Review for WWE Summerslam 2016

Summerslam is the WWE's second biggest show of the year and this is the first show after the brand split so you knew that there was going to be some fireworks and surprises. We got to crown a new champion, see the future of the WWE show why they are the future and also a Viper take a violent visit to Suplex City. This all comes together into what could have been one of the best Summerslams I have seen in a long while... but it isn't, but I will get to why in a second.

The three kickoff matches are fine in general, though it could be argued this felt a bit like overkill and just a way to get everyone on the roster on the show. Sheamus against Cesaro in a bizarre 'Best of Seven' for no real reason was fine, but they really need to establish why they are doing this? Other than them both being European what is at stake here? Remember this time last year Sheamus was walking around with a Money in the Bank briefcase getting prepped for the title?

Sami Zayn and Neville against the Dudleys was fine, but far too short. I would have preferred this be given more time, throw some tables in and bump it up to the main card. The six on six tag match was simply a mess and as I say just felt like WWE decided to just throw their entire roster out there with no rhyme or reason.

First up we had a great tag match between Enzo Amore and Big Cass against Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho. This was a great match and certainly a good way to start the show. Sasha Banks against Charlotte should have been great and in hindsight I can understand why it wasn't, but I do think this should have been against someone other than Charlotte as her character has become boring and not in a good Heel way.

The Miz against Apollo Crews was fine, but nothing special. As always this was just an excuse to see how great Maryse looked and sadly that is also getting a little old too. WWE really need to build a feud with The Miz and make him and his reign mean something.

John Cena against AJ Styles was match of the night and I don't think anyone would say otherwise. I would not be surprised if this won every Match of the Year poll. It was fantastic and what I loved about this match is that it really did feel like a passing of the torch and John Cena really did his best to show how great The Phenomenal One really is. If there were any doubts before, this match should eliminate them all.

Gallows and Anderson against The New Day is probably the biggest slap in the face that I have ever had. I expected this to have a finish that would show one of these teams being dominant. Instead it was just another excuse for The New Day to act like jackasses and as I say this is fine in small doses, but after a while I simply become bored of it.

Dolph Ziggler against Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Championship is a classic example as to why Dolph Ziggler is often forgotten when it comes to talking about main eventers. Because he isn't. The match was slow and I just did not enjoy it. Dean Ambrose was fine, but this match just didn't feel right and maybe it is because this match had no real build or storyline throughout.

The six woman tag match is only really memorable for having the return of Nikki Bella. It was great to see her again, but when I did all I could think is that maybe it should have been her winning the belt off Sasha Banks. The match was ok, nothing special.

Finn Balor against Seth Rollins for the Jammy Dodger... I mean Universal Championship was amazing. This really felt like a wrestling match and definitely (after AJ/Cena) one of the best matches. It was given enough time and both looked great throughout. I was happy at the end and it is just a shame that this wasn't how the PPV ended and I really do think this should have ended on at least one of the title matches.

Brock Lesnar against Randy Orton should not have been the main event. This match, if I can call it that, was pointless and in a way made me wonder who it benefited. I could understand if it was leading to a feud with someone else or a title shot, but it doesn't. This was just violence for violence sake and to be honest this is not how the WWE should have ended this PPV.

This PPV is such a shame as WWE had been on a roll lately with some excellent matches and events. This one had its moments and I will be recommending everyone to watch the AJ/Cena and the Balor/Rollins match, but the overall feeling of the PPV was that the WWE had no idea what they were doing. Ambrose/Ziggler felt like it meant nothing, as did the brutal Lesnar/Orton match and I do hope that with the gaps between PPVs that the brand split will bring will focus WWE to build the feuds and matches properly and allow for the big match payoffs we all used to look forward to.