6 crucial storyline developments from WWE SummerSlam 2019 - Legend returns from injury, shock title change

WWE's SummerSlam has finished, and we didn't get any of the major surprises that everyone was expecting. There was no Ronda Rousey or Sasha Banks return. No 'Demon' Finn Balor appearance. There wasn't even advancement of the Roman Reigns storyline pre-taped or otherwise.

Nevertheless, we're here to focus on what did happen, and despite all of the above not happening, there are still many major takeaways from WWE SummerSlam 2019 that will shape the course of what happens going forward!

There were some last-minute pre-show matches with Drew Gulak defending his Cruiserweight Title against Oney Lorcan, Buddy Murphy taking on Apollo Crews and The IIconics trying to regain their WWE Women's Titles against Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross.

On the main show, we had Raw, and SmackDown Women's Title matches, both the WWE and Universal titles were defended, and there was a United States title match. All on the show was Kevin Owens fighting to keep his job, 'The Fiend' debuting and two era-spanning matches involving Trish Stratus and Goldberg.

But what were the crucial storyline developments you should know before heading into the post-SummerSlam RAW and SmackDown Live? Well, let me tell you!

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#6. Edge returns and hits a spear for the first time in years

Edge gets physical in a WWE ring for the first time in years!

Earlier this month I wrote a feature on WWE Superstars who definitely retired too soon, and Edge was on the list because he was World Champion when injury reared its ugly head and forced him to retire. One wrong move and he could be paralysed or worse.

Since his retirement Edge has made numerous appearances for WWE in various capacities but never once did he take a bump or get overly physical. That was until today at SummerSlam when not only did he return to confront Elias, as has become customary, but he hit 'The Drifter' with a spear!

Now, before anyone starts getting carried away and envisaging a 'Daniel Bryan-esque' fairytale return, this was likely just a one-off moment to give Edge a big pop in his home country and give the WWE Universe a big surprise moment.

However, Edge being allowed to get physical at all is a huge storyline development both in and outside of kayfabe. Within the storyline, it opens the door in the future for Edge to return and hit more spears and, dare I say it, perhaps even have one more match. Outside of kayfabe, it raises all kind of questions about injured Superstars and what was career-ending in the past, possibly not being career-ending now. It's a big deal!

See WWE Summer Slam Results, Highlights of event, & more on WWE Summer Slam Results page

#5. Matt Riddle bumps into Goldberg

It looks like Riddle and Goldberg may happen in the future

Matt Riddle may have his hands full with the giant Killian Dain over on NXT but it seems like 'The King of Bros' may now also have his hands full with the giant Goldberg on the main roster with WWE apparently playing the long game with the NXT Superstar.

This is because Riddle had been hyping up his involvement in WWE SummerSlam for a number of days with many believing we might get payoffs or at least hints towards angles Riddle himself had invented on Twitter between himself and Brock Lesnar, who he wants to retire, or Goldberg, who he called 'the worst wrestler in the world'.

"I'm not your bro." Bill Goldberg 8/11/19@SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/NN036cW3la

— JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) August 11, 2019

And that's exactly what we got with Riddle appearing on the WWE Watch Along show and telling a story about bumping into Goldberg backstage, it was revealed that this backstage incident was captured on WWE cameras so we'll likely see it onscreen at some point.

I'm walking by, and I see his locker room. I'm trying to get a peek, and I'm looking, I'm looking. All of a sudden [hand smacks shoulder], big shoulder, 300 pounds at least. I look up; it's Bill Goldberg. He goes, 'we got some talking to do.' 'We can talk anytime.' 'Yeah?' 'Yeah. Alright, bro, we can talk anytime.' He's like, 'I'm not your bro.' I'm like, 'Alright bro, take it easy, whatever.'

"He's like, 'We'll see, I'll see you later. It was a pleasure meeting you.' 'The pleasure was all mine, bro.' Then he goes, 'I'm not your bro.' Then I walked away,"

#4. Trish Stratus' farewell match

The match between Charlotte Flair and Trish Stratus was better than I expected and may have even been one of the best matches of the evening. However, what I did expect was the outcome which saw Charlotte defeat Trish.

This was important because it was revealed to definitely be Trish Stratus' final match and the legendary women's wrestler has finally retired, and has gone out on her back doing so, putting over Charlotte as the top star in the women's division.

Obviously in retirements in WWE are significantly different to retirements in any other job so never say never to Stratus returning in the future (I'm looking at you Shawn Michaels and Undertaker)

But the other major takeaway from Stratus's loss is that Charlotte is indeed the 'Queen of all Eras' and has picked up a big win to propel her back into the title picture on SmackDown Live with a match against Bayley all-but guaranteed for Clash of Champions.

#3. Kevin Owens isn't fired

The crowd eating out of Kevin Owens' hand

There was a part of me that thought that Kevin Owens would genuinely lose to Shane McMahon and would be fired and we'd get the resulting 'Owens does things until he gets his job back' storyline.

But what we got was so much better with Owens overcoming every obstacle and then getting one over on Shane McMahon by hitting the low blow and then Stunning him to keep his job.

Obviously the fact that Owens is still employed is a major storyline development in itself, but when you consider that this is the first time that Shane McMahon has been pinned this year with guys like Roman Reigns and The Miz trying and failing it's an even bigger deal.

My guess is that Owens goes on to potentially be one of the biggest babyfaces in the WWE having vanquished the marauding and egotistical Shane McMahon, but with fellow good guy Kingston occupying the WWE Title what's next for Owens?

#2. The Fiend kills Finn Balor

Bray Wyatt's 'The Fiend' is a success

I honestly can't believe that everyone is ignoring the fact that during this match 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt snaps Finn Balor's neck 'John Wick' style and instead of being dead Balor just gets up and rallies to hit some offense.

But honestly despite the result being fairly predictable due to Balor choosing not to be 'The Demon' this is a fairly major storyline development because the in-ring debut of 'The Fiend' from the entrance, to the wrestling, to the 'disappearing act' exit from the ring was perfect and the whole thing was a resounding success.

The belief now is that Wyatt will continue to be booked prominently and strongly going forward whilst Finn Balor will take some time off from WWE and will then more than likely rejoin with his former NJPW stablemates The OC (something they alluded to during the pre-show)

#1. New Universal Champion

Rollins regains his Universal Title

Mr. Monday Night RAW may have been on the ropes, he may have been losing his momentum and crowd support but my God did he win it back in that SummerSlam main event which saw him pin Brock Lesnar CLEAN despite being 'injured'.

This changes the whole landscape of RAW and opens up the title picture to guys like Cesaro, Andrade, Rey Mysterio, Ricochet, Styles etc. Rather than the select few that can believably go against a legitimate beast like Lesnar.

It also sets out a stool for Rollins as the top guy in the WWE because of how he beat Brock Lesnar. There were no low blows this time, no sneak attacks, no tricks or help from others. Just one guy cementing himself at the top of the pyramid.

It also suggests that Lesnar might be done with WWE again, or at the very least stepping away from the Universal Title picture to have feuds with other people that don't have a choke-hold over that brand's main belt!