The Biggest Event of the Summer saw the crowning of four new champions, as Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to capture the Universal Championship, Ronda Rousey overcame Alexa Bliss to capture the Raw Women’s Championship, Charlotte Flair took down Becky Lynch & Carmella in a Triple Threat Match to capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship, and Seth Rollins bested Dolph Ziggler to capture the Intercontinental Championship.
Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega def. Rusev & Lana
After telling Aiden English to remain behind due to his repeated failed attempts to help Rusev Day in recent weeks, The Bulgarian Brute & The Ravishing Russian started strong, as Rusev overpowered Almas. However, Vega — as she’s known to do — distracted The Super Athlete, which allowed Andrade to get the jump on his opponent and begin to wear down his arm.
Rusev neutralized Almas and made the clutch tag to The Ravishing Russian, who unleashed an offensive onslaught on Zelina that put her on the verge of victory. However, emotion overcame Lana, and she took her attention off Vega to slap Almas right across the face. That short-term satisfaction proved costly, as Vega snuck behind Lana and rolled her up. Unbeknownst to the official, Zelina then put her feet on the ropes for extra leverage and scored the three-count for her and Andrade.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander def. Drew Gulak
Alexander kept Gulak on the defensive from the opening bell, using impressive technical ability, which led Gulak to change up his game plan and fight ugly. Although Alexander avoided Gulak’s signature Gulock, the challenger continued to brutalize the champion, knocking him to the arena floor and unleashing offensive strikes designed to maximize pain. From there, the self-proclaimed “best submission specialist in WWE” methodically applied pressure to Alexander’s neck and back.
Utilizing a unique and innovative version of the Gory Special, Gulak nearly forced The Soul of WWE 205 Live to submit. However, the resilient champion reversed the hold, nailed some key strikes and scored with a huge dive to the outside that flattened a retreating Gulak.
Alexander fumbled the momentum after a high-risk leap off the top rope didn’t pay off, which allowed Gulak to apply his patented Gulock on the ropes. Following a near-fall, Gulak again went for the hold, but Alexander fought his way out of it. The two competitors once again engaged in a tense back and forth with Alexander nailing a Spanish Fly that led to a series of near-falls.
The rivals continued to exchange pinfall attempts in the middle of the ring, but the champion won out, applying the right angle and pressure to keep Gulak’s shoulders on the mat for the three-count.
Ronda Rousey def. Alexa Bliss to win the Raw Women’s Championship
Bliss did her best to avoid the aggressive Rousey in the opening moments of the match, taking up residence in the ring ropes to stave off what many saw as inevitable. Little Miss Bliss tried to sneak attack Rousey, only to catch a punch to the chest that sent her reeling to the outside.
Rousey, seemingly sensing the fear in her opponent, gave Bliss an opportunity to take advantage of the contest, sitting down and turning her back to the champion. Bliss locked on a sleeper hold, which appeared to have no effect on The Baddest Woman on The Planet. Rousey stood right up and dumped Bliss to the canvas before tossing her around with ease, asking the sold-out Barclays Center if they were ready for a new Raw Women’s Champion.
They wouldn’t have to wait much longer, as Rousey grabbed ahold of Bliss’ arm, bending it to where it appeared to come out of its socket. Then, Rousey locked on her patented armbar, leaving Bliss with no choice but to tap out. After her victory, Ronda celebrated with her close friend Natalya and The Bella Twins, who were at ringside in Brooklyn to see Rousey’s big fight.
Just four months into her WWE career, Ronda Rousey has become a champion and done it in dominating fashion. After such a victory, the WWE Universe must be wondering if there’s anyone who can take the Raw Women’s Championship from The Baddest Woman on The Planet.
Roman Reigns def. Brock Lesnar to win the Universal Championship
It was a long road for Reigns, but before his showdown with Brock could even begin, he was interrupted by Braun Strowman. Mr. Monster in the Bank informed the two opponents that, regardless of who won tonight’s match, Braun would be cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and facing them immediately.
With The Monster Among Men now watching from ringside, Reigns quickly landed multiple Superman Punches and Spears on Brock, but Lesnar countered and caught The Big Dog in several Guillotine chokeholds. As the madness continued, The Beast gave Reigns yet another first-class tour of Suplex City.
Reigns managed to cut the tour short, but then found himself in another world of trouble when Lesnar avoided a Spear, which resulted in Reigns diving through the ropes and colliding into Strowman. Brock then dropped Strowman on the outside with an F-5 for good measure. When The Monster Among Men attempted to retaliate, Brock assaulted Strowman with the briefcase (before throwing it halfway across Barclays Center) and a steel chair.
Lesnar’s thirst for destruction proved costly though, as he was nailed with a Spear as soon as he returned to the ring. That thundering collision was enough to keep Lesnar down and finally allow The Big Dog to vanquish his greatest rival.
Strowman’s threat had been neutralized, which allowed Reigns to celebrate with the Universal Championship. The Big Dog had firmly reclaimed his yard, and The Roman Empire has risen again.
