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WWE SummerSlam 2023: Roman Reigns Retains, Jimmy Uso Betrays His Brother, Iyo Sky Cashes In, Cody Rhodes Earns Respect from Brock Lesnar

By Michael Fairman

Published

3 years ago

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Photos: WWE

WWE SummerSlam, the second-biggest premium live event show of the year, was held Saturday night at Ford Field in Detroit. The 36th edition featured four main events and an absolutely stacked card. With almost 60,000 in attendance, the crowd was red hot, and so was this staple summer pro wrestling event.

Let’s run down the highlights and the results of the, “this is awesome”card!

Logan Paul vs. Ricochet

This match kicked off the show, and was destined to be one high-flying spot after the other.  The athleticism shown by these guys was off the charts, where clearly Paul, the You Tube influencer and frankly, one of the best natural wrestlers ever to enter the WWE, was the heel.

For a nice ‘heel’ touch, Paul would taunt Ricochet’s real-life fiancé, WWE ring announcer Samantha Irvin, who was seen filled with emotion throughout the bout. After several spots and exchanges back and forth, Paul hit a springboard frog splash for a near-pin, However, Ricochet built up some momentum and went for a 630. However, Paul had his number, and moved out of the way and landed near the corner of the ring face down. That is when one of Paul’s cronies handed Logan some brass knuckles. Next, with the referee distracted, Paul would hit Ricochet with the ‘knucks’ and score the pin. This was a great opening match, but we absolutely hated the ending, that now has Paul resorting to those tactics. We wish he would have had a clean pin. GRADE B

Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar

This was the rubber match, the third and final one in this epic feud that has built for months, that never was explained as to why Brock turned on Cody in the first place! That said, here we are. The Lesnar formula was on full display early on in the match dominating Rhodes and taking him to Suplex City.

Eventually, Lesnar forced Rhodes outside the ring, over and over again, hoping that Cody would stay down and lose the bout to a 10 count. Lesnar eventually put Cody through the announce table with a second F5, but he beat the 10 count, and was back in the ring again.  Rhodes would hit a pair of Cody Cutters, but Lesnar kicked out.  Later, Cody used an exposed turnbuckle by shoving Brock right into it to gain back an advantage in the match. The American Nightmare was able to grab Lesnar and hit three Cross Rhodes in a row for the pin and the win.

Following the match, Lesnar shook Cody’s hand and they shared a hug, before Brock raised Cody’s hand in a show of respect.  GRADE B+

RESPECT.@BrockLesnar and @CodyRhodes shake hands following an incredible third encounter at #SummerSlam! pic.twitter.com/7stf0mjyEC

Slim Jim SummerSlam Battle Royal

Most of the entrances for this Battle Royal apparently took place during the commercial break on Peacock.  Actually, we heard most of the participants all walked to the ring together. However, LA Knight’s was saved until everyone could see it.  He is so over with the crowd, it’s seismic.

As one by one wrestlers were eliminated after being thrown over the top rope, Karrion Kross (who was already eliminated) cost A.J. Styles his shot at winning the Battle Royal.  And then there were two … LA Knight and Sheamus.  Knight eliminated Sheamus. The crowd went nuts …YEAH! GRADE B

Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey

For some reason, this match just never caught on with the crowd or the viewers at home. It was tinged with MMA moves and punches, and submission holds. Baszler eventually locked in the Kirifuda Clutch and Rousey passed out, resulting in a TKO win for Shayna. Grade: C-

Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre

These two giants of the ring have never faced each other one-on-one for the Intercontinental belt. Would Gunther continue his almost historic reign as the Intercontinental Champion, or would McIntrye win back some gold?  This was an aggressive fight from start to finish.  In the end, Gunther kicked out of the Claymore and once he recovered, he hit McIntyre with a few moves and followed it up with powerbomb to get the three count and retain the title.  One of the best moves of all of SummerSlam was within this match when Gunther executed a rare top-rope splash onto McIntrye. GRADE B+

Finn Bálor vs. Seth Rollins

The match for the WWE World Heavyweight championship featured callbacks to seven years ago when Bálor was injured in his championship match against Rollins. The story in the ring, this time out, was told more like a marathon than a sprint, with using drama from the past to enhance the intensity of the battle in the ring.

Eventually, “Señor Money in the Bank” showed up! (That’s right! Judgment Day member Damian Priest with his MITB briefcase) and of course, Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio also tried to interfere. The question on everyone’s mind was, is Priest going to cash in for his chance at the belt? No! He used it as a cheap shot on Rollins to help Finn while the referee’s back was turned. Later, Priest placed the briefcase in the ring and got the referee’s attention, but as Bálor went to grab for it, Rollins used the timing mishap to execute his patented stomp to win the match and retain the World Heavyweight Championship.  More trouble ahead between Judgment Day’s Finn and Damian is all but guaranteed. GRADE A

Asuka vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair

This match had the twist that sets up a future heel turn for Belair and now gives way to a first time time Women’s champion.

In the three-way bout, Flair put Belair in the Figure Eight, but Asuka spat mist in her face. That forced the Queen to break the hold. Then Bianca, rolled up Asuka up for the pin. However, it was short-lived and the EST found herself short-changed again when Iyo Sky and Bayley ran down to the ring and attacked everyone. Problem was for Belair, she severely injured her knee in the match and Sky took full advantage of it. Iyo cashed in her Money in the Bank contract and hit a moonsault to get the pin on the EST.

Dakota Kai, who had been out with an injury, ran into the ring to celebrate with Damage CTRL, for it was one year ago at SummerSlam that the group had its debut and also messed with Belair.  At this point, this title change serves two purposes.  Giving Iyo a huge push, and serving as the final impetus for Belair to be so fed up with all the underhanded victories against her, that she will play dirty.  GRADE B+

Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso

The ‘Tribal Combat Rules’ match brought out the tables, kendo sticks, steel chairs and assorted weapons as Universal Champion Roman Reigns went up against his cousin, Jey Uso for who would be not only the WWE champ, but the “Tribal Chief.”  Currently, Reigns holds these distinctions. The bout featured masterful storytelling at its best, from Reigns and Uso’s reactions to the in-ring build of the story, which started off slow and methodical till its riveting cliffhanger.

Eventually, Solo Sikoa showed up as Jey had the upper hand on Roman as they fought through the crowd.  Sikoa took out Jey. An intense exchange went down between Reigns and Sikoa over a botched move. This allowed Uso to spear Reigns through the barricade.  As Uso and Sikoa went at it, Uso landed a splash and sent Solo through a table.  When the action got back into the ring, Uso landing a spear and splash on Reigns.  As Jey was setting him for a pin, a masked figure came out and broke up the pin. It was revealed to be Jimmy Uso, Jey’s twin brother!  Jimmy superkicked Jey and rolled him back in the ring for Reigns to finish him off!  Grade: A

So, what were your favorite matches of SummerSlam 2023?  How would you grade the premium live event on Peacock? Let us know in the comment section and make sure to check out tonight’s “What’s Up? Wrestling” SummerSlam Recap show live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel beginning at 8:30PM ET/5:30 PM PT Sunday night, August 9th.

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Great write up, Michael! I agree with many of your comments. I thought it was a good show from top to bottom. WWE hasn’t had a bad PPV (I can’t bring myself to say PLE, lol) in quite a while. Ronda and Shayna was the only match that unfortunately didn’t really click, everything else was good to great, in my opinion.

I definitely didn’t see Jimmy Uso turning on his brother Jey. That was a very soap opera-ish twist. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next. I’m glad Cody got a clean win over Lesnar. He needed it. And Brock shaking his hand and endorsing him after the match, who saw that coming? Brock never does that. Rollins and Balor had a great match. I’m happy for Iyo Sky, hope she has a long title reign. Glad they’re finally starting to listen to the fans when it comes to LA Knight, and gave him a win on a big stage. When a guy gets over like he has, you have to strike while the iron is hot.

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Recaps

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’

Published

12 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Steffy and Carter

After taking a second pregnancy test on the Friday, September 12 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) freaks out ever more when it come back positive, too. Leading her to shriek, multiple times over, “Oh my God! Oh my God! I’m pregnant!”

As previously reported, CBS and The Bold and the Beautiful have already confirmed that in the story, the baby Steffy is carrying is Carter’s (Lawrence Saint-Victor) which kicks-off their 40th season of storytelling. However, could there be a twist down the line that it’s really Finn’s (Tanner Novlan)?

On Friday’s episode, Carter gets a text from his wife, Daphne (Murielle Hilaire) telling him she wants to talk more about surrogacy later, since she cannot carry Carter’s child, and the couple was exploring ways for them to have a baby. Suddenly, Carter flashes back to waking up next to Steffy on the couch in the office after they had sex the night before in their drunken stupor.

Carter

Courtesy/CBS

CARTER DEVISES A PLAN

Then, Steffy comes whirling into the office demanding to talk to Carter right away. Steffy is informing Carter that she has to tell Finn about their night together more than ever! A confused Carter asked her what changed, when they agreed to keep their one night together a secret? Carter tells her if she reveals what happened between them, it will tear about all of their lives.

Carter thinks nothing will come of their “mistake” if they keep their mouth shut. Steffy responds, “You’re wrong.” She goes on to explain that she’s pregnant! That declaration stuns Carter and we fade to black.

However, it was the preview for the action next week on The Bold and the Beautiful, that aired at the end of Friday’s episode and is now all over B&B’s social media that is the real tell-tale sign of where this story is heading.

B&B SPOILERS

In a scene airing next week, Carter says to Steffy, “I have a way out of the situation for all of us!” This comes on the heels of Daphne telling Carter she wishes she knew someone who would be their surrogate. So, putting two and two together, it looks like Carter will come up with the idea to pass Steffy and his baby off as the surrogate child of Carter and Daphne.

Look no further than the official B&B spoilers for episodes airing Monday, September 14- Friday, September 18 and the teaser lines of the Steffy/Carter baby drama to back that up below.

Monday, September 14, Steffy’s news complicates things even more with Carter, while on Tuesday, September 15, 2026  Daphne is hopeful she and Carter will be able to find a surrogate and Carter rushes to stop Steffy. On Wednesday, September 16, Carter makes a passionate plea. and by Thursday, September 17, Daphne can’t believe Carter’s suggestion. Then come Cliffhanger Friday, September 18, Steffy is caught off guard.

So, what do you think how it look to be Carter who originated plan to keep the truth from ever coming out, that he and Steffy had sex, and the best way to do this is for Steffy to be the surrogate for Carter and Daphne’s child? How complicated will the cover-up eventually get? Will Steffy fall in love with the baby making this whole thing untenable for her? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section, but first check out B&B’s video teaser for next week’e episodes below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

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13 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Jason and Britt

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.

Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.

However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Britt

Courtesy/ABC

BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON

Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.

He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.

Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”

General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”

So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Recaps

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy is Shaken to the Core, ‘Oh My God! I’m Pregnant!’

Published

2 days ago

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September 10, 2026

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Steffy

On today’s Thursday, September 10 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) discovers she’s pregnant, after taking a home pregnancy test, that will launch a new story arc that will remain front and center for the show in the months ahead.

The life-changing story kicks off the B&B’s 40th season which officially began on September 8. In it, Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) is the biological father of Steffy’s unborn child from their drunken night together when both endured turbulent times in their marriages.

Previously, Carter had trouble with Daphne (Murielle Hilaire), when she initially walked out on him, because she could not carrying his child. Meanwhile, Steffy broke up with Finn (Tanner Novlan) while in Monaco over Finn’s mother Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) showing up, who once tried to kill her.

Courtesy/CBS

Fast-forward, Carter and Steffy made a pact that no one will ever need to know about their drunken night together, but now with Steffy becoming pregnant it changes everything. Making matters all the worse, Daphne views Steffy as her best friend, in fact, Daphne and Carter have been talking about having a child via surrogacy. While Finn had showed the couple how to start the process of finding a surrogate, Daphne felt just choosing a random person to carry Carter’s child is so impersonal. She would rather have it be someone she knows.

It does not take a scientist to predict … that somehow Steffy will carry the baby pretending to be the surrogate, when she its biological mother, and along the way, the questions become, does she keep the whole thing somehow a secret to herself? Doe Carter find out at some point? Stay tuned to see how this story reveals itself.

At its root, this is a major storyline for Wood, who has already won three Daytime Emmy Lead Actress Awards in her 18 years with The Bold and the Beautiful. In that time, her character of Steffy has experienced multiple pregnancies, given birth to two children, Kelly with Liam (Scott Clifton) as the father, and Hayes with Finn as the father, and endured a miscarriage.

So, what did you think of Steffy getting confirmation she is pregnant and looking mortified when she found out? What will she do next? Will she tell Carter? Will Daphne come to Steffy to ask her to be her surrogate, which Steffy may think will be the answers to her prayers, only for the truth to come out later, or falling in love with the baby since its hers to be begin with? Share your thoughts and theories for this major story for Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, via the comment section.

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