Recap
Six days away from SummerSlam and The WWE Universe was on high alert as The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar were in the same building for the first time since their locker room clearing brawl several weeks ago.
Here’s how the show from Minnesota went down:
The Authority (Triple H and Stephanie McMahon) are out first to address the live audience. They promote the WWE Network and hype the card for this Sunday before officially announcing Jon Stewart as the host of SummerSlam. (Nice)
Randy Orton and Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens and Sheamus
Strong showing from all four competitors. The crowd were really on Sheamus throughout this match as Kevin Owens and Cesaro truly set the tone. The finish would see Orton landing an RKO on Sheamus for the victory.
Match Winners: Randy Orton and Cesaro
Match Rating: 7/10
The Undertaker is shown walking through smoke and cutting a promo on Brock Lesnar: “The Reaper has called The Beast’s name.”
Backstage: Seth Rollins talks to The Authority about John Cena and their upcoming match. Rollins asks Triple H and Stephanie McMahon for a statue in his likeness to be placed at WWE Headquarters once he defeats Cena.
Roman Reigns vs. Luke Harper
Hard-hitting contest with Bray Wyatt at ringside and Dean Ambrose on commentary. Roman Reigns scores the three-count following The Spear.
Match Winner: Roman Reigns
Match Rating: 6/10
Becky Lynch vs. Tamina
Good match as Becky Lynch would make good on her Raw singles debut by forcing Tamina to tap out.
Match Winner: Becky Lynch
Match Rating: 6/10
Rusev vs. Mark Henry
Slow match … Lacked any real excitement … Mark Henry taps out to The Accolade … Who books these matches?
Match Winner: Rusev
Match Rating: 2/10
Post-Match: Lana enters the ring and calls out Summer Rae. Lana slaps Summer and calls in Rusev and then it happens … Dolph Zigger returns and is out for revenge. Lana and Ziggler clean house and stand tall – chasing off Rusev and Summer.
Backstage: JoJo catches up with Dolph Ziggler and Lana. Ziggler states that The Authority should add one more match to the SummerSlam card: Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev.
The Miz vs. Ryback
Ryback looked like beast during this match as he dominated The Miz and picked up the relatively quick victory.
Match Winner: Ryback
Match Rating: 3/10
Post-Match: Ryback calls Big Show – who was on commentary – into the ring. Big Show declines and walks away.
-Contract Signing Between Seth Rollins and John Cena-
Triple H and Stephanie bring out Seth Rollins first who brags about the statue that will be built “in his honor” following his victory over John Cena this Sunday. Rollins quotes Minnesota native, Bob Dylan: “The times they are a-changin’” when discussing Cena and the immediate future of the WWE. The berating of Cena continues until John Cena finally arrives. The fifteen-time World Champion refers to Rollins as a “Cena imitation.” Cena mentions Ric Flair and the all-time championship record – stating that when Rollins’ loses, Triple H loses as well because of the legacy that Flair has passed on to The Game.
Prime Time Days and Lucha Dragons vs. The New Day and Los Matadores
The lack of excitement compared to other angles was evident here as this match fell completely flat. PTP and LD pick up the win.
Match Winners: Prime Time Days and Lucha Dragons
Match Rating: 2/10
Stardust and King Barrett cut a promo on Stephen Amell and Neville … Weird dudes.
Nikki Bella vs. Sasha Banks
This was a competitive match between the two champions as Sasha Banks continues to impress while Nikki Bella held her own. Nikki would eventually tap out to The Banks Statement.
Match Winner: Sasha Banks
Match Rating: 7/10
Note: The girls were given the final match of the night which shows that they have earned some backstage trust.
Paul Heyman is in the ring to sing the praises of Brock Lesnar before The Beast makes his way out to the loudest reaction of the night in front of his homegrown faithful. The "Suplex City" chants echo throughout the arena as Heyman "serenades" Lesnar with a "Glory, Glory, Brock Lesnar" song. Heyman states that The Undertaker "fears" Brock Lesnar ... The lights go out and The Deadman appears - once again hitting Lesnar with a low-blow followed by a hard chokeslam ... Tombstone Piledriver and the stage is set for this Sunday night in Brooklyn.
Going Forward
The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar will undeniably be the highlight of SummerSlam as it pertains to the “big fight” feel. In what will be most likely be the final encounter between these two iconic performers; expect a hard-fought battle.
Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper vs. Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns is a match full of potential which should prove to be an interesting bout.
The “Divas Revolution” is rolling along nicely as the women involved have been proving naysayers wrong and doing their best to maintain the New Image of the female athlete.
Lana needs to lose the Russian gimmick. Americanize her already; give it a few months and people will forget all about the Russian shtick.
The tag team division is sorely needed a revolution of its own. Tag team matches have replaced the Divas matches as the bathroom break match.
This comic book style storyline involving Stephen Amell, Neville, Stardust, and King Barrett is interesting? (I don’t particularly care for it but I suppose if that’s the kind of thing you’re into than Sunday’s match should result in much excitement)
John Cena becoming a sixteen-time World Champion this Sunday has become a quick reality for all those who wished they would never witness the day Cena ties the record set by Ric Flair. The biggest SummerSlam of all time could prove to be a sad night for Flair fans and a monumental moment for Cena fans.