WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

Just days after losing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a brutal beatdown at the hands of Brock Lesnar, John Cena invoked his automatic rematch clause and will get his chance at a 16thWorld Title at Night of Champions.

The decision, announced by WWE COO Triple H exclusively on WWE Network during WWE Main Event, shocked the WWE Universe, still reeling after witnessing the pummeling Cena took from The Beast Incarnate at SummerSlam. The sadistic grin that spread across Lesnar’s usually stoic face — growing wider with every punch that connected with Cena’s head and body — is burned into the minds of fans around the world. The thought of Cena demanding another showdown with the vicious, seemingly unstoppable Lesnar may leave those who watched SummerSlam feeling more than a little uneasy.

Lesnar, no doubt, is happy to step in the squared circle with the Cenation leader once again. At SummerSlam, he toyed with Cena, showing the world what it takes to put the unbelievably resilient Superstar down. The One in 21-1 rained down a barrage of fists on the Cenation leader, pulverizing his insides. Lesnar tossed Cena around the ring with ease, dropping him on his head and neck with 16 German suplexes. Two F-5s — one at the start of the match and one at the end — brought Cena’s reign as champion to an end with a sickening exclamation point.

No one can question Cena’s heart. After all, he did last 20 minutes against the most devastating force to ever step foot in the ring. But heart only got Cena so far at SummerSlam. How far can it get him when he steps foot in the ring with The Beast Incarnate again at Night of Champions?

Can Cena reverse his fortunes? Or will Brock Lesnar give the WWE Universe a repeat performance of his championship victory? Find out at WWE Night of Champions, available live on WWE Network and pay-per-view Sunday Sept. 21, at 8 p.m.

Rusev def. Jack Swagger in a Flag Match

 

Despite being hampered by an ankle injury suffered before the match began, Rusev survived the Patriot Lock and held on to defeat Jack Swagger in a high-stakes Flag Match.

Heading into the supremely nationalistic match — which for the winner meant the right to have his country’s flag raised and national anthem played— there was no questioning which Superstar had the support of the WWE Universe in Los Angeles. Not only was Swagger heralded down to the ring by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Color Guard; his and Zeb Colter’s war cry of “We the People” also drew an enormous response from the STAPLES Center. Rusev’s supporters in LA, meanwhile, may have totaled one: his Social Ambassador, Lana.

That didn’t stop Rusev from getting an early start, as he ambushed The Real American before the bell, knocking Old Glory out of Swagger’s hands and to the mat . During the pre-match brawl , however, Swagger applied the Patriot Lock, causing Rusev’s attack to backfire as the Russian would be at a disadvantage when the match officially started.

Swagger targeted  Rusev’s ankle, though The Super Athlete had a target of his own — Swagger’s ribs, which Rusev injured weeks ago with a flagpole. The Russian wrecking machine  used precise kicks and a vice-like bearhug to wear down The Real American’s mid-section. Rusev’s first attempt to cinch in the Accolade, however, proved unsuccessful, as Swagger picked the weakened ankle and applied the Patriot Lock.  Strategically, Rusev rolled to his back and escaped Swagger’s famed hold with kicks to Swagger’s injured ribs.

 

 

After a battery of more kicks and a big splash, Rusev — in visible pain, thanks to his injured  ankle — again locked on the Accolade. As the excruciating submission hold contorted and wrenched back on Swagger’s spine, The Real American valiantly tried to persevere, only to eventually pass out from the pain, leaving the referee no option but to call the match in Rusev’s flavor.

With Rusev having defeated Swagger, Lana and her Super Athlete watched on as the Russian flag was raised for all to see. While Colter tended to the unconscious Swagger, Rusev, unprovoked, knocked out the veteran manager with a side kick. Have Rusev and The Ravishing Russian put behind them the biggest challenge to The Super Athlete’s domination to date? Regardless of the answer, Lana didn't seem impressed by Swagger's gutsy performance, calling him a "stupid and proud American" in a post-match interview that aired exclusively on WWE.com.

Seth Rollins def. Dean Ambrose (Lumberjack Match)

In a personal clash that had been building for months, Seth Rollins stole a victory from Dean Ambrose when their Lumberjack Match descended into chaos.

 

As former members of The Shield, neither Ambrose or Rollins made many friends in the WWE locker room.A lot of their enemies made up the Lumberjacks who surrounded the ring to prevent either Superstar from escaping the other. Their job was to toss either competitor back in the ring if he tried to flee.

The Lumberjacks included: The Usos, Kofi Kingston, Sin Cara, Titus O’Neil, Goldust & Stardust, HeathSlater, RVD, Cesaro, RybAxel, Damien Sandow (dressed as an actual Lumberjack), Erik Rowan, LukeHarper, Big E, Bo Dallas, R-Truth and Fandango.

As the action spilled outside the ring on a few occasions early in the bout, the Lumberjacks swiftly did their job. But when Ambrose and Rollins eventually managed to elude the lumbrjacks’ grasp, their fight continued at ringside, over the barrier and all over the sold-out STAPLES Center. In an effort to restore order, Corporate Kane emerged and ordered the Lumberjacks to retrieve both competitors.

 

 

While Ambrose was being dragged back to the ring, Rollins tried to make his escape. But The Lumberjacks hauled him back, as well. As Rollins was being returned to the ring, the unstable Ambrose recklessly dove from the top rope onto his former partner and Lumberjacks, sending bodies flying everywhere.

Once both Superstars were back in the ring, the two foes continued to fight ferociously. Ambrose struck Rollins down with a blistering clothesline, then used Rollins' own Curb Stomp against him! But just as Ambrose was about to capitalize, Kane intervened and prevented the pinfall.

Stephanie McMahon def. Brie Bella

 They’re sisters, they’re reality television co-stars and, until SummerSlam, they were the best of friends. However, inside the sold-out STAPLES Center, the closer-than-close relationship between The Bella Twins proved to be the most stunning casualty in the brutal war between Brie Bella and Stephanie McMahon.

 Before Nikki’s actions would ultimately change the complexion of both the Divas division and her own family, Stephanie strode to the ring with complete confidence, sporting ring gear that was more reminiscent of a power-hungry comic book supervillainess than WWE’s Chief Brand Officer. It was the Authority matriarch’s first match in more than a decade, with the utter humiliation of Brie Bella taking precedence over a mere in-ring victory. Dragging her smaller foe around the ring by her hair and stunning Brie with a wince-inducing DDT, Stephanie showed no signs of ring rust in the early goings of this intensely emotional confrontation.

Brie was, in time, able to capitalize on Stephanie’s overconfidence when she connected with a missile dropkick from the middle rope, a maneuver that brought the capacity crowd to its feet in a booming ovation. However, those cheers soon transformed to jeers when Triple H marched intently down the entrance ramp. The Authority would win the night, one way or another.

Brock Lesnar def. WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena

At a certain point during John Cena’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship defense against Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2014, members of the WWE Universe had to ask themselves, “When does a match stop being a match and start being a televised assault?”

How many bodyshots did The Beast Incarnate have to lay into Cena’s flesh before The Champ’s insides turned to porridge? How many German suplexes did Cena have to suffer before the referee called it off? How many times did Brock have to F-5 the Cenation leader before the man finally stayed down?

We learned the answers to those questions some 20 minutes into the most one-sided beating of Cena’s WWE career. Two F-5’s, countless punches thrown with bad intentions, and 16 — yes, 16 — German suplexes were rained down upon The Champ by the most dominant force WWE has ever seen before The Beast Incarnate accomplished what he returned to WWE to accomplish: Become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

 

If Cena had a game plan going into this defense, it was to get at Brock before Brock got at him. It took guts to charge at Lesnar the way the Cenation leader did at the opening bell, but what could he possibly do? Outwrestle a former NCCA Champion? Outpunch a former UFC Champion? Barely 30 seconds into the bout, Lesnar had battled Cena back and hit him with an F-5. Our hero managed to muscle out at two, but he was barely in the fight from there.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

At the 27th annual SummerSlam, WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena will defend his title against arguably the most destructive Superstar of all time, Brock Lesnar.

The only man to have ever captured the WWE Championship, NCAA Division I Heavyweight Championship and the UFC Heavyweight Championship, the 286-pound Lesnar was selected to challenge Cena by WWE COO Triple H, who has guaranteed the Cenation leader will not leave Los Angeles as The Champ on Aug. 17. Just one week before announcing the blockbuster matchup, Lesnar advocate Paul Heyman — without mentioning his client by name — was seen offering Triple H a “Plan C” for assuring Cena’s title reign come to an end.

Leading into their high-stakes SummerSlam clash, Cena and Lesnar have plenty of history between them. The two fought several battles during Cena’s rookie year in WWE, and the 15-time World Champion was Lesnar’s first opponent upon The Anomaly’s return in 2012. Cena used a steel chain and an Attitude Adjustment onto the steel steps to narrowly win that famous no disqualification duel at Extreme Rules, which has become legendary for its brutality and physicality.

Since his clash with Cena, Lesnar has run roughshod over competition, defeating the likes of Triple H, Big Show and, most notably, The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30. Also since April 2012, Lesnar has reenlisted the services of Heyman, who is widely considered one of the ring’s premier strategists. Will Lesnar make good on Triple H’s guarantee and continue his run of dominance at The Biggest Party of the Summer? Will the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match result in the "beating of a lifetime" for Cena, as Heyman says?

Or will the ever-inspirational Cenation leader, the consummate role model and embodiment of the motto “Hustle, Loyalty, Respect,” rise to the occasion, as he’s done so many times in the past?
Watch this historic match play out at SummerSlam, available live on WWE Network and pay-per-view Sunday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m.

Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt

Chris Jericho may have thought his rivalry with Bray Wyatt was over after his victory at WWE Battleground, but it was only the beginning. Y2J and the deranged leader of The Wyatt Family will clash once again on Aug. 17 at SummerSlam, live on WWE Network and pay-per-view.

Just one night after Jericho’s victory at Battleground, Wyatt and his monstrous cohorts Luke Harper & Erick Rowan ganged up on Jericho in his locker room during an interview on the WWE App. Wyatt capped off the 3-on-1 assault with a devastating Sister Abigail that sent Jericho crashing face-first into the cold, steel lockers.

Bray Wyatt then hijacked Jericho’s trademark talk show, “The Highlight Reel,” informing the WWE Universe that Y2J was no savior, and that his loss at Battleground meant nothing to him. Wyatt declared that he’s fighting to win the long game — the war that will continue at SummerSlam in Los Angeles.

Shortly after their battle at The Biggest Party of the Summer was confirmed, Jericho returned to action for the first time after the vicious attack, taking on Seth Rollins in a No Disqualification Match. Y2J seemingly had Mr. Money in the Bank on the ropes, until the arena went dark. When the lights turned on, Jericho was surrounded by Wyatt, Harper and Rowan, who brutally attacked him once again.

Fortunately for Y2J, his singles wins over Rowan and Harper on SmackDown and Raw, respectively, earned him some SummerSlam refuge: As a result, the towering members of The Wyatt Family will be banned from ringside on Aug. 17.

Still, Jericho has quipped that he expects Wyatt to pop up in his mirror like a horror movie slasher. As The Biggest Party of the Summer approaches, The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rollah may have to sleep with one eye open to avoid another pummeling from the eerie trio.

Can Jericho prove that Bray Wyatt is a false prophet, or will Wyatt show the WWE Universe that Y2J is not the savior they believe him to be? Find out at SummerSlam, LIVE on WWE Network and pay-per-view, Sunday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m.

Jack Swagger vs. Rusev (Flag Match)

Jack Swagger prepares to defend America’s honor at SummerSlam when he takes on the hulking Hero of the Russian Federation, Rusev, in a Flag Match

Lana, Rusev’s social ambassador, laid out a challenge for the match on the Aug. 1 edition of SmackDown, a challenge that Zeb Colter immediately and zealously accepted on Swagger’s behalf. At SummerSlam, Old Glory will be hanging in one corner of the ring and the Russian flag in another, and the first Superstar to incapacitate his opponent enough so he can scale the turnbuckles and capture his own flag will be declared the victor.

The clashes so far between Swagger and Rusev have all been hard-hitting affairs, but their Aug. 27 showdown now contains an overtly patriotic twist. When the dust settles, will it be the Stars and Stripes — which Colter says stands for “pick-up trucks, pretty girls and beers” — that’s waved proudly? Or will Lana and Rusev have their way, and it will be the red, white and blue of the Russian flag that’s triumphantly displayed for all to see?

Watch these two heavyweight warriors tie up at SummerSlam, which airs live on WWE Network and pay-per-view Sunday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m.

Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton

On Aug. 17, Roman Reigns and Randy Orton will settle their red-hot rivalry in a head-to-head showdown at The Biggest Party of the Summer.

This highly anticipated face-off was made official prior to the Aug. 4 edition of Raw, one week after The Viper struck his adversary with a lethal dose of venom in the form of a savage assault. The attack was in response to the black-clad Superstar cutting off Orton's path to a WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match against John Cena. Despite Reigns and Orton's sudden surge in opposition, their epic encounter has been months in the making.

Ever since Reigns’ arrival in WWE at Survivor Series 2012, these two combative competitors have found themselves on opposing sides. Recently, the hostility between both grapplers escalated as they took part in The Shield and Evolution’s legendary war. Even the historic battles that went down between both factions weren’t enough to put an end to the rising rivalry between these two talented Superstars.

As summer’s temperatures began to rise, Reigns and Orton’s dispute seemed to grow as well. Both Superstars fought to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Money in the Bank and WWE Battleground, with each nearly attaining WWE’s top prize.

It’s become clear that neither Reigns nor Orton will be able to achieve the goal of reaching the top of WWE’s food chain without first conquering their longstanding foes: each other. The question is now which Superstar will reign supreme on WWE’s biggest summer stage?

Don’t miss this sizzling SummerSlam showdown live on WWE Network and pay-per-view Sunday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m

Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler

The Miz might have landed himself a starring role as Intercontinental Champion, but it could be Dolph Ziggler who seizes top billing at SummerSlam when he challenges The Awesome One for one of WWE’s most coveted prizes.

Returning from Hollywood with an even more inflated ego than usual, The Miz stole a victory from Ziggler in WWE Battleground’s massive Battle Royal for the vacant Intercontinental Title. Since then, Ziggler has been determined to wipe the smug smile off the egotist’ s face — his “moneymaker” — but  has been thus far unsuccessful in truly taking the so-called “A-Lister” down a peg. On the Aug. 1 edition of SmackDown, it was The Miz’s disrespectful distraction that cost Ziggler a key match against longtime rival Alberto Del Rio, no doubt fueling The Showoff’s desire to humble the brash titleholder when they meet one-on-one at The Biggest Party of the Summer.

In Los Angeles, the spotlight will only be big enough for one of these bold Superstars. Will Ziggler begin his second Intercontinental Championship reign, or will The Miz enjoy a star-studded (and very exclusive) victory party in his new hometown? To find out, tune in to SummerSlam, live on WWE Network and pay-per-view Sunday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m.

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins

The STAPLES Center will have a hard time containing the action when WWE’s most furious rivalry rages on at SummerSlam, where Dean Ambrose will finally lock up with Seth Rollins in singles competition.

The two bitter enemies have been at each other’s throats since Rollins betrayed Ambrose and dismantled The Shield. Rollins and Ambrose were originally scheduled to last month at WWE Battleground, but WWE COO Triple H ejected The Lunatic Fringe from the building minutes before the match got under way. Despite the setback, Ambrose made sure Rollins’ night was a rough one nonetheless, repeatedly ambushing The Architect, going so far as to pounce on him in the parking garage.

For The Authority and Rollins in particular, Ambrose has been nothing short of a pariah, constantly derailing Rollins’ efforts to cash in his Money in the Bank Contract. The Lunatic Fringe’s persistence has even caused some in the WWE Universe to speculate The Authority sent him on a recent press tour for the sole purpose of giving Triple H’s anointed one, The Architect, a respite.

Come SummerSlam on Aug. 17, however, the time for sneak attacks and behind-the-scenes machinations will be over, as two of WWE’s brightest young Superstars will clash in a hostile showdown. After months of craving retribution, will Ambrose finally make Rollins pay for selling out to The Authority? Or can The Game’s hand-picked legend-in-the-making fend off Ambrose’s gritty and relentless offensive?

To watch the hotly anticipated battle live, don’t miss SummerSlam when it airs on WWE Network on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m. 



 

Divas Champion AJ Lee vs. Paige

Mere days after Paige shoved Divas Champion AJ Lee off the SmackDown stage, WWE.com has learned the two fierce competitors will meet in a title rematch at SummerSlam.

The championship bout will mark the newest chapter in the steadily intensifying conflict between The Black Widow and The Diva of Tomorrow. After trading the butterfly-emblazoned title, AJ and Paige met in a rubber match at WWE Battleground. Unlike their first two encounters, both of which ended in the blink of an eye, their WWE Battleground match was a highly competitive, back-and-forth contest narrowly won by AJ.
In the days and weeks that followed, Paige’s demeanor toward AJ — who Paige has admittedly considered a role model — changed drastically, going from disappointed to angry to apologetic. The final break in the Divas’ “frenemy” status came on the July 28 edition of Raw when Paige called AJ “crazy,” leading to a wild brawl.

Paige again crossed the line on the Aug. 1 edition of SmackDown when, following AJ’s defeat of Rosa Mendes, she snuck behind The Black Widow and sent her flying off the blue brand’s set. The ambush caused a whiplash injury for the Divas Champion. Despite the fact that medical personnel had to tend to AJ and remove her from the arena on a backboard, Paige was captured on video telling AJ she “still love[d]” her and instructing officials to be careful with her “best friend.”

Subsequently on social media, Paige was seemingly in denial of the injury she caused, suggesting everyone was simply “overreacting.”

For the answers to these questions and more, be sure to watch the Divas Championship Match when SummerSlam airs live on WWE Network Sunday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m.

Brie Bella vs. Stephanie McMahon

Stephanie McMahon will compete in her first match in more than a decade when she answers the challenge of newly rehired former Divas Champion Brie Bella at SummerSlam.
One of the principal owners of WWE, as well as a former Women’s Champion, Stephanie agreed to the match in exchange for Brie dropping charges of aggravated battery. The charges stemmed from a July 21 incident in which Stephanie slapped Brie, who was attending Raw as a member of the WWE Universe.

he slap, Stephanie says, was simply a response to the one Brie gave her at WWE Payback, which was the same night that the Bella Twin — facing the likely scenario of being fired by Stephanie — quit WWE. Prior to her quitting, The Authority had made clear its intentions of making life difficult for Brie and her husband, injured then-WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan.

Since WWE Payback, Bryan — whose injury was worse than originally feared — has been stripped of the title, and Stephanie has continued making life miserable for Brie by targeting those closest to her, namely twin sister Nikki. Stephanie repeatedly arranged for Nikki to compete in lopsided Handicap Matches, which invariably ended with Nikki being beaten down. Unable to continue watching her sister get placed into one disadvantageous situation after another, and offended by Stephanie’s suggestion that Brie abandoned Nikki, Brie let loose on the WWE principal owner on July 21, calling her “vindictive.”

Now that she has been forced back into action, how will Stephanie McMahon respond when she steps in the ring against Brie at SummerSlam?

The Billion Dollar Princess hasn’t fought in a sanctioned bout since No Mercy 2003. Will she be prepared for the acutely focused rage of Brie and make the former Divas Champion regret ever undermining her authority? Or will Brie, finding motivation in the way Stephanie treated Nikki and Daniel Bryan, unleash a fury the likes of which we’ve never seen from her?
Don’t miss history in the making when Stephanie McMahon returns to competition against Brie Bella at SummerSlam, live on WWE Network and pay-per-view Sunday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m.