What time does SummerSlam start? Matches, schedule with John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes as headliner

WWE’s marquee summer event, SummerSlam 2025, is set to take over MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this weekend. In a departure from tradition, WWE will stage the event across two nights, August 2 and 3, mirroring the multi‑day spectacle of WrestleMania. Fans are buzzing about a star-studded 2025 WWE SummerSlam card, featuring championship rematches, celebrity surprises, and long‑standing rivalries.

Night One (Aug 2): High Stakes and Hard Hits

World Heavyweight Title: Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk

The opening salvo comes as former champion CM Punk challenges world heavyweight titleholder Gunther. Punk earned his spot by winning a Raw gauntlet match after Seth Rollins suffered a knee injury and was sidelined from his Money in the Bank privileges. Punk now has a second shot at wrestling’s top prize following his loss to John Cena earlier this summer at Night of Champions.

WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill

Jade Cargill’s momentum continues after defeating former champion Asuka and securing her place in the title scene. Now she will challenge Tiffany Stratton, who has held the belt since defeating Trish Stratus at Evolution. This pairing tests whether Stratton has what it takes to fend off one of the most physically imposing athletes in the women’s division.

Celebrity Tag Match: Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul

Jelly Roll makes his wrestling debut in a high-profile tag team match alongside Randy Orton. Their opponents: Drew McIntyre and social media sensation Logan Paul. The rivalry escalated during SmackDown when Paul interrupted Jelly Roll, leading to a clash that spilled into Saturday Night’s Main Event. Expect fireworks when legend meets influencer.

Women’s Tag Team Championship: Judgment Day (c) vs. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair

Current champions Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez will defend their titles against the formidable duo of Alexa Bliss and 14-time world champion Charlotte Flair. This match is stacked with star power and marks a significant elevation for the women’s tag division.

Tag Team Bout: Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed

In a clash of bloodlines and brute strength, Reigns and Uso take on the dynamic duo of Breakker and Reed. Reigns previously intervened to save Punk and Uso from their larger adversaries during the Raw gauntlet, setting the stage for this revenge match.

Singles Match: Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross

Zayn and Kross settle a long‑running personal vendetta. Kross has repeatedly pushed Zayn toward embracing his darker side, leading to multiple attacks and boundary‑pushing promos on Raw. Expect psychological warfare and physicality in this one.

Night Two (Aug 3): Cena vs. Rhodes Headlines Main Event

Undisputed WWE Championship – Street Fight: John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes

The WrestleMania main event is back in a higher stakes rematch. Rhodes, fresh off winning the King of the Ring tournament at Night of Champions and defeating Randy Orton, challenged Cena in a street fight stipulation, forcing the champ to agree. The stake: the undisputed championship. With emotions high, this rematch promises chaos, intensity, and possibly the end of Cena’s era.

Women’s World Championship: Naomi (c) vs. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley

In an impromptu triple threat match, Naomi defends her title against Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. Sky and Ripley were embroiled in a heated singles bout at Evolution when Naomi cashed in her Money in the Bank contract. The sudden change in plans now pushes the title into turbulent triple-threat territory.

Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles

Mysterio, using a doctor’s note to avoid competition, holds the Intercontinental title—but his luck runs out when Styles is officially booked as his next challenger. Following a period of protection under medical excuses, Dominik must finally face the Phenomenal One.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria

Lynch secured her title by winning a triple threat involving Bayley and Valkyria at Evolution. Bayley and Valkyria then had a two-out-of-three falls match, which Valkyria won. Now she earns her shot at redemption by challenging Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.

United States Championship – Steel Cage: Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu was framed by Sikoa in a staged car crash, leading Raw interim GM Adam Pearce to book the pair in a steel cage match to settle the feud. No escape, no distractions—just two dominant athletes battling it out within steel.

WWE Tag Team Championship – TLC Match

Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. DIY vs. Street Profits vs. Fraxiom vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix

A late announcement adds a Tables, Ladders & Chairs match to the card, featuring six black epics in the tag team division. The chaotic bout brings together all major teams in WWE’s roster, promising adrenaline, daredevil spots, and high drama.

WWE SummerSlam 2025: Timing and Broadcast Schedule

WWE SummerSlam 2025 will be broadcast live on Peacock, beginning at 6 p.m. ET each night (August 2 and 3), as per a report by CBS. Fans in international markets can access coverage through local WWE network partners or streaming platforms.

Rumours and Speculation: What’s Still Unconfirmed

Beyond the confirmed bouts, speculation abounds over additional marquee matches. Rumours suggest Brock Lesnar could appear as a wildcard entrant in the tag or singles roster. Additionally, whispers of a potential celebrity vs. wrestler bout on Night Two remain unverified.

One enduring question: will Roman Reigns cash in an unannounced Money in the Bank contract? Though Rollins’ injury removed him from contention, rumours hint at a clandestine rematch involving the Tribal Chief.

Fans are also debating whether CM Punk’s return to championship gold could spark a rematch with Cena, should Punk defeat Gunther on Night One.

SummerSlam's Evolution

SummerSlam, traditionally WWE’s “biggest event of the summer,” debuted in 1988 as a single-night spectacle. This year marks the first multi-night edition outside of WrestleMania, a change echoed by other promotions and live events adapting to growing audience demand and storytelling impact.

With a full weekend’s worth of matches, SummerSlam 2025 aims to deliver depth, variety, and sustained excitement over 48 hours. For WWE, it represents both a logistical expansion and a narrative evolution.

Johnson vs. Rhodes Signals Generational Shift

At the heart of this year’s card, Cena vs. Rhodes encapsulates the theme of passing torches and legacy. Cena remains an enduring icon, but Rhodes represents the next generation, the storied lineage of the Rhodes family combined with mainstream appeal.

If Rhodes were to dethrone Cena in the marquee street fight main event, it would signal a seismic shift in the WWE hierarchy. Regardless of the outcome, both nights promise fireworks, storytelling and top-tier athletic contests.

FAQs

When and where is WWE SummerSlam 2025 taking place?

SummerSlam 2025 will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, across two nights, August 2 and 3, 2025.

Why is SummerSlam 2025 spread over two nights?

This marks the first time SummerSlam is a multi-night event, a move inspired by WrestleMania. It allows WWE to showcase a larger card and deliver an immersive experience to fans over the weekend.