Random Thoughts on WWE SummerSlam 2023
The 36th edition of SummerSlam took place last night in Detroit and I’m here to share my random thoughts on the show. This is a spoiler heavy blog, so please look away if you wish to avoid any spoilers.
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Logan Paul vs. Ricochet
It was a very good match with a cheap ending that was fitting for a heel like Paul. Logan is really talented in the ring, he’s getting a lot better at taunting the crowd and did plenty of that throughout the match. I thought Ricochet should have had some more moments where it looked like he might win. The ending wasn’t something I expected although like I said it fits the kind of heel that Paul is. They put this match on first so Logan could leave and go see his brother Jake Paul’s boxing fight in Dallas.
Winner: Logan Paul via pinfall
Rating: ***
Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes
Awesome match with the right finish. Cody won clean with the Cross Rhodes three times in a row and that’s exactly how it should have ended. I think the part of the match where Lesnar kept sending Cody out of the ring dragged on a bit too much, but that was also done to tell the story that Cody wouldn’t quit. Cody using the Kimura Lock was an interesting choice. We know Lesnar probably wasn’t going to tap there, but it was a way to weaken Lesnar leading up to the finish. I don’t really like a commentary table bump during a regular match because that could be a disqualification, but it’s well established in WWE for decades that it counts as part of the steps. I guess you could say it’s like using the ring post or steel steps. Anyway, I loved the booking of this match. Brock Lesnar in year 21 in WWE after 10 World Titles shouldn’t beat a guy like Cody, who is on his way up in the company. This was probably Lesnar’s best match since last year’s SummerSlam with Roman Reigns while Cody is always putting on great matches like this.
Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall
Rating: ****
Slim Jim Battle Royal
Winner: LA Knight
A big win for LA Knight. It was the obvious choice, but also the right choice. I don’t mind an obvious result when it’s for a guy like LA Knight, who should absolutely be getting big wins on major shows like this. There wasn’t that much of a story in the match other than Omos dominating and the other guys working together to get rid of the giant. Kross costing Styles furthers that rivalry that has been going on for several weeks. Knight eliminating Sheamus last is smart because Sheamus is a credible name in WWE for a long time. Once again, I’m happy for Knight getting the win here.
Rating: ***
MMA Rules Match
Rowdy Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler
I didn’t find this match all that interesting. The problem is that both women were heels and while Baszler was cheered for some promos. When it came to this match, the crowd didn’t care. The crowd was so alive for the LA Knight right before this and then they were asleep for this. I don’t blame the fans. It just wasn’t that interesting of a match. What this means for Rousey after this, we don’t know right now, but she may be wrapping up her WWE run. I think both women tried hard and did the best they could. This match just didn’t work on a major stadium show like this.
Winner: Shayna Baszler via technical submission
Rating: **
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Drew McIntyre vs. Gunther ©
A great technical match, but it wasn’t the epic encounter that some of us thought it would be. Drew got the nearfall with the Claymore Kick, which was set up really well and the fans could tell it would only be a nearfall instead a win. Anyway, I did like how the finish was set up with Gunther knocking Drew off the top and Drew was crotched on the top rope leading to a sequence of moves by Gunther for the win. This was another match that had a predictable outcome, so that hurts the match a little bit. I just think it never reached the level of an excellent match. Maybe if they had five more minutes they could have got there. It was still very good all around between two talented big guys.
Winner and STILL Intercontinental Champion: Gunther via pinfall
Rating: *** ½
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins ©
I thought it was an outstanding match. They had the long story of the match with Balor working over Seth’s left arm throughout the match. There were plenty of nearfalls for both guys, especially in the final few minutes. Both guys used the Pedigree for nearfalls since they are both Triple H guys, so it’s fitting that they would use that move. Priest tossing in the briefcase like that for Balor to use and then have it backfire is a brilliant finish. They were all in the right spot and pulled it off perfectly. This was better than their Money in the Bank match by a lot.
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins via pinfall
Rating: **** ½
WWE Women’s Championship
Charlotte Flair vs. Bianca Belair vs. Asuka ©
They worked hard and had a pretty good match, but certainly not some epic triple threat match. The crowd had moments where they came alive although for the most part, they weren’t that enthusiastic about it. Belair selling the knee injury made for an interesting story and the finish with Bianca finding a way to win by cradling Asuka to win. I thought Flair might win and have Sky cash in on her, but they opted for Belair instead. All three women are awesome performers that I enjoy watching, but this was an example of how triple threat matches don’t always live up to the hype and singles matches are better in general.
Winner and NEW WWE Women’s Champion: Bianca Belair ©
Rating: *** ½
The celebration didn’t last too long because IYO SKY’s music hit. Out comes IYO, with Bayley, ready to cash in her Money in the Bank contract.
WWE Women’s Championship
Bianca Belair © vs. IYO SKY
Bayley hit Flair and Asuka with the briefcase to take care of them. Sky hit Belair with the briefcase a couple of times. Sky told the referee she was cashing in Money in the Bank.
The bell rang while Belair was on the mat. IYO SKY went up top and hit the Over the Moonsault for the pinfall win after about ten seconds. The fans popped big for the title change.
Winner and NEW WWE Women’s Champion: IYO SKY
No rating because it was just a cash in. I understand why they ring the bell after the cash in like that, but I like it better when both wrestlers are standing and then you start the match. Belair started the match on her back, so it looks too cheap. I guess with a Money in the Bank cash-in that doesn’t matter. I’m genuinely happy for Iyo Sky because she’s a great performer.
IYO SKY and Bayley celebrated with the WWE Women’s Title. Dakota Kai from Damage CTRL showed up at ringside and hugged Bayley & Sky in the ring. They showed replays of what happened. The Damage CTRL trio celebrated in the ring with Sky holding up the WWE Women’s Title. It’s her first time winning a Women’s Title on the main roster. The fans were cheering for Sky even though she’s a heel.
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
Jey Uso vs. Roman Reigns ©
A long match like usual for Reigns in a spot like this. I wouldn’t call it as good as some of Roman’s other singles matches this year, but still pretty solid for the most part. Jey Uso came close to winning several times and obviously, it was really close at the end when Jimmy Uso showed up, but that’s when the twist happened. I mentioned in the preview that Jimmy Uso returning to cost Jey Uso the match was a strong possibility. I didn’t officially predict it, but certainly thought it was possible. It adds yet another layer to The Bloodline story because now we can see Jey against Jimmy in a lengthy rivalry in the months ahead. I’m not surprised by the result here. Reigns winning makes sense as this lengthy title reign continues.
Winner and STILL Undisputed WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns via pinfall
Rating: ****
Overall Show Rating (out of 10): 8
I enjoyed SummerSlam. It’s difficult to try to sum things up when a show runs for over four hours. All eight matches got plenty of time and aside from Baszler/Rousey, I thought everything was pretty good while some of matches were great. I rated Rollins/Balor the highest on the show, so that was the best match. The finish of that match was brilliant while both guys performed really well. I also really liked the Rhodes/Lesnar match that was a case of Brock putting over Cody the right way. The post match with Lesnar raising Cody’s hand and hugging him was a nice touch too.
The main event with Roman Reigns beating Jey Uso was the result that was expected, but I don’t know how many people thought Jimmy Uso would turn on Jey to cost him the match. It adds another layer to the story because now we’ll get that Jimmy rivalry with Jey while perhaps Roman can feud with other people on Smackdown. The way they explain Jimmy’s turn will be important, so we’ll see how they follow up on it on TV. I don’t think the Roman-Jey match was as good as some of Roman’s singles matches this year, but it was still pretty entertaining. It was perhaps a bit too long.
I’m also genuinely happy for IYO SKY cashing in Money in the Bank to become the WWE Women’s Champion. It was a fun MITB cash-in moment right after an injured Bianca Belair won the WWE Women’s Title. Gunther’s win over Drew McIntyre was good, but not the epic clash some of us might have been expecting. LA Knight winning that battle royal also was a great decision and I’m glad it was on the card. Knight needed to be on this show and featured with a meaningful win too.
2023 Premium Live Event Rankings
WrestleMania 39 – 9.5
Elimination Chamber – 8
Backlash – 8
SummerSlam – 8
Money in the Bank – 8
Royal Rumble – 8
The Rif Files 