WWE Summerslam 2013 Review

Match 1: Ring of Fire - Bray Wyatt vs. Kane
This is the gimmick of all gimmick matches and it is a very interesting choice of opener for the night. This is Wyatt's debut in the ring and he has the mammoth of a task in facing Kane. Unlike an Inferno match, the rules of a Ring of Fire match require one to pin or submit their opponent for the victory. Action in the ring was as expected with the flames rising into the air when one would lad a big move upon each other. The Wyatt family on the side tried to interfere only to feel the wrath of the flames rise whenever they wanted to help Bray. Eventually, the used a blanket to block the flames and enter the ring to which Bray took advantage of and hit his finisher for his first victory. They then dismantle Kane after the match and take him to the back mysteriously. Decent match with the flames being the main attraction. Wyatt Family going to be big.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
Rating: *1/2

Match 2: Damien Sandow vs. Cody Rhodes
The implosion of Team Rhodes Scholars have finally come full circle with a match between the two here at Summerslam. Rhodes has finally shaved off his mustache and Sandow has a briefcase that resembles a chocolate bar. Good wrestling between the two but can't help but feel that through all the drama and hatred the two have had the past month, there really should have been more. The commentators added that the animosity has basically reached a boiling point but the match failed to live up to that. Rhodes hits a Cross Rhodes to pick up a much-needed win against his former partner. Interesting to see where they go from here.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Rating: *3/4

Match 3: World Heavyweight Championship - Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Christian
How cool is it to see Christian in a match for the World Heavyweight Championship! And it is against Alberto Del Rio! Is this 2011? These two straight up raised the bar for the night. Just a great physical match with the story being Christian trying to pull out one last big victory. And the two did a fantastic job of conveying this message, Christian seemingly pulled out all the stops and was definitely having the crowd in his hands. Del Rio was perfect in his role as well, looking like a vicious heel with a compilation of nasty kicks and giving off an animal-like vibe. The close counts and reversals really gave me the feeling like I was watching a classic wrestling match with none of the crap on the side. No gimmicks, no weapons, no interferences, just wrestling. And it was great. The ending came when Christian finally landed the Spear out of nowhere but was quickly caught up in Del Rio's signature submission. Christian submitted and that was it, Del Rio retained and put himself over the Los Angeles crowd.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Rating: ***3/4

Match 4: Brie Bella vs. Natalya
This is a battle between two sides from the Total Divas show as both competitors have support at ringside. The crowd absolute had no interest in this match as they were chanting for the commentators. It was funny but also stupid on their part, I understand that this is not the most appealing match in the world but they still put on a better Divas match than what we are accustomed to. Sometimes, you could really see the passion in Natalya's work so it felt awkward to hear the crowd chant these annoyances. Other than that, the match was basic but like I said, better than the normal as Natalya submits Bella through the Sharpshooter.
Winner: Natalya
Rating: *

Match 5: No Disqualification - Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk
As physical as the World Heavyweight Championship match was, it is nothing in comparison to this one right here. I don't know where to start, the build, the vibe, and the video package all has me so hyped for this match. The no disqualification stipulation was added earlier and that just makes things so much more exciting. Lesnar is white hot. And so is Punk. This has all the makings to be a classic Summerslam match. Off the bat, Lesnar shows Punk who the true alpha male is and looks like a beast in the process. Punk must pull out everything he has to defy the odds and he does everything in his power to do so. Let's also not forget to mention that the crowd is white hot for this, too. From an amazing submission exchange, to Paul Heyman hollering like a dog, to the nasty chair shots, and the story being told, this match clicked on so many levels. Lesnar hits an F-5 to Punk on a steel chair to claim victory after Punk distracted himself from the match to focus on beating up Heyman. A spectacular match that makes Lesnar a bigger beast headed into WrestleMania season. Lesnar and Punk are both at the top of their games here and it was so cool to finally see these two put on a show on a grand PPV.
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Rating: ****1/2

Match 6: Dolph Ziggler & Kaitlyn vs. Big E Langston & AJ Lee
The animosity between Ziggler and AJ boils over here to Summerslam in an inter-gender match. Nothing too exciting to note here, crowd was understandably tired after the last match but the four competitors kept up the pace nicely. Fun action that didn't overstay its welcome which saw Ziggler hit his finisher on Langston to get his team the win. This nicely sets up the main event and allows the audience to cool off a bit from the last bout.
Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Kaitlyn
Rating: *1/2

Match 7: WWE Championship - John Cena (c) vs. Daniel Bryan
Who would have known just a few years ago that this would be the main event of Summerslam. Insane how the business works sometimes, but I guess that is the beauty of it. Once again, Triple H is the guest referee for a Summerslam main event and the crowd is hot for this one. Very reminiscent of WrestleMania 22 with the Chicago crowd booing Cena out of the building in the main event. The chants of Cena not being able to wrestle is so old, the dude has been doing this for more than a decade. I think he knows what he is doing. The better part of the opening of the match featured lots of wrestling and lots of reversals. Cena is easily holding his ground in the wrestling department against Bryan, the crowd can definitely stop the chants now. Very clean and paced enough for us to enjoy every move performed. Very similar to Cena's match against CM Punk at Money in the Bank 2011, the match now turns things up a notch. Let's also not forget that Cena is nursing his arm and does a fantastic job of selling the injury. Bryan lays lots of his focus on it and Cena uses his other arm for his moves. The small things like that go unnoticed and credit needs to be given to both for letting it be a nice focus on the match. The wrestling gets turned in for a harder and more physical match. Oddly enough, Bryan was in control for a noticeably better part of the match. Considering that Cena is the champ and is always billed as the best when it comes to the more physical style of wrestling. But on second thought, it does make a bit sense considering Bryan got a head start to the match with his superior wrestling skills. Still, it felt like Cena was wrestling as the underdog rather than Bryan. Bryan hit Cena with his running knee finisher and captured the WWE Championship. The journey culminated here and the crowd erupts. Michael Cole's call was just as great and the it was beautiful moment until...
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Rating: ****1/4

Match 8: WWE Championship - Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Randy Orton
...Randy Orton's music hits as Triple H lands a Pedigree on Bryan. Orton pins Bryan and takes Bryan's moment away. I loved it, this sets a path for Bryan to regain the championship and also makes both Triple H and Orton huge heels. With that being said, the match itself was great. But like I said, Bryan was in too much control of the match for me to give it a higher rating. The rematch down the line should definitely be much better. Triple H as the guest referee and someone cashing in their Money in the Bank contract at the end of the night. Is this Summerslam 2011 or 2013?
Winner: Randy Orton
Rating: n/a

Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
Three really great matches that will easily standout when you give this one a view. From a historic standpoint, this Summerslam easily matches up there with some of the best. Punk vs. Lesnar delivered and so did the main event. Orton cashing in was a very cool surprise and only leads to interesting paths to WrestleMania XXX.
Rating: 7.75/10