I just got home from seeing SummerSlam.
It was disappointing at times, so it wasn't the best SummerSlam PPV I've seen... but it also wasn't the worst either.
All the champions retained, in varying degrees of satisfaction or disappointment.
The show opened to a hot crowd for a hot tag-team title defense for La Resistance against the Dudley Boys. Rob Conway helped the heels to retain. This wasn't necessarily a disappointment; I've realized that with these two teams being the only ones on the RAW side, a win for the Dudleys would just mean: the former tag champions would be their challengers, and visa versa.
Next was the heat-killing match: the Undertaker versus A-Train. I actually wasn't paying much attention to this one either, so I was just as into it as the crowd. At least they gave us a catfight with Stephanie versus Sable, so it wasn't a total waste of time.
I think things were heated up again with Shane McMahon against Eric Bischoff. I thought Eric's promo was both retarded and sick; he bragged about repeatedly sexually assaulting Linda McMahon. First: that's just sick, not entertaining. Second: with this now on tape, he still isn't arrested and/or fired?
At least the match gave us Shane yet again pulling off amazing spots, a puzzling heel turn (Coach - so what?), and some pretty entertaining stuff with Austin.
The fatal fourway for the US title was fantastic. The opening minutes of Eddie staying at ringside except to break up a pinfall was priceless. The match itself was an incredible spot-fest, and in this case Eddie retaining was fine. The title was elevated here.
Next came an awesome title match of Kurt Angle defending against Brock Lesner. The first few minutes were slow, but they really picked up steam for a great series of near falls, counter-holds, and an incredibly vicious-looking figure four sleeper by Kurt. Plus, Vince tooka wicked looking bump. At first I worried that his presence would mean a screwed-up title change; I'm glad I was wrong.
Kane versus RVD can't be called a palette cleanser, because it was another entertaining bout. The No Holds Barred stipulation allowed Rob to hit his Van Daminator, Van Terminator and Rolling Thunder on a chair spots that we haven't seen in a long time. Kane had to win, as it helped his new push.
The final match, the Elimination Chamber, was the bad note for the card: Triple-H is injured (again). He'll very soon be on his honeymoon. He had the least ring-time of any participant - and he retained. Yeah, this adds more sizzle to a rematch, but it also means we have one more month of a broken down, unlikeable champion.
This ending drew away from the positive marks for the PPV for me.
It was disappointing at times, so it wasn't the best SummerSlam PPV I've seen... but it also wasn't the worst either.
All the champions retained, in varying degrees of satisfaction or disappointment.
The show opened to a hot crowd for a hot tag-team title defense for La Resistance against the Dudley Boys. Rob Conway helped the heels to retain. This wasn't necessarily a disappointment; I've realized that with these two teams being the only ones on the RAW side, a win for the Dudleys would just mean: the former tag champions would be their challengers, and visa versa.
Next was the heat-killing match: the Undertaker versus A-Train. I actually wasn't paying much attention to this one either, so I was just as into it as the crowd. At least they gave us a catfight with Stephanie versus Sable, so it wasn't a total waste of time.
I think things were heated up again with Shane McMahon against Eric Bischoff. I thought Eric's promo was both retarded and sick; he bragged about repeatedly sexually assaulting Linda McMahon. First: that's just sick, not entertaining. Second: with this now on tape, he still isn't arrested and/or fired?
At least the match gave us Shane yet again pulling off amazing spots, a puzzling heel turn (Coach - so what?), and some pretty entertaining stuff with Austin.
The fatal fourway for the US title was fantastic. The opening minutes of Eddie staying at ringside except to break up a pinfall was priceless. The match itself was an incredible spot-fest, and in this case Eddie retaining was fine. The title was elevated here.
Next came an awesome title match of Kurt Angle defending against Brock Lesner. The first few minutes were slow, but they really picked up steam for a great series of near falls, counter-holds, and an incredibly vicious-looking figure four sleeper by Kurt. Plus, Vince tooka wicked looking bump. At first I worried that his presence would mean a screwed-up title change; I'm glad I was wrong.
Kane versus RVD can't be called a palette cleanser, because it was another entertaining bout. The No Holds Barred stipulation allowed Rob to hit his Van Daminator, Van Terminator and Rolling Thunder on a chair spots that we haven't seen in a long time. Kane had to win, as it helped his new push.
The final match, the Elimination Chamber, was the bad note for the card: Triple-H is injured (again). He'll very soon be on his honeymoon. He had the least ring-time of any participant - and he retained. Yeah, this adds more sizzle to a rematch, but it also means we have one more month of a broken down, unlikeable champion.
This ending drew away from the positive marks for the PPV for me.
