WWE SummerSlam 2017 Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades

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Randy Orton vs. Rusev

Result: Randy Orton defeats Rusev via pinfall.

Rating: N/A

Before the match could start and even before Rusev made his entrance, he attacked Randy Orton. It gave the Bulgarian Brute the upper hand of this thrown-together SummerSlam match … for about 20 seconds.

After the bell rang, Orton who still had his jacket on, RKO’d Rusev and got the successful pinfall. Game. Set. Match. Just like that.

Was this a favor for Orton putting over Jinder Mahal for three months? Maybe so, because he was just fed Rusev like it was the ultimate present. That or WWE doesn’t feel four hours is enough for SummerSlam. Their time-handling of matches is bizarre.

As for Rusev, this does him no favors, obviously. It’s not a good representation of where he is, and will likely suffer as a result. How can he be taken seriously on WWE programming? Will he ever be boosted up again?

One hour in and SummerSlam has underwhelmed, if the pre-show isn’t counted. They have six matches to go, and they better deliver something special before this event becomes a wash.