The unmistakable roar of "The Beast is Back!" sets the tone for this thrilling breakdown of WWE SummerSlam 2024. We called Brock Lesnar's return months ago after spotting his figure in merchandise shipments, and our predictions finally came true in spectacular fashion as he confronted John Cena following Cody Rhodes' championship defense.

Throughout our passionate discussion, we dissect both nights of what could have easily been condensed into a single action-packed event. The contrast between the exceptional main events and the middling undercard becomes our central focus—with Cody vs. Cena emerging as the weekend's standout match. Their contest featured masterful storytelling, unexpected spots including a piledriver, and camera work that teased a potential Cody heel turn that had us all speculating.

We don't hold back on criticizing production issues that plagued several matches. From photographers blocking camera shots to chaotic coverage during the TLC bout, these technical difficulties detracted from otherwise solid performances. The strange absence of The Judgment Day throughout the entire weekend left us puzzled, while other notable moments like Seth Rollins channeling Kevin Nash's infamous fake injury angle provided delightful nostalgia for longtime fans.

Beyond simply recapping matches, we explore deeper storytelling implications: John Cena's retirement tour schedule (just 12 appearances remaining), what's next for CM Punk whose promos continue outshining his ring work, and how WWE might navigate championship storylines with rumors of both Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns taking time off for filming commitments.

As we assign our ratings to the event (mostly 1s and 2s out of 4), we acknowledge that despite its flaws, SummerSlam succeeded in creating genuine moments of surprise that recaptured that childlike feeling of unpredictability in wrestling. Join us for this unfiltered, enthusiastic breakdown that celebrates both the highs and lows of WWE's summer spectacular.

RING THE DAMN BELL