WWE SummerSlam 2015 Results: Jon Stewart Recap
His guest-star appearance on Monday Night Raw was a huge hit! How did Jon Stewart fare in his first gig since leaving Comedy Central’s The Daily Show? Daily DDT’s resident comedian Evan Wecksell breaks down all the Moments of Zen.
What went down:
Jon Stewart opened the event looking like a cleaned up Rick Rubin. He pumped up the crowd despite insistent ‘Whats’ from the crowd. He did a full-on roll call and showed how he is a genuine fan. Stewart then introduced Mick Foley and his Santa-length beard in hopes of interviewing Brock Lesnar. After some idle jibber-jabber, they reminisced about times past and agreed to get out of the ring and kick off the show.
Later on, a short segment with Jon and his son getting Stephen Amell’s autograph. However, Undertaker’s fog started to permeate the area.
ALSO ON DAILY DDT: NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn Review
After the IC title match, Stewart was pumping himself up to interview Brock Lesnar. He knocked on his dressing room, but only got Paul Heyman. Stewart flexed his wrestling knowledge, comparing Taker’s streak to Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak. He painted Heyman as the Grinch who stole Christmas. Heyman retorted with his “Glory Glory Brock Lesnar” anthem. Heyman then went back in Brock’s dressing room to natter about Stewart.
Now the SHOCKER of the night. With a dazed Seth Rollins and John Cena in the ring, Jon Stewart with a steel chair. With the fate of the match in his hands, it was Jon Stewart who hit Cena with a chair shot to the gut as it appears his longtime foe Rollins is now his friend (or not John Cena). So many questions: Does Stewart appear on Raw with his new heel attitude? Does Rollins get his statue? Did Rollins really need Stewart as he was outshining Cena throughout the match?
What I Saw:
Huge pop for Stewart for referring to WWE as reality. Given how politics is just dry, melodramatic, predetermined rhetoric year after year and President after President, Stewart can see through all veneers. Foley teases a possible surprise Rock appearance, but no such luck… yet?
Stewart’s interaction with Heyman was crisp, real and proved his mettle as a wrestling fan. Because WWE humor is more slapstick than The Daily Show, playing to Stewart’s convictions about the industry was simple and to the point.
In the Title-for-Title match, do you want a comedian to determine the future of two titles? And to nitpick, Stewart teased turning on Cena with a few too many glimpses before pulling the trigger. If Stewart sticks around, this could be brilliant. As Summerslam went on, Stewart went from comedian to serious player in the WWE landscape. Now FOX News can point out to everyone and say, “See, told you he was evil!”
Grade: B (opening), C+ (Amell backstage bit), A (Heyman confrontation), A- (Title for Title Match)
Overall grade: A-
Despite early hiccups, Stewart made his presence felt. Perhaps he will joust with Heyman down the road. Moments of Zen are a thing of the past.
Evan Wecksell is a touring comedian who has appeared on Conan, VH1 and WWE.com. Follow him on Twitter and like his WWE-sanctioned child Beckett Sage.
More from Daily DDT
- It’s time for Adam Cole and MJF to drop the ROH tag team titles
- Tom Lawlor talks MLW return, AEW opportunity, CM Punk’s WWE return and more
- Eddie Kingston stands to gain the most from the AEW Continental Classic
- Trish Stratus on WWE NXT would help elevate that women’s division
- Randy Orton signs with SmackDown to go after The Bloodline