Early WWE SummerSlam 2025 Match Card Predictions After Backlash

It is never too early to look to the future when it comes to professional wrestling, especially in WWE. With WrestleMania 41 and its follow-up, Backlash, in the rear view mirror, fans are already looking toward SummerSlam, the company's next two-night extravaganza.

Emanating from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the premium live event is the second-biggest of the year and a showcase for the feuds and Superstars who will help define the second-half of the year.

With just under three months until the annual summertime spectacular, here are way-too-early predictions for what that card may look like.

The First Two-Night SummerSlam

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For the first time in WWE history, SummerSlam adopts the two-night format that has been hugely successful for WrestleMania.

That provides more opportunities for talent, thanks to an expanded card.

The Showcase of the Immortals has featured 14 matches spread across two nights in each of the last two years and while there is not necessarily a demand for that large of a card for a second premium live event in a year, there is no reason to believe that Triple H and Co. will not stick with what has worked to this point.

A show that features two main event-worthy match-ups and stars up and down the card should be expected, with the Undisputed WWE Championship match wrapping up the card Sunday night.

SummerSlam Card Predictions (Raw Brand)

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* World Heavyweight Championship Match: Jey Uso vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins vs. Gunther

* Women's World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky

* Intercontinental Championship Match: Finn Bálor vs. Dominik Mysterio

* World Tag Team Championship Match: Lucha Bros vs. New Day

* Roman Reigns vs. Bron Breakker

* Bayley vs. Becky Lynch

* Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross

Rollins has already expressed that the future of WWE includes him winning the World Heavyweight Championship. That is unlikely to change after an unsuccessful attempt at dethroning Uso on the May 5 episode of Raw that saw his vision dashed by Punk.

Those three Superstars figure to remain intertwined throughout the coming months, with the world champion and The Best in the World focused on thwarting Rollins' plans for control of the Raw brand.

Still, Punk has not forgotten about his desire to be champion, which could lead to dissension and put him and Uso at odds. With Rollins hovering, and Gunther still not yet having received his rematch, a four-way battle to headline one of the two nights feels like an appropriate headliner.

Reigns returning to battle Breakker is a gimme after the second-generation star's devastating spear one night after WrestleMania helped lead to The Tribal Chief's downfall. Throw in Paul Heyman for some great promos along the way.

Ripley vs. Sky is a logical conclusion to a rivalry that has seen the current women's world champion get the best of the former consistently, including a big win at WrestleMania. This is an appropriate stage for The Eradicator to get her first win over The Genius of the Sky and regain her title in the process.

Bayley and Lynch have unfinished business after The Man jumped her and took her out of a spot on the WrestleMania card, Kross has attempted to emotionally manipulate Zayn for months, and the end of Bálor's Judgment Day stint has been hinted at for some time.

All three help round out the undercard and, arguably, make the SummerSlam lineup better than The Showcase of the Immortals from just under four months earlier.

SummerSlam Card Predictions (SmackDown Brand)

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* Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena

* WWE Women's Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill vs. Naomi

* United States Championship Match: Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa

* Women's Tag Team Championship Match: Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez

* WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match: Fraxiom vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. DIY vs. Street Profits

* Randy Orton vs. Nick Aldis

* Aleister Black vs. Drew McIntyre

Rhodes saw his year-long run as Undisputed WWE champion come to an end in dissatisfying fashion at WrestleMania, thanks to a low blow, belt shot, and interference from Travis Scott. With Cena vowing to destroy pro wrestling, The American Nightmare returns to reclaim his title and save the industry both he and his father have been instrumental in building.

Cargill and Naomi have feuded since the former's return at Elimination Chamber and with both eyeing the WWE Women's Championship at the same time, a multi-woman match with current titleholder Stratton feels like a distinct possibility. So does the involvement of Bianca Belair, but that will depend on the status of the finger injury she suffered back at WrestleMania.

Orton has RKO'd SmackDown general manager Aldis three times now and there will inevitably have to be a showdown between the two. The former NWA world champion returning to the squared circle for a showdown with the future Hall of Famer is significant enough a match to beef up the SummerSlam card.

Throw in the conclusion of the Bloodline drama involving Fatu and Sikoa, a showdown between Black and McIntyre as they jockey for position in title contention, a four-way tag team title ladder match that makes up for the last instant classic missing the WrestleMania card, and the debut of Bliss and Flair's union (teased Friday on SmackDown) against Morgan and Rodriguez for the tag titles to round things out.