WWE SummerSlam 2026 Sunday: Success Or Failure?

WWE headed to the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the first night of the SummerSlam 2026 PLE, offering up several huge matchups involving major stars in CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Oba Femi, Brock Lesnar, Iyo Sky, Liv Morgan, and several more! The important question coming out of SummerSlam 2026 Saturday is whether the show was a success or a failure.

We will take a look at all the biggest moments of the night at SummerSlam 2026 Saturday, assessing the standout best parts of the show and the ones that were the biggest failures, giving a good assessment of what was good and bad about WWE’s first night of the SummerSlam.

8

Failure: Liv Morgan’s Poor Reign Continues

• Liv Morgan & Iyo Sky had a superb opener at SummerSlam 2026 Saturday.
• Morgan won the match in what was the wrong decision.
• Her reign as Women’s World Champion has been poor.

SummerSlam 2026 Saturday being Liv Morgan’s first Women’s World Title defense since her win of the gold at WrestleMania 42 should tell you all you need to know about how underwhelming her reign with the gold has been. Fans were expecting a fresh start for the RAW women’s division with a victory for Iyo Sky… only for Morgan to inexplicably win the match and extend her reign with the title.

The match between Morgan & Sky was an absolute banger, but this was in no way a good enough reason for Morgan to be the one standing tall at SummerSlam. One can hope that WWE improves her title reign going forwards, but this was the time to make a change at the top of the card, as Sky deserves all the gold after her consistent incredible work in the women’s division.

7

Success: Babyface Solo Sikoa Is A Star

• Sikoa has been building momentum on WWE programming.
• He was over as a babyface at WWE SummerSlam 2026 Saturday.
• Sikoa, Knight & Keys defeated The Bloodline at SummerSlam.

Solo Sikoa’s newfound personality on WWE programming has seen him get more and more over… but was WWE going to pull the trigger on a babyface turn? At SummerSlam 2026 Saturday, Sikoa continued to showcase this fun side of himself (even running it back and “yeeting” in Jey Uso style), handing him chants of “Solo” throughout his trios match involving LA Knight, Royce Keys, and The Bloodline.

In the latter stages, Sikoa saved Knight with a big Samoan Spike to Jimmy Uso, aiding his team to victory. Post-match, Sikoa and Knight shared a hug in the middle of the ring that brought a huge pop. WWE handled Sikoa perfectly at SummerSlam and may have a brand new star on their hands.

6

Success: Nick Aldis’ In-Ring Return Was Fantastic

• Nick Aldis wrestled for the first time in three years.
• He lost to Gunther at SummerSlam 2026.
• Aldis received a standing ovation at SummerSlam Saturday.

After not competing in a match for over three years, Nick Aldis wrestled at WWE SummerSlam 2026 Saturday to complete his personal feud with Gunther… and it was fantastic! Aldis hadn’t missed a step, moving like he was still in his prime and matching Gunther around every turn, coming close to a major upset in front of a hot crowd. Gunther would win the match, but this was all about Aldis.

He made his entrance to Oasis’ “Morning Glory” in a rare moment of real music being used in WWE, received a standing ovation after the match, and was given the chance to share a moment with his family in the ring. There was a lot to love about Aldis’ return to the ring, even if it was just for one time only.

5

Failure: Fatal Influence Win A Poor Match

• Fatal Influence defeated The Bella Twins & Paige.
• This was SummerSlam’s worst match.
• Fans didn’t care for this match at SummerSlam 2026 Saturday.

Despite a decent start, things just got worse and worse in this six-woman tag between Fatal Influence and the team of The Bella Twins & Paige. For whatever reason, fans just didn’t care for this match at SummerSlam 2026 Saturday, giving the whole thing a very awkward atmosphere.

The win for Fatal Influence was a good decision given that they are the up and coming stars, but it came in a lacklustre matchup.

4

Success: The Bella Twins Turn Heel

• Nikki & Brie Bella turned heel and betrayed Paige.
• The Bella Twins have always been better as heels.
• AJ Lee may return to team with Paige.

Although the trios match between Fatal Influence and The Bella Twins & Paige was poor, the post-match heel turn was a notable moment as Nikki & Brie Bella attacked Paige, betraying their friendship in what looked to be revenge for Paige taking Nikki’s spot back at WrestleMania 42.

A feud involving The Bella Twins & Paige in 2026 is a questionable move, but it may lead to the return of AJ Lee to kickstart a new chapter in this old Divas division rivalry. The Bella Twins have always been better as bad guys, so it will be nice to see them portray this side before hanging up the boots.

3

Failure: CM Punk & Cody Rhodes Underwhelm

• Fans were looking forward to Punk vs. Rhodes.
• The pacing was off for their WWE Championship match at SummerSlam.
• CM Punk won a disappointing bout.

CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes was the most anticipated matchup heading into SummerSlam 2026 Saturday, but their clash for the WWE Championship did not live up to expectations. The first half of the match was slow and full of limbwork but even when things did pick up, the chemistry was off with the pair spamming finishers (and sometimes even failing to connect properly with moves).

It wasn’t a bad match by any means with several strong moments shared between the pair, but it was not the classic that it should’ve been.

2

Success: Randy Orton Returns To Cost Cody Rhodes

• Orton had been absent since WrestleMania 42.
• He returned at SummerSlam to cost Cody Rhodes.
• Orton vs. Rhodes can be a great storyline and feud.

Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton in a poor WrestleMania 42 match, leading to Orton’s extended absence. At SummerSlam 2026, Orton appeared out of nowhere to RKO Rhodes and cost him his WWE Title match with CM Punk. Orton has been missed and it was great to see him back in the ring, with he and Rhodes now able to redeem themselves after the poor first chapter in their recent feud.

In what was a disappointing WWE Championship match, the return of Orton was the clear highlight and a great moment at SummerSlam 2026 Saturday.

1

Success: Brock Lesnar Passes The Torch To Oba Femi

• Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam.
• Lesnar endorsed Femi as the future of WWE.
• This was Femi’s biggest moment yet in WWE.

In the main event of SummerSlam 2026 Saturday, Oba Femi slayed Brock Lesnar inside Hell In A Cell, cementing his place as one of WWE’s biggest stars just months after his main roster debut. Their match wasn’t a clinic by any means but it hit the high notes and had some memorable moments. In the aftermath, Lesnar gave Femi his flowers and passed the torch.

Lesnar shook Femi’s hand, raised his arm, and took to the mic to proclaim that he was the past and Femi is the future, handing Femi the floor to celebrate as the show went off the air. It might not have been a perfect feud, but things ended in a very strong way for Femi at SummerSlam 2026 Saturday.