WWE SummerSlam 2014

A Night of Unpredictable Justice: A Report from SummerSlam

As the sun dipped behind the Staples Center's sleek glass façade, the collective energy of 17,357 fans electrified the air. Tonight was not just any night in professional wrestling – it was SummerSlam, WWE's premier pay-per-view event. And what a night it turned out to be.

The evening commenced with Dolph Ziggler putting his Intercontinental Championship on the line against The Miz. Their match, though far from spectacular, served as an effective warm-up for the main event. Ziggler's aerial assault and quickness ultimately proved too much for The Miz, who succumbed to a swift Zig Zag at 7:45.

Next up, Paige defended her Divas Championship against AJ Lee in a bout that, sadly, failed to live up to its promising premise. Despite some nice spots from both competitors, the match meandered along, with Paige ultimately retaining via a modified armbar submission at 5:25.

The action picked up significantly with Rusev's Flag Match against Jack Swagger. These two larger-than-life figures clashed in a hard-hitting, high-flying affair that saw Rusev emerge victorious after delivering a devastating Machka Kick to Swagger's face at 8:56. The crowd was thoroughly enthralled by this one, and rightly so – it was a barnburner.

Seth Rollins faced off against Dean Ambrose in the first of two Lumberjack Matches on the card. These men are an absolute joy to watch together, their chemistry undeniable. As expected, they tore the house down, trading blows and near-falls aplenty. In the end, Rollins got his hand raised after a vicious curb stomp at 10:53.

Chris Jericho's singles match against Bray Wyatt was the evening's most intriguing contest thus far. Wyatt's unsettling presence and Jericho's cunning ring sense made for a thrilling encounter that saw both men push each other to their limits. In the end, Wyatt's sheer power proved too much for Y2J, who succumbed to the Sister Abigail at 12:58.

Stephanie McMahon then took on Brie Bella in a singles match that, while not particularly memorable, served its purpose as a solid filler bout. The Boss Lady emerged victorious after a sharp neckbreaker at 11:06, further solidifying her position atop the women's division.

The main event of the evening saw Roman Reigns put his undefeated streak on the line against Randy Orton. This was a match for the ages – a back-and-forth, hard-hitting affair that had the crowd on its collective feet from bell to bell. In the end, it was Reigns who emerged victorious, pinning Orton after a thunderous Spear at 16:16.

Finally, Brock Lesnar faced off against John Cena in the evening's final match for the WWE Championship. These two larger-than-life figures clashed in a bruising, intense affair that saw Lesnar ultimately retain his title via an F-5 at 14:04.

As I left the Staples Center tonight, it was clear that this had been a SummerSlam for the ages – a night that would be remembered by WWE fans for years to come. And with the likes of Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns leading the charge, the future is bright indeed for professional wrestling's premier promotion.

Final Thoughts

SummerSlam was an event that will not soon be forgotten. From the thrilling Lumberjack Matches to the hard-hitting championship bouts, this card had something for everyone. And with new stars like Rusev and Seth Rollins continuing to make waves, it's clear that WWE is in good hands as we head into the second half of 2014.

Rating: (4/5)

Card Details

• Date: 17 Aug 2014
• Promotion: World Wrestling Entertainment
• Arena: Staples Center
• Attendance: 17357
• Type: Pay Per View
• Broadcast Type: Live
• Broadcast Date: 17 Aug 2014

Matches

1. Dolph Ziggler(C) defeat The Miz in a WWE Intercontinental Title Match

2. Paige(C) defeat AJ Lee in a WWE Divas Title Match

3. Rusev defeat Jack Swagger in a Flag Match
   Match Time: 08:56

4. Seth Rollins defeat Dean Ambrose in a Lumberjack Match
   Match Time: 10:53

5. Bray Wyatt defeat Chris Jericho in a Singles Match
   Match Time: 12:58

6. Stephanie McMahon defeat Brie Bella in a Singles Match
   Match Time: 11:06

7. Roman Reigns defeat Randy Orton in a Singles Match
   Match Time: 16:16

8. Brock Lesnar(C) defeat John Cena in a WWE Title Match