WWE PPV Review: Summerslam 2012

Here are my thoughts on last night's show:




The pre-show US title match between Santino Marella and Antonio Cesaro was nothing special....well....other than the fact that Cesaro is now you new United States Champion!!!!!! Yes!!!!  Thank the.....um...McMahon!!!  Seriously, Santino was damn near 170 days with the gold.  That's respectable enough a reward for the guy in my opinion.  Very, very pleased with this.


Winner and NEW United States Champion: Antonio Cesaro
Predictions 1 for 1

Match 1: Dolph Ziggler w/Vickie Guerrero vs. Chris Jericho

This was a very, very good match.  Lots of great bumping and selling by Ziggler, as you'd expect things to be.  That being said, it wasn't the five star classic I was expecting.  That's OK.  These two are just beginning to feel each other out and if this is the kind of action we're to expect in (hopefully) future matches, than count me in.  A fantastic choice for an opener that warmed the crowd up and was a nice showcase for Ziggler as a main event talent.  Jericho has now won the big one, and even though Dolph lost, just the simple fact that he is considered a "big one", gives him a rub here.  Definitely the best match of the night.  Good work.


Winner: Chris Jericho
Predictions 1 for 2

Match Rating: ****

Y2J was more than happy to serve Ziggler his first taste of humble pie

Match 2: Daniel Bryan vs. Kane

Daniel Bryan again proves why he is slowly becoming the MVP of the WWE with his work here against the Big Red Machine.  And although this was not either man's best work, it was still a good match with some solid big man vs little man storytelling.  The most compelling part of the action however, came post match.  Kane went on a warpath backstage and unfortunately for Josh Matthews (who has a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time), he was standing right in the middle of the tracks when Kane's pain train came running through.  AJ is obviously going to punish Kane for this and hopefully that means she's done punishing Bryan and he can go on to bigger and better things.


Winner: Daniel Bryan
Predictions 2 for 3

Match Rating: ***1/4

Goats...I HATE...Goats...

Match 3:: Intercontinental Championship match: The Miz(c) vs. Rey Mysterio

I thoroughly enjoyed this match.  I thought that it was even better than the great match they had last year and that it was a fine showing for The Miz as a credible IC champion.  His work rate since returning has been worthy of the belt and Rey as usual, was no slouch either.  The two counts were very well placed and they again used that cool rope assisted Batista Bomb spot which I popped huge for.  On a side note, I know the cape was a bit much, but I really dug Mysterio's Batman attire.  Still, this was the Joker's night and The Awesome One's reign continues.


Winner and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
Predictions 3 for 4

Match Rating: ***3/4

Apparently, Rey's Batman Voice does not induce as much "fear" as Christian Bale's

Match 4:: World Heavyweight Championship match: Sheamus(c) vs. Alberto Del Rio w/Ricardo Rodriguez

Ol' Lobster Head does it again!  I  think it's safe to say that Del Rio does not provide a formidable challenge to Sheamus, but in all fairness, no one does at this point.  Not even Cena is as unstoppable as the Great White in 2012.  I will say that I found this match to be far better than their match at Money In The Bank.  As per usual with Sheamus matches, this one was as physical as it gets and the finishing sequence was brilliantly constructed.  Ricardo Rodriguez tosses a shoe to Alberto, who lets it slip through his fingers, only to have Sheamus catch it and whack Del Rio across the forehead.  This could have went very badly, but it was arguably, the most smooth sequence in the entire match.  I think it's safe to assume this feud will continue on to Night Of Champions, since Del Rio's foot was under the ropes and he only lost due to a bad referee decision.  I wasn't really on board prior to this match, but I'm actually intrigued at the possibility of a third title bout between these two.  I think that says it all.  Good work.


Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Sheamus
Predictions 4 for 5

Match Rating: ***3/4

Not even Alberto's feared titty twister was enough to stop Sheamus' brute force

Match 5:: WWE Tag Team Championship match: Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. The Primetime Players

This was as solid a match as it could of been given the talent involved.  It did not do much to further the division as a whole, but it was good for what it was.  I'm still sour that the PP's lost and I do feel as if Kofi and R-Truth could be better utilized as solo competitors and they don't really bring too much to the table as a team other than their combined fan base.  I would much rather Kofi feud with The Miz or Antonio Cesaro for a secondary title and leave the tag belts on a more fitting team.  No problems with the match itself, but the result spoils things.


Winners and STILL Tag Team Champions: Kofi Kingston and R-Truth
Predictions 4 for 6

Match Rating: ***

Ever the innovator, O'neil introduces Kofi to his new maneuver...the foot stomp, but it wasn't enough to keep Kofi down for the three count

Match 6:: WWE Championship Match: CM Punk(c) vs. John Cena vs. Big Show

There are no words to describe how awesome CM Punk's Bret Hart themed attire was tonight.  Hart even took to twitter to give his thoughts on the tribute:


“@CMPunk Much respect to you.”

To which Punk replied,

“Just following your lead.”


I second that because seriously, I had to do a couple of double takes to make sure the Hitman hadn't come back to reclaim his Summerslam crown.  How fitting for Punk, given his amazing performance as WWE Champion and brilliant work rate.  Speaking of work rate, there was some fine wrestling in this match and I really enjoyed the odd chemistry between all three men.  Sure, this isn't the most memorable title match Punk's had, but that only speaks volumes of just how great his reign has been.  I thought the double tap out spot with both Cena and Punk laying their signature submissions on Big Show at once, was a highlight.  The match was of course restarted and Punk was able to steal one after Cena hit Big Show with the Attitude Adjustment.  I thought this was a fun match better than I thought it was going to be.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: CM Punk
Predictions 5 for 7

Match Rating: ***1/4

Shown: The ST-Vice aka the most awesome spot of the night

It's now time for our

MAIN EVENT

"Here comes the pain...."

Match 7: Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar w/Paul Heyman

Holy shit, this was brutal!  Top to bottom, this was as intense as a match can get in the WWE and I thought it lived up to the hype.  Their chemistry wasn't as good as Cena/Lesnar, but the story here was the safety net.  I know some people wanted faster pacing and more action, but that would have hurt the magnificent story they've built up here.  This was Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman breaking a man's spirit.  It was almost too hard to watch Hunter battle for his friends and family and still lose.  That said, Triple H showed the same heart he infamously brought in his battle with The Undertaker at Wrestlemania and it made for one hell of a spectacle for me.  The slightly dead crowd did hurt things at times, but not too severely.  Either way, I gotta tip my hat to Lesnar, he does bring a hell of a lot of legitimacy and realism to his matches and anyone who stands across the ring from him, is going to have to be one tough SOB.  A very memorable closer and that's 2 for 2 for solid Lesnar matches since his return.  Post match, Triple H teared up as he waved goodbye to the WWE Universe.  If this is his last match, it's not a bad way to go, but I'm sure we'll be seeing him again.  He's got a couple left in the tank.  I'm sure of it.


Winner: Brock Lesnar
Predictions 6 for 8

Match Rating: ***

Welcome back, Brock

Final Thoughts


Even thought there weren't too many stellar matches, it was a very good show from top to bottom.  For the most part, the big matches delivered and the rest of the card had absolutely no filler, which is a rare gem in the WWE nowadays.  The backstage promos were even masterfully crafted and only served to further the immense hype each of the matches had already.  There were no five star matches, but plenty of noteworthy bouts with a lot of variety and memorable moments (that God-awful Kevin Rudolf concert aside).  This was easily one of the better overall PPV cards the WWE has given us in 2012.  Another winning show.  Bravo.


Overall PPV Score: 7.5/10




PPV Awards


Match of the Night: Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Jericho
Performer of the Night: Dolph Ziggler
Moment of the Night: The double submission on Big Show by CM Punk & John Cena
Segment of the Night: Paul Heyman's backstage promo
Surprise of the Night:  Nothing worth noting here