On Saturday, SummerSlam commenced upon Nashville, Tennessee at Nissan STADIUM. It was an event that was solid and could be a contender for one of their best PPV's of 2022. I decided to watch this again on Sunday, since I was celebrating buying a car with a 15 pack of Four Peaks Kilt Lifter. (Side note: If you are in Arizona and want a smooth amber ale, this is your beer.) Because of that, my memory is cloudy on certain parts of the show.
The pre-show was the same "Let's hype up this pay-per-view" shtick. Booker T referenced the song "Second Time Around" by Shalamar when referring to the Roman/Brock tilt. Also, Jerry Lawler looks terrible. I realize that he is in his 70's, but just does not look well. I don't know if I'm the only one who sees that. They ran an ad for WWE Live events. One that caught my eye was an event in Prescott Valley. WWE goes to Prescott Valley? Huh, interesting.
Jason Aldean provided the theme song, since it's in Nashville, the home of country music.
Titus O'Neill came out to hype the Nashville crowd and announce that the company is donating money to charities.
The opening match was the finale between Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair. This is how you book a long rivalry. The company has done an excellent job of elevating both superstars without making these two look like fools. Yes, even if Bianca lost in 26 seconds last year. This contest was as good as their WrestleMania encounter. I posted on our Facebook page that Bianca is going to be a Hall-of-Famer. You bet your bottom dollar that Becky is going to be one also. The crowd inside Nissan "STADIUM" was really into this. Bianca hit a wicked KOD to Becky to the outside. Lynch executed her patented Manhandle Slam, but Belair kicked out. Bianca hit Lynch with a Spanish Fly and pounced on her quickly to deliver a KOD for the pin. Bianca retains the Raw Women's Championship. Becky does a sad face and shakes Bianca's hand after the match.
Then, Bayley arrives! Thank god. The crowd erupts as her music plays. Then, Dakota Kai arrives! Cool. Corey Graves says "Dakota Kai isn't under WWE contract!" I say in my smartass voice "Maybe Triple H signed her back, you dolt." Then, Io Shirai appears. Okay, I'm interested. Graves called her IYO SKY, despite the fact that her entrance video clearly says Io Shirai. By the way, I've praised Corey Graves recently for his announcing. This event, he was insufferable. The trio head to the ring to confront Belair. Becky joins Belair to face off against the trio. Bayley and her stable leave.
Triple H, if you are reading this, and why wouldn't you, please do anything in your power to bring back Sasha Banks and Naomi. If you can convince Bruno Sammartino to end his feud with the company, this should be a cakewalk.
Also, Raw announcer Jimmy Smith twice called the venue "Nissan Arena." The venue is called Nissan STADIUM.
Logan Paul vs. The Miz is next. Okay, so yours truly has in the past criticized both of the Paul Brothers. They use their wealth to get them ahead of everyone in boxing. Am I right? Logan appeared at WrestleMania this year and I even made the comment that Logan seemed to think that the WWE was beneath him. Then he signed a contract with them recently. I thought, "What's the catch here?" That being said, this match made me impressed with Logan Paul. As much as everyone hates the Miz, I give him credit for putting over Logan. Paul has the athleticism to be a player in the company's future. At one point, the referee ejected Tommaso Ciampa. Ciamps didn't want to leave. AJ Styles appeared from the crowd and he assaulted Ciampa out of Nissan Stadium. Also, the company needs to hire John Morrison back and put Tommaso Ciampa in NXT, where he belongs. Paul delivered a Phenomenal Forearm for a two count. Then came the moment of the match. Logan Paul executes a beautiful frog splash to the Miz onto the announce table. I told you Logan Paul was impressive. After the Miz almost nailed his wife, Maryse, with a crested Polaroid, Paul catches him with his own finishing maneuver, the Skull Crushing Finale, for a three. Okay, Logan Paul has a future in the WWE. I would put the boxing on hold and focus on this.
A segment with the Maxximum Male Models airs. It was basically meant to schill Pure Life Water. They showed a close up of the bottle, and the swerve of the night happens. Eli Drake appears and is back with the faction. I'm calling him Eli Drake, because the company has given him 15 different names to play with.
The United States Championship is next. One of the announcers pointed out that Austin Theory is undefeated since winning the Money In The Bank briefcase. He's had like three matches. Also, Austin Theory is going to be a superstar in the future. Is he a world championship contender right now? No. His opponent, Bobby Lashley, should be in world championship matches until he retires. I'm digging Lashley as a face. Theory attacks Lashley with the briefcase before the bell. So, Theory is a lefty. He reminds me of the Miz when he had his run with the Money In The Bank briefcase. Austin tries to leave, but Lashley cuts him off. Theory delivers a beautiful dropkick to Lashley. The thing was he started it while lying on his back. This was a back-and-forth contest. Lashley attempted a press slam, but Theory wiggled his way out, only to be caught and put in the Hurt Lock for the submission. Theory will get there, just not right now.
The Judgement Day vs. The Mysterios are next. If you want to strengthen the tag team division, these two teams are your foundation. I have to say it, Finn Balor looks out of place with the Judgement Day. These two teams have some good chemistry together. Rey uses a steel chair on the Judgement Day, since this is a No Disqualification match. The announcers continually point this out. Balor delivered a flying clothesline on Rey. Both Rey and Dominik attempted 619 on Priest and Falor, but Rhea Ripley broke it up, which was legal due to it being a NO DISQUALIFICATION match. Someone should invent a drinking game when the announcers mention that everything is legal or how it's a No Disqualification match. I think I just did. Balor tells Priest to get a chair, then music plays and the lights go out. Fire emerges from the stage as Edge appears! He spears both members of the Judgement Day as the Mysterios take advantage with a 619 and the pin. Having Edge being taken and kicked out of the Judgement Day will continue to be the worst decision the company has made in 2022......creatively.
Jason Aldean's song for the official theme of SummerSlam is fitting for what the company is right now. WWE is indeed a "Crazy Town."
Michael Cole is now on commentary, along with Corey Graves. Oh great, Graves will be doing the majority of the commentary. How wonderful. Pat McAfee and Happy Corbin is up. Here it is, WWE. You have the makings of an excellent rivalry with two superstars who apparently know each other very well. This should elevate both of them and make the company money. I'm pointing this out, because WWE will probably not do this. While Corbin is making his way to the ring, a choir of men are singing "BumAss Corbin." The ring announcer listed Corbin at 285 lbs. That's a lean 285 for him. McAfee comes out with a sleeveless shirt and shorts. Corbin is wearing a collared shirt and pants. No traditional wrestling tights or trunks for anyone here? Like Logan Paul, Pat McAfee has talent and is a player in the company's future. He needs more ring experience to blossom. Someone in front row is wearing a Pat McAfee Indianapolis Colts jersey. Never saw a fan wear a jersey for a punter. Could be a trend. Speaking of trend, to this point, we had some solid matches in this event. The two men go to the outside and Corbin gets the headset, taunting McAfee. Michael Cole throws the line, "Your parents would be embarrassed by you" at Corbin, which made me laugh. McAfee jumps onto the turnbuckle as Corbin was climbing up and delivered a Superplex to Happy. McAfee almost slipped on the landing. McAfee delivers a Swanton to the outside, in which he almost falls off the top rope. The referee goes down after Corbin runs into him. McAfee delivers a kick to the downstairs area, which was payback from the night before. Pat gets the victory after executing Code Red on Corbin.
They showed highlights of the great match between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus from the night before. With his victory, McIntyre will face the Undisputed Universal Champion at Clash At The Castle. McIntyre hypes up the Nashville and promotes his title match at Clash At The Castle against the winner of the main event. Clearly, it's Roman Reigns. He was on the poster for the event.
The tag team title match is next. Why was Jeff Jarrett the special guest referee for this match? The Tennessee Titans' dance squad come out with the Street Profits, who are wearing Titans themed wrestling gear and cowboy hats. It looked cool. (Side note: Montez Ford's wife, Bianca Belair, is a native Tennessean.) The Usos come out on their record-breaking 376th day as tag team champion. Jeff Jarrett needs a haircut, badly. I'm going to make a statement and I want you to ponder what I say. The Usos makes their opponents better by how they operate. They do that every time they face the New Day and they are doing it here with the Street Profits. Geez, Montez Ford can FLY. For a big man, Angelo Dawkins has crazy athleticism. This wasn't fast paced, but a slowed down flow of a contest. After every near fall, Montez Ford has a look as if he wants to punch a hole through the canvas. One of the Usos is wearing a grill in his mouth. Jimmy Uso tried to superkick Jarrett, but was caught, and the momentum caused Jimmy to eat a slam and splash. Ford seems angry with Jarrett. The Usos double superkick Ford and Dawkins. Jimmy and Jey retain after giving Dawkins their finisher, the 1D. The Money In The Bank match was better, but this encounter was again, slowed down and told a story. Montez Ford would make a great heel due to his facial expressions.
Someone in the attendance is wearing a fedora and a Juilo Jones jersey. It looks like a good combination. If I try that, it probably won't work, or will it?
Corey Graves says something about Air Force Ones upside someone's head. He needs to shut up already.
They promote Kid Rock's single, which is also a theme for the event. Kid Rock is at front row with a woman who looks like she would rather be anywhere else than at SummerSlam. They make out in front of the camera. I almost threw up in my mouth witnessing that. He then flips off the camera, which Peacock had to censor.
Matt Riddle jumps into the ring and the crowd is happy. He tells one of the members of security to shut up. I guess he's trying to be a badass since his gimmick is being laid back. He calls out Seth Roliins, and no, I'm not calling him Seth "Freakin" Rollins. Seth comes out as Adam Pearce and wait, is that Gregory Helms? Anyway, they try to stop Rollins from entering the squared circle. He runs to the ring as Riddle meets him. They fight in the ring as Seth delivers a Curbstomp on Matt, thus injuring him more. The crowd is singing along to Seth Rollins' theme. This wasn't really necessary, but I feel that the company needed both to make an appearance to further the rivalry. If SummerSlam was in August, Riddle would be healed up and the match would commence. I will probably complain about this one more time.
The Smackdown Women's Championship is up. Okay, there will be many misogynic comments that Liv Morgan won the title, because of her looks. I admit that Liv Morgan is an attractive woman, but did she win the championship due to that? Hell, no! Look at her body of work during a three-year span, you see improve across the board. Fans and officials have lobbied for pushing Liv Morgan. The time is now for her. Ronda Rousey comes out to a rousing ovation. The thing with her is that she can draw and can get a great pop. What's the problem? I will tell you later. Liv Morgan comes out, and honestly, she looks timid and with no confidence at all. Triple H should be able to book her better. Damn, Ronda is now an experienced veteran. Remember when the company handed her the title and she still had flaws in her skill set? Ronda looks polished as a professional wrestler. It seems like they were recreating the Brock/Roman clash at WrestleMania 31. Rousey dominated this match as Morgan was being resilient as the underdog. Morgan wins in a "Dusty" finish. Ronda attacks Morgan and the referee after the match. This was the worst match of the night. Not because of the competitors in the ring, because of the booking. Ronda Rousey's return has been a flop. Again, not her fault. I see Liv Morgan getting destroyed by Charlotte for another title reign on her resume. This sucks.
The mayor of Knox County and WWE Hall of Famer, Kane, is in the ring. He announces the attendance of 48,449. He thanks the WWE Universe and does his signature bring-his-arms-up-and-down-until-pyro-explodes-from-the-corner move.
The main event is now on. The hopefully final encounter between Lesnar and Reigns. In my head, I thought that this was going to be the best match of their rivalry. Reigns comes out on his 680th day as world champion. Roman grabs a mic and tells Nashville to acknowledge him. Brock's music hits and the crowd goes nuts. He comes out in his usual wrestling gear with a smile on his face. He then walks back to the stage where a tractor is. He puts a flannel shirt and cowboy hat on as he gets behind the wheel of the tractor. Lesnar drives the tractor with a front-end loader to the ring. He climbs up to the loader and raises his arms high. He has a mic to introduce himself. Heyman didn't get to introduce Roman, which was disappointing. Brock jumps from the loader and attacks Reigns, as the bell sounds. Lesnar continues to punish Roman on the outside. Within two minutes, this is easily the best encounter out of this rivalry. Its out-of-the-box and not the usual same moves that they do every time they face off. Roman drives Lesnar onto a tower near ringside. Brock propels Roman on the tower and onto a cameraman. Lesnar goes under the ring and pulls out a table. Michael Cole explains the rules of the Last Man Standing match, who are watching one for the first time, I guess. Heyman tries to plead with Roman, which to Reigns giving Brock a Samoan drop on the table. Roman hits Brock with the steel steps. Roman grabs another table and sideslams Brock on it. Roman hits two Superman punches and a spear, but Brock gets up before the count of ten. Reigns gets thrown to the floor. Brock climbs back onto the tractor and goes backwards, trying to position it for something special. Lesnar grabs steel steps and a piece of table and attacks Roman. Reigns is able to get back up before the ten count. Reigns goes inside the loader of the tractor. Lesnar lifts the loader up and dumps Reigns into the ring. Brock gets off the tractor and continues to attack Roman. For the first time in their rivalry, the crowd is chanting, "This is awesome!" Yes, it is. After a near ten count, Brock hits an F5. Reigns makes it to his feet. Brock tries for another F5, but Reigns counters with a Guillotine Submission Hold. Brock reverses with his own Guillotine hold. The referee tells Brock that he is out. Reigns makes it back to his feet at nine. Lesnar goes back to the tractor and instantly, becomes a meme. The tractor moves the ring and lifts it a third of the way up! Nissan Stadium becomes unglued. The Usos come to help their cousin, Roman. Okay, Jimmy and Jey won their match earlier cleanly, yet Roman needs help. This is a recurring theme during the Bloodline's dominance. They are destroyed by Brock. Heyman gets in the face of Lesnar and suffers an F5 on the announce table for his troubles. Reigns delivers a Spear, but both men are able to get up before ten. Austin Theory comes out to cash in the MITB. He hits Reigns with the briefcase. He is talking to the referee about cashing in, but Brock intercepts him and delivers an F5 to Theory on the briefcase. The twins hit a double superkick on Lesnar, but to no avail. Roman connects with a Spear, again to no avail. Reigns grabs the briefcase and attacks Lesnar, mercifully. Brock gets up. This is (bleeping) great to watch. Reigns hits Lesnar with one of the title belts. Graves yells to the referee to count faster. Just shut up, Corey. BROCK GETS BACK UP! This is how you end a rivalry. Reigns looks like he's about to cry. He grabs the other title belt and hits Brock with it. Now the Bloodline to stacking pieces of the shattered announce table and chairs to keep Brock down. Reigns stands on the rumble on top of Brock for the ten count. What a way to end a rivalry and an exceptional Pay-Per-View.
SummerSlam 2022 was again, exceptional, and WWE continues to impress when it comes to their stadium shows. Nashville is a great wrestling town and the 48000+ came out in drones to support the product. Hopefully moving forward, Stephanie and Triple H can improve the product.
And hopefully, SummerSlam can go back to August where it belongs. That was the last of me complaining about that.
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