New here? Start with this

SummerSlam is one of WWE's biggest annual pay-per-view events, alongside WrestleMania, and this year's edition took place at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. WWE is a scripted, entertainment-based wrestling promotion, so outcomes and storylines are predetermined by the company, but the athleticism and physical risk in the matches are real. Titles such as the Undisputed WWE Championship and the Women's World Championship are the sport's top prizes, and who holds them shapes the ongoing narrative across WWE's shows.

The key figures include Brock Lesnar, a long-established veteran star, and Oba Femi, a newer performer whose push to prominence reflects WWE's broader effort to promote younger talent. Cody Rhodes and CM Punk are two of the promotion's most prominent current stars, with a rivalry that has played out over many months, while Randy Orton is a veteran wrestler known for a history of interfering in other performers' matches. Liv Morgan and Iyo Sky are leading figures in the women's division, and the Bella Twins (Nikki and Brie) and Paige are established names with their own history in WWE's storylines.

Events like SummerSlam matter within WWE's world because they typically mark turning points in these ongoing, months-long storylines, resolving some rivalries while setting up others for future shows. The mix of title changes, unexpected results and alliances breaking down is part of how WWE builds anticipation for its next major events.