This Chaos Column is a recap of WWE’s Summer Slam Weekend…
* Alot of people, including myself, endured the mid 90-degree weather and the sun beating down on everyone, making for a very hot weather for Sessions 1 & 3. Once the sea breeze started to kick in, it brought a bit of reflief, but people were still either trying to find a shady spot, shield their head & neck from the sun, and/or drinking plenty of fluids. I spent a good number of cash just on drinks alone over the weekend.
* Summary of my meet & greets during the 3 sessions of Axxess:
Session 1–VIP w/ Sheamus
Photo op w/ Brodus Clay
Autograph signings w/ Alberto Del Rio & Ricardo Rodriguez, then Tensai & Sakamoto. Ricardo, “The Original” Chimaera to us So Cal indie fans, recognized me when I went to the table.
Session 2–VIP w/ Randy Orton
Had my “YES!” sign w/ Daniel Bryan, who added…you guessed it…”NO!”
Photo op w/ Divas Champion Layla & Kaitlyn
Session 3–VIP w/ CM Punk
Autograph signings w/ Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero, then Alicia Fox, and finally Natalya.
* Full summary of matches held during the 3 sessions of Axxess:
Primetime Players def. The Usos when Darren Young pinned one of the Usos w/ a Gutbuster
Brodus Clay “2-shotted” Johnny Curtis w/ what I believe was the “Funk U”, followed by the Running Splash. Then he & his Funkadactyls tried to get everyone around the ring to do the Funkasaurus dance.
Alex Riley def. Jinder Mahal (didn’t see this one because I was too busy trying to get the photo op w/ Layla & Kaitlyn)
Tamina Snuka p. Aksana w/ the Superfly Snuka Splash
Michael McGillicutty p. Heath Slater w/ what looked like a Spinning Neckbreaker. McGillicutty tried to mock Heath after the bell, but at the finisher of the “One….Man….Band….Baby!”
The PPV at Staples Center
Antonio Cesaro (w/ Aksana) p. Santino Marella w/ a Tombstone Hold into a Facebreaker to win the US Championship
Good mix of comedy & wrestling action. I look forward to seeing how well & how far the former PWG World Champion (as Claudio Castagnoli) will go w/ his newly won title. GGGRRREEEEAAAATTTNESS! HHHHEEEEEYYYYY!
Shot of the Night - WWE's Summer Slam - 08-19-12
Chris Jericho making Dolph Ziggler (w/ Vickie Guerrero) tapout to the Walls of Jericho
Excellent opener that set the tone of the entire PPV. The crowd was definitely into this one, and while Ziggy may’ve come short, I do believe he will have a high-quality World title run, as soon as he gets the green light to cash in his MitB.
Daniel Bryan (or Bryan Danielson) p. Kane w/ a rollup to counter the 2nd Chokeslam attempt
Probably the biggest surprise of them all in my opinion, but still a great match, and if Kane’s backstage fury is any indication, their feud is just starting, and I wouldn’t be surprised if these two go at it again at Night of Champions.
The Miz p. Rey Mysterio w/ the SCF to remain Intercontinental Champion
Another strong match from the two of them, and I think The Miz will have a high-quality run w/ the title.
Sheamus p. Alberto Del Rio (w/ Ricardo Rodriguez–f.k.a. “The Original” Chimaera) w/ the Backbreaker to the knee to remain the World Heavyweight Champion, after Ricardo’s thrown shoe found Sheamus’ hand to whack ADR behind the back of Referee Mike Chioda
Great title match here. It’ll be interesting to see if Ricardo’s wayward shoe throw will bring some repercussions. I think these two will go at it again at Night of Champions.
“Boom Truth” (Kofi Kingston & R-Truth) def. The Primetime Players (Darren Young & Titus O’Neil) to remain the Tag Team Champions, when R-Truth p. Darren Young with what I believe was the “Truth & Consequences”
It may’ve been the weakest match of the card to me, but it was still a great match. Maybe if Abraham Washington wasn’t released due to his recent racial remarks, maybe the outcome here would’ve been different. Still, Darren Young & Titus O’Neil were impressive enough, and I think will get their rematch at Night of Champions.
CM Punk def. John Cena & The Big Show in the Triple Threat Match to remain the WWE Champion, pinning Show after he ate Cena’s Attitude Adjustment
Great match, even after Raw GM AJ Lee ordered a restart after the double-submission by Punk & Cena on Show, and the pinning of The Big Show was predictable enough. To me, this was the most sentimental victory, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Punk/Cena IV at Night of Champions.
Brock Lesnar “breaking Triple H’s arm” w/ the Kimura Lock
Great main event. The win should bring some possible options for storylines for the fall season, and I’m sure there are plenty of MMA fans who are pleased w/ the outcome. My narrow choice for “Match of the PPV”.
In all, a very strong card overall. The sellout crowd brought a great deal of energy to the PPV, and plenty of them–including myself–bought tickets for the 1/18/13 Raw House Show, right back at Staples Center–an announcement that came during the pre-show. The Kevin Rudolf segment provided a great bathroom break to allow the fans to get some refreshments, or use the restrooms. Personally, I’m not sure why the fans didn’t really take in to the theme song for the PPV, but at least the segment allowed for the use of the Divas, including the Funkadactyls. From the reaction to Cesaro’s title clinching victory, & Daniel Bryan in action, there were plenty of indie wrestling fans out there, if not PWG fans.
You can view more photos from my weekend clicking here.