WWE SummerSlam 2021 - Star ratings for every match

Roman Reigns vs. John Cena for the WWE Universal Championship (WWE SummerSlam 2021)

Consider @WWERomanReigns' attitude ADJUSTED.#SummerSlam #UniversalTitle @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/X1t28DiiIQ

— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 22, 2021

The final impression of the entire SummerSlam 2021 card weighed heavily on how the Roman Reigns vs. John Cena Universal Championship Match transpired. The two superstars were the unquestionable main event and biggest encounter of the night. It featured the two best-built superstars of the past two decades in WWE.

The lead-up to this SummerSlam 2021 main event started at the end of Money In The Bank 2021 when John Cena returned to confront Roman Reigns. Cena's return received one of the biggest pops in recent WWE history and showed just how much the fans had missed him since his last match at WrestleMania 36.

Both men have cut scathing promos for one another on their own and face to face over the past few weeks. Despite a strange detour with Finn Balor being teased as Roman's SummerSlam opponent, Cena and Reigns have done well to generate interest, intrigue, and anticipation for this colossal showdown.

Roman Reigns has not only been putting on the best character work of his career, but he has also consistently put on excellent main events that rely heavily on storytelling and emotion. John Cena has made a living and become an all-time great by using his selling and mannerisms to produce classics against the best of the best over the past two decades.

AA THROUGH THE TABLE!#SummerSlam #UniversalTitle @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/QYNYaYgz8C

— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2021

This contest was no different, with both men bringing what had brought them to the dance. Cena proved at SummerSlam 2021 that he can still bring it on the big stage, while Reigns once again showed why he is the top guy in the industry today. It was a masterclass in the WWE-style main event with its signature offense, trash talk, escalation of the action, and superb near falls with a hot crowd.

The two men had the Allegiant Stadium crowd buying all the close two counts and popping for the huge spots like Cena's massive AA on the announce table. Cena got too cocky and looked to mock Reigns with his signature taunt and spear, but Roman countered and hit a barrage of Superman Punches. He then followed up with a spear for the win to retain the Universal Championship.

Regardless of what fans think of these two men and their pushes, there is a reason why they are the megastars that they are. John Cena and Roman Reigns know how to produce a memorable heavyweight slugfest, and that's exactly what fans got. It was a great main event and a fitting end to SummerSlam 2021.

Star rating: ****1/4