WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night 1 Recap: Seth Rollins Shocks the World, Punk's Moment Stolen Again

WWE’s second-biggest spectacle of the year kicked off with a bang Saturday night at MetLife Stadium, as SummerSlam 2025 launched its first-ever two-night format. Night 1 delivered dramatic twists, title changes, and celebrity surprises capped by a jaw-dropping Money in the Bank cash-in that flipped the main event on its head.

Main Event Madness: CM Punk Wins...Then Loses the World Heavyweight Championship

After a grueling 30-minute war with Gunther, CM Punk stood tall as the new World Heavyweight Champion but the celebration was heartbreakingly short-lived. As Punk lay exhausted, Seth Rollins’ music hit. Limping onto the stage with crutches and a knee brace, Rollins sold a knee injury masterfully only to toss the crutches, shed the brace, and sprint to the ring.

Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract, and in just moments, pinned Punk to become champion once again. It was a stunning betrayal and a callback to Rollins' earlier theft of Punk’s glory at WrestleMania 41. Rollins now holds WWE Raw’s top title, and Punk is once again left with shattered dreams and unfinished business.

Roman Reigns & Jey Uso Reunite — And Win

The show opened strong with Roman Reigns and Jey Uso teaming up to defeat the powerhouse duo of Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. Reigns showed flashes of leadership, even sacrificing himself at key moments to protect Uso—possibly foreshadowing a new Bloodline or the symbolic passing of the torch via the Ula Fala. With this win, both men look poised to return to title contention, with Reigns potentially targeting Rollins down the line.

Women’s Tag Titles Change Hands

In a much-needed jolt for the division, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss defeated Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez to become the new WWE Women’s Tag-Team Champions. It was a crisp, high-energy match that reminded fans how good the women’s tag division can be when given the right spotlight.Despite the loss, Perez remains a breakout star of 2025, and the ongoing Judgment Day angle—with Liv Morgan's return looming—means her story is far from over.

Jelly Roll Stuns in Celebrity Match of the Year

Most expected a gimmick. What they got was a show-stealing performance.

In a surprise highlight, Jelly Roll, teaming with Randy Orton, took one of the biggest celebrity bumps in WWE history in a losing effort against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. Despite taking the pin, Jelly Roll’s performance silenced critics and raised the bar for crossover stars. Logan Paul continues to be a headline fixture, while McIntyre and Orton remain circling the main-event orbit.

Tiffany Stratton Retains, But Jade Cargill Impresses

In just over seven minutes, Tiffany Stratton retained her WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill. It was brief but impactful. Stratton's undefeated 2025 continues, and Cargill’s raw power again proved she’s not far from championship gold. With challengers like Bianca Belair looming, Stratton's run might soon face its biggest test.

Sami Zayn Ends His Feud with Karrion Kross

Sami Zayn defeated Karrion Kross in a match that felt more like a TV blow-off than a SummerSlam moment. While Zayn shined, the feud seemed to overstay its welcome, and many fans voiced they’d rather have seen Giulia vs. Zelina Vega’s SmackDown U.S. Women’s Title match take this spot. Hopefully, Zayn moves to fresher rivalries heading into the fall.

Final Thoughts:

Night 1 of WWE SummerSlam 2025 was packed with storytelling, swerves, and setup. While the main event may not have been the technical masterpiece fans hoped for, the Rollins cash-in ensured the night ended with a memorable shock. Between Jelly Roll's performance, Bliss & Flair's resurgence, and the Reigns/Uso dynamic, WWE seems committed to building new momentum across all divisions.

Now, all eyes turn to Night 2—with more titles on the line and fallout from Rollins' cash-in sure to dominate the headlines.