WWE SummerSlam live results: Roman Reigns vs. John Cena
Date: August 21, 2021
Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV
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Show Recap —
KICKOFF SHOW —
Kayla Braxton hosts with Jerry Lawler, Booker T, Kevin Patrick, and Peter Rosenberg. They ran down the card which includes Bianca Belair against Sasha Banks. The pre-show will feature Big E against Baron Corbin.
There were videos for Bobby Lashey vs. Goldberg, Belair vs. Banks, and Edge vs. Seth Rollins. Sonya Deville joined the panel to talk about the Smackdown Women’s title match.
(30 minutes into the pre-show, absolutely nothing has happened.)
The panel discussed the Raw Women’s title match.
The Miz and John Morrison showed up in a truck to the sounds of their horn honking and piped in crowd booing.
Mike Rome introduced the winner of their ring announcer contest, Raine Cruz. She introduced the pre-show match.
Big E defeated Baron Corbin (6:32)
Big E was in control until he missed a splash on the apron. His comeback was cut short after Corbin hit a Deep Six for two. Corbin tried to leave with the briefcase for some reason but Big E tackled him into the barricade. Despite that big spot, Corbin managed to get away by simply following up with a back elbow.
Corbin tried to escape again but Big E hit a spear through the ropes to the outside, followed by a Big Ending in the ring for the pinfall win. The crowd was quiet for most of this but they liked Big E and popped for the win.
Logan Paul was shown in the crowd.
There was a video for Roman Reigns vs. John Cena.
SUMMERSLAM MAIN SHOW —
Riddle & Randy Orton defeated AJ Styles & Omos to win the Raw Tag Team Championships (7:06)
The heels worked over Riddle until he ran up the turnbuckles and nailed Omos with a knee strike before fighting off Styles to tag Orton. Orton gave Styles a draping DDT and set up for the RKO but Omos pulled Styles from the ring. Riddle tried going after Omos but Omos caught him and slammed him on the apron.
Riddle managed to push Omos into the post but Styles took out Riddle with a reverse DDT on the outside (which looked awesome). Styles and Orton had a brief exchange until Orton hit an RKO for the pinfall win. RK-Bro are the new tag champs.
This was short and they kept it simple, so there wasn’t much to it until the final few moments. The crowd popped big for the win. Orton was happy to pose with Riddle after the match.
Alexa Bliss defeated Eva Marie (w/Doudrop) (3:49)
After a brief “we want Wyatt” chant, the crowd booed when Marie went after the doll. They also booed when she slapped it (and not because they felt bad for the doll). Marie got a “nearfall” after Bliss missed a Twisted Bliss. Bliss followed soon after with a DDT for the pinfall win.
Doudrop was amused that Marie lost. Doudrop grabbed the mic and announced Marie as the loser. She mocked Marie and walked off in her robe.
(There were two commercials after the first match and two more commercials after this match.)
Mario Lopez interviewed Riddle and Orton in the back. Orton said it would be smooth sailing for them from here on out. After Orton left, Riddle claimed that he was Orton’s new best friend. Riddle had a surprise for Orton on Raw. (Lopez was good here because he didn’t act like everyone else.)
Damian Priest defeated Sheamus to win the United States Championship (13:56)
Priest took out Sheamus with a dive fairly early in the match but landed awkwardly. He might’ve hurt his lower back, or he just sold it well.
Sheamus blocked a spinning kick attempt and drove Priest into the post. Sheamus had control for a while until Priest came back with a DDT. Priest followed with a spinning heel kick off the top for two. Sheamus used a rolling senton and went to the top. Priest tried to block but Sheamus yanked him over the top before hitting a flying clothesline and Alabama Slam for two.
Sheamus headbutted Priest with his metal mask and went for the Brogue Kick but Priest countered with a jumping kick and sit-out chokeslam for two. Priest tried a springboard move but Sheamus caught him with a knee strike for a nearfall.
Sheamus applied a heel hook but Priest sat up, yanked Sheamus’ mask off and hammered away at him. Priest followed with a spinning heel kick and Reckoning for the pinfall win. Priest is the new US champ.
The crowd was quiet at the beginning but this was a pretty good match (except for a lull during the heat) and they got into it towards the end.
(There were two more commercials, including one for the new video game.)
The Usos defeated Dominick & Rey Mysterio to retain the Smackdown Tag Team Championships (10:50)
The Mysterios took out the Usos with dives early on and Dominik followed with the Three Amigos on Jimmy which drew an “Eddie” chant. However, Jey had made a blind tag and he shoved Dominik off the turnbuckles to the barricade to take control.
Dominik fought back and made the hot tag to Rey who gave Jimmy a DDT for two. Jimmy came back with a superkick for two. Rey tried a springboard move but Jey superkicked him and hit an Uso splash for a nearfall. Dominik went after Jey but Jey dropped him on the apron.
Jimmy missed a splash and Rey followed with a 619. Rey tried a frog splash but Jimmy got his knees up and hit a superkick. Jey tagged in and they each hit superkicks. Jey hit a splash to Rey’s back for the pinfall win. Usos retained.
I’m not sure this was intentional but the story of the match was that Dominik did nothing.
(I’ll stop mentioning this now, but there were two more commercials again after this match.)
Tiffany Haddish interviewed Priest. He was happy to have beaten a bully and was proud to be the new US champ.
Rick Boogs gave us a musical interlude. As in, he introduced Shinsuke Nakamura who pranced out to pose with his IC title at the announce desk as Pat McAfee danced along with them.
****BECKY LYNCH RETURNS
Belair entered for her match against Sasha Banks. Greg Hamilton matter-of-factly announced that Sasha Banks was unable to compete tonight, so Belair’s opponent tonight would be Carmella. The crowd was displeased and McAfee pointed that out. Belair was disappointed and said she would get Banks one day soon.
Before the match could start, Becky Lynch’s music hit and the crowd erupted. Lynch entered in her gear. Lynch hit the ring and the crowd loudly chanted for her. Lynch attacked Carmella and easily chucked her out of the ring. Lynch faced off with Belair and the crowd cheered.
Lynch grabbed a mic and said she and Belair should blow the roof off this joint. Belair accepted.
Becky Lynch defeated Bianca Belair to win the Smackdown Women’s Championship (0:25)
Lynch offered a handshake but as soon as Belair shook her hand, Lynch clocked her and hit a Manhandle Slam (Uranage) for the quick pinfall win. Lynch is the new champ.
They let Lynch celebrate for a while with her music playing. The crowd was happy but the follow-up will obviously be important. Belair looked disappointed.
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They introduced Tamyra Mensah-Stock and Gable Steveson who entered down the aisle. Mensah-Stock was pumped and didn’t waste time getting down the aisle. They entered the ring and the crowd gave them an ovation. This was nice.
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Drew McIntyre defeated Jinder Mahal (4:33)
Byron Saxton said Mahal wanted to do this on his own which is why Veer and Shanky weren’t with him but Corey Graves had to remind him of McIntyre’s win on Monday that led to them being barred from ringside.
Mahal was briefly in control until McIntyre hit four consecutive overhead suplexes followed by a Claymore Kick for the pinfall win. The crowd wasn’t into this.
Veer and Shanky entered to help Mahal out of the ring. As they left, McIntyre took a swing with his sword but obviously missed.
Triple Threat match: Charlotte Flair defeated Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley to win the Raw Women’s Championship (13:04)
I think they added fake cheering to Nikki’s entrance. She received a mixed reaction during the in-ring introductions. She took her time handing the title belt to the referee.
This was a fast-paced match with all three women trading a lot of moves. There was a big spot early where Charlotte had Nikki in her arms for a fallaway slam but Ripley grabbed Charlotte and brought them both down with a German suplex. As Ripley and Charlotte fought on the outside, Nikki wiped them out with a flying crossbody.
Ripley and Nikki had Charlotte up for a delayed vertical suplex but Charlotte countered and brought them down with a double DDT (which looked kind of silly). With Nikki and Ripley on the outside, Charlotte knocked them down with a twisting dive. Nikki seemed to get the worst of this.
Ripley put Nikki in a standing cloverleaf. Charlotte tried a big boot but Ripley ducked and put her in the cloverleaf. Charlotte countered and applied a Figure Eight but Nikki flew off the top to break it up. Nikki gave Charlotte a swinging neckbreaker but Ripley broke up the cover.
Nikki reversed a Riptide into a DDT but Ripley fell to the outside. Nikki tried a flying crossbody but Charlotte simply side-stepped it and applied the Figure Eight for the submission win. Charlotte is the new champ.
Edge defeated Seth Rollins (21:15)
Rollins entered first. The Brood’s music hit and Edge rose up through the stage. Edge paused halfway down the aisle, the lights went out and his Alter Bridge music hit with smoke effects.
Edge was in control early until Rollins drove him into the post before smashing his head/neck into the steel steps. Rollins continued to target the neck by hitting a neckbreaker in the ring. Rollins hit a slingblade and set up for the stomp but Edge rolled the corner. Rollins remained in control and hit a flying knee (a glancing blow according to Michael Cole).
Edge came back with a flapjack but Rollins knocked him off the turnbuckles and hit a frog splash for two. Rollins again set up for the stomp but Edge again rolled to the corner. They battled for position until Edge nailed a swinging neckbreaker off the top. The crowd gave them a round of applause.
Edge hit a clothesline, big boot and Edgecution DDT for two, followed by an Edge-o-matic for two. Rollins came back with a superplex into a Falcon Arrow for two. Edge avoided a curb stomp and reversed a Pedigree into a Glam Slam for two.
Edge went after Rollins but Rollins dropped him with a neckbreaker on the ropes. Rollins went for a stomp on the apron but Edge avoided it and speared Rollins to the outside (the Big E spot). Edge drove Rollins into the side of the ring and covered him for two.
Edge (slowly) went for a spear but Rollins caught him in a Pedigree for a nearfall. Rollins tried a corkscrew splash but Edge dodged and hit a spear for a nearfall. The crowd chanted “this is awesome.”
Edge tried for an Unprettier/Killswitch but Rollins slipped out and clocked him in the neck before hitting a thrust kick. Rollins went for a stomp but Edge grabbed his foot and applied an Edgecator. Rollins countered but Edge caught him in a crossface. Rollins tried to fight out but Edge responded by smashing Rollins face against the mat repeatedly.
Edge reapplied the crossface and Rollins tapped out. Edge wins. This was quite good and I really liked the finish.
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They announced an attendance number of 51,326.
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John Morrison and the Miz were in the ring (at 10:58pm). Miz wanted Morrison to bring out the drip stick 2000 but Morrison thought Miz had it. They argued until they were interrupted by Xavier Woods, dressed as Wolfpac Scott Hall. Woods had a water jug on his back attached to a water gun.
Woods made a few Scott Hall references but the crowd either didn’t get it or didn’t care. He soaked Miz and Morrison to complete silence from the crowd. The New Day always gets a reaction so it’s impressive they did something so dumb that Woods completely died in front of this crowd.
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WWE Championship match: Bobby Lashley (w/MVP) vs. Goldberg ended via ref stoppage (7:12)
This was awful.
Lashley went for a running shoulder tackle but Goldberg didn’t budge. Goldberg knocked down Lashley with a running shoulder tackle and hit a couple of body slams. The crowd lightly booed as Goldberg posed. Lashley fought back and set up for a jackhammer. Goldberg blocked but Lashley hit a flatliner. Lashley went to the top but Goldberg threw him down.
Goldberg set up for a spear as the crowd booed but MVP pulled Lashley out of the ring. The crowd chanted for MVP for that. Goldberg speared Lashley on the outside. Lashley rolled to the outside and MVP clocked Goldberg in the knee with the ref distracted. Lashley attacked Goldberg’s leg and went for the Hurt Lock but Goldberg powered out.
Lashley chop blocked Goldberg and he rolled to the outside while selling his leg. Lashley hoisted him up and drove him leg-first into the post. Lashley did it again and pushed him in the ring to set up for a spear.
Goldberg went down while selling his leg as the crowd booed. Goldberg tried getting up but he couldn’t so the ref called for the bell. That was that.
Lashley grabbed a chair and attacked Goldberg’s leg. Gage tried to help but Lashley quickly put him out with the Hurt Lock.
MVP grabbed the mic and tried to claim that Lashley didn’t know it was Goldberg’s son who went after him. MVP announced Lashley as the winner as he posed with the belt. Goldberg checked on Gage. Goldberg looked up at Lashley and yelled, “I’m gonna kill you.”
The crowd really didn’t want Goldberg to win the title. That had more to do with Goldberg than Lashley.
Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated John Cena to retain the Universal Championship (22:59)
Reigns easily took control and deliberately worked over Cena for a while. He even took the time to pose with his title belt on the steel steps. Reigns was taking things a bit too casually so Cena hoisted him up for an AA but Reigns countered into a DDT for two. Reigns stared at the camera and apologized to Hollywood for beating up their guy.
Cena tried mounting a comeback but Reigns cut him off with a right hand. Cena tried a rollup (for at least the third time) but Reigns quickly kicked out and applied a sleeper.
Cena broke it by driving Reigns into the corner. Cena followed with a clothesline and two shoulder tackles. Cena did the “you can’t see me” taunt but Reigns caught him in a guillotine. Cena flipped into a cover but Reigns kicked out and hit a superman punch. Cena countered a spear by kicking Reigns in the head before hitting the five knuckle shuffle.
Cena hit an AA for a nearfall. Cena applied an STF but Reigns got a rope break. Reigns followed with a drive-by dropkick. Reigns went after him on the outside but Cena grabbed him and hit an AA through the announce table. Cena quickly got Reigns back in the ring for a cover but he kicked out. Cena went for a diving leg drop but Reigns countered into a powerbomb for two.
Cena ducked a superman punch and used a schoolboy for two. Reigns slipped out of another AA attempt and hit a superman punch for two. Reigns went for a spear but Cena dodged and Reigns went shoulder-first into the post.
Cena pulled Reigns to the top and hit an AA off the middle rope for a close nearfall. The crowd chanted “this is awesome.” Cena did Reigns’ pose and went for a spear but Reigns kicked him. They traded right hands until Reigns hit consecutive superman punches.
Reigns yelled “I am WWE” and set up for a spear. Reigns hit the spear for the pinfall win.
This was a strong main event.
***BROCK LESNAR RETURNS
As Reigns posed, Brock Lesnar’s music hit and the crowd went nuts.
Lesnar marched out in jeans and a black tank top. Lesnar got in Reigns’ face until Reigns backed off and left the ring. (Heyman left with Reigns.)
Lesnar chuckled and posed to the crowd as the show ended.