BY SACNILK
Here is the full match card and everything you need to know about the 2023 WWE SummerSlam event which will be held on Saturday, August 5, at Ford Field, marking the first time the event has been held in the city since 1993. ##
One of the biggest events of the year is just a month away, and fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of exciting rivalries set to headline this started-studded live event. Although the recent Money in the Bank (MITB) pay-per-view has concluded, the WWE rumor mill is abuzz with speculation about potential matchups scheduled for SummerSlam. The post-MITB edition of Raw has provided compelling hints, indicating the exciting path that WWE may be venturing upon as they build momentum towards the grand SummerSlam showdown. ##
WWE SummerSlam 2023 Confirmed Match Card ##
Singles Match: Cody Rhodes Vs. Brock Lesnar ##
Cody Rhodes is set to face off against Brock Lesnar once again in a highly-anticipated rubber match at SummerSlam. Following WrestleMania, Rhodes was unexpectedly ambushed by Lesnar just moments before they were supposed to team up against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa in a tag team match. The Beast unleashed a brutal assault on Rhodes, using steel chairs to inflict significant damage. ##
However, at WWE Backlash, The American Nightmare managed to even the score by defeating Lesnar in a fiery showdown. The following night, Brock struck back, attacking Rhodes while he was participating in a tournament to crown the World Heavyweight Champion. Lesnar secured a victory over Cody at WWE Night of Champions, applying the Kimura Lock on Rhodes' already injured arm and causing him to lose consciousness from the excruciating pain. ##
With both competitors having claimed a victory over the other, Rhodes issued an open challenge for Lesnar to return and face him anytime, anywhere. Finally, on the July 3 episode of Raw, Lesnar made his long-awaited comeback, igniting a fierce brawl with Cody that concluded with The American Nightmare executing the Cody Cutter on The Beast, sending him out of the ring. Cody then challenged Lesnar to a rematch at SummerSlam, and in response, Lesnar made an appearance on the red brand, attacking Rhodes in front of his family and subjecting him to the dreaded Kimura hold, refusing to release it. ##
WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: Seth Rollins(c) Vs. Finn Balor ##
On the July 17 episode of WWE Raw, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins engaged in an interview with Byron Saxton, discussing his upcoming title defense at WWE SummerSlam. Rollins expressed his belief that the championship warranted a high-profile match. During the conversation, Finn Balor interrupted, asserting his desire for a rematch. ##
Balor declared his intentions to seek retribution by capturing the title and altering Rollins' life, drawing parallels to Rollins' own actions when he claimed the Universal Championship from Balor in 2016. Responding to Balor's challenge, Rollins emphasized that the championship held greater significance than their personal vendetta. He suggested that if Balor merely sought to settle a grudge, the title need not be involved in their bout. As Balor began to depart, he unexpectedly launched an attack on the champion. ##
Later in the broadcast, the commentary team officially confirmed that Rollins would defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Balor at WWE SummerSlam. Prior to this encounter, Rollins had previously defeated Balor to retain the title at WWE Money in the Bank, with Balor's chances hindered by a distraction caused by Damian Priest. ##
WWE Women's Champion Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Bianca Belair (Triple Threat Match) ##
At the event, Asuka will defend her coveted WWE Women's Championship against fierce rivals Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair! ##
Recent episodes of SmackDown have been rife with dramatic confrontations. Asuka's clashes with both Flair and Belair ended in tumultuous controversy. In her match against The Queen, Bianca made a daring move, vaulting over the barricade to confront the 14-time Women's Champion. On the other hand, Flair found herself entangled in a complex situation when she tried to prevent Bayley and Ms. Money in the Bank, IYO SKY, from interfering. In an unfortunate turn of events, she unintentionally caused a disqualification by inadvertently taking out Belair. ##
WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jey Uso ##
At SummerSlam, the spotlight will be on "Main Event" Jey Uso as he sets his sights on dethroning the undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, who is considered the most dominant champion of the modern era. During WWE Money in the Bank, Reigns and Solo Sikoa faced defeat at the hands of The Usos in an intense encounter known as The Bloodline Civil War. Jey made history by becoming the first Superstar to pin The Head of the Table since WWE TLC 2019! ##
Following this monumental showdown, Reigns had to face Tribal Court live from SmackDown at the iconic Madison Square Garden. However, he cunningly set a trap, and with the help of Sikoa, they took down both Usos and Jimmy had to be carried out of the arena in an ambulance. ##
The story between Jey and Reigns is incredibly complex. After their Universal Championship battle in 2020, Jey joined forces with The Head of the Table and immediately elevated his game. With the return of Jimmy, The Usos became a force to be reckoned with, reinforcing the dominance of The Bloodline every week. They held the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships and played a crucial role in Reigns' successful title defenses. ##
But, due to Reigns' abusive behavior, Jey and Jimmy eventually parted ways and dismantled the once powerful faction. On the night Jimmy got taken out of The World's Most Famous Arena, Jey made a dramatic return by ambushing Reigns and his younger brother Solo with a steel chair. He then issued a challenge to his cousin for a title match. In Roman's absence the following week, Jey executed another vicious attack, this time targeting Solo and Special Counsel Paul Heyman. ##
On the recent episode of SmackDown, which aired on July 21, 2023, the match was officially set, with Reigns seemingly putting his Tribal Chiefdom on the line as well. ##
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Drew McIntyre ##
At SummerSlam, "The Ring General" Gunther faces his toughest test yet as he collides with "The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre. Since McIntyre's return at Money in the Bank, he has been crystal clear about his intentions: to challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Title. ##
The last time these two formidable opponents shared the ring was during an incredible Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania 39, alongside Sheamus, a contest that stole the show. Since that memorable encounter, Gunther has been unstoppable, dominating challengers like Mustafa Ali and Matt Riddle, successfully retaining his Intercontinental Title. ##
On the other hand, the O2 Arena in London witnessed the resounding comeback of the Scottish Warrior after his absence since WrestleMania. ##
Singles Match: Logan Paul vs. Ricochet ##
At SummerSlam, inside Ford Field in Detroit, the high-flying Ricochet will take on "The Maverick" Logan Paul in a clash of moment-makers that will unfold live. ##
For years, Ricochet has mesmerized the WWE Universe with his explosive moves and gravity-defying leaps, earning admiration from fans worldwide. However, there is one Superstar who remains far from impressed, and that is the arrogant Logan Paul. ##
Singles Match: Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler ##
At WWE SummerSlam, Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler have reached an agreement to face each other in a highly-anticipated showdown. ##
During a recent episode of WWE Raw on July 24, Baszler expressed her desire to compete at the event, specifically mentioning her wish to fight against Rousey. In response, Rousey confidently stated that she doesn't just get into "a fight" because, in her own words, she is "the fight." Nevertheless, she agreed to the clash at WWE SummerSlam. ##
Both Rousey and Baszler boast backgrounds in the UFC, with Rousey having been a former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. ##
SummerSlam Battle Royal: TBA-man battle royal##
On the July 28 episode of SmackDown, an announcement was made for a SummerSlam Battle Royal at the event, which will feature male wrestlers from both Raw and SmackDown. Following an argument between Sheamus and LA Knight, WWE official Adam Pearce named them as the first entrants. ##
WWE SummerSlam 2023 Watch Time ##
What Time is WWE SummerSlam 2023 In US:? The event is set to stream live on Peacock at 8 ET/5 PT. The pre-show starts one hour earlier, at 7 ET/4 PT ##
What Time is WWE SummerSlam 2023 In the UK? WWE presents SummerSlam 2023 with all the action on the main card kicking off at 12 am for fans in the UK. ##
What Time is WWE SummerSlam 2023 In Australia:? SummerSlam 2023 will begin at 10 am (AEST) here in Australia and run for approximately three and a half hours. The Kickoff pre-show will begin at 9 am and run for one hour on the WWE Network or any of WWE's social platforms. ##
WWE SummerSlam 2023 India Time & Date: WWE SummerSlam 2023 will be available via WWE Network and in India, you can catch all the live-action starting at 5: 30 AM IST exclusively on SONY TEN 1 & SONY TEN 3 Channels, while, kickoff show begins at 4:30. ##
WWE SummerSlam 2023 Date And Location:: Ford Field in Detroit will host SummerSlam on Saturday, August 5. ##
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