SummerSlam-winners-and-losers

WWE’s SummerSlam has always been considered one of the biggest pay-per-view events in the WWE calendar next to WrestleMania. SummerSlam takes place every year and plays an important role in the WWE annual schedule as it marks new feud development and the end of the old feuds. SummerSlam 2024 met the expectations of fans, which presented amazing moments, spectacular matches, and surprising finishes.

Like in every major WWE event, you could easily identify the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ of that night in terms of the unfolding ‘narratives’ as well as from the standpoint of the general viewer. Now it is time to focus on SummerSlam 2024 results, those who benefited from the show and who suffered a loss, as well as what it can tell about the future of WWE.

Winners

1. Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes was one of the biggest winners of SummerSlam and established himself as one of the premier WWE superstars. After what he did in the WWE in 2022, Rhodes has been on a quest to win the WWE Championship and bring home the family’s pride. In particular, at SummerSlam, Cody scored a great win, and it looks like he is going to keep on winning to achieve his goal—becoming a champion.

Rhodes’ match was full of drama, excellent and creative buildup, and a connection with the fans. Whether it was against a veteran that he has been feuding with for years or just a ladder match for the title scene, Cody’s SummerSlam proved that he deserves to be in the main event picture. His victory can be regarded not only as the win of his personal career but also as the key for the further progression of the storyline WWE has been developing since his return.

With Cody winning the title at Summer Slam, one thing is for sure: WWE has plans for him in the near future. Cody’s status has never been higher, whether it is a future WWE Championship match or a program with another top star in the company.

2. Gunther

Intercontinental Champion Gunther once again showcased why he is one of the toughest competitors in WWE at the moment. SummerSlam saw Gunther retain it in a hard-hitting bout that saw him make the most of his charisma as a performer, strength, and perhaps, most importantly, his storytelling. Going forward to annihilate a worthy contender, Gunther maintained his long-standing record as the Intercontinental Champion in WWE.

All things considered, Gunther was impressive at Summer Slam. The “Ring General” continued his aggressive style of fighting and a tactical onslaught that could have given the crowd another bout of the night, which just added more value to the Intercontinental Championship. Having already been one of the longest in modern WWE history, Gunther’s title reign keeps on enriching not only him but also the title itself.

The plan is WWE is looking forward to its Bash in Berlin event that will be held later this year, and Gunther’s victory at SummerSlam sets the tone in readiness for a showdown in Germany. That is why whoever wants to challenge him better prepare for the fight of their lives because Gunther is still proving to be unbeatable.

3. LA Knight

LA Knight is arguably the most genuinely overrated superstar in WWE today, and his SummerSlam run further showed that he’s not a fluke. The victory that Knight recorded in the Slim Jim Battle Royal at SummerSlam received loud applause from the fans, and this proved that he was among the most popular stars in the company. This man, his catchphrases, and his talent to communicate with the audience have made him a star attraction.

The Slim Jim Battle Royal was not even the main event, but Knight’s victory put him on the map for greater things to come in the near future. WWE has been reluctant to push Knight as a star, but with his SummerSlam win, it seems that he is on the precipice of cracking the top tier of WWE.

What does LA Knight have in store for him in the future? With his current form, fans are expecting him to be booked into major rivalries or even title contention. Knight receives massive support from the crowd, and this makes WWE have a new potential contender in the making, given the fact that he will soon be fighting for championship titles.

4. Iyo Sky

Iyo Sky headed to the back as the new WWE Women’s Champion, which makes her one of the top triumphs of SummerSlam. Money in the Bank cash-in by Sky on Bianca Belair was one of the best moments of the event, and it was as dramatic as a women’s match between Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, and Asuka could get.

The journey to the top of the women’s division has been a story of hard work, talent, and tenacity for Sky. Her attributes are quite evident in the ring and the way she moves, along with her high-flyings; she has also been able to contribute to the character development of Damage CTRL. By cashing in her Money in the Bank contract at SummerSlam, it was time for Sky to strike, and she did this to the T.

However, with the current WWE Women’s Championship title by her side, Iyo Sky can easily become the fresh air of the said division. Her victory in Summer Slam means that there is potential for her to develop new feuds, and her brand of wrestling as a whole going forward will be entertaining.

5. Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns, the current Undisputed Universal Champion, left Summer Slam with his belt; nonetheless, the event was surrounded by controversy. His bout with Jey Uso was yet another intense episode in the never-ending Bloodline story. Reigns was thus able to hold on to his title, but this was a hard-fought victory that also led to further deterioration of his once strong stable.

Reigns’ win secured his legendary title reign, which has now gone past 1,000 days, but what happened after the match showed that The Bloodline is in big trouble. Jimmy Uso’s betrayal of his brother Jey was a twist, which made a viewer think that Roman could lose hold of both his title and his family.

Roman is still a winner in the sense that he holds the title, but it is slowly and surely appearing that his time in power could be coming to a close. The Bloodline narrative, which has been one of WWE’s best stories in years, is not over yet, and the future of Roman reigns as champion has never been more ambiguous.

Losers

1. Jey Uso

Jey Uso came into SummerSlam as one of the hottest acts in the company after pinning Roman Reigns in Money in the Bank and, as a result of the match, earning a shot at the Undisputed Universal Championship. The last match of the night was the “Tribal Combat” between Jey and Roman, which was one of the most anticipated fights of the night, wherein Jey was all set for a fight to end Roman’s supremacy.

Sadly, this was not to be, and Jey’s dream was cut short after his own brother, Jimmy Uso, betrayed him. It not only can be credited for taking the round away from Jey but also for disrupting his entire story progression. Jey had been set up as the potential breakout singles contender, and many fans wanted him to come out and beat Roman. However, Jey was left with no option but to lie in the ring feeling betrayed and defeated.

After Jey’s loss at Summer Slam and Jimmy’s actions, his future is left unknown. The betrayal also gives way for a potential Uso vs. Uso angle, but as far as Jey’s title contention is concerned, he is one of the night’s biggest losers.

2. Bianca Belair

The fans’ favorite Bianca Belair also had an up-and-down evening in WWE at the SummerSlam event. Belair had a triple-threat match with Charlotte Flair and Asuka in which she was injured, but she returned back to the ring to win the WWE Women’s Championship. But unfortunately, her reign was very short because Iyo Sky cashed in Money in the Bank and won the title from Belair.

Belair’s loss was a kick in the gut to fans who wanted to see her get the championship gold back. However, Belair’s reign only lasted for a few minutes, and the hard-fought win was overshadowed by the cash-in of Sky. As for Belair, SummerSlam is a defeat for her, although she is still one of the leading contenders in the women’s division after several months of inactivity in the fight for the championship belts.

Thus, it remains to be seen what WWE does with Belair’s character going forward, but things were certainly not easy for the “EST of WWE” at SummerSlam.

3. Logan Paul

Logan Paul won his match at SummerSlam, pinning Ricochet in one of the biggest spots of the show. Nevertheless, the cheers of the crowd convinced Paul that he had won the match, but fans of WWE still consider him a villain. His arrogance and cocky attitude still incite boos from the crowd, and even though this is something WWE wants, it hinders Paul’s ability to be a mainstream babyface.

For sure, Paul has skills on the ring, and his fights are always interesting and at times even spectacular. Nevertheless, his connection with heel tactics and an arrogant attitude makes him a “loser” in the sense that fans cannot accept him as a hero anytime soon. Cunning as a basketball player as he is, Paul’s characterization ensures that he remains a true villain.

4. Charlotte Flair

Charlotte Flair is one of the most successful women wrestlers in WWE history, but in the recent SummerSlam she lost the triple-threat match for the WWE Women’s Championship. Unfortunately, Flair could not get back on top, and her inclusion in the match was overshadowed by Bianca Belair’s title victory and Iyo Sky cashing in her opportunity.

So, Charlotte’s loss at Summer Slam does not have to be viewed as a weakness of her position in WWE since she is still one of the leading competitors in the women’s wrestling league. But her failure to clinch the title was a wake-up call to even the ‘Queen’ that sometimes it is not her day. Going forward, Charlotte will likely stay involved in title matches, but it was a first-time loss for one of WWE’s most dominant female superstars at SummerSlam.

Conclusion: SummerSlam’s Impact

The event was full of great moments, achievements, and failures that are unforgettable for everyone, wrestlers and fans of SummerSlam 2024. Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and LA Knight, among other stars, benefited from the event as it paved the way for bigger and better achievements for them. However, the superstars like Jey Uso, Bianca Belair, and Charlotte Flair joined the list of losers, and now they do not know what to do next.

The SummerSlam event will therefore serve as a blueprint for the WWE storylines, characters, and future bouts as WWE continues with the rest of the year’s schedule. As the saga of the Bloodline goes on, new faces come into the scene, and new talents build up their staking claims, the events of SummerSlam will define the WWE for the next several months.