The Rundown Slam: WWE SummerSlam 2017

08/28/2017 10:43:45 PM

As part of the World Wrestling Entertainmet's big four, SummerSlam, dubbed as the “biggest party of the Summer” didn't turn out spectacular as they should've been. Just like the past three years, the set-up was nothing but an inch-higher than their usual PPV stages.

And worst: no pyros; probably one of the signs that this promotion has been on a 'cutting cost' phase and that includes axing some of their original WWE network programs. 

Luckily for us in Manila, though, this show falls on a holiday (Monday morning) so a lot actually had a great time on having this wrestling fix on either their respective homes or on that viewing party held at Skinny Mike's in BGC, Taguig City.

In a 13-match evening, there's always been a fair share of oohs and aahs after they delivered match. And at the end, SummerSlam had a very strong start and (as always) a not-so-strong finish; something that made us being trolled beyond our prejudged picks. I guess Vince has been at his A-game when it comes to toying with the opinion of the fans, especially with the IWC. We have thought of seeing a new WWE and Universal Champion and some retains in their title defenses. 

But we were damn wrong. Neville won it after hitting the always-eye candy Red Arrow, and that shortens Akira Tozawa's reign as the Cruiserweight Champion. And the main eventers wounding up successful in their title defense has spoiled what could've been a perfect SummerSlam moment as a lot would envision such as Samoa Joe and even Shinsuke Nakamura.

Buit at least we get a lot of switches. Seeing the Usos, winning at SumemrSlam though made me think: are we seeing the two blue belts going on 'hot potato' given the status of their tag team division? Perhaps. But for an almost 20-minute pre-show match? Made me wonder why the hell this is placed at the early evening spot where in fact, the shark cage and the other matches should be placed elsewhere in the kickoff? Shame.

I have to give both RAW and SmackDown tag team championship matches the distinctions of being the bets for tonight. And why the fuck not? These eight members have showed their capable as tag team members in their respective divisions that has been lacking depth (or exposure, rather). 

The SmackDown women's championship match ending have this kind of anti-climatic, though. Seeing Naomi cried is like seeing a kid cried after being bullied to its borderline emotional extent. And while RAW, on the other hand, turned out to be another bae contest – just ending up lagged behind their blue counterpart.

The WWE title picture is probably hitting up the first page of their rivalry; somehow trying to make up for lacking buildup come SummerSlam, and sad seeing Baron Cobrin being punished on this short-timed feud (that is supposedly a litmus test) with this part-timer looking John Cena (Seriously: Lesnar may be a part-time worker, but he has worked with programs that spanned enough for a full-time wrestler).

And just like what I said on the Great Balls of Fire, Lesnar has been seen on a more vulnerability. He is supposed to be the beast, right? Even as a babyface, he is supposed to wreak havoc more than the heels Samoa Joe and Bruan Strowman, right? While this kind of work doesn't seemingly fit perfectly to Roman Reigns, so does to Lesnar. He just wound up being a tamed beast survived among the mountains full of fellow monsters and hounds. 

That putted the two (Joe and Reigns) out of the title contention, and probably with the latter being saved up for a potential program at Mania soon. And seeing Brock retain in the end has shut the door for accepting Jon Jones' challenge at the UFC – especially after hearing the news of him being stripped of the heavyweight title and failing his post-match drug test. 

You know what? Vince should set the shit at the Show of Shows.

The verdict: 8.4

Author: slickmaster | © 2017 The SlickMaster's Files