Hello and welcome to another edition
of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the
internet that bangs on about still being relevant more than Enzo & Cass!
It’s WWE’s Summerslam 2008, the return of The Deadman. Yes, Undertaker is back
to seek revenge against the man who cost him his career, Edge must face
Undertaker inside of a Hell In A Cell. Triple H has to defend his championship
against none other than Great Khali, not looking forward to that match in the
slightest, not going to lie to you people. Also, who is the biggest star of the
last 3 years in the WWE? Was it The Animal Batista or was it John Cena? Two of
the biggest collide for one night only to find out who the man is in the WWE.
Other huge matches include CM Punk defending against JBL who has been on a role
rekindling his feud with one John Cena. So, let’s get to this review!
Jeff Hardy vs MVP
Two of the rising superstars in the
WWE, MVP has seen better days though after losing his United States
Championship to Jeff’s brother Matt Hardy. Jeff seems on the cusp of a
championship reign but has fallen a little in recent times. MVP has cost Jeff
Hardy two big wins in the last few weeks. MVP misses a big boot to start the
match, Jeff gives chase around the ring. Jeff drags MVP to the floor, MVP meets
the barricade. Scoop slam and slingshot leg drop by Jeff for two as MVP places
his feet on the ropes. Jeff grabs the arm while MVP pushes back on Jeff’s face,
MVP cannot escape the arm-bar though. We have a clean break, Jeff nails a right
hand and some boots to MVP.
The referee pushes off Jeff, more
rights from Jeff. Irish whip to the corner, MVP belly to belly suplexes Jeff
into the corner. That was beautiful and looked nasty too, two count for MVP.
MVP applies a butterfly lock, stiff kick to the spine from MVP. Another
butterfly lock from MVP, transition into a camel clutch. Jeff kicks off MVP but
MVP rolls through into a single leg Boston crab, transitioning into a heel
hook. Jeff makes it to the apron, Jeff looks for a slingshot but MVP decks Jeff
with a right hand, MVP drops all his weight across the back of Jeff for two.
MVP slams Jeff into the tree of woe,
Jeff is thrown back first into the turnbuckle. Two for MVP, MVP has Jeff in an
Argentine backbreaker before Jeff slips out and delivers a nice neckbreaker.
Corkscrew mule kick, Jeff was looking for his corner dropkick but MVP kicks off
Jeff who hits his head hard off the canvas. Two for MVP, MVP comes close once
more. Whip to the corner, John Wu dropkick from MVP. MVP looks for the player’s
boot, Jeff explodes out of the corner with a neckbreaker. Russian legsweep
followed by Jeff’s unique cover for two. MVP blocks the corner dropkick,
looking for a spinebuster but Jeff rolls through for a sunset flip, two for
Jeff. Whisper In The Wind, Jeff looks for the swanton, here comes Shelton
Benjamin and Jeff dives onto Benjamin. Jeff looks for the swanton once more,
MVP dodges and nails The Drive-By for the win.
This was a very enjoyable opener from
the two, I was a little sceptical when the match began, could MVP be motivated
and work with Jeff on this night considering his rapid decent down the card but
no, MVP was vicious and worked over Hardy during the match convincingly, Jeff
is crazy popular as always but those comebacks and signature moves are really
being formed now in the minds of the fans, it makes the match so much fun.
Winner: MVP over
Jeff Hardy via Drive-By!
(WWE
Women’s Championship & Intercontinental Championship Match) Mickie James ©
& Kofi Kingston vs Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix
Despite
Kofi’s splash on Raw, it feels Kingston has accomplished little to nothing as
champion while WWE’s booking of the Divas has always been suspect so while Beth
and Mickie have feuded, we have not seen many of the matches or angles play out
with little more than a segment here and there. However, we do have the true
birth of Glamarella here, Santino has dumped Maria and turned heel, taking on a
persona which is magnificent and I shall here nothing against it.
Beth and
Mickie begin the match, side headlock does not work for Mickie as Beth pushes
Mickie off. Mickie takes the back, Beth is caught in the wasit-lock. Beth
elbows Mickie away, Mickie dropkicks the knee and a low dropkick floors Beth
for two. Beth nails a back suplex, Santino wants the tag. Mickie kicks Santino,
monkey flip and a tag to Kofi. Springboard crossbody and dropkicks, Irish whip
to the corner. Corner punches from Kofi, shoulder thrusts and a massive
uppercut. Santino powders, Mickie dropkicks Beth off the apron. Kofi pretends
to dive, Santino dives into Beth’s arm. Chemistry, Kofi gets over-zealous and
eats a neckbreaker, Santino is in control.
Reverse
chin-lock from Santino, tag to Beth. Beth kicks Kofi before a tag to Santino,
snap suplex with a float-over for two. Back into a chin-lock, Kofi breaks free
and both men bang heads. In comes Mickie, forearms and a neck-breaker. Irish
whip, Regal-like cutter from Mickie. Santino eats a dropkick from Mickie,
corner hurricanrana from Mickie. Lou Thesz Press from Mickie but Santino is in
the ring, Santino lowbridges Kofi. MickieDT onto Santino, massive lariat from
Beth to the back of the neck. Glam Slam on Mickie, we have new champions.
This was
excellent, Beth and Santino as a duo are marvellous. Santino steals the show
every second that he is in that ring. His facials and offence are perfect while
Mickie and Kofi show a tonne of fire when they are in the ring. Disappointed
that Kofi’s first reign never really took off but there is a bright future
ahead for that man but as I was saying, there were so many elements to this
match that made it so much fun. I want more Santino, I want more Beth and I
want more Kofi and Mickie, hope there are rematches to come down the road.
Winners:
Glamarella over Kofi Kingston & Mickie James via Glam Slam!
Shawn
Michaels Announcement
Shawn
Michaels is The Showstopper, Shawn Michaels is The Main Event but is Shawn
Micheals finished wrestling? Chris Jericho’s assault on the eye of HBK have led
Shawn Michaels to making a decision with his wife Rebecca by his side. Shawn’s
wife is crying already, this is quite good. Shawn Michaels talks about walking
away, retiring from the sport. The decision is for Michaels to make, Michaels
will be listening to the doctor’s advice and walking away from the ring. The
whole speech and Rebecca crying is very convincing, it is crazy to think that
his Hall Of Fame speech will not come close to this.
The crowd
pops as Jericho enters the ring, sensing that this is not a legitimate retirement
but an angle, who cares though? Chris Jericho, the man who has forced HBK to
retire has interrupted HBK’s retirement. Jericho wants HBK to state that he is
the sole reason for HBK’s retirement. This is tense, Jericho is a despicable
human being, Jericho is ice-cold in this segment. Bringing up the kids, Jericho
has crossed such a line. HBK calls Jericho a vile, selfish and worthless human
being and a wannabe Shawn Michaels, the two stare one another down. Another
crushing line from Michaels, Jericho looks to sucker-punch Michaels but nails
Rebecca instead. Interestingly, Jericho legit punched Michaels’ wife during the
segment, causing Jericho to call himself unprofessional and feel like an actual
piece of shit like his TV counterpart.
As far as
angles go, this was tremendous. Jericho’s face after the punch tells you that
even he knows he has crossed the line. The punch looks great because it was
real but how low can you sink, sucker-punching another man’s wife. Jericho’s
heat was nuclear, Jericho is the character to watch in the WWE at this time,
nobody comes close. The commentators are silent, nobody reacts for what feels
like minutes, they let you tell the story through body language and feel
everything that is going on inside that ring. Rebecca has a legitimate swollen
lip, you could not have done this better if you tried, I cannot wait to see the
next chapter in this feud, I am all in on this feud and the story had me before
this with Jericho trying to prove that he had surpassed his idol in Michaels.
(ECW
Championship Match) Mark Henry © W/ Tony Atlas vs Matt Hardy
Being out of
The United States Championship picture, Matt Hardy was transitioned to ECW as
the brand’s top babyface and most established star alongside Mark Henry. Matt
has never won a major singles championship in the WWE, could Matt win the big
one? Mark Henry has had such a start and stop career due to injuries but Mark
was finally finding his groove as an animal on ECW destroying everyone in his
path.
Hardy starts
attacking Henry, Henry shoves off Hardy with ease. Hardy dodges a clothesline
in the corner, nailing a Twist of Fate. Tony Atlas breaks up the pin to save
Henry’s championship reign. The match ends in an DQ, Atlas attacks Hardy. Here
comes brother Jeff for the save, Swanton Bomb on Atlas. The Hardys double
suplex Henry on the outside, I guess that is the end of that match. DUD!
Winner:
Matt Hardy over Mark Henry via DQ!
(WWE
World Heavyweight Championship Match) CM Punk © vs JBL
JBL had
defeated John Cena in a brutal brawl and has set his sights on CM Punk, JBL
being the premier bully of the WWE has been a joy to watch since returning
following a stint as a commentator. Punk needs a big win as Punk survived
Batista thanks to Kane, Punk is new school while JBL is old school. JBL
believes indie wrestling to be trash and pisses all over Ring Of Honor. JBL
clubs Punk and applies a side headlock, big shoulder block from the challenger.
Punk dodges a clothesline, kicks to the legs and a flying forearm. Dropkick
from Punk, JBL is out on the floor. Suicide dive from Punk, Punk climbs the top
rope. Crossbody for two, JBL hits a massive shoulder block on Punk. Stomping on
the fingers, JBL assumes control.
Irish whip
to the corner, Punk boots off JBL. Punk tries to go high but a fallaway slam
from JBL puts down Punk. Close call for Punk, JBL goes to work on the spine. Waist-lock
from the challenger, Punk kicks his way out but JBL boots down Punk for two.
Snap suplex for two, JBL nails a massive back suplex for two. Another waist-lock
from JBL, looking to squeeze the life out of the champion. Abdominal Stretch
from the challenger, Punk hip-tosses JBL out of the submission. High running
knee in the corner, bulldog connects for Punk. GTS attempt but Punk’s ribs
collapse from the weight of JBL. Short-arm clothesline from hell, followed by multiple
elbow drops from JBL but Punk survives at two.
The two
trade blows, clothesline misses for JBL. Spinning back fists and a roundhouse
kick to the head for two, Punk rolls to the apron. Punk’s springboard backfires
as JBL catches the champion for a powerslam, two for JBL. JBL winds up for his
clothesline, Punk counters with a beautiful leaping calf kick, both men lay on
the mat. Another high knee in the corner from Punk, JBL counters the bulldog. JBL
places Punk on the top rope, super back drop from JBL. 1…2.. JBL comes close
once more to having the championship around his waist. Short-arm clothesline
misses again as Punk ducks for a GTS, Punk retains his championship.
Enjoyed this
match a lot, JBL is completely believable in his role as a bully, JBL’s
mannerisms are fantastic throughout this match, showing utter disgust for his challenge
in CM Punk. The fallaway slam which leads to the heat segment is tremendous,
JBL works over the back tirelessly, it plays into much of the match with Punk
being unable to hit the GTS at first and Punk doubles over in pain throughout
due to the damage to his back, JBL’s shock as his Clothesline From Hell misses
and leads to The GTS is just good wrestling, might be my favourite match on the
card so far.
Winner:
CM Punk over JBL via GTS!
(WWE
Championship Match) Triple H © vs The Great Khali W/ R. Singh
This came
out of nowhere didn’t it? Where was Khali for so much of the year? Anyways, the
more important story to me at least is Triple H is champion of Smackdown with
Randy Orton out of the picture due to an unfortunate injury suffered at the
hands of The Game. Neither championship picture intrigues me as much as the
other big matches on the card which is a worrying sign. However, Punk and JBL
won me over with a solid championship match but can Triple H pull a watchable
match out of one Great Khali?
Khali shoves
Triple H, Triple H continues to duck Khali and nail right hands but an early
pedigree attempt does not work, a clothesline staggers Kahli but Khali nails
his throat toss slam to The Game. Khali wants Triple H to get to his feet, Vice
Grip from Khali. Triple H struggles and struggles but boots to the monster end
the submission, chop block from HHH. Khali rolls to the floor, clutching that
left leg, Triple H is in pursuit. Khali suckers The Game in, massive Slap to
the head from Khali. Khali stomps Triple H in the ring, elbows in the corner.
Short-arm clothesline from Khali, shoulder claw from the challenger.
Scoop slam
and leg drop from Khali, another shoulder claw from Khali. Triple H mounts a
comeback with right hands and a facebuster, Triple H has Khali tangled in the
ropes. Nowhere to go for Khali, Khali boots away Triple H. Wisely, Singh saves
Khali from the ropes. Triple H wants a pedigree, Khali makes his way to the
ropes and back drops Triple H to the floor. Khali hangs too closely to the
ropes, Triple H pulls out Khali. Khali’s leg meets the ring-post, Triple H
stands on the apron and from the floor, Khali chops down Triple H with a slap.
Vice grip
from Khali, Triple H ran right into the submission. Tripe H throws rights and
lefts, Khali applies more pressure with Triple H falling to a knee. Triple H
powers out of the submission, stomps to that injured leg of Khali. Khali misses
a corner splash, could it be Pedigree time? Triple H struggles and applies The
Pedigree, this match is over!
You know
what? That did not drag anywhere near as bad as I thought, Triple H did
everything that he could to make that an interesting match, the champion sold
everything that Khali did like a God, Khali would hit a chop here and there and
Triple H would struggle through this match like someone who had been battered.
Loved Triple H kicking out the injured leg of Khali to escape the grip and
apply the pedigree, it was established early and played into the finish, I see
logical wrestling and I like, happy days.
Winner:
Triple H over Great Khali via Pedigree!
John Cena
vs Batista
Big match
promo package, big match feel, the two biggest superstars of the last 4 years
in WWE. Both men rose at the same time, the faces of their brands. Let’s do
this, Batista takes down Cena with a shoulder block but a leapfrog and scoop
slam puts down Batista. We reset, both men a little more cautious. Side
headlock from Cena, shoulder block but Batista boots Cena, early Batista Bomb
attempt but Cena dodges, Batista nails a clothesline and jackhammer for two.
Irish whip reversal from Cena, fisherman suplex. Two for Cena, both men running
through their signature offence. Irish whip reversal from Batista, sidewalk
slam for two for The Animal.
Cena
attempts an FU, Batista slips out for a chop block. Knees and right hands from
Batista, shin-breaker from The Animal. Figure Four from Batista, love that
little nod to Naitch. Cena reaches the ropes to free himself, another FU
attempt, Batista holds onto the ropes so Cena dumps Batista to the floor, Cena
clutches his injured leg, collapsing to the mat. Batista misses a clothesline,
Cena nails his shoulder blocks and spin-out slam. Cena holds his leg
throughout, Five Knuckle Shuffle from Cena.
FU blocked
for a third time, Batista boots Cena to the mat. Cena is seared to the corner,
shoulder thrusts and a corner clothesline. Batista nails his spinebuster,
planting Cena in the middle of the ring. Batista Bomb is countered, dragon
screw and STFU from Cena. Cena tracks Batista back from the ropes, Batista
might tap but reaches the ropes just in time. FU is countered into a rear-naked
choke. Cena elbows Batista’s knee to escape, love it good stuff Cena. Out of
nowhere, Spear from Batista to take down Cena. 1…..2…. Cena kicks out!
Cena escapes
a powerslam for a counter into an FU, tremendous counter. Best I have seen in
quite some time, Cena cannot capitalize immediately. Cena crawls over, 1…2…
Batista kicks out! Cena climbs to the top rope, Cena is slow to climb. Batista
pursues, they trade blows at the top of the turnbuckle. Cena knocks down
Batista, could it be Kobashi-style leg drop time? Cena jumps but Batista
counters for a Batista Bomb. 1….2.. Cena kicks out! Batista is furious, big
boot form The Animal, Batista Bomb and Cena is down.
This was
utterly fantastic, this match never let up from start to finish. It was high
calibre from the word go, the two playing chess with one another, the big moves
coming out, everything they did was so crisp and clean. The counters from the
FU to The Batista Bomb were simply awesome and that finish, a snap from
Batista. Something has changed in our beloved Animal, it might not be an
immediate heel turn but there is a dark side to Batista and who knows where we
will go from here but I will proudly say this was an awesome match.
Winner:
Batista over John Cena via Batista Bomb!
The
Undertaker vs Edge (Hell In A Cell Match)
Edge had
vanquished The Undertaker after falling to The Deadman at Wrestlemania, Edge had
never faced a greater challenge than Undertaker, Edge was riding on cloud nine
but Edge cheated on beloved wife Vickie Guerrero with his secretary, Undertaker
had been reinstated by General Manager Vickie Guerrero. Vickie topped off her revenge
on her cheating husband by making the match a Hell in a Cell match. Edge would use
Mick Foley as the man to bring out his dark side, that sick, sinister side of
Edge that battled Mick Foley at Wrestlemania.
Edge is in
his zone but it’s Undertaker’s yard, the camera angles and Taker symbolically
shutting the door of the cell, it is sheer perfection. Edge looks eager and
ready to brawl with Taker but can The Rated R Superstar match The Deadman?
Taker seems calm, no emotion. If any look is on his face, it might just be pity
for Edge for what pain is about to come his way. Edge tees off on Taker, Taker
cannot land a strike as Edge continues to pummel Taker. A big boot stops Edge’s
offence though, Taker measures Edge in the corner for right hands and
headbutts. Edge is tossed to the floor, Taker headbutts Edge on the ringside
area. Edge is smashed into the cell wall, Taker scrapes Edge’s face off the
cell wall. Taker brings steps into the ring, what could be the purpose here?
Taker lifts
Edge onto his shoulders, snake eyes into the steps. Taker’s boot misses though
as Edge nails an elbow and sends Taker into the steps. Low-angle Spear against
the steps by Edge, steel steps to the head of Taker. Edge brings out tables,
Edge has had experiences in TLC matches and hardcore matches, the tables are stacked
on top of one another. Edge wants a suplex through the tables, Taker blocks and
wants chokeslam but Edge counters with a hotshot into the ropes. Edge brings
out a chair, stabbing Taker in the neck with the chair.
Chair shot
to the back of Taker, Edge has placed a table in the ring and Edge grabs a
ladder, Edge is in familiar territory. Chair to the head of The Deadman,
another chair shot to the head of Undertaker. Taker is lying on the table, Edge
wants to drive a chair through Taker’s face, Edge destroys Taker with the same
dive that took out Mick Foley. Conchairto is on Edge’s mind, Taker is back to
his feet though. Taker boots Edge off the apron into the cell wall, steel steps
are smashed into the face of Edge. Edge escapes
Taker’s snake eyes attempt, Taker is propped up against the cell wall,
Edge grabs the steel steps and uses the steps to aid his Spear through the cell
wall, both men are outside of the cell.
Edge and Taker
brawl by the announce table, Edge cracks Taker with a monitor twice. Taker is
on the Raw announce table, Edge climbs onto another announce table and runs at
Taker, nailing a massive Spear through the ECW announce table. Edge is doing
everything he can to destroy Undertaker and the crazy son of a bitch just might
pull this off! Edge and Taker make their way back to the ring, the crowd boos
but not everyone wants to fall off the cell ladies and gentlemen, not everyone
is insane as Mick Foley. Taker rolls into the ring and eats a ladder to the
face from Edge, Edge looks for another weapon and it is a camera. Taker is
waffled with a camera, call-backs for all to see.
Taker kicks
out at two! Edge wants the spear, Taker counters for a thunderous Chokeslam. 1…2…
Edge kicks out! Last Ride is blocked with a low blow, Edgecution/Impaler DDT for
two. Nobody bought into that finish, Taker sits up. Last Ride is avoided again,
Spear from Edge but Taker survives again! Edge pummels Taker in the corner,
Taker counters for a Last Ride, it finally connects. 1…2… Edge kicks out again!
Taker drags Edge onto steel steps, tombstone is countered for an Edge O Matic
on the steel steps from The Rated R Superstar. Two count for Edge, Edge has
Taker where he wants him, Edge is looking for Old School.
Foolishly,
Edge gets caught by Taker. Taker Chokeslams Edge through the two tables at
ringside, similar to how Edge sent Taker tumbling through all those tables to
end his career, Taker has extracted the perfect revenge on Edge. Taker spears
Edge, another layer to the story between the two. Taker reaches for the camera,
just like Survivor Series. Edge is waffled with the camera, Taker is not done
yet though. Taker goes for Conchairto, every little thing that Edge did to Taker
is coming back to him. Tombstone Piledriver and Undertaker has won this match
but it is not over, Taker Chokeslams Edge off a ladder through the ring.
This was a
tremendous main event, I thought nothing would come close to Cena and Batista
but Taker and Edge stole the show. Loved the psychotic side of Edge, The Rated
R Superstar brought out that vicious side of himself, drilling Taker with
everything that he had, Edge knew that it would not be enough to take down
Taker unless Edge stopped The Deadman breathing. Tables, Ladders, chairs,
cameras and steel steps were all used to put down Taker but nothing Edge did
would stop The Deadman. Hell-bent on revenge, Undertaker would not be denied on
this night, Taker took everything Edge had and destroyed The Rated R Superstar.
What made this so sweet was Taker using everything that Edge had done to him
against him, the camera, the spears, the conchairtos, Taker enacted the perfect
revenge and it was beautiful.
Winner: Undertaker
over Edge via Tombstone Piledriver!
That was WWE’s
Summerslam of 2008, the third of the big four pay per views for that year and
it delivered, oh boy did it deliver. With exception of Matt Hardy vs Mark
Henry, every match on this card ranged from fun to awesome. MVP and Jeff Hardy
accounted well for themselves in the opening match, Hardy’s popularity carries
through any match adding to the excitement but the two work a basic match with
MVP showcasing his talent and Jeff showing off the charisma and work ethic that
we all love. Santino and Beth are a tremendous pairing with Santino stealing
every part of this match, good mixed tag team match, could not have gone
smoother. You have the angle of Jericho vs HBK reaching a fever pitch with HBK looking
to walk away from the ring and in his what could be final moments with the fans,
Jericho tries to humiliate Michaels only to sucker punch his wife.
This is followed
by 4 tremendous big matches, Punk and JBL put on a great match with JBL walking
all over Punk and his over-confidence leading to the resilient champion Punk securing
the win over his bitter opponent. Punk stands a as a true champion, no longer
the underdog against every challenger from the Raw brand. To my surprise,
Triple H brings out a very watchable and credible match with The Great Khali, I
never thought I would type that yet here we are, Triple H sold well, Triple H
had the crowd on his side and the work put in leading to the pedigree was solid
and when the pedigree connected, I was with the fans enjoying the match. Cena vs
Batista was awesome, everything about it felt like a Mania match, they worked a
frantic pace, hit all their spots and had a finish that had me asking for more and
questioning where they would go next. Finally, Taker gaining his revenge on the
man who had been a thorn in his side for almost two years was beautiful. After
every slimy and sneaky thing Edge had done, it was beautiful to see Edge’s
world come crashing down upon him, this was a great Summerslam. Thanks for
reading and remember: There’s always another night!
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