WWE
SummerSlam 2018 Results and Final Grades
“The biggest party of the summer” was one for the ages. SummerSlam is the second most anticipated pay-per-view out of the “Big 4” and has split fans down the middle as to how entertaining of a card it really was.
Andrade Almas & Zelina Vega def. Rusev and Lana via pinfall (Kickoff Show)
Final Grade: C
This was the first pre-show match for SummerSlam. It was clear from the start that Lana isn’t a very well-trained wrestler. The finish came when Vega rolled Lana up from behind and used the ropes for extra leverage. Nothing special, not an awful match, so a solid C fits.
(Cruiserweight Championship) Cedric Alexander def. Drew Gulak via pinfall to retain (Kickoff Show)
Final Grade: B
The pace started off slow before becoming a traditional 205 Live match. Alexander’s high-flying style meshed well with Gulak’s submission-based wrestling. Alexander hit a picture perfect Tope Con Hilo. Gulak locked in a Dragon Sleeper while Alexander was caught in the ropes. Alexander picked up the win after reversing Gulak’s roll-up into one of his own.
(RAW Tag Team Championship) The B-Team def. The Revival via pinfall to retain (Kickoff Show)
Final Grade: D+
This felt like any other Monday Night RAW tag match. The Revival hit a Shatter Machine in the opening seconds. A repetitive offense from both teams made the match feel longer than it was. The finish came when Bo Dallas tripped over Scott Dawson and rolled him over for Curtis Axel to steal the win.
(Intercontinental Championship) Seth Rollins def. Dolph Ziggler via pinfall to win the title
Final Grade: B+
After lengthy rest holds, the match did pick up its pace and became the spectacle it deserved to be. Rollins hit a reverse superplex that rolled into a reverse Falcon Arrow. Ziggler’s ZigZag only got him a two count. Ambrose hit Drew McIntyre with his signature Dirty Deeds. Rollins then hit Ziggler with The Curb Stomp and pinned him to win the championship.
Dean Ambrose, oddly enough, did not turn heel. Yet.
(SmackDown Tag Team Championship) The New Day def. The Bludgeon Brothers via disqualification
Final Grade: C
The New Day’s charismatic, high-octane offense against the powerful Bludgeon Brothers collided greatly. Big E scooped Harper up for the Midnight Hour, but Rowan knocked Xavier Woods off the top rope with his mallet, resulting in a disqualification. Disappointing ending to a decent match. Would’ve gotten a higher grade if it weren’t for the ending.
(Money in the Bank briefcase) Braun Strowman def. Kevin Owens via pinfall to retain
Final Grade: C-
Owens dawned a brand new “KO in the Bank” t-shirt. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough to survive the “Monster Among Men.” The match was a drawn out squash that was entertaining at times but could’ve been moved to the pre-show.
(SmackDown Women’s Championship) Charlotte Flair def. Becky Lynch and Carmella via pinfall over Lynch to win the title
Final Grade: A
Quite possibly match of the night. The main story here was if Charlotte and Becky could coexist after the dust had settled and a winner was determined. No, turns out they couldn’t. Each of the three women showed fire and determination to win the match. Becky showed a more aggressive side by locking on the Dis-Arm-Her several times on Carmella. Charlotte pulled out her insane corkscrew moonsault to the outside. Carmella did a lot of trash talking and looked to have the match won after a superkick to Becky. But, in the end, Charlotte Flair won via pinfall. After the match, Lynch and Flair shared a hug in the middle of the ring.
When it seemed their friendship survived the night, Lynch struck Flair with a hard right. The crowd went absolutely wild. Lynch proceeded to throw Flair out of the ring, into the barricade, then over the announce table. The final shot showed Lynch storming to the back among a “Yes” chant, while Flair wept behind the announce table.
(WWE Championship) Samoa Joe def. AJ Styles via disqualification
Final Grade: B+
Samoa Joe and AJ Styles had the best male match of the night without a doubt. Back and forth offense. Joe trying to tire AJ with several holds and submissions. Styles with his fast-paced punches and kicks. The ending came when both men, bloodied and exhausted, were on the outside. Joe told Styles’ wife and daughter, who were in the crowd, that he’d “be their new daddy.” Styles proceeded to beat Joe with a chair until officials pulled it away from him. Styles left through the crowd with his wife and daughter afterwards.
The Miz def. Daniel Bryan via pinfall
Final Grade: C-
The match wasn’t overly-exciting. The build was more entertaining than the match. The end came when Miz hit Bryan with a pair of brass knuckles when he attempted a suicide dive. All in all, very disappointing for a match that would’ve stolen the show.
Finn Balor def. Constable Baron Corbin via pinfall
Final Grade: C+
Another squash match, but at least the Demon came back.
(United States Championship) Shinsuke Nakamura def. Jeff Hardy via pinfall to retain
Final Grade: D+
Hardy missed a Swanton Bomb and landed on the apron. Nakamura hit the Kinsasha for the win. Orton seemed to approach the ring to attack Hardy, but he left before anything happened.
(RAW Women’s Championship) Ronda Rousey def. Alexa Bliss via submission to win the title
Final Grade: B+
Another squash match. Emotional title win for Ronda as she celebrated with her husband and Natalya. The Bellas ruined the celebration when they got in the ring and hugged Ronda. Let’s hope Nikki is far away from Evolution come October, if rumors for their match is true.
(Universal Championship) Roman Reigns def. Brock Lesnar via pinfall to win the title
Final Grade: D+
A fifth squash match to end the night. Braun challenged the winner of the match, but he was taken out of commission by several F5s and chair shots from Lesnar. Roman sealed the deal with a spear and a 1-2-3 to win his first Universal championship.
Overall SummerSlam Grade: C-
What was with the squash matches? The main roster officials should look to NXT to tailor upcoming pay-per-views. This should be an A-show, being one of the “Big 4.”
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