WWE Summerslam 2023 looks to retain the biggest party of the Summer tagline. With the event loaded with big matches like Logan Paul Vs Ricochet, and Gunther defending against Drew McIntyre. The “Quadruple Main Event” is stacked with Seth Rollins facing Finn Balor 7 years after their original Summerslam match for the World Heavyweight championship. Cody Rhodes Vs Brock Lesnar 3. Asuka defends against top stars in Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair. Tribal Combat headlines the show as Roman Reigns faces Jey Uso while defending both the undisputed WWE Universal championship and the position as the Tribal Chief.
AMAZING Logan Paul Vs Ricochet: WWE Summerslam 2023 Opening Match
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
This delivered everything it needed too, multiple super athletic feats and getting Logan hated more. The crowd started off just hating Logan Paul but by the end of it were very much behind Ricochet more. I think the flip to the outside was recovered fine and there were really nicely done spots. Logan Paul just gets it and understands if he can get the people to hate you, do it.
It’s a really smart idea to take the rug out from under us for Ricochet getting the win. We said this on the WR Daily, Logan Paul needed a win.
Results: Logan Paul by Pinfall via Brass Knuckle Assisted Knockout Punch
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
MUST WATCH Cody Rhodes Vs Brock Lesnar:
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
After the match, Cody and Brock engage in a staredown. Lesnar removed his gloves going forehead to forehead with Rhodes. Brock offers his hand in respect before raising Cody’s arm in victory.
The only complaints are, why did Cody not get disqualified when he used the steps. The match wasn’t too innovative, but had great sequences. And there was a point where it felt too repetitive like there were too many near count out’s. Overall this delivered, Cody and Brock had a top notch blow off match. Brock sold for Cody so hard that his black shorts ripped.
Results: Cody Rhodes By Pinfall via Triple Cross Rhodes
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
GOOD Slim Jim Summerslam Battle Royal:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.50
Psychology: 0.50
Innovation: 0.75
Omos was the special entrant of the match. I called it right before it happened. This battle royal was good and enjoyable. There were great spots within it and they actually went with the right winner. LA Knight was over and rightfully so. Not the worst match of the night.
Results: LA Knight by Last Eliminating Sheamus via Throwing him over the top rope.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Ronda Rousey Vs Shayna Baszler – MMA Rules Match:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.50
Storytelling: 0.50
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.50
I gotta say, although this match was kinda poorly done. There was some good selling, good sequences and the stuff done was fine. But this match was very just meh. The format was not that good. The crowd was not interested. And big moments like the kick and the running knee both kinda fell flat. Alright wrestling but that’s about it.
Results: Shayna Baszler by Submission via Sleeper Hold
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
AMAZING Gunther Vs Drew McIntyre – Intercontinental Championship Match:
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
Back to top notch wrestling. Everything in this match was hard hitting with Drew and Gunther really chopping each other. The crowd wasn’t the hottest but was into this match. There was great selling and the build to the finish was great. Gunther getting the win is the right call. Definitely a really great match but not the best of Gunther’s defenses.
Results: Gunther by Pinfall via Powerbomb
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
MUST WATCH Finn Balor Vs Seth Rollins – World Heavyweight Championship Match: Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
This was the step up needed. From Seth wearing some of the old gear and Finn having Seven painted on the shoulder. This felt like a high tension match. Everything was well done from the call backs from their past matches. This truly was the step up needed compared to the rather safe match from the WWE MITB event. All of the nearfalls had the crowd on the edge of their seat and was very hot. I think although the finish was perfect for the story being told between Seth, Finn, and the judgment day… It wasn’t the perfect ending because this tells me there is probably some form of rematch coming.
Results: Seth Rollins by Pinfall via Briefcase Assisted Stomp
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
GREAT Bianca Belair Vs Charlotte Flair Vs Asuka – Smackdown Women’s Championship Match: Summary
Fundamentals: 0.50
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
This match felt very sloppy since the get go. The crowd really only cared for Charlotte and slightly for Bianca’s stuff. It took Bianca’s potential real injury to truly get the crowd into the match. There was a lot of miscommunications. From the 450 to break up the figure 8, and the overall finish it was fine.
I am still questioning putting the title on Asuka.
Results: Bianca Belair By Pinfall via Roll Up On Asuka, while locked in the Figure 8.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
SQUASH Bianca Belair Vs Iyo Sky with Bayley – Smackdown Women’s Championship Match:
Iyo and Bayley ran down after the match, attacking both Asuka and Charlotte with the briefcase. Sky used the case to hit Belair before getting a moonsault for the win. What a moment, what a pop, the crowd loved Iyo. Dakota Kai was even there and everyone was getting heartwarming cheers.
Results: Iyo Sky By Pinfall via Moonsault
MUST WATCH Roman Reigns Vs Jey Uso – Tribal Combat Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match:
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
The match that is going to divide a lot of wrestling fans. At the end of the day this is storytelling, building towards big spots and moments including the little things like Solo questioning Roman. The crowd was firmly behind Jey and thats expected. The psychology is amazing from the selling and towards the call backs from their past matches. Seeing Jey use the strap was great. Splashing Solo through the table was also good. But the crowd was almost drained for a big portion of the match. A long show did hinder this match a bit. It was the typical Roman match. A slow and methodical pace and it isn’t for everyone.
To see further thoughts on the actual result and finish of the match, check out the WR Daily podcast for the Summerslam Review.
Results: Roman Reigns by Pinfall via Spear Through a Corner
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
Overall…
WWE Summerslam 2023 was a massive success. With massive moments in Cody and Brock’s post match respect. LA won a ple match. Iyo Sky cashing in. Gunther getting another big win. Logan Paul becoming Mr. Summerslam with two wins. And a lot more other things. From a storytelling perspective, all of the matches had compelling results and interesting things. We know there are a number of things that will continue after this event, and that is fine. But most of the things that needed to end tonight, are ending tonight. The matches aside from a few of them were all really solid. The show had a good enough flow except the length did cause both the show to feel too long and the crowd was almost out of it by the end. Regardless it was a solid show and Summerslam as a whole did in fact deliver.
Matches: 0.75/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 1/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 1/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 4.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – August 5 2023 For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
