WWE SUMMERSLAM 2024
AUGUST 3, 2024
CLEVELAND BROWNS STADIUM
CLEVELAND, OHIO
Watch: Peacock/WWE Community (Non-US)
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MEET YOUR REVIEWERS:
Go well with Williams: You possibly can learn Go well with’s long-form previews and opinions of wrestling from world wide right here at Voices of Wrestling. You can even discover his weekly opinions of AEW Collision over at F4WOnline. Try his brand-new wrestling weblog Williams Watches Wrestling, the place he’ll have interaction in watch initiatives and overview requests. Observe Go well with on all social media platforms @SuitWilliams.
Sean Sedor: After recovering from his second spherical of COVID, Sean has spent his Saturday watching A LOT of wrestling. Night time 9 of the G1 Climax (look out for his overview on the location quickly!), two hours of AEW Collision, and now WWE’s SummerSlam PPV. Yow will discover Sean on Twitter @SASedor2994 (he refuses to name it X) AND on Bluesky (@sasedor2994.bsky.social). When you’re keen on a few of his different escapades, you’ll be able to watch him play the System 1 video games on YouTube (simply search his identify), and you may as well go to the Be The Booker boards in the event you’d like to take a look at his EWR Diary, the place he performs as WCW (began in 1998, at the moment in January of 2003).
WWE WOMEN’S WORLD TITLE MATCH
LIV MORGAN (C) DEF. RHEA RIPLEY (W/ DOMINIK MYSTERIO)
Go well with: Oh no, I missed one other Triple H look and a efficiency by “Jelly Roll.” I’ll discover a solution to survive.
This felt like these two had a ten-minute match in thoughts, then obtained advised on the curtain that they’d twenty minutes to fill. We obtained a bunch of stalling earlier than they obtained began, with Liv doing her greatest Larry Zbyszko impression – look it up, youngsters. Then Rhea kicked her ass till Liv threw her into the nook and “dislocated” Rhea’s shoulder.
Rhea fought one-armed till she slammed her arm into the announce desk to place her shoulder again in place – which is preposterous, even by professional wrestling requirements. Then she Mami’d up and kicked Liv’s ass once more earlier than they ran the shoulder spot once more. A chair obtained concerned and Dom “unintentionally” set it up for Liv to hit her end on it for the win. Then Dom made out with Liv, which everybody within the constructing noticed coming aside from the dopey announcers. This couldn’t be any much less For Me. I don’t care about any of those folks, and I don’t care about “Mami” getting her revenge on these two schmucks. The gang didn’t appear to care both till Dom obtained concerned. This sucked. *
Sean: Nicely, after a Triple H look and a stay, in-ring efficiency by Jelly Roll, we’re lastly getting began with our first match. Dominik Mysterio is out at ringside with Rhea Ripley, so proper out of the gate, I’m already considering that we’re getting some form of involvement from him earlier than that is throughout. Morgan saved avoiding Ripley for the primary minute or so, however as soon as Ripley obtained her palms on Morgan, she was absolutely in management. After a Riptide into the nook, Morgan averted one within the heart of the ring, and despatched Rhea shoulder-first into the turnbuckle. This arrange a Liv Morgan management interval as she labored over Rhea’s shoulder, however Rhea popped it again into place after slamming her shoulder into the announce desk in what was a fairly ridiculous spot.
After some first rate back-and-forth between the 2, Liv obtained a chair and tried to get herself disqualified, however Rhea stopped her and tried to make use of the chair herself, proper in full view of the referee. Rightly so, Dominik took the chair from her and talked sense into her, however this led to a nearfall off an Oblivion that obtained a HUGE response. Then, Dom slid the chair into the ring and distracted the referee whereas Liv gave Rhea an Oblivion on the chair to attain the pin and retain her title. Dom then kissed Liv within the entranceway because the flip all of us knew was coming was full. I do not know what to make of this match. The stuff with Rhea making an attempt to get her shoulder again in place by simply….slamming it into stuff was absurd. The precise wrestling itself was….completely superb, however every little thing within the closing moments and the aftermath completely labored for the followers within the constructing (particularly that vast response off the primary Oblivion), so every little thing went as meant so far as WWE is worried. That doesn’t imply it labored for me although, because it’s definitely not a storyline that I’m into very a lot. I’m not into “Mami” or “Liv’s lastly on prime” or Soiled Dom or any of it. **1/2
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH
BRON BREAKKER DEF. SAMI ZAYN (C)
Go well with: I requested this query within the preview, and I’ll ask it once more. They didn’t have anyone else Sami Zayn may beat final month? They needed to beat Bron final month? I’m unsure it damage him all that a lot, as a result of wins and losses don’t actually matter on this firm until you’re somebody that really issues. Nevertheless it couldn’t have helped him to commerce these wins in the event you’re really making an attempt to provide the man a giant push.
The match was higher than the Cash within the Financial institution match, though like most Breakker matches, it topped out at superb. It’s a greater spotlight reel than an precise match, with Zayn avoiding a spear initially of the match and Bron’s shoulder holding him up. It didn’t maintain him up a lot, as he beat Zayn in 5 minutes with the Frankensteiner and two spears. Completely acceptable professional wrestling. **1/2
Sean: Breakker went for a spear proper out of the gate, however Zayn averted it, sending Breakker straight into the publish. After a dive to the ground, Zayn tried for a Helluva Kick, however Breaker managed to keep away from that, so we’ve had two finishers averted early on. Over the following couple of minutes, Breakker would bust out the Frankensteiner, and Zayn would reply by counting a bulldog try with a Blue Thunder Bomb. He then hit his exploder suplex into the nook and went for the Helluva Kick once more, however Breakker hit the spear, after which related with a second one to seize the Intercontinental Title. This undoubtedly felt shorter than their earlier match at Cash In The Financial institution, and whereas I’d name it a very good match, it didn’t go away that a lot of an impression on me. I felt the shorter size was a constructive, however once more, this isn’t a match that may have any lasting impression on me by any means. Breakker wins the title, and we transfer on. ***
WWE UNITED STATES TITLE MATCH
LA KNIGHT DEF. LOGAN PAUL (C) (W/ MACHINE GUN KELLY)
Go well with: Logan Paul got here out with Machine Gun Kelly, a person who obtained publicly bullied out of hip-hop by a washed Eminem. This match was superb, as each Knight and Paul are acceptable professional wrestlers. For Paul, it’s a praise in his quick profession. For Knight, it’s extra of an indictment. Both method, they’d a superb sufficient match for the spot on the cardboard. Paul showcased extra of his athleticism right here with an El Phantasmo-esque springboard moonsault. Paul tried to cheat with the brass knucks, however Knight got here again with the BFT to win the title. And even in dropping, Paul reveals his skilled instincts by ensuring his foot was underneath the rope for an out. **1/2
Sean: Logan Paul has definitely….caught consideration in the previous couple of days for being an uninformed dumbass on social media (however what else is new). Machine Gun Kelly got here out with Logan Paul, whereas LA Knight smashed….precisely one window on Paul’s PRIME truck. Alright then. Paul went after Knight instantly, and so they brawled on the ground for a couple of minutes earlier than the match even obtained began. The brawling on the surface culminated with Knight delivering an enormous neckbreaker on the announce desk.
As soon as the match formally obtained began, LA Knight had the early benefit till Logan Paul gained management. We obtained some generic back-and-forth exchanges for a couple of minutes, however then the match obtained taken up a notch after Paul hit an insane springboard moonsault to the ground (borrowing from his lengthy misplaced relative El Phantasmo), which was adopted by a MASSIVE superplex from LA Knight that was almost a brainbuster. We then obtained shenanigans on the ground the place Knight went after Paul’s goons, and that arrange Machine Gun Kelly passing brass knuckles to Paul. He used them, however Knight didn’t go down. A buckshot lariat was then countered right into a BFT, and Knight pinned Paul to win america Title. A reasonably enjoyable match on what has been a superb version of Saturday Night time RAW to this point. Most likely would’ve been somewhat higher with out a few of the silliness close to the end (which did damage it somewhat bit for me), however it’s WWE. The silliness comes with the territory. They have been by no means going to place the true World Title or the pretend World Title on LA Knight (regardless of his recognition), so I suppose it is a good comfort prize. ***1/4
WWE WOMEN’S TITLE MATCH
NIA JAX DEF. BAYLEY (C)
Go well with: We’re nonetheless doing Nia Jax, huh? The winner of this match ought to get their outdated music again. This match was an absolute snoozer for 90% of it, till Bayley caught Jax with a powerbomb to the largest – and solely – pop of the match to this point. Bayley obtained a nearfall with an elbow drop earlier than Tiffany Stratton got here out to money in. Bayley bumped her, however that allowed Jax to get a flurry of massive pictures in earlier than profitable with two Annihilators for the win. That they had a very good Bayley nearfall and a very good end for Nia, damaged up by the ineffective cash-in tease and preceded by an absolute snoozer. *1/2
Sean: Man, these two have horrible entrance themes, don’t they? I didn’t have excessive hopes for this one, and the early portion of this bout with Nia Jax in management did nothing to vary these preliminary emotions. At one level, Nia tried for a second rope leg drop, and Bayley related along with her Bayley-To-Stomach for a nearfall. Nia would then efficiently hit The Annihilator, however Bayley kicked out at two. She saved beating up Bayley till a second Annihilator try was countered with a powerbomb (which did look fairly spectacular). Tiffany Stratton then tried to money in her Cash In The Financial institution contract, however this proved to be only a distraction so Nia Jax may regain management of the match. A sequence of powerbombs and two Annihilators later, and Nia Jax is the brand new WWE Girls’s Champion. This match stunk. Plain and easy. Nia Jax has by no means been good, and whereas Bayley remains to be able to having stable matches with the appropriate opponent (see the match with Iyo Sky at WrestleMania, which was fairly good), this was not a very good night time for her. Simply an abysmal affair from begin to end. *
SINGLES MATCH (SPECIAL REFEREE: SETH ROLLINS)
DREW MCINTYRE DEF. CM PUNK
Go well with: CM Punk doesn’t work on this firm. All the nice work he has achieved in constructing this feud up was virtually totally undone by this terribly formatted match, the place Punk allowed a fucking friendship bracelet to value him a match on this blood feud. The gang was extra keen on singing Rollins’ tune and chanting for tables than they have been targeted on the work, which was first rate within the uncommon occasions it wasn’t targeted on Rollins.
However this isn’t the promotion the place Punk’s strengths shine by way of. As an alternative of getting a targeted, intense, heated, bloody brawl with the person he hates, Punk needed to lie down as McIntyre shouted the story at Rollins so WWE may make sure that they obtained the story throughout to the fanbase they suppose so little of. As an alternative of Punk and McIntyre having the match they may have had, they needed to get the STORY throughout to everybody’s detriment. Punk having McIntyre on his shoulders for the GTS, then placing him down as a result of Rollins put his silly little bracelet on made me curse on the TV.
Punk is to this point above this kindergarten firm, however as a result of he’s who he’s, he’s burned his bridges and is caught right here. It’s a waste of the twilight of an unimaginable wrestler’s profession and a waste of everybody’s time. I want he simply went dwelling after the Samoa Joe match in Wembley final yr as a result of this match confirmed me that there’s no rising above this shitty firm’s home type, even for an all-time nice like Punk. McIntyre gained with the Claymore. *
Sean: As anticipated, Seth Rollins is sporting a fully absurd referee outfit. The gang was fairly scorching for the beginning of what was simply probably the most anticipated match for the night time. They went after one another immediately, and we obtained spots early on the place each had transient confrontations with Rollins. Punk was in management early as we obtained a quick We Need Tables chant. Drew then took management on the ground because the followers have been singing Seth’s tune. Again within the ring, Drew continued to beat down Punk as Rollins was egging him on somewhat bit.
Drew introduced a chair within the ring and advised Rollins to let him use it, and it appeared that he would, however Rollins took the chair away. We then obtained our compulsory SummerSlam 1997 reference (solely this time, the chair shot from the particular visitor referee didn’t join) earlier than Punk went on the offensive. Punk then took the bracelet again that Drew stole from him whereas he had Drew within the Anaconda Vice, however this left him broad open for a Claymore. The bracelet got here into play once more when Punk dropped Seth out of a GTS try as a result of Seth picked it up. Punk ultimately gave Seth a GTS in response, however this allowed Drew to hit a low blow and the Claymore earlier than getting the pin after Rollins recovered.
I suppose the one constructive is that Punk didn’t get injured once more, so his physique held up. Outdoors of that, we had months and months of buildup for this CM Punk/Drew McIntyre match, to the purpose that you may’ve argued that this was a feud of the yr contender earlier than they even wrestled one another. Then we obtained….no matter this was. A “match” that was completely stuffed to the brim with trademark WWE “storytelling”. Punk was so obsessive about this silly fucking bracelet (you understand your spouse can at all times make you one other one?) that it precipitated him to throw all sense and logic completely out the window. Mix that with a ridiculous character like Seth Rollins because the referee, and also you had a “match” that was a bunch of mini-segments and promos with wrestling strikes combined in between. WWE had one thing with this feud, and so they overbooked the hell out of this primary encounter. I hope Punk enjoys being again within the sports activities leisure firm once more! What a whole and utter disappointment. DUD
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
GUNTHER DEF. DAMIAN PRIEST (C)
Go well with: These two have been making an attempt to do the matches that Gunther has achieved with Ilja Dragunov and Drew McIntyre and Sheamus, the place they beat the hell out of one another for twenty minutes to get the group alive. The issue is that I’ve watched these males, and I’ve beloved these matches. And Damian Priest is not any Ilja Dragunov or Drew McIntyre or Sheamus. He’s simply not that degree of employee, and he doesn’t encourage that degree of crowd funding. So as an alternative of this being an amazing match, it was simply superb.
We then obtained our interference spot, which was in each match besides the IC Title match. Finn Balor got here out pretending to root on Priest, then put Gunther’s foot on the rope on a nearfall earlier than doing his heel flip sneer for 3 minutes because the match paused so the MOMENT may sink in. Gunther choked him out to win the match and the title, which wasn’t as vital as Finn Balor turning heel…regardless that he was already a heel? I want this present to finish. **1/4
Sean: Priest went proper after Gunther to get this one began, however Gunther was in a position to acquire the benefit after sending him into the publish and dropping him on the apron. As soon as again within the ring, we obtained some good back-and-forth exchanges between the 2. Priest managed to hit a Falcon Arrow and delivered some onerous chops of his personal that really managed to bust open Gunther’s chest. Sadly, a very good chunk of the group was distracted as a result of WWE turned off one of many large screens within the stadium, so we obtained some loud “We are able to’t see!” chants, after which loud cheers after they did flip the large display again on. Gunther delivered a ton of punishment to Priest within the type of powerbombs, lariats, and chops, however Priest remained defiant.
Finn Balor then got here out to attempt to hearth Priest up, and very similar to within the opener with Dominik, alarms began going off in my head. Ultimately, Priest did hearth up and began to make a comeback. He hit the Razor’s Edge and the South Of Heaven chokeslam….however Finn Balor put Gunther’s foot on the rope. As Priest turned enraged at Balor (who had a silly scowl on his face), Gunther locked within the sleeper. Priest fought out of it, however then ate a powerbomb earlier than the sleeper obtained locked again in. Priest handed out, and that was it. Gunther wins the WWE World Heavyweight Title in what was simply the match of the night time (although that’s not precisely excessive reward given the standard of the present up so far). The precise wrestling on this match was actually good, which wasn’t a lot of a shock. By way of the end, I assumed this was the least offensive of the trademark WWE “storytelling” we’ve gotten tonight, and I would even be happy with it if it was solely end like this we obtained on this present. Sadly, each match has been stuffed with nonsense, so it’s not as efficient on this case. I suppose they’ve formally accomplished this section of the Judgment Day storyline with each Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest getting turned on by Dominik and Finn Balor respectively. Once more, I assumed the match itself was fairly stable, however mired by the identical stuff that’s mired a lot of the matches on this present. ***1/2
WWE TITLE – BLOODLINE RULES MATCH
CODY RHODES (C) DEF. SOLO SIKOA
Go well with: We Need Roman chants on the bell to substantiate what I stated within the preview, that the draw for the primary occasion of SummerSlam was for another man to run in. It’s not like this firm hasn’t achieved this earlier than, as my thoughts turns again to Triple H vs. The Rock at Backlash 2000, which noticed Steve Austin’s first look post-getting hit by a automotive. However the crowd was purple scorching for that match, as they cared about The Rock profitable and Triple H dropping.
Nobody cared about something that occurred right here, nor ought to they’ve. The corporate advised them that the match wouldn’t finish till the Royal Rumble conga line of interference began. It was unhealthy when WCW did it, and followers have been trying on the entrance stage when Nitro major occasions began. Nevertheless it’s good now as a result of the nice firm is doing it. And let’s be clear, Solo and Cody weren’t precisely Shawn and Taker on the market. This was boring, house-show-level heel work from Solo that Cody may solely accomplish that a lot with.
After quarter-hour, Cody hit the Cross Rhodes, which was your sign that the bullshit was commencing quickly. And on cue, Guerrillas of Future entered this match at #3 & #4. PERFECTLY LEGAL IN BLOODLINE RULES. Kevin Owens entered at #5 and ran wild till THE NUMBERS GAME caught as much as him. Randy Orton got here out at #6 and ran wild, setting Cody up for a nearfall with the Cross Rhodes.
Cody and Solo fought to relative silence earlier than Cody hit two Cross Rhodes. And on cue, Jacob Fatu entered at #7 to interrupt it. He hit a Whisper within the Wind and a double bounce moonsault for an additional nearfall for Solo. Fatu put Rhodes by way of the announce desk and should have damage himself earlier than Solo obtained a nearfall with a splash. Cody hit a step-up cutter to place each males down earlier than Roman Reigns got here out at #8 to new music and a pop that obtained barely greater as soon as he obtained within the ring. Roman obtained within the ring and laid out Solo with a Superman Punch and a spear for a giant pop. Cody lastly beat Solo with one other Cross Rhodes. Cody getting saved by Roman is unquestionably an indication of who the true prime man is, consider what you need.
They obtained to the conclusion the followers wished, however this was lengthy and unhealthy and dumb. Solo couldn’t be much less of a man, as he’s already been overshadowed by Jacob Fatu in his personal sub-unit. Very similar to final yr with Most important Occasion Jey Uso, this felt like a check that Solo failed with flying colours. Then the run-ins occurred, which suck in AEW, suck in New Japan, suck in WCW, and suck right here. An terrible major occasion to an terrible present. I can not stress how little I loved this SummerSlam occasion, and if I hadn’t gotten dinner throughout the primary occasion entrances, I’d have in all probability been method harsher. There’s completely nothing that an individual studying this website, who likes the wrestling that we speak about, will take pleasure in to an amazing degree on this present. I really feel like a damaged document repeating this like I at all times do on the finish of those main WWE occasions. However this firm is and can proceed to not be for us. When you didn’t watch this present, don’t hassle. When you did watch it, my condolences. DUD
Sean: The one constructive to all this downtime between matches on these WWE PPVs is that it provides me loads of time to complete my write-ups on these opinions (and it provides me time to fiddle on Twitter). In different information, I had no concept that this was a Bloodline Guidelines Match till I noticed it listed as such right here within the overview. Presumably, we’ll be getting Bloodline involvement, however earlier than Cody made his entrance, Arn Anderson confirmed up and advised him that he pulled some strings and he’s obtained associates on the way in which.
After a gradual begin, Cody nails his first large shot of the match with a dive to the ground. Solo takes management, and almost places me to sleep earlier than Cody avoids the Samoan Spike and hits a Cody Cutter. He tried for a Catastrophe Kick, however Solo countered it right into a sitout powerbomb. At this level, I’m confused as to why Solo hasn’t tried to make use of any weapons, or why the remainder of The Bloodline hasn’t come out already. It’s Bloodlines Guidelines….doesn’t that principally imply something and every little thing goes? The gang isn’t reacting a lot both, as they’re just about ready for the run-ins to occur (so it’s principally a WCW major occasion). Cody and Solo proceed to commerce strikes in what has been a fairly boring match up so far.
Cody lastly hit Cross Rhodes, and the run-ins lastly began. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa are available in and assault Cody. Kevin Owens then is available in to make the save. Randy Orton then arrives to supply extra reinforcements. The babyfaces clear home, Cody hits Cross Rhodes, and Solo kicks out. Cody will get the metal steps and hits Solo a number of occasions with it earlier than Solo hits a spear for a nearfall. Jacob Fatu then will get concerned after Cody went for extra Cross Rhodes. He did the large splash off the highest rope by way of the announce desk to Cody, and appeared to harm himself.
Roman Reigns then appeared to a thunderous response from the group in Cleveland, and took out Solo Sikoa with a Superman Punch and a Spear. Cody then hit Cross Rhodes and obtained the pin. Whereas I’d say this was higher than the atrocious Tribal Fight Match from final yr, that’s clearing a bar that’s beneath the earth. This marked the second yr in a row that SummerSlam was headlined by a fully horrible major occasion. The vast majority of the match was extremely boring, and I put a variety of that on Solo Sikoa. He doesn’t have it as a prime man in any method. Plus, the group didn’t care about a lot of the motion till the run-ins began. Even at that time, they didn’t care about any of the nearfalls as a result of most of them (accurately) figured that this wasn’t ending till Roman Reigns got here out. It additionally doesn’t made Cody Rhodes look good within the sense that his title win at Mania and one in all his greatest title defenses up to now each required a ton of out of doors help. I’m not going to go full DUD on this one since they at the least obtained the end proper (and at last have Roman Reigns because the babyface they at all times wished him to be), however yeah….this was not good. 1/2*