WWE Summerslam 2018 Review 08/19/2018

Hello Misfits! It’s the Wrestling Classic here with my review for Summerslam 2018. Its the biggest party of the Summer. Its the last year there are in Brooklyn after the last four years. The card is stacked with 13 matches. I was 9-4 with my predictions. All the championship titles were up for grabs. I won’t be talking about the kick-off matches since I wasn’t at home early enough for it. I was right about two of three matches on the kick-off, only wrong about the B-Team retaining. This is the second biggest event of the year and treated like it as well. Summerslam isn’t your regular wrestling PPV card but more of an event or extravaganza. The WWE takes over the entire city for the weekend similar to Wrestlemania and fans will travel from all around the world to be there. All the championships are on the line and Summerslam has to follow an incredible NXT Takeover that took place the night before. Storylines will end and storyline will begin. Moments and memories that will last forever will be made and superstars will become legends. Did this Summerslam live up to the hype? Lets find out.

This show is coming to us from the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York.

– The show opened up with great hype video for Summerslam featuring Terry Crews.

– Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Jonathan Coachman are the announcers for the Raw matches and Tom Phillips, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton are the announcers for the Smackdown Live matches.

Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins w/ Dean Ambrose def. Dolph Ziggler (C) w/ Drew McIntyre
in 22:00 by pin fall
Dean Ambrose came out first to a massive pop followed by Seth Rollins. who also got a solid pop. This match was awesome. It was a great match to kick of the night and get the fans fired up. It started off kind of slow but the closing stretch really picked up and had the crowd fully engaged. These two guys are have great chemistry and are both workhorses so you knew they were trying to steal the show. One of the most memorable spots from this match was when Seth Rollins hit Dolph Ziggler with reverse superplex from the top followed by an inverted suplex for a 2 count. I feel like that was the first time I have ever seen something like that. Rollins also got busted open during this match around the eye. Ambrose who was taken out my McIntyre earlier comes back to Drew hitting him with a dirty deeds, thus distracting Ziggler which allowed Rollins to hit a super kick and a curb stomp for the win. I was not expecting nor did I predict that Rollins was going to win here so it was a pleasant surprise. After the match I was waiting for Ambrose to lay Rollins out with a dirty deeds but it just didn’t happen. There was a point where it looked like Ambrose could have turned but they let the ship sail on that idea. Which in my mind a bummer because Ambrose’s return was still so fresh so it would have been exciting. I wonder what is next for Ziggler. I personally really enjoyed this match.

– The Bella Twins duo of Nikki and Brie were interviewed backstage by Renee Young. Brie said WWE is a big part of their lives and Nikki wanted to witness history. Nikki said they are focused on all their products and reality shows, which led to Brie plugging their reality TV shows. Nikki spoke about how they are there to have fun and witness Ronda Rousey making history to become the Raw Women’s Champion. Brie said they were a part of the women’s evolution and they want to see what happens. Nikki said they’ll be front row to witness history.
This really started to make me believe in the Nikki Bella vs. Ronda Rousey rumours for the Evolution PPV. I was curious to if they would somehow cost Ronda the match. I am a fan of the Bellas and was glad to see them but definitely do not want to see that. I think its bad business.

Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The New Day (Xavier Woods & Big E w/ Kofi Kingston) def. Bludgeon Brothers (C)
in 06:15 by DQ
I wasn’t looking forward to this match because I felt like we have already seen it. Also we have so many other great teams on Smackdown Live that could have been facing the Bludgeon Brothers here at Summerslam. Xavier Woods and Big E are the two New Day members facing off against Harper and Rowen. Kofi Kingston is at ringside for the New Day. The match did end up being pretty entertaining and competitive. I didn’t expect anything less from these two teams even though I was not hyped for the match. Xavier was the team member to build the heat by taking a beating by the Bludgeon Brothers until making the hot tag. Big E was a beast when he got into the match from the hot tag with belly-to-belly suplexes and a suicide dive. Rowen ended up attacking Kofi which led to Big E hitting him with a Big Ending on the floor. Woods hit a sweet flying elbow drop to the floor on Harper. The match ended when The New Day were going for the midnight hour on Harper but Rowen uses his mallet to cause a DQ finish. The New Day wins but Harper and Rowen remain tag team champions. The match was good but the finish was weak. Nobody will remember it but at the same time it would have been nice for Harper and Rowen to get the clean win to continue their momentum. The New Day doesn’t lose anything in loss.

Money in the Bank Contract
Braun Strowman def. Kevin Owens
in 01:45 by pin fall
If Strowman loses in any way, he loses his MITB opportunity. They played a video package prior to this match to really hype this up so you’d expect it to be some sort of classic. Instead we had Kevin Owens get destroyed with some deadly shoulder tackles. Owens continues to run away though and connects with a super kick that just angers Braun more leading to him chokelsamming KO on the ramp. Braun takes Owens back into the ring and hits a running powerslam for the win. This was a total squash and a disappointing one as well since I would have loved to see Owens get more offence and maybe a moment where it seemed like Owens could have won. It was what it was. I knew having Strowman lose wouldn’t make the most sense but oh man, this sucks for KO. I think this confirms Braun will try cashing in tonight. Will KO potentially ruin it for him?

Smackdown Women’s Championship
Charlotte Flair def. Carmella (C) & Becky Lynch
in 15:15 by pin-fall
I was really looking forward to this triple threat match. The video package for this match was really well done. There were layers to this storyline. All three girls had special gear that looked awesome. I loved Carmella’s Nicki Minaj/Barbie inspired gear. Charlotte rocked pink and the new boots looked sweet. Becky Lynch came in with war paint ready for a fight. Becky and Charlotte were great but I expected nothing less from them. However, for Carmella this had to be her best showing yet. Carmella has been one helluva champion, character wise but tonight she fought like a defending champion who was going to prove she could hang with these women. There were some awesome spots that didn’t play off great on TV but the idea of them were great and there was stuff that connected that was awesome. Carmella’s suicide dive was spot on and looked like it hurt her opponent. There was a ton of drama in the closing stretch with near falls and false finishes. In end Charlotte won the match after hitting the natural selection on Becky Lynch. The champion Carmella was never pinned and I’m sure we’re going to hear about that very soon. Becky Lynch and Charlotte embraced as if Becky was congratulating Charlotte. This was until Becky snapped and attacked Charlotte, showing her anger at her friend stealing her thunder. The fans were strongly behind Becky Lynch and it would have been ridiculous if they thought the fans would feel sympathetic for Charlotte.  I’m intrigued to see what will happen next with all three girls. Where does Carmella go from here? How will Becky Lynch express her actions? How will Charlotte react to her friend attacking her? Overall, this match was better than I expected.

WWE Championship
Samoa Joe def. AJ Styles (C)
in 22:45 by DQ
I was really looking forward to this match. Two guys that I watched go to war many times in TNA finally getting to face off in a high calibre match at the second biggest PPV of the year. In a very short build they were able to make this rivalry personal by Samoa Joe taunting AJ Styles character as a strong father and husband. That ended up playing a huge role for this match. It started right when the match kicked off as Samoa Joe gave Styles wife and daughter a shoutout as they were sitting at ringside. There was a TNA chant as these two first squared off. This was a great match, with good heat, some great callbacks to their previous matches, and work highlighting just how much these two know each other. It was evident that these two trusted each other and were comfortable with each other in the ring as they were really laying it in on each other. Styles at one point his a Styles Clash that really looked like it hurt Joe because of the landing but it only got a two count. Joe eventually got the clutch on Styles but he barley made it to the ropes. The match ended up on the outside again where Joe jumped on the table and said he promised Wendy that Styles was coming home, but he’s not, and he’ll be her new daddy. This causes Styles to blow up and he spears Joe off the table through the barricade. He follows that up by beating him brutally with a chair causing a DQ finish. Styles was busted open while doing this which added effect to the situation. Styles continued to beat Joe until his wife called on him to stop. The Fat Jewish was in the crowd during segement. Anyway, I was totally okay with this finish because this is just the beginning of their feud and we got a great match out of it. It also made this feud a lot more personal. I forgot to mention but of course there was an awesome “WHOS YOUR DADDY?!” chant following Joes comments at the end of the match.

– Elias kicks his concert off by debuting a new song. Elias tries to play his guitar but it breaks. Elias gets mad and kicks over his stool Elias heads to the back. There was no Bobby Lashley interruption or anything. This was just a segment to get Elias out there for the crowd with no actual rhyme or reason but that.

– The Miz was shown walking backstage in a ridiculous outfit but only he could pull off. The B Team duo were there as Miz talked to his Miztourage. Miz said if they want to fetch his limo and celebrate after his match, he’s good with that. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel said they had celebrating to do, Dallas said they are the B Team and B stands for Daniel Bryan. Axel said that they hope Bryan shuts Miz’ mouth for good. Dallas said that Miz had a reality show called “Miz and Mers” instead of Mrs. and said they had Total Fellas, but with a “B” so he said Total Bellas. B Team did their chant to end it.

The Miz def. Daniel Bryan
in 23:30 by pin fall
It was the match we have all been waiting for. The video package did a great job of highlighting the tension and distain between Daniel Bryan and The Miz stretching all the way back to 2010. The Miz made his entrance first and thats when we found out that Maryse and their daughter Monroe Sky were sitting at ringside. Bryan came out in Seattle Seahawks inspired gear to a huge reaction. I am really enjoying that fact that a lot of the wrestlers went all out with their gear for this event. I loved how they made the whole concept of Daniel Bryan wanting to punch the Miz right in the face apart of the storytelling of the first half of the match. It’s just a little detail to their feud but it worked considering how invested in the feud we were as fans. The match was very back and fourth with both guys getting in a ton of offence. It still kind of felt surreal to me that we are actually getting this match considering just a year I ago I thought Bryan was never going to wrestle again. Miz got a near fall after a skull crushing finale where I actually thought it was going to be over. I was rooting for Bryan of course but I truly did believe that Miz was going to win just to further prolong the angle. Bryan at one point got the Yes Lock on Miz but the self proclaimed A-Lister started biting Bryan to get out of the hold by helping him reach the ropes. When the Miz is outside the ring, Maryse hands Miz something which Graves proclaims was her heart LOL. Bryan still comes out and drop kicks the Miz and then goes back in the ring for the suicide dive, but Miz hits him with the gimmick and gives it back to Maryse. Miz pins Bryan back in the ring for the win. This was another great match, that played extremely well into the story and Miz winning makes sense since it’s the first match and he cheated and fucked Bryan over to do so, basically proving Bryan’s point that he’s soft and needs shortcuts to win. It also plays into Miz’s theory that Bryan’s style costs him more than it helps him. I’m looking to see how this plays out moving forward. This was a top quality match between two guys who dont like each other but work well together.

Demon Balor def. Constable Corbin
in 01:35 by pin fall
Constable Corbin offended Finn Balor so much by calling him short that he had to bring out the Demon to beat him up. Its like when a little kid gets bullied and then they come to school with a blanket cape on as if thats going to help them get the better of their foe. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all in for Demon Balor. The entrance was a spectacle and the Darth Maul like body paint was badass. I was just under the expression that Demon Balor would only come out for bigger rivalries and matches and not during a forgettable feud and match with Corbin. It was a nice treat for the fans though because I totally wasnt expecting it. Then again why would I be expecting it in a feud with Constable Corbin. On that note, when I mentioned that on Instagram, someone brought it to my attention that Balor has come out as the Demon the last three Summerslams. Maybe they’re trying to make it a tradition for Summerslam. This was another short match where Balor made quick work of Corbin. Hopefully, Balor moves on to bigger things and moves away from the Constable. I’d actually prefer if the Constable doesn’t get into any more rivalries with people and play more into his new Authority role. I actually enjoy him as that.

– Daniel Bryan was in the doctor’s room with a doctor putting ice on his head. Brie Bella, Daniel’s wife, showed up. Bryan complained about what happened and he knew that was going to happen. Brie mentioned Maryse getting involved. Brie said that Bryan had to follow his dreams, she said the fight isn’t over and Bryan told Brie to go back out there to enjoy the show. They kissed, said I love you and she left.

United States Championship
Shinsuke Nakamura (C) def. Jeff Hardy
in 11:05 by pin fall
Unlike last month we got a solid Shinsuke Nakamura and Jeff Hardy match at this event. The fans were singing along with Nakamura’s theme song even with the remixed heel version. Jeff Hardy’s face paint looked great as well. Nakamura kicked off the match with some mind games and just messing with Hardy. This was a really competitive match with many near falls and close calls. Jeff Hardy avoided all of Nakamura’s low-blow attempts. At one point the charismatic enigma hit a twist of fate and swanton bomb on the King of Strong Style only to a get a two. Brother Nero goes for it again but Nakamura rolls out to the apron and Nero hits a swanton bomb onto Nakamura while he was on the apron. However it seemed to do more damage to Hardy than it did Nakamura, so when they got back into the ring Nakamura, catches Hardy with a kinshasa for the clean win. The most memorable part of this match is going to be that swanton on to Nakamura who was on the apron. Other than that this was a perfectly fine match but it was so deep into the card that fans seemed like they were taking a breather for this match preparing for the two main events. Randall made his way out after the match in midst of Nakamura’s celebration but changed his mind turned around halfway down the ramp. Its really interesting to wonder whats going on into his head.

– Natalya made her entrance wearing a black and pink jacket that her father, the late Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, wore at SummerSlam 1990. Cole said that Neidhart died a “couple of weeks ago” but it was really six days ago on Monday. This was really sweet though and sending nothing but love and prayers to Natalya, TJ and the entire Hart family.

Raw Women’s Championship
Ronda Rousey def. Alexa Bliss (C)
in 04:00 by submission
The Bella Twins are shown at ringside making me wonder if they were gong to be involved in the match. I loved the way Alexa addressed their presence. Ronda Rousey comes out ready to fight. Ronda Rousey also had some new gear for this match as well. Bliss stalls and tries to avoid Rousey after the bell rings. Rousey even offers to turn her back to her to get into the ring and even goes as far to sitting down cross legged with her eyes closed to get Alexa in the ring. Bliss locks on a sleeper which got a chuckle from the live crowd and Rousey stands up and powers out and hits her spinning slam sending Bliss outside of the ring. Bliss gets in and connects with strikes, Rousey is pissed and slams her down again and lays into her with strikes. Rousey monologues as she rag dolls Bliss. Rousey attacks the arm and Bliss does her wacky dislocation spot to sell it. I was hoping she would use her ability to make her arm look dislocated during this match. Ronda really locks on the arm bar and Bliss taps. Following the match Rousey celebrates and Natalya joins her. Soon enough the Bellas enter the ring too to celebrate with Ronda Rousey. There was no heel turn of the Bellas on Rousey and Natalya or anything. Once again, I understand Natalya being there but if there was no build towards anything, I can’t comprehend why The Bellas were involved unless it was just for getting content of Total Bellas or Total Divas. Rousey also went a celebrated with her husband. This was exactly what it needed to be and Rousey had the crowd in the palm of her hands. As they were celebrating Rousey tells Natalya that this was for her dad and ‘Rowdy” Roddy Piper.

WWE Universal Championship
Roman Reigns def. Brock Lesnar (C) w/ Paul Heyman
ended in 06:10 by pin fall
Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar both make their ways out to the ring with mixed reactions. Following the introductions Braun Strowman made his way out to the ring with his Money in the Bank briefcase. Braun Strowman says he’s not someone who’s going to cash in when someone doesn’t expect it and someone who’s going to do it to the champions face so he said he’s cashing in after this match on whoever the winner is. The bell rings and Reigns runs wild with superman punches and spears until Lesnar catches him and locks on a guillotine. Reigns fights to his feet and hits a spinebuster, and both are down. Lesnar locks on another guillotine. Reigns fights out again and breaks the hold. Lesnar drops the gloves and hits Germans to you both suck chants. Reigns counters an F5 and looks for a suicide dive and accidentally takes out Braun. Lesnar now F5s Braun on the floor trying to take him out of the equation. Lesnar tosses Reigns back in, and then beats on Braun with the briefcase and tosses it up the ramp to really save himself from Braun cashing in after the match. He follows with chair shots but gets met in the ring with Reigns hitting him with the spear for the win. Roman Reigns in the new champion and this feud is finally over. They used Braun to get around Lesnar losing clean to Reigns and still got the belt on Reigns. I kind of feel like they used the potential of Braun cashing in to keep the crowd happy during and after the match. It allowed Reigns to celebrate until the show went off the air because the fans were still waiting for Braun to rise from his beatdown to cash in. Instead that didnt happen. Its crazy that they had Braun basically destroy Owens only to be destroyed by Lesnar and play dead until the show went off the air. I am really glad the Universal Championship is off Lesnar and that is the end of that era. I’m glad the championship will be on Raw every week. I dont mind Roman being champion but I wonder how long it’ll take until the hardcore wrestling fans are over it. This was a smartly booked segment/match. I enjoyed it.

Final Thoughts
This might have been the best show since Wrestlemania. Once again this isn’t comparable to a NXT Takeover event which is a wrestling PPV because this was more of an event and extravaganza. It had a little bit of everything. Great matches, drama, clash of titans and much more. The show was long and supposed to feel like a roller coaster ride and thats exactly what it was. I actually really enjoyed it and the pros outweigh the cons. I think the main roster stars brought out their A-game and they did a great job making this feel like a special event. The show also left us with a lot of questions making you intrigued to tuning to Raw and Smackdown this week. It was also much more memorable than the Summerslam’s from the last couple of years. If you didn’t check it out definitely do so. There are a handful of good matches and a lot of big moments. Thank you Brooklyn for always being an insane crowd.
Final Rating – 8.5/10

What were your final thoughts on Summerslam? What final grade would you give the event? Where would you rate it on a scale of ten? Do you agree with my review? Leave your comments, opinions and thoughts below in the comments section.