WWE SummerSlam Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

It's the WWE's hottest pay per view of the summer, it's WWE SummerSlam!! WWE SummerSlam was live at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Coming off of a very hot NXT Takeover: Brooklyn 3 on Saturday night, can the WWE compete tonight??

** SummerSlam Card **

- WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defended his title against Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman in a Fatal Four Way Match.
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jinder Mahal defended his title against Shinsuke Nakamura.
- WWE United States Champion AJ Styles defended his title against Kevin Owens with Shane McMahon as the special guest referee.
- WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa defended his title against Neville.
- WWE RAW World Tag Team Champions Sheamus and Cesaro defended their titles against Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.
- WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions The New Day defended their titles against The Usos.
- WWE RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss defended her title against Sasha Banks.
- WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Naomi defended her title against Nattie Neidhart.
- Bray Wyatt battled Finn Balor.
- Baron Corbin battled John Cena.
- Big Show battled Big Cass with Enzo suspended above the ring in a shark cage.
- Rusev battled Randy Orton.
- The Hardy Boys and Jason Jordan battled WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas in a Six Man Tag Team Match.

** SummerSlam PreShow **

- Backstage, Baron Corbin is interviewed. Corbin says John Cena will pay tonight for costing Corbin his Money In The Bank briefcase this past Smackdown Live.

- Backstage, Shane McMahon is interviewed about his special guest referee spot in the AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens match. Shane says he's calling it down the middle and won't get involved unless Styles or Owens give him reason to.

- "Six Man Tag Team Match": The Hardy Boys and Jason Jordan vs. The Miztourage: The match closes out with Miz in control of Jeff Hardy. Axel tags in and works over Jeff next. Jeff hits an enziguri on Axel and tags in Matt Hardy. Matt hits a clothesline and a bulldog on Miz and then drops Dallas and Axel. Miz counters the Twist of Fate and Matt counters the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz drops Matt and gets a near fall. Miz unloads Yes Kicks, but Matt comes back with a near fall Side Effect. Jordan tags in, tosses Axel into the corner, suplexes Dallas into the same corner and hits a double spear on both. All six men get involved next until it comes down to Jordan hitting a belly to belly suplex on Axel. Miz blind tags in and Jordan misses it. Jordan goes for a back body drop on Axel, but Miz saves Axel and drops Jordan with the Skull Crushing Finale for the pinfall.
Winners: The Miztourage, by pinfall.

- Social Media Lounge Interview With Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose: Ambrose says he's feeling really aggressive tonight and he and Rollins scorch everything in their way when they channel their energy in the same direction. Ambrose and Rollins state that they're focused on tonight. Rollins says it's cool fighting along side Ambrose and they're both 100% confident tonight.

- "WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match": Akira Tozawa (c) vs. Neville: The match closes out with Tozawa hitting a couple forearms, misses a third, but dumps Neville on the mat. Tozawa goes to the top rope, but jumps down as Neville moves. Neville sends Tozawa to the apron. Tozawa springboards in, but Neville catches Tozawa. Tozawa counters out and traps Neville in an Octopus Stretch submission. Neville escapes and gets a near fall rollup. Tozawa hits a Shining Wizard on Neville and gets a near fall. Tozawa lands a kick on Neville, but gets dropped with an enziguri when he charges at Neville. Tozawa hits a hurricanrana and another kick on Neville. Neville unloads on Tozawa's shoulder, but Tozawa lands a punch and a kick in return. Tozawa goes to the top rope, but gets cut off by Neville. Tozawa sends Neville to the mat and goes for the senton. Neville blocks with his knees up on Tozawa. Neville goes to the top rope, hits the Red Arrow and scores the pinfall, to win the title.
Winner: Neville, by pinfall, to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.

- Elias Samson interrupts the show, sitting in the ring with his guitar. Elias sings a song, mocking Brooklyn and the 5 Boroughs of New York. Elias then sings an encore song mocking Biggie Smalls, Jay Z, hipsters and Brooklyn.

- Backstage, The Singh Brothers introduce the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jinder Mahal. Mahal mocks all those who have stepped in front of him and promises that Shinsuke Nakamura will be no different tonight. Mahal then speaks in Punjabi to all his fans in India.

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": The New Day (c) vs. The Usos: The match closes out with Woods unloading chops and punches on Jimmy. Woods takes out both Usos outside. Big E goes for a suicide dive, but eats a Uso Kick and is left dangling on the ropes. Uso Splash on Big E sends him outside and another Uso Splash on Woods for a near fall. Woods traps Jey in a submission as Big E holds Jimmy back from breaking it. Jey escapes by cradling Woods for a near fall. Woods hits a Shining Wizard on Jey for a near fall and then knocks Jimmy off the apron. Jey counters the Honor Roll, but Woods escapes and tags Big E. Woods hits Jimmy with a DDT on the floor. New Day hit Midnight Hour on Jey, but Jimmy breaks up the pinfall. Woods sends Jimmy outside, but Jey grabs Woods and tosses him on top of Jimmy outside, who catches Woods and hits a Samoan Drop on the floor. Jimmy grabs Kofi and sends him head first into the steel steps, knocking Kofi out. Big E goes for the Big Ending on Jey, but Jimmy lands an Uso Kick. Jey with an Uso Kick then both Usos hit Uso Kicks. Jimmy and Jey hit double Uso Splashes on Big E and score the pinfall to win the titles.
Winners: The Usos, by pinfall, to win the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship.

- After a KFC commercial, Shawn Michaels makes a surprise appearance at the Barclays Center dressed as Colonial Sanders.

- Backstage, Paul Heyman is about to cut a promo on the reigning and defending Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, when Braun Strowman interrupts and tells Heyman he talks too much.

** SummerSlam Recap **

- John Cena vs. Baron Corbin: The match closes out with Corbin getting a near fall clothesline on Cena. Cena makes a comeback, but Corbin shuts him down. Corbin yells at Cena and at the crowd and grounds Cena. Cena gets up, hits a drop kick on Corbin and follows that up with the clothesline and shoulder tackle. Corbin dodges the Five Knuckle Shuffle and plants Cena with a choke slam into a backbreaker for a near fall. Cena lands a head butt, a tornado DDT and then hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle on the second attempt. Corbin counters the AA and hits Deep Six for a near fall. Corbin unloads on Cena, but gets dropped by a clothesline as he charged at Cena. Cena plants Corbin with the AA and scores the pinfall.
Winner: John Cena, by pinfall.

- "WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship Match": Naomi (c) vs. Nattie Neidhart: The match closes out with Nattie in control of Naomi. Nattie drops Naomi and then stomps on her in the corner. Nattie keeps control until Naomi unloads kicks on Nattie. Nattie catches Naomi and slams her to the mat for a near fall. Nattie traps Naomi in an abdominal stretch submission and works over Naomi's back. Nattie releases and hits a discus clothesline on Naomi for a near fall. Nattie attempts another discus clothesline, but Naomi lands a kick and drops Nattie for a near fall. Both ladies trade offense until Naomi hits a slingshot leg drop on Nattie for a near fall. Nattie catches Naomi and traps her in the Sharpshooter submission. Naomi is able to escape and unload on Nattie. Nattie counters and again traps Naomi in the Sharpshooter submission. Nattie locks it tight and makes Naomi tap out to win the title.
Winner: Nattie Neidhart, by submission, to win the WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship.

- Big Show vs. Big Cass, With Enzo Locked In A Shark Cage And Suspended Above The Ring: Big Show comes to the ring with his injured hand wrapped. The match closes out with Show hitting a side slam on Cass, but lands on his bad hand. Show misses a Vader Bomb as Cass moves. Show hits the Knockout Punch on Cass, but barely connects with his hand wrapped and gets a near fall. Cass unloads on Show's bad hand and applies an arm bar submission. Show is able to fight back and gets a near fall choke slam on Cass. Cass rolls outside and then unloads some more on Show's injured hand when he tries to pull him back into the ring. Cass sends Show's injured hand into the ring post as Enzo starts squirming his way out of the shark cage above. Enzo escapes, climbs down from the cage, lands in the ring and then eats a Cass Big Boot. Cass hits the Big Boot on Show, but gets a near fall. Cass hits another Big Boot on Show and then hits the Empire Elbow to score the pinfall.
Winner: Big Cass, by pinfall.

- Backstage, RAW GM Kurt Angle and Smackdown Live GM Daniel Bryan argue over who's show will have the better matches of the night.

- Randy Orton arrives to the ring for his match when suddenly Rusev jumps Orton from behind. Rusev sends Orton into the barricade and beats Orton down. The referee checks on Orton and Orton says he's alright to wrestle.

- Randy Orton vs. Rusev: As soon as the bell rings, Orton dodges a charging Rusev and hits the RKO for the pinfall.
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Sasha Banks and Bayley meet up. Bayley wishes Sasha good luck and gives her a hug.

- "WWE RAW Women's Championship Match": Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Sasha Banks: The match closes out with Sasha in control of Alexa and hits a drop kick. Alexa talks trash, but eats a kick from Sasha, dropping her to the mat. Sasha sends Alexa back of the head first into the turnbuckle and then unloads on her. Sasha charges and hits double knees for a near fall. Sasha counters a DDT, hits a backstabber on Alexa and then applies the Banks Statement submission. Alexa reaches the ropes and slides outside. Sasha follows, but gets tripped by Alexa and lands on her shoulder outside. Alexa grabs Sasha and tosses her outside, landing shoulder first again. Alexa beats down Sasha then hits Twisted Bliss off the ropes for a near fall. Alexa has a temper tantrum as Sasha catches Alexa and traps her in the Banks Statement submission. Alexa beats on Sasha's injured shoulder and stops her from locking it in. Alexa and Sasha counter offense until Sasha again traps Alexa in the Banks Statement submission. Alexa tries to counter the submission, but Sasha is able to lock it in tight and force Alexa to tap out to win the title.
Winner: Sasha Banks, by submission, to win the WWE RAW Women's Championship.

- Bray Wyatt vs. "The Demon King" Finn Balor: The match closes out with Bray getting boots to the face and then gets dropped by a Balor over head kick. Bray goes outside, but Balor follows and drop kicks Bray from the apron. Balor with another running drop kick and then hits a double foot stomp off the apron and onto Bray. Back in the ring, Balor counters Sister Abigail and hits a Sling Blade on Bray. Balor charges at Bray, but Bray dodges, kicks Balor, plants Balor into the mat and gets a near fall. Bray unloads on Balor and then hits a running senton for a near fall. Balor plants an elbow on Bray and Bray rolls back outside. Balor follows and drop kicks Bray right into the barricade. Back in the ring, Bray hits a clothesline on Balor and gets a near fall. Bray goes to the corner and spider walks over to Balor. Balor suddenly rises from the mat and stares down Bray. Balor hits Sling Blade on Bray and then hits the running drop kick into the corner. Balor goes to the top rope and hits Coup de Grace on Bray to score the pinfall.
Winner: "The Demon King" Finn Balor, by pinfall.

- "WWE RAW World Tag Team Championship Match": Sheamus and Cesaro (c) vs. Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose: The match closes out with Cesaro hitting a cross body on Ambrose for a near fall. Cesaro counters Dirty Deeds, Cesaro Swings Ambrose and then locks Ambrose in the Sharpshooter submission. Sheamus cuts off Rollins from helping and plants Rollins on the floor with a rolling senton. Cesaro counters Ambrose from escaping the Sharpshooter, by rolling through and locking Ambrose in the crossface submission. Ambrose finally escapes, but gets a cheap shot from Sheamus. Sheamus and Cesaro hit a double team clothesline on Ambrose for a near fall and then a double team Celtic Cross for another near fall. Rollins makes the save, but gets beat down next and tossed outside. Sheamus and Cesaro double team Ambrose and go for White Noise. Rollins hits a hurricanrana on Cesaro sending him crashing into Sheamus. Rollins super kicks Cesaro, super kicks Sheamus and then hits the leaping knee to the face of Sheamus. Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds on Sheamus and scores the pinfall to win the titles.
Winners: Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, by pinfall, to win the WWE RAW World Tag Team Championship.

- "WWE United States Championship Match: AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens, With Shane McMahon As Special Guest Referee: The match closes out with Owens getting a near fall Pop Up Power Bomb on Styles. Owens argues with Shane about the count. Styles traps Owens in the Calf Crusher submission, but Owens kicks Styles into Shane, sending Shane flying outside. Styles reapplies the Calf Crusher submission and Owens taps out, but Shane doesn't see it. Styles releases the submission and argues with Shane when he gets back in the ring. Styles and Shane shove each other. Styles charges Owens, but misses and hits the turnbuckle. Styles hits a forearm, but Owens comes back with a suplex. Styles and Owens trade shots on the top rope. Owens hits a suplex on Styles and gets a near fall. Owens and Styles trade shots, Styles misses a Pele Kick and Owens nails the super kick. Styles counters the Pop Up Power Bomb and gets a near fall Styles Clash on Owens. Owens scores the pinfall on Styles, but Shane calls it off after seeing Styles' foot on the ropes. Owens and Shane argue, Owens pokes his finger at Shane and then shoves Shane. Shane shoves Owens back and Styles gets a near fall rollup. Styles hits the Pele Kick, the Phenomenal Forearm and then the Styles Clash on Owens to score the pinfall to retain the title.
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall, to retain the WWE United States Championship.

- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match": Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: The match closes out with Mahal grounding Nakamura and mocking him. Mahal continues to keep Nakamura grounded until Nakamura comes back and unloads strikes. Nakamura gets Mahal down on his knees and plants a kick. Nakamura and Mahal trade offense and then Mahal counters the Exploder suplex. Nakamura traps Mahal in an arm bar submission, but Mahal reaches the ropes. Nakamura and Mahal trade more offense until Mahal gets a near fall rollup and then a near fall knee. Nakamura counters the Cobra Clutch Slam and unloads on Mahal. Nakamura dodges a Mahal charge and Mahal hits the turnbuckle. Nakamura takes control of Mahal as Samir Singh jumps on the apron. Nakamura flips Samir into the ring and then nails Sunil Singh on the other side of the ring. Mahal sneaks up behind Nakamura, hits the Cobra Clutch Slam and scores the pinfall to retain the title.
Winner: Jinder Mahal, by pinfall, to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

- "WWE Universal Championship, Fatal Four Way Match": Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman: Brock Lesnar gets stretchered out of the match after Braun Strowman power slams him through two announcers tables and then dumps a third one on top of him. The match closes out with Lesnar charging back to the ring, tackles Strowman and lands MMA punches. Lesnar german suplexes Reigns and Joe. Lesnar tries a german on Strowman, but catches elbows. Lesnar traps Strowman in the Kimura Lock submission, but Reigns breaks it with the Superman Punch. Reigns hits two Superman Punches and a spear on Lesnar for a near fall. Joe traps Reigns in the Coquina Clutch submission, but Strowman breaks it with a drop kick. Strowman power slams Joe for a near fall, as Lesnar pulls the referee out of the ring. Reigns Superman Punches Lesnar and Strowman for a near fall.

Strowman counters the spear and gets a near fall power slam as Lesnar breaks it. Strowman counters the F5 from Lesnar, but Reigns spears both Strowman and Lesnar. Joe stops Lesnar from hitting an F5 on Reigns and then tosses Reigns outside. Joe locks Lesnar in the Coquina Clutch submission, but Lesnar counters with a near fall F5, after Reigns makes the save. Reigns hits three straight Superman Punches on Lesnar and measures up for the spear. Lesnar counters the spear, hits the F5, scores the pinfall and retains the title.
Winner: Brock Lesnar, by pinfall, to retain the WWE Universal Championship.