Why SummerSlam 2025 Failed

🤼 Overhyped, Underwhelming – Main Issues

1. Two-Night Format Fell Flat

• The decision to stretch the event into two nights felt more like filler than ambition. Critics and fans questioned whether the expanded schedule diluted the excitement. 

• Many attendees and social media reactions echoed disappointment, with some Reddit users saying:

  “I think it's been a lesser-than-stellar build for a Summer Slam…” 

  
  

2. Misleading Storylines Eroded Trust

• Seth Rollins feigned a knee injury only to cash in his Money in the Bank contract on CM Punk, a twist that surprised—but annoyed—many. Fans were upset with WWE’s deception over his supposed injury:

  “Seth Rollins' ruse pays off … desperately needed” but controversial, overshadowing Punk’s victory. 

• Seth’s entire arc raised new questions over WWE's booking transparency.

  
  

3. Celebrity Spotlight Missed the Mark

• Cardi B’s hosting role was tepid at best. Wrestling Inc. declared:

  “Cardi B hosts SummerSlam … she really didn't do much of anything” 

• Also, there was no hype in the days before leading up to SummerSlam for Cardi B being the host. She is a massive star, and came out to no pop from the crowd. I feel WWE is trying too hard to mainstream and failing to connect with its 'true' audience.

  
  

4. Streaming and Technical Glitches Damaged Experience

• Fans reported app crashes and buffering during key moments. Despite high production, many frustrated viewers shared their dissatisfaction online.

• For the WWE to be the 'industry standard,' their production crew fell flat on its face.  As Jey Uso walked through the crowd, it was clear the cameraman was trying to conceal the tarped areas, making the camera work look like a second-rate school project. During the Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria match, the camera caught Lyra going back under the ring to have someone cut the zip ties that had her hands bound together. If this is a top-notch production outlet, they failed.

  
  

Despite the Chaos: What Worked

🔥 In-Ring Highlights

• CM Punk vs. Gunther delivered a classic. Most outlets rated it as the best match of the event, but I felt it was a snoozefest. 

• Cena vs. Rhodes, a street fight on Night 2, was emotionally charged and widely praised. This was a street fight...do you know what a street fight means??? This match should have had blood because, you know, it's a street fight, yet it was nothing more than a watered-down wrestling match with a little violence.

• Naomi retained her Women’s World Championship in an exciting triple-threat bout—though overshadowed by post-match distractions.

  
  

💥 Brock Lesnar’s Return: Mixed Blessing

• Lesnar’s surprise comeback had shock value and storyline intrigue—but many fans and journalists felt it diverted attention from Cena’s farewell spot.

• WWE canceled the usual post-show press conference, leading to speculation it was to avoid awkward legal or media questions. That choice stirred additional fan backlash.

• Nobody had this on their bingo card, and whether Lesnar has legal issues or not, the public perception is more important than getting a shock value moment, which does not seem to be an issue for WWE.

  
  

📉 Fan Sentiment & Brand Impact

• Disillusioned die-hards voiced frustration over the mismatch between hype and payoff.

• Newer or casual fans likely felt alienated by convoluted booking and perceived shady storytelling.

• Overall, the event drew polarized reactions: strong single-match praise but widespread dissatisfaction with overall execution.

While SummerSlam 2025 had some stellar matches, the broader execution—especially storyline logic, celebrity booking, and technical issues—undermined the event's prestige. For many, the "biggest party of the summer" didn’t live up to the hype!