WWE SummerSlam 2018: Results, Highlights, and Grades

Photo Source: WWE.com

WWE Championship Match

AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe

Result: Samoa Joe defeated AJ Styles via disqualification

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

It’s absolutely stunning that the WWE Championship is the exact midpoint of the show — fifth match out of ten on the main card. Maybe the producers laid out the show with the idea of two acts, and this is the Act I finale. That makes this the “One Day More” to the inevitable Reigns/Lesnar “Do You Hear the People Sing? (Reprise)” from Les Misérables.

I’m sure there are people out there who are criticizing this for starting slow. I could hear the crowd booing as Styles fell out of the ring before Joe’s suicide dive. The boos were, in my opinion, uncalled for, especially because those same people probably fawned all over the Ricochet/Adam Cole match from TakeOver which started much slower. (It also had a second gear in the last third of the match that I doubt Joe and Styles can hit at this stage of their careers. But things did turn up at the end of this one)

But for a couple of superstars hovering around the age of 40, with about 50 years of experience between them, give or take, it was a perfect pace that left room to build. And since both are highly accomplished strikers, it gave them a chance to fight each other. The way the feud has been built up, it needed that fight feel.

Once things picked up, it was like a “Best of…” album for both guys. Styles showed off strength many might not realize he had by hitting the ushigoroshi and a Styles Clash. Joe busted out a flying scissor leg drop from the top rope, and snapped a running powerslam the likes of which I have never seen. And this was all between 15 and 20 minutes into the match.

Personally, I don’t know how you can watch this match and not think it’s an absolute classic. The inclusion of AJ’s wife and daughter added an extra level to it, and both Joe and Styles gave it everything they had. Personally, I didn’t like the finish, but I get it — lord knows if someone pulled that “I’ll be your new daddy” stuff towards my wife I’d react the same way.

But AJ going ballistic was the perfect cherry on this amazing match. Joe walked out under his own power after the beating, and he did not look happy. Figure there will be a rematch next month, likely inside the Hell in a Cell. And who doesn’t want to see that?