Cody Rhodes regained the Undisputed WWE Championship at WWE SummerSlam, defeating John Cena in a street fight. It was the first time Rhodes defeated Cena in singles competition, avenging his loss from WrestleMania 41.

Cody Rhodes reclaimed the undisputed WWE championship, Brock Lesnar squashed John Cena and Seth Rollins claimed another world championship at the expense of longtime rival CM Punk. While WrestleMania is often a spiritual season finale,

The shocking and controversial return of "The Beast Incarnate" came at the conclusion of SummerSlam Night Two. Lesnar stormed the ring and laid out Cena with an F5 after he had lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes.