Best and Worst of SummerSlam 2022: Major storyline to change due to injury, Faction set to break up soon?
Welcome to this edition of Best and Worst of SummerSlam 2022. The show did not disappoint as it provided some intense action . The main event was also an enthralling duel as Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns clashed in a Last Man Standing Match.
Michael Cole, who seemingly had one of the best nights of his career, was a lively presence as he called the action.
There was a lot of good on the show, seemingly much more than the negatives. So what were the ups and downs of this epic edition of SummerSlam? Keep reading to find out:
#4. Best: The opening match of SummerSlam 2022
HERE FOR THIS! #SummerSlam https://t.co/M5ao5678Qn
The opening match of SummerSlam 2022 was nothing short of incredible. Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch delivered on the big stage yet again, and this time, The EST Of WWE put her rival away to seemingly end their feud for good.
The aftermath of the remarkable contest captured the headlines. Lynch turned face for the first time in nearly a year, embracing Belair and fully accepting her superiority in the ring. Following this development, Bayley returned after she missed a year due to an injury, but she wasn't alone. She was accompanied by Dakota Kai and Io Shirai (who has now been renamed IYO Sky) to begin a storyline against the champion.
Lynch stood alongside Belair to ensure that her now-former rival would not be attacked by the trio. As a result, Bayley and her friends left the ring. However, an unfortunate piece of news is that Becky Lynch may have suffered an injury to her right shoulder, which could force a change to the storyline.
#3. Worst: The treatment of The Judgment Day
#TheJudgmentDay has arrived!
#SummerSlam https://t.co/118D4pgKMd
The Judgment Day lost to The Mysterios in a No Disqualification Tag Team match, despite having Rhea Ripley by their side. Edge, the original leader of The Judgment Day, returned to assist The Mysterios in defeating Finn Balor and Damian Priest.
Since Edge left, the faction has seemingly gone downhill, and everybody looks bad coming out of it. Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley arguably looked like they made the wrong decision by betraying somebody who was guiding them. The faction has lost most of its matches without Edge's leadership.
The overall handling of the stable could have been better, and fans may not be surprised to see them break up soon.
#3. Best: Logan Paul delivering in a big way
Redemption for @LoganPaul! #SummerSlam https://t.co/G2iSecK8Da
Logan Paul may have already overtaken Bad Bunny as the best celebrity wrestler in WWE history. Unlike Bad Bunny, however, he has signed a WWE contract and is expected to make a few more appearances.
This isn't to take away from Bad Bunny, who put on the greatest celebrity performance up until that point. However, Paul has taken it to another level because he is simply that good in the ring. He is a natural, so he has the potential to be a huge hit in the world of WWE.
He went up against The Miz at SummerSlam as the two men fought tooth and nail to beat each other. Paul delivered with some high-flying moves and defeated the Miz with the latter's own Skull Crushing Finale move.
It seems to be a win-win situation for Logan Paul and the WWE.
#2. Worst: Io Shirai's name change
I’m back
I’m here
I’m…
I Y O S K Y
#SummerSlam https://t.co/TZm5Upu1wu
Io Shirai's NXT run has finally come to an end, and the former champion will now be working alongside Bayley and Dakota Kai.
However, the only negative is her name change. She has now gone from Io Shirai to IYO Sky. The reason behind the name change hasn't been disclosed yet, but whatever be the reason, the WWE Universe is seemingly less than pleased.
WWE should have stuck to her original name, but they likely wanted to change it for trademark purposes.
#2. Best: Pat McAfee delivers again
PAT MCAFEE wins at #SummerSlam!!!
@PatMcAfeeShow
@MichaelCole https://t.co/XXq1licyGT
Pat McAfee delivered once again on the big stage. His performance against Happy Corbin was wonderful, with only the Destroyer finish being a little off. With that said, he is a natural in the ring, and his relationship with Michael Cole only added to the match.
Cole, as mentioned, arguably had one of his greatest nights as a commentator in WWE. His call made the match even more memorable, and we're looking forward to seeing what WWE has planned for Pat McAfee and Corey Graves after the former took a shot at the latter following his win at SummerSlam 2022.
#1. Worst: The finish to the SmackDown Women's Title match at SummerSlam
.@YaOnlyLivvOnce holds on to the #SmackDown Women's Title.. #SummerSlam https://t.co/n4sIhhQ3dD
Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey was probably the low point of SummerSlam 2022. The match itself wasn't bad, and the story being told was also captivating. There is a legitimate gap in their athletic ability, and that was the story they were playing off.
Perhaps WWE wanted to keep fans happy by having Morgan retain the title, but the finish was underwhelming for the co-main event of a show as big as SummerSlam. In the end, Morgan tapped out to an arm bar while Rousey's shoulders were on the mat. The referee failed to see the champion tapping out while he counted to three and awarded the victory to Morgan.
Turning Rousey heel by having her attack the champion after the match was the right call. However, with the dynamics now shifting, Morgan's fans may be wondering how many days she has remaining until she loses the title back to Rousey.
#1. Best: One of the greatest main events in SummerSlam history
Acknowledge Greatness! ☝️
#RomanReigns #SummerSlam https://t.co/EWoVeRNK3k
In what was perhaps one of the greatest main events in SummerSlam history, Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to end their rivalry. Lesnar defeated him twice in 2018, while Roman Reigns won their last four outings against each other.
But none of their battle have been as good as this. The Last Man Standing bout was as chaotic as one may have expected, but it arguably surpassed any expectations that were set for it. The chaotic contest featured everything from the interference of Theory to the usage of a tractor.
This was Lesnar's ninth SummerSlam main event overall, meaning that he has headlined the show more than any other superstar in WWE history. Roman Reigns retained after a brutal war, so he will face Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle.
Will Drew McIntyre be able to get his moment when the two men face off at Clash at the Castle? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.