AJ Styles Returns to the IC Title Picture as SummerSlam Adds New Stipulations and Shocking Twists
As WWE’s first-ever two-night SummerSlam draws closer, new developments are shaking up the card, promising more drama, intensity, and high-stakes action than ever before. The Intercontinental Championship scene in particular has taken center stage, with not one, but two major updates confirmed on this week’s edition of Monday Night Raw.
After weeks of buildup and delays due to injury, the long-anticipated clash between AJ Styles and Dominik Mysterio is officially set for SummerSlam. The rivalry, fueled by growing tension and a series of confrontations, will finally culminate in a championship match. Styles has relentlessly pursued Mysterio across multiple episodes, accusing him of evading competition while demanding a title opportunity. The situation reached a boiling point on Raw, when General Manager Adam Pearce announced that Mysterio had been medically cleared to compete. That confirmation immediately set the stage for the two superstars to face off for the Intercontinental Championship during SummerSlam weekend.
But the Intercontinental division isn’t just heating up on the men’s side. The WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship match between Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria is now carrying added emotional and professional weight. During a tense in-ring promo, Lynch proposed a stipulation that would drastically alter Valkyria’s future title prospects. If Valkyria loses at SummerSlam, she will no longer be allowed to challenge for the title as long as Lynch holds it. Valkyria, unwilling to let her final chance slip away easily, demanded that the match take place under no disqualification and no countout rules. Though hesitant, Lynch accepted the terms, making this bout one of the most unpredictable on the card.
With those updates, WWE has finalized a powerhouse lineup for August 2 and 3. Headlining the event is Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena, who will defend his title against Cody Rhodes in a brutal street fight that promises to be anything but traditional. The World Heavyweight Championship will also be on the line as Gunther faces CM Punk in a battle that pits power against strategy.
Other matches include a blockbuster tag team contest featuring Randy Orton and musician-turned-wrestler Jelly Roll against Drew McIntyre and social media star Logan Paul. In the women’s division, Tiffany Stratton defends her title against powerhouse Jade Cargill, while Naomi puts her Women’s World Championship on the line in a triple threat against IYO SKY and the returning Rhea Ripley.
The United States Championship will be contested inside a steel cage as Solo Sikoa squares off against Jacob Fatu in what’s expected to be a hard-hitting, physically intense matchup. Meanwhile, the Women’s Tag Team titles will be defended by Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez against the legendary pairing of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss.
With new stipulations, rising stakes, and an already stacked card, SummerSlam 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic and must-watch events in WWE history. The decision to split the event across two nights seems to have paid off, giving each match more room to breathe and allowing fans to fully absorb the narratives that have been months in the making.