WWE SUMMERSLAM NIGHT TWO REVIEW

Despite being a gimmick match heavy card, Night 2 of SummerSlam delivered with hard hitting action, high flying moves, love letters, and a few unexpected surprises. 

 

The opening match featured an incredible entrance by Women's World Champion Naomi who was accompanied by her father on guitar. The man was simply phenomenal on the six string, and what a moment for Naomi to share with her Pops. The Champ defended against two former Women's Heavyweight Champions in Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. These three ladies put on a clinic, and I knew they would. In fact, I even made a case for this match to main event night one on our SummerSlam predictions panel. The match was well paced with all three ladies hitting nearly all of their signature moves throughout. Ultimately Rhea would hit an Avalanche Rip Tide on Iyo, but Naomi would sneak in and pin RHEA for the win. Big win here for Naomi, who continues to ride this wave of momentum. And deservedly so. Vaquer VS. Naomi at Clash in Paris is up next, and this should be a BANGER. 

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Before the start of the 6 Way Tag Team TLC match, The Dudleyz D-Von and Bubba Ray, and The Hardys, Jeff & Matt Hardy are shown at ringside. I love this show of respect, not to mention the TNA Wrestling and Bound for Glory plug.  

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The TLC match was a spot fest, and I mean that in the best way. Everything meant something. High flying moves from all four corners of the ring AND all four sides of the ring. Outside interference involved B-Fab, all of the Wyatt Sicks members, and Candice LeRae who took a devastating fall through a ladder off of another ladder. Her husband Johnny Gargano and his partner Tomasso Ciampa both went through a stack of four tables themselves, reminiscent of the Matt Hardy and Bubba fall in TLC 2. That's what this match was. A love letter to the tag teams of the Attitude Era. The match ends with the local guy, someone who we've covered here on the independents, Mr. Joe Gacy standing tall atop the ladder holding the WWE Tag Team Championships for a very special moment. Match of the night for me, hands down.  

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Up next, Becky Lynch defended her Women's Intercontinental Championship against Lyra Valkyria in a No DQ, No Count Out match. This was interesting given the TLC match just before, and the main event of the evening being a street fight. We had the chance to talk with Lyra Valkyria before the match and talk about the, "Bayley of it all." Apparently, we weren't far off because Bayley played a major factor at the end of the match, inadvertently hitting Lyra (or seemingly so) allowing for The Man to hit the Manhandle Slam to retain. The match was all over the place with weapons galore. I will say some very innovative use of the chair like I'd never seen before. As for Lyra, in the words of our very own Senior Editor Kelvin Kately, "Put her with Paul Heyman." 

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The cage match between Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa was solid, but it felt like it was missing something. We again, had the opportunity to speak with Solo before the match and he made it clear that he was going to teach Fatu a lesson. Typical Bloodline interference throughout, with the numbers heavily in favor of Solo's crew as Jimmy was the only one to assist Fatu. I think some anticipated a possible Roman or Jey appearance here, and perhaps so much so that it felt underwhelming. Fatu broke out of handcuffs and even tried to stop Solo from escaping through the door, but Solo escapes with some help from Talla Tonga. However, we do get a beautiful post-match moonsault off the top of the cage from Fatu.  

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The match between "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles was a full on love letter to Eddie Guerrero. This was special. From the gear, to the moves, to the famous Guerrero chair mind games, it had everything. "Eddie" chants throughout. Dom even used the loose boot technique to escape AJ's patented Calf Crusher. After a minor ref bump and a boot to the face of AJ, Dirty Dom hits the Eddie Guerrero Frog Splash for the win. Simply perfect!

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The main event saw the return of babyface John Cena, defending his WWE Championship against "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Stellar entrances by both competitors as Rhodes sported a Green Goblin inspired entrance mask and Cena went back to his old entrance, with the run down the ramp and all. The crowd loved every second of it and so did I. Even if on borrowed time, it was great to see the John Cena of old again. 

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After a brief show of respect both supposed babyfaces started brawling. Steel step shots and even a crutch courtesy of Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton. At one point Cena even launched the steel steps out of the ring onto Cody. Five Knuckle Shuffles, Bionic Elbows, Cody Cutters, STFU's and AA's ensue. But we saw a few new moves outside the typical movesets including a twisting cross body, an electric chair drop, a set out Power Bomb and even a Piledriver. At one point Cena hits an AA through the announce table onto Rhodes. Cole said it, but this is the BEST John Cena has looked in the ring since returning for his final run.

 

The match spills out throughout the arena. Cena recieves the Crowbar treatment with a suplex on a guard rail. Pretty cool spot where Cena rises up the Cody-Vater with Cody in a fireman's carry position. Great visual. Cena deliver an AA right on the ramp! Back inside the ring Cody unhooks the bottom rope and uses the steel connector to clobber Cena not once but twice. "Boos" from the crowd. Cody hesitates before the third attempt and Cena wraps the bottom rope on with an STFU!! Cena reverses the hold with the rope on Cena!!

 

Cody Rhodes hits a trifecta of Cross Rhodes on Cena, and Super Cena kicks out!! "Super Cena" chants in Jersey!! Cena hits a trifecta of AA's, the third of which was an avalanche AA from the second rope. Somehow Rhodes kicks out!! Cody puts Cena through a table off the top, followed by one last Cross Rhodes to win back the Undisputed WWE Championship!! 

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Post-match John Cena hands the WWE Championship to an emotional Cody Rhodes. Another proverbial passing of the torch moment. Rhodes leaves the ring to Cena. "Thank you Cena!" chants from the Metlife crowd. 

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But alas, SummerSlam did not have the storybook ending. None other than the Beast, Brock Lesnar returns to WWE. No one saw this coming. Lesnar stares a hole through Cena before rushing the ring and delivering a massive F-5.  Why Brock Why?

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