WWE SummerSlam 2025 Highlights: Seth Rollins shocks, cashes in Money in the Bank on CM Punk to be crowned world champion

Seth Rollins had the last laugh

WWE SummerSlam 2025 Highlights: CM Punk defeated Gunther in an epic slugfest to realise his 10-year dream of winning the World Heavyweight Championship. But his joy lasted barely five minutes as Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on his old rival to turn the tables on Punk. Rollins was fine; his leg was too. He threw the crutches, took off his braces and hit the stomp to win the World Heavyweight title for a second time to cap off an unforgettable Night One of SummerSlam 2025.

Earlier, Jelly Roll's WWE debut didn't go as planned as he and Randy Orton came up short against Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul. Logan's splash on Jelly through the table seemed to have pulled the plug on the debutant's dream, but he clawed back in the ring to hit the chokeslam on Logan and raise hopes of a shock result. In the end, Logan sneaked his way to win, as always. Having tied The Undertaker last year for the most SummerSlam appearances at 16, Orton has made history.

The first title change of the evening has taken place with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte beating Judgment Day's duo of Roxanne Perez and Racquel Rodriguez. Despite a small accident, Bliss, with a bit of assistance from Charlotte, hit ‘Sister Abigail’ on Roxanne to pick up the pinfall victory. In the next match, Sami Zayn pinned Karrion Kross to pick up the win.

Tiffany Stratton defended her Women's WWE Championship against Jade Cargill. Jade has been on a meteoric rise and finds herself in the title picture not long after she was put out of action by Naomi. Stratton has laid waste to all that has come before her, including 14-time champion Charlotte Flair at Mania 40. Bayley, Nia Jax weren’t spared either. Neither was Trish Stratus. And now, she adds Cargill to the list.

In the opener, Roman Reigns and Jey Uso beat Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker to kick off SummerSlam Night One. Jey executed the Uso splash on Big Bronson Reed for the referee to count up to 3. This was the first time that the Tribal Chief Roman was around Paul Heyman since his former Wiseman betrayed him at Night 1 of Mania 40.

For the first time in its illustrious 37-year history, WWE comes to you not once but for two nights in a row as the biggest event of the summer becomes larger than life. Ever since WWE WrestleMania became a two-night affair in 2020, it was only a matter of time before one of the other three biggest PLEs of WWE's calendar year followed the pattern.

Those awaiting John Cena vs Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship, well, you'll have to wait a little longer as it's the main event for Day 2.