Our opening contest was for the SmackDown Women's Championship - Bayley defending the title against Asuka (who would also challenge for the RAW Women's Championship later in the evening). As expected, Bayley was accompanied to the ring by Sasha Banks, her best friend, co-Women's Tag Team Champion, and the RAW Women's Champion. Once the bell rang, Asuka took control and immediately tried to tap Bayley. When that didn't work, she went with her awesome strikes and a hip attack that sent Bayley to the floor. Bayley mounted a comeback, eventually even landing a Bayley-to-Bayley for 2. When Asuka regained control, she hit a flurry of well-executed offense including a big german suplex and then another hip attack. On the apron they went, but when Asuka went for yet another hip attack, Bayley countered it into a nasty kneebreaker on the hard edge of the ring. Bayley sought to capitalize by applying a leglock, but Asuka turned it into an ankle lock. Bayley escaped with an elbow to the ear, but Asuka hit her with a Codebreaker for 2. Asuka attempted a dropkick, but Bayley countered it into another leglock. Not everything in this match looked perfect, including the sunset-flip powerbomb that Bayley followed the leglock with, but to me, that adds realism. The finish came when Bayley dodged a would-be hip attack and Asuka struck Banks on the ropes, allowing Bayley to then roll her up for a quick 3. After the match, Bayley and Sasha beat down on Asuka, further softerning her up for her match against Banks later tonight. This was a good match that did what it needed to do in setting up the RAW Women's Championship match later on. (3/5)
After some commercials featuring Charlotte and Roman Reigns, we got a brief backstage scene involving the Mysterio family and then a video recap of what Retribution have been up to on SmackDown. Kevin Owens then jumped in on commentary for the next bout - Angel Garza and Andrade challenging The Street Profits for their RAW Tag Team Championships. Andrade and Montez Ford started things off and the action would've been great to watch if it wasn't for the fact that it was seemingly being filmed by someone suffering from a seizure. There were at least 10 cuts/zooms in the first minute. Garza came in and slowed things down, locking Ford up in an armbar. The heels kept the pressure on, Andrade eventually locking in yet another armbar over the ropes. The heels really shined during their heat segment - Garza and Andrade's teamwork coming across as effortless and calculated at the same time. Ford eventually made the tag to Dawkins, but Dawkins ended up eating a back elbow from Andrade that looked like it could've knocked a few teeth loose. Zelina Vega tried to distract the ref to help her team out, but it ended up backfiring and the Profits hit their finisher for a clean victory. I would've liked to see a title change here because Garza and Andrade are the better team, but the match was solid and didn't overstay its welcome. Perfectly fine contest. (2.5/5)
Banks and Bayley guaranteed victory in a promo backstage, also hyping next week's Payback show in the process. This was followed up by Sonya Deville vs. Mandy Rose in a Loser Leaves Town Match. This was supposed to be a Hair vs. Hair match, but because Sonya was the victim of a house invasion, the stipulation changed to supposedly allow her some time off-screen. This match was worked very, very well. Rose took the fight to Deville, suplexing her on the ramp, busting out a table, and keeping the intensity level high throughout. When Sonya took over, she went right after Rose, dropping her with a serious of kicks and then a devastating running knee right to the chest. I know some critics will talk about how this was only good because it was likely rehearsed and scripted move-for-move, but I'm not really concerned how the sausage is made if it tastes good. Like the opener, not everything looked perfect or overly choreographed but that just made it feel like a fight all the more. There was also an ultra-violent moment when Rose started tossing chairs with full force across the table, attempting to maim Deville. While she never caught her with one, it still enhanced the intensity and raised the stakes. Back in the ring, Rose stunned Deville with a series of big knee strikes and then hit her with double-underhook facebuster - followed by another knee - to get the clean win. I would've liked a more "extreme" ending, but this was still really good and fun. I wouldn't quite call it "must-see" - a stronger finish would've put it into that territory - but it was a career match for both performers. Here's hoping it leads to a further push for Rose (and Deville when she comes back). (3/5)
One grudge match followed another as Seth Rollins took on Dominik Mysterio in a Streetfight. I'm not a big Rollins fan, but I gotta give some credit to the dude for sporting an outfit that referenced Mysterio's legendary bout with Eddie Guerrero from Halloween Havoc 97'. As expected, Rollins started this out with some mat wrestling because...? If this had been fought under regular wrestling rules, having Rollins upstage Dominik in the beginning would've made sense but, considering the build-up was super violent, it was an unfortunate reminder of the last time Rollins shit the bed in a blood feud against Ambrose (now Jon Moxley in AEW). Things seemed like they'd get better when Dominik took hold of a kendo stick, but Rollins inexplicably kicked it out of the ring (when he could've used it) and the match went right back into being your standard singles bout. That being said, I did like Rollins' taunting Dominik and how the pre-match segments gave reason for why Rey did not get involved despite it being a No Disqualification match. After a lengthy heat segment, Dominik finally got some, err, retribution, unloading on Seth with the kendo stick. Dom tried to go to the top, but Rollins hit him with a Falcon Arrow for 2. With Dom putting up a stronger fight than he may have expected, Rollins finally started using some weaponry, bashing him with the kendo stick and then asking for a table. To the corner they went but Dom ended up crotching Rollins on the top rope and then delivered a kendo stick-assisted russian leg sweep through the table. Dom followed it up with a frog splash...but only got 2, the match rising in intensity. Dom brought another chair into the ring but idiotically slid it across and out of the ring, allowing Rollins to nail him with a superkick and then a powerbomb. Rollins ripped off Dom's vest and delivered a ton more kendo stick shots, the welts appearing in bright red. Murphy then handed him a pair of cuffs, but before he could use them, Dominik went to the outside of the ring. Murphy attempted to blind him the same way Seth did to Rey, but Rey stopped him and the match fell into chaos. After beating down both Mysterios, Rey ended up handcuffed to the rope. Seth and Buddy grabbed the kendo sticks, but before they could use them, Mama Mysterio showed up. As Seth approached her, Dominik sprung to life and took out both the villains, sending Murphy over the barricade and then Rollins into the steps. Dominik rallied, hitting Rollins with a 619 but got blocked on another Frog Splash attempt. With Mysterio trying to make the save (but cuffed to the bottom rope), Rollins delivered a Curb Stomp to Dominik to put him out for good. The start of this match wasn't what I expected, but it got better as it went on and Rollins started to actually deliver on the stipulation. I also must admit to biting a bit on the false finish towards the end, believing that there was a slight chance that Dom would get the W and Seth would be leaving TV for awhile to spend time with Becky Lynch (who is what? 5 months pregnant now?). As much as I'm not a fan of Rollins, I will say this - on big shows, he tends to deliver and this was another solid outing from him, helped significantly by having an emotional weight that we don't always get. Still not a "must see," all-time classic, but above average. (3.5/5)
The RAW Women's Championship was on the line next with Sasha Banks defending the title against Asuka. This one started off highly physical but borderlined on stomach-churning when we saw an absolutely INSANE powerbomb spot from Banks on Asuka to the outside that sent Asuka's skull into the floor. It was a sick spot, the kind of move that probably should've ended the match entirely. After Asuka kicked out at 2, Banks continued her attack, eventually knocking her right in the skull with a big boot. I have no idea how she didn't suffer multiple concussions here. Banks attempted her double-knees in the corner, but Asuka escaped the ropes and hit her with a devastating electric chair-into-a-facebuster and then locked her in a kneebar. Sasha refused to tap and the fight raged on, the competitors eventually finding themselves in the corner where Asuka delivered a move I'm not sure I've seen a ton before - a top-rope, front-facing DDT. Banks wisely rolled to the outside, but once they ended up back inside she ate a big dropkick from Asuka for another nearfall. Asuka attempted to pull Banks from the corner, but the Champ countered with double-knees for 2. Banks missed on a frog splash, but Asuka couldn't capitalize. Sasha got some words from encouragement from Bayley, but ended up caught in the Asuka Lock! Banks escaped and the two went into a great sequence of counters that resulted in Asuka getting locked up in the Banks Statement - only for Asuka to roll through and reapply the Asuka Lock! Wow, that was sweet. In a great callback to the first title match of the night, Bayley and Banks attempted the same ploy they utilized earlier, but this time it didn't work and Banks ended up in the Asuka Lock again! Banks taps! That was a really good match, maybe even a Match of the Year contender in a year where the WWE hasn't exactly been hitting it out of the park all that often. (4/5)
The WWE Championship was on the line next with Drew McIntyre defending against Randy Orton. I really liked the pre-match video as it highlighted the strong build-up to this match. Orton has been on fire with his promos and Drew matched him at every turn. I wasn't on Team Drew at the start of 2020, but I'll give credit where its due and say that this feud has helped him show his character far better than he got to against Lesnar and Dolph Ziggler. Orton started things off with mind games, escaping to the outside each time Drew might've got the upperhand. It was wise work and led to some near-RKO moments, Orton trying to end things early. Orton had McIntyre chasing him in and around the ring, eventually dodging a spear attempt that sent McIntyre shoulder-first into the post. Orton maintained control in the ring with a headlock soon after, controlling the pace between the bigger moves. One such move was a brilliant counter by McIntyre in the corner that saw him block a big boot and turn it into a knee wrench that dehibilitated Orton. McIntyre followed it up with a spinebuster and then a figure four, trying to force Orton to submit. Orton escaped by raking McIntyre in the eye, digging his nail in deep enough to actually slice him a bit. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not (or somewhere in between), but the blood - which was relatively minor - helped add to the drama and bring the match into another gear. McIntyre rallied and started dishing out a bunch of over-the-head belly-to-bellies, following them up with a clothesline from the top rope. McIntyre kipped up (a nod to Shawn Michaels, who was involved in the build a bit) and then placed Orton on the top turnbuckle, attempting to set him up for a superplex. Orton headbutted his way out of it, though, and McIntyre ended up in the tree of woe. Orton looked like he might've been going for a knee drop of some kind, but Drew used his incredible strength to pull him over into the center of the ring. Drew hit the Future Shock DDT but only got 2. At some point in all this (maybe on the headbutt?), Orton ended up cut open himself, a trickle of blood streaming down the center of his forehead. Soon after, McIntyre hit Orton with an awesome punch straight to the head but couldn't follow it up and ended up getting hit by the Viper's trademark spinning bodyslam. Orton attempted a Hangman's DDT but got hit by a Glasgow Kiss instead! Great spot there. Orton was sent stumbling but managed to regain his composure and turn things around, hitting McIntyre with the Hangman's after all. Instead of making the cover, though, Orton paused, basked in his own glory, and started calling for the RKO. With McIntyre unable to make it to his feet, though, Orton reconsidered and lined him up for a punt kick - only to get caught with a huge powerbomb from McIntyre! Drew started calling for the Claymore, but missed it! Orton went for the RKO, but Drew countered with a backslide and got a 3 count! I liked that finish as it protected both guys a bit. Orton obviously saw the Claymore coming and had his counter prepared, but didn't have a counter-to-the-counter mapped out and was caught off guard. That was easily the best Drew McIntyre match I've seen and maybe even in the top 10 Orton matches. There were critics who called this slow, but it at least felt different from the go-go-go style we sometimes get in our NXT main events. The MVP might also be the little bit of "color" we got as even a touch of blood goes a long way in modern WWE. (4/5)
Main event time - Bray Wyatt vs. Braun Strowman for Strowman's Universal Championship in a Falls Count Anywhere match. The build-up for this match has been hit-or-miss with me, but I was excited to see how it would play out and what role Alexa Bliss would end up having. Once the fight got taken outside, Wyatt went to work with a toolbox, driving it into Strowman's massive stomach. Braun fought back, though, eventually shoulder-blocking Bray through the barricade wall. Wyatt basically no-sold it, though, getting up only to get chokeslammed into an announce table. Unfortunately for Wyatt, his lower back took the brunt of the damage as he landed awkwardly on the edge of the table. Yowzee Wowzee, right? Braun grabbed the steps and effortlessly smashed them into Wyatt's head as the ref tried to regain control. Back in the ring, Braun hit Wyatt with his finisher - a running powerslam - but barely even got 2 with it. The fight went back out of the ring and up the ramp, Braun sending Wyatt into the SummerSlam screen. They headed backstage, brawling in the "Gorilla Area," and Wyatt ended up delivering his Sister Abigail finish for 2. Wyatt tried to gouge out Braun's eyes but had no luck.The two monsters made their way back towards the ring, Bray eventually locking in a Mandible Claw. Braun fought out of it, though, eventually crushing Bray with a big forearm across the chest for a 2 count on the floor. Back in the ring, Braun delivered yet another huge powerslam but only got 2 with it. He beat down on Wyatt with some big right hands out of frustration, the Monster Amongst Men clearly unsure how to put his foe away. Strowman exited the ring and grabbed a razor from the emptied toolbox and cut the ring open, exposing the wooden boards beneath. Bray was up on his feet, though, and ended up hitting Braun with a chokeslam and then a pair of Sister Abigails onto the boards to win the Universal Champion. No Alexa? This wasn't a bad brawl and I'm glad it didn't go too long, but I wouldn't seek this out either. An extra half-point for the surprise return of Roman Reigns during the post-match. It was nice to see him make a return and take out both Wyatt and Strowman and I wouldn't mind seeing them mix it up in a triple threat sooner than later. (They would end up having this very match a week later at Payback, by the way.) (3/5)
With a relatively strong Kwang Score of 3.29-out-of-5, SummerSlam 2020 was one of the better shows the WWE has put on in the "Covid Era." The Sasha Banks/Asuka match was as good as most expected it would be, though, maybe not quite as high as the highest expectations. Orton/McIntyre delivered for me (even if I'm in the minority a bit). While I wasn't captivated by the RAW Tag Team Title Match, they didn't go too long and sometimes I like a little bit of "filler" to break up the bigger matches. Speaking of bigger matches, the Mandy Rose/Sonya Deville match lived up to the promise of their extended and well-booked feud even if it wasn't any sort of "mat classic." Similarly, while the Rollins/Dominik Mysterio match started a bit too "mat-based," by the time it wrapped up, I was undeniably on the edge of my seat. The main event wasn't great, in fact, in terms of even brawls it was average-at-best, but the post-match twist made it feel like a big deal and a worthy way to close out the show.
FINAL RATING - Watch It
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