According to a new report from Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE’s original plan for SummerSlam involved a dramatic return and Money in the Bank cash-in by Seth Rollins. The plan would have seen Rollins cash in on the winner of the World Heavyweight Championship match between Gunther and CM Punk.
This storyline was set in motion during the Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12, where Rollins suffered a knee injury during a match with LA Knight.
While presented as legitimate, multiple reports confirm the injury was a planned angle designed to write Rollins off television and build to a surprise return. WWE leveraged Rollins’ real history of knee issues to add a layer of uncertainty to the situation.
The plan reportedly remained in place even after the storyline injury occurred. The situation has been described as “very cloudy,” with WWE keeping its options open, partly due to details of the angle leaking. Adding to the intrigue, CM Punk revealed his match with Gunther will main event night one of SummerSlam, a slot often reserved for major angles.
As of the day before the event, it is unknown if the company will proceed with the cash-in. However, the possibility of Rollins making an appearance remains the biggest variable heading into WWE’s first-ever two-night SummerSlam, fueling major fan speculation.