Summerslam Count-Up – 2015: Dang It Jon
IMG Credit: WWE
Summerslam 2015
Date: August 23, 2015
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Attendance: 15,702
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, Jerry Lawler
Opening video focuses on New York City (of course) and then goes into the main events.
I forgot how annoying that “We Cool For The Summer” song can be.
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
Some fans won a contest from Draftkings.
Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. Lucha Dragons vs. Los Matadores vs. Prime Time Players
Jon Stewart brags to Neville and Stephen Amell (celebrity here for a match) about being friends with Undertaker. The lights go out and Undertaker (or someone who looks a lot like him) walks past. The bragging quickly ends.
Rusev vs. Dolph Ziggler
Another catfight ensues.
We recap Stephen Amell/Neville vs. Stardust/King Barrett. Neville and Stardust had been doing a comic book inspired feud between a hero and a villain. One night Stardust shoved Amell (the star of the Green Arrow TV show) and a tag match was made with Barrett joining in due to having nothing else to do.
Stephen Amell/Neville vs. Stardust/King Barrett
Amell finally gets in an enziguri and dives over for the tag to Neville. The rapid fire kicks set up the middle rope Phoenix Splash on Barrett but Stardust makes the save. The villains are sent to the floor and Stephen dives off the top onto both of them for the big spot of the match. Back in and the Red Arrow finishes Barrett at 7:34.
Look at WWE taking over Brooklyn.
Intercontinental Title: Ryback vs. The Miz vs. Big Show
The Shell Shock plants Show but Miz runs in with the Skull Crushing Finale for two on the champ. Miz covers both of them twice each but it only serves to tick Ryback out. Shell Shock is broken up with the KO and Miz makes ANOTHER save. Another KO drops Miz but Ryback clotheslines Show to the floor and steals the pin on Miz to retain at 5:34. Cole: “CLASSIC TRIPLE THREAT MATCH!” Oh shut up.
Wyatt Family vs. Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose
WWE World Title/US Title: Seth Rollins vs. John Cena
WWE Network ad.
Pre-show panel chat and they have to talk over a THANK YOU STEWART chant.
Team B.A.D. vs. Team Bella vs. Team PCB
B.A.D. – Sasha Banks, Naomi, Tamina Snuka
Bella – Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Alicia Fox
PCB – Paige, Charlotte, Becky Lynch
This is under elimination rules, meaning the a single fall eliminates an entire team, making the match far less interesting from the start. Brie and Becky start things off as we hear about the history of Summerslam being in the New York area. Becky is sent into the ropes for a running knee to the face (with Brie shouting TEAM BELLA instead of BRIE MODE, which may or may not be worse) but Tamina tags herself in to superkick Becky in the jaw.
Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens
Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker
Overall Rating: B. This is a really strong show with nothing bad and a bunch of good matches but the top two are ruined by the horrible booking choices. Above all else though, this show was ruined by the length. This show runs nearly three and three quarter hours with a lot of stuff that could have been cut.
Ratings Comparison
Sheamus vs. Randy Orton
Original: C-
Redo: C+
Prime Time Players vs. New Day vs. Los Matadores vs. Lucha Dragons
Original: B-
Redo: B-
Rusev vs. Dolph Ziggler
Original: C
Redo: C
Stephen Amell/Neville vs. King Barrett/Stardust
Original: B+
Redo: C+
The Miz vs. Big Show vs. Ryback
Original: C-
Redo: C+
Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose vs. Wyatt Family
Original: C+
Redo: B
John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
Original: B+
Redo: B+
Team Bella vs. Team PCB vs. Team B.A.D.
Original: C-
Redo: C
Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro
Original: B-
Redo: B
Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar
Original: B+
Redo: B+
Overall Rating
Original: B-
Redo: B
That original overall rating is probably a bit high as I liked almost everything more the second time around. Being able to watch this in pieces instead of in a straight sitting helps it a lot.
http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2015/08/23/summerslam-2015-a-long-long-very-long-summer/
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