The first two-day SummerSlam is in the books, and there were some stellar matches while there were others that fell flat.
Big expectations were set on SummerSlam 2025, and it proved to be an unpredictable weekend of wrestling in New Jersey.
The first two-day edition of WWE's premier summer event had 12 matches, and the bigger card allowed for some craziness inside MetLife Stadium. Night 1 of SummerSlam was highlighted by the shocking cash-in of Seth Rollins, while the second day featured Cody Rhodes defeating John Cena in a thriller.
There were plenty of great matches and moments from the event, but there were also some bouts that either fell flat or were confusing.
Which ones were some of the best of 2025? And which ones we'll be hoping to forget soon? Here is every SummerSlam 2025 match ranked from worst to best:
12. Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
Kross has deserved a push given a rise in his popularity, and he lost to Zayn again in a match that encapsulated how most of the story had gone: underwhelming. There were plenty of avenues it could have gone but nothing really ever clicked. Zayn contemplating using the steel pipe was the only notable moment, and even that wasn't much. It's tough to argue how it benefited both sides.
11. Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill
A match that had the potential to be a clinic in athleticism fell way short. Cargill had been pushed heavy and this was her chance to prove that she's ready to be main event talent. Instead, it was a battle that felt extremely rushed with no real flow. It was a sudden end that left a sour taste in the mouth. It seems like Cargill isn't ready yet for the stage yet, which is unfortunate that it got shown in a major premium live event.
10. Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu
There was so much anticipating seeing what Fatu could do inside a steel cage. It ended up with a feeling like we didn't get see that potential fully unleashed, and it actually set the fued between the family back given it ended in the same fashion the previous ones had. It's a shame we didn't see Fatu do anything spectacular until after the match, almost teasing fans.
9. Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles
Given the comedic build-up to this match, this one had to have some fun, and it did. It was intriguing to see a seasoned veteran like Styles face Mysterio, and their chemistry was very evident. The nods to Eddie Guerrero, from the gear to the lie, cheat and steal attempts were great touches to the match, and Mysterio paid the ultimate tribute in how he unzipped his boots to pave the way for victory.
8. Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton and Jelly Roll
To be fair, the expectations were low for this match. No one really knew how Jelly Roll was going to perform, and whether he'd be able to hang around. To his credit, he not only did that, but did something few celebrities do in taking major bumps. Go ahead and find a celebrity willing to take that monster leap from Paul onto the announcer's table. It was entertaining and did its job.
7. Roman Reigns and Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed
A great choice to kick off the weekend, this tag-team bout had a mix of veteran stars and the future of the business. Whether it was Breakker and Reed showcasing their impressive power or the veterans feeding into the hyped crowd, they all had a chance to shine, but Reigns' performance really stood out. He was heavily involved in the ring and we saw some moves we hadn't seen from him in some time.
6. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez
See what happens when the women's tag team division has storytelling? The Bliss and Flair partnership brought new life to their careers and the division, and the unusual pairing has really clicked with fans. The whole time, people wondered if it actually would work or whether it was going to turn sour. The stare Flair and Bliss was intense and had fans on the edge of their seats. The payoff worked and brought life back into the titles.
5. Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria
These two have put on absolute clincs the first couple of matchups, and they made sure to show out in their last one for now. This was a pure no disqualification match with no weapon spared from being used. The heat in the ring felt real and seeing these two go at it has been a treat for wrestling fans. What really helped is letting the fight have its time, never rushing to a sudden end that would ruin this great battle. Even if the crowd didn't seem fully interested, it was one of the best matches of the weekend.
4. Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky
We knew Ripley and Sky would deliver. Would it work with Naomi? While it wasn't the WrestleMania 41 or Evolution matches, this bout was another excellent display of talent from the top names of the women's division. Ripley and Sky were going to have their moments, but Naomi really showed she deserves to be champion, having her moments that make her a top talent. It's always going to be captivating when any of these stars are in the ring.
3. Six-team tables, ladders and chairs match for WWE Tag Team Championship
Pure chaos = pure gold. Every team showed why they should've been in the WrestleMania card by putting on the tag team performance for the ages. The absolute lengths everyone went to deliver stunning moments and brutal spots showed how deep and talented the tag team division is, and everyone involved deserves their flowers for captivating having fans stunned from start to finish.
2. CM Punk vs. Gunther, Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk
The main event match of Night 1 was pure wrestling, a masterclass in how to bring out the best of both Gunther and CM Punk. "The Ring General" had his dominant moments while CM Punk not only hung around, but put on another big performance. Going the route of Gunther bleeding completely changing the game was a brilliant move to play into Punk's favor.
Of course, that wasn't all, as Rollins' return shocked about everyone watching. It was pure cinema and another mark in legendary moments for "The Visionary." Adding more fuel to an already heated rivalry sets up another big showdown between Rollins and Punk.
1. Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena
The old Cena came back, and he delivered one more signature match in his final year in the ring. Most Cena matches this year have been underwhelming, but he turned back the clock in what was an absolute classic from start to finish. Rhodes and Cena didn't hold back in their desire to win, and it was an enjoyable sight to see the 17-time champion willing to put his body on the line. The story of the match was if either would actually turned heel. They didn't, and it was the right call for a major passing of the torch moment. Even if Cena doesn't have another high-caliber match again, at least he ended SummerSlam with a bang.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE SummerSlam 2025 match rankings: What were the best, worst?
Category: General Sports
