SummerSlam

With SummerSlam in the books, we now have more information on the behind-the-scenes machinations of the event's booking decisions.

Fightful Select provided the producers for each match on the card:

Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch: TJ Wilson
Logan Paul vs. The Miz: Shane Helms
Bobby Lashley vs. Theory: Adam Pearce
The Mysterios vs. Judgement Day: Jamie Noble
Pat McAfee vs. Happy Corbin: Chris Parks
The Usos vs. The Street Profits: Shawn Daivari
Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey: Petey Williams
Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar: Michael Hayes

Credit is where credit is due: The producers behind SummerSlam put together a wild, entertaining show from the opening bell of Belair vs. Lynch to the chaotic closing bell of Reigns vs. Lesnar. The entire show felt unpredictable and fresh despite not a single title changing hands or surprise result aside from perhaps Morgan's win over Rousey.

As far as one of the biggest storylines that did not take place inside the ring, we also have news on the new stable of Bayley, Dakota Kai and Io Sharai.

Well, the artist formerly known as Io Sharai. Fightful Select reported Sharai will now go by the name of Iyo Sky as she makes her main roster debut.

There was confusion among fans watching the SummerSlam event as Corey Graves used the name Iyo Sky on multiple occasions. It appeared to be a mistake on Graves' part because Sky's tron still used the Io Sharai name, but Fightful's reporting indicates a name change is in the offing. The mistake was, perhaps, on the part of the production team—or simply an oversight behind the scenes in not updating Sky's tron for her debut.

Bringing Kai back into the fold was Triple H's first major roster move since taking over as head of creative and talent relations in wake of Vince McMahon's departure. Fightful reported Kai was a priority for Triple H as he looks to reshape the roster in his vision.

The report also included an interesting tidbit about the stable originally being pitched months ago but being rejected by McMahon. It seems Triple H had a different idea.

Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).

Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar will write the latest chapter in their longstanding rivalry when they compete in a Last Man Standing match to headline the 2022 SummerSlam card Saturday night at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Reigns and Lesnar battling for the undisputed WWE Universal Championship is one of five title matches scheduled for SummerSlam, which is one of the four marquee pay-per-view events on the WWE calendar alongside the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania and Survivor Series.

Along with the potential for some high-profile title changes, other attractions on the card include former NFL punter and current SmackDown commentator Pat McAfee returning to the ring after an impressive debut at WrestleMania and YouTube star Logan Paul looking to exact some revenge on The Miz.

Let's check out the complete card ahead of Saturday's show, which will be broadcast on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network internationally. That's followed by a closer look at what's on tap for the company's first major event since the retirement of longtime chairman Vince McMahon.

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2022 SummerSlam Match Card

• Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Brock Lesnar in a Last Man Standing match
• Raw Women's Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Becky Lynch
  
• SmackDown Women's Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
  
• United States Championship: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Theory
  
• Undisputed Tag Team Championship: The Usos (c) vs. The Street Profits with Jeff Jarrett as the special guest referee
  
• No Disqualification Tag Team Match: The Mysterios vs. The Judgment Day
  
• Pat McAfee vs. Happy Corbin
  
• Logan Paul vs. The Miz
  

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Event Preview

Reigns and Lesnar first faced off at WrestleMania 31 in 2015 when their clash for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship was interrupted by Seth Rollins, who cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to make it a triple-threat match and ultimately won the title.

Since then, Saturday's championship combatants have been involved in the same match on 10 other occasions, including a few Royal Rumble appearances, according to the Internet Wrestling Database. They've faced off head-to-head five times.

Reigns noted Tuesday on NBC's Today Show (h/t Dakota Cohen of Wrestling Inc.) he's hopeful the SummerSlam matchup brings an end to their seven-year rivalry.

"I hope it's the last time," he said. "It's brutal being in the ring with Brock. He's a big old country boy and he's got such a great, legitimate background."

The Last Man Standing stipulation adds to the potential neither Superstar leaves Nashville with WWE's top title, though. Theory, this year's Money in the Bank contract holder, has loomed large over the latest Reigns vs. Lesnar storyline.

It's possible he cashes in the contract after a grueling brawl in the main event. The chances it happens increase further if he doesn't win the U.S. title back from Lashley earlier in the show.

Both women's championship showdowns have Match of the Night potential, with four of the biggest names in wrestling helping headline the card.

Belair has been nothing short of phenomenal since winning the 2021 women's Royal Rumble, and she deserves an extended title reign after winning the Raw belt from Lynch at WrestleMania. It wouldn't be a surprise if the result leaves the door open for a continuation of their feud, though.

Morgan has emerged as a fan favorite since cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase the same night she won it in early July. Beating Rousey clean would go along way in establishing her as a top-of-the-card Superstar moving forward, but that's not a guarantee since WWE has mostly protected the aura of the UFC legend.

It may be time for The Usos, part of the dominant Bloodline faction with Reigns, to relinquish the tag belts to The Street Profits. If they do, it would be the first sign a title change could also be on the horizon in the main event.

Montez Ford, one half of The Street Profits alongside Angelo Dawkins, told Bleacher Report's Mike Chiari they are ready to stand atop the tag team world.

"That's what makes this match so big. We have done it all. We have won the NXT Tag Team Championships. We won the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Championships, but we have not become the undisputed tag team champions," Ford said. "And as much as those accolades and everything we've done so far is so precious and sound beautiful, there's still one thing that we have left to accomplish."

WWE always likes to add a bit of extra mainstream appeal to its major events, which is why Paul and McAfee are on the card and have featured prominently during the build up.

Paul teamed with The Miz to defeat The Mysterios at WrestleMania in April, but The Miz turned on the YouTuber after the match to set the stage for this encounter. Paul proceeded to sign a contract with WWE in June, suggesting more involvement in the months ahead.

McAfee, who also hosts a popular daily talk show in addition to his WWE work, was a smash hit at Mania when he defeated Theory before getting involved in a segment that included Mr. McMahon and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. He's a strong bet to beat Happy Corbin, and it'll be interesting to see how much in-ring development he's made over the past four months.

Finally, one match removed from the card was Seth Rollins vs. Riddle, which WWE announced was because of an injury to Riddle. It appears that's part of a storyline, though.

Fightful Select reported (h/t Sean Rueter of Cageside Seats) the decision was based on "creative adjustments" and not a legitimate injury to Riddle.

The kayfabe nature of the situation was furthered by a Twitter exchange between Rollins and Triple H:

I hear you! https://t.co/rnU2TabagV

— Triple H (@TripleH) July 27, 2022

So it seems possible WWE is setting the stage for a notable return, perhaps Randy Orton or even Bray Wyatt, to restore Rollins to the SummerSlam card.

That would bolster an already strong set of matches set for Saturday night.

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Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).