At least, the PPV wasn't a total snore fest. The visuals for the show; involving the 3D image model feature in the superstar's entrances was kinda cool. It look a lot better than the fake-looking ones, WWE was using for 'Wrestlemania 34'. Plus, I dig all the new costume attires and astonishment cameos from past wrestlers. However, it's weird to think, that 'WWE SummerSlam' is supposed to be the biggest wrestling event of the summer; yet, in the last couple of years, the bouts on the card, hasn't been as good, as the acclaimed matches of 'NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn' event, from the previous night; also taking place at the Barclay Center. It's always been really odd, to see this, as a wrestling fan, because NXT's primary purpose is to serve as a minor league developmental farm system for WWE. Yet, it always outshine the major league, in both its high quality of wrestling and captivating, in ring storylines. In spite of this, the main roster & crews has always try to put a hell of a show, with each year, wrestling matches, getting a little bit better. This year, was supposed to be no differ, however, sadly, the producers at the 'Raw' brand, cockily didn't improve, their end-game, at all, compare to last year. Besides the well-made contest between challenger, Seth Rollins versus champion, Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship; which feature a cool looking reverse top rope suplex; none of the others 'RAW' bouts, ringwork stood out much, nor went over 7 minutes. It's a shame; because some of the talents here, can honestly, wrestle; such as Finn Balor & Kevin Owens. Yet, they're barely given, much of a spotlight; besides being spot-monkeys for bigger guys. At the same time, power-house wrestlers like Braun Strowman and Ronda Rousey look much weaker after their squash contests; because how much, their matches expose, their limitations. Everybody knows that they could fight a little bit longer. Not only that; but the limited length of the matches, also ruins the built up gimmicky storylines for some of these feuds, by being a downgrade. Things like the demon-war paint, and the stipulation for the Money in the Bank contract felt like a waste. Because of this, I have to say the matches such as, Balor fighting Baron Corbin, the RAW Women Championship between champion, Alexa Bliss VS Rousey, Owens against Strowman, and even, the main event, WWE Universal Championship between titleholder, Brock Lesnar and challenger, Roman Reigns were all disappointing to watch. It could had been so much more than it was. It's pretty lame to see that the pre-show main event, in which, the WWE RAW Tag Team Championship was on the line; between the champions, B-Team (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel) versus the Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson), be a lot more entertaining than these matches on the main card, due to its creative ending, and catchy cheesy theme song. It shows, how badly the 'RAW' Brand screw up. 'Smackdown' was a different story. It save the show, from totally sucking. The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) (with Kofi Kingston) versus champions, The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) for the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship was a lot better than their previous encounters. The United States Championship match between champion, Shinsuke Nakamura & challenger, Jeff Hardy; while, not memorable, was decent. Even, the other pre-shows matches like the Mixed Tag Team Match between Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega versus Lana and Rusev, and the singles match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship; between titleholder, Cedric Alexander versus competitor, Drew Gulak were good; even if they both have similar weak pin fall finishes. I love, how solid & brutally stiff, the men were fighting in their matches, both in the 205 Live match and the opening match. As for the women in the mix tag match, they were fine for what it was, even if the tagging was awkwardly paced. Nevertheless, there were three other matches on the card that really stood out for me. One of them, was the triple threat match for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship between champion, Carmella and challengers, Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair. While, the contest was indeed botchy; the ending made up for it. Without spoiling it, the crowd was eating the heel turn, up. The other match that was amazing, was the grudge match between the Miz & Daniel Bryan. It was a wonderful contest that live up to the hype. However, by far, my favorite, was the WWE Championship match, between, titleholder, AJ Styles and contender, Samoa Joe. Everything work out, perfectly. The technical athletic performance & the theatrical performance storyline, they were trying to tell, with Styles' wife being in ringside, really got the crowd into this match. It was a masterpiece of wrestling, at its best. It was the highlight of the night. Overall: Despite the lethargic 4 hour running time & many disappointing matches from the RAW side, Summerslam 2018 didn't featured that much awful matches. Most of the show, was indeed still watchable. However, the show could be better. This PPV at the Big Apple was not that fresh.
5 Reviews
Had its good moments (discussed) like always!
MuviFan7320 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler: I feel Dolph won the title last time simply because Seth wanted it. He did it to keep the show rolling. Thus Seth coming in and winning was not new for me. Despite that I feel Dolph put one end of the show.
New day vs Bludgeon brothers: New day won as Bludgeon got disqualified. I feel the Bludgeon brothers must be scraped of their title for their reckless behavior.
Smackdown women championship (Triple threat match): As Carmella defended her title against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. The best contender Charlotte won.
Ronda vs Alexa: Alexa was unable to defend her title. Ronda won easily. I am looking forward for fight between Nia Jax and Ronda.
Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar: Braun Strowman interrupted with his money in the bank taking away Brocks attention and thus Roman winning the Universal championship. I am looking forward for fight between Braun and Brock.
New day vs Bludgeon brothers: New day won as Bludgeon got disqualified. I feel the Bludgeon brothers must be scraped of their title for their reckless behavior.
Smackdown women championship (Triple threat match): As Carmella defended her title against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. The best contender Charlotte won.
Ronda vs Alexa: Alexa was unable to defend her title. Ronda won easily. I am looking forward for fight between Nia Jax and Ronda.
Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar: Braun Strowman interrupted with his money in the bank taking away Brocks attention and thus Roman winning the Universal championship. I am looking forward for fight between Braun and Brock.
Summerslam
bobcobb30120 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
WWE has the same problem that they always do with the big PPVs: they are just too long.
I get that they wanted to give all the key titles a place, but you don't need some of this stuff. Sometimes a match will miss out.
Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor didn't need to be there, especially if it was going to be so short.
The main event wasn't as poorly received as I expected, but the finish wasn't done right. There was no reaction to Reigns hitting the spear that finished it.
I get that they wanted to give all the key titles a place, but you don't need some of this stuff. Sometimes a match will miss out.
Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor didn't need to be there, especially if it was going to be so short.
The main event wasn't as poorly received as I expected, but the finish wasn't done right. There was no reaction to Reigns hitting the spear that finished it.
WWE SummerSlam: Pitiful
Platypuschow20 August 2018
I love the wrestling industry, I adore it, it truly fascinates me but the current state of it I can't stand and that puts me in a very awkward position.
The WWE has monopolized the industry with it's Disney-esque product which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that the booking is based on managements preference and actual in ring ability, mic skills and fan reaction is irrelevant to them.
WWE Summerslam 2018 is another example of why I tend to read results and watch any highlights of interest instead of watching entire ppv's. I knew I'd regret this, but I went and watched it anyway. My bad!
Here is a spoiler free breakdown.
Andrade "Cien" Almas & Zelina Vega vs Rusev & Lana
This was a logical fued I'll give them that, even though the ladies are sodding useless in the ring I entirely understand why this entire rivalry was constructed. Sadly despite riding a wave of momentum they still aren't doing sod all with Rusev and if they don't do something about that soon his popularity will wane and will be yet another missed opportunity and star wasted.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander Vs Drew Gulak
205 Live is an embarassment, ever played TEW where you could often get the result that a match has outstanding in ring performances but zero response from the crowd? That's this entire division. The same matches on a loop, a bunch of talented guys who should be on the main roster but are being held down because of their size. Did they learn nothing from the last few years? If they'd stuck with the Cruiserweight championship last time then people like CM Punk and Daniel Bryan never would have been world champions. Again another decent in ring performance that simply nobody cared about.
Raw Tag Team Champions The B-Team vs The Revival
They keep hyping up the Revival as an old school tag team and I get that, I think they're the best thing to happen to the tag division in years! So why do they keep jobbing them out and using them as legend fodder? Their booking has made no sense, having a comedy tag team like the B-Team holding the titles doesn't make a vast amount either. This match was logical, the outcome was not.
Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler
Seth and Dolph lock horns yet again and despite being two of the absolute best in the industry succeed to have a very underwhelming match. How do two guys like these manage to accomplish such a feat? McIntyre and the returning Ambrose brought nothing to this at all and in my opinion the finale made little sense.
The New Day Vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers
It should have been The Bar in this contest creating an original match not one we've seen before and wasn't very good then. Yes I like the New Day, yes I'm actually a big Rowan and Harper fan but this effort was so totally pointless and came across as little more than a filler match.
Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens
Hyped up as a match to decide the owner of the MITB briefcase it brought a new dynamic and potential world champion by the end of the show. I feared this would be a mess but not in my wildest dreams did I see the level of stupidity that took place. I hate when WWE advertise a match and don't deliver and I hate this type of counter productive booking.
Charlotte Flair vs Carmella and Becky Lynch
There has been a rumour going round for a while that the WWE wants more talented champions going into their first ever womens event and they don't consider Carmella to be one. This match was a stepping stone and a logical one at that. Was the match very good? Not really, but it's setting up bigger things for the future and I hope they play out well.
Samoa Joe vs WWE Champion AJ Styles
Styles and Joe have incredible chemistry, a long history together and I knew this would be the match of the night and truth be told I was right. They delivered on every front and I really enjoyed it, the finale however was questionable. If this fued is over then it was a joke, if the fued is carrying on then I'm curious where this is going and excited to find out.
The Miz vs Daniel Bryan
Eight years in the making, the creation of this match was simply fantastic booking and the action itself did actually manage to deliver. The ending, I'm gonna say no........hell no in fact.
"The Demon" Finn Balor vs "Constable" Baron Corbin
Balor vs Corbin III brought the biggest shock of the entire evening and that was understandably unexpected for a pointless rubber match. Not much to see beyond that considering its length or lack there of.
United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs Jeff Hardy
I HATE Jeff Hardy, there I've said it. Overrated, drug addled spot monkey that hasn't deserved the chance after chance after chance that he's blown. Therefore I was very dissapointed they put a singles title on him, but happy it was swiftly taken off him. This was a passable match with one single sick bump that even made me wince.
Ronda Rousey vs Alexa Bliss
Rousey has exceeded my expectations in the ring and her work ethic better as well. I expected her to have a Lesnar like contract but she's been fairly consistent. The gimmick of her having "No contract perks" that she's "Just one of the girls" and will "Fight for everything she gets" is made a joke when you take into consideration her first singles match was for the title and 2/4 of her matches total have been as well. So how do you book the baddest woman on the planet? How do you overcome the same issue they had with Chyna when they put her in the womens division? Well, so far they aren't doing it right and I don't think it did anyone any favours. And the Bellas.......really? If the rumours are correct and Evolutions main event is going to be Ronda vs Nikki I'll say it now..........it's going to stink up the joint.
Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar
Just NO, just...........seriously...........NO
The Good:
A few decent performances
One surprise
One logical turn
The Bad:
Simply a shed load of bad booking
3 squash matches on one of the biggest ppvs of the year?! Seriously
Things I Learnt From This PPV:
There are plenty of obnoxious people in this world and all of them are Paul Heyman
David Otunga must be a premium level member of Vince McMahons kiss my ass club
Brock eats Steak with a spoon
Jon Stewart is still awesome
I'm so glad I don't pay for this crap
The WWE has monopolized the industry with it's Disney-esque product which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that the booking is based on managements preference and actual in ring ability, mic skills and fan reaction is irrelevant to them.
WWE Summerslam 2018 is another example of why I tend to read results and watch any highlights of interest instead of watching entire ppv's. I knew I'd regret this, but I went and watched it anyway. My bad!
Here is a spoiler free breakdown.
Andrade "Cien" Almas & Zelina Vega vs Rusev & Lana
This was a logical fued I'll give them that, even though the ladies are sodding useless in the ring I entirely understand why this entire rivalry was constructed. Sadly despite riding a wave of momentum they still aren't doing sod all with Rusev and if they don't do something about that soon his popularity will wane and will be yet another missed opportunity and star wasted.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander Vs Drew Gulak
205 Live is an embarassment, ever played TEW where you could often get the result that a match has outstanding in ring performances but zero response from the crowd? That's this entire division. The same matches on a loop, a bunch of talented guys who should be on the main roster but are being held down because of their size. Did they learn nothing from the last few years? If they'd stuck with the Cruiserweight championship last time then people like CM Punk and Daniel Bryan never would have been world champions. Again another decent in ring performance that simply nobody cared about.
Raw Tag Team Champions The B-Team vs The Revival
They keep hyping up the Revival as an old school tag team and I get that, I think they're the best thing to happen to the tag division in years! So why do they keep jobbing them out and using them as legend fodder? Their booking has made no sense, having a comedy tag team like the B-Team holding the titles doesn't make a vast amount either. This match was logical, the outcome was not.
Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler
Seth and Dolph lock horns yet again and despite being two of the absolute best in the industry succeed to have a very underwhelming match. How do two guys like these manage to accomplish such a feat? McIntyre and the returning Ambrose brought nothing to this at all and in my opinion the finale made little sense.
The New Day Vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers
It should have been The Bar in this contest creating an original match not one we've seen before and wasn't very good then. Yes I like the New Day, yes I'm actually a big Rowan and Harper fan but this effort was so totally pointless and came across as little more than a filler match.
Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens
Hyped up as a match to decide the owner of the MITB briefcase it brought a new dynamic and potential world champion by the end of the show. I feared this would be a mess but not in my wildest dreams did I see the level of stupidity that took place. I hate when WWE advertise a match and don't deliver and I hate this type of counter productive booking.
Charlotte Flair vs Carmella and Becky Lynch
There has been a rumour going round for a while that the WWE wants more talented champions going into their first ever womens event and they don't consider Carmella to be one. This match was a stepping stone and a logical one at that. Was the match very good? Not really, but it's setting up bigger things for the future and I hope they play out well.
Samoa Joe vs WWE Champion AJ Styles
Styles and Joe have incredible chemistry, a long history together and I knew this would be the match of the night and truth be told I was right. They delivered on every front and I really enjoyed it, the finale however was questionable. If this fued is over then it was a joke, if the fued is carrying on then I'm curious where this is going and excited to find out.
The Miz vs Daniel Bryan
Eight years in the making, the creation of this match was simply fantastic booking and the action itself did actually manage to deliver. The ending, I'm gonna say no........hell no in fact.
"The Demon" Finn Balor vs "Constable" Baron Corbin
Balor vs Corbin III brought the biggest shock of the entire evening and that was understandably unexpected for a pointless rubber match. Not much to see beyond that considering its length or lack there of.
United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs Jeff Hardy
I HATE Jeff Hardy, there I've said it. Overrated, drug addled spot monkey that hasn't deserved the chance after chance after chance that he's blown. Therefore I was very dissapointed they put a singles title on him, but happy it was swiftly taken off him. This was a passable match with one single sick bump that even made me wince.
Ronda Rousey vs Alexa Bliss
Rousey has exceeded my expectations in the ring and her work ethic better as well. I expected her to have a Lesnar like contract but she's been fairly consistent. The gimmick of her having "No contract perks" that she's "Just one of the girls" and will "Fight for everything she gets" is made a joke when you take into consideration her first singles match was for the title and 2/4 of her matches total have been as well. So how do you book the baddest woman on the planet? How do you overcome the same issue they had with Chyna when they put her in the womens division? Well, so far they aren't doing it right and I don't think it did anyone any favours. And the Bellas.......really? If the rumours are correct and Evolutions main event is going to be Ronda vs Nikki I'll say it now..........it's going to stink up the joint.
Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar
Just NO, just...........seriously...........NO
The Good:
A few decent performances
One surprise
One logical turn
The Bad:
Simply a shed load of bad booking
3 squash matches on one of the biggest ppvs of the year?! Seriously
Things I Learnt From This PPV:
There are plenty of obnoxious people in this world and all of them are Paul Heyman
David Otunga must be a premium level member of Vince McMahons kiss my ass club
Brock eats Steak with a spoon
Jon Stewart is still awesome
I'm so glad I don't pay for this crap
1 good match in a 6 hours PPV !!!!
HorrorFan696910 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Andrade "Cien" Almas & Zelina Vega vs Rusev & Lana
Last month Rusev in the main event for the wwe title... this month, at the opener of the kickoff show... ishhhh !! ok match !! Almas is very impressive athlete. *3/4
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander Vs Drew Gulak
match is good.... 205 live and NXT weekly shows are boring by the way... if NXT manage to make good ppvs, their shows are full of crap. same as 205. here we got a cool match but people don't give a damn. **
Raw Tag Team Champions The B-Team vs The Revival
Boring Team vs The Robots.... nothing really interresting here. at least it was at the kickoff. 3/4*
Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler
Never I thought i will say this but quite frankly BORING. A few this is awesome chants but nothing really that good.... feels like a 90s match with long resthold to kill time. After 11 minutes of incoherent and boring restholds we got a few minutes of action and Seth win clean, new champ.... bad booking. *1/2
The New Day Vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers
Great but quite frankly short with a bad ending.... NEw Day won sd tag team titles like 2 days after the PPV and in a main event. **
Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens
Hyper for months.... 2 minutes of random shoulder block. a weak pumphandle slam (remember Test, now that was a pumphandle, or Bobby Lashley.) Like most of Braun Strauman work as of lately..... DUD !!!
Charlotte Flair vs Carmella and Becky Lynch
Great match, good chemistry. 3 women i like. good after match. ***
Samoa Joe vs WWE Champion AJ Styles
MOTN for sure. Even with the weird ending, DQ and all. AJ Styles and Joe among the greatest performers deliver a story, a match, and a continuity ! Highly recommended just for this match ! ***3/4
The Miz vs Daniel Bryan
Great match, ending that makes Miz the best heel ever !!! ***
"The Demon" Finn Balor vs "Constable" Baron Corbin
BOOOOOOORING ! Finn Balor have no personnality. So he bring back the demon who is exiting. It's been like a year he has been out and just a 3 min squash... bad !! DUD
United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs Jeff Hardy
BEtter than expected. Dead crowd but i enjoy it noneless. **1/2
Ronda Rousey vs Alexa Bliss
Good fight but too short... *1/2 Ronda is improoving. Alexa only do the job and left.
Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar
1/2 * insulting main event. No storyline, just a 4 min main event after 6 hours of boredom.
So far, a bad PPV production. I'm generous with my 5/10, i'm mixed but if you watch the show, watch if for the AJ/Joe match, the US Title match, Miz and Bryan and the triple threat women's smackdown title match ! Weird that only Smackdown produce good matches. Proof that Raw is crap !!!
Last month Rusev in the main event for the wwe title... this month, at the opener of the kickoff show... ishhhh !! ok match !! Almas is very impressive athlete. *3/4
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander Vs Drew Gulak
match is good.... 205 live and NXT weekly shows are boring by the way... if NXT manage to make good ppvs, their shows are full of crap. same as 205. here we got a cool match but people don't give a damn. **
Raw Tag Team Champions The B-Team vs The Revival
Boring Team vs The Robots.... nothing really interresting here. at least it was at the kickoff. 3/4*
Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler
Never I thought i will say this but quite frankly BORING. A few this is awesome chants but nothing really that good.... feels like a 90s match with long resthold to kill time. After 11 minutes of incoherent and boring restholds we got a few minutes of action and Seth win clean, new champ.... bad booking. *1/2
The New Day Vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers
Great but quite frankly short with a bad ending.... NEw Day won sd tag team titles like 2 days after the PPV and in a main event. **
Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens
Hyper for months.... 2 minutes of random shoulder block. a weak pumphandle slam (remember Test, now that was a pumphandle, or Bobby Lashley.) Like most of Braun Strauman work as of lately..... DUD !!!
Charlotte Flair vs Carmella and Becky Lynch
Great match, good chemistry. 3 women i like. good after match. ***
Samoa Joe vs WWE Champion AJ Styles
MOTN for sure. Even with the weird ending, DQ and all. AJ Styles and Joe among the greatest performers deliver a story, a match, and a continuity ! Highly recommended just for this match ! ***3/4
The Miz vs Daniel Bryan
Great match, ending that makes Miz the best heel ever !!! ***
"The Demon" Finn Balor vs "Constable" Baron Corbin
BOOOOOOORING ! Finn Balor have no personnality. So he bring back the demon who is exiting. It's been like a year he has been out and just a 3 min squash... bad !! DUD
United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs Jeff Hardy
BEtter than expected. Dead crowd but i enjoy it noneless. **1/2
Ronda Rousey vs Alexa Bliss
Good fight but too short... *1/2 Ronda is improoving. Alexa only do the job and left.
Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar
1/2 * insulting main event. No storyline, just a 4 min main event after 6 hours of boredom.
So far, a bad PPV production. I'm generous with my 5/10, i'm mixed but if you watch the show, watch if for the AJ/Joe match, the US Title match, Miz and Bryan and the triple threat women's smackdown title match ! Weird that only Smackdown produce good matches. Proof that Raw is crap !!!
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