Welcome to WWE SummerSlam 2017!
I’ll keep this preview fairly short considering we have a loaded card that includes a two-hour kick-off show that will run-down every match. Let’s start with the blue brand and the underdog story of the year, Jinder Mahal! Tonight Jinder puts his WWE Championship on the line against a fan favourite in the form of Shinsuke Nakamura. I’m curious how these two will gel inside the squared circle and who will come out on top because I could easily see it go either way. Let us know if you think the modern day Maharaja can retain and continue his dream year!
Raw’s main event couldn’t be more different as it features four behemoths with no rules. Brock Lesnar comes to SummerSlam to defend his Universal Championship against Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, and Samoa Joe. Paul Heyman has promised that Brock will leave WWE forever if he loses his title tonight. There’s a lot on the line in this match and I personally hope to see Samoa Joe win the strap. Regardless of who wins though, we’re sure to see an absolute car wreck and I can’t wait!
Also on the summer blockbuster card, AJ Styles faces Kevin Owens for the United States Championship, with Shane McMahon acting as the guest referee. On the Raw side of things, Alexa Bliss defends her Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks, meanwhile SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi puts her gold on the line against Natalya with Carmella waiting in the wings with her Money In The Bank Briefcase. Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose have put their differences aside and hope to dethrone Sheamus & Cesaro as the Tag Champs tonight, as well as The Uso’s challenging The New Day one last time.
That’s not even every match on the card tonight and there’s going to be at least two on the extra-long Kick-Off show which airs at 5 PM ET. SummerSlam’s main show airs at 7 PM ET and is likely to reach the four-hour mark. Remember to join in the conversation on the Ringside Talk app, as well as find all your news on the Ringside News app. This is the biggest show of the Summer folks, so strap in and enjoy!
SummerSlam Kick-Off Show
The pre-show starts with Renee Young welcoming us to the show and introducing her fellow panelists, Jerry “the King” Lawler, Lita, and David Otunga. They discuss their shoes for a moment before tossing to Charly Caruso in the social media lounge, where she will be joined later by Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins for a Q&A.
Your #SummerSlam Kickoff panel is ready to preview all the action: @ReneeYoungWWE @JerryLawler @AmyDumas & @DavidOtunga! pic.twitter.com/fK6OPWSGY4
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 20, 2017
Sam Roberts is outside the arena hanging out with a raucous crowd. The first match up for discussion is Baron Corbin Vs. John Cena and we get a recap of Corbin’s failed cash-in on SmackDown this week. We go backstage to an interview with Corbin himself. He says everybody knows what happened and it’s John Cena’s fault, so he doesn’t regret it, but he’s going to go out there and hurt Cena. And when you stick your people in nose’s business, there are consequences.
We return to the panel for a quick discussion of the tag title match before we take a commercial break. We come back to a video package for Finn Balor/Bray Wyatt. All of the panelists agree that Finn Balor bringing the Demon to SummerSlam spells doom for Bray Wyatt. Lita says the Demon is unstoppable and they all predict a Balor win.
A bit of hype for our preshow six-man tag follows, and then a house ad for the Mae Young Classic, before we get into the video package for the United States Championship match. We see footage of Owens and Styles’ rivalry, then Shane being announced as the referee only to be attacked by both men on different shows. Shane McMahon joins Dasha Fuentes backstage and she asks if what has transpired will play a role in his officiating tonight. Shane says that if it happens during the match it will likely be an accident and he will deem it as such unless he believes it to be intentional. Regardless, we will get a legit winner tonight.
We return to the panel and Otunga says that Kevin Owens is the most insecure Champion in WWE, so he blames everyone else for his shortcomings. Jerry Lawler says if history tells us anything, it’s that special referee’s always help determine the outcome of the matches. Lita says she would like to see AJ Styles win, simply because she would like a Kevin Owens tantrum. Otunga agrees with Lita but Lawler sides with Kevin Owens.
We head down to ringside for some tag team action, even though the arena is less than half full!
The #Miztourage is on the set as @mikethemiz @MaryseMizanin @TheBoDallas & @RealCurtisAxel make their way to the ring! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/7v7QATrOEA
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
The Miz, Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas W/Maryse Vs. Jason Jordan & The Hardy Boyz
Matt and Curtis to start, collar and elbow, Hardy grabs a side headlock, Axel gets him in the corner and tries to break dirty with a right hand but Matt blocks it and makes the tag to Jeff. Poetry in Motion, dropkick to the back of the head gets two, an arm wringer and a tag to Jordan.
Curtis in control, he pulls Jason over and tags Bo in. Elbows to the corner, Jordan fights back with a few of his own, whip into a dropkick, the cover is only good for one but Kurt Angle’s biological son is rolling. Waistlock takedown to an armbar from Jordan and then a tag to Matt Hardy. Hardy off the second with an elbow drop to the shoulder that sends Dallas pirouetting, quick tags back and forth as the babyfaces work him over. Things break down a little, Jordan directing traffic as the Hardy’s chop Axel and Dallas, another quick tag but Axel pulls Bo out of the ring to block the Swanton Bomb and we take a break.
??He’s got the moves, like Daddy… ??#SummerSlam @JasonJordanJJ @RealKurtAngle pic.twitter.com/GmQVXPF0FK
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 20, 2017
Back from our house ad, Jeff is rolling, getting a nearfall on Dallas. Twist of Fate denied, Hardy heading up top but Axel cuts him off, giving Bo a window to put boots to him. Miz tags in for the first time, stomping away, a cover gets two and the A-Lister locks the Charismatic Enigma down with a seated rear chinlock.
Hardy to his feet, throwing elbows, he gets some separation but Miz hits the Manhattan Drop. Too much time taunting to capitalize, Jeff kicks him away and Curtis tags in. Stomp to the face, kneeling armbar while scraping his forearm across Brother Nero’s forehead, a hairpull mat slam denies the tag and Axel knocks Jordan off the apron for good measure. Jeff uses a whip into the corner to dropkick Miz and Dallas off the apron, a kick gets him away, Matt Hardy and Miz tag in!
This is quickly becoming… VINTAGE @MATTHARDYBRAND! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/LXXISFaSMj
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
Matt puts the A-Lister’s head into each turnbuckle over and over in turn, he’s fired up, “DELETE!” clothesline into the bulldog! To the second, diving elbow drop right to the back of Miz’s neck for a near-fall! Calling for the Twist of Fate, Miz reverses to the full nelson, Hardy slips away, the A-Lister kicks him in the gut and plants him with the basement DDT for a nearfall! Daniel Bryan chest kicks, Matt ducks the buzzsaw finale and hits a Side Effect for a two-count. Jordan fired up on the apron, he wants the tag and gets it despite Miz’s best efforts.
Axel tags in, he eats some elbows from Jordan. He shoulder tackles Axel into the corner, Bo gets belly-to-belly suplexed, Angle Slam for Curtis, only a nearfall! Jason lands a belly-to-belly suplex on Axel. Jordan looks to catch him again but a blind tag from the Miz and he catches Jordan from behind with a Skull Crushing Finale for the win!
Winners: The Miz, Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas
We return to the panel and they joke that Jordan didn’t win because the straps didn’t come down. From here we move on to a recap of the Seth Rollins/Dean Ambrose relationship, ahead of their upcoming interview with Dasha. You can check out the interview with the former Shield boys below:
Former #Shield brothers @WWERollins & @TheDeanAmbrose don’t need a tag team name… their ACTIONS will speak for themselves! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/FRrqdK6c8q
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
Cruiserweight Championship Match
(C) Akira Tozawa W/Titus O’Neil Vs. Neville
The bell rings and both men circle each other before Neville grabs a headlock. Tozawa shoots him into the ropes and Neville responds with a shoulder tackle. Neville does a backflip to avoid a kick from Tozawa, then dropkicks Akira. Neville jumps to the apron but Tozawa catches him with a dropkick and the former King falls to the outside.
Neville eventually comes back into the ring and Tozawa kicks him int he face. Tozawa is shot into the ropes and Neville looks for a Frankensteiner but nobody is home and Tozawa lands a huge standing senton. Tozawa runs at Neville but gets lifted over and onto the apron where he gets dropped neckfirst on the top rope. Neville quickly climbs out of the ring and throws Tozawa into the ring LED apron as we head to a break.
We return to see Neville on the top rope and he hits a front dropkick. Neville immediately goes back to the top rope and hits another dropkick, this time to the back of Tozawa. Neville stomps on Tozawa and taunts the fans. Neville grounds Tozawa with a headlock but the fans will Tozawa out of it. Tozawa tosses Neville out of the ring and follows-up with a suicide dive like a bullet!
The #Cruiserweight Champion @TozawaAkira channeling his inner ?#SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/MA8wV4VK0H
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 20, 2017
Two corner forearms from Tozawa, followed by a series of kicks and a snap back suplex. Tozawa looks to climb the ropes for his finisher but Neville rolls to the other side of the ring. Tozawa jumps from the apron but Neville catches him on his shoulders. Tozawa reverses Neville into an octopus stretch! Neville escapes but is immediately hit with a shining wizard from Tozawa for a near-fall.
Tozawa kicks Neville but is eats an enziguiri. Frankensteiner from Tozawa but he rolls through and hits another shining wizard to Neville and both men are down. Tozawa up first but Neville lands a wicked arm wringer to reaggravate the injured shoulder!
Neville smells blood and whips Tozawa into the corner. Neville runs but Tozawa gets a boot up in the corner, another right hand crumples Neville! Up top, the King cuts him off with a forearm and climbs to meet him, struggling over a superplex, Akira hits the avalanche gourdbuster! Akira takes to the top rope and leaps for the diving senton…but Neville got he knee’s up! The former King climbs to the top rope and jumps for the Red Arrow to the back of Tozawa…and regains his crown!!
Winner and New Cruiserweight Champion: Neville
All it took was a #RedArrow, and @WWENeville regains his position atop the #Cruiserweight division on #SummerSlam Kickoff! pic.twitter.com/jGGzumyBI8
— 205Live (@WWE205Live) August 20, 2017
A solid match and I’m very glad to see Neville regain his Championship.Less than an hour to go until SummerSlam officially kicks off. Michael Rosenberg has replaced Lita on the panel. Still to come on the kick-off show, The Uso’s Vs. The New Day for the Tag Team Championships.
Roman Reigns is backstage for an interview. Roman says there’s no reason to prepare for the match tonight because he was born to reign. He doesn’t care if you’re Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, or Samoa Joe, he’s whooping everybody and walking out as Champion.
Elias is in the ring and he plays an original little song for the New Yorkers. They boo loudly enough that Samson stops and starts his song over again. He finishes and says goodnight but then the light returns and he says they want an encore. The fans cheer and he starts playing another song, more jaunty, and they clap along. The second song had a line that said the people of Brooklyn have no balls and got a huge boo from the crowd – even Samson laughed at that.
Does Brooklyn want to walk with @IAmEliasWWE? #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/Un5uQR5qcK
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 20, 2017
Carmella and James Ellsworth join the panel and the Princess of Staten Island gets a big reaction from the Brooklyn crowd. They say it’s a big night but Carmella says she doesn’t feel pressure, and it’s Natalya and Naomi that should feel the pressure. Nobody’s talking about them, they’re all talking about her and her Money in the Bank contract, and they do some quick hit predictions and thoughts about several of tonight’s matches, but the Princess of Staten Island won’t reveal her plans for when she will cash-in her contract.
In front of the Indian flag, the Singh Brothers introduce Jinder Mahal and he cuts a promo about his 91 days as champion, gloating about putting Corbin away and talkings about how he’s going to silence the fans by destroying Shinsuke Nakamura tonight. He fights not just for himself, but for the 1.3 billion people of the great nation of India. He then cuts a promo in Punjabi.
We head back to ringside for the Tag Team Championship match! The Uso’s come to the ring, followed by The New Day – who’re dressed like DC’s Red Lanterns (Similar to Green Lanterns but they use rage instead of willpower). Kofi talks on the way to the ring, talking about all their memorable moments and accomplishments in Brooklyn. The crowd are firmly behind ya boys.
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match
(C) The New Day Vs. The Uso’s
Woods and Jey kick things off. Xavier gets taken down with a running shoulder. Woods flips out of a back suplex and ducks a clothesline before nailing Jey with an elbow to the face. Woods rips off Uso’s shirt to deliver some stiff chops to the chest. The crowd woos with each hit. We head to a break and we return to find The Usos in control.
Jey sets Woods up on the top rope for a superplex, but Woods fights him off and hits a dropkick from the top rope. Woods continues to take punishment from both Usos for a long time. Xavier finally breaks free with a facebuster out of nowhere. Big E gets the hot tag and starts throwing the Usos around with belly to belly suplexes. Big E tags in Woods and powerbombs him onto Jey. Then Woods picks up Big E on his shoulders and drops him on Jey in a with a body splash for a near-fall! Woods sells his back afterwards.
Every now and then, you just WANT to receive a Powerbomb, and @XavierWoodsPhD knows that… #SummerSlam #TagTeamTitles @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/YL7cp5i3pk
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 20, 2017
Jimmy tags in and the brothers hit a double spinebuster to Big E for a near fall. Woods tags back in and they hit a side slam/backstabber combo for a close two count. Jimmy and Xavier trade punches and headbutts. Everything starts breaking down as all four men start fighting. Big E even tries a suicide dive, but a superkick cuts him off. Jey hits a Superfly Splash to Woods, but he kicks out at two. Near fall after near fall from both teams build the tension.
Woods jumps off of the apron and DDTs Jimmy on the outside before he and Big E hit the Midnight Hour for an extremely close two count. The crowd is going bonkers right now. Jey throws Woods over the top rope rope and Jimmy catches him in mid-air with a Samoan Drop! Jimmy then throws Kofi headfirst into the steps. Big E spears Jey off the apron to even the score.
The @WWEUsos just pressed ⏹ on @WWEBigE! #SummerSlam #TagTeamTitles pic.twitter.com/qjEsDhlW8O
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 20, 2017
Big E sends Jey back into the ring and looks for the Big Ending but Jimmy pulls his brother off. Jimmy hits a superkick but E stays on his feet. Jey follows-up with a superkick but E is still standing, so they hit double superkicks and E goes down. The Uso’s hit simultaneous splashes from the top rope to win the match!
Winners and New SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Uso’s
That was an incredible match and good to see The Uso’s remaining relevant. That should have been on the main show.
We get an advertisement for KFC that features Dolph Ziggler, Becky Lynch, Big Show, Mojo Rawley, Heath Slater and R-Truth all auditioning to be the Colonel. Then we return ringisde and out comes Shawn Michaels dressed as the Colonel! Michaels dances to the ring, then slides across the announce tables to a wild reception from Brooklyn. What a weird moment but it’s never a bad thing to see HBK.
You never know what can happen at #SummerSlam…
Meet #ColonelHBK! @kfc @ShawnMichaels pic.twitter.com/7TdtGSxmqt
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 20, 2017
We get a promo backstage from Paul Heyman, who starts ranting about Brock Lesnar but quickly gets cut off from Braun Strowman, who grabs the microphone and says “You Talk Too Much” before Paul runs off. I swear I think they say that phrase solely to give Botchamania sound bites. The panel very quickly rhyme off predictions for the Fatal 4-Way main event and they all say a different guy. That’s it for the Kick-Off Show, it’s time for the real show!
WWE SummerSlam 2017 opens with a video of Brooklyn, New York and a guy spray-painting a SummerSlam mural with hype for each match.
Tom Phillips welcomes us to SummerSlam 2017. John Cena is the first man out and the Brooklyn fans meet him with a massive rendition of his theme song, albeit slightly modified.
John Cena Vs. Baron Corbin
The bell rings and Cena bails, puts in JBL’s cowboy hat at ringside and describes Corbin as being “shook” after what happened last Tuesday night. Back inside, Corbin with big knees and stomps to Cena. Corbin levels Cena with his slide out/slide in clothesline.
Corbin catches Cena jumping off the ropes and plants him with a quick slam that results in a two count. Cena with quick dropkick to Corbin, but Corbin shrugs it off and tosses Cena away. Brooklyn starts a funny “WHERE’S YOUR BRIEFCASE” chant at the behest of Corbin. Cena plants Corbin with his jumping shoulder blocks and twisting powerbomb. Corbin avoids Five Knuckle Shuffle and plants Cena with a chokeslam/backbreaker combo for another two count.
Chokeslam + Backbreaker = More pain than you can imagine… #SummerSlam @BaronCorbinWWE @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/ZOu9ieTQYs
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
Cena plants Corbin with a tornado DDT from the corner and this time connects with Five Knuckle Shuffle. Corbin with Deep Six countering an AA attempt for another two. Cena levels Corbin with a clothesline after Corbin misses his and connects with an AA to pick up the pinfall.
Winner: John Cena
After the match Cena celebrates with some celebrities and people he knows at ringside.
Back to the drawing board for @BaronCorbinWWE as @JohnCena picks up the win to kick off #SummerSlam! pic.twitter.com/nMNxl4P6lB
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 20, 2017
We get of WWE Superstars playing Rocket League clip from Xavier Woods Youtube channel, UpUpDownDown. The announcers discuss The Uso’s winning the Tag Team Championship’s from The New Day.
We’ve got some women’s action up next and we see a recap of the feud between Natalya and Naomi. Remember Miss Money In The Bank Carmella is lurking somewhere in the Barclays Centre. Tonight Natalya ties Trish Stratus for most PPV appearances for a woman ever!
The #QueenOfHarts graces @WWENetwork as @NatbyNature prepares to meet @NaomiWWE for the #SDLive #WomensTitle at #SummerSlam! pic.twitter.com/Dd6HoDZhAe
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) August 20, 2017
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Match
(Naomi) Vs. Natalya
Natalya hits a big right hand as soon as the bell rings, but Naomi is able to recover and take her down with a dropkick. Nattie rolls out of the ring, and Naomi follows for a kick to the face and a blockbuster off the stairs to the floor! Natalya is able to take over and she slingshots Naomi on the apron into the ring post, causing her to crash to the floor. Great start to this match.
Nattie controls the pace of the match as she hits a suplex for a two count. Natalya keeps yelling at the ref to do his job whenever Naomi kicks out at two. She yells at the crowd to shut up while locking Naomi in an abdominal stretch. She lifts up the back leg to add to Naomi’s pain. Eventually Naomi is is able to escape, but a discus clothesline puts her down for yet another near fall.
She calls herself the GLOWSTOPPER for a reason!@NatbyNature is taking it to the #SDLive #WomensChampion @NaomiWWE… #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/FYK7HCl1V8
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
Naomi is able to pull Nattie off the middle rope to buy herself time to recover. They trade rights and lefts for a moment. Naomi nails a spin kick before planting Natalya’s face into the mat with a headscissors. Naomi slingshots herself over the top rope to hit a leg drop while Natalya is draped across the middle rope. She makes the cover, but Nattie kicks out at two.
Natalya counters Naomi’s submission finisher into a Sharpshooter – although it always bugs me that she turns them over to their back, just to flip them back over with the Sharpshooter, why not just lift the legs and do it from the stomach?! Anyways, Naomi muscles herself up and sends Natalya into the corner headfirst! Naomi looks for a split-legged moonsault but Natalya blocks it with her knees and locks in the Sharpshooter again to get the win and become the new SD women’s champion!
Winner and New SmackDown Women’s Champion: Natalya
Another title change! After the match, Natalya looks smug as she raises the title in the corner. Meanwhile, Naomi is licking her wounds and shedding a few tears in the middle of the ring.
Another. New. Champ. #SummerSlam @NatbyNature pic.twitter.com/1JeXegiHVX
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
We get a commercial for the SmackDown exclusive-PPV No Mercy that features Alexa Bliss and creepy Bliss cheerleaders chanting No Mercy. Great commercial.
Does @real1 look scared to enter the #SharkCage? NOPE! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/gcyzadKErB
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 20, 2017
Enzo Amore is out to get into the shark cage before this match. He cuts a promo that pretty much retreads the same ground about him being a G and Cass being a loser. Finally Cass comes out to interrupt him and get this match underway.
Big Cass Vs. Big Show
Enzo Amore Suspended Above The Ring In A Shark Cage
Big Show with body shots to Cass in the corner. Big Show with a chop to Cass in the corner as Enzo shouts from the cage hanging above. Big Show is in complete control as he hits a sidewalk slam but hurts his hand in the process. Show methodically beats Cass around the ring until he looks for a corner bomb but nobody is home.
Big Cass rallies and hits a running clothesline in the corner. Cass looks for a big boot but eats a KO Punch from Big Show but he kicks out! Cass kicks out during a pinfall attempt. Cass starts working over the bad hand of Big Show. Getting a cluster of “BORING” chants from the Brooklyn crowd as Cass continues to work on the bad hand.
The left-handed CHOKESLAM from @WWETheBigShow is not enough to put @BigCassWWE away…but it sure was impressive! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/9Pps8tznhP
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
Big Show with a left hand clothesline and splash in the corner to Cass. Big Show with a left hand chokeslam and Cass kicks out. Cass bounces the bad hand of Big Show off the steel ring post. Enzo is taking his clothes off and trying to slide out of the cage. Enzo is oiling himself up. Enzo is free! Cass is looking up at him. Enzo falls to the mat and Cass levels him with a big boot. Cass backs up and catches Big Show with a big boot. Big Show kicks out. Cass with a second big boot and follows it up with The Empire Elbow for the win!
Winner: Big Cass
A very dominant win for Big Cass, a man WWE clearly have big plans for, no pun intended.
Well, @real1 somehow ESCAPED the #SharkCage…but it wasn’t enough as @BigCassWWE picks up the HUGE victory! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/b4ZJopbCth
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Backstage, Kurt Angle is on the phone when Daniel Bryan walks in. Bryan says Smackdown will steal the show with the WWE Championship match, which has international appeal. Angle thinks the RAW main event has more universal appeal. Bryan says SmackDown will have the better output and says it’s true, damn true. Jurt Angle asks if Raw will be better and starts saying Yes!. They shout Yes and No back and forth until we head to the ring. A fun segment but a little depressing to think that’s as close as we’ll ever get to a match between them.
Randy Orton comes out for his match against Rusev but as he poses on the middle rope, Rusev attacks him! Rusev takes Orton out of the ring and throws him into the barricade a few times. Back inside the ring now, and the match is ready to go.
Randy Orton Vs. Rusev
The bell rings and Rusev runs at Orton in the corner. Nobody’s home and Rusev hits the buckles with his chest, turns around and gets levelled with an RKO outta nowhere.
Winner Randy Orton
It only takes ONE! @RandyOrton nails @RusevBUL with a BRUTAL #RKO for the victory at #SummerSlam! pic.twitter.com/1CeW58bYjv
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Some will ridicule the booking of Rusev but I think the PPV and the fans needed something like that. They did not want a slow methodical match.
We see Sasha Banks walking backstage and she meets Bayley, the fans in Brooklyn boo big time for Bayley. The hugger hugs Sasha and wishes her luck and safety in her match.
Sasha Banks is out first, wearing an interesting headdress. Sasha aims to win her fourth Women’s Championshoip tonight!
BOSS TIME in Brooklyn as @SashaBanksWWE makes her way to the ring for a #RAW #WomensTitle opportunity against @AlexaBliss_WWE! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/uaBF6HgAZY
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
WWE Raw Women’s Championship Match
(C) Alexa Bliss Vs. Sasha Banks
The bell rings and the two women circle each other. A stiff tie-up leads to Alexa being clobbered with forearms in the corner, then Alexa turns the tables. They go back and forth until the ref pulls Sasha back, then Alexa hits her with a real hard cheap shot.
Banks dodges a charging Bliss and takes her down into a headlock but Bliss escapes right away only to be caught with a dropkick. Alexa rolls to the apron and goes to the top rope for a crossbody for a two count. Another stiff forearm from Bliss earns a two count. Bliss pulls Sasha’s hair around the ropes before kicking her in the corner. Sasha takes to the top rope but Alexa hits the ropes and cuts Sasha down to the mat head-first. Alexa lays into Sasha with some ground and pound.
Bliss continues to control the pace with a headlock in the middle of the ring. Alexa drags Sasha to the corner and sits atop the turnbuckles, and applies a sleeper with Sasha hanging below. Bliss drops Sasha and hits double knees from the middle rope, then backflips with another set of double knees for a near-fall. Bliss applies a neck crank to Sasha and the crowd rally.
So nice, she had do it TWICE! #SummerSlam @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/tcG4AyzzvW
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Alexa attacks Sasha in the corner with shoulder thrusts. Again Bliss looks for the hanging sleeper in the corner but this time Sasha flips her over and onto the mat. Sasha follows-up with a sliding knee and both women are down. They get to their feet and Sasha catches Bliss with two clotheslines, a dropkick and a neckbreaker of sorts. Alexa retaliates with a kick to the gut and a face slam to the knee. Alexa screams at Banks to give up but Sasha kicks her.
Alexa looks for a sunset flip from the corner but Sasha holds on and hits a reverse Alabamha Slam into the turnbuckles! Sasha knees and kicks Alexa in the corner multiple times and earns a near-fall. Banks hits the backstabber and locks in the Bank Statement but Alexa grabs the rope and rolls from the ring. Sasha goes to the apron and looks to leap off onto Alexa but Bliss pulls the ring skirt and Banks crashes to the floor.
TWISTED BLISS by @AlexaBliss_WWE! What’s even more twisted? @SashaBanksWWE KICKED OUT! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/XBChMnY8fz
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 21, 2017
Bliss brings Sasha back inside, then tosses her right back out and Sasha yelped and is now holding her shoulder. Banks makes it back into the ring at 9 and Alexa targets the shoulder right away. Bliss slams Sasha onto her shoulder hard before taking to the top rope and hitting Twisted Bliss but Sasha kicks out! Bliss drags Sasha to the centre of the ring but Banks reverses into a Bank Statement! Alexa yanks Sahsa’s arm over her shoulder and Sasha relents, allowing Bliss to roll her up but it’s not enough. Sasha immediately reapplies the Bank Statement and Bliss taps!
Winner and New Raw Women’s Champion: Sasha Banks
Wow! Our fourth title change of the night! That was a good match and with this many title changes it’s easy to see that WWE is planning another Superstar shake-up soon.
#TheBoss has DONE IT! @SashaBanksWWE makes @AlexaBliss_WWE tap out to the #BankStatement to become the NEW #RAW #WomensChampion! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/ZAj7bantcT
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Bray Wyatt is out first but Finn Balor uses Wyatt’s own tricks against him by incorporating “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” into his entrance music. Balor’s Demon King entrance is one of the very best there is.
Finn Balor Vs. Bray Wyatt
Wyatt rolls out of the ring after the bell to play some mind games. When he gets back in the ring, the two competitors start slugging it out. Finn actually drives the larger Wyatt from the ring and then runs around the ring to knock him down with a flying forearm. Wyatt does his corner back bend, but Balor doesn’t look scared. He takes Wyatt down and hits a running dropkick to the head. Bray tries to escape the ring, so Balor dives over the top rope to take him out at ringside!
Wyatt suplexes Finn from the apron to the floor to take control. Wyatt hits a neckbreaker and tries to make a cover, but the ref refuses to count because Finn’s shoulder is slightly up. The Eater of Worlds puts him in a headlock, but a jawbreaker from Balor makes him release the hold. Balor counters Sister Abigail and stomps Wyatt in the chest with both feet. An overhead kick brings Wyatt down.
Don’t make #TheDemon ANGRY! #SummerSlam @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/BspQAVXdxf
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Balor starts building momentum as he dropkicks Wyatt through the ropes before hitting a running kick on the apron. Both Balor and Wyatt trade some of their signature moves back and forth, but neither man can keep the other down for the three count. Wyatt takes Balor down once again and starts growing in confidence. Bray does the spider walk but Balor pops up and kicks him in the face. Wyatt is able to take Finn out with a hard clothesline. He does his spider walk, but Balor jumps up to his feet and stares at him. Wyatt is taken aback, so he runs at Balor but eats a slingblade followed by a dropkick into the corner and to finish him off: a Coup de Grace for the win.
Winner: Finn Balor
A solid match and it’s nice to see Balor finally regain some momentum, one year after winning the WWE Universal Title in the very same building.
We get a video hyping the upcoming tag team title match and out first are the Champions! Will we see our fifth title change of the night?
Friendship goals…#SummerSlam @WWECesaro @WWESheamus pic.twitter.com/raUzalVtV7
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 21, 2017
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match
(C) Sheamus & Cesaro Vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose
Ambrose and Cesaro start for their teams. The Swiss Superman backs him to the corner and tags in Sheamus, but Dean escapes before any damage can be done. Rollins tags in and hits a knee drop to the face for a two count. Cesaro tags in to deliver a sick uppercut. Seth is able to bring Ambrose back in to maintain their control.
The former Shield brothers take out the champs with a few double team moves and force Cesaro and Sheamus to regroup outside the ring. Cesaro and Sheamus catch Rollins when he attempts a suicide dive and they slam him on the floor as hard as they can. Cesaro hits a delayed gutwrench before tagging Sheamus. The champs cut the ring in half with quick tags and double team moves. Seth uses a blockbuster to get some breathing room, but Ambrose was knocked off the apron, so there is nobody to tag.
#SwissCyborg @WWECesaro is not amused, @WWEUniverse… #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/MjOYs4wjtU
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Sheamus keeps the pressure on The Kingslayer while Cesaro goes into the crowd and grabs a beach ball so he can deflate and rip it. The crowd went nuts for that. Cesaro gets thrown from the ring and lands awkwardly on his knee. Ambrose finally recovers and takes out Cesaro and Sheamus with a dive from the top rope to the floor. Rollins is able to make the tag and The Lunatic Fringe comes in hot with clotheslines for Cesaro.
The challengers send the champions out of the ring and hit twin suicide dives. Rollins hits a sling blade to Cesaro while Ambrose holds him up for a two count. Ambrose jumps off the top rope into an uppercut to give Cesaro a near fall. Sheamus gets the tag and knocks Rollins off the apron. Ambrose hits Sheamus with a superplex, and Rollins follows with a Frog Splash. Cesaro barely manages to save his partner from being pinned.
Dean and Seth stomp a mud hole in Sheamus before setting him up for a double powerbomb in the corner. Cesaro stops it from happening and throws Rollins out of the ring while Sheamus rolls up Ambrose for a two count. Cesaro swings Ambrose a few times before locking him in the Sharpshooter. The Celtic Warrior takes out Rollins with a rolling senton on the floor while Cesaro transitions from the Sharpshooter into a crossface. Sheamus hits a clothesline from the top rope while Cesaro powerbombs Ambrose, but Dean somehow manages to kick out at two.
Rollins breaks up another pin after a double Celtic Cross. Ambrose taunts the champs and they take the fight to him. Rollins uses a hurricanrana to send Cesaro into Sheamus! Rollins hits Sheamus with the jumping knee and Ambrose is able to hit Dirty Deeds to get the win!
Winners and New Raw Tag Team Champions: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose
They did it! Another title change! Sheamus and Cesaro leave with their arms around each other, while Ambrose and Rollins stand in solidarity in the middle of the ring.
WHAT A SEQUENCE leading to @TheDeanAmbrose & @WWERollins becoming the NEW #RAW #TagTeamChampions! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/CjHhE68iAW
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Shane McMahon is out first as the special guest referee between Styles and Owens.
Coolest referee ever? #SummerSlam #ShaneOMac @shanemcmahon pic.twitter.com/KSf2xIzRDC
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 21, 2017
WWE United States Championship Match
(C) AJ Styles Vs. Kevin Owens
Owens shoves AJ before the bell, so AJ takes him down. McMahon breaks it up and calls for the bell. Styles goes after Kevin and drives him from the ring with a few punches. They go back and forth until Styles gains the upper hand by jumping onto the apron and hitting Owens with a running knee.
Back inside the ring, KO jabs AJ in the throat but Shane didn’t notice, or care. He leapfrogs Owens only to end up on the receiving end of a clothesline.
#USChampion @AJStylesOrg knows how to use EVERY part of the ring to his advantage… #SummerSlam #USTitle pic.twitter.com/eGXJeiRLDv
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
A cannonball followed by a senton get Owens a near-fall. Styles eventually fights out of a headlock, but KO takes him down hard by the neck to get another two count. AJ and Kevin exchange punches until Styles drops KO with a facebuster. Both men counter each other multiple times before AJ catches KO with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker for a close fall. Owens crotches Styles on the top rope, but when he attempts a superplex, Styles turns it into a sunset flip powerbomb!
Shane is checking on Owens when AJ goes for a springboard 45 and he lands right on top of both men. AJ goes for the pin but only gets a near-fall. AJ gets in Shane’s face and yells at him for not making the count fast enough. He runs at AJ and ends up hitting the ring post. Styles rolls him into the Calf Crusher, so Owens rakes the eyes to escape. Owens kicks AJ into Shane and he goes tumbling out of the ring. Styles puts him back in the Calf Crusher, but Shane isn’t there to see him tap.
THIS just blew @shanemcmahon‘s MIND! #SummerSlam #USTitle @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/9i0z0Kfmoo
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Kevin and AJ both have problems with Shane, but he keeps calling the match down the middle. Styles sets up Owens on the top rope for a hurricanrana, but KO catches him and hits a twisting fisherman’s suplex from the middle rope for another two count. The look on Shane’s face when Owens hit the move was hilarious. They trade punches again, but this time it’s Owens who gets the last shot. Styles somehow gets Owens up into the Styles Clash, but the challenger kicks out at two.
Owens ducks the Phenomenal Forearm and hits the Popup Powerbomb. He thinks he won, but Shane says AJ got his foot on the rope.
Shane and Owens get into a shoving match and AJ rolls up Owens for a close fall. AJ gets on the apron and hits the Phenomenal Forearm before finishing him off with a second Styles Clash for the wi!
Winner: AJ Styles
For the first time tonight, a champion hears…AND STILL!@AJStylesOrg RETAINS his #USTitle at #SummerSlam! pic.twitter.com/56rgCT2QvS
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Finally a Champion has retained their title tonight! That was the best match the two have had, even if it had a whole lot of Shane interference. I expect Shane and Owens to enter a feud pretty soon.
We get a video package for the upcoming SmackDown World title match; it puts emphasis on both men being from vastly different backgrounds but still excelling and having the pride of their nation on their backs.
Welcome to @SummerSlam, @ShinsukeN! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/puqkmPKejy
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
WWE SmackDown World Championship Match
(C) Jinder Mahal Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
The Indian announce team is shown doing commentary for the first minute of the match before it goes back to the English team. Nakamura hits a kick right away to make Mahal back up and rethink his strategy. The Maharaja wrings the arm, but Shinsuke counters into a headlock. Mahal easily overpowers him and reverses the hold.
Nakamura puts his head on Jinder’s stomach to taunt him. He dares Jinder to come at him, and it works. Mahal gets thrown out of the ring.The WWE champion kicks Nakamura in the gut to take control. He sends Nakamura into the barricade before rolling him back in the ring for a series of stomps. Jinder mocks Shinsuke’s signature taunt before laying him out with a back elbow to the face.
A little MOCKERY from the confident @WWE Champion @JinderMahal… #SummerSlam #WWEChampionship pic.twitter.com/REsi9BOOcU
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 21, 2017
Nakamura unleashes a flurry of strikes to allow himself time to recover. He sticks Mahal with a running kick to the face as he starts to get his second wind. Nakamura is able to pull Mahal down into a triangle choke, but Jinder gets his foot in the rope to force a break. Mahal avoids a running knee and rolls Nakamura up for a quick two count. Jinder nails his own running knee for another close fall. Shinsuke takes out both Singhs when they get in the ring, allowing Mahal to hit his finisher for the pin and the win!
Winner: Jinder Mahal
The @SinghBrosWWE force the distraction AGAIN as @JinderMahal hits @ShinsukeN with the #Khallas to RETAIN his #WWEChampionship! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/1RmCTp7Tj8
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
A really solid match and I’m actually glad to see Jinder retain. The more WWE pushes Mahal, the less we assume he’ll eventually go back to jobbing. We can expect these two to tango again at No Mercy.
It’s main event time! The Fatal 4-Way is up next and Braun Strowman is out first to a huge reception.
The moment we’ve ALL been waiting for…#SummerSlam #Fatal4Way @BrockLesnar @WWERomanReigns @SamoaJoe @BraunStrowman pic.twitter.com/MQVSonN1R0
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 21, 2017
Fatal 4-Way Match
WWE Universal Championship
(C) Brock Lesnar Vs. Roman Reigns Vs. Braun Strowman Vs. Samoa Joe
We are underway on what Corey Graves described as “Skull Island”. Joe makes a beeline for Lesnar, while Strowman and Reigns go at it on the opposite side of the ring. Brawling all over the ring and Reigns/Strowman leave the ring as Lesnar hits Joe with a belly-to-belly.
Reigns throws Strowman into the ring post and then turns to look at Lesnar. These two haven’t met since WrestleMania 30 but nothing’s changed as Lesnar catches Reigns with a German suplex. In runs Joe and he too eats a suplex and rolls back out. Braun Strowman climbs into the ring and the fans go wild as the two behemoths square-up. Unfortunately Joe and Reigns run in and break it up.
Lesnar and Strowman clear Reigns and Joe from the ring and go back to staring each other down. Strowman grabs Lesnar and throws him into the corner where he splashes him before clotheslining him over the top rope and the Barclays Centre has come unglued! Reigns returns to the ring and tries to clothesline Reigns over the top rope but can’t get him over so Strowman shoves him off. Strowman looks for a spear into the corner but Reigns moves and Braun hits the ring post and falls outside. Quick side note, that was fantastic thinking on the fly from Strowman, rather than go for the clothesline with Reigns again he shoved him away and found a different way of of the ring.
IT’S GO TIME! #SummerSlam #Fatal4Way @BraunStrowman @BrockLesnar pic.twitter.com/l42XSItHN0
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Suddenly the camera turns and Samoa Joe has Lesnar locked in the Coquida Clutch! Lesnar backs Joe up to the barricade and from out of nowhere Reigns spear’s Brock through the barricade – Joe moved out of the way at the last second. Joe grabs Roman and hits a Urinage on the announce table! Braun Strowman comes back and shoulder tackles Joe right over the announce tale! Carnage eveyrwhere!
Strowman is the only man standing and he turns his attention to the far announce table and tears the lid off. Corey Graves hilariously said he hopes Braun uses Byron Saxton as a weapon. Strowman lifts Lesnar onto his shoulder and walks him towards the announce table and hits the running powerslam through it!! “This Is Awesome”, “Yes”, “Strowman”, and “Holy Sh!t” chants all within a few seconds of each other.
Strowman tosses Joe into the ring and aims to follow but Reigns stops him with an uppercut. Samoa Joe then dives through the ropes with a suicide dive to Roman! Joe lifts Roman and suddenly both men get smashed in the head with one of the announcers leather chairs courtesy of Braun Strowman! Braun then walks around, picks up Brock Lesnar and hits another running powerslam through an announce table!! WTF?!
Guess who threw this… #SummerSlam #Fatal4Way pic.twitter.com/WEAxxoOTX0
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Braun wanders around ringside as referee’s check on Brock but then Strowman lifts the third announce table, yes lifts, and drops it onto Brock!! Paul Heyman is screaming for Braun to stop as around a dozen officials and paramedics come down and put Lesnar onto a stretcher. The fans are eating it up, singing goodbye to Brock. And we’re down to three.
Braun lifts the top off of the announce table, holds if above his head and screams as the fans cheer. Braun hits Joe with the steps, then Roman, then Joe again. Strowman tosses the steps into the ring, then Roman as well. Strowman gets kicked by Reigns, then clotheslined multiple times in the corner. Roman hits Strowman with the steps with the pointy end. Then again, and again, which sends Roman from the ring.
You NEED to see what’s happening LIVE on @WWENetwork RIGHT NOW! #SummerSlam #Fatal4Way @BraunStrowman @BrockLesnar pic.twitter.com/zN6VBgcLOh
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) August 21, 2017
Joe then runs up behind Roman and gets a roll-up but Roman kicks-out! Joe hits a big boot to Roman, then a running senton for another near-fall. Reigns counters a Urinage and lands a Samoan Drop for a near-fall. Braun is bust open on the side of the head, thanks to Roman’s stair shot. Back inside the ring, Joe counters a Superman Punch and applies the Coquida Clutch but Strowman reappears and hits both men with a double chokeslam! All three men are down when Brock Lesnar comes marching back down to the ring.
Lesnar immediately shoots Strowman with a takedown and unleashes some hammerfists! Brock sends Strowman from the ring, then German suplexes both Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns. Strowman returns and lifts Lesnar for a running powerslam but Lesnar jumps off and looks for the German but Strowman elbows him away. Strowman splashes Brock in the corner but Lesnar applies a Kimura. Strowman starts to fall but Reigns hits him with a Superman punch, then Joe. Roman hits Brock with a Spear and…Brock kicks out!
Roman looks for another Spear but Joe grabs him from behind with the Coquida Clutch. Strwoman then hits both men with a running dropkick. Strowman grabs Joe and lands a running powerslam for the 1..2..and Brock pulls the ref from the ring! Brock starts to get to his feet but Roman hits him with a Superman punch. Roman runs inside the ring and hits Strowman with a Superman for a near-fall. Roman goes to the corner and looks for a Spear but he eats a big boot and suffers a running powerslam from Strowman and again Brock breaks the count.
We haven’t seen the last of #UniversalChampion @BrockLesnar yet! #SummerSlam #Fatal4Way pic.twitter.com/1vsKSUBgfl
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Roman, Strowman, and Brock are down in the ring, Joe on the outside. Strowman grabs Brock but gets liftd up for an F5 but Strowman climbs off and lifts Brock for a running powerslam, only for Reigns to hit Brock with a Spear. Joe returns as Lesnar looks for an F5 on Roman and throws him from the ring, then applies the Coquida Clutch to Brock. Lesnar breaks free and hits Joe with an F5 but Roman breaks the pin attempt. Roman hits Brock with a Superman but Brock doesn’t fall, so he hits another. A third Superman from Reigns and he readies for a Spear in the corner but runs right into an F5 and that’s all she wrote!
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Brock rolls from the ring and gets his title draped over him. Samoa Joe looks angry on the outside, Strowman is on his knees and Roman is still down. Carnage indeed.
What a night. #SummerSlam @BrockLesnar @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/3q3Q3i69Yu
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
That’s it for SummerSlam 2017. What did you think of the show? Which match did you like best? Let us know on the Ringside Talk app and I will see you back here tomorrow night for the fallout on Monday Night Raw!
