WWE SummerSlam Review: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

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Roman Reigns defeats Randy Orton

Mike Smith’s Take:

The last 5 minutes of this match were excellent. The powerslam counter to the spear is expertly done by Orton every time. The RKO counter to the flying clothesline was brilliant. The sell that Orton gives for the Superman Punch can’t be matched. The crowd was behind Reigns at the end, and went crazy when he speared Orton for the win. Reigns’ win was predictable, but it was a good finish to the match.

That being said, this match was too long. When I said that Paige-AJ, and Dolph-Miz were too short, this match is why.

It’s a bad job by WWE because they didn’t protect Reigns. He has never had to be in the ring that long on PPV before, and they shouldn’t have left him on an island like that. If they shaved 3-4 minutes off this match, it would have been a lot better, it would have added to the first two matches of the night, and it would have done a lot for Reigns, who did put on a pretty decent showing.

Rob Wolkenbrod’s Take:

This match was what everyone expected. Reigns and Orton traded barbs throughout their battle with some very cool spots (both from The Viper) and the former Shield member won.

While this match was supposed to make Reigns shine (he did look better), Orton was the shining star of this. From the RKO counter to the He has really revitalized his character over the past month to re-affirm himself as a top heel. I just wonder what he does next in the long running Authority story-line.

Now, Reigns has plenty of potential. He could very well be the next headliner for WWE. There’s two problems though – both Rollins and Ambrose are ahead of him right now. They’re excellent on the mic and can certainly hold their own in the ring. They deserve a future headliner spot if anything. If WWE wants Reigns to be a headliner at Wrestlemania 31, these next eight months need to be a productive to prep him in a half hour match. He has a long way to go.