Best and Worst of WWE Summerslam 2016 - August 21, 2016

Summerslam is the second biggest PPV of the WWE, every year. This year, the action for the 29^th edition of Summerslam, took place at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York. While the show started off very strongly (on the heels of an A+ NXT Takeover), it tapered off into non-finishes, controversies, and meaningless contests. The bloody end was indicative of just how far this show fell, through the course of the night.

But of course, there were quite a few winners as well. Let’s explore the good and the bad from the 29^th Annual Summerslam, shall we?

THE GOOD

The show had its fair share of highlights, for sure. Let’s look at some of them right now.

1. The future of WWE is crowned champion

   

   Finn Balor defeated Seth Rollins in what was a magnificent encounter

While the Rollins vs Balor feud for the Universal Championship didn’t really have the best build-up, unlike the Ziggler-Ambrose feud; when it was time to deliver in the ring...the RAW competitors outshone the Smackdown ones. Balor’s entrance was majestic, the match was magnificent and the end was one that pleased every WWE fan.

Balor has a fantastic character, is ‘over’ with the fans, and we can see him as the man who’ll carry the company, into the future.

2. A.J. Styles and John Cena stole the show

   

   One of the best matches this year

We knew that this match would deliver, but it stole the show to such a degree that the enthusiastic crowd became exhausted for the rest of the card. Two of the best wrestlers in the world got into the ring and had a classic contest for the ages.

A.J. Styles picking up a clean win over John Cena was the icing on the cake. Sadly, no match that followed this was able to live up to the benchmark created by these maestros. And hence, the show suffered. But moving on...

3. Charlotte and Sasha Banks had a classic encounter

   

   Before losing the Women’s Championship, Sasha Banks and Charlotte gave it their all

No, we aren’t too happy with the outcome either. We realize that Sasha Banks lost her title tonight, but there’s more to this than meets the eye considering that she’s been taken off live events for the rest of the month. We hope it’s not another dreaded Wellness Policy violation.

Be that as it may, Charlotte and Sasha Banks continued the Women’s Evolution with a breathtaking singles match that had the crowd chanting ‘This is Awesome’. These two are the modern day Lita and Trish Stratus.

3. Brock Lesnar looked dominant

   

   Brock Lesnar squashed the Viper

We realize that this is not the match that everyone was expecting. But it continues Brock Lesnar’s run as the dominant beast in the company. Just think about it. He destroyed one of the biggest stars in mere minutes. We can only wonder who will dethrone the beast? Big Cass? Samoa Joe? Braun Strowman?

THE BAD

Of course, the show had more than its share of bad moments. Here are just a few.

1. The hideous looking Universal Championship

   

   What’s redder than Eva Marie?

The WWE Universal Championship looked more stupid than Sheamus. So much so, that it got massive heat from fans. It looks like it was carved out of Kane’s body suit. But that’s not all that was bad on the show.

2. Non-finishes in the two big matches

   

   Viewers everywhere were left disappointed with the finishes

The last two matches on the card were complete washouts. Neither the Rusev vs Roman Reigns match, nor the Brock Lesnar vs Randy Orton match had clear winners. We think the jam packed Barclays Center and the millions watching at home expected far more from the card.

A real dampener after what was a strong start.

3. The 6-woman tag team match

   

   For a match so high in the card, this was a disaster

As compared to Monday Night Raw’s amazing roster of female competitors, Smackdown’s roster seems paper thin. While this was a cool down match per se, featuring the returning Nikki Bella, in our opinion, it just watered the show down.

This match belonged on the pre-show, and honestly, the Cesaro-Sheamus Best-of-7-Series should have taken its spot.

4. Jon Stewart

   

   Is it just us, or does he bomb every time he’s in the ring?

We understand the appeal that mainstream stars have for WWE, but Jon Stewart is not over with the fans at all. Last year, he interfered at Summerslam and cost John Cena his 16^th WWE Championship win. This year, he was responsible for costing The Club the Tag Team Titles.

We feel that The New Day is growing stale and new Tag Team Champions would have been a welcome change. But coming back on point, please keep Jon Stewart away.

5. No surprise interference

   

   Sadly, Goldberg did not come out to face Lesnar

The crowd was chanting ‘Goldberg’ after the blood bath that Lesnar doled out on Orton. Sadly, he did not show up. Neither did the Wyatts. Any show where Jon Stewart is the biggest surprise is bound to be a dud.

IN CONCLUSION: Summerslam was a show that had its good moments, and bad. Placing John Cena vs AJ Styles higher on the card would have changed things, in our opinion. We give the show a solid 6.5/10, simply for Lana.

Ravishing and how