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SummerSlam 2021 is in the books, and it was a great pay-per-view overall. While there were some less-than-great moments at SummerSlam as well, that's only to be expected from a four and a half hour show.
What was important was that SummerSlam delivered where it needed to. We had a match of the year candidate, two massive returns, several title changes, and an exciting direction for the future of WWE.
SummerSlam started with a bang and ended with one as well. Let's jump right into what WWE subtly told us at SummerSlam 2021.
#7 Brock Lesnar's return at SummerSlam marks a big shift in character
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Roman Reigns vs. John Cena was the perfect SummerSlam main event. They eclipsed their previous match at No Mercy 2017 in a big way. This will be remembered as a classic with incredible storytelling.
We were surprised at just how one-sided the match was at most times. John Cena got a good deal of offense in, but only after getting squashed for most of the bout. A regular AA wasn't enough to put The Tribal Chief. Even a Super AA and one through the announcers table couldn't get the job done.
John Cena just needed to get the pin, which he said on SmackDown in the build-up to SummerSlam. But Roman Reigns' outright dominance made him look incredible.
Ultimately, Reigns picked up the victory at SummerSlam in the main event, finishing Cena with a clean spear. The celebrations were underway, but it was all cut short when a ghost from the past returned - Brock Lesnar.
After 18 months away, Lesnar is officially back in WWE. Not only this, but the way he was presented, The Beast Incarnate seems to be a babyface for the first time in many years.
Usually, Brock Lesnar is a superstar who rarely crosses the heel/face dynamic. Like The Undertaker, he often remained a tweener in his run from 2012-2020. But with Roman Reigns as the top heel, it seems as though Brock Lesnar is now a full-fledged babyface with his new look.
The turn has even made fans forget that Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar faced off on numerous occasions in 2018.
#6 Goldberg's bizarre loss to Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam and the implications
Goldberg's match against Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam went on for a couple of minutes longer than it needed to. It wasn't too painful a match to watch. We saw a different side of Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam, as he brutalized Goldberg to the point that he couldn't even continue.
MVP was the biggest difference-maker in the SummerSlam co-main event. He smacked the back of Goldberg's leg with his cane, essentially handicapping the WWE Hall of Famer.
From there onwards, it was complete domination from The All Mighty WWE Champion. Goldberg limped, and the referee called the match off at SummerSlam as the WWE Hall Of Famer was unable to continue.
Post-match, Goldberg's son Gage was put to sleep, with the legend telling Bobby Lashley that he would kill him. This might be a spoiler on Bobby Lashley's WWE title reign, but a rematch seems to be on the cards.
While Goldberg has used up both matches in 2021 as per his contract, a mini-extension would allow him to have a bout in Saudi Arabia at WWE Crown Jewel.
Now to the spoiler part. Bobby Lashley vs. Goldberg could happen again, with the Hall Of Famer winning. But the WWE Title may not be on the line because Lashley might lose the championship by then. Big E is the safest bet to dethrone him as of this moment.
#5 Was Nikki A.S.H.'s Money in the Bank win pointless?
Nikki A.S.H. defended the RAW Women's Title against SummerSlam against Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a Triple Threat match. It was one of the best bouts of the night.
Charlotte Flair was by far the best in the match, and she won. Surprisingly, fans cheered The Queen after her win at SummerSlam. It's title No.12 for Charlotte Flair and 14 overall, including her NXT Women's titles.
Ultimately, the RAW Women's division seems to be stuck in a cycle, and Nikki A.S.H.'s Money in the Bank win seems to have been pointless. Liv Morgan from SmackDown should have been the most logical winner this year and it seems like the contract was wasted.
#4 Edge gets retribution in the potential match of the year at SummerSlam
Edge and Seth Rollins faced off in a dream match at SummerSlam, which exceeded the high expectations set for it. Both men delivered a Match Of The Year candidate.
It was an instant classic - an in-ring and psychological masterclass. It's normal to see dream matches not delivering, but Edge has been on a tear in 2021.
The Rated-R Superstar won with a submission hold, which he normally doesn't use to win his matches.
It was a good throwback, especially with Edge using his old "brood" entrance. The WWE Hall Of Famer winning may get split reactions.
The crowd at SummerSlam was cheering him and several older fans would be happier to see Edge win. But was it right? Seth Rollins has lost all his major matches this year, and this may have helped.
But the other side of the argument is that Seth Rollins came out of SummerSlam looking better even in defeat. Rollins won't lose his push, but it will be interesting to see when Edge returns.
#3 RK-Bro - The right team at the right time at SummerSlam 2021
RK-Bro opened the night at SummerSlam 2021. It was the perfect match to start the show since the opener and the main event of a pay-per-view is usually considered to be the most important ones on the card.
RK-Bro certainly got the mood going at SummerSlam 2021 as they took on RAW Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Omos. The strategy was obviously to isolate Styles away from Omos, and that's exactly what they managed to do as Randy Orton finished The Phenomenal One with an RKO.
It was a great SummerSlam moment and, all-around, the right decision to make. It was also high time that a RAW Tag Team title change happened. AJ Styles and Omos won the belts from The New Day at WrestleMania and haven't always been around to defend them.
They've been more active in the last few months leading up to SummerSlam. Randy Orton's return made the timing of the title change perfect. What WWE implied at SummerSlam was a big change in the guard in the RAW tag team division. Will RK-Bro hold on to the titles for long?
#2 Damian Priest cements himself as one of the rising stars in WWE at SummerSlam
Damian Priest and Sheamus had one of the more underrated feuds heading into SummerSlam 2021. It was fun to watch, and it culminated with their US Title match at the Biggest Party Of The Summer.
At SummerSlam, the two would have an entertaining bout as expected. While 100% of the crowd didn't react to the match, there was still a good enough number that cheered for both men, making it a good contest.
WWE has done well with Damian Priest so far - better than they've handled most of the main roster call-ups from NXT. His association with Bad Bunny seems to have paid dividends. The Archer Of Infamy has been on a tear throughout the year, and at SummerSlam 2021, he cemented himself as one of the fastest-rising stars in WWE this year.
The big question is whether WWE can be consistent with Priest as the United States Champion. The way he has been presented leading up to SummerSlam, it's clear that the higher-ups favor him, which is good news for the Archer Of Infamy in the long run.
#1 Becky Lynch returns at SummerSlam, with shock and confusion ensuing
SummerSlam 2021 must have been a confusing night for Bianca Belair. She walked in as the SmackDown Women's Champion, expecting to defend the title against Sasha Banks.
There were rumors going on for a while that Banks would be pulled from SummerSlam, but WWE chose to advertise the match all the way up until Bianca Belair came out. Greg Hamilton then revealed that The Legit Boss would not be competing.
Her replacement? Carmella. It was underwhelming, and we felt bad for the former Women's Champion and the fact that she had to be in a bad spot that was never going to favor her.
Right as the match was about to begin, Becky Lynch made her return at SummerSlam after nearly 16 months.
To no surprise, it got a huge reaction. Fans were thrilled to see The Man back. Becky Lynch threw Carmella away and challenged Bianca Belair to a match at SummerSlam, which was immediately accepted.
What was most shocking, however, was The EST Of WWE losing to Lynch in seconds at SummerSlam. It took The Man mere seconds to dethrone Belair as she delivered a ManHandle Slam and pinned her opponent quickly.
Bianca Belair's four-month title reign came crashing down at SummerSlam. Not only were the rumors of Becky Lynch returning to SmackDown true, but the entire landscape has changed.
It's likely going to lead to a proper Becky Lynch-Bianca Belair feud post-SummerSlam. However, the treatment of the EST Of WWE could have been better at The Biggest Party Of The Summer.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
