THIS IS SO LATE I’M SORRY. Nevertheless I vowed to document my opinions of every NXT and WWE PPV no matter how short the recap is! I’m writing this minutes before Hell In A Cell begins so this’ll be super short. I’m talking like a couple sentences apiece.
The Undisputed Era (Champs) vs. Moustache Mountain – NXT Tag Team Championship
This was a great start to the PPV, their first match together was awesome, and this was no different. Tyler Bate was the notable star of the match and I loved the reversed bit where Trent Seven ALMOST threw in the towel for Tyler Bate (similar to how Bate did to Seven a few months ago). Side note: I LOVED that the War Raiders came out at the end, I can’t wait to see them go against the Undisputed Era! The Undisputed Era retains via pinfall 8.75/10.
EC3 vs. Velveteen Dream
The NXT Roster is so stacked, it’s almost impossible to have a bad card. EC3 and Velveteen Dream really brought it tonight. EC3 is great but you can’t top Velveteen Dream he’s one of the most exciting wrestlers WWE has. The “Call Me Up Vince” pants were absolutely incredible. I feel like it’s been ages since we’ve seen The Dream win so it was nice to see him come out on top. Velveteen Dream wins via pinfall 9/10.
Adam Cole vs. Ricochet – North American Championship
This was the best match of the night. I know I’m just as shocked as you are. Anything either of these two touches turns to gold. This match had so many nearly falls and incredible moments of athleticism, I was on the edge of my seat the entire match. The highlight of the match for me though was that we have a new North American Champion in Ricochet! Ricochet wins the North American Championship via pinfall 9.5/10.
Shayna Baszler (Champ) vs. Kairi Sane – NXT Women’s Championship
This was the best women’s championship match in NXT in a long time. Shayna Baszler has been slowly growing on my as time has gone by but I’m SO glad that she lost the belt. The women’s division has been so boring as of late because it didn’t seem like anyone could beat Baszler and I was pleasantly surprised to see Sane managed to sneak the win! Kairi Sane wins the NXT Women’s Championship via pinfall 8/10.
Tomasso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano – Last Man Standing Match
These two have had two masterpiece matches, but this one didn’t QUITE live up to the same potential as them. It wasn’t bad by any means don’t get me wrong, but something was slightly off about it. It wasn’t as insane as their second encounter, but then again I didn’t think it was possible to get any more extreme. I thought the end of the match was a little silly. Johnny Gargano looked like an idiot, but I guess that’s kind of what the story has been. Gargano has given into the darkness! How much longer can these two possibly feud!? I hope it isn’t losing gas. Ciampa is the last man standing 8.5/10.
Final Score: Awesome PPV! I wish the Ciampa & Gargano match was better but it was still pretty solid! 8.75/10
Summerslam
Rusev & Lana vs. Andrade Cien Almas & Zelina Vega
This was a weird mixed tag match. It wasn’t all that mixed! Rusev and Almas fought the first half of the match, then there was a single tag and Lana and Zelina fought the rest of it. Rusev and Almas were pretty decent, and I’m glad to see Lana get a little better with each match. Zelina didn’t really get to do much of anything but she still got the win for her and Almas. Pretty forgettable match, but not “bad.” Rusev and Almas are better than the preshow. Zelina Vega & Almas win via pinfall 7/10.
Cedric Alexander (Champ) vs. Drew Gulak – Cruiserweight Championship
I’m so happy to see Gulak get a title opportunity! It’s a shame he didn’t have a PowerPoint presentation with him and that he didn’t win but man Gulak got a title shot! Cedric Alexander though is absolutely incredible and he proved that once again tonight. I’m not sure who is going to end up taking that title from Alexander. Also, will any of these guys get to go on the main roster or even NXT? Basically can they go on a show where people will watch them? Cedric Alexander retains via pinfall 8.5/10.
The B Team (Champs) vs. The Revival – RAW Tag Team Championship
When oh when will The Revival get to be taken seriously!? Honestly I’ve seen a lot of superstars come up to the main roster and get cast aside but I haven’t seen anyone get robbed this badly since the Ascension. It would be nice to see The Revival win the tag team championship someday but honestly I don’t think it’ll happen anytime soon. This was a pretty solid match though. The B Team retains via pinfall 7.75/10.
Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler (Champ) – Intercontinental Championship
This match was a big step up for these two from their Extreme Rules match. That match wasn’t bad, this one was just way better. These two have a fighting style that go together so incredibly well. This had lots of great spots, Dean Ambrose and Drew McIntyre on the outside added a great element to the whole event. Best part of it though? Rollins wins! Rollins wins the Intercontinental Championship via pinfall 9/10.
The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers (Champs) – Smackdown Tag Team Championship
Although I’m not usually a fan of PPV matches ending in a disqualification, this one wasn’t bad. The New Day are simply an excellent tag team and the Bludgeon Brothers got to beat the hell out of them pretty good. It’s a shame that after this, Rowan got injured causing them to give up the title early. The New Day win via DQ 7.5/10.
Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
The stipulation was if Strowman lost in any way he lost the Money In The Bank contract. This was hardly even a match though as Strowman totally destroyed him. What’s the point of this “feud?” Is it even a feud? A feud usually has two sides fighting but it has basically only been Strowman destroying Owens so far. Poor Owens just gets getting wrecked for the sake of a lousy storyline. These two still deserve better. Strowman wins via pinfall 6.5/10.
Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Carmella (Champ) – Smackdown Women’s Championship
The ladies pulled through tonight, yes even Carmella! I think we can all say we saw the ending coming from a mile away. As much as we wanted to see Becky Lynch win tonight, we all knew that Charlotte’s sudden appearance wouldn’t be for nothing. Charlotte swooped in at the end and stole the win from Becky… but then we got a Becky Lynch heel turn! These two could have an excellent feud together! Charlotte Flair wins the Smackdown Women’s Championship via pinfall 8.5/10.
Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles (Champ) – WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Like I said earlier, I don’t usually like matches that end in disqualifications but this was actually amazing. The storyline was a little goofy up until this fight. Samoa Joe told AJ that he never wanted a family it was such a soap opera. Then the fight happened and Samoa Joe told AJ’s wife Wendy that he’d be her daddy. Then AJ lost it and beat the hell out of Samoa Joe, covering himself in blood and getting himself disqualified. Then he went to hug his wife and daughter and his daughter was visibly scared and crying. What a moment! The story went 0 to 100mph real fast! Samoa Joe wins via DQ 9/10.
The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan
The match I have wanted since the moment I heard Daniel Bryan was cleared to fight was finally here! It may not have been the masterpiece I wanted it to be, but it was still immensely entertaining because this feud has felt real and personal since that fated interview oh so long ago. This fight ended exactly how I thought it would; Miz cheated with Maryse’s help and ended up pinning Daniel Bryan. Can’t wait to see what happens in this feud next! The Miz wins via pinfall 8.5/10.
Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin
Why did we get another one of these? Why are these two still feuding? It just feels so random! That all being said, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this match and you know why? Because we got THE DEMON KING BACK!!! It has been far too long since we saw him and I think he’s Finn’s best incarnation. The matches just always seem to be better. This match was totally one sided, but you can’t complain about that when it’s The Demon King Finn Balor. I hope we get to see him again soon because he always makes the show better! Balor wins via pinfall 8.75/10.
Shinsuke Nakamura (Champ) vs. Jeff Hardy – United States Championship Match
Ah yes, the match we should’ve gotten at Extreme Rules! Definitely still not bitter about that… OK maybe I am. Anyways this match was kind of a snore. These two are so talented, but the match just never became anything special. It felt like a match you’d see on Smackdown. Then of course Randy Orton came out and………………….. did nothing? Not sure what’s going on with this. Nakamura retains via pinfall 6.5/10.
Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss (Champ) – RAW Women’s Championship
Everyone watching knew what was going to happen. Ronda was going to obliterate poor Alexa Bliss and boy did she. It was barely even a fight because Ronda just absolutely decimated Alexa and ended the whole thing pretty fast. That arm bar does not look fun in the slightest. Ronda Rousey wins the RAW Women’s Championship via submission 6.75/10.
Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar (Champ) – WWE Universal Championship
IT IS FINALLY OVER!!! FINALLY BROCK LOST THE BELT! I DON’T EVEN CARE THAT ROMAN HAS IT THE BELT WILL FINALLY CONSISTENTLY BE ON RAW!!! MOST GLORIOUS INDEED!!! This match was fine. Roman Reigns wins the Universal Championship via pinfall 7.5/10
Final Thoughts: Overall a pretty mixed bag for Summerslam but I definitely enjoyed more of it than I disliked. Roman winning the title is all I ever really needed from this PPV. Final Score: 8/10
I foolishly decided to take an extra class this semester so I haven’t been able to keep up with my weekly posts, and I apologize. Once I get through this semester I’ll be more consistent with my posts!
The Magical World of Dids 