WWE SummerSlam Thread

[Dolphin Ziggler]

1 Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) vs. The Undertaker Singles match
2 Randy Orton vs. Sheamus Singles match
3 United States Champion John Cena vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins Singles match for the WWE United States Championship and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
4 Ryback (c) vs. Big Show vs. The Miz Triple Threat match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
5 Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper vs. Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose Tag team match
6 The Prime Time Players (c) vs. Los Matadores vs. The Lucha Dragons vs. The New Day Fatal Four-Way tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
7 Stephen Amell and Neville vs. Stardust and King Barrett Tag team match
8 Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro Singles match
9 Team Bella (The Bella Twins and Alicia Fox) vs. Team B.A.D. (Naomi, Sasha Banks and Tamina) vs. PCB (Paige, Charlotte and Becky Lynch) Three-Team Elimination match
10 Dolph Ziggler (with Lana) vs. Rusev (with Summer Rae)

Its a huge weekend for WWE and for wrestling fans who get to see NXT at their biggest event yet and then the biggest SummerSlam ever as the summer PPV goes 4 hours long.

Any predictions and discussion then folks?

I started thinking this week that we may get the return of Kane. Originally I thought we could see masked Kane come back to stop Lesnar beating the Undertaker, revenge for taking him out and giving Taker a way to beat Lesnar. However, I would wonder whether Kane's interested in Lesnar or Rollins after the way he went out with injury? Scott Hall has tweeted that he thinks its Kane to help Taker win, and that will lead to one or two Kane v Lesnar matches (I really hope not). Could also be a curveball that they attempt to tell one last Kane v Taker story.

I think both Kane and Sting are wildcards for surprise appearances this weekend. News was that Sting was made to prepare for use at SummerSlam, but maybe the use was for an appearance not a match.

Its hard to look past a Taker win, unless Sting returns to start a story with Taker about Taker and Sting both being close to the end.

Sheamus or Orton? Does anyone really care? Sheamus is interesting only for what he does with the case.

Cena and Rollins is really up in the air. I notice Cena has a new t-shirt all about being 15 time champ. Is that just to start off how big it is when he wins 16?

I really like the card. There's a lot of story around a lot of the matches, and I think we're set for some really good stuff in the ring too.

[RanjitPatel]

I haven't been following properly for a while (cancelled Sky sports so just read up now and again) but I'll watch this show. It looks like a really good card. Better than Wrestlemania, which I think I enjoyed.
From your preview it seems you have Taker favourite so I must have missed a lot. I wouldn't believe him beating Lesnar, but I suppose it would even things up. I think there has to be an interference in that one.
Cesaro's match is another I'll look forward to and hopefully him and Owens get enough time.

Rollins and Cena should be a cracker too. Not too fussed on the others and agree with the Sheamus assessment. I've no interest in him and would prefer a failed cash in or him to lose the case in the future. That may be harsh but he doesn't seem to have any direction for me.

The divas match is probably my best of the rest in terms of ones I'll watch and not fast forward through. That's it really.

[Dr_Uzeboo]

Mentions odds so could be spoilers:

[Korankye88]

what about the athority turning on Rollins helping cena win, double switch? cena has reached a land mark of 500 make a wishes and has taken a back seat from the title picture, maybe its the right time?

[kingraf]

If Rollins beats Cena - due to the fact that I don't think the title is gonna change hands at any PPV other than the Big Four - think we might have to start looking at the possibility of Rollins breaking Punk's record.

[Dr Gregory House MD]

If Rollins beats Cena - due to the fact that I don't think the title is gonna change hands at any PPV other than the Big Four - think we might have to start looking at the possibility of Rollins breaking Punk's record.

I can't see it tbh, he's barely over a quarter of way there and he still has a Sheamus cash in and Roman Reigns to survive

[Dr_Uzeboo]

I think Sting getting involved is a good shout. An Undertaker vs Sting match at Wrestlemania would be a suitable retirement match for both. Given the part time schedule of both, this would seem too good an opportunity to miss to start a build towards that.

Rollins/Cena is intriguing to me. Putting the title back on Cena wouldn't seem the smartest move as we've been there many times already. Putting the title on a heel Cena would be something different, so maybe the suggestion of The Authority backing Cena has some merit. That would be where the return of a masked Kane would make sense.

Having the World & US titles on one individual is not a likely long term thing surely? Surely separated by Night of Champions. What chances we have Sheamus as World Champ & Rollins as U.S. Champ by the end of SummerSlam?

Will both main events have interference? Not sure the lack of a clean finish in both matches would be well received.

Other thoughts, a Reigns or Ambrose heel turn? We've seen many a super friendly tag team turn on each other over the years.

Are we also due an in ring return from The Game?

I was initially sceptical of both main events but I think the build has been well done & I'm really looking forward to it.

[kingraf]

If Rollins beats Cena - due to the fact that I don't think the title is gonna change hands at any PPV other than the Big Four - think we might have to start looking at the possibility of Rollins breaking Punk's record.

I can't see it tbh, he's barely over a quarter of way there and he still has a Sheamus cash in and Roman Reigns to survive

Yeah the Sheamus cash in is my only limiting factor. That said, if you ignore the Money in the Bank Change, which was enforced by Bryan's injury, and the Hell in a cell title change, which again had a vacant title, there hasn't been a title change outside of the Big four since 2011. So if Rollins defends here... it takes us to Survivor Series, which has only seen three title changes in this millennium and the last one was in 2011.

Still a long way to go, of course. And its really only a "keep an eye out" type situation.

[Samo]

On paper its a decent card and all the matches have been built up reasonably well, the only problem is I cant see a clean finish in either main event.

[Crimey]

I think Cena's winning and the US Title will be absorbed by the World title. I can't see Rollins being a double champion and I think they'd rather Cena was the last US Champion. I think limiting the number of championships is the direction they're heading in as well.

[Gregers]

Crimey, that makes sense except of the new 15x Cena shirt. That alone is making me think of a dusty finish with sheamus involved. He cashes in, hits Cena with the brogue then Rollins hits sheamus out of the ring and pins Cena to retain the titke but not win the US

Rollins then costs Cena in an open challenge in the next month. Cena wins the big 16th Title at survivor series

[GSC]

Presumably if theres a DQ finish the titles remain split?

[Samo]

Presumably if theres a DQ finish the titles remain split?

I would assume so. My moneys on Rollins getting himself DQ'd. Taker vs Lesnar will likely be on last so they can afford a non-finish here.

[Prometheus]

I think TV ratings and Rollins-led house show numbers dictate the title going back onto Cena who has rehabilitated himself in the eyes of many of his nay-sayers enough for that to work.

Which in theory makes the IC the only other singles belt and that trio do nothing for me individually, or collectively.

I'm still surprised an Undertaker / Sting story has any interest. I think Sting should have been a one-shot deal. I get the idea of Undertaker retiring at Mania in Texas.

For me, the actual matches look like there's huge potential for a lot of over-booking, but this could still be fun. Owens / Cesaro, I hope they give 20 minutes to. Fell sorry for whoever follows Orton / Sheamus, it's a long match list and that one could really sap the crowd's energy.

[Samo]

I'm still surprised an Undertaker / Sting story has any interest.  I think Sting should have been a one-shot deal.  I get the idea of Undertaker retiring at Mania in Texas.  

Sting was due to be involved in the Shield/Wyatt match in a 6 man tag but Rowan got injured. It could still happen down the line. I dont think Taker should have wrestled at Mania at all after losing to Brock. People have already forgot about the Wyatt match and the only time I've seen it mentioned in months was Heyman refering to Lesnar as the 'one in the now twenty-two and one'. I would retire him at Survivor Series - the PPV marking his 25th year with the company. If you need him at Mania in Texas then thats when you should put him in the Hall of Fame.

[Prometheus]

Interesting Samo. I feel like I had my WWE Mania moment with Sting (if it was even needed).

I agree that Undertaker should have gone out following his Mania loss and the Wyatt match was instantly forgettable. The only "angle" I'd really be interested in him for would be if Vince used him at Mania to run HHH / The Authority out. Have his last moment being Tombstoning and pinning HHH, and let Trips go to NXT for a while and give us all a break from the Authority.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'm still surprised an Undertaker / Sting story has any interest.  .

To be surprised at that is almost naive, Prom, it's basically been an idea for 15 years for some people. Whilst some of the smarkier lot will tut and roll their eyes, it would be a huge match and that's pretty much impossible to argue against. And as such it makes sense to do it.

Sadly for Cena I feel winning the title will only ruin the favour he has got back in his US title run. I think people can accept a Cena title win if there's a good story attached, but this isn't it. It makes sense to have the match, absolutely, and its a common sense story, but it isn't one that you would accept/worthy of Cena being top of the pile again.

[Samo]

If Cena wins his 16th reign then it should be built around that fact, have Flair come out and endorse him etc. It should be obtained during a story based around him proving he's a better champion that Rollins.

[Fernando]

WWE Summerslam Results:

[GSC]

The only reaction I have to the Rollins-Cena ending is "really?"

[Fernando]

My thought was god bless you Jon Stewart Was an incredible match though.

[kingraf]

#148 days

[Adam D]

Cool pic - New Day Rocks!:

[NickisBHAFC]

The match quality was brilliant. However the endings to the big matches were absolutely dreadful.

[Samo]

What I learned from this weekend so far. Winners wear Gold and White.

Summerslam was a decent event and every match did what it had to do, I wouldnt say there was a bad match on the card.

Sheamus needed the win, New Day deserve the titles, Rusev and Ziggler had a decent showing before it all went Pete Tong.

The Arrows vs Stardust and BNB was what it needed to be, decent enough to merit its spot on the middle of the card. Shield vs Wyatts was decent enough aswell, but felt like a TV match and doesnt feel like its concluded anything, I expect this to continue into NoC.

Rollins vs Cena was an awesome match ruined by a Poopie ending. They're going to need to do some brilliant writing to have this make sense. The Womens match was fine but didnt mean much long term. Surprised Becky got the win, thought for sure it would be Charlotte. Owens vs Cesaro was a strong match and a decent semi-main event. Credit to Owens for working two seriously hard nights in a row, possibly three if hes on RAW tonight.

Undertaker vs Lesnar was tenfold better than their match at Mania. I actually dont mind the ending to this one. Lesnar still looks strong as hell as he managed to make The Goddamn Undertaker tap out, but he didnt actually tap out himself.

Overall it wasnt the greatest Summerslam event ever (that distinction will always lie with 2002.) but its still a good showing.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

What am I meant to feel at that ending?

Can I just laugh at all those reports every year that Taker is too fragile to wrestle and can barely walk throughout the year. He put on a show. The match itself had an "epic" feel to it and both men delivered huge.

If it comes to wrestling being a "sport" then that's a very interesting ending. Because you can't lose to something the ref doesn't see, so Taker rightly didn't lose. Not sure whether this leads us to Lesnar v Taker III and Lesnar retiring Taker.

It seems interesting, however, that the timekeeper didn't ring the bell once during the Cena match when Cena got the 3, nor when the greatest heel of all time Jon Stewart was hitting Cena with a chair. But he can see a tapout with eagle eyes and just rings it straight away.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Will say, was a very good show. Owens, Rollins, The New Day, plus every match was quite good. Disappointed with the crowd carrying on the petty Reigns stuff, but at least they werent as annoying as the NXT crowd.

[JamesLincs]

wwe really has no respect for the fans do they when they think were just gunna believe that a timekeeper is allowed to make the decision to ring the bell because of what they saw when the only man in charge at any time is the referee. were supposed to believe it was a genuine mistake or what? come on.

i dont know if its now because im an adult or that wrestling is just so predictable now. they ran out of ideas long ago, we see the same spots in so many matches and match finishes are just becoming unbelievable now, smacks of wcw at times

[kingraf]

To be fair, with reference to the Montreal Screwjob: the timekeeper seems to be the real boss.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

It was an awful idea, but probably better than Lesnar losing clean or Kane getting involved. I will sympathise with them because as an event Taker v Lesnar was incredible. But they should have had a better plan for the finish. I'd have rather Lesnar tombstoned through an announce table and unable to make the count.

[Samo]

I think I am the only one that didnt mind the finish. I hated the Rollins/Cena finish a whole lot more.

I suppose the best thing to come out of the Lesnar/Taker match will be Heymans promo on RAW tonight. Im already erect just thinking about it.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I would say I didnt mind it only because some of the other options were so poor. Not a ringing endorsement, but enough to give them breathing space.

The Stewart interference is difficult. Make him a heel? Weird idea. Claim he's a huge Flair mark? Doesn't play to the fact he's been anti-Rollins in the past and played the face-mark all night.

[Samo]

At this point the only ones who could interfere for Rollins and have it make less sense would be Ambrose, Reigns or Kane. A return of J&J would have been better, but im sure that whole thing has been dropped.

I like the idea of someone screwing Cena out of no. 16 because they're a huge Flair mark, but Stewart doesnt make sense like you said. Batista could have been good but we've seen him vs Cena before.

Now that he's completely finished with the Daily Show I think Stewart will become more of a regular fixture on TV - which is a good thing long term as he's competent cutting a promo infront of a large crowd and genuinely loves the business. He could be the on screen voice of the Authority to give us a break from Steph and HHH switching from heel to face and back again 8 times in one promo.

[Fernando]

Jon Stewart for GM

Was an odd finish but a glad surprise it was something different for once. Was expecting Taker & Lesnar to end with 2 refs with each claiming one won with the ref going down.

[Gregers]

Just finished watching, hated the end to taker v Brock felt like an end to a ppv and then the first 15 mins of raw tomorrow

Otherwise a solid ppv. Worse than takeover obviously but solid.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The weird thing with Rollins/Cena being screwy is that HHH would have made perfect sense, so much so that they teased it on Raw.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

https://gfycat.com/CircularReadyFlatfish

[Hero]

Bet you've knocked more out to that than the Fappening.

[Prometheus]

I think it was clever of WWE to extend this show and make it special and to bring back Undertaker.  It is definitely up there with Mania as WWE's best PPV of the year and well worth the 9.99.

Sheamus / Orton sucks the energy out of me.  This was actually better than I feared.  You can never complain about an RKO out of nowhere.  But man I just can't get on with Sheamus's work and what did he do here?  1 White Noise and 5 Brogue Kicks.  If this is meant to build Sheamus as a legit MitB World Champion in waiting, its not working.  2.5*

Fatal 4-way tag championships.  It shows how badly the WWE treats its IC Champions that Big E was completely lost there.  And here he is in the division WWE cares so little about, completely owning it.  Great work from him, Kofi and Titus.  Loved the last few minutes when it all got going, and would have taken another 5 minutes of this.  3.5*

Rusev / Ziggler.  I don't know, I never got into this.  All that focus on the women outside the ring (and what was Lana wearing) just meant even I wasn't with it.  And then a meh ending.  2*

Stephen Amell & Neville / Barrett & Stardust.  I love that at the start of the match Amell took the tag rope in his corner, causing the ref to tell Stardust that he should take his.  It showed that Amell was taking this seriously and was in the zone.  So, this was fun, and Amell handled himself well.   Having said that, not  putting Neville in 4*+ matches, is just one of those things that has me scratching my head at WWE.  3*

Ryback / The Miz / Big Show.  Triple threats have to be done so well to work well.  This wasn't.  But it wasn't terrible either.  It just was.  Miz had to bring an abundance of energy to this and he just about managed that.  2.5*

Ambrose & Reigns / Wyatt & Harper.  Simple story, well told.  I'm still staggered that Reigns was damaged so much last year that he's still not anywhere near rehabilitated because he's perfectly watchable now.  This was a lot of fun.  More please, much more.  3.5*

Cena / Rollins.  I was ready to go 4.5* on this and it was building to be my 3rd favourite WWE match of the year.  Then we had the ref bump and the interference ending.  3.5*

Divas match - Skipped

Owens / Cesaro.  This started with a lot of spoilers on the NXT match.  Now, that match was already out there, so what happened has happened, but I'm not even sure they used that so well.  Wow, the crowd really went flat for this.  I don't know if that is the penultimate 'death slot', following the divas, or just that WWE has given these two too many losses for the crowd to really care about either.  But they had to work so, so hard for a reaction and that hurt my enjoyment of what was the best wrestling match on the card.  3.5*

Brock Lesnar / Undertaker.  I didn't want this match, I didnt' see how 'Taker was a credible opponent for Lesnar.  Boy, was I wrong.  And the commentary team did a fantastic job here of putting both wrestlers over, which after a ho-hum night for them is well worth a mention.  If you didn't enjoy this, give up on WWE for good, because this is what they do best; big entrances, hype, huge men facing off, and an ending that sets up another match.  And these two were able to work like men who didn't have to be in the ring on Raw the next night.  I'm really surprised they went with so many suplexes and big hits after what happened at Mania.  Again, I'd have gone 4.5*, but for the ending.  4*

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