Update On How Many Matches Planned For WWE SummerSlam, Title Match Likely For ESPN
There is a plan for a specific number of matches taking place at WWE SummerSlam in Minneapolis.
The 2026 edition of WWE SummerSlam is just 8 days away on Saturday, August 1st, and Sunday, August 2nd, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
It’s the second year that SummerSlam has become a 2-night event, joining WrestleMania. While it’s possible that events like the Royal Rumble become 2-night events in the future, it hasn’t happened yet.
Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select reports that SummerSlam is likely going to have 12 or 13 matches over the two nights.
One of the matches under consideration to be added would be The Vision’s Bron Breakker & Austin Theory defending the World Tag Team Titles in a match, but that hasn’t been finalized yet.
Since WWE PLEs air on ESPN Unlimited in the US, the first hour of PLEs has been showing two hours on cable on ESPN or ESPN 2. The Wrestlevotes report noted that “ESPN is expecting one of the featured matches for the first-hour windows to be Penta defending the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Chad Gable.”
Putting a title match on the ESPN broadcast makes a lot of sense, especially because Penta-Gable could see Gable winning his first IC Title in his home state of Minnesota, so it could be a huge moment.
WWE SummerSlam Lineup Has Already Undergone Changes
There have already been changes to the WWE SummerSlam lineup, especially when it comes to the women’s division. Tiffany Stratton was going to defend the Women’s US Title against Blake Monroe at SummerSlam, but that’s not happening since Stratton is now a part of the 5-woman Ladder Match to become the Interim WWE Women’s Champion.
Jade Cargill was likely going to face Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam, but that’s not happening because Cargill is in the Ladder Match at SummerSlam. Flair could be part of it too.
The WWE Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, is dealing with a torn meniscus in her right knee and is out for SummerSlam. The company hopes Ripley can return by the fall.
As a reminder, WWE SummerSlam takes place on August 1 & 2 from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here’s the lineup so far:
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth Rollins
- Undisputed WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
- Hell in a Cell Match: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
- Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky
- Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. Chad Gable
- LA Knight, Royce Keys & Solo Sikoa vs. The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso and Jacob Fatu
- Gunther vs. Nick Aldis
- Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill vs. three other women
- Danhausen vs. Dominik Mysterio
You can watch SummerSlam, a special two-night event, STREAMING LIVE on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan in the United States and on Netflix internationally.
There could be more matches added on tonight’s July 24th edition of SmackDown. As usual, we’ll have all the updates on TJRWrestling.
Also Read: Seth Rollins Ranks The Top 5 Moments Of His WWE SummerSlam Career