Graphic by graphic designer Edward Andilema.
Dear all Millennials and late Gen Z’ers, WWE is so back.
And we’re not just talking about the “record-breaking” numbers that Triple H, WWE’s chief content officer, seems to constantly bring up lately at the end of every live event.
It’s more than that.
WWE has once again crossed over into the worlds of sports, pop culture and everyday society: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was teased to be WWE Champion Cody Rhodes after shaving his hair and bleaching it blonde; rapper Travis Scott appeared multiple times alongside iconic wrestler The Rock; and kids are once again rocking wrestling shirts and yelling: “Yeet!” or “No yeet!”
For the first time since 2019, the WWE universe returns to New Jersey ahead of the first-ever two-day SummerSlam event on Saturday, Aug. 2 and Sunday, Aug. 3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford—just a 20-minute drive from Hudson County.
Whether you grabbed tickets to see the action (which are still on sale), are looking for fan experiences or worried about how this affects your commute, here’s what you can expect.
No Tickets? You Can Still Have Fun
If you’re a WWE fan, you probably already know who’s on the lineup this weekend, but did you know you’ll have a chance to meet one or more wrestlers too?
Friday, Aug. 1 Smackdown Is Back At Prudential Center
If you can’t nab tickets for MetLife, you still have a chance to preview the storylines on Friday, Aug. 1 when WWE Smackdown returns to Newark for the first time in seven years.
For more information on who’s on the show and to buy tickets, click here.
Aug. 1 To Aug. 3 In American Dream
Then a few towns over, American Dream, a mall directly across from MetLife, is getting a WWE takeover starting this Friday, Aug. 1 until Sunday, Aug. 3 and will be stocked with exclusive SummerSlam: New Jersey merchandise, collectibles and a Meet & Greet experience with more than a handful of wrestlers.
The SummerSlam Superstore—located in the mall at 1 American Dream Way, Rutherford, NJ—will run from:
- Friday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Store entry is free to the public.
Fans can also buy tickets for the “SummerSlam Takeover Auto & Photo Experience” where they can take photos and/or get autographs from wrestling legends like The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Mark Henry and Mick Foley plus today’s stars including Iyo Sky, Jey Uso, Jade Cargill and Dominik Mysterio.
Opportunities with Bron Breakker, Stephanie Vaquer, Alexa Bliss and Rhea Ripley are already sold out. To buy tickets or get more information on the list of superstars and schedules, click here.
In June, WWE announced in a press release a “Late Night Featuring Tony Hinchcliffe” at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood on Aug. 2, but at the time of this writing, Ticketmaster lists the event as cancelled. Hinchcliffe previously hosted “The Roast of Wrestlemania,” which featured stars like The Miz, Sami Zayn and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman.
Or Watch SummerSlam On The Big Screen
According to The Bergen Record, there are 10 Regal movie theaters throughout New Jersey that will be streaming the pay-per-view event:
- Burlington: Regal Burlington, 250 Bromley Blvd.
- Hamilton: Regal Independence Plaza, 2465 S. Broad St.
- Manahawkin: Regal Manahawkin, 733 Route 72 East
- Mays Landing: Regal Hamilton Commons, 4215 Black Horse Pike, Lot 600
- Moorestown: Regal Moorestown Mall, 400 Route 38
- North Brunswick: Regal Commerce Center, 2399 Route 1 South
- Sewell: Regal UA Washington Township, 121 Tuckahoe Rd.
- South Plainfield: Regal Hadley, 1000 Corporate Court
- Turnersville: Regal Cross Keys, 151 American Blvd.
- Vineland: Regal Cumberland Mall, 3849 South Delsea
While You’re At It—Taste And Explore Hudson County!
While it’s unclear if there’s any WWE SummerSlam foodie exclusives this weekend, that doesn’t mean you can’t grab a bite at a local spot.
Hudson County is home to 12 municipalities, which are all just minutes away from the action at MetLife and American Dream.
You can find somewhere to eat, drink or chill by:
- Exploring our “Spotlight” interviews where we talk to dozens of local businesses throughout Hudson County and nearby
- Check out our reels for quick talks we had with local businesses throughout Hudson County and nearby
- Find special deals and recommendations in Jersey City by checking out Jersey City Restaurant Fest
- Go more in depth on what Hudson County has to offer by visiting visithudson.org/
Need more recs? DM us on Instagram!
How’s The Commute?
MetLife parking lots open at 12:30 p.m. while the stadium’s gates open at 3:30 p.m.
If you’re not driving to SummerSlam, NJ Transit will be providing services from Secaucus Junction to MetLife Stadium.
All MetLife Stadium rail trips are served via shuttle train to and from Secaucus Junction and Meadowlands rail stations. There is no direct rail service to Meadowlands Station from any other rail line or station.
For Aug. 2 and Aug. 3:
- Service to Meadowlands Station from Secaucus Junction will begin at 2:31 p.m.
- The final Meadowlands Station-bound train will depart Secaucus Junction at 7:52 p.m.
A full schedule is available here.
The last train from MetLife will not depart Meadowlands Station any earlier than 1 a.m.
NJ Transit encourages riders to “plan ahead and carefully check rail schedules for service from Secaucus to Penn Station New York and Hoboken Terminal after the event. Customers can use PATH service to New York from Hoboken Terminal. PATH service will not be cross-honored for this event.
For more information on the rail service, you can click here. For general “Know Before You Go” event information, click here.
Who’s On The Card Again?
The pay-per-view event, which will stream only on Peacock in the U.S., will kick off both days at 6 p.m. local time.
2025 WWE SummerSlam Matches // Night 1
- World Heavyweight Championship — Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk
- WWE Women’s Championship — Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill
Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul - WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships — The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez) (c) vs. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair
- Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
- Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
2025 WWE SummerSlam Matches // Night 2
- Undisputed WWE Championship — John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes (Street fight)
- Women’s World Championship — Naomi (c) vs. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley
- Women’s Intercontinental Championship — Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria
- United States Championship — Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu (Steel Cage match)
- Intercontinental Championship — Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
- WWE Tag Team Championship — Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. #DIY vs. Street Profits vs. Fraxiom vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix (TLC match)
If you still miss out on SummerSlam, you can catch the recap and live experience on Monday, Aug. 4 where the stars hit up the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for Monday Night RAW. For tickets and more information, click here.
