|Date: August 17, 2014
|Venue: Staples Center |City: Los Angeles, California
|Attendance: 17,357 |Buys: 147,000

|tweet me: @bastionblogger

Summerslam is considered the second biggest WWE PPV of the year and is a constant in the WWE calendar. John Cena will be in a WWE Championship match at Summerslam for the fourth year in a row but he may be facing his biggest challenge yet. Triple H took it upon himself to name a number one contender and it looked at though he was going to pick the old faithful Randy Orton but Orton got attacked by Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman then emerged with Brock Lesnar and challenged Triple H to put Brock Lesnar in the main event of Summerslam, a challenge that Triple H accepted. So tonight Cena and LEsnar go one on one in a rematch from Extreme Rules last year, a match that Brock Lesnar brutalised Cena in before Cena picked up the victory. Can the man that ended Undertaker’s streak win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tonight?

The Intercontinental Championship is also set to be defended as The Miz, who won the title in a battle royal at Battleground last month, defends against the man he eliminated to win the match, Dolph Ziggler. Dolph would beat The Miz in a non-title match on Raw which earned him a shot at the championship for Summerslam. The Divas Championship will be the other title defended tonight as AJ Lee defends against her former friend Paige. Paige attacked her “frenemy” after a tag team match and has since thrown her off the stage causing a whiplash injury. They still have a strange relationship and Paige claims to love AJ Lee. That won’t be the only women’s match tonight as Stephanie McMahon goes one on one with Brie Bella. McMahon has made life difficult for Brie and after the two exchanged lawsuits, Brie made the challenge to Stephanie, offering to drop all charges from getting slapped if she accepted. Stephanie accepted the challenge but has made life difficult Brie’s sister Nikki. This rivalry goes back to the feud with The Authority and Daniel Bryan. Stephanie returns to the ring after ten years of not wrestling tonight.

Another big match scheduled for tonight will be between Roman Reigns and Randy Orton. Reigns has really excelled from the three men that were in The Shield and has the biggest match of his career tonight. Roman Reigns attacked Randy Orton before he was announced as number one contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship which sot him the match. Triple H told Orton that he can’t move on until Roman Reigns is out of the equation and made the match between the two for Summerslam. The two other members of The Shield, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, will battle each other tonight too. They fought in a beat the clock challenge with the winner able to decide the stipulation for their Summerslam match, a challenge that Dean Ambrose won following a shock Seth Rollins loss to Heath Slater. Ambrose announced that they would wrestle at Summerslam in a lumberjack match to ensure that Seth Rollins could not run away.

Also tonight will be two rematches form Battleground. Chris Jericho will once again go one on one with Bray Wyatt. Jericho beat Bray Wyatt at Battleground but Wyatt isn’t done with Jericho yet. Jericho would then beat both Luke Harper and Erick Rowan in singles matches in order to get both men banned from ringside for their encounter at Summerslam. Jack Swagger will also do battle with Rusev once again but this time the match will be a flag match. Rusev beat Swagger at Battleground by count out, tonight Swagger will be looking to win the match for the US of A.

On the pre-show Rob Van Dam beat Cesaro.

The show opens with Hulk Hogan. This was unexpected, I didn’t realise he was advertised. Hulk says that tonight is the night that superstars can etch their name in the history books. Hogan plugs the WWE Network. Yes, it’s 9.99, we get it.

A video package then runs hyping up the event. It’s quite a cool superhero-esque video and most of the matches tonight are featured.

Michael Cole welcomes us to Summerslam!

The Miz (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler – WWE Intercontinental Championship match

Surprisingly, this is a first ever PPV match between these two men. The Miz is 1-1 at Summerslam events whilst Dolph Ziggler is 1-1-2. Miz starts the match with a headlock and then a shoulder charge. Dolph hits a sunset flip for the first near fall of the night and then rolls Miz up again causing Miz to kick out and then scarper out of the ring. Back in the ring and Dolph hits a Lou Thesz press. Miz rolls out of the ring again but Dolph follows and knocks him down with a clothesline. Back in the ring and ziggler hits a schoolboy for a two count. Miz reverses an Irish whip and sends Ziggler sternum-first into the corner. Miz lays in some stomps and a running boot for a two count. Miz hits another big boot and then hits trademark clothesline in the corner. Miz heads to the top for a double axe handle but Ziggler catches him with a right hand on the way down. Ziggler fires back with two clothesline of his own and then a splash in the corner before dropping Miz with a neckbreaker for a two count.

Dolph looks for a fame-asser but Miz side-steps and throws Ziggler out of the ring. Dolph skins the cat and looks for a superkick but Miz avoids. Miz then looks to lock on the figure four but Ziggler counters and hits a superkick for a two count. The Miz exits the ring and grabs his Intercontinental Championship but dolph hits him with a baseball slide and rolls him back into the ring. Miz catches Dolph with a kick and then locks on the figure four! Ziggler manages to break the hold by reaching the bottom rope. Ziggler hits a fame-asser but Miz bounces right back up and hits a skull-crushing finale for a near fall. Miz can’t believe it, he tries for a running boot but Dolph ducks it and hits the zigzag for the three! Dolph Ziggler wins the match and the Intercontinental Championship! He becomes a two time champion. A good opener but could have been longer.

Rating: 6.75/10

We’re shown some footage from Raw last week with Daniel Bryan’s physical therapist claiming to have had an affair with Daniel Bryan. The therapist was played by Chelsea Green.

Tom Phillips is backstage with Brie Bella. Brie says that during her time in jail she did some reflecting. Tonight she will take out that “she-beast” because that’s what’s best for business.

AJ Lee (c) vs. Paige – WWE Divas Championship match

This is a second pay per view match between these two girls. AJ Lee beat Paige at Battleground last month. It’s a Summerslam debut for Paige whilst AJ wrestled in tag team action at last years event and lost. Paige offers her hand in the early going but AJ bites her hand! Paige rolls out of the ring with a handful of AJ’s hair extensions. AJ exits the ring and smashes Paige off the announce desk and ring apron before rolling her back into the ring. Paige kicks AJ as she gets back into the ring. AJ kicks Paige out of the ring but Paige manages to get AJ up on her shoulders before dropping her on the barrier. Paige rolls AJ back into the ring, crawls on top of her and headbutts her a few times.

Paige applies a chinlock and then breaks the hold to hit some knee shots. Paige goes up to the top with AJ and the two girls slug it out at the top. AJ pushes Paige to the floor below and then dives off with a clothesline. AJ rolls Paige back into the ring and hits her with a shining wizard for a two count. Paige kicks AJ in the face and then picks her up but AJ locks on the black widow! Paige counters and hits the Ram-Paige for the three! Paige wins the Divas Championship tonight!

Rating: 6.5/10

There’s an advert for next years Summerslam.

Jack Swagger vs. Rusev – Flag match

This is a second pay per view match between these two men. Rusev beat Swagger by count out at last months Battleground event. Rusev makes his Summerslam debut whilst Jack Swagger is 0-1 at the event following his loss to MVP in 2009. Lana gets on the microphone before the match and praises Vladimir Putin before running down Hollywood and happy endings. Some US battalions then march out followed by Jack Swagger who waves old glory. Zeb Colter is also present. Rusev attacks Swagger before the bell even rings. Swagger fights him off and locks on the patriot lock! The referee breaks it up as the match hasn’t even begun yet. Rusev gets to his feet but sells the ankle. Lana calls Swagger a cheat and says she doesn’t want the match to take place. The bell rings anyway and Swagger goes right to work on Rusev. Swagger targets the ankle and leg and Rusev causing him to fall to the outside. Swagger rolls Rusev back into the ring and goes back to work on the ankle.

Rusev rolls to the outside again but Swagger doesn’t let him break and rolls him back into the ring. Rusev rolls out the other side of the ring but Swagger drops him with a clothesline. Back in the ring and Swagger looks for a Swagger bomb but Rusev gets his knees up. Rusev lays in some knees and stomps and then a falling headbutt. Rusev then applies a bear hug but Swagger elbows his way out of it. Swagger tries for a belly to belly but Rusev fights him off and takes him down with shots to the back. Swagger then hits a belly to belly and a clothesline. Swagger hits a splash in the corner and a big boot before hitting a Swagger bomb for a two count. I thought this was a flag match? Isn’t the idea to get the flag? Rusev hits an elbow and looks for a superkick but Swagger catches his ankle and then hits a big throw for a two count.

Rusev hits a big kick to the ribs and then a superkick. Lana screams at Rusev to “crush”. Rusev looks to lock on the accolade but struggles to support himself to his injured foot. Rusev locks on a modified version of the hold, down on one knee. Swagger manages to counter and locks on the Patriot Lock! Rusev manages to roll on to his back and kicks Swagger away. Rusev then hits a spinning heel kick and a splash before locking on the accolade! Swagger passes out and the referee calls for the bell! Rusev beats Jack Swagger tonight! Good match between these two. Loads of energy in the beginning of the match. Rusev kicks Zeb Colter in the head after the match. The Russian National Anthem gets played after the match. Where’s Nikolai Volkoff?

Rating: 6.25/10

There’s a video package next for Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins.

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins – Lumberjack match

This is a first time pay per view match between these two men, a match that was supposed to happen at Battleground last month. Both men make their Summerslam debut tonight. The lumberjacks include the likes of Sin Cara, Kofi Kingston, Rob Van Dam, Fandango, Damien Sandow, Bo Dallas, Ryback, Curtis Axel, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, Heath Slater, Titus O’Neil, Cesaro, Stardust, Goldust, R-Truth, The Usos and Big E. This is Seth Rollins first ever one on one singles match on pay per view. The bell rings and the two men get right into it, exchanging right hands. Ambrose knocks Rolls down with an elbow and then lays in some stomps in the corner. Ambrose throws Rollins across the ring and the lumberjacks make sure Rollins doesn’t fall out of the ring. Ambrose then throws Rollins out of the ring and the heel lumberjacks throw him right back in.

Dean Ambrose hits some chops but Rollins kicks Ambrose in the gut and throws him out of the ring. Ambrose fights off the lumberjacks and gets back into the ring, taking Rollins down. Rollins drops Ambrose onto the middle turnbuckle and then dropkicks him out of the ring. The lumberjacks that Ambrose fought off before take some shots at him before throwing him back into the ring. Rollins hits a powerslam and a kneedrop for a one count. Ambrose hits some right hands and a big boot before going up top but Rollins crotches him, tying him up in a tree of woe. Rollins lays in some stomps and then applies a version of the million dollar dream. Ambrose gets out of it and hits some right hands and forearms. Rollins ducks a cross body and Ambrose rolls out to the apron. Rollins attempts to suplex Ambrose back into the ring but Ambrose reverses and suplexes Rollins out on top of the lumberjacks! The two men get up and slug it out as the lumberjacks try to break it up.

Ambrose back body drops Seth Rollins into the crowd and the lumberjacks then roll Dean Ambrose back into the ring. Ambrose flies out with a suicide dive taking out the likes of Cesaro and Titus O’Neil before running across the announce desk and launching himself at Seth Rollins! Rollins tries to escape but Ambrose follows and the two men slug it out in the crowd! Kane then comes out from the back and berates the lumberjacks, telling them to get Ambrose and Rollins back into the ring. Rollins looks to powerbomb Ambrose off a stand but the lumberjacks pull it apart. Dean Ambrose gets carried back to the ring by Ryback and Curtis Axel whilst Seth Rollins fights off sin Cara. Rollins then gets cornered by The Usos, Goldust and Big E and they carry him back to the ring! Dean Ambrose goes up top and then launches himself at Rollins and the lumberjacks!

Ambrose rolls Rollins back into the ring and motions for dirty deeds. Rollins counters and hits an enzeguri but Ambrose bounces off the ropes and hits a clothesline for a near fall. Ambrose then hits a curbstomp on Rollins and pins him but Kane breaks it up! Goldust gets in Kane’s face but Kane fights him off. All hell then breaks loose and all of the lumberjacks go at it in the ring! The ring soon clears leaving Harper and Rowan but Dean Ambrose disposes of them. Seth Rollins then nails Ambrose with his Money In The Bank briefcase and pins him for the three! Seth Rollins beats Dean Ambrose tonight! This match was a lot of fun.

Rating: 7.25/10

There’s some footage showing the recent altercations between Chris Jericho and Bray Wyatt.

Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt

This is a second pay per view match between these two men. Jericho beat Wyatt at Battleground last month. Chris Jericho is 3-6 at Summerslam events, Bray Wyatt is 1-0. Harper and Rowan are banned from ringside for this match. Jericho takes control in the early going, knocking Wyatt to the outside and then throwing him into the barricade. Back in the ring and Jericho hits a cross body for a one count. Wyatt reverses an Irish whip but then runs into Jericho’s boots. Jericho goes up top but Bray Wyatt shoves him to the outside before exiting the ring and laying in the boots. Wyatt rams Jericho into the ring apron and then hits a running knee against the ring steps.Back in the ring and Wyatt conducts the crowd to sing “he’s got the whole world in his hands”. He then throws Jericho shoulder-first into the ring post before laying in right hands. Bray has slowed the pace right down now and he locks on a modified chinlock.

Jericho gets out of the chinlock and hits chops and a flying forearm. Jericho hits an enzeguri for a one count and then heads to the top but Wyatt avoids the attack and hits a clothesline and a senton for a two count. Wyatt hits a forearm shot of his own but then runs into a dropkick. Jericho gets a two count and then looks for a clothesline but Wyatt ducks and hits an uranage for a two count. Bray lays in some right hands and then looks for Sister Abigail but Jericho counters with a roll-up for a two count. Jericho then locks on the Walls Of Jericho! Wyatt gets to the ropes and then manages to throw Jericho out on to the apron. Wyatt goes out with him and DDT’s Jericho on to the apron for a two count. Wyatt goes up to the middle rope but Jericho goes up with him and hits a top rope hurricanrana! Jericho gets a near fall and then hits a clothesline in the corner.

Jericho hits Bray Wyatt with a low dropkick but Wyatt bridges up and does his creepy spider-walk! Jericho ducks a clothesline and hits the codebreaker but Wyatt kicks out at 2. Jericho kicks Wyatt out of the ring and looks for a baseball slide but Wyatt avoids it, hits an uppercut and then hits Sister Abigail into the barricade! Wyatt rolls Jericho back into the ring and sets up for Sister Abigail, hitting it in the middle of the ring for the three! Bray Wyatt beats Chris Jericho tonight! Good match and great psychology tonight.

Rating: 7/10

There’s a video package next for the match between Brie Bella and Stephanie McMahon.

Brie Bella vs. Stephanie McMahon

This is a first time match between these two girls. Stephanie has never wrestled at Summerslam before but Brie is 0-1 at the event following her loss to Natalya at last years event. Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler are shown at ringside. Stephanie forces Brie into the corner in the early going. Stephanie then forces Brie into the ropes. Stephanie definitely out-powering Brie Bella in the early going. Brie hits two arm drags and then a waistlock. Stephanie elbows her way out of it and then hits a couple of shoulder charges in the corner. Stephanie lays in some kicks and then smashes Brie Bella into the mat. Stephanie hits some forearms and then throws Bella across the ring. Stephanie mocks Brie with a yes chant and then looks to slap Brie but Brie blocks it, hits a slap of her own and then looks to lock on the yes lock but Stephanie crawls out of the ring. Brie looks for a suicide dive but Stephanie hits her with a big forearm shot.

Brie beats the count back into the ring but Stephanie drops her with a DDT for a two count. Stephanie hits a clothesline and then a version of a snapmare for a two count. Stephanie applies a surfboard and then pulls Brie to the mat by her hair. Stephanie goes back to the surfboard but Brie fires back with some boots to the face. Brie hits a Lou Thesz press and lays in some right hands before hitting a back elbow and some kicks in the corner. Brie throws Stephanie across the ring and then lays in more boots. Brie throws Stephanie across the ring again and then goes up to the middle rope and hits a missile dropkick for a two count. Triple H then runs out from the back but he’s followed by Nikki Bella! Triple H distracts Brie and Stephanie looks to hit a pedigree but Brie counters and applies the yes lock! Triple H pulls out the referee and so Brie hits Triple H with a baseball slide!

Nikki Bella gets in the ring and stops Stephanie McMahon from going anywhere. Brie gets in the ring but Nikki cheap shots Brie! Nikki helps Stephanie up to her feet and Stephanie hits the pedigree on Brie! she hooks the leg and gets the three! Stephanie McMahon beats Brie Bella with help from Nikki Bella tonight! Decent match between these two girls.

Rating: 5.75/10

There’s a VT for some crap mama’s boy advert.

Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton

This is a first time pay per view singles match between these two men. Randy has a 6-3 record at Summerslam events whilst Roman Reigns makes his Summerslam debut tonight. It’s a first time one on one singles PPV match for Roman Reigns tonight. He strikes first with right hands and a headbutt. Orton re-groups on the outside and Reigns follows and throws him back into the ring. Reigns hits a back elbow and right hands before hitting mounted right hands in the corner. Roman clotheslines Randy out of the ring and then smashes his face off the barricade. Orton reverses an Irish whip and sends Reigns into the ring steps. Orton rolls Reigns back into the ring and pins him for a one count before applying a chinlock. Reigns gets out of it but Orton forces him right back into the mat before posing. Orton stomps away at Reigns before Irish whipping him into the corner and running into his boots. Reigns goes to the top but Orton hits him with right hands and then a superplex. Randy gets a two count and then applies a chinlock.

Roman Reigns gets out of the chinlock and then jumps on the back of Reigns but Orton falls backwards to break that one up. Reigns then goes right back to the chinlock but Orton counters with a side slam. Orton pins Roman for a two count and then goes back to the chinlock but Reigns gets out of it and hits a Samoan drop. Reigns hits a splash in the corner and an uppercut before hitting a drive-by dropkick. Reigns then looks to throw Orton into the barricade but Orton counters and throws Reigns into the barricade and then the ringpost. Orton hits a side slam onto the announce desk and then throws Reigns into the ringsteps. Orton rolls Reigns back into the ring and Reigns manages to drop Orton on the top rope as he gets on the apron. Reigns then forces Orton onto the top rope and sets up for a superplex but Orton headbutts Reigns away. Reigns goes back up to the middle rope with Orton on his shoulders and hits a big Samoan drop! Reigns gets a two count

Roman Reigns motions for a superman punch and then hits it in the middle of the ring. Reigns backs up and motions for a spear but Orton counters with a huge powerslam for a near fall. Orton hits the hangmans DDT ands then motions for the RKO but Reigns counters, pushing Orton away ands then bouncing off the ropes for a superman punch but Orton counters against, this time with an RKO! Randy hooks the leg but Reigns kicks out at 2! I thought that was it. Orton backs off, motioning for a punt but Roman gets out of the way, ducks a clothesline and hits the spear for the three! Roman Reigns beats Randy Orton tonight! Huge win for Reigns. Good match between these two.

Rating: 7/10

There’s a video package showing the recent rivalry between John Cena and Brock Lesnar.

John Cena (c) vs. Brock Lesnar – WWE Championship match

These two men have met on pay per view twice before and they both own a victory. John Cena is 4-6 at Summerslam events, Brock Lesnar is 3-1. Cena starts the match quickly with lefts and rights but Lesnar wrestles him to the ground and hits him with right hands. Lesnar scoops up Cena and hits an F5! He hooks the leg but Cena kicks out at 2. Lesnar and Paul Heyman exchange a smile. Lesnar hits a German suplex and then picks up Cena and hits a second German suplex! Lesnar hits a big knee to the ribs and then a suplex. Cena tries to hit lefts and rights but Brock just pushes him away and hits him with knees to the ribs. Brock applies a camel clutch and then a sleeper but breaks it in favour of throws Cena to the mat. There’s a really annoying kid chanting “lets go Cena” all the time. Cena fires back with lefts and rights but again Brock hits a knee to slow down the pace.

Brock stands on Cena’s hand and then hits Cena with another German suplex. Lesnar hits a fourth German suplex and then a fifth. Lesnar hits a sixth and then pins Cena who kicks out at 2. Brock hits a seventh German suplex and then an eighth. The referee keeps checking on Cena but we know he won’t give up that way. Lesnar sets up for another German suplex but Cena elbows his way out of it and hits right hands and an attitude adjustment for a near fall. Lesnar sits up like The Undertaker does and then gets to his feet and challenges Cena to come at him. Cena does but Brock takes him down and lays in lefts and rights. Brock hits German suplexes nine, ten, eleven and twelve. Lesnar hits three more German suplexes and tells the referee to call off the match. Charles Robinson thinks about it but decides against it. Cena manages to kick Lesnar down to the mat and locks on the STF! Brock manages to roll onto his back to break the hold and then hits the F5! He hooks the leg and gets the 3! Brock Lesnar wins the WWE Championship tonight! Great match between these two.

Rating: 8.5/10

And that was Summerslam 2014. That felt like a really good pay per view. I enjoyed the show from top to bottom. The opener with The Miz and Dolph Ziggler was a good way to kick off the show. They put on a good match but I did feel that the match could have gone longer. Dolph Ziggler won the match which surprised me, Miz’s reign had only just begun and he has a lot of steam. I’m guessing the plan was always to get the title on Ziggler and to be fair he does get a good reaction and even chants during other matches. I think the feud and exchange between these two men has elevated the title too. Speaking of title changes I wasn’t expecting, Paige beat AJ Lee to win back the WWE Divas Championship. Again, this was pretty unexpected as AJ hadn’t had the belt long. This has been a great rivalry though and after AJ steamrollered through the entire division last year it’s nice to have a credible opponent for her. Good match between these two.

Rusev then beat Jack Swagger. There were times that I thought Swagger was going to win this but that wouldn’t have made a lot of sense. Rusev is getting a big push at the moment and I like that they’re lining up faces to try and bring him down. It’ll be a big rub to the guy that finally beats him. I do wonder whether Jack Swagger will stay as a babyface. He’s better suited to being a heel but for this feud it has worked with him as a babyface. Good match tonight. Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose then had a really fun lumberjack match. This was chaotic and one of the more unique lumberjack matches I have ever seen. Seth Rollins won the match with use of his Money In The Bank briefcase. I don’t mind the result or the finish but I think this feud will be far from over. Really fun match tonight.

Bray Wyatt beat Chris Jericho in another good match. Wyatt won clean which suggests the end of the feud but they might want a rubber match. Both will come out of this feud looking good which is the most important thing. This is a big rub for Wyatt. Stephanie McMahon beat Brie Bella in a match that exceeded my expectations. Stephanie came across as a dominant and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of her in the ring. The big shock was Nikki Bella turning on her sister and helping Stephanie win. I’m guessing this is leading to a battle of the Bellas which will write Stephanie out of this feud. Roman Reigns then beat Randy Orton and you can’t underestimate the value of this win. This is Reigns’ biggest win of his career up to now and really puts him over. This was another good match and it’s a big feud so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it continue.

In the main event Brock Lesnar murdered John Cena to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. I really enjoyed this match, Cena took a beating. Lesnar came out of this looking really strong and whoever beats him for the title will look like a superstar. What’s interesting is that Lesnar is part time so we won’t see Lesnar much. I’m not sure if this de-values the title. We’ll see though. A great main event between these two. Really good show overall, go check it out if you haven’t seen it before.

Overall Rating: 68.75/100 (ranked joint 19th out of 305)

Match Of The Night: John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
Worst Match Of The Night: Brie Bella vs. Stephanie McMahon
Surprise Of The Night: Nikki Bella costs Brie her match
Worst Booking Of The Night: N/A
Superstar Of The Night: Brock Lesnar
Summerslam 2014 Will Be Remembered For: Brock Lesnar winning the WWE Championship and Nikki Bella costing Brie