Liv Morgan proves herself as top women's star in WWE as she retains title at SummerSlam over Iyo Sky

WWE women's champion Liv Morgan talks to Fox News Digital about expectations for this year's SummerSlam.

Kicking off a major WWE premium live event like SummerSlam is no tough task. The competitors involved in the first match have to set the tone for how the rest of the next few hours will go.

Liv Morgan and Iyo Sky set the pace immediately at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

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Liv Morgan makes her entrance during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 1, 2026. (WWE via Getty Images)

Morgan, the women’s world champion, hadn’t had a title defense in quite some time and already lost to Sky in the Queen of the Ring finals. But the lack of title defenses recently didn’t seem to affect Morgan immediately. As Sky tried to take the fight to the outside, Morgan flipped the script and the "Genius of the Sky." She threw Sky into the barricade and nailed her opponent in the ribs before delivering the Three Amigos.

Sky has the ability to turn the tables on a dime and she did just that. A kick to the head followed by a missile dropkick gave Sky the momentum. A Bullet Train Attack put Morgan right where Sky wanted her. Morgan was hanging on the middle rope and Sky nailed a sunset-flip powerbomb to the mat outside of the ring.

Just as Sky was going up for a moonsault, Morgan’s Judgment Day cronies got involved. Roxanne Perez distracted the referee while Raquel Rodriguez tossed Sky down from the top rope. Morgan, however, couldn’t get the pinfall.

IYO SKY faces Liv Morgan during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 1, 2026. (WWE via Getty Images)

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Sky ended up taking out Perez and