'SummerSlam' and 'Ric Flair's Last Match' Headline Big Wrestling Weekend
Both 'SummerSlam' and 'Ric Flair's Last Match' take place this weekend, and you can order them on Sling TV. Here's a preview.
This might sound like an exaggeration but fans of professional wrestling are used to hyperbole: This upcoming weekend is one of the most consequential in the history of of the sport. Consider the following: Ric Flair, unquestionably one of the 10 most important figures in wrestling history, will be competing in his last match. If that weren’t enough, SummerSlam, the biggest WWE event of the season, will take place just days after the resignation of Vince McMahon, the WWE’s longtime CEO.
This is truly a changing of the guard moment, and it's one you can catch on Sling TV by ordering the Pay-Per-Views of Ric Flair’s Last Match ($34.99) and SummerSlam ($44.99). Here’s what you can look forward to from both events.
Flair For the Dramatic
He may have played a heel through most of his career, but it’s hard to think of a wrestler more beloved than “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. The 73-year-old began his career all the way back in the ‘70s and his arrogant persona, flashy costuming, colorful trash talk, and almost vaudevillian physicality has had a profound influence on wrestling as a whole. Following a series of health scares in 2017, the former 16-time world champion and two-time WWE Hall of Famer is ready for one last match.
Befitting an icon who has been in the ring for a variety of promotions, the card for Ric Flair’s Last Match—which takes place Sunday, July 31 at 6:05pm ET—features talent from across the world of professional wrestling, including Impact Wrestling, MLW, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and AAA. The main event sees Ric Flair and his son-in-law Andrade El Idolo taking on Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal, Flair’s trainer and a wrestler for AEW. The rest of the card is as follows:
- IMPACT World Championship Match: Josh Alexander vs. Jacob Fatu
- IMPACT Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace vs. Deonna Purrazzo vs. Rachael Ellering
- The Wolves vs. The Motor City Machine Guns
- Killer Kross vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
- The Briscoe Brothers vs. The Von Erichs
- Clark Connors vs. Ren Narita
- Laredo Kid vs. Bandido vs. Taurus vs. Rey Fenix
- Bunkhouse Battle Royal
On Friday night, take a humorous trip down memory lane with The Roast of Ric Flair. According to Wrestling Headlines, sportscaster Brad Nessler will serve as roast master, and everyone from WWE Hall of Famers Bully Ray, Eric Bischoff, Diamond Dallas Page, and Torrie Wilson to NBA legend Jerry West is scheduled to appear, along with comedians Shuli Egar, John Moses, Dan St. Germain of Wrestle Roast, Casio Kid, Tyler Morrison, Earl Skakel and more. The Roast of Ric Flair, scheduled for Friday, July 29 at 9pm ET, is available to order for $19.99.
Long, Hot SummerSlam
This weekend’s other big wrestling event is WWE SummerSlam, which goes down Saturday, July 30 at 8pm ET from Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The main event sees WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns taking on longtime rival Brock Lessner in a “last man standing” match. Other titles on the line include the Undisputed WWE tag team championship as reigning champs The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) take on The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and a WWE SmackDown women's championship match between belt-holder Liv Morgan and Ronda Rousey. Check out the full card below:
- Last man standing match for undisputed WWE Universal championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Brock Lesnar
- Pat McAfee vs. Happy Corbin
- The Miz vs. Logan Paul
- WWE United States championship: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Theory
- Undisputed WWE tag team championship: The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) (c) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)
- WWE SmackDown women's championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
- No disqualification match: The Mysterios vs. Finn Balor and Damian Priest (The Judgement Day)
- Raw women's championship: Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch
- Riddle vs. Seth Rollins
Whether saying goodbye to one wrestling legend or getting a first look at the post-McMahon era of the WWE, this weekend promises to be a turning point in the history of the sport. “Wooo!”, indeed.
To order The Roast of Ric Flair, SummerSlam, and Ric Flair’s Last Match on Sling TV, browse the on-demand tab in the Sling TV app or search for each title by name.