John Cena vs. Baron Corbin

Background: On the July 25 episode of SmackDown, Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Mr. Money in the Bank Baron Corbin. After the August 1 episode of SmackDown, on the WWE Network, Corbin attacked Nakamura from behind after Nakamura’s match with John Cena to determine the number one contender for Jinder Mahal’s WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which Nakamura won. Cena came to Nakamura’s aid and performed an Attitude Adjustment on Corbin through the announcers table. The following week, SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan scheduled a match between Corbin and Cena at SummerSlam. On the final SmackDown before SummerSlam, Corbin attacked Cena during the latter’s non-title match against Mahal, causing a disqualification. Afterwards, Corbin cashed in his Money in the Bank contract, but when the match started, he attacked Cena, who was on the apron, allowing Mahal to roll-up Corbin for the victory

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two men.

Summerslam Record: John Cena is 4-9 at Summerslam, Baron Corbin makes his Summerslam debut tonight.

Match: This feels like the biggest match of Baron Corbin’s career. John Cena mocks him in the early going. Corbin takes the advantage in the early going and is very vocal as he lays into arguably the greatest superstar in WWE history. Corbin also gets in the face of the referee. These are two of the three men to cash in Money In The Bank unsuccessfully. Cena starts to fire up with his shoulder charges and side slam but Corbin avoids the five knuckle shuffle. Corbin hits a chokeslam back breaker which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. Cena hits the five knuckle shuffle but Corbin counters the attitude adjustment and hits deep six for a near fall. Corbin looks for his clothesline but Cena hits one of his own and follows it up with the attitude adjustment for the three!

Result: John Cena wins by pinfall.

Review: This match wasn’t bad. It was nothing special but it did the job and gave Cena the win I expected him to get. It’s a great rub for Corbin just being in this match. He didn’t need to win it. It wasn’t the fast paced match you sometimes see opening PPV’s but having Cena kick off the night feels big.

Rating: 5.5/10

Naomi (c) vs. Natalya – Smackdown Women’s Championship match

Background: At Battleground, Natalya defeated Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Lana, and Tamina in a fatal five-way elimination match to become the number one contender for the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Naomi at SummerSlam. Natalya has since accused Naomi of turning the Smackdown Women’s Championship in a toy.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV singles match between these two girls.

Summerslam Record: Natalya is 2-0 at Summerslam, Naomi is 0-2.

Match: This match was heavily rumoured to be taking place at Wrestlemania this year before Naomi got injured. Natalya hits Naomi with a massive slap as the bell rings. Naomi hits a nice jumping hurricanrana and then a sliding slap. I know it’s cliche but Naomi is so athletic. She hits a blockbuster on the outside. Natalya slingshots Naomi on the apron into the ringpost. Both girls will be looking over their shoulder for Miss Money In The Bank, Carmella. Carmella and James Ellsworth are shown watching backstage. Natalya dominates for a long spell but can’t finish the job. Naomi hits a side Russian leg sweep off the middle rope. Naomi has some really nice moves in her arsenal. Natalya manages to lock on a sharpshooter, not the smoothest counter but she gets it on. Naomi manages to battle out of it. Natalya counters a split-legged moonsault, getting her knees up and then locks on the sharpshooter again and this time Naomi taps out!

Result: Natalya wins by submission.

Review: This was a good match actually. One of Natalya’s best I think. Naomi is really impressive and this was a good example of just how good she is. I think it lacked a little bit of drama but as a technical match it was very good. The biggest win Natalya has had for a long time.

Rating: 6.5/10

The Big Show vs. Big Cass – Enzo Amore in a shark cage

Background: At Great Balls of Fire, Big Cass defeated Enzo Amore. Amore and Cass then had a rematch on the July 24 episode of Raw that Cass again won. Cass continued to attack Amore after the match, after which, Big Show came out for the save, but Cass also laid him out. The following week, Cass defeated Big Show by disqualification after Amore attacked Cass during the match. After Cass gave a big boot to Amore, Big Show performed the KO Punch on Cass. On the August 7 episode, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson defeated Amore and Big Show after a distraction from Cass, and a brawl broke out between the three. Later, Cass confronted Raw General Manager Kurt Angle, wanting a match against Big Show at SummerSlam, but with Amore banned from the entire state of New York. Angle suggested to suspend Amore above the ring inside of a shark cage. Cass agreed and the match was scheduled for SummerSlam

Previous PPV matches: This is a first PPV match between these two men.

Summerslam Record: Big Show is 4-2 at Summerslam, Big Cass is 0-1.

Match: Enzo Amore is out first giving one of his trademark promos. This feels like the biggest match in Big Cass’s career, certainly since going solo. Big Show takes the early advantage, hitting Cass with right hands and landing a side slam. Big Show sells an injured right hand. Big Cass avoids a Vader Bomb but Big Show hits him with a KO punch for a near fall. Cass finally gets into the match and targets the injured hand of Big Show. The shark cage was last used at the Royal Rumble event earlier this year when Chris Jericho hung in it. Big Show hits a splash in the corner and motions for a chokeslam and hits it in the middle of the ring for a near fall. Enzo is trying to escape through the bars in the cage as Cass continues to target Big Show’s injured hand. Enzo manages to oil himself up and get through the bars of the cage! Enzo drops down into the ring but Big Cass lays him out with a big boot. Cass then hits Big Show with a running boot for a near fall. Cass hits another big boot and then an empire elbow for the three!

Result: Big Cass wins by pinfall.

Review: This is a big win for Big Cass, the biggest of his career. It was clean and he also took out Enzo in the process. I can’t help but think they have big plans for Cass down the line. This match wasn’t a classic but the antics of Enzo Amore definitely helped it.

Rating: 3.75/10

Randy Orton vs. Rusev

Background: On the August 1 episode of SmackDown, Rusev issued a SummerSlam “Open Challenge” to any wrestler on the SmackDown roster. Randy Orton, who Rusev had never defeated, accepted the challenge before attacking Rusev with an RKO.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two men.

Summerslam Record: Randy Orton is 6-6 at Summerslam, Rusev has won and drawn a match at this event.

Match: Rusev attacks Randy Orton as Orton is getting into the ring. He launches him into the ringpost and then the barricade before this match can officially get underway. Rusev rolls Randy into the ring and ORton slowly gets to his feet. The referee calls for the bell, Orton ducks a clothesline and hits an RKO for the three!

Result: Randy Orton wins by pinfall.

Review: This was short and sweet. A bit of a burial for Rusev. Orton adds another victory to his resume, Rusev goes back to the drawing board. I’d like to think that this feud will continue because I would like to see a proper PPV match between the two.

Rating: N/A

Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Sasha Banks – Raw Women’s Championship match

Background: At Great Balls of Fire, Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss by count-out, thus Bliss retained the Raw Women’s Championship. Over the next couple of weeks, Bayley scored pins over Bliss in a tag team match, and a non-title singles match. Bayley in turn felt she deserved a title shot, while Banks felt she deserved a rematch due to Bliss’ actions at Great Balls of Fire. A number one contender’s match between the two the following week was won Bayley. Bayley then suffered a legitimate shoulder injury, incurred during a match with Nia Jax, forcing her to relinquish her number one contender’s spot. Two triple threat matches were then scheduled for the following episode of Raw with the winner of each facing each other to determine the new number one contender for the Raw Women’s Championship. Banks won the first triple threat match by defeating Alicia Fox and Emma, while Jax won the second by defeating Dana Brooke and Mickie James. The following week, Banks defeated Jax to become the new number one contender against Bliss at SummerSlam

Previous PPV matches: This is a second PPV match between these two girls, Sasha won the first by count out at Great Balls Of Fire.

Summerslam Record: Alexa Bliss is 1-0 at Summerslam, Sasha Banks is 0-2.

Match: The match starts in vicious fashion with both girls getting their shots in. It’s pretty back and forth until Alexa drops Sasha off the middle rope. Alexa is a lot more aggressive in this match than I’ve seen her before. She dominates for a while. Alexa locks on a couple of hanging sleepers from the top rope which look pretty affective. Sasha fights back with forearms and a clothesline and then a neckbreaker for a two count. Sasha counters a sunset flip powerbomb and sends Bliss into the middle turnbuckle. Banks then hits a backstabber and locks on the Banks Statement but Alexa gets to the bottom rope. The fight goes to the apron where Alexa uses the apron to pull Banks down to the outside. Sasha nearly gets counted out but just beats the count. Alexa hits Twisted Bliss for a near fall. Sasha locks on the Banks Statement but Alexa fights out of it just for Sasha to lock the hold back on! Alexa taps out!

Result: Sasha Banks win by submission.

Review: This was a decent match but it did seem to finish out of nowhere. I’m actually surprised that Banks won the match and the title. It was another good women’s match and the psychology was really good in this one. Both girls are very good and two of the best all-rounders in the women’s division. I’d like to see another match between the two though.

Rating: 6.5/10

“The Demon King” Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt

Background: On the July 17 episode of Raw, as Finn Bálor was making his way to the backstage after his match with Elias, Bray Wyatt appeared on the TitanTron. He said that he enjoyed Bálor’s pain and that he was Bálor’s worst nightmare. The following week, Wyatt cost Bálor his no disqualification match against Elias by giving Bálor the Sister Abigail. On the July 31 episode, as Wyatt cut an in-ring promo, the lights started blinking red and then went out. When they came back on, Bálor appeared in the ring and attacked Wyatt. The following week, as Bálor cut a promo about Wyatt, the lights in the arena went out and Wyatt appeared in the center of the ring. He and Bálor fought briefly before the lights went out again and Wyatt appeared on the TitanTron laughing at Bálor. Afterwards, it was announced that a match between Bálor and Wyatt was scheduled for SummerSlam. The following week, after a confrontation earlier in the night, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle moved their SummerSlam match up to that night where Wyatt defeated Bálor. After the match, Wyatt poured a blood-like liquid on Bálor. A rematch between the two was scheduled for SummerSlam where Bálor promised to bring his Demon King persona.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time singles PPV match between these two men.

Summerslam Record: Finn Balor is 1-0 at Summerslam, Bray Wyatt is 2-1.

Match: Finn Balor comes out as The Demon King with his music starting off with “Whole world in his hands”. Bray Wyatt gets the first shot in but Finn Balor soon takes the advantage. Balor hits some high risk moves and dives out of the ring, wiping out Wyatt at one point. Finn looks for the coup de gras early but Wyatt rolls out of the ring and then hits a suplex to the outside. Bray looks for Sister Abigail but Balor counters. Finn counters another Sister Abigail attempt and hits a slingblade. It’s a pretty back and forth match with the pace quickening when Finn Balor is in control. Wyatt does his spider walk but the mind games don’t work on the Demon King. Balor hits a slingblade and a dropkick before nailing the coup de gras for the victory!

Result: Finn Balor wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a decent enough match but not spectacular. It’s not often you see Bray Wyatt lose clean but Balor has managed it tonight. They blow so hot and cold on Wyatt. Finn Balor is a great talent though and picks up the win tonight.

Rating: 6.75/10

Cesaro & Sheamus (c) vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose – Raw Tag Team Championship match

Background: Throughout July and August 2017, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins teased a potential and partial Shield reunion for several weeks with both men sticking their fists out for the other for The Shield’s signature fist bump, but both would decline each week, primarily due to trust issues from Rollins’ betrayal three years prior. On the July 31 episode of Raw, Rollins was confronted by Cesaro and Sheamus and later won a match against Sheamus. After the match, Cesaro and Sheamus attacked Rollins before Ambrose came down to make the save. Backstage, Ambrose told Rollins that he would not help him if Rollins got outnumbered again. The following week, after Rollins lost a rematch against Sheamus and was once again attacked after the match, Ambrose did not help him. Later that night, Ambrose defeated Cesaro and was subsequently attacked by the duo before being saved by Rollins. Ambrose then displayed signs of trust by offering the Shield fist bump, but Rollins ultimately declined. Finally, on the August 14 episode of Raw, although both Ambrose and Rollins got into a physical altercation earlier in the night, the two came together to fight off Cesaro and Sheamus and both reciprocated the fist bump and reunited. Immediately afterwards, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle came out and scheduled a match between Cesaro and Sheamus and Ambrose and Rollins for the Raw Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time match between these two teams.

Summerslam Record: Seth Rollins is 2-1 at Summerslam, Dean Ambrose is also 2-1, Sheamus is 2-2 and Cesaro is 0-1.

Match: Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose teaming up tonight feels like a big deal. Sheamus and Ambrose kick off the match and it’s back and forth. Both men quickly tag out. Rollins and Ambrose take an early advantage causing Sheamus and Cesaro to regroup on the outside. Sheamus then hits a brogue kick on Ambrose on the outside but he isn’t the legal man. Rollins is left on his own to fight off both tag team champions as Ambrose is laid out on the outside. A beach ball is doing the rounds in the crowd. Cesaro runs into the crowd and rips up the beach ball! Sheamus and Cesaro make quick tags, taking it in turns to pick apart Rollins. Ambrose finally gets back up to the apron but Cesaro keeps Seth from tagging him in. Rollins finally makes the hot tag to Ambrose who picks up the pace. All hell soon breaks loose and the challengers clear the ring of the champions. Rollins and Ambrose hit their own version of the Hart Attack with Rollins hitting a slingblade. Cesaro attempts the neutraliser on Ambrose who counters. Ambrose hits a superplex on Sheamus and Rollins hits a frog splash for a near fall. Cesaro hits a swing on Ambrose and then locks on the sharpshooter which Cesaro transitions into a crossface but Ambrose forces the break. Sheamus hits a cheap shot on Ambrose and The Bar then hit the doomsday device for a near fall. Rollins hurricanranas Sheamus into Cesaro as all hell breaks loose. Ambrose hits dirty deeds on Sheamus and pins him for the three!

Result: Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose win the Raw Tag Team championships by pinfall.

Review: This was a really fun tag team match. A really nice pace to it, all four men put their all into it. In the end Ambrose and Rollins win the titles and I look forward to their reign. Especially if all of their defences are like this! Definitely the best match of the show so far though.

Rating: 8/10

AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens – United States Championship match with Shane McMahon as special guest referee

Background: At Battleground, Kevin Owens defeated AJ Styles to win his third United States Championship. On the following episode of SmackDown, Styles wanted to invoke his championship rematch, but he was interrupted by the returning Chris Jericho, who also wanted to invoke his rematch from when he lost the title to Owens back in May. As both Styles and Jericho were contractually owed rematches, SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon decided that they would both get their rematches for the title in a triple threat match that night against Owens, where Styles pinned Jericho to regain the title. After the match, Owens invoked his championship rematch for the following week. During the rematch that episode, Owens attacked the referee, but lost even though both shoulders were not on the mat. A frustrated Owens confronted Shane and SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan and demanded a rematch, but with a competent referee. Bryan scheduled the rematch for SummerSlam and made Shane the special guest referee.

Previous PPV matches: This is the third PPV match between these two men, Kevin Owens has won the previous two.

Summerslam Record: AJ Styles is 1-0 at Summerslam, Kevin Owens is 2-0.

Match: The two men go at it before the bell has even rung and Shane McMahon has to break it up. The bell rings and it’s a hard hitting start to the match. Styles has the advantage in the early going. KO hits a cheap shot to the throat to take control. Including the two title matches on the pre-show, each of the five championships have changed hands so far tonight. Owens hits a cannonball for a two count. Styles looks for the Styles Clash but Owens counters. AJ then counters a pop-up powerbomb. AJ heads to the top but KO shoves Shane into the ropes which crotches Styles. Owens goes up to the top with AJ but Styles hits a sunset flip powerbomb. AJ then hits a 450 splash but catches both Owens and McMahon. Styles then sees to Shane which allows Owens to attack him from behind and hit a pop-up powerbomb for a near fall. Owens shouts abuse at Shane for not counting the three. He the misses with a shoulder charge in the corner and hits the ringpost. AJ locks on the calf crusher but KO breaks it up with an eye gouge. Owens kicks AJ into Shane, knocking McMahon out of the ring.

AJ locks on the calf crusher and Owens taps out but Shane is still on the outside. Styles then gets in Shane’s face and Owens rolls up Styles for a near fall. Owens hits a superplex for a near fall. Styles hits a Styles Clash but remarkably Owens kicks out at 2. Owens hits a pop-up powerbomb and Shane counts the three but then realises AJ had his foot on the bottom rope so waves it off. Owens gets in Shane’s face and AJ nearly wins with a roll up. Styles hits a Pele kick and a phenomenal forearm before nailing the Styles Clash for the three!

Result: AJ Styles wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a really good match. You can’t help but think that is being used to setup a feud between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon. AJ and KO are super talented though and have put on a really good match straight off the back of another really good match. I honestly don’t think AJ has had a bad match in WWE yet.

Rating: 8/10

Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – WWE Championship match

Background: At Battleground, Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison match to retain the WWE Championship with help from The Singh Brothers and the return of The Great Khali. On the following episode of SmackDown, Mahal demanded a new opponent for SummerSlam. John Cena came out, congratulated Mahal, and then challenged him for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam. However, SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan said Cena had to earn his opportunity and scheduled a number one contender’s match between Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura. The following week, Nakamura defeated Cena to become the number one contender for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two men.

Summerslam Record: This is a first Summerslam match for both men.

Match: The crowd are definitely behind Shinsuke in this one. He out-performs Mahal in the early going, having fun with the WWE Champion. A “3MB” chant breaks out to rile up Jinder. Jinder soon takes the advantage and the pace slows down. Thankfully Nakamura starts a comeback and lays in kicks. Not sure there’s a better striker in WWE than Nakamura. Shinsuke locks on a triangle submission but Jinder gets out of it. Jinder avoids Kinshasa and rolls up Shinsuke for a near fall. Mahal motions for the Khallas but Nakamura fights out of the grip. Shinsuke then hits Kinshasa to the back of the head! Nakamura motions for another but Samir Singh gets up on the apron. Nakamura has to fight off both Singh brothers and manages to do so but the distraction is enough for Jinder to hit the Khallas for the three!

Result: Jinder Mahal wins by pinfall.

Review: This match wasn’t too great. Nakamura is entertaining enough but more of Jinder’s offence is ground based submission holds like chinlocks. They’re relenting with this Jinder Mahal title reign but nobody is buying it. I think we’ll get a rematch between these two men but I hope it’s better than this one.

Rating: 3.5/10

Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe – Fatal four way match for the WWE Universal Championship

Background: On the June 19 episode of Raw, Roman Reigns proclaimed himself to be the number one contender for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam. Later that night, Braun Strowman returned and cost Reigns his match against Samoa Joe and challenged Reigns to an ambulance match at Great Balls of Fire. At the event, Strowman defeated Reigns, but Reigns retaliated by locking Strowman in the ambulance and crashing it, severely injuring Strowman, while Brock Lesnar defeated Joe to retain the Universal Championship. The following night on Raw, as Raw General Manager Kurt Angle was about to reveal his plans for Lesnar’s championship match at SummerSlam, Reigns interrupted, wanting the match. Joe then came out, wanting a rematch. Reigns and Joe were then scheduled for a number one contenders match. During the match, Strowman returned and attacked both Reigns and Joe, resulting in a no contest. It was then decided that Lesnar would defend the title against Strowman, Joe, and Reigns in a fatal four-way match at SummerSlam. The following week, Heyman proclaimed that if Lesnar were to lose the Universal Championship at SummerSlam, then he and Lesnar would leave the WWE

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time fatal four way match between these men.

Summerslam Record: Brock Lesnar is 5-2, Roman Reigns is 2-0, Braun Strowman and Samoa Joe make their Summerslam debut tonight.

Match: The bell rings and Lesnar pairs off with Samoa Joe and Strowman with Reigns. It doesn’t take long for Lesnar to hit Joe with a German suplex. Brock hits German suplexes on Joe and Reigns until just Lesnar and Strowman are left standing. Strowman clears the ring of Lesnar and then on the outside Samoa Joe locks a Coquina clutch on Brock before Reigns spears the Universal Champion through a barricade. Strowman then hits a running powerslam on Brock Lesnar through the Spanish announce desk! Strowman launches one of the announcers chairs at Joe and Reigns in a bit of a comedy spot. Strowman then hits another running powerslam on Lesnar through another of the announce desks! Braun tips the third and final table on top of Lesnar causing trainers, referees and agents to come out and see to Lesnar. Paramedics come out and take Lesnar away on a stretcher!

Reigns lays into Braun with the ring steps to take him out of the equation momentarily. Joe locks the coquina clutch on Reigns but Strowman breaks it up and hits a double chokeslam on both men. Strowman is bleeding from his head somewhere. Brock Lesnar then re-emerges from the back and takes down Strowman! Lesnar hits German suplexes on anyone and then locks the kimura on Strowman but Reigns breaks it up with a superman punch. Roman then spears Lesnar but Brock kicks out. Strowman hits a powerslam on Joe and it takes Lesnar to pull the referee out of the ring to keep the match going. Reigns hits a superman punch on Strowman for a near fall but Braun counters a spear with a big boot and then hits a powerslam for a near fall. Braun counters an F5 attempt from Lesnar and Reigns then takes down Braun with a spear. Joe locks the coquina clutch on Lesnar but Brock counters and hits an F5. He hooks the leg but Reigns breaks it up. Reigns looks for as spear on Brock but Lesnar counters and hits an F5 for the three!

Result: Brock Lesnar retains the Universal Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was a big hard-hitting match from four heavyweights. It was a really good main event and it has helped make Strowman a star. Brock Lesnar retains the Universal Championship though and will probably go on to hold it until Wrestlemania. Who his opponent is, is anyones guess. But the main event tonight was a good one.

Rating: 8/10