Add as a preferred source on Google WWE held the second and final night of SummerSlam yesterday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Despite a few rough patches in the middle of the show, the upward trend, particularly from a creative standpoint, kept the momentum at the same level or even higher than what we saw on Night 1 Saturday.
Below are the grades and reviews for all six matches, focusing on the in-ring performances and storylines.
Sami Zayn vs. Finn Bálor vs. Gunther vs. Kevin Owens (Winner)
WWE opened the second night of SummerSlam by making an immediate impact. Kevin Owens even brought some fans inside the Minneapolis stadium to tears when he made his long-awaited in-ring return after nearly a year and a half during the #1 Contender’s Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
For some inexplicable reason, WWE also added Gunther to the match and handed him another meaningless loss. Once again, the Austrian lost the credibility he gained from a major victory, this time over Nick Aldis, by being part of a defeat that could have involved only Finn Bálor and Sami Zayn.
From a technical standpoint, Fatal 4-Way Matches usually deliver plenty of good spots, but only when they receive enough time, which was not the case yesterday. Given the circumstances, however, Owens and his victory saved the match from receiving a lower grade.
Grade: B
Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachty vs. Baron Corbin (Winner)
Alongside Danhausen vs. Dominik Mysterio, this was one of the weakest matches of the night. I actually liked the result because Trick Williams can now move on to bigger things in WWE, especially with Money in the Bank closer than ever.
Baron Corbin has never been an outstanding in-ring performer, but his current character is definitely better than the last one he had in WWE before his departure.
Using Lil Yachty to “cause” Williams’ loss through an accidental distraction was an effective way to avoid damaging the push the now-former champion will likely receive over the next few weeks.
Grade: C
WWE Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Chelsea Green (Winner) vs. Lash Legend
This was a match where the creative direction far outweighed the in-ring performance. Seeing Chelsea Green win a match of this magnitude at SummerSlam, defeating names such as Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, and others, is not something that happens every day.
Green has undoubtedly been a genuine surprise since returning to WWE. She went from being a heel hated by the crowd to becoming one of the company’s top babyfaces, winning over the fans along the way.
I find it difficult to believe WWE will double down and have her defeat Rhea Ripley in a future title unification match. Green may not even make it to that match as interim champion. Still, history was made yesterday in Minneapolis.
Technically, the match had some good moments, including Tiffany Stratton falling from the top of a ladder onto the other women outside the ring, as well as Lash Legend Powerbombing the Women’s United States Champion onto another ladder, but it could have delivered more.
Grade: C+
AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio vs. Danhausen (Winner)
I understand the mystique and entertainment surrounding Danhausen, and believe me, I have always been a huge fan, dating back to his time in AEW. However, standing across the ring from him was one of WWE’s future top stars in Dominik Mysterio.
WWE still has not decided what to do with Judgment Day. On one night, Liv Morgan defeated IYO SKY in the best match of the event and remained at the top of the women’s division. On the next, Mysterio and JD McDonagh were humiliated by Minihausens in a match with a bizarre stipulation.
To make matters worse, Triplemanía 34, which will be the biggest in the event’s history, will feature the same Mysterio who was humiliated and run out of SummerSlam defending the AAA Mega Championship against El Grande Americano. Go figure…
Grade: D
Penta vs. Chad Gable (Winner)
This would have easily been the best match of the night had Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins not caused a seismic shift in the main event, which I will review next.
Penta and Chad Gable, two of WWE’s best and most technically gifted wrestlers today, delivered a match worthy of the Intercontinental Championship’s history as one of the oldest titles in pro wrestling.
It is crazy to think that Gable needed ten years to become a singles champion. It may prove that wrestlers also need to evolve as characters, as the former Olympian has done over the past few years, instead of relying solely on being excellent in the ring.
Penta should move on to bigger things in WWE from here. Alternatively, to the delight of many fans, he could finally reunite with Rey Fenix and raise the level of the tag team division.
Grade: B+
Roman Reigns (Winner) vs. Seth Rollins
We have reached the masterpiece of the event. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins delivered the best performance across both nights of SummerSlam and perhaps the best WWE match of 2026.
Beyond their perfect in-ring chemistry, Reigns and Rollins took the story much further. From the references to Jon Moxley to the emotional ending with the Shield-style fist bump, they made it clear that The Shield’s story had finally reached its conclusion.
Reigns made his title reign even more impressive with this victory. Bring on Oba Femi. For Rollins, this was the type of loss that elevated him even further because he pushed the reigning champion to his absolute limit.
This work of art unquestionably deserves the first A grade from this humble reviewer.
Grade: A
Event Verdict
Overall, I believe the event only falls short of a B+ because of the match between Danhausen and Dominik Mysterio, along with the lack of intensity in Baron Corbin vs. Trick Williams.
On the other hand, it also avoids receiving an average grade because of the masterpieces in the main events, along with the surprises delivered by Kevin Owens and Chelsea Green.
Across both nights, WWE unquestionably delivered its best event of 2026. Let’s hope the booking remains this strong.
Note: B