Match of the Year Candidate
AJ Styles and John Cena put on one of the best matches in 2016 at WWE SummerSlam. What can you say about this aside from instant classic? John Cena and AJ Styles were given 23 minutes to showcase their story, fight with all of their might and provide some excellent spots.
When people bash John Cena, I really wonder why. He is the Barry Bonds of professional wrestling. You can love or hate him, but he is always stepping up to the plate and looking to hit a Home Run. Tonight was no different. With AJ Styles, there had to be a clear cut winner and it HAD to be Styles. AJ has been nothing short of stellar since his debut in WWE and tonight was another example why he might be the most consistent and entertaining superstar on Smackdown.You have to love his cockiness and attitude in the ring, his stealing of moves only to set up his excellent flurry of offense. It is so simple and so effective.
The speed, the pacing, the agility and the big move feel with multiple pin fall attempts kept me on the edge of my seat. You HAVE to imagine that AJ Styles will be going for the gold on his next step.
Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins
Results via WZ Live Coverage:
Seth Rollins drives his shoulder to the midsection of Finn Balor. Rollins with a snap mare and proceeds to kick Balor in the back. Rollins with a knee drop to Balor. Rollins applies a rear chin lock. Balor drives his elbow to the knee of Rollins. Rollins whips Balor back first into the corner. Rollins with a flying knee strike to Balor. Rollins connects with the Frog Splash for a two count. Balor plants Rollins with a DDT. Balor with running axe handles to Rollins. Balor connects with the wrecking ball dropkick. Balor with a boot to the face of Rollins. Balor drops Rollins with a elbow to the chest. Balor drops Rollins with the 1916 for a two count.
Rollins gets Balor in a triangle choke. Rollins tosses Balor to the outside. Rollins rolls Balor back into the ring. Balor kicks Rollins in the hamstring. Rollins drops Balor with a Buckle Bomb. Rollins follows that up with a side kick to the face of Balor for a two count. Balor with a spinning heel kick to Rollins. Rollins with a small package driver to Balor for a two count. Balor with a wrecking ball dropkick that sends Rollins back first into the barricade. Balor with a flying foot stomp to the back of Rollins for a two count. Rollins plants Balor with the Pedigree for a two count. Rollins goes for the Phoenix Splash, but Rollins ducks out of the way. Rollins with a Superplex to Balor. Rollins goes for the Pedigree, but Balor counters with a flying stomp to the chest of Rollins. Balor dropkicks Rollins into the turnbuckles. Balor follows that up with the Coupe De Grace to pickup the victory.
Tonight showcased two men who just get how to perform in the ring. Finn Balor becomes the first ever Universal Champion and I completely understand why. Look, Seth Rollins will be champion again and again over the course of his career. He is established. He gets everyone to perform at their highest possible level. I really enjoyed this match as a showcase of how different Raw will be over the next year. As much as I personally wanted Seth to capture the title, you cannot have the Demon King lose his first match in that gimmick. It completely devalues it after the fact. Now, how will Seth Rollins bounce back? How will Finn Balor develop into the face of the show? All great questions after a great bout at SummerSlam.
