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SummerSlam 2016 is this Sunday (+Every Summer Slam Match Ranked...1-228)

Wednesday, August 17, 2016



About 2 decades ago, I started giving previews/reviews of WWF PPVs to Kirk Hiner; how did Kirk Hiner find out about the Austin 3:16 promo - I read it to him after the show.  Perhaps losing something in the translation.

That's turned into my previewing the "big 4" WWE PPVs in this space, which I've been doing since 2008.  Summer Slam is this Sunday, it's in Brooklyn, and it's going to be a happening.

WWE Title: Dean Ambrose v. Dolph Zigger
-When last we left, at Mania 32, Roman Reigns (boooo!....boooo!) was stubbornly continuing an unopular babyface title run, a couple of months ago that belt was moved to a returning Seth Rollins and then immediately to a briefcase cashing in Dean Ambrose, all 3 members of the Shield WWE Champions on the same night.

Subsequently, WWE engineered a "brand split" - making Ambrose exclusively a Smackdown wrestler.  Ziggler won a multiple man match to make him #1 contender and they've done a babyface/babyface program "they're friends, I guess, but they'll do anything to win the title, hey, that wasn't so friendly what he did - hey, they're gonna go right now, THERE'S NOT GONNA BE A SUMMERFEST!"

Neither man is at his hottest, despite the title belt, Ambrose feels more homogenized than his best historical antecedents (Pillman...Piper...) he's a kid friendly crazy man.  Ziggler, in a different timeline is 21st century Shawn Michaels as opposed to a guy seen by the promotion as just an interchangeable body.

Should be a very good match, Ambrose should keep the belt - a heel turn by Ziggler would make sense.

Edit - it was a very basic match, Ambrose kept. 15 min 3 stars

WWE Universal Title: Seth Rollins v. Finn Balor
-Given that the Olympics are in Rio - an angle claiming that this belt was created in a Brazilian tournament would have been my preference.  Since Smackdown's got the title - RAW needs one to, so this becomes the other Heavyweight belt.  Rollins was gifted this slot, Balor beat the aforementioned Reigns, in a significant shift away from the direction of the promotion given that it was Balor's debut on the main roster.

The build has focused on what...I guess...is an alternate persona of Balor's "The Demon King" - which is Balor with face paint; it's unclear if he'll be presented as having mystical powers (or if he'll eat worms; his entrance is a little too Boogeyman for me).

Should be an excellent match; it's Balor's main roster PPV debut, fair to call it his biggest ever match; lower than 4 stars would be a disappointment.  I'd expect a Balor win and a short title run.

Edit - Balor fought through a torn labrum and a crowd that wasn't really into most of the match to win the title, 19 min 4 stars

Brock Lesnar (w/Heyman) v. Randy Orton
-Intriguing match here, Orton's returning from a long injury related layoff and is apparently ready to resume a spot at the top of the card on the babyface side - it's Lesnar's return from a successful UFC fight (PED failure taking the shine of that success, admittedly).  Brock, rightly so, doesn't lose a helluva lot, given his performance and nature of the character - but a loss would be a weird way to re-debut Orton.   Lesnar's work record, up until Mania 32, was pretty unimpeachable in this run - but this is a match that might not come together.  Not sure how motivated Brock will be to put a guy like Randy Orton over - which, I think, is the more likely outcome.  Dominant Lesnar match - RKO - Orton wins.

Edit - Brock won in 11 on a brutal blood stoppage that I dug the most.  3 1/2 

AJ Styles v. John Cena
-AJ came into the promotion after a hot run with New Japan and apparently surprised some in management with his level of name recognition to a fanbase which had never been exposed to him via WWE television. He lost more than won, because that's how WWE does you, then turned heel to begin this program with Cena.  AJ's marginally had the better end of the deal, but that should come to an end here in a good match.

Edit - 23 min, it was a very good match with Syles going over clean it what seemed like a match a guy loses who is leaving the territory 4 1/4

US Title Rusev (w/Lana) v. Roman Reigns
-The masked Kalisto was the US Champ when last we left - he dropped to Rusev, who has returned to his original ass kicking Eastern European with the superhot valet (now wife) gimmick.  The honor of the US is being defended by Reigns, whose PED suspension and continued inability to get over at the level needed of a babyface world champion, has resulted in his slide down the card.  It's a solid powerhouse program; Reigns won a long, not particularly good, match on the go home RAW which would seemingly indicate the match goes the other way here; if it does, it's a screwjob, so we'll pick that and say the feud must continue.

Edit - match didn't happen, they brawled before bell.  

Tag Team Titles New Day v. The Club
Anderson and Gallows were ass kicking tag champs in Japan, so now they're doing a comedic act with lab coats and urine.  New Day is the longest reigning tag champs ever, but are (maybe) going without Kingston here, as he was storyline injured in the program.  I'm not a big New Day fan; wrestling comedy, as mentioned in this space before, is sort of like comedy in porn, even when its not terrible it's not why you're at the game.  A title change makes some sense here.

Edit - 9 min, Jon Stewart involved, there wasn't really a finish, it was bad, 1 1/4 stars

IC Title: Miz (w/Maryse) v. Apollo Crews
-Miz's wife joined the act since last we left; he took the IC from Zach Ryder, improbable winner at WM32, and now is programmed against young Crews, just up from developmental - this seems the most likely of the screwjob leading to a rematch booking scenarios.  Crews is good - Miz is Miz.

Edit - 5:30, Miz clean, nothing match. 2 stars

Women's Title: Sasha Banks v. Charlotte
-This is the new belt, launched at Mania with Charlotte winning, and switched over to Sasha since.  Ric is now out of his daughter's act and has left the promotion - Charlotte's a limited worker (all the women are sort of limited, outside of Asuka in developmental, but don't say that too loudly) Sasha's better, and she probably gives back the belt in a good match.

Edit - Charlotte did get the belt back in a 14 minute match, it was a mess. 2 3/4 

Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho v. Enzo/Cass
-Speaking of limited, lets discuss Cass and Enzo, who have become popular since coming up from developmental in spite of being...not great...in the ring.  Owens and Jericho are a makeshift heel team that is put together to break up and feud, only question is when that happens.

Edit - 12 min, solid enough, basic but well done basic, 3 stars, heels going over.

Best of 7: Cesaro v. Sheamus
-New workrate feud, Cesaro and Sheamus are launching a Best of 7 series that should be good; Sheamus isn't at Cesaro's level as a worker but he should still be game for some good matches.

Edit - pre-show match, good, 3 1/2 stars. Sheamus went over

There's also a 6 Woman tag just made this week.

Edit - and it was 11 minutes of boring 1 star.

This is a good show; I'd go out of my way to see Rollins/Balor and there are 3-4 other matches that I'd expect to deliver.  It's a show worth the PPV money they should still be charging in a smarter business model.

Some number of these matches will be on the pre-show and not make their way to the below list - where I've ranked every one of the 228 matches in SummerSlam history.


1.       1994 WWF Title Cage: Bret Hart d. Owen Hart 32 min 4 ¾
2.       1992 IC Davey Boy Smith d. Bret Hart 25 min 4 ¾
3.       2000 Tags: TLC: Edge/Christian d. Hardys d. Dudleys 15 min 4 ½
4.       1995 IC Ladder: Shawn Michaels d. Razor Ramon 25min 4 ½ 
5.    2013 No DQ: Brock Lesnar d. CM Punk 25min 4 1/4  
6.       1991 IC: Bret Hart d. Mr. Perfect 18 min 4 ¼
7.       2009 WWE Title TLC: CM Punk d. Jeff Hardy 21:30 4 ¼ 
8.    2013 WWE Title Daniel Bryan d. John Cena 27 min 4 1/4 
9.       2011 World Title No Holds Barred: Christian d. Randy Orton 23:30 4 ¼

10.       1996 WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Vader 22 min 4
11.       2002 Nonsanctioned: Shawn Michaels d. HHH 27:30 4
12.   2000 2/3 Falls Chris Benoit d. Chris Jericho 13 min 4
13.   2008 HIAC: Undertaker d. Edge 26 min 4
14.   2011 WWF Title: CM Punk d. John Cena 24 min 4
15        2014 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. John Cena 16:30 4
16.   1989 Brainbusters d. Hart Foundation 16 min 4
       
17.   2004: World: Randy Orton d. Chris Benoit 20 min 3 ¾
18.   1998 IC Ladder: HHH d. Rock 26 min 3 ¾
19.   2001 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. Steve Austin 22:30 3 ¾
20.   2003 WWF Title Kurt Angle d. Brock Lesnar 21 min 3 ¾ 
21.       2015 WWF Title: Seth Rollins d. John Cena 19 min 3 3/4
22.       2015 Kevin Owens d. Cesaro 14:30 min 3 3/4
23.   2012 Brock Lesnar d. HHH 18:30 3 ¾
24.   1999 WWF Title: Mankind d. Steve Austin/HHH 16:30 3 ¾
25.   2010 Team WWE d. Team Nexus 35:30 3 ¾
26.   1989 Rick Martel/Rougeaus d. Rockers/Tito Santana 15 min 3 ¾
27.   2004 Kurt Angle d. Eddie Guerrero 3 ½
28.   2001 Hardcore Ladder: RVD d. Jeff Hardy 16:30 3 ½
29.   2002 IC: RVD d. Chris Benoit 16:30 3 ½
30.   1997 IC: Steve Austin d. Owen Hart 16 min 3 ½
31.   1998 Lion’s Den: Ken Shamrock d. Owen Hart 9 min 3 ½
32.   2012 Chris Jericho d. Dolph Ziggler 13 min 3 ½
33.   2009 IC: Rey Mysterio d. Dolph Ziggler 12:30 min 3 ½   
34.   1997 WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Undertaker 28 min 3 ½
35.       2015 Undertaker d. Brock Lesnar 17 min 3 1/2  
36.   1990 Tags: Hart Foundation d. Demolition 15:30 3 ½
37.   1992 Ultimate Warrior d. Randy Savage 26 min 3 ½
38.   1997 Cage: Mankind d. HHH 16 min 3 ½ 
39.  2013 World: Alberto del Rio d. Christian 12:30 3 1/2
40.   2003 Eddie Guerrero d. Chris Benoit/Tajiri/Rhyno 10:30 3 ½
41.   2009 DX d. Cody Rhodes/Ted Dibiase, Jr. 20 min 3 ½  
42.   1993 Tatanka/Smoking Gunns d. Bam Bam Bigelow/Headshrinkers 11 min 3 ½
43.   1988 British Bulldogs draw Rougeaus 20 min. 3 ½
44.   1996 Boiler Room Brawl Mankind d. Undertaker 27 min 3 ½

45.   2005 Ladder: Rey Mysterio d. Eddie Guerrero 20:30 3 ¼ 
46.       2014 Bray Wyatt d. Chris Jericho 13 min 3 1/4 
47.   2002: Edge d. Eddy Guerrero 12 min 3 ¼
48.   2011 Wade Barrett d. Daniel Bryan 11:30 3 ¼   
49.   1995 Hakushi d. 123 Kid 9 min 3 ¼ 
50.       2015 Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose d. Bray Wyatt/Luke Harper 11 min 3 1/4 
51.   1999 Test d. Shane McMahon 12 min 3 ¼
52.   1998 Hair: 123 Kid d. Jeff Jarrett 11 min 3 ¼
53.   1998 WWF Title: Steve Austin d. Undertaker 21 min 3 ¼
54.   2000 WWF Title: Rock d. Kurt Angle/HHH 20 min 3 ¼
55.   2006 WWF Title Edge d. John Cena 15:30 3 ¼  
56.   2010 RAW Title: Randy Orton d. Sheamus 19 min 3 ¼ 
57.       2015 Sheamus d. Randy Orton 12 min 3 1/4 
58.   1993 Tags: Steiners d. Heavenly Bodies 9:30 3 ¼ 
59.   1989 IC Title: Ultimate Warrior d. Rick Rude 16 min 3 ¼
60.   2002 Kurt Angle d. Rey Mysterio 9 min 3
61.   2001 IC: Edge d. Lance Storm 11 min 3
62.   2001 Jr: XPac d. Tajiri 7 min 3
63.       2014 Seth Rollins d. Dean Ambrose 11 min 3 
64.   2006 I Quit: Ric Flair d. Mick Foley 13 min 3 
65.   2001 WCW Title: Rock d. Booker T 15 min 3
66.   2005 WWF Title John Cena d. Chris Jericho 15 min 3
67.   1988 Tags: Demolition d. Hart Foundation 10 min 3
68.   1994 IC: Razor Ramon d. Diesel 15 min 3
69.   2002 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Rock 16:30 3
70.   2004 Dudleys d. Rey Mysterio/Paul London/Billy Kidman 8 min 3
71.   2011 Rey Mysterio/John Morrison/Kofi Kingston d. Miz/R Truth/Alberto del Rio 9:30 3
72.   1993 Bret Hart d. Doink 10 min 3
73.   2007 Rey Mysterio d. Chavo Guerrero 12 min 3
74.   2008 MVP d. Jeff Hardy 10 min 3
75.   1996 Owen Hart d. Savio Vega 13:30 3
76.   2008 World CM Punk d. JBL 11 min 3
77.   2012 World: Sheamus d. Alberto del Rio 11:30 3
78.   1995 Bret Hart d. Isaac Yankem 16 min 3
79.   2012 IC: Miz d. Rey Mysterio 9 min 3
80.   1992 Shawn Michaels draw Rick Martel 8 min 3
81.   1991 Virgil d. Ted DiBiase 13 min 3
82.   2007 WWF: John Cena d. Randy Orton 21 min 3
83.       2014 Roman Reigns d. Randy Orton 16:30 3
84.   2008 Batista d. John Cena 13:30 3
85.   2003 Elimination Chamber 19 min 3
86.   1999 Tag Team Gauntlet 16:30 3

87.   1997 Davey Boy Smith d. Ken Shamrock 7:30
88.   1999 Lion’s Den: Ken Shamrock d. Steve Blackman 9 min
89.   2000 Hardcore: Shane McMahon d. Steve Blackman 10 min
90.   2007 ECW: John Morrison d. CM Punk 7 min
91.      2014 IC: Dolph Ziggler d. Miz 8 min
92.   2005 Randy Orton d. Undertaker 17 min
93.   2004 IC: Edge d. Chris Jericho/Batista 8:30 min
94.   2001 Chris Jericho d. Rhyno 12:30
95.   1994 Women: Alundra Blayze d. Bull Nakano 8 min
96.   1999 IC/Euro: Jeff Jarrett d. DLo Brown 7:30
97.   1993 Razor Ramon d. Ted DiBiase 7:30
98.   1996 Goldust d. Marc Mero 11 min
99.   1998 Euro: DLo Brown d. Val Venis 15:30
100.   2005 Edge d. Matt Hardy 5 min

101.   2012 WWF Title: CM Punk d. John Cena/Big Show 14:30
102.   2006 Chavo Guerrero d. Rey Mysterio 11 min
103.   2012 Daniel Bryan d. Kane 8 min
104.       2015 Tags: New Day d.. Prime Time Players/Los Matadores/Lucha Dragons 10 min
105.       2014 Rusev d. Jack Swagger 9 min
106.   2002: Ric Flair d. Chris Jericho 10:30
107.   2004 HHH d. Eugene 14 min
108.   2010: Smackdown Title: Kane d. Rey Mysterio 12:30
109.   2003: Kane d. RVD 12:30
110.   2005 Kurt Angle d. Eugene 5 min
111.   2007 IC: Umaga d. Carlito/Ken Kennedy 7:30
112.   1989 Hulk Hogan/Brutus Beefcake d. Randy Savage/Zeus 15 min
113.   1988 Hulk Hogan/Randy Savage d. Ted DiBiase/Andre the Giant 14:30 min
114.   1990 Power&Glory d. Rockers 6 min
115.                        2011 Mark Henry d. Sheamus 9:30
116.                        2007 Kane d. Fit Finlay 9 min
117.                        1999 Hardcore: Al Snow d. Boss Man 7:30
118.                        1999 Rock d. Billy Gunn 10 min
119.                        1993 WWF Title: Lex Luger d. Yokozuna 18 min
120.                        1991 Ricky Steamboat/Davey Boy Smith/Kerry von Erich d. Warlord/Power&Glory                                                                                                                                                 10:30
121.                        2005 Hulk Hogan d. Shawn Michaels 21:30
122.                        1993 Shawn Michaels d. Mr. Perfect 11:30
123.                        2009 Tags: Chris Jericho/Big Show d. Cryme Tyme 9:30
124.                        2012 Tags: R-Truth/Kofi Kingston d. PTP 7 min
125.                        2009 WWF Title Randy Orton d. John Cena 21 min
126.            2013 Cody Rhodes d. Damien Sandow 6:30
127.                        2008 WWF Title HHH d. Khali 9:30
128.                        2007 Booker T d. HHH 8 min
129.                        2006 DX d. Vince McMahon/Shane McMahon 13 min
130.                        2006 World Batista d. Booker 10:30
131.                        2004 JBL d. Undertaker 17:30 min
132.                        2005 World: Batista d. JBL 9 min
133.                        2002 Un-Americans d. Goldust/Booker T 9:30
134.                        1999 Tags: Undertaker/Big Show d. XPac/Kane 12 min
135.                        2001 Tags: Undertaker/Kane d. DDP/Kanyon 10 min
136.                        2006 ECW Title: Big Show d. Sabu 8:30
137.                        2009 MVP d. Jack Swagger 6 min
138.                   2015 IC: Ryback d. Miz/Show 5:30 min
139.                        1995 Barry Horowitz d. Skip 11:30
140.                        1991 Big Boss Man d. Jacques Rougeau 9:30
141.                        2001 Dudleys/Test d. APA/Spike Dudley 7 min
142.            2013 Ring of Fire: Bray Wyatt d. Kane 7:30
143.                        1997 LOD d. Godwinns 10 min
144.                        1988 Powers of Pain d. Bolsheviks 5:30
145.                        1994 Bam Bam Bigelow/IRS d. Headshrinkers 7 min
146.                        1993 Jerry Lawler d. Bret Hart 6:30
147.                        2004 Kane d. Matt Hardy 6 min
148.                        1996 Smoking Gunns d. Bodydonnas d. New Rockers d. Godwinns 12 min
149.                   2015 Neville/Stephen Amell d. Stardust/Wade Barrett 7:30 min
150.                  2014 Women: Paige d. AJ Lee 5 min

151.                        1989 Ted DiBiase d. Jimmy Snuka 6:30
152.                        1990 IC: Kerry von Erich d. Mr. Perfect 5 min
153.                        1993 IRS d. 123 Kid 6 min
154.                        1990 Hulk Hogan d. Earthquake 13 min
155.                        1990 WWF Title Cage Match: Ultimate Warrior d. Rick Rude 10 min
156.                        1991 Tags: Street Fight: LOD d. Nasty Boys 6:30
157.                        1991 Hulk Hogan/Ultimate Warrior d. Sgt. Slaughter/Mustafa/Adnan 12:30
158.                        1995 HHH d. Sparky Plugg 7 min
159.                        2010 IC Dolph Ziggler no contest Kofi Kingston  7 min
160.                   2015 Dolph Ziggler no contest Rusev 11 min
161.                        1997 Boriquas d. DOA 9 min
162.                        2003 Tags: LaResistance d. Dudley Boys 8 min
163.                        1998 Tags: New Age Outlaws d. Mankind 5 min
164.                        2000 IC: Eddy Guerrero/Chyna d. Val Venis/Trish Stratus 7 min
165.                        2011 Women: Kelly Kelly d. Beth Phoenix 6:30
166.                        2000 XPac d. Road Dogg 4:30
167.                        2004 John Cena d. Booker T 6 min
168.                        2003 Undertaker d. A-Train 9 min
169.                        2002 Undertaker d. Test 8 min
170.                   2014 Stephanie McMahon d. Brie Bella 10 min
171.                        2010 Big Show d. CM Punk/Luke Gallows/Joey Mercury 6:30
72                   2015 Team PCB d. Team Bella d. Team BAD 15 min
173.                        1989 Mr. Perfect d. Red Rooster 3:30 
174.            2013 Dolph Ziggler/Kaitlyn d. Big E Langston/AJ Lee
175.                        1988 Big Boss Man d. Koko B. Ware 6 min
176.                        1990 Jake Roberts d. Bad News Brown 4:30
177.                        1990 Warlord d. Tito Santana 5:30
178.                        1993 Ludwig Borga d. Marty Janetty 5 min
179.                        1996 Sid d. Davey Boy Smith 6 min
180                        2000 Jerry Lawler d. Tazz 4:30
181.                        2000 RTC d. Rikishi/Too Cool 5 min
182.                        1992 Tags: Natural Disasters d. Beverly Brothers 10:30
183.                        1992 LOD d. Money Inc  15 min
184.                        1991 IRS d. Greg Valentine 4 min
185.                        1990 Randy Savage d. Dusty Rhodes 2 min
186.                        2005 US: Chris Benoit d. Orlando Jordan 30 sec
187.                        1988 IC Title: Ultimate Warrior d. Honky Tonk Man :30
188.                        2009 ECW Christian d. William Regal :30
189.                        2011 WWF Title: Alberto del Rio d. CM Punk :30
190.                        2008 ECW Matt Hardy d. Mark Henry :30
191.            2013 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Daniel Bryan :30
192.                        1992 Undertaker d. Kamala 3:30
193.                        1990 Hacksaw Duggan/Nikolai Volkoff d. Orient Express 3:30
194.                        1995 Smoking Gunns d. Blu Brothers 6 min
195.                        1992 Crush d. Repo Man 5:30
196.                        1988 Dino Bravo d. Don Muraco 5:30
197.                        1989 Hacksaw Duggan/Demolition d. Andre the Giant/Boss Man/Akeem 7:30
198.                        1998 Edge/Sable d. Marc Mero/Jacqueline 8:30
199.                        2003 Shane McMahon d. Eric Bischoff 10:30
200.                        2006 Hulk Hogan d. Randy Orton 11 min

201.                        1989 Greg Valentine d. Hercules 3 min
202.                        1988 Rick Rude d. JYD 6:30
203.                        1992 Nailz d. Virgil 4 min
204.                        1997 Goldust d. Brian Pillman 7 min
205.                        1994 Tatanka d. Lex Luger 6 min
206.                        2009 Kane d. Khali 6 min
207.                        1988 Bad News Brown d. Ken Patera 6:30
208.                        1991 Natural Disasters d. Bushwackers 6:30
209.                        1998 Oddities d. Kaientai 10 min
210.                        2008 IC/Women Santino/Beth Phoenix d. Kofi Kingston/Mickie James 5:30
211.                        2000 Undertaker no contest Kane 6 min
212.                        1993 Undertaker d. Giant Gonzalez 8 min
213.                        1994 Jeff Jarrett d. Mabel 6 min
214.                        1989 Dusty Rhodes d. Honky Tonk Man 9:30
215.                        1988 Jake Roberts d. Hercules 10 min
216.                        1994 Undertaker d. Undertaker 9 min
217.                        1995 WWF Title: Diesel d. Mabel 9 min
218.            2013 Natalya d. Brie Bella 4 min
219.                        1995 Women: Bertha Faye d. Alundra Blayze 5 min
220.                        1999 Women: Ivory d. Tori 4 min
221.                        2000 Women: Kat d. Terri 3 min
222.                        2010 Women: Melina d. Alicia Fox 5:30
223.                        2007 World: Batista d. Khali 7 min
224.                        1996 Jerry Lawler d. Jake Roberts 4 min
225.                        1995 Undertaker d. Kamala 16:30
226.                        1990 Sherri d. Sapphire (forfeit)
227.                        2007 Diva Battle Royal 7 min
228.                        2004 Diva Dodge Ball 3 min

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