This CHAOS COLUMN is a recap of WWE’s SummerSlam at Staples Center
The capacity crowd brought a great deal of energy to this year’s edition, something that I haven’t seen since 2010. Other than Daniel Bryan, I felt the three Superstars that got the biggest pop in this PPV were: CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio, & RVD. Personally, I was hoping The Miz gave Fandango the Skull Crushing Finale, instead of a rather simple shot to the face. That would’ve been…..AWESOME!
* On RVD getting the DQ-win over U.S. Champion Dean Ambrose in the pre-show: It looks like The Shield are getting plenty of respect, given the pop they received even as heels. Plenty of “Vintage RVD” in this match, and I think he put Dean over as a legitimate WWE Superstar in what was a 5-star match for me.
* On Bray Wyatt p. Kane with the “Sister Theresa”(?) in the Ring of Fire match (a.k.a. Inferno Match): I think the Wyatts are for real now, after this historic win in their PPV debut. The match had some fantastic storytelling, and I look forward to seeing where they go with the Wyatts. “Follow the buzzards…don’t stray.”
* On Cody Rhodes p. Damien Sandow with the CrossRhodes: I didn’t realize until I noticed it on the HD Titantron that Cody had shaved his moustache. This was a strong match, even if it didn’t warrant a “bathroom/refreshment break”. I hope they continue the feud for as long as they can, no matter when Sandow is given the green-light to cash in his own MitB contract and win the WHC.
* On Alberto Del Rio making Christian tapout to the Cross Armbreaker to successfully defend the World Heavyweight Championship: This one was a 5-star match to me. Face or heel, ADR is just so over with the Latino crowd here in So Cal, I just hope he doesn’t do anything stupid if Rey Mysterio happens to be hosting the Saturday House Show in San Diego.
* On Natalya making Brie Bella tapout to the Sharpshooter: A short “bathroom/refreshment break” match, at best. Still, I felt most of the “Total Divas” cast gave it a good show, especially the Funkadactyls (Naomi & Cameron) in their high-heeled boots to cancel out Nikki Bella & Eva Marie.
* On Brock Lesnar p. CM Punk with the F5 to the chair in their No-DQ match: These two almost stole the show with their own 5-star match. If there is one silver lining with the outcome, at least CM Punk put Paul Heyman in the Anaconda Vise, and he didn’t get his “arm broken” like Triple H did last year.
* On Dolph Ziggler & Kaitlyn beating Big E Langston & Divas Champion AJ Lee when Ziggy p. Big E with the Zig Zag: I was scrambling a bit to get a refill on my WWE Souvenir Beverage Cup after the previous match. Apparently, I did catch most of it to see all four of them in action. Sooner or later, though, they have to consider ending the AJ/Kaitlyn feud–preferably at Night of Champions, and get other Divas in the title picture. And now that NXT Divas Champion Paige is 21, perhaps it’s time she moves up to the main roster later this fall.
* On Daniel Bryan p. John Cena with the Shining Wizard to briefly hold the WWE Championship, before being screwed over by Triple H & Randy Orton cashing in his MitB contract to win the title: If this was the angle for Randy Orton’s anticipated heel turn, then mission accomplished. To me, the Cena/DBry match was 5-star, and match of the night IMHO, and I did like the sportsmanship they showed after the approx. 35-min main event. For that brief moment in time, the whole place erupted in a sea of “YES! YES! YES!”.
Shot of the Night – WWE Summerslam – 08-18-13
* Overall, this was, to me, the best SummerSlam Los Angeles card of the last 5 to date, and the best one since 2010. Personally, I have no complaints about Orton cashing in on Daniel Bryan’s expense, I was just hoping that they didn’t do it at the PPV. It was great to see WWE bring the NXT talents–especially Adrian Neville (PAC) & Sami Zayn (El Generico)–to L.A. to perform at Axxess, so I’m not complaining about getting only The Miz on the first Saturday session, along with Daniel Bryan & The Shield. Add that to the Wrestling Cares show on Saturday Night, and it was one fun wrestling weekend.
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