Review of WWE: Summerslam 2005

Introduction

More so than ever, football in 2005 is a young man`s game. Dominating today`s on-pitch world are the likes of Samuel Eto`o, Wayne Rooney, Robinho and Adriano, not one of them over twenty-four. They also dominate the off-pitch football world, but that`s another story. These players, all attacking players, rely in particular on their physical attributes to make them successful. None of them more so than Robinho, who will no doubt be one of the stars of next year`s World Cup Finals in Germany.

So with all the athleticism of these young, motivated players, have you ever wondered how the likes of Teddy Sheringham, Dennis Bergkamp or Roy Keane can keep up? It`s quite simple really, no-one knows the game of football better than they do…

You`re wondering if I`m reviewing the wrong disc, aren`t you? Well, whilst there may be few parallels between the world of football and the world of professional wrestling, this is one analogy that I believe I can draw.

Main-eventing the 2005 Summerslam (held on 21st August 2005 in Washington, DC) is Hulk Hogan. That`s right, the same Hulk Hogan who you remember being a bit old-looking in 1992. But since The Hulkster`s hay-day in 1988, there have only been a handful of wrestlers that can match his "pop" - wrestling slang for the crowd`s reaction to his entrance or match.

The reason that Hogan - at 52 years old and with knees and hips that your great-grandad would balk at - still attracts that "pop", is because there has never been a babyface (good guy) in American wrestling who has the ability to work a crowd as he can. His film acting may have been shambolic - "Mr Nanny", anyone? - but in one look to a crowd or one gallant comeback, Hogan can send a crowd into apoplexy. If you don`t believe me, buy this DVD!

Video

Video is presented in standard 4:3 full-frame, and is taken from the television master. Quality therefore is very good, just as good if not better than the original digital telecast.

Audio

Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 and is also good considering the source. Commentary is always clear, as are the sounds of the in-ring action. For international viewers, German, Italian and Spanish commentaries are also provided.

Features

Extras on this disc are limited because the main feature lasts for almost 2 ¾ hours. Included is Shawn Michaels` now-infamous mockery of Hulk Hogan on the "Larry Bling Live" (sic) show, John Cena`s "Right Now" music video, as well as highlights of the following night`s RAW segment involving Cena, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho. Fans of Michaels & Cena may disagree, but despite being entertaining, there is little repeated-viewing value in any of these extras.

Conclusion

Summerslam is traditionally one of the WWE`s very best events, going back to its inception in 1988. The 2005 version did not prove to be a disappointment, that despite the opening bout between Orlando Jordan and Chris Benoit, which was incredibly short for a show-opener. The Wrestlemania re-match featuring Randy Orton & The Undertaker was surprisingly good, as was the main event between Hogan & Michaels. Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle both put forward typically strong performances against John Cena and Eugene respectively, and Eddy Guerrero`s ladder match with Rey Mysterio Jr. was much better than anticipated, given the absurd storyline that the two were forced to feature in.

Overall then, without a single match dragging down the card, this was a solid event, and a surprisingly consistent showing from the WWE.