Top SummerSlam Takeaways

Known as “the biggest party of the summer,” WWE’s second-biggest event of the year (behind WrestleMania) is always exciting. Every year the show brings us moments that will last a lifetime, surprises you never saw coming, and matches that define WWE television for months afterwards. In typical SummerSlam fashion, fans were treated to a night of high-stakes drama, fierce rivalries, and general on-the-edge-of-your-seat action that will have the WWE Universe talking for weeks after the final bell. Written here are the top five takeaways from SummerSlam 2024 and what they could mean for WWE as we move forward.

1. Roman Reigns remains strong, but there are some chinks in the armor.

For a number of years now, Roman Reigns has been the cornerstone of WWE, and his time as Universal Champion only strengthened his claim to be one of the most powerful forces ever in World Wrestling Entertainment. This win was less cut and dry for the now double champion Curtis Axel, as Reigns once again managed to hang onto his championship after a real barnburner against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2024.

Reigns showed his resiliency and smarts within the match itself, which was a tenacious onslaught of relentless offense from Rhodes as he tried to push “The Tribal Chief” off his throne. Because more than any other team, The Bloodline has gradually been growing further apart at the seams. Jey Uso, who played a big part in Reigns keeping his title by the end of Sunday night’s show and seemed to be questioning their unity last week.

As gossamer as that may be, it could provide an indication that Roman Reigns’ stranglehold on the WWE is beginning to slip. Those cracks within The Bloodline could eventually have seismic implications on the WWE landscape, thrusting the company into an internal power struggle or perhaps paving the way for a full-fledged rebellion against Reigns. As WWE goes deeper into these tensions, we can very likely see some fireworks in the coming months.

2. Bianca Belair’s Star Power Grows

Since making her main roster debut, Bianca Belair has been propelled to a whole new stratosphere, and SummerSlam 2024 only solidified that she is one of the best athletes WWE currently employs. In an action-packed Triple Threat match against Charlotte Flair and Asuka, Belair retained her WWE Women’s Title by proving not only how nimble she is but also determined to battle in the heat of competition.

The best match of the entire night, all three men brought their a-game in an absolute war that was violent and intense yet brilliantly told. However, Belair’s victory was especially important since it helped establish her as the premier female talent in a division she struggled to break through.

Belair has been on quite a run since becoming champion, and her victory at SummerSlam indicated that WWE is all-in on making her the face of its women’s division. Yet as she keeps on winning at all costs against some quality opponents, the question has to be: who in reality can challenge her for that top spot? That question may be answered in how the women’s division looks for an entire year.

3. Logan Paul’s Successful Transition to WWE Continues

Fans did not take the YouTuber seriously at all in WWE when Logan Paul first arrived on the scene and made his move from social media to pro wrestling. But Paul has consistently outperformed those high hopes, and his efforts at SummerSlam 2024 were no exception. Paul, squaring off against LA Knight in a long-awaited fight, won his fight once more and established himself as the WWE family.

Paul faced LA Knight, and it was an example of his quickness in learning the ring work as well as having that natural charisma. Since only stepping into the professional wrestling world recently, Joe has taken to WWE like a duck to water thanks to his physical history and showman appeal, which would easily see him convert all but the most diehard detractors.

Logan Paul is now a top superstar in the WWE, having come out victorious at SummerSlam. Now the question is, how far will he be able to go? Paul could compete for a top prize sooner rather than later given how hot he is right now and WWE’s proclivity to capitalize on mainstream popularity.

4. Randy Orton: The Resurrection of a Legend

Biggest Returns SummerSlam 2024 saw the surprise return of Randy Orton, who had been out for more than a year with a back injury. The crowd popped loud for Orton’s return, and he didn’t waste any time mixing up with his former tag team partner-turned-WWE Champion Matt Riddle.

The return of Orton freshens up the WWE roster, especially in terms of its main event picture. Add in his history with Riddle, as well as the fact that he is a multi-time world champion; you have an instant danger to the WWE Championship. It will also open up a whole new well of storylines, given he can slide right back into feuds with anyone from his past or even start some things fresh against the newer talent.

The return of Orton, then, is important not just for his pull but also as it pertains to him going forward. Orton has been in WWE for almost two decades and is one of the most solid, intriguing performers on the company’s roster. Whatever the case may be, his comeback at SummerSlam indicates that he is not going out quietly and will certainly continue to feature prominently in WWE’s future plans.

5. Career-Making Match: Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor

SummerSlam 2024, One of the dream matches we wanted to see happened between Seth Rollins and Finn Bálor. These two superstars have been in the same boat since they faced each other for the first time when New Forza was United Champion, way back in 2016. It more than lived up to expectations in a match that folks will swear is an early contender for Match of the Year.

It was a clinic in how to tell the story of an actual wrestling match as Rollins and Bálor took each other to their respective limits. Bálor was looking for redemption from his 2016 defeat while Rollins was trying to solidify himself as one of the best performers in WWE history. They had some rife chemistry, and the ensuing bout was as raw emotionally as it was physically stout.

Rollins would go over in the end, but this was a match that we’ll be discussing for years to come—and rightfully so! Rollins winning the match showed he is one of WWE’s top stars, but both men put on a performance that should go down as an instant classic. The Rollins-Bálor rivalry appears likely to rage on, and their SummerSlam showdown will probably be viewed as the defining battle of both men’s careers.

6. Judgment Day Still Reigns, But For How Long?

At SummerSlam 2024, it was business as usual for Judgment Day, a group that has been terrorizing WWE since late 2012. All three of the group’s members played a major role in this event, with Finn Bálor and Damian Priest competing for the North American championship and Rhea Ripley being involved in her first-ever WWE title match. Priest in particular and Bálor had impressive showings—the former retained his U.S. title and the latter nearly upset Seth Rollins.

Nonetheless, there are signs of The Judgment Day being somewhat in decline, even though they have carried on with their great performance. Bálor and Priest have been at odds for months, but their SummerSlam encounters hinted at things spiraling out of control. But until swift work is undertaken on Judgment Day, these are the problems that will have to be fixed for it to survive.

If Judgment Day is dissolving, it would have a huge impact on WWE. The faction has been a tag team staple in the company, and its dissolution could shake things up for both those who were members of it along with their rivals. It’s still a long way off, and as WWE heads into the fall of 2002, obviously The Judgment Day has an uncertain future.

7. Tag Division, Stand Out Some More

SummerSlam 2024 displays the force of the WWE tag team division as well, with barely bargaining matches to reflect how deep Steelport’s finest talent runs. In an absolute thriller, The Usos retained the undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn—iin a contest that left those at ringside on the edge of their seats from bell to bell.

The USA showed in beating these other three teams that they are one of the best to ever do it, but their victory also rekindled a fire that can still burn within this division. Owens and Zayn took The Usos to the brink, as they’ll be more than ready to dethrone them at a later date. The tag team scene is in a good state with no shortage of potential top teams to emerge, and if nothing else, SummerSlam was yet another example of how much WWE relies on quality tag-team wrestling.

With WWE setting its sights on the tag team division, fans can expect to get more such matches and stories in the future. There is serious competition, yet the tag team division seems set for a renaissance of sorts in the days ahead.

8. LA Knight’s Star Continues to Ascend

WWE has turned LA Knight into quite the breakout star over that last year, and his match was a perfect example of why he will be in main events soon enough following SummerSlam 2024. Knight managed to showcase his charisma and in-ring talent despite suffering a loss, which stood out enough for the audience to give him an ovation.

Knight has taken the business by storm and was clearly loved by many in the WWE Universe. Even though he was not able to write his name into the WWE history books with a win at SummerSlam, Enzo Amore’s future is very bright. Knight is on his way to becoming a top star in WWE, as he has the perfect combination of mic skills, athleticism, and connection with the audience.

Conclusion

SummerSlam 2024 featured some major moments that will impact the WWE for months to come. After Roman Reigns further asserted his dominance and a massive shakeup potentially fractured The Judgment Day, there was something very special to leave everyone talking about.

Coming out of SummerSlam, WWE will largely be a part-time product for the fall, and that means most (but not all) storylines from Los Angeles will continue in some fashion as new feuds, alliances, and title challengers are set up to fill two pay-per-view shows between now and Halloween. There’s a future with new stars like Logan Paul and LA Knight; there is one of the returning legends, as Randy Orton seems set to perform this Sunday too, whereas someone on the other side who has already made his kingdom strong in the name of champions we have dominant Roman Reigns also Bianca Belair, but it could be due time for her as WWE heads into an unpredictable season.

Yet again, SummerSlam lived up to its reputation as one of WWE’s marquee events and gave us a night that will be talked about for years. This year, the lessons learned will no doubt be long-lasting as they help form the new legends and icons we see in WWE programming going forward.