on Reigns through the announce table, after which, Cena rolled Reigns back in the ring for a nearfall. As Cena attempted another Attitude Adjustment, Reigns performed a Superman Punch for a nearfall. Reigns attempted another Spear on Cena, however, Cena moved out of the way and Reigns rammed into the ring post. Cena performed a Super Attitude Adjustment off the top rope for a nearfall. In the end, as Cena taunted Reigns and attempted his own Spear, Reigns performed the Superman Punch twice and a Spear on Cena to retain the title and stay in WWE. Following the match, Brock Lesnar returned for the first time since WrestleMania 36 and confronted Reigns much to Heyman's surprise. After a stare down, Reigns left the ring as the crowd cheered Lesnar to end the event.[1] After the event went off the air, Lesnar executed multiple German suplexes and an F-5 on Cena, reminiscent of their match from SummerSlam in 2014.[48]

After SummerSlam, Goldberg was off television for the next month due to his (kayfabe) knee injury while Bobby Lashley lost the WWE Championship to Big E in the latter's Money in the Bank cash-in match.[50] Goldberg returned on the October 4 episode of Raw and proclaimed that he would kill Lashley for what he did to his son. Lashley stated that his attack on Gage was a misunderstanding, which Goldberg refused to believe. Lashley then stated he would face Goldberg at Crown Jewel on the condition that the match was a No Holds Barred match, which Goldberg gladly accepted.[51]

On the August 30 episode of Raw, new United States Champion Damian Priest defended the title against Sheamus and Drew McIntyre in a triple threat match where Priest retained.[52] On the following episode, Sheamus defeated McIntyre to earn a rematch against Priest at Extreme Rules.[53] On the September 20 episode, Jeff Hardy defeated Sheamus to earn a spot in the title match at Extreme Rules, thus making it a triple threat match.[54]

On September 4, following his appearance at SummerSlam, it was announced that U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson had reportedly signed a contract with WWE.[55] Five days later, WWE confirmed they had signed Steveson to a Next In Line (NIL) deal.[56] As part of the 2021 WWE Draft in October, Steveson was drafted to the Raw brand.[51]

On the September 10 episode of SmackDown, Brock Lesnar again appeared to confront Roman Reigns and claimed that his former advocate, Paul Heyman, who had been serving as Reigns' special counsel since August 2020, knew Lesnar would be at SummerSlam in an attempt to cause dissension between Reigns and Heyman. Lesnar then challenged Heyman to accept a match against Reigns for the Universal Championship.[57] On September 16, WWE announced that the match would occur at Crown Jewel.[58] Before that, however, Finn Bálor received his promised championship match against Reigns at Extreme Rules where Reigns defeated Bálor, who had competed in his "Demon" persona, to testing the title.[59]

On the first SmackDown after SummerSlam, Bianca Belair challenged Becky Lynch to a rematch for the SmackDown Women's Championship, however, Lynch refused. Belair then won a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender.[60] After Lynch refused to defend her title the next week, stating she would defend the title when she was ready, WWE officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville scheduled Lynch to defend the title against Belair at Extreme Rules.[61] At that event, Sasha Banks made her return, and attacked both Belair and Lynch, thus the match was ruled a no contest.[59] A triple threat match between the three for the SmackDown Women's Championship was scheduled for Crown Jewel.[62]

Unsatisfied with his loss to Edge, Seth Rollins challenged Edge to a rematch that occurred on the September 10 episode of SmackDown that Rollins won.[57] Rollins was still unsatisfied, however, as he was offended that Edge had called him "Edge Lite" and that Edge did not announce his retirement. After Rollins made it more personal by breaking into Edge's home,[62] Edge challenged Rollins to a Hell in a Cell match, which was scheduled for Crown Jewel.[63]