Here it is. Another LONG summer night awaits all of us as WWE continues to oversaturate one Sunday Night every month with a multi-hour marathon of matches. And this month, we get even MORE wrestling as it's (in Vince voice) SUMMMMMMMMERRRRRSLAMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!
I will be posting live results for the matches as they wrap up on this page, INCLUDING the Pre-Show matches. Without further ado....
HERE WE GO!!!!!
1) Mixed Tag Team Match
Zelina Vega/Andrade Cien Almas vs. Lana/Rusev
This half empty crowd is clapping along to Almas's theme. Lana and Rusev both do the Rusev jump pose and shirt rip on the way out. BIG RUSEV DAY chant to start us off. The bell rings.
Tranquilo pose in the ropes by Almas followed by a Rusev CRUSH pose by Rusev/Lana. Almas gets an early advantage, but Rusev turns it around into a mudhole stomp in the corner. Snap suplex by Rusev. Vega distracts Rusev, and Almas attacks and throws Rusev into the ringpost. Armbar using the ropes by Almas. Cross armbreaker by Almas followed by using the middle rope to choke Rusev. Almas misses a big attack to Rusev. Tag to Lana is blocked by Zelina who pulls her down. Big running knee into the corner by Almas. Tornado Reverse DDT (I almost wrote DESTINOOOOOOO) for a 2 by Almas.
Almas back to the attack on the arm of Rusev. Rusev gets Almas off of him. Almas tries to get another reverse DDT, but Almas is sent tumbling off the top rope to the outside. Tag to Lana. The girls are legal now. Running Bulldog. Lana-Rooni! Neckbreaker! Zelina rolls out of the ring. Lana gives chase. Head smashed against the apron by Lana. Lana catches Zelina and slams her in the ring. 1-2-kickout. Lana is sent face first into the turnbuckle by Zelina. Big kick to send Lana down in the corner. Zelina runs into a superkick by Lana. LANA CRUSH!!!! Rusev tries to attack Almas, but he goes into the barricade. Here comes Almas. Zelina catchess Lana while she's distracted. Rollup by Zelina with her feet up on the ropes at 2.5. She gets the win for her team.
Winner: Zelina and Almas
Match Grade: D. This was a bit sloppy and was basically a TV match on the Kickoff Show only. Lana and Zelina looked awesome. But all four are capable of more.
2) WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Drew Gulak
There are still a lot of empty seats, but there are easily more people in this place than usually watch 205 Live after SmackDown Live.
Gulak and Alexander do some quick tie-ups. I wonder how many beachballs are in the arena right now. Gulak catches Alexander with a punch to the gut, but Alexander escapes a Gulock and hits a dropkick. They are outside now. Big right hand by Alexander, followed by a chop. Alexander has Gulak back in the ring and goes for a big move through the ropes, but he eats a big kick. Hanging neckbreaker on the knee by Gulak to Alexander from the ring apron to the floor. Flapjack into the Apron by Gulak. Both men are back in the ring. Neck twist by Gulak.
Cedric fights out but eats a twisting urinage for a 2 count. Big clothesline by Gulak x2. Only gets a 2. Back to a headlock now by Gulak. Stretch chinlock over the back by Gulak with Alexander on his back. (Gory Especio(?), Nigel calls it.) Cedric gets out. Forearm by Alexander. Alexander gets on the apron and gets in a flatliner through the ropes on Gulak. Uppercut by Alexander who is now charging and on the attack.
Alexander mounts with punches on Gulak. The crowd is dead for this. It IS 205 LIVE!!!! "THIS IS NORMAL!!! THIS IS NORMAL!!!" (That's me typing that folks. They didn't chant that.) Cedric hits a big dive on Gulak on the outside. Polite applause from the audience. Big kick by Alexander on Gulak, but Alexander gets caught trying to springboard on Gulak. Gulock locked in on the ropes. Gulak breaks it up at 4. Gulak tries to lock in the hold again, but Cedric fights him off. Big back elbow by Alexander. Slugfest by both men here. BIG slap by Gulak knocks Alexander down. Rollup by Gulak. 1-2-kickout. Gulak catches Alexander in a Pele kick in an ankle lock. Very good series of nearfalls and rollup. Spanish Fly was countered into an rollup by Gulak, but Alexander gets the advantage eventually on Gulak and gets the 3 on a rollup.
Winner: Cedric Alexander (still champion)
Match Grade: C. It was a normal 205 Live match. No one in the arena really cared. The internet will tell everyone how they should care more. Most people won't. Yadda yadda yadda. This division died 2 years ago when they didn't sign Ibushi or Sabre Jr. But that's just my opinion.
3) RAW Tag Team Championships
The B-Team (c) vs. The Revival
B-Team! B-Team! GO GO GO!!!!
The bell rings, and here we go. Headlock takedown by Dallas. Wilder hits a Dragon Screw on Dallas. Shatter Machine to Axel. Bo Dallas is caught in the corner by The Revival. Electric Chair into a Missile Dropkick for 2 on Dallas. The Revival continue to work on Dallas's leg, using the old Arn/Tully ring cutting technique. Dallas gets Dawson off of him, but there's no one to tag. Axel is still on the floor.
Dallas is back in The Revival corner, and they continue the attack on Dallas's leg. Tag back to Dawson. More attacks to the leg. More Dragon Screws by The Revival on the leg of Dallas. Dawson gets sent into the ringpost, but Dallas only gets a 2 on the desperation rollup. Wilder keeps Dallas from tagging Axel. Dawson comes off the ropes with a knee to Dallas's jaw while in a backbreaker position for a 2. Tag to Wilder. Wilder tries to hit a suplex to the floor, but Dallas catches him with a hanging neckbreaker. Dallas crawls over and tags in Axel. Axel with clotheslines and a snapmare neckbreaker ala his father Mr. Perfect. Axel is going for the PerfectPlex. Dawson rolls him up, but the referee is distracted. Dallas falls over and rolls Axel over on Dawson for the win.
Winners: The B-Team (still champions)
Match Grade: C. Another match that should have been saved for a Monday Night Raw. This really is tedious to sit through two hours of pseudo-commentary and inconsequential Main Event level matches.
Now, we thankfully and FINALLY get to the main card.
We get a video with Terry Crews (I just saw him as an extra in Training Day yesterday). He gives a hype speech outside the Barclays Center about success.
Dean Ambrose is the first to come out followed by SETH ROLLINS. BURN IT DOWN!!!!
1) WWE Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (w/Dean Ambrose) vs. Dolph Ziggler (w/ Drew McIntyre) (c)
This could be the greatest opening match in SummerSlam history in the right circumstances. Let's see what happens.
The bell rings. They main evented the last big WWE event. Now, they're starting off the next one. Jockeying for position by both men. Tense second with Rollins being close to McIntyre, but Ambrose gets in McIntyre's face to make sure he doesn't get involved. Quick exchange by both men, but Dolph takes a breather outside. Another exchange in the ring by both men, but Dolph goes back out to take another breather. Ambrose continues to get in the face of McIntyre, and Rollins takes Ziggler back in the ring and takes advantage. Big clothesline out of the corner by Rollins.
Rollins gets launched up to the apron. He gets distracted for a second by McIntyre, and Dolph takes advantage with a kick to the leg and a neckbreaker. Dolph takes Rollins' face and rakes it against the top rope. Chops in the corner followed by a turnbuckle shot into another corner for Ziggler on Rollins. (Ziggler going Rick Rude with the Intercontinental Championship on his tights.) Rollins tumbles off the ropes to the outside. McIntyre goes to interfere, but Ambrose again stops the interference.
Rollins is rolled back in, and Ziggler gets a headlock in. Long period of execution here. Finally after about 2 minutes, a jawbreaker is hit by Rollins. But Rollins is backdropped OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR IN A LOUD THUD!!! Rollins is rolled back in. Ziggler is on the top rope. Crossbody, but Rollins rolls through. He goes to suplex Dolph over the top, but he takes a dive himself sending both men crashing over the top to the floor. Both men get back in. Rollins catches Ziggler with a boot to the face. SLING BLADE by Rollins. Big running forearms into the corner by Rollins. Blockbuster by Rollins off the middle rope for a 2.
Rollins climbs the top rope, but Ziggler knocks him down on the top turnbuckle. Ziggler is climbing up, going for a superplex. Rollins blocks it with a headbutt, but Ziggler rolls out of harm's way. Rollins catches Ziggler with a big dive through the ropes. Springboard flying clothesline back in the ring by Rollins. Ripcord Knee by Rollins gets a 2. Ziggler fights out of the Buckle Bomb and an Electric Chair to get a sleeper hold in. Rollins slings Ziggler onto the apron. Ziggler hangs up Rollins neck on the top rope. "NOW WE FINISH THIS!"- Ziggler. Ziggler sends Rollins back into the ringpost and hits a big jumping DDT ON THE RING APRON sending Rollins crashing to the floor!!!
Rollins gets back in the ring by 9. Ziggler punches and attacks Rollins. Zig Zag blocked by Rollins. Kick to the jaw by Rollins. He's climbing up! FROG SPLASH countered by KNEES by ZIGGLER! Rollup! 1-2-KICKOUT! Ziggler continues to punch and attack Rollins. Now Rollins is fighting back. Ziggler goes for the Famouser, but Rollins catches him. Rollins climbs up the ropes with Ziggler on the corner. Ziggler elbows Rollins off. But Rollins climbs back up and hits a REVERSE SUPERPLEX and a REVERSE FALCON ARROW! 1-2-KICKOUT!!!!
STANDING OVATION from the audience! And deservedly so. This is awesome. This could be a contender for best opening match at a SummerSlam.
Rollins is up. He's hyping up the crowd more. McIntyre sends Ambrose into the steps!!!! ZIG ZAG by Ziggler!!!! 1-2-Kickout! WOW! Great fake finish! Seth is busted open. Ziggler is tuning up the band. He misses. A series of rollups by both men. Rollins deadlifts Ziggler up! Buckle Bomb! Ambrose hits DIRTY DEEDS on McIntyre! SUPERKICK TO DOLPH! CURB STOMP! 1-2-3!!!! NEW CHAMP!
Winner: Seth Rollins (New IC Champ)
Match Grade: A. This was a great great way to start off the show. Both men had a much better match than they did in Pittsburgh last month. They got the crowd hot for the finish, and now it looks like Ambrose and Rollins are on the same page for the moment.
The Bella Twins are here for some godawful reason. Oh. Wait. They're here because they wouldn't be anywhere else. And to talk about everything they are doing. They say they are going to be at ringside for the Rousey match. Well, Alexa Bliss is retaining the title tonght, folks.
OH BROOKLYN! DON'T YOU DARE BE SOUR.... You know what this means.
2) SmackDown Tag Team Championships
The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers (c)
The floor is literally the "Yellow-Brick Road" from The Wizard of Oz. Big E, Kofi, and Xavier... Oh My.
Charles Robinson holds the titles up like "Yeah. I'm still working here."
The bell rings. And Xavier is immediately sent crashing on the mat and gets smashed by the Bludgeon Brothers. Big splash into a big boot for a 2. Headlock by Harper. (It's Kofi and Big E for New Day) Rowan is tagged in and splashes down on Xavier for a 2. Head twist by Rowan turned into a head squeeze. Pumphandle backbreaker by Rowan. Harper is tagged in and hits a slingshot senton for a 2. Tag back to Rowan. Big E sent flying off the apron. Rowan slams Harper onto Big E. Rowan and Harper team up on Xavier on the outside. Steel chairs split up by Bludgeon Brothers. Woods escapes the double team. Woods sends Harper face first into the steel in a hurricanrana.
Woods crawls back in the ring trying to get to Big E. Harper grabs his leg. But Big E gets tagged in!!!! Belly to Belly on BOTH Harper and Rowan on the floor!!!! Another belly to belly in the ring on Harper. Big E splash on the mat. Harper slams down Big E. 1-2-Kickout. Tag to Rowan (the fall guy). Big E sends Rowan into the post shoulder first. They're on the outside. Xavier crashes on Rowan. Harper hits a Deep 6 on Xavier. Big E tackles Harper off the apron to the floor. Harper tags back in. Big E gets Crucifix Bombed in the ring, but Woods breaks it up at 2. Big kick to Rowan and Harper. Xavier tagged back in. BIG POWERBOMB by Harper to Xavier. 1-2-Kickout!!! Kofi is playing cheerleader, and he gets backdropped on the floor. BIG ENDING on the floor on Rowan.
Harper and Big E are legal. They are on the apron. Backbreaker/Urinage by New Day on Harper. Woods is tagged in. Harper is down, but he rolls out of the ring. Woods was on the top rope, and he still is!!!! HE DIVES OFF THE TOP ROPE AND HITS AN ELBOW ON HARPER ON THE OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!Big E is tagged in. Harper is in the ring. Xavier is climbing the top rope, but Rowan attacks him with the mallet for the DQ. Mallet to the face of Big E! Harper takes the mallet and attacks Big E.
Winners: The New Day (by DQ) (The Bludgeon Brothers still Tag Team Champions)
Match Grade: B. DQ finish aside, I was definitely digging this match up to the end. They did a good job making you believe either team could win, which is the most you can ask. I'm ready to say it: The New Day may be the best three man team of all time.
3) Money in the Bank Contract on the Line
Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman (contract holder)
** Braun can lose contract by pin, submisssion, DQ, and countout.
KO In The Bank shirt worn by Kevin Owens. Braun just comes out as usual, ready to tear things apart. "GET THESE HANDS" chants to start the match. The bell rings. Big charge into the corner by Braun x2. KO rolls out of the ring. Braun goes out, runs around the ring, and tackles KO sending him flying. Braun does it again, and KO does a complete flip. Owens rolls to the other side of the ringside area. Superkick to Braun, but Braun no sells it. Chokeslam to the ramp by Strowman to KO. CRASH and CLANG!
Back in the ring. POWERSLAM by Strowman! 1-2-3!!! WOW!!!!!!! OWENS GOT JOBBED LITERALLY!!!
Winner: Braun Strowman (still briefcase holder)
Match Grade: C. This wasn't a match. It was a slaughter. It was just literally the utter decimation of Kevin Owens by Braun Strowman.
4) SmackDown Women's Championship
Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch
We get more of those annoying VR logos popping up for the entrances. Seriously. It's a wrestling show. We don't need them. As for this match, one of these women are not like the others..
.
This is our 7th match of the evening as the bell rings. We're halfway through at this point. Carmella strikes Becky. Big dropkick by Becky on Carmella, but Carmella answers with one of her own. Carmella pushes down Charlotte. Carmella chops Becky in the back of the head and falls back, making her think Charlotte did it. Becky and Charlotte argue, but they proceed to take Alexa out of the ring. Now both women are wrestling in the ring with back and forth counters. Arm drag and armbar by Becky, but Charlotte rolls through the Disarmer. Carmella gets Charlotte outside of the ring and rams her into the ringpost. Seconds later, she rams Becky Lynch into the ringsteps. "THAT'S WHY I'M THE CHAMPION!"- Carmella proclaims.
2 count on Becky in the ring. Carmella unravels some punches and locks in a headlock in the ring. Carmella drops Becky in the ring and uses Charlottes hair to knock her down to the mat. Headlock on Charlotte now. "I ALREADY BEAT YOU TWICE!"-Carmella. Charlotte sent to the outside. Becky tries to catch Carmella, but Carmella dropkicks Becky down and rubs her face in the mat. That's a little disgusting all things considered. SLAP by Carmella. Rollup by Becky but Carmella counters.
Charlotte tries to get Carmella with the boot, but she hits Becky by accident. Charlotte is now on the attack. Exploder suplexes by Charlotte. Belly to back suplex by Charlotte. Figure 8 countered. Becky catches Charlotte with a kick. Double Dropkick off the top by Becky. Clotheslines by Becky on both women. Backsploder by Becky on Carmella. Becky climbs the top rope, but Carmella gets her down on the corner. Hurricanrana by Carmella in the Trish Stratus headstand position for a 2. Carmella blocks a backsploder, but Charlotte hits a double spear. 1-2-Kickout by both Becky and Carmella. Carmella puts Charlotte on the top turnbuckle. She goes for another headstand rana, but Charlotte reverses it into a Boston Crab. Figure 8!!!! Becky is climbing the top rope and dropped a leg on Charlotte. 1-2-Carmella breaks it up!
Charlotte rolls to the outside. Carmella and Becky are going at it. Carmella sends Becky flying off the ring apron. Carmella dives through the ropes onto Becky!!! Wow. Charlotte climbs the top rope and hits her patented TWISTING MOONSAULT to the floor! WOW! Charlotte rolls Becky back in the ring. She goes for Natural Selection, but Becky gets the Disarmer! Carmella breaks it up. Urinage by Becky to Charlotte. 1-2-Break up again by Carmella!!!
Becky is sent face first into the turnbuckle. Superkick by Carmella! 1-2-Charlotte breaks it up. Superkick sends Charlotte back outside. Carmella goes to Becky. She hits a superkick, but Becky gets her in the Disarmer!!!! Carmella gets to the ropes!!! Backsploder by Becky! NATURAL SELECTION!!!!! 1-2-3! Charlotte is a 7 Time Women's Champion NOW!
Winner: Charlotte Flair (NEW SmackDown Women's Champion)
Match Grade: B-. This was definitely Carmella's best match, but it was also not really Becky or Charlotte's best match either. Still, it was a fun match.
After the match, Becky and Charlotte hug in the ring twice. The crowd is booing. BECKY DECKS CHARLOTTE!!!! She's attacking her!!!! And the crowd loves it!!!!! Becky goes back out to Charlotte. "BECKY!" Chants from the audience. Charlotte is rammed into the barricade and sent over the German Announce Deck. What's German for MAMMA MIA?! Becky walks off to applause from the audience. "YOU DESERVE IT!" chants to Charlotte. Wow.
5) WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe
From wrestling in front of 800 people in Orlando a decade plus ago to wrestling on one of the biggest stages WWE has to offer, this is awesome to see AJ and Joe make it to the bright lights of SummerSlam.
AJ's daughter and wife are at ringside. Oh boy. Joe grabs the mic during AJ's entrance. Joe announces his wife and daughter are there. "Hey Wendy, how are you doing?" "Daddy's coming home tonight." Wow. AJ: "Yeah. My family is here for one thing: to see me kick your ass."
The bell rings. And here we go!!!! Joe immediately goes for the big swing kick early, but AJ goes underneath. "TNA" chant from the crowd. Joe takes AJ to the corner. He pushes AJ and uses the ropes to cause a break when AJ comes back at him. Headlock by AJ finally getting Joe on the mat. Joe gets back up, but AJ reapplies the lock on Joe. Big shoulder tackle to a runnning AJ by Joe.
Joe and AJ continue to go a slow pace. Big kick to the leg of Joe. He does it again. But Joe catches him with one of his own. Straight jabs by Joe. Big leg kick by Joe in the corner. AJ is now fighting back with jabs and chops. Joe is returning the chops now. Leapfrog, float under, and dropkick by AJ to Joe. Forearm smash, snap mare, and kick to the back by AJ. Another chop by Joe followed by jabs. More kicks and a sliding strike to the leg of Joe. Joe rolls out. Sliding dropkick by AJ. AJ rolls out, but Joe catches him on the apron. He kicks out the legs from underneath AJ, sending him face first to the apron.
AJ tries to suplex Joe, but Joe drops Styles face first instead. Styles rolls out. Joe dives through the ropes onto Styles, sending him face first into the announce table. AJ is sent back in. 1-2-kickout. Head twist by Joe. Fan fatigue may be starting to set in here. AJ fighting back out, but Joe catches him with a big clothesline for a 2. Another headlock is put in by Joe. Styles fights out, but Joe fights back. Big right hand sends Joe rolling out. Phenomenal Forearm over the top to the floor on Joe!
"AJ Styles." "Let's Go Joe"- Crowd
Joe catches Styles with a haymaker, but Styles catches Joe running with a big kick through the ropes to Joe's head. AJ is attacking Joe with punches and a sliding forearm. Forearm into the corner. AJ catches Joe in the corner and hits a backflip moonsault DDT for a 2. AJ puts Joe on the top turnbuckle. Styles climbs up. But Joe gets him with a headbutt. Flying knee from Joe to Styles for a 2. Strikes from Joe to AJ. AJ gets atomic dropped. Big boot and a senton for a 2 by Joe. The crowd is silent. AJ gets Joe up and gets the ushigoroshe on Joe. But Styles sells the leg. AJ Styles chant. AJ goes for the forearm. But Joe ducks underneath. POWERSLAM for a 2 by Joe. That was vicious.
Joe charges at Styles, but Joe gets crucifixed down. Styles gets the One-Legged Styles Clash on Joe for a CLOSE 2. Joe continues to be dazed as Styles continues with attacks. Joe comes out firing at AJ. PELE Kick by AJ. Styles catches AJ with the urinage in the corner. The crowd is applauding.
AJ is trying to get up in the corner. Joe gets caught in the calf crusher! He's got Joe on that leg. JOE smashes AJ's head into the mat repeatedly!!! Coquina Clutch!!!! Joe has him, but AJ is too close to the ropes. He gets a leg. Joe has to break the hold. Joe signals for the MuscleBuster. AJ fights off on the top turnbuckle. Big enziguri by Joe sends Styles crashing to the floor. AJ sent flying into the ring steps. Joe climbs the German announce table and grabs the mic. "I promised you daddy was coming home. I guess he's not, but I guess I am. AJ jumps up to the table and spears Joe through the barricade. AJ has a chair and nails Joe with it. It's a DQ. He's nailing him again and again with the chair. "Who's Your Daddy?!" chants from the crowd. Another big chair shot by Styles to Joe. Styles goes over to his wife and kid. She tells him to stop. AJ grabs his daughter to big applause from the audience.
Winner: Samoa Joe (by DQ)/ (AJ is still WWE Champion)
Match Grade: B-. This was another match that was solid but didn't really have any extra feeling to it to stand out. So far, the definite highlight of the show has been the opening match. This is obviously going to Hell in a Cell in September.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Elias. He's on the ramp and asks "Who Wants to Walk with Elias?" Elias was a child once but he grew up and wrote the greatest album of all time. Elias said in the album that more people will love him every single day. It's an incredible feeling. He promises to debut his newest and greatest song tonight (and Elias only puts out great songs). Elias dedicates it to all the New Yorkers because the filth that plagues the ears, minds, and lives of New Yorkers is about to be washed away. The world is aabout to be blessed by Elias. And his guitar falls apart right in his hands!!!! He kicks the stool away and goes on a temper tantrum.
And we see The Miz who runs into The B-Team. They say they won't back him up tonight. Tonight, the B stands for Daniel Bryan. They have their own reality show coming up: Total Fellas. But with a B. So it's Total B-ellas!
6) The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan
This is the big moment. I think WWE is leaving a lot of money on the table, but that's just my opinion.
Here we go. The bell rings. Miz back into the corner to avoid any contact with Bryan a few times. Miz catches Bryan with a fist and continues to pound Bryan in the corner. Kicks in the corner by Miz. Running Dropkick in the corner. On the 2nd one, Bryan catches him with punches and kicks!!! Bryan gets kicked in the gut and Miz grabs the headlock. Shoulder tackle by The Miz. But Miz runs into a spinning kick by Bryan. Bryan now with his own headlock punches. Bulldog by Bryan for a 2. Bryan punching Miz again, but Miz catches him running with a knee to the midsection. Miz puts Bryan in a Mexican Surfboard!!!! Bryan powers out and kicks Miz in the back and hamstring. Bryan gets Miz in a Mexican Surfboard of his own. 1-2-Kickout by both (both shoulders were down). Yes kicks by Bryan. Bryan lands on the top rope, and Miz clotheslines him down. Bryan's head to a sick landing on the mat.
Miz attacks with knees to the back and the headlock. Miz knees Bryan back down when he tries to get up. Bryan gets out. BIG CHOPS to the Miz. But Miz catches him with a neckbreaker for a 2. Miz clinches his fist and punches Bryan a few times. Miz hotdogs too much and gets his own punches. Bryan gets the backflip off the top and running clothesline. Running dropkicks into the back of The Miz in the corner. Yes Kicks now in the corner. Daniel Bryan puts Miz on the top turnbuckle and flips Miz down to the mat for a 2.
Chop and knee by Bryan. Miz is flipped over the top to the outside. Bryan hits Miz with a dropkick through the ropes. Bryan jumps off the top rope onto Miz on the floor. Miz rolled back in, but he catches Bryan on the top turnbuckle. Miz tries to superplex Bryan, but Bryan slips out and hangs Miz upside down (Tree of Woe). Yes Kicks by Bryan and a sliding dropkick. Miz is placed back on the top turnbuckle. Belly to Back Superplex off the top turnbuckle. 1-2-Kickout. This is definitely Bryan's best match since coming back.
Bryan has Miz on his knees. More Yes Kicks. Miz catches him and hits a DDT for a 2. Miz now has Bryan on his knees. It kicks from Miz now. Bryan is leaning into the kicks!!! He catches Miz's leg, slaps Miz in the face multiple times, and hits a Dragon Screw. He kicks Miz in the back of the head. Running knee caught. SLINGSHOT into the corner. Skull Crushing Finale! 1-2-Kickout by Daniel Bryan.
Miz is sitting in the corner. Miz waits for Bryan to get up. He's motioning for a big move, but Bryan gets a big kick for a 2. Bryan gets up now. Miz is on the apron and catches Bryan. He's going for a suplex, but Bryan goes on the apron too. Bryan goes to kick Miz, but Miz ducks and the shin hits the ringpost. FIGURE FOUR in the ring by The Miz. Bryan tries to flip it, but Miz blocks the reversal. Bryan sits up and punches The Miz repeatedly. He goes for the reversal, and he gets it! Miz crawls to the bottom rope and gets it after selling a possible tapout.
They are exchanging punches now. Bryan reverses Skull Crushing Finale into a rollup for a 2. Crucifix Pin for a 2 by Bryan. ELBOWS to The Miz's head. YES Lock by Bryan. Miz is biting Bryan to break the hold, but Miz gets to the ropes anyways. Miz is on the floor. Bryan is on the apron and hits a running knee to Miz. He also gets a running dropkick in. Miz gets sent into the barricade. Bryan goes for a dive, but Miz hits him with something from Maryse. Bryan is out. 1-2-3!
Winner: The Miz
Match Grade: B+. I actually liked this match more than I did Joe and AJ. It felt like a big time match, and the right man won the match. For the feud to continue, Miz needed to get this win to continue holding over him. The in-ring action was very well done by both men, with The Miz in particular looking excellent and Bryan looking the best he's looked since coming back.
7) Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor
I completely forgot this match was taking place. IT'S THE DEMON!!!!! NO!!! Don't waste this on Baron Corbin for God's sakes!!!! This better be a blowout.
Why doesn't anyone just jump The Demon during this entrance? That would be the best way to get the advantage early on. And why does Finn Balor look like The Boogeyman all of a sudden?
The bell rings. Running dropkick. Sling blade. Clothesline over the top. Finn dives over the top onto Corbin. Corbin rolled back in. Corbin rolls back out. Sling blade on the outside. Running dropkick sending Corbin back into the barricade (he didn't really connect). Big kick to the head of Corbin. Double Stomp to the back of Corbin. Running dropkick to Corbin in the corner. Double Stomp/ Coup De Grace. 1-2-3. THAT WAS QUICK.
Winner: The Demon Finn Balor.
Match Grade: A. Thank God that didn't go longer than 2 minutes. This was what it needed to be if The Demon was going to be used: A massacre.
8) U.S. Championship
Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (c)
I love it when the crowd still sings the original Nakamura theme in defiance of the new theme. They are still singing it as the bell rings.
Nakamura kicks Hardy in the face in a playful manner. Nakamura also avoids any hit by Hardy. Hardy: Delete. Nakamura: COME ON!!!!! Hardy avoids Nakamura's moves and does SHINSUKE'S MANNERISMS. HARDY: COME ON!!!!! (Nakamura's face during this was priceless!)
Nakamura gets Jeff down on the mat and begins working on the head. Jawbreaker by Jeff. Hardy throws Nakamura under the ropes. Nakamura catches Jeff with a spinaround kick on the apron followed by a running knee to the side and then to the back of Jeff's head on the apron. Hardy rolled back in. Cover for a 2 by Nakamura. Overhead Hammerlock on Hardy turned into a wristlock using Hardy's body to attack the arm. Hardy gets up, but Nakamura answers with strikes. Hardy catches Nakamura with back elbows, a dropkick, and a Sling Blade.
Both men exchange strikes. Inverted atomic drop by Jeff followed by the legs to the midsection and dropkick. Nakamura catches Hardy with a spin kick to Hardy's head. Nakamura continues to attack the back of Hardy. He goes for the suplex, but Hardy gets out. Hardy gets Nakamura in the corner, but Nakamura reverses. He goes for the knee, but he hits the turnbuckle instead. Whisper in the Wind. 1-2-Kickout.
Jeff is going to the top, but Nakamura catches him with the knee to the midsection. Sliding knee by Nakamura for 2. Knee strikes on the mat by Nakamura. He's getting set up for Kinshasa. Jeff goes for the Twist of Fate, but Nakamura goes for the low blow. Jeff avoids it. Twist of Fate to Nakamura. Jeff climbs up. Swanton Bomb to Nakamura. Nakamura gets his hand on the rope.
Another Twist of Fate on Nakamura. Hardy rips the shirt off and climbs back up. Nakamura goes to the apron while lying down. Jeff goes for the Swanton, but he crashes on the apron!!!! Nakamura pulls Jeff up and rolls him into the ring. Stomp to the back of the head. Nakamura is getting ready. KINSHASA! 1-2-3!!!!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (still U.S. Champion)
Match Grade: C. A decent match, but it was nothing that will be memorable tomorrow. Hardy hitting that apron on the Swanton was probably the worst bump of the night so far.
Randy Orton's music plays. Here comes The Viper again. Nakamura ran out. It's now just Orton and Hardy. Orton walks towards the ring, but then he just walks backstage. Ok then?
9) Raw Women's Championship
Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss (c)
Here's Natalya with her father's ring jacket from SummerSlam 1990. Wow. RIP Anvil.
The Bellas are at ringside to screw over Ronda. I mean, to watch. Obviously they just want to watch.
Here comes EVIL! I mean Ronda Rousey. La Ingobernable de America. She has deep eye makeup on tonight ala EVIL from NJPW. Check it out and find the picture of Ronda from this show. You'll see the reference.
(In Reality: Alexa should slap the ref once the bell rings to keep the belt.)
The bell rings, and Alexa uses the ropes to keep Rousey off of her. She goes for a cheap shot and gets a right hand. Alexa rolls to the outside. Bliss continues to avoid Rousey by rolling in and out of the ring. Rousey tells Alexa she'll turn her back and sit to give her a chance. She does so. Alexa runs in and gets a headlock in. But Rousey just stands up with Alexa grapevined around her. She puts her on her shoulders. TWISTING Fireman's Carry to Bliss sends her back outside. Bliss causes Rousey to run after her. But Bliss catches her with a kick and a punch. But Rousey just gets angry. Rousey is flipping her around and nailing her like a bad habit. Another twisting fireman's carry on her. She's got the arm. She's bending it in half!!!!!! ARMBAR!!! SHE TAPS OUT!!!! NEW CHAMPION!!!!!
Winner: Ronda Rousey (new Raw Women's Champion)
Match Grade: A. Again. It is what it needed to be: A massacre. The booking has been logical tonight for the most part. Quick matches for the ones that needed to be.
Big hug by Rousey and Natalya. The Bella Twins come in to hug Rousey as well. Rousey jumps to her husband and kisses him. Great moment. You can tell she genuinely cares about being in the company.
10) WWE Universal Championship
Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar (c) (w/Paul Heyman)
Well, this could get ugly. It's 10:48pm, and this crowd probably has a few beachballs ready. I'm not looking forward to this. The coronation of Roman Reigns is coming. Both men get booed coming out of the back. The crowd is booing even the ring announcement.
BRAUN!!!!!!!!
We're getting a cash-in!!!!!! GET THESE HANDS chants from the crowd! BRAUN refuses to be a coward and cash in behind someone's back. He's cashing it in at the end of the match, regardless of who wins. The bell rings.
Three Superman Punches. Spear! Spear! Spear! GUILLOTINE LOCK by Lesnar! Roman picks up Lesnar and spinebusters him down. Another Guillotine Lock on Roman. Roman picks him up and another spinebuster. Lesnar throws the gloves off. SUPLEX CITY! 1 German. A second one. A third one. "YOU BOTH SUCK!" chant from the audience.
F-5 escaped. Roman sent flying out of the ring who spears Strowman by accident. F-5 to Strowman! Roman rolled back in the ring. Strowman grabs Lesnar's leg, but Brock attacks Strowman with the briefcase and a steel chair. He throws the briefcase all the way back up the ramp. Lesnar climbs back in the ring with the chair. SPEAR by Reigns. 1-2-3. Reigns beats Lesnar.
Winner: Roman Reigns (New Universal Champion)
Match Grade: C. This wasn't the abomination I was expecting. Finally, Vince gets what he wants. And we're done with it at last finally.
Roman celebrates with the title. No cash-in.
Show Grade: B. As far as 4-6 hour shows go, this as actually one of the best overall that WWE has put together. I liked the fact that they cut short a couple matches in order to keep the show moving. Even better, the show ENDED around 11pm. While a couple matches didn't exactly get great reviews by me, no match just completely bombed either. The main event was short and sweet, getting the belt off Lesnar finally.
I'll be interested in seeing what happens afterwards in several of these feuds. AJ and Joe took a step in the right direction tonight with the elevation of AJ's anger towards Joe. These two inside Hell in a Cell should be electric.
Likewise, I'm interested to see who challenges Roman first for the Universal Championship. It's obvious that he's keeping it into WrestleMania. So, who's the first ritual sacrifice?
I hope you all enjoyed the show and my review. Until next time, take care of yourself and spread some awesomeness.
I will be posting live results for the matches as they wrap up on this page, INCLUDING the Pre-Show matches. Without further ado....
HERE WE GO!!!!!
1) Mixed Tag Team Match
Zelina Vega/Andrade Cien Almas vs. Lana/Rusev
This half empty crowd is clapping along to Almas's theme. Lana and Rusev both do the Rusev jump pose and shirt rip on the way out. BIG RUSEV DAY chant to start us off. The bell rings.
Tranquilo pose in the ropes by Almas followed by a Rusev CRUSH pose by Rusev/Lana. Almas gets an early advantage, but Rusev turns it around into a mudhole stomp in the corner. Snap suplex by Rusev. Vega distracts Rusev, and Almas attacks and throws Rusev into the ringpost. Armbar using the ropes by Almas. Cross armbreaker by Almas followed by using the middle rope to choke Rusev. Almas misses a big attack to Rusev. Tag to Lana is blocked by Zelina who pulls her down. Big running knee into the corner by Almas. Tornado Reverse DDT (I almost wrote DESTINOOOOOOO) for a 2 by Almas.
Almas back to the attack on the arm of Rusev. Rusev gets Almas off of him. Almas tries to get another reverse DDT, but Almas is sent tumbling off the top rope to the outside. Tag to Lana. The girls are legal now. Running Bulldog. Lana-Rooni! Neckbreaker! Zelina rolls out of the ring. Lana gives chase. Head smashed against the apron by Lana. Lana catches Zelina and slams her in the ring. 1-2-kickout. Lana is sent face first into the turnbuckle by Zelina. Big kick to send Lana down in the corner. Zelina runs into a superkick by Lana. LANA CRUSH!!!! Rusev tries to attack Almas, but he goes into the barricade. Here comes Almas. Zelina catchess Lana while she's distracted. Rollup by Zelina with her feet up on the ropes at 2.5. She gets the win for her team.
Winner: Zelina and Almas
Match Grade: D. This was a bit sloppy and was basically a TV match on the Kickoff Show only. Lana and Zelina looked awesome. But all four are capable of more.
2) WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Drew Gulak
There are still a lot of empty seats, but there are easily more people in this place than usually watch 205 Live after SmackDown Live.
Gulak and Alexander do some quick tie-ups. I wonder how many beachballs are in the arena right now. Gulak catches Alexander with a punch to the gut, but Alexander escapes a Gulock and hits a dropkick. They are outside now. Big right hand by Alexander, followed by a chop. Alexander has Gulak back in the ring and goes for a big move through the ropes, but he eats a big kick. Hanging neckbreaker on the knee by Gulak to Alexander from the ring apron to the floor. Flapjack into the Apron by Gulak. Both men are back in the ring. Neck twist by Gulak.
Cedric fights out but eats a twisting urinage for a 2 count. Big clothesline by Gulak x2. Only gets a 2. Back to a headlock now by Gulak. Stretch chinlock over the back by Gulak with Alexander on his back. (Gory Especio(?), Nigel calls it.) Cedric gets out. Forearm by Alexander. Alexander gets on the apron and gets in a flatliner through the ropes on Gulak. Uppercut by Alexander who is now charging and on the attack.
Alexander mounts with punches on Gulak. The crowd is dead for this. It IS 205 LIVE!!!! "THIS IS NORMAL!!! THIS IS NORMAL!!!" (That's me typing that folks. They didn't chant that.) Cedric hits a big dive on Gulak on the outside. Polite applause from the audience. Big kick by Alexander on Gulak, but Alexander gets caught trying to springboard on Gulak. Gulock locked in on the ropes. Gulak breaks it up at 4. Gulak tries to lock in the hold again, but Cedric fights him off. Big back elbow by Alexander. Slugfest by both men here. BIG slap by Gulak knocks Alexander down. Rollup by Gulak. 1-2-kickout. Gulak catches Alexander in a Pele kick in an ankle lock. Very good series of nearfalls and rollup. Spanish Fly was countered into an rollup by Gulak, but Alexander gets the advantage eventually on Gulak and gets the 3 on a rollup.
Winner: Cedric Alexander (still champion)
Match Grade: C. It was a normal 205 Live match. No one in the arena really cared. The internet will tell everyone how they should care more. Most people won't. Yadda yadda yadda. This division died 2 years ago when they didn't sign Ibushi or Sabre Jr. But that's just my opinion.
3) RAW Tag Team Championships
The B-Team (c) vs. The Revival
B-Team! B-Team! GO GO GO!!!!
The bell rings, and here we go. Headlock takedown by Dallas. Wilder hits a Dragon Screw on Dallas. Shatter Machine to Axel. Bo Dallas is caught in the corner by The Revival. Electric Chair into a Missile Dropkick for 2 on Dallas. The Revival continue to work on Dallas's leg, using the old Arn/Tully ring cutting technique. Dallas gets Dawson off of him, but there's no one to tag. Axel is still on the floor.
Dallas is back in The Revival corner, and they continue the attack on Dallas's leg. Tag back to Dawson. More attacks to the leg. More Dragon Screws by The Revival on the leg of Dallas. Dawson gets sent into the ringpost, but Dallas only gets a 2 on the desperation rollup. Wilder keeps Dallas from tagging Axel. Dawson comes off the ropes with a knee to Dallas's jaw while in a backbreaker position for a 2. Tag to Wilder. Wilder tries to hit a suplex to the floor, but Dallas catches him with a hanging neckbreaker. Dallas crawls over and tags in Axel. Axel with clotheslines and a snapmare neckbreaker ala his father Mr. Perfect. Axel is going for the PerfectPlex. Dawson rolls him up, but the referee is distracted. Dallas falls over and rolls Axel over on Dawson for the win.
Winners: The B-Team (still champions)
Match Grade: C. Another match that should have been saved for a Monday Night Raw. This really is tedious to sit through two hours of pseudo-commentary and inconsequential Main Event level matches.
Now, we thankfully and FINALLY get to the main card.
We get a video with Terry Crews (I just saw him as an extra in Training Day yesterday). He gives a hype speech outside the Barclays Center about success.
Dean Ambrose is the first to come out followed by SETH ROLLINS. BURN IT DOWN!!!!
1) WWE Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (w/Dean Ambrose) vs. Dolph Ziggler (w/ Drew McIntyre) (c)
This could be the greatest opening match in SummerSlam history in the right circumstances. Let's see what happens.
The bell rings. They main evented the last big WWE event. Now, they're starting off the next one. Jockeying for position by both men. Tense second with Rollins being close to McIntyre, but Ambrose gets in McIntyre's face to make sure he doesn't get involved. Quick exchange by both men, but Dolph takes a breather outside. Another exchange in the ring by both men, but Dolph goes back out to take another breather. Ambrose continues to get in the face of McIntyre, and Rollins takes Ziggler back in the ring and takes advantage. Big clothesline out of the corner by Rollins.
Rollins gets launched up to the apron. He gets distracted for a second by McIntyre, and Dolph takes advantage with a kick to the leg and a neckbreaker. Dolph takes Rollins' face and rakes it against the top rope. Chops in the corner followed by a turnbuckle shot into another corner for Ziggler on Rollins. (Ziggler going Rick Rude with the Intercontinental Championship on his tights.) Rollins tumbles off the ropes to the outside. McIntyre goes to interfere, but Ambrose again stops the interference.
Rollins is rolled back in, and Ziggler gets a headlock in. Long period of execution here. Finally after about 2 minutes, a jawbreaker is hit by Rollins. But Rollins is backdropped OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR IN A LOUD THUD!!! Rollins is rolled back in. Ziggler is on the top rope. Crossbody, but Rollins rolls through. He goes to suplex Dolph over the top, but he takes a dive himself sending both men crashing over the top to the floor. Both men get back in. Rollins catches Ziggler with a boot to the face. SLING BLADE by Rollins. Big running forearms into the corner by Rollins. Blockbuster by Rollins off the middle rope for a 2.
Rollins climbs the top rope, but Ziggler knocks him down on the top turnbuckle. Ziggler is climbing up, going for a superplex. Rollins blocks it with a headbutt, but Ziggler rolls out of harm's way. Rollins catches Ziggler with a big dive through the ropes. Springboard flying clothesline back in the ring by Rollins. Ripcord Knee by Rollins gets a 2. Ziggler fights out of the Buckle Bomb and an Electric Chair to get a sleeper hold in. Rollins slings Ziggler onto the apron. Ziggler hangs up Rollins neck on the top rope. "NOW WE FINISH THIS!"- Ziggler. Ziggler sends Rollins back into the ringpost and hits a big jumping DDT ON THE RING APRON sending Rollins crashing to the floor!!!
Rollins gets back in the ring by 9. Ziggler punches and attacks Rollins. Zig Zag blocked by Rollins. Kick to the jaw by Rollins. He's climbing up! FROG SPLASH countered by KNEES by ZIGGLER! Rollup! 1-2-KICKOUT! Ziggler continues to punch and attack Rollins. Now Rollins is fighting back. Ziggler goes for the Famouser, but Rollins catches him. Rollins climbs up the ropes with Ziggler on the corner. Ziggler elbows Rollins off. But Rollins climbs back up and hits a REVERSE SUPERPLEX and a REVERSE FALCON ARROW! 1-2-KICKOUT!!!!
STANDING OVATION from the audience! And deservedly so. This is awesome. This could be a contender for best opening match at a SummerSlam.
Rollins is up. He's hyping up the crowd more. McIntyre sends Ambrose into the steps!!!! ZIG ZAG by Ziggler!!!! 1-2-Kickout! WOW! Great fake finish! Seth is busted open. Ziggler is tuning up the band. He misses. A series of rollups by both men. Rollins deadlifts Ziggler up! Buckle Bomb! Ambrose hits DIRTY DEEDS on McIntyre! SUPERKICK TO DOLPH! CURB STOMP! 1-2-3!!!! NEW CHAMP!
Winner: Seth Rollins (New IC Champ)
Match Grade: A. This was a great great way to start off the show. Both men had a much better match than they did in Pittsburgh last month. They got the crowd hot for the finish, and now it looks like Ambrose and Rollins are on the same page for the moment.
The Bella Twins are here for some godawful reason. Oh. Wait. They're here because they wouldn't be anywhere else. And to talk about everything they are doing. They say they are going to be at ringside for the Rousey match. Well, Alexa Bliss is retaining the title tonght, folks.
OH BROOKLYN! DON'T YOU DARE BE SOUR.... You know what this means.
2) SmackDown Tag Team Championships
The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers (c)
The floor is literally the "Yellow-Brick Road" from The Wizard of Oz. Big E, Kofi, and Xavier... Oh My.
Charles Robinson holds the titles up like "Yeah. I'm still working here."
The bell rings. And Xavier is immediately sent crashing on the mat and gets smashed by the Bludgeon Brothers. Big splash into a big boot for a 2. Headlock by Harper. (It's Kofi and Big E for New Day) Rowan is tagged in and splashes down on Xavier for a 2. Head twist by Rowan turned into a head squeeze. Pumphandle backbreaker by Rowan. Harper is tagged in and hits a slingshot senton for a 2. Tag back to Rowan. Big E sent flying off the apron. Rowan slams Harper onto Big E. Rowan and Harper team up on Xavier on the outside. Steel chairs split up by Bludgeon Brothers. Woods escapes the double team. Woods sends Harper face first into the steel in a hurricanrana.
Woods crawls back in the ring trying to get to Big E. Harper grabs his leg. But Big E gets tagged in!!!! Belly to Belly on BOTH Harper and Rowan on the floor!!!! Another belly to belly in the ring on Harper. Big E splash on the mat. Harper slams down Big E. 1-2-Kickout. Tag to Rowan (the fall guy). Big E sends Rowan into the post shoulder first. They're on the outside. Xavier crashes on Rowan. Harper hits a Deep 6 on Xavier. Big E tackles Harper off the apron to the floor. Harper tags back in. Big E gets Crucifix Bombed in the ring, but Woods breaks it up at 2. Big kick to Rowan and Harper. Xavier tagged back in. BIG POWERBOMB by Harper to Xavier. 1-2-Kickout!!! Kofi is playing cheerleader, and he gets backdropped on the floor. BIG ENDING on the floor on Rowan.
Harper and Big E are legal. They are on the apron. Backbreaker/Urinage by New Day on Harper. Woods is tagged in. Harper is down, but he rolls out of the ring. Woods was on the top rope, and he still is!!!! HE DIVES OFF THE TOP ROPE AND HITS AN ELBOW ON HARPER ON THE OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!Big E is tagged in. Harper is in the ring. Xavier is climbing the top rope, but Rowan attacks him with the mallet for the DQ. Mallet to the face of Big E! Harper takes the mallet and attacks Big E.
Winners: The New Day (by DQ) (The Bludgeon Brothers still Tag Team Champions)
Match Grade: B. DQ finish aside, I was definitely digging this match up to the end. They did a good job making you believe either team could win, which is the most you can ask. I'm ready to say it: The New Day may be the best three man team of all time.
3) Money in the Bank Contract on the Line
Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman (contract holder)
** Braun can lose contract by pin, submisssion, DQ, and countout.
KO In The Bank shirt worn by Kevin Owens. Braun just comes out as usual, ready to tear things apart. "GET THESE HANDS" chants to start the match. The bell rings. Big charge into the corner by Braun x2. KO rolls out of the ring. Braun goes out, runs around the ring, and tackles KO sending him flying. Braun does it again, and KO does a complete flip. Owens rolls to the other side of the ringside area. Superkick to Braun, but Braun no sells it. Chokeslam to the ramp by Strowman to KO. CRASH and CLANG!
Back in the ring. POWERSLAM by Strowman! 1-2-3!!! WOW!!!!!!! OWENS GOT JOBBED LITERALLY!!!
Winner: Braun Strowman (still briefcase holder)
Match Grade: C. This wasn't a match. It was a slaughter. It was just literally the utter decimation of Kevin Owens by Braun Strowman.
4) SmackDown Women's Championship
Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch
We get more of those annoying VR logos popping up for the entrances. Seriously. It's a wrestling show. We don't need them. As for this match, one of these women are not like the others..
.
This is our 7th match of the evening as the bell rings. We're halfway through at this point. Carmella strikes Becky. Big dropkick by Becky on Carmella, but Carmella answers with one of her own. Carmella pushes down Charlotte. Carmella chops Becky in the back of the head and falls back, making her think Charlotte did it. Becky and Charlotte argue, but they proceed to take Alexa out of the ring. Now both women are wrestling in the ring with back and forth counters. Arm drag and armbar by Becky, but Charlotte rolls through the Disarmer. Carmella gets Charlotte outside of the ring and rams her into the ringpost. Seconds later, she rams Becky Lynch into the ringsteps. "THAT'S WHY I'M THE CHAMPION!"- Carmella proclaims.
2 count on Becky in the ring. Carmella unravels some punches and locks in a headlock in the ring. Carmella drops Becky in the ring and uses Charlottes hair to knock her down to the mat. Headlock on Charlotte now. "I ALREADY BEAT YOU TWICE!"-Carmella. Charlotte sent to the outside. Becky tries to catch Carmella, but Carmella dropkicks Becky down and rubs her face in the mat. That's a little disgusting all things considered. SLAP by Carmella. Rollup by Becky but Carmella counters.
Charlotte tries to get Carmella with the boot, but she hits Becky by accident. Charlotte is now on the attack. Exploder suplexes by Charlotte. Belly to back suplex by Charlotte. Figure 8 countered. Becky catches Charlotte with a kick. Double Dropkick off the top by Becky. Clotheslines by Becky on both women. Backsploder by Becky on Carmella. Becky climbs the top rope, but Carmella gets her down on the corner. Hurricanrana by Carmella in the Trish Stratus headstand position for a 2. Carmella blocks a backsploder, but Charlotte hits a double spear. 1-2-Kickout by both Becky and Carmella. Carmella puts Charlotte on the top turnbuckle. She goes for another headstand rana, but Charlotte reverses it into a Boston Crab. Figure 8!!!! Becky is climbing the top rope and dropped a leg on Charlotte. 1-2-Carmella breaks it up!
Charlotte rolls to the outside. Carmella and Becky are going at it. Carmella sends Becky flying off the ring apron. Carmella dives through the ropes onto Becky!!! Wow. Charlotte climbs the top rope and hits her patented TWISTING MOONSAULT to the floor! WOW! Charlotte rolls Becky back in the ring. She goes for Natural Selection, but Becky gets the Disarmer! Carmella breaks it up. Urinage by Becky to Charlotte. 1-2-Break up again by Carmella!!!
Becky is sent face first into the turnbuckle. Superkick by Carmella! 1-2-Charlotte breaks it up. Superkick sends Charlotte back outside. Carmella goes to Becky. She hits a superkick, but Becky gets her in the Disarmer!!!! Carmella gets to the ropes!!! Backsploder by Becky! NATURAL SELECTION!!!!! 1-2-3! Charlotte is a 7 Time Women's Champion NOW!
Winner: Charlotte Flair (NEW SmackDown Women's Champion)
Match Grade: B-. This was definitely Carmella's best match, but it was also not really Becky or Charlotte's best match either. Still, it was a fun match.
After the match, Becky and Charlotte hug in the ring twice. The crowd is booing. BECKY DECKS CHARLOTTE!!!! She's attacking her!!!! And the crowd loves it!!!!! Becky goes back out to Charlotte. "BECKY!" Chants from the audience. Charlotte is rammed into the barricade and sent over the German Announce Deck. What's German for MAMMA MIA?! Becky walks off to applause from the audience. "YOU DESERVE IT!" chants to Charlotte. Wow.
5) WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe
From wrestling in front of 800 people in Orlando a decade plus ago to wrestling on one of the biggest stages WWE has to offer, this is awesome to see AJ and Joe make it to the bright lights of SummerSlam.
AJ's daughter and wife are at ringside. Oh boy. Joe grabs the mic during AJ's entrance. Joe announces his wife and daughter are there. "Hey Wendy, how are you doing?" "Daddy's coming home tonight." Wow. AJ: "Yeah. My family is here for one thing: to see me kick your ass."
The bell rings. And here we go!!!! Joe immediately goes for the big swing kick early, but AJ goes underneath. "TNA" chant from the crowd. Joe takes AJ to the corner. He pushes AJ and uses the ropes to cause a break when AJ comes back at him. Headlock by AJ finally getting Joe on the mat. Joe gets back up, but AJ reapplies the lock on Joe. Big shoulder tackle to a runnning AJ by Joe.
Joe and AJ continue to go a slow pace. Big kick to the leg of Joe. He does it again. But Joe catches him with one of his own. Straight jabs by Joe. Big leg kick by Joe in the corner. AJ is now fighting back with jabs and chops. Joe is returning the chops now. Leapfrog, float under, and dropkick by AJ to Joe. Forearm smash, snap mare, and kick to the back by AJ. Another chop by Joe followed by jabs. More kicks and a sliding strike to the leg of Joe. Joe rolls out. Sliding dropkick by AJ. AJ rolls out, but Joe catches him on the apron. He kicks out the legs from underneath AJ, sending him face first to the apron.
AJ tries to suplex Joe, but Joe drops Styles face first instead. Styles rolls out. Joe dives through the ropes onto Styles, sending him face first into the announce table. AJ is sent back in. 1-2-kickout. Head twist by Joe. Fan fatigue may be starting to set in here. AJ fighting back out, but Joe catches him with a big clothesline for a 2. Another headlock is put in by Joe. Styles fights out, but Joe fights back. Big right hand sends Joe rolling out. Phenomenal Forearm over the top to the floor on Joe!
"AJ Styles." "Let's Go Joe"- Crowd
Joe catches Styles with a haymaker, but Styles catches Joe running with a big kick through the ropes to Joe's head. AJ is attacking Joe with punches and a sliding forearm. Forearm into the corner. AJ catches Joe in the corner and hits a backflip moonsault DDT for a 2. AJ puts Joe on the top turnbuckle. Styles climbs up. But Joe gets him with a headbutt. Flying knee from Joe to Styles for a 2. Strikes from Joe to AJ. AJ gets atomic dropped. Big boot and a senton for a 2 by Joe. The crowd is silent. AJ gets Joe up and gets the ushigoroshe on Joe. But Styles sells the leg. AJ Styles chant. AJ goes for the forearm. But Joe ducks underneath. POWERSLAM for a 2 by Joe. That was vicious.
Joe charges at Styles, but Joe gets crucifixed down. Styles gets the One-Legged Styles Clash on Joe for a CLOSE 2. Joe continues to be dazed as Styles continues with attacks. Joe comes out firing at AJ. PELE Kick by AJ. Styles catches AJ with the urinage in the corner. The crowd is applauding.
AJ is trying to get up in the corner. Joe gets caught in the calf crusher! He's got Joe on that leg. JOE smashes AJ's head into the mat repeatedly!!! Coquina Clutch!!!! Joe has him, but AJ is too close to the ropes. He gets a leg. Joe has to break the hold. Joe signals for the MuscleBuster. AJ fights off on the top turnbuckle. Big enziguri by Joe sends Styles crashing to the floor. AJ sent flying into the ring steps. Joe climbs the German announce table and grabs the mic. "I promised you daddy was coming home. I guess he's not, but I guess I am. AJ jumps up to the table and spears Joe through the barricade. AJ has a chair and nails Joe with it. It's a DQ. He's nailing him again and again with the chair. "Who's Your Daddy?!" chants from the crowd. Another big chair shot by Styles to Joe. Styles goes over to his wife and kid. She tells him to stop. AJ grabs his daughter to big applause from the audience.
Winner: Samoa Joe (by DQ)/ (AJ is still WWE Champion)
Match Grade: B-. This was another match that was solid but didn't really have any extra feeling to it to stand out. So far, the definite highlight of the show has been the opening match. This is obviously going to Hell in a Cell in September.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Elias. He's on the ramp and asks "Who Wants to Walk with Elias?" Elias was a child once but he grew up and wrote the greatest album of all time. Elias said in the album that more people will love him every single day. It's an incredible feeling. He promises to debut his newest and greatest song tonight (and Elias only puts out great songs). Elias dedicates it to all the New Yorkers because the filth that plagues the ears, minds, and lives of New Yorkers is about to be washed away. The world is aabout to be blessed by Elias. And his guitar falls apart right in his hands!!!! He kicks the stool away and goes on a temper tantrum.
And we see The Miz who runs into The B-Team. They say they won't back him up tonight. Tonight, the B stands for Daniel Bryan. They have their own reality show coming up: Total Fellas. But with a B. So it's Total B-ellas!
6) The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan
This is the big moment. I think WWE is leaving a lot of money on the table, but that's just my opinion.
Here we go. The bell rings. Miz back into the corner to avoid any contact with Bryan a few times. Miz catches Bryan with a fist and continues to pound Bryan in the corner. Kicks in the corner by Miz. Running Dropkick in the corner. On the 2nd one, Bryan catches him with punches and kicks!!! Bryan gets kicked in the gut and Miz grabs the headlock. Shoulder tackle by The Miz. But Miz runs into a spinning kick by Bryan. Bryan now with his own headlock punches. Bulldog by Bryan for a 2. Bryan punching Miz again, but Miz catches him running with a knee to the midsection. Miz puts Bryan in a Mexican Surfboard!!!! Bryan powers out and kicks Miz in the back and hamstring. Bryan gets Miz in a Mexican Surfboard of his own. 1-2-Kickout by both (both shoulders were down). Yes kicks by Bryan. Bryan lands on the top rope, and Miz clotheslines him down. Bryan's head to a sick landing on the mat.
Miz attacks with knees to the back and the headlock. Miz knees Bryan back down when he tries to get up. Bryan gets out. BIG CHOPS to the Miz. But Miz catches him with a neckbreaker for a 2. Miz clinches his fist and punches Bryan a few times. Miz hotdogs too much and gets his own punches. Bryan gets the backflip off the top and running clothesline. Running dropkicks into the back of The Miz in the corner. Yes Kicks now in the corner. Daniel Bryan puts Miz on the top turnbuckle and flips Miz down to the mat for a 2.
Chop and knee by Bryan. Miz is flipped over the top to the outside. Bryan hits Miz with a dropkick through the ropes. Bryan jumps off the top rope onto Miz on the floor. Miz rolled back in, but he catches Bryan on the top turnbuckle. Miz tries to superplex Bryan, but Bryan slips out and hangs Miz upside down (Tree of Woe). Yes Kicks by Bryan and a sliding dropkick. Miz is placed back on the top turnbuckle. Belly to Back Superplex off the top turnbuckle. 1-2-Kickout. This is definitely Bryan's best match since coming back.
Bryan has Miz on his knees. More Yes Kicks. Miz catches him and hits a DDT for a 2. Miz now has Bryan on his knees. It kicks from Miz now. Bryan is leaning into the kicks!!! He catches Miz's leg, slaps Miz in the face multiple times, and hits a Dragon Screw. He kicks Miz in the back of the head. Running knee caught. SLINGSHOT into the corner. Skull Crushing Finale! 1-2-Kickout by Daniel Bryan.
Miz is sitting in the corner. Miz waits for Bryan to get up. He's motioning for a big move, but Bryan gets a big kick for a 2. Bryan gets up now. Miz is on the apron and catches Bryan. He's going for a suplex, but Bryan goes on the apron too. Bryan goes to kick Miz, but Miz ducks and the shin hits the ringpost. FIGURE FOUR in the ring by The Miz. Bryan tries to flip it, but Miz blocks the reversal. Bryan sits up and punches The Miz repeatedly. He goes for the reversal, and he gets it! Miz crawls to the bottom rope and gets it after selling a possible tapout.
They are exchanging punches now. Bryan reverses Skull Crushing Finale into a rollup for a 2. Crucifix Pin for a 2 by Bryan. ELBOWS to The Miz's head. YES Lock by Bryan. Miz is biting Bryan to break the hold, but Miz gets to the ropes anyways. Miz is on the floor. Bryan is on the apron and hits a running knee to Miz. He also gets a running dropkick in. Miz gets sent into the barricade. Bryan goes for a dive, but Miz hits him with something from Maryse. Bryan is out. 1-2-3!
Winner: The Miz
Match Grade: B+. I actually liked this match more than I did Joe and AJ. It felt like a big time match, and the right man won the match. For the feud to continue, Miz needed to get this win to continue holding over him. The in-ring action was very well done by both men, with The Miz in particular looking excellent and Bryan looking the best he's looked since coming back.
7) Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor
I completely forgot this match was taking place. IT'S THE DEMON!!!!! NO!!! Don't waste this on Baron Corbin for God's sakes!!!! This better be a blowout.
Why doesn't anyone just jump The Demon during this entrance? That would be the best way to get the advantage early on. And why does Finn Balor look like The Boogeyman all of a sudden?
The bell rings. Running dropkick. Sling blade. Clothesline over the top. Finn dives over the top onto Corbin. Corbin rolled back in. Corbin rolls back out. Sling blade on the outside. Running dropkick sending Corbin back into the barricade (he didn't really connect). Big kick to the head of Corbin. Double Stomp to the back of Corbin. Running dropkick to Corbin in the corner. Double Stomp/ Coup De Grace. 1-2-3. THAT WAS QUICK.
Winner: The Demon Finn Balor.
Match Grade: A. Thank God that didn't go longer than 2 minutes. This was what it needed to be if The Demon was going to be used: A massacre.
8) U.S. Championship
Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (c)
I love it when the crowd still sings the original Nakamura theme in defiance of the new theme. They are still singing it as the bell rings.
Nakamura kicks Hardy in the face in a playful manner. Nakamura also avoids any hit by Hardy. Hardy: Delete. Nakamura: COME ON!!!!! Hardy avoids Nakamura's moves and does SHINSUKE'S MANNERISMS. HARDY: COME ON!!!!! (Nakamura's face during this was priceless!)
Nakamura gets Jeff down on the mat and begins working on the head. Jawbreaker by Jeff. Hardy throws Nakamura under the ropes. Nakamura catches Jeff with a spinaround kick on the apron followed by a running knee to the side and then to the back of Jeff's head on the apron. Hardy rolled back in. Cover for a 2 by Nakamura. Overhead Hammerlock on Hardy turned into a wristlock using Hardy's body to attack the arm. Hardy gets up, but Nakamura answers with strikes. Hardy catches Nakamura with back elbows, a dropkick, and a Sling Blade.
Both men exchange strikes. Inverted atomic drop by Jeff followed by the legs to the midsection and dropkick. Nakamura catches Hardy with a spin kick to Hardy's head. Nakamura continues to attack the back of Hardy. He goes for the suplex, but Hardy gets out. Hardy gets Nakamura in the corner, but Nakamura reverses. He goes for the knee, but he hits the turnbuckle instead. Whisper in the Wind. 1-2-Kickout.
Jeff is going to the top, but Nakamura catches him with the knee to the midsection. Sliding knee by Nakamura for 2. Knee strikes on the mat by Nakamura. He's getting set up for Kinshasa. Jeff goes for the Twist of Fate, but Nakamura goes for the low blow. Jeff avoids it. Twist of Fate to Nakamura. Jeff climbs up. Swanton Bomb to Nakamura. Nakamura gets his hand on the rope.
Another Twist of Fate on Nakamura. Hardy rips the shirt off and climbs back up. Nakamura goes to the apron while lying down. Jeff goes for the Swanton, but he crashes on the apron!!!! Nakamura pulls Jeff up and rolls him into the ring. Stomp to the back of the head. Nakamura is getting ready. KINSHASA! 1-2-3!!!!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (still U.S. Champion)
Match Grade: C. A decent match, but it was nothing that will be memorable tomorrow. Hardy hitting that apron on the Swanton was probably the worst bump of the night so far.
Randy Orton's music plays. Here comes The Viper again. Nakamura ran out. It's now just Orton and Hardy. Orton walks towards the ring, but then he just walks backstage. Ok then?
9) Raw Women's Championship
Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss (c)
Here's Natalya with her father's ring jacket from SummerSlam 1990. Wow. RIP Anvil.
The Bellas are at ringside to screw over Ronda. I mean, to watch. Obviously they just want to watch.
Here comes EVIL! I mean Ronda Rousey. La Ingobernable de America. She has deep eye makeup on tonight ala EVIL from NJPW. Check it out and find the picture of Ronda from this show. You'll see the reference.
(In Reality: Alexa should slap the ref once the bell rings to keep the belt.)
The bell rings, and Alexa uses the ropes to keep Rousey off of her. She goes for a cheap shot and gets a right hand. Alexa rolls to the outside. Bliss continues to avoid Rousey by rolling in and out of the ring. Rousey tells Alexa she'll turn her back and sit to give her a chance. She does so. Alexa runs in and gets a headlock in. But Rousey just stands up with Alexa grapevined around her. She puts her on her shoulders. TWISTING Fireman's Carry to Bliss sends her back outside. Bliss causes Rousey to run after her. But Bliss catches her with a kick and a punch. But Rousey just gets angry. Rousey is flipping her around and nailing her like a bad habit. Another twisting fireman's carry on her. She's got the arm. She's bending it in half!!!!!! ARMBAR!!! SHE TAPS OUT!!!! NEW CHAMPION!!!!!
Winner: Ronda Rousey (new Raw Women's Champion)
Match Grade: A. Again. It is what it needed to be: A massacre. The booking has been logical tonight for the most part. Quick matches for the ones that needed to be.
Big hug by Rousey and Natalya. The Bella Twins come in to hug Rousey as well. Rousey jumps to her husband and kisses him. Great moment. You can tell she genuinely cares about being in the company.
10) WWE Universal Championship
Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar (c) (w/Paul Heyman)
Well, this could get ugly. It's 10:48pm, and this crowd probably has a few beachballs ready. I'm not looking forward to this. The coronation of Roman Reigns is coming. Both men get booed coming out of the back. The crowd is booing even the ring announcement.
BRAUN!!!!!!!!
We're getting a cash-in!!!!!! GET THESE HANDS chants from the crowd! BRAUN refuses to be a coward and cash in behind someone's back. He's cashing it in at the end of the match, regardless of who wins. The bell rings.
Three Superman Punches. Spear! Spear! Spear! GUILLOTINE LOCK by Lesnar! Roman picks up Lesnar and spinebusters him down. Another Guillotine Lock on Roman. Roman picks him up and another spinebuster. Lesnar throws the gloves off. SUPLEX CITY! 1 German. A second one. A third one. "YOU BOTH SUCK!" chant from the audience.
F-5 escaped. Roman sent flying out of the ring who spears Strowman by accident. F-5 to Strowman! Roman rolled back in the ring. Strowman grabs Lesnar's leg, but Brock attacks Strowman with the briefcase and a steel chair. He throws the briefcase all the way back up the ramp. Lesnar climbs back in the ring with the chair. SPEAR by Reigns. 1-2-3. Reigns beats Lesnar.
Winner: Roman Reigns (New Universal Champion)
Match Grade: C. This wasn't the abomination I was expecting. Finally, Vince gets what he wants. And we're done with it at last finally.
Roman celebrates with the title. No cash-in.
Show Grade: B. As far as 4-6 hour shows go, this as actually one of the best overall that WWE has put together. I liked the fact that they cut short a couple matches in order to keep the show moving. Even better, the show ENDED around 11pm. While a couple matches didn't exactly get great reviews by me, no match just completely bombed either. The main event was short and sweet, getting the belt off Lesnar finally.
I'll be interested in seeing what happens afterwards in several of these feuds. AJ and Joe took a step in the right direction tonight with the elevation of AJ's anger towards Joe. These two inside Hell in a Cell should be electric.
Likewise, I'm interested to see who challenges Roman first for the Universal Championship. It's obvious that he's keeping it into WrestleMania. So, who's the first ritual sacrifice?
I hope you all enjoyed the show and my review. Until next time, take care of yourself and spread some awesomeness.
Comments
Post a Comment