My Monday column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is my reaction to SummerSlam. Here’s an excerpt:
WWE’s SummerSlam 2016 was a card of solid in-ring performances with an ending that can only be justified Monday night.
Enzo and Big Cass displayed tremendous charisma, John Cena and AJ Styles put on a great match and Seth Rollins and Finn Balor had a moment that will go down in pro wrestling history.
Despite their loss, Enzo and Big Cass have command of the WWE audience. The crowd’s affection for them was evident through cement walls during a trip to the bathroom at the Barclay’s Center.
John Cena versus AJ Styles was the culmination of a feud that’s a turning point this summer in WWE. It was the pinning of the WWE guy by the stereotypical indy wrestler. The crowd bought into this match hook, line and sinker. Seeing live is believing, and AJ Styles might be the most pure athletic performer in WWE right now.
The shock and surprise came when Finn Balor won the first WWE Universal Championship over Seth Rollins. While I appreciate both men, I thought Balor had little chance of winning and WWE had its mind made up during injury rehab months ago that Rollins would be standing tall at SummerSlam holding a title.
The Balor win certainly drives home all the chatter of a “new era” in WWE.
CLICK HERE for reaction to Brock Lesnar versus Randy Orton.
