5 Reasons WWE’s Road to SummerSlam 2026 Has Been a Disappointment So Far

SummerSlam is regarded as the second biggest event on WWE’s calendar. It’s a premium live event built on months of captivating storylines, heated rivalries, and unforgettable moments. The road to SummerSlam is one of the most exciting times of the year, where fans normally witness jaw-dropping things, marquee returns, and huge swerves. However, the hype and excitement have been notably missing this year despite the PLE being two weeks away.

There’s no denying that the card looks promising with some of the biggest and marquee clashes set for action in Minneapolis. However, the buildup of The Biggest Party of the Summer has felt pretty hollow this year due to several mistakes and poorly executed moves. Whether it’s abysmal storyline progression or the lackluster portrayal of champions, Triple H made plenty of notable errors that have spoiled what could have been an exciting period.

Let’s take a look at five reasons the road to SummerSlam 2026 has been a disappointment so far:

#5. Poor booking of the feuds and storylines

There was a time when the SummerSlam build felt legitimate due to the feuds and storylines getting necessary exposure and required limelight. However, the core issue surrounding the current period is the mismanagement and poor handling of the ongoing stories. IYO SKY and Liv Morgan are set to collide for the Women’s World Championship at The Biggest Party of the Summer. However, the buildup in this rivalry has been miserable so far.

One of the biggest matches on the card is for the Undisputed WWE Championship between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk. However, this feud isn’t doing any good either. Instead of showcasing intensity against each other, Punk and Rhodes have only shown camaraderie. Besides, the biggest rivalry of the modern era between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins has not delivered to its full potential yet, making the road to The Biggest Party of the Summer look fragile.

#4. Weekly shows do not feel like must-watch

One of the biggest disappointments on the road to SummerSlam has been the overall energy of RAW and SmackDown. Despite featuring major stars, the shows have struggled to create the sense that the biggest event of the summer is just around the corner. The company has been filling the weekly shows with excessive video packages, unnecessary recaps, and filler matches, with the main storylines often taking a backseat.

Meanwhile, the SummerSlam feuds that are getting the spotlight are moving in the same loop with repetitive segments and predictable angles. The quality of the shows has degraded to the point where RAW and SmackDown are no longer able to stir hype and excitement among fans for the upcoming spectacle. When viewers can catch up weeks’ worth of angle progression through a 2-minute highlight reel, it tells about the dire situation of the shows.

#3. Lack of real intensity in the ongoing rivalries

WrestleMania and SummerSlam are two of the biggest events in which the title matches are built on pure, unadulterated intensity and rivalry. However, things are just the opposite this year. CM Punk and Cody Rhodes will collide for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Instead of developing a bitter hostility towards each other, they are showcasing their mutual respect and admiration. They even teamed up at Saturday Night’s Main Event, highlighting their camaraderie.

Meanwhile, Penta and Chad Gable will battle for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam. While they should have been delivering intense promos against each other, they are teaming up on RAW as good friends. Meanwhile, IYO SKY and Liv Morgan’s rivalry hasn’t felt any personal either. Moreover, the biggest rivalry between Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns has leaned purely on nostalgia rather than a fiery hatred.

#2. Champions are being undervalued

Marquee events like SummerSlam demand for the champions to be on the frontline, with their title story getting the limelight. However, the lackluster portrayal of several champions has been the most alarming problem this year. While some champions are relegated to the background, other champions are involved in non-title stories. The Biggest Party of the Summer is just two weeks away, and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Sol Ruca and United States Champion Trick Williams are still directionless.

On the other hand, Tiffany Stratton competing in the WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam despite being the Women’s United States Champion is a baffling move that devalues her status as champion. That is not all. The WWE Tag Team Championship and the World Tag Team Championship are being relegated to the background with no storyline progression for the titles ahead of the upcoming premium live event.

#1. Lack of “wow factor” in the SummerSlam build

SummerSlam is one of the biggest marquee events on WWE’s calendar. It is built on seismic shifts, big returns, and game-changing twists that set the internet abuzz and send shockwaves. However, the wow factor has been completely missing from the feuds and storylines this year. Instead of jaw-dropping twists that drive mainstream buzz, WWE has been delivering the same things every week.

Seth Rollins has been delivering the same type of promo on every episode of Monday Night Raw. Meanwhile, Charlotte Flair and Jade Cargill have been constantly brawling every week on SmackDown. And Oba Femi has been taking the same typical jabs at Brock Lesnar. The lack of a surprise factor or shock element has made the road to SummerSlam pretty monotonous this year, cooling down fans’ excitement for the grand spectacle.