WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night 1 Live Updates, Results and Highlights

Oba Femi appeared on the ESPN post-show panel and discussed his momentous win over Brock Lesnar.

He also responded to CM Punk, who called The Ruler out earlier, warning him that his pipe bombs do not work on him because he, too, is gifted on the mic.

It was a strong rebuttal, almost a dare to fight fire with fire.

Usually, most would not dare to combat Punk on the mic. Femi, full of youth and confidence, is not most. He may regret it, or may further establish himself as the undisputed face of the company.

Late in the six-woman tag team match earlier in Saturday's show, Brie Bella appeared to be nursing her shoulder.

Answering Gimme Sport's Adam Barnard during a press conference, Triple H revealed that Bella is injured and was taken to the hospital to be checked out.

It will be interesting to see how long Bella will be out of commission, considering the big angle at the conclusion of the aforementioned match, where she and sister Nikki betrayed Paige and left her lying.

A fired-up CM Punk joined the ESPN post-show panel and wasted no time making headlines.

When asked about not closing the show, he responded, "CM Punk is the main event." He added, "Of course I had feelings about that, but I'm not one of these guys that has it in their contract that I have to end the show."

From there, he added that he is ready for any opponent.

The Undisputed WWE Champion wrapped up his impassioned appearance by addressing fans chanting for Femi as his next opponent.

Triple H interrupted Cathy Kelley's interview with Nick Aldis.

Staying true to his word, Aldis handed over his letter of resignation to his boss, officially stepping away as the SmackDown general manager.

The Chief Content Officer, though, refused to accept it, saying he believed in what Aldis did.

"I appreciate that you are a man of your word. I also appreciate that you are a man," he said, applauding Aldis for standing up for himself.

He tore up the letter and told Aldis to stay clear of Gunther and get back to work.

"I guess I will see you on Friday," Kelley said.

Saving this for Raw or SmackDown would have added a bit of drama to either of those shows. As it was, this was handled well and logically.

Speaking with Jackie Redmond after his career-defining victory, The Ruler accepted and embraced Lesnar's acknowledgement of him.

Mostly speechless, Femi said the moment meant the world to him, then exclaimed, "The future is ME!"

Beaten, battered, and likely unaware of what Lesnar would say, it was an appropriate reaction in the moment, with a lengthier reaction to come on Raw.

Not everyone was excited about Oba Femi's triumph in Minneapolis.

Bronson Reed took to X to express his feelings about The Ruler's big moment.

Reed referenced WWE Unreal, during which Triple H expressed concerns about shoving Bron Breakker down fans' throats as the reason not to book him in the main event of Wrestlemania 42.

It is an eye-opening post that should have plenty of fans, insiders, and his fellow Superstars buzzing in the wake of the show.

As Femi stood tall and the show appeared to head off the air, Lesnar returned to the squared circle.

He embraced his opponent and grabbed a microphone.

The Beast Incarnate did as he has done consistently since their first encounter before WrestleMania and put him over.

"Oba Femi, HERE IS THE FUTURE OF WWE. I am the past; HE IS THE FUTURE," Lesnar exclaimed.

He turned the ring back over to Femi to close the show.

The Ruler is as positioned as he possibly can be to assume the role of WWE's biggest ass-kicker, taking the mantle from Lesnar. Only creative incompetence can derail him on the way to pro wrestling stardom.

Femi recovered from the Tombstone and defiantly smacked a steel chair out of Lesnar's hand.

He delivered one last Fall From Grace and pinned Lesnar, taking the three-match series from a legitimate megastar who has gone out of his way to establish him as a future star.

WINNER: OBA FEMI

Desperate to finish off his opponent, Lesnar again borrowed from The Undertaker, delivering a Tombstone piledriver onto exposed wood planks under the ring canvas.

Femi still kicked out!

Femi sprinted across the ring, rocking Lesnar with forearms. The Beast countered him, though, and set up for an F-5. The Ruler escaped and drove Lesnar to the mat with the Fall From Grace.

The former UFC heavyweight champion sat right up, ala the aforementioned Undertaker, kicked Femi away, and unloaded three consecutive F-5s.

Femi kicked out!

The Beast Incarnate wasted no time introducing The Ruler to Suplex City, delivering three German suplexes. Femi, though, bounced right up, shrugged it off, and sent Lesnar to the floor.

The younger competitor utilized his power to overwhelm Lesnar early, sending him into the cage mesh, then drove him through a table propped against the side of the cage.

Lesnar recovered and rocked Femi three times with the steel ring steps as each man utilized the squared circle and its surrounding elements to their benefit.

His body showed signs of the intense start to the battle, with welts up and down his right side, as Lesnar teed off on his opponent with a chair shot and more German suplexes.

He added another, onto a steel chair, and played to the crowd, confidence mounting for the former WWE champion.

Femi momentarily recovered and brought Lesnar crashing to the mat.

Former University of Minnesota student and NCAA wrestling champion Brock Lesnar, a future Hall of Famer and a generation-defining Superstar, entered the U.S. Bank Stadium for his third Hell in a Cell match.

In his previous two, he defeated The Undertaker in classic encounters.

This marks The Beast's 10th SummerSlam main event, a record.

For the first time in his young career, Oba Femi entered the arena for a main event match.

The former NXT champion headlined plenty of the black and silver brand's biggest shows, but this marks his first show-closing appearance as a member of the main roster.

With the rest of Saturday's card complete, it is time for the main event as Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar conclude their trilogy of hard-hitting match-ups inside Hell in a Cell.

It is the first Hell in a Cell Match at a SummerSlam event since The Undertaker defeated Edge in the marquee match-up of the 2008 show.

Fresh off a win in the night's opener, Liv Morgan took to X to send a message to her opponent, Iyo Sky.

Morgan previously suffered two black eyes and a hematoma earlier this year after colliding with Roxanne Perez during a backstage attack by former women's world champion Stephanie Vaquer.

With Punk reeling, Rhodes springboarded off the ropes and caught referee Charles Robinson. He recovered and delivered a Cross Rhodes that sent the champion to the floor.

Moments later, Randy Orton made his first appearance since WrestleMania, sliding into the ring and delivering an RKO to an unsuspecting Rhodes.

A hobbled Punk returned to the squared circle, covered his top contender, and scored the win.

WINNER: CM PUNK

And with that, Rhodes has a new feud to keep him busy while Punk moves onto a new contender.

A strong, main event-worthy match, heavy on finishers and drama, that could have conceivably closed this show out.

As the fight spilled back outside the ring, Punk sprawled Rhodes across the commentary table and looked to the top rope.

He scaled the turnbuckles and set up for the top-rope elbow drop through the table.

The challenger moved, though, and Punk crashed through the table, landing on the left knee that had plagued him throughout the match.

Rhodes continued his attack on Punk's left knee, even applying a half Boston Crab.

The Straight Edge Superstar fought out of it, despite the pain, and delivered a top-rope elbow for a near-fall on Rhodes.

The second-generation star answered with a Cody Cutter, but the champion kicked out at two. Frustrated, he took a shot at Punk's knee, then added a Disaster Kick. When that did not net him the win, he fired up and delivered a super Cody Cutter for yet another near-fall.

Rhodes tried for Cross Rhodes, but Punk escaped and kicked him in the shoulder. He caught Rhodes with a rollup for two, then tried for Go To Sleep. Rhodes countered and delivered the Figure Four, leaving the champion screaming and writhing in pain.

The champion reversed the hold and caught Rhodes in the Anaconda Vise, but the son-of-a-son-of-a-plumber made it to the ropes to force the break.

Punk unloaded on Rhodes with a barrage of right knees to the face and signaled for Go To Sleep. His opponent fought to the ropes, reversed the hold, and set up for the Alabama Slam. Rhodes spun around instead of executing and the Best in the World reapplied the Anaconda Vise.

Rhodes escaped, bridged out of a pinfall attempt, and delivered Cross Rhodes for another dramatic near-fall.

Moments later, Punk delivered his own finisher, rocking his opponent with the Go To Sleep. Rhodes kicked out at two.

The fight spilled outside, where each man threatened to deliver their finisher to the other. The challenger escaped a Go To Sleep attempt and sent Punk into the ring steps.

Back inside, Punk delivered another Go To Sleep, but Rhodes managed to grab the bottom rope at the last second to break the pin.

Neither champion nor challenger wasted any time, throwing fists and picking up where they left off Friday night on SmackDown.

Rhodes slowed things down, grabbing a headlock as he looked to outwrestle The Best in the World. Punk answered, working an armbar and targeting his opponent's left shoulder.

The combatants employed a slow, methodical pace, neither looking to make a mistake early that would cost them the match and championship.

Rhodes took the first risk, exploding through the ropes with a tope suicida that drove his opponent into the guardrail. He sent Punk into the timekeeper's area, but took his eye off the champion momentarily and paid for it as he launched himself at him with a clothesline.

A double axe handle followed, but Punk nursed his left knee. Moments later, he tweaked it again, and Rhodes targeted it like a shark smelling blood in the water. Boos rained down on the American Nightmare as he unleashed the aggression we last saw out of him back at WrestleMania 42, in his match against Randy Orton.

Taking a page out of his WrestleMania 42 playbook, Punk made the long walk from his locker room to the arena, emerging from the Gorilla Position to silence.

"It's clobbering time!" he exclaimed, which gave way to "Cult of Personality."

Playing on his well-documented love for hockey, his ring jacket featured a logo inspired by the Minnesota North Stars, a team that predates the NHL's Wild and relocated to Dallas in 1993.

Ahead of his upcoming appearance in the new Street Fighter film, Cody Rhodes introduced a new Guile-inspired mask, with a preview on social media.

He sported the mask in his entrance, complete with the classic Street Fighter video game graphics.

After another disappointing defeat, Paige embraced her tag team partners, only to be attacked by the Hall of Famers.

Brie and Nikki Bella beat her down, with the latter exclaiming, "This is my house!"

They targeted Paige's neck as commentary reminded the audience of Paige's history of injury, before leaving her lying. "The real Bellas are back," Wade Barrett added on commentary.

"She'll never take my spot," Nikki was overheard saying as she exited to a chorus of boos.

A hot tag to Nikki Bella sparked the comeback for the babyfaces.

The action broke down from there, with Fatal Influence isolating each of their opponents before Henley and Reid drove Nikki into the mat. Paige broke up a pin attempt, but that did not stop the heels' dominance.

Henley mocked Nikki, which allowed the Hall of Famer to make the tag to Paige.

The former Divas champion entered the ring with a sunset flip to Jayne, but could not keep her down. Moments later, the former NXT women's champion delivered a Rolling Encore for the win.

WINNERS: FATAL INFLUENCE

The Bella Twins and Paige, showing unity, sported gear featuring elements of all three of their looks.

Fatal Influence's Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid made their way to the ring for their first premium live event appearance in gear that appeared to pay tribute to Shawn Michaels at the 1992 SummerSlam.

Henley rocked Brie with a right hand and mocked her and her husband, former WWE champion Daniel Bryan, with "YES!" chants. Bella returned the favor, driving the wind out of her with kicks to the chest.

Jayne turned the tide in her team's favor, pulling the Hall of Famer off the ring apron. Reid added a cheap shot to the ring steps for good measure. "And that's why we're taking over the division, baby," Jayne said into the camera.

The heels worked over Brie for a bit before the resilient competitor fended them off. She could not make the tag, though, as Reid knocked Nikki and Paige off the apron.

Aldis fought his way back into the match from there, delivering a big top-rope elbow drop that drove the air out of Gunther.

Moments later, he popped the crowd by applying the King's Lynn Cloverleaf, the SmackDown GM's trademark submission. It appeared like he might score the shocking upset win, but Gunther fought to the ropes to force the break.

Unfortunately for the underdog, he found himself back in the grasp of his opponent's Sleeper. He fought hard and defiantly but, ultimately, had to tap out.

WINNER: GUNTHER

After the match, Aldis rose to his feet, accompanied by the renewal of "You still got it" chants. He was joined in the ring by James and their son, Donovan, in the conclusion of a lifelong dream.

Aldis started fast, frustrating Gunther and forcing The Career Killer to bail to the floor for respite.

Gunther fended him off, though, and punished him with his unforgiving chops. The Ring General even took a moment to taunt Aldis' wife, TNA Hall of Famer and former WWE women's champion Mickie James.

Back in the ring, Gunther applied the Sleeper, nearly putting him to sleep a la AJ Styles at January's Royal Rumble. Aldis fought out, though, and both men hit the mat.

"You still got it" chants rained from the stands as both men fought to their feet.

For the first time in his career, Nick Aldis walked the aisle as a WWE wrestler, entering the arena to "(What's The Story) Morning Glory" by Oasis and drawing a big reaction from the fans.

In his first match in three years, he squared off with former world heavyweight champion Gunther.

Vaughn Evelyn Levesque performed "God Bless America" in tribute to the United States ahead of Saturday's show.

She is the daughter of chief content officer Triple H and WWE Hall of Famer Stephanie McMahon.

The Bloodline dominated the action Saturday, working over Sikoa, then Keys, before a hot tag to Knight sparked a comeback for the babyfaces.

The action broke down from there, with all six competitors hitting their trademark offense.

Following an Impaler DDT to Sikoa, Fatu rose to his feet and played to the crowd, only to be confronted by former friend Keys, who teed off on The Samoan Werewolf.

Keys powerslammed a charging Fatu into the timekeeper's area. Back in the ring, the Usos double-teamed Knight, but an Uso Splash from Jimmy could not keep The Megastar down for three.

They set up for the 1-D, but Sikoa caught Jimmy with the Samoan Spike and Knight finished Jey with the Blunt Force Trauma for the win in a high-energy, action-packed Six-Man Tag Team match.

Afterward, Knight and Sikoa shook hands and embraced, to the delight of the fans.

WINNERS: LA KNIGHT, ROYCE KEYS AND SOLO SIKOA

How will Roman Reigns react to his Bloodline failing him and potentially putting him on a collision course with any one of the three victors? Could it lead to The OTC potentially reinforcing the family to prevent other high-profile losses?

Solo Sikoa continued to showcase his personality, taking a second to mock his brother, Jey Uso.

The Usos entered U.S. Bank Stadium clad in black, then were joined by Jacob Fatu, sporting his trademark Samoan Werewolf mask. Surrounding them were props from the Gears of War video game.

Their opponents, contrarily, entered separately, still not completely coexistent despite the challenge in front of them. However, LA Knight, Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys hit the ring united and teed off on the opposition.

Morgan continued to absorb the offensive onslaught of her challenger and set up for Oblivion. Instead, Sky countered and delivered her own version of the finisher.

She climbed up top and attempted her Over the Moonsault, but the heel rolled out of the way. Capitalizing on a momentary hesitation by the babyface, Morgan caught her with a Codebreaker.

Sky survived and answered with a Bullet Train Attack into the ring post.

Back inside, Morgan got her feet up on another moonsault attempt and executed Oblivion, only for Sky to land on her feet. The champion caught her on the rebound with another Codebreaker, then finally caught the challenger with her finisher.

This time, she covered and retained her title in a fantastic opening contest that earned the applause of the fans in Minneapolis.

WINNER: LIV MORGAN

With Sky dispatched, who could step up and challenge Morgan next? Could it be Sol Ruca, who has unfinished business with the heel after she cost the NXT import her Women's Intercontinental Championship on Monday's Raw?

As Sky looked to put away Morgan, Roxanne Perez popped up on the ring apron, distracting the referee.

New women's intercontinental champion Raquel Rodriguez appeared on the other side of the ring and chokeslammed Sky off the top rope. The interference proved ineffective, though, as Sky kicked out of a pinfall attempt.

She sent Morgan into her Judgment Day teammates on the arena floor, then added a moonsault onto the trio.

From there, she caught her up top, cutting off a rare high-risk attempt by the champion.

A top-rope Spanish Fly followed, but Morgan kicked out at two.

Following her Queen of the Ring victory over Liv Morgan, Iyo Sky kicked off Saturday's show by challenging the Judgment Day villainess for the top prize in the Raw women's division.

Morgan entered to a chorus of boos, basking in the jeers. She sported gear chosen by fans through a sponsored poll (because, of course).

In a nice touch, her kickpads featured Dominik Mysterio's trademark mask, an ode to her beau, whom she linked up with at this show two years ago.

Morgan started fast, but her posing allowed Sky to recover, stomp her down in the corner, and deliver a knee attack to the chest.

The champion halted her opponent's momentum and wore her down for several minutes before a double-down spot allowed the challenger to mount a comeback. A missile dropkick popped the crowd.

Sky added the Bullet Train Attack and a sunset flip powerbomb to the arena floor as she continued her onslaught on her seemingly outmatched opponent.

Kelley also caught up with The Bloodline's Jimmy and Jey Uso and Jacob Fatu as they prepared for the six-man tag team match against LA Knight, Royce Keys and Solo Sikoa.

The Usos did the talking while The Samoan Werewolf remained silent and seemingly as focused as ever.

Whether they can continue the family's tremendous run of success in 2026 will be seen later tonight.

During a pre-show interview with Cathy Kelley, Cody Rhodes discussed the strength of the WWE roster and said he does not "sweat" any other Superstar "except for CM Punk."

He said that, unlike the betrayals he experienced with John Cena, Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, the issues between him and Punk are "just competition."

Rhodes continued to cite "competition," as if he was convincing himself as much as he was convincing Kelley, and said he is not paranoid as he prepares for the WWE title match.

During the SummerSlam pre-show on ESPN, Joe Tessitore interviewed Undisputed WWE champion CM Punk ahead of his match with Cody Rhodes later tonight.

When asked if tonight's marquee matchup will affect his friendship with The American Nightmare, Punk reiterated that tonight is "all business" and, just like he did against legends such as John Cena, The Undertaker, Triple H and The Rock, he is coming to win.

The Best in the World talked about making it 20 years since arriving in WWE and the wealth of challengers in a post-SummerSlam WWE in a candid interview.