WWE SummerSlam 2019

WWE SummerSlam 2019

Toronto, Ontario - August 2019

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into this show, the Universal Champion was Brock Lesnar, the WWE Champion was Kofi Kingston, the RAW Women's Champ was "The Man" Becky Lynch, the SmackDown Women's Champ was Bayley, the RAW Tag Team Champions were The O.C (Anderson and Gallows), the SmackDown Tag Team Champions were The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods), the Intercontinental Champion was Shinsuke Nakamura, and the US Champion was AJ Styles. The Cruiserweight Title was held by Drew Gulak and the 24/7 Champion, at the start of the show, was R-Truth. 

Becky Lynch defended her RAW Women's Championship against hometown (relatively) girl, Natalya, in the opening match. As expected, Natalya was the fan favorite, but Becky Lynch had her fair share of fans as well. There were a handful of cool spots in this bout - including a nifty Sharpshooter in the corner by Nattie - and it was nice to see Becky Lynch pull out some borderline heel mannerisms, but I wouldn't call this a spotlight match for either woman. I'm a big Lynch fan, but much of that comes from her character and natural charisma, not necessarily because she's an in-ring marvel (the way, say, Asuka came off in NXT). I liked the final minutes of this one more than the first few and would consider this above average, but not by much. (3/5)

Dolph Ziggler took on Goldberg in the next match. Ziggler cut a pretty great promo to kick things off, even getting in a dig about Goldberg not "showing up" for his biggest matches. Goldberg showed up, though, only to get superkicked in the first minute for 2. Ziggler went for another one, hit him in the chest, and got another 1. Ziggler sprung back up for a third attempt, but got caught with a big spear as the fans chanted "Goldberg." The former WCW Champion hit a Jackhammer, after a bit of hesitation, and got the victory in under 2 minutes. A half-point for Ziggler's pre-match promo, a half-point for the first superkick (which was genuinely shocking), and another half-point for the Spear. The post-match made no sense, but at least was kinda funny and fun with Ziggler repeatedly telling Goldberg that he didn't have the guts to face him "man to man" until he came back and destroyed him with two more Spears. That was worth another point. (2.5/5)

The next match was one I was looking forward to consideraby - Ricochet challening AJ Styles for his United States Championship. As Ricochet was introduced, we got an absolutely wonderful moment from the Canadian team - R-Truth and Carmella - that actually made me chuckle. Less wonderful was Ricochet's Black Panther-inspired garb, which just looked awkward and actually made him look smaller than he usually does. Speaking of costumes, since when does Gallows wear King Diamond facepaint? Styles and Ricochet came out swinging to start this off, but Styles wisely slowed things down by going after Ricochet's right knee. Like Io Shirai at Takeover, it was nice to see AJ wrestle a heel style as compared to a babyface one - his pace slower, his bumping a notch more stoogelike and less sympathetic. Ricochet, meanwhile, did the litte things we didn't get out of Gargano or Cole at Takeover - innovative offense (literally hopping on Gallows and Anderson's shoulders before hitting Styles with a hurricanrana) and working his injured knee into his old favorites. For someone who is so often considered a "spot monkey," Ricochet made sure to maintain consistency with his selling and it made it all that much better, the crowd absolutely buying into every big shift in momentum. By the time Styles locked in the Calf Crusher, it really seemed like it might be the finish. Ricochet countered it with an Anaconda Vice, though, a move I'm not sure I've seen busted out since CM Punk left the company years ago. Even when Ricochet did pull out a move that someone with an injured knee shouldn't (the ridiculous suplex that followed), it felt like a desperate, superhuman tapping off his last bit of strength rather than him "forgetting" the damage the way it often seems Seth Rollins does. Gallows and Anderson got involved at this point, distracting Ricochet and allowing AJ Styles to catch him off the top rope and into a beautiful Styles Clash in one of the more clever finish and perfectly-executed endings I've seen in quite awhile. I thought that was excellent for what it was. (4/5)

The SmackDown Women's Championship was up for grabs next as Bayley defended against Ember Moon. Moon got a decent-sized response, but what was more shocking was the lack of pop for Bayley. With a somewhat dead crowd in front of them, Bayley and Moon delivered some good sequences early before Bayley slowed down the challenger with a headlock. Into the corners they went with big clotheslines, knees, and an excellent somersault forearm from Moon. The indifferent crowd gave no reaction to Moon applying a Bow-and-Arrow nor did they get behind Bayley as she hit a sharp knee to the face and then a clothesline for 2. I'm not sure if it was just that the crowd was already deflated from the previous few matches or if Bayley just isn't over in Canada at all, but her reactions were definitely muted. Eventually you could hear a distance singing of her praises, but it certainly wasn't the overwhelming response she got at her peak or even at the last couple of PPVs. Moon ended up in the tree of woe and Bayley hit her trademark springboard elbow for 2, Bayley then opting to attempt an inverted Boston Crab. Moon escaped by bashing Bayley's foot and then sent her away with a headscissors. Moments later, Moon connected with a heel kick, but Bayley rolled out of the ring before Moon could make the cover. Once she got back in the ring, Moon hit her a hurricanrana from the top and then Codebreaker for a solid nearfall. After some more back and forth, Bayley attempted some sort of hurricanrana from the top herself, but Ember brought her down with a strong powerbomb. Moon went to the top, but Bayley followed her up, bringing her down with a massive Bayley-to-Belly for 3! The crowd wasn't there for them, but this match was very solid and, with a hotter crowd, probably would've earned an extra half-point for me. Without the reactions, the match didn't have me at the edge of my seat, though. (3/5)

The next bout was a grudge match pitting Kevin Owens against Shane McMahon...because we didn't get enough of this pairing last year. Despite how stale this feud is, there was at least one element I did like - the fact that this was a Retirement Match for Owens not for Shane, who would've had no reason at all to put up his career. Owens, meanwhile, needed to put his career on the line to get his hands on Shane. Before the match started, Shane brought an extra special guest referee - Elias - who I guess pulled the short straw compared to McIntyre? Owens controlled early, though, hitting Shane with the Cannonball in the corner and then clotheslining him over the top. I've always been 50/50 with Shane - loving him at certain times and loathing him at others - but the fact that he's had more PPV matches in 2019 than Asuka and Rusev (combined?) is part of the reason the company seems so cold right now. As Shane took over, a loud "Shane, You Suck!" chant broke out, which coincided nicely with his weak-looking punches and knee strikes. McMahon then hit a Russian Leg Sweep and then a DDT moments later for 2. Shane then went for the Sharpshooter to a chorus of boos, but he was unable to lock it and Owens hit him with a pop-up powerbomb. Owens went for the cover, but Elias distracted the ref, allowing Shane to roll him up for 2. Elias slide a chair into the ring to try to goad Owens into using it on Shane (who begged him to), but Owens reined in his anger and dropped it. Instead, he delivered a big superkick, a senton, and then a huge frog splash for 1...2...Elias pulled out the ref! Owens then hit a Cannonball to the arena floor on Elias and the official, giving himself the opportunity to use the chair he'd previously discarded. The crowd went crazy for this, but Elias prevented him from using it. Out of the ring they went where Owens waffled Elias with the chair repeatedly (and the camera zoomed in-and-out enough to nearly make me nauseous). Owens went back into the ring with the chair but before he could use it, the ref stopped him. With the ref's back turned, Owens kicked Shane in the balls and then hit him with a big ol' Stunner for the win. That was better than I expected, but felt a little like the "go home happy" main event of a house show. And, sadly, just because Shane loses decisively, it almost never feels like it means anything - just like after losing to Reigns and Taker last month, he was still inserted into this near-identical prominent storyline. (3/5)

Before the next bout, we got a lengthy stretch of commercials and a recap of the Roman Reigns Whodunit. This included footage of Rowan attacking Buddy Murphy during the pre-show. 

The next match was Charlotte taking on WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. Stratus' stock has dropped considerably since her heyday when she was considered one of the best women performers in WWE history, but since the advent of NXT the Women's Revolution, she's been surpassed by close to a dozen workers. The match started out with a couple of noticeable moments of choreography and spot-calling, but the live crowd didn't seem to catch it as they erupted in a "You Still Got It" chant. Things got better from there as Charlotte took over and they went to the outside where Flair tripped Stratus and she landed face-first into the steps. It was a terrific-looking spot that Flair milked and built on by throwing Trish into the barricade. Flair then applied a knee to the back, using her significant height advantage to pull on the Hall of Famer's limbs. Flair's trash talk was on point as well, the Queen so good at getting her character and the story of the match across without needless high spots. Eventually Stratus had heard enough and fought back, but Flair cut her off again, dropping her off the apron with a boot to the face. Stratus landed pretty awkwardly and looked legitimately ready to call it a day. She climbed back in the ring and Flair just continued to attack, adding insult to injury by stepping on her stomach on her way to executing moonsault. Stratus rolled away, though, and was able to mount a brief comeback with a tornado face-drop. Stratus attempted to go blow-for-blow with Charlotte, but Flair took her out with a kick to the knee. Stratu was back on her feet, though, and connected with a chest chop and then, moments later, attempted her signature head scissors from the corner. Flair reverses and attempted a powerbomb, but Stratus sat up and they proceeded to brawl on the top rope. Flair again attempted a powerbomb, but Stratus was able to hit her hurricanrana for 2! The crowd woke up considerably for that nearfall, rallying behind Stratus. Stratus missed her big heel kick and Flair struck with a big boot for 2. Flair then went to work on Stratus' knee, attempting a figure four. Stratus turned it into an inside cradle for 2 and then applied a Figure Four of her own! Then, in a great moment, Stratus turned it into a Figure 8! Stratus tired, though, dropping back onto her shoulders as Flair pulled her way to the ropes. That was an excellent sequence. A "This is Awesome" chant started as Flair went for a spear. Trish dodged it and Flair hit the post. Stratusfaction for 2! Flair and Stratus traded chops as they got back to their feet and Trish got a nearfall. Trish hit her Chick Kick, but didn't get all of it and Flair kicked out at 2 again. As Flair used the ropes to pull herself up, Stratus went for another Chick Kick, but Flair hit her Big Boot and then applied the Figure 8! Screaming in pain, Stratus tapped out! That was a really strong match, easily in the top 5 Stratus matches ever if not the best Stratus match ever (really the only one that comes to mind that may be better was her match against Mickie James way back at WrestleMania 23). I've got no problem calling that a Match of the Year contender. (4/5)

Backstage, Bret Hart wished good luck to Seth Rollins. 

Next up, the WWE Championship Match - Kofi Kingston defending against Randy Orton. The build to this match was all about Orton holding Kingston down years ago and the video package did a nice job of making this seem like a super-serious, years-in-the-making battle for Kingston. Unfortunately, the New Day's entrane and the tossing of pancakes undercut it a bit for me as I would've liked to see Kingston arrive with a more determined attitude. Orton caught it too, mocking Kingston by offering him a pancake after the bell rang. Into the corner they went as the crowd broke out in a split "Kofi's Stupid/Randy Sucks" chant. As Kofi rallied, a "New Day Rocks" chant could be heard, but Orton cut him off with a thumb to the eye. Kingston attempted to go to the top, but Orton shoved him and he went flying into the barricade. Orton then delivered a back suplex onto Kofi onto the announce table, a trademark of his. From there, though, Orton didn't really mount much offense, eventually allowing Kingston to come off the steps with a forearm. Kingston attempted a splash off the apron, but Orton dodged and Kingston went flying onto the floor. Orton then hit another back suplex onto the announce table. Orton rolled him back in the ring for 2 before setting him up on the top rope and rocking him with some big right hands. Orton attempted a superplex, but Kingston fought out, eventually sending Orton back into the ring before hitting a beautiful DDT off the top rope for 2. The crowd was noticeably hushed at this point, barely stirring for Kingston's flurry of trademark offense. As Kingston tried to bring the crowd into it, he attempted a Trouble in Paradise only to get caught and hit with Orton's signature backbreaker. Kingston rolled towards the apron, though, setting himself up for the Hangman DDT. Orton mocked the "New Day Rocks" clap, but Kingston countered the DDT by launching Orton to the floor. Up to the top rope he went and Kingston hit the Trust Fall on Orton! Wow, I'm not sure I've seen him do that on a single opponent before. Kingston hit a frog splash for 2 back in the ring and, again, aside from the initial pop for the move, the crowd seemed to go completely silent. Kofi tried to keep the pressure on, but Orton hit the DDT off the ropes and Kingston looks down and out. Orton geared up for the RKO, but Kofi countered it into a backslide for 2! Orton ducked a Trouble in Paradise and Kingston attempted a splash from the top - only to get RKO'd! Orton couldn't capitalize, though, as Kingston rolled out of the ring! Orton followed him out of the ring and started to mock Kingston in front of his family, who were sitting in the front row. Out of nowhere, Kingston sprang up - a noticeable bit of no-selling that seemed completely out of the blue. The ref called for the bell, counting out both men, and the crowd erupted in a "Bullshit" chant (and rightfully so). Kingston went after Orton with a kendo stick that just so happened to be under the ring, beating him down repeatedly in and out of the ring. Damn. That match was easily the best one I've seen out of Kofi since he became Champion and the ending was just a mess. (3.5/5)

"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt re-debuted next, taking on Finn Balor. Wyatt's entrance began with the creepy Firefly Fun House song before morphing into a heavier version of his original theme. Personally, I kinda dug the old entrance, though I'll admit that it wouldn't of made much sense for him to keep it. The new lantern is nightmare-inducing (as is his new mask), the full presentation looking like something out of The Purge as compared to the backwoods creepiness of his original gimmick. The crowd responded warmly too, cheering Wyatt and chanting "Holy Shit" the minutes the light came up. As Wyatt fought Balor into the corner, a "Yowie Wowie" chant started up. Wyatt then delivered a neck crank like something you'd see out of a movie before planting Balor with a big sideslam. Wyatt attempted a Sister Abigail, but Balor had it scouted, coming back with a slingblade and then his double stomp. Balor attempted a Coup De Gras, but Wyatt dodged and applied a Mandible Claw, pinning him to the mat for a clean 3 in under 5 minutes. The post-match presentation was excellent as well, with Wyatt disappearing in the darkness. All in all, with the new presentation and Wyatt working differently just enough to feel fresh, I'd call this a successful relaunch of the character. We'll see if it will sustain. (3/5)

Main event time - Seth Rollins challenging for the WWE Universal Championship held by Brock Lesnar. The crowd seemed somewhat split despite a sign in the audience that read "Brock Wins, We Riot." Unlike at ECW One Night Stand 2006, where Cena went into a lion's den of haters at the peak of his unpopularity, Lesnar still has a ton of aura as an asskicker - and that's not something people hate. Lesnar controlled early as the crowd chanted for Suplex City. Lesnar attempted a huge german suplex, but Rollins back-flipped and hit a Curb Stomp for 2! Great spot. Rollins hit a knee to the side of the face of Lesnar on the outside. Rollins attempted a usperkick, but Lesnar countered with a german - again Rollins back-flipped out and hit a superkick! Rollins went for another, but Brock hit an F-5, but couldn't get the pin. A "This is Awesome" chant erupted and the fans were absolutely right. Lesnar grabbed Rollins by the tape on his ribs and flung him around the ring. Lesnar then hit 3 devastating german suplexes, wisely not releasing him. Gotta love the psychology there as Lesnar realized that Rollins could "roll through" the release version. On the outside, Lesnar hit him with another german suplex (this time it was a release, but by this point, Rollins was clearly weakened). Another german suplex in the ring. Outside of the ring they went and Lesnar attempted an F-5 near the post, but Rollins slammed him head-first into it twice. Rollins sent Brock back into the ring and hit a big knee off the top rope! He went for another out of the corner, but Brock dodged and sent Rollins halfway across the ring with another german suplex! A dueling "Suplex City/Burn It Down" chant started as Lesnar stomped on Rollins in the corner. Brock then hit a classic release snap suplex with ease. Lesnar drove Rollins back into the corner and applied a bearhug, a move he used to pull out quite a bit. Rollins did a nice job of selling the pain, but as he neared the ropes, Lesnar struck with a forearm across the back. Lesnar drove him again into the corner but Rollins dodged a spear and Lesnar went crashing into the post. Rollins got to his feet and delivered a kick to Lesnar that sent him into a table. Rollins then hit a pair of suicide dives, but on the third attempt Lesnar caught him and drove him back-first into the ring post with some serious force. In the last match, the ref had no trouble counting to 10, but here, Chioda must've decided to just let it go. Rollins hit a superkick on Lesnar, though, sending him onto the table. Rollins then climbed up to the top rope and hit a huge splash on Lesnar through the table! Both men crawled their way toward the ring and Rollins hits another splash on Lesnar! With Brock down on the mat, Rollins went to the corner and delivered a Curb Stomp for 1...2...shoulder up! Some audible boos could be heard, the crowd seemingly fully behind Seth at this point. Rollins started stomping in the corner but Lesnar caught him with an F-5 - no, Rollins escapes and hits a superkick! Curb Stomp! Seth Rollins is the new Universal Champion! I'm a Lesnar fan so I wasn't too happy with the finish, but this was a really strong match and easily my favorite Rollins bout since...well...the last time he fought Lesnar. I wouldn't call this a classic as, after a really fresh and exciting opening few minutes, the match didn't necessarily hit any new notes in its second half. Still, very good. (3.5/5)


As a whole, SummerSlam 2019 was one of the best mega-shows the WWE has ever put on. Its also the "post-Takeover" show I would actually recommend viewing over the Takeover show from the night before. All the big matches delivered - including the fun Ziggler/Goldberg squash, the AJ/Ricochet battle, the clash of generations between Trish Stratus and Charlotte Flair, and both of the major World Title matches. Though a little bit of variety may have helped the show stand out even more, considering its runtime and the lack of some of the company's best workers and biggest stars - namely Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, and Braun Strowman - this was about as good as it could've possibly been. With a strong Kwang Score of 3.28-out-of-5 (the highest rated WWE PPV - not including Takeovers- since Royal Rumble 2017!), I'm willing to give this one a strong recommendation.

FINAL RATING - Watch It