Csonka’s Top 10 Summerslam Weekend Matches

The Summerslam weekend did it’s best to feel like WrestleMania weekend’s little brother, with six major shows over the weekend. We had Evolve 66, Evolve 67, ROH Death Before Dishonor, NXT Takeover II Brooklyn Boogaloo, New Japan’s Super J-Cup finals and of course Summerslam. So I have put together what I feel were the top 10 matches from the weekend. This is by no means an official listing, just my personal opinion and hopefully a guide that will allow you to catch the best of a busy weekend. As always, feel free to share your top matches from the weekend. Have fn and thanks for reading.

10. Super J-Cup Finals: KUSHIDA vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru [****]: Desperado and TAKA are ringside with Kanemaru, Liger and Taguchi are out with KUSHIDA. It all makes sense, I just hope it doesn’t break down into a ton of bullshit. The back of KUSHIDA’s neck is taped up to sell the beatings from his last match. Nice opening stretch here with both guys going for a ton of pins. KUSHIDA looked to run wild, but Kanemaru caught him off a back hand spring and hit a backdrop suplex, sending him to the floor. TAKA and Desperado attacked, but Liger and Taguchi made the save. Kanemaru hit a hangman’s DDT on the floor and then posted KUSHIDA. Back in the ring, Kanemaru hit a series of rolling DDTs for a near fall. Kanemaru kept the focus on the back and neck of KUSHIDA, which was set up by the post match attack by Taichi earlier in the show. Kanemaru is focused and smart with the attacks, utilizing a mix of hold and strikes to weaken KUSHIDA. KUSHIDA was finally able to put some offense together, sending Kanemaru the floor after kicks and then hitting an insane senton to the floor onto Kanemaru and friends. Kanemaru barely beat the cont back in, KUSHIDA then caught Kanemaru in an arm bar, and after a great struggle, Kanemaru just made the ropes. KUSHIDA then started to target the arm, and rolled into the hover board lock. They worked counters, Kanemaru got the Yano special (ref distraction and low blow) and took out KUSHIDA with a vicious lariat for a near fall. But Kanemaru would miss the moonsault, KUSHIDA hit a dragon suplex but couldn’t hold the bridge de to his neck. KUSHIDA took out Desperado, went up top and hit a twisting moonsault, but TAKA pulled out the ref. UGH. The seconds all brawled, Taichi returned and hit an air raid crash on KUSHIDA. Kanemaru hit the DDT off the ropes but KUSHIDA kicked out. They fought to the apron, and Kanemaru hit an apron brainbuster. KUSHIDA barely beat the count and walked into Kanemaru’s DDT off the ropes and he kicked out again! KUSHIDA fought off the brainbuster, but Kanemaru laid in the kicks but KUSHIDA countered the brainbuster again and they did a double down. KUSHIDA then hit a PK to the arm, and took out Taichi and scored with the hover board lock, Kanemaru fought, Taguchi then took out Taichi as he tried to get involved again and Kanemaru had to tap. They succeeded despite the extra curricular activities. The story was built in for KUSHIDA to overcome the odds, due to the beat down in the semifinal match. They should have gotten the seconds out of the way early and then just worked, it didn’t need all of the extra shit, but thankfully the crowd got into it and the right guy won.

9. From The NJPW Super J Cup – Super-J Cup Quarterfinal Match: Will Ospreay vs. Matt Sydal [****]: Ok boys, we need to turn this show around. Sydal actually looked to take things to the ground early, which led to some unexpected mat work to begin. Sydal actually does very well on the mat, but doesn’t get a lot of chances to show it off. They then worked a long series of fast paced counters, ending in a dropkick from Ospreay. Ospreay landed some stiff uppercuts, but as the pace quickened, Sydal caught him with a spin wheel kick. Sydal then worked for a submission, similar to a koji clutch, but Ospreay made the ropes. Sydal took control, hitting a corner dropkick for a near fall. The Muta lock followed, Ospreay escaped but ate a kick to the head. He countered the standing moonsault with the knees and then connected wit a brainbuster for the double down. Back to the feet and Ospreay hit the back handspring kick. An enziguri followed and then the springboard forearm smash sent Sydal to the floor. Ospreay hit the Sasuke special, rolled Sydal back in and went up top but Sydal ran up, Ospreay countered with the trapped superkick in the corner for a near fall. Sydal countered the rainmaker attempt, ate a kick but countered a powerbomb into a RANA for a near fall. They traded strikes center ring, great high kick from Sydal and then the knee strike followed. Ospreay flipped out of a clothesline and hit the corkscrew kick and both men were down. Ospreay went to go up top and Sydal hit the reverse RANA and then the shooting star press to pick up the win! That was an excellent match with a tremendous finish and a surprise winner. Sydal continues to be an extremely consistent performer and delivers when he needs to.

8. From Evolve 66 – Evolve Title Match – No Holds Barred: Champion Timothy Thatcher vs. Matt Riddle [****]: They brawled on the floor and took advantage of the no holds barred stipulation. They word work back into the ring and it was crazy fists. Thy both settled down and then worked for submissions, with both men working really good looking ground and pound until Thatcher attacked the ankle of Riddle, even manipulating the toes. Riddle would escape, working suplexes and then elbows to the ribs of Thatcher before rolling into an arm bar. Thatcher got the ropes, but had to roll all the way to the floor to break. Riddle teased a dive, went to the floor and they continued to battle back and forth. Thatcher again got control back, and then hit a delayed vertical suplex followed by knees to the ribs. The gut wrench suplex got 2. Riddle is selling like a champ here as Thatcher works him over with strikes in the ropes. Riddle manages to hit a knee off the ropes for a near fall. it felt as if it was missing something, but they were able to pick things up very well. Riddle worked stomps into a triangle choke with elbows. Thatcher powered Riddle to the ropes and choked out Riddle as he had the triangle, forcing him to break. They traded strikes, Thatcher again hit the gut wrench and got a near fall. Thatcher got a rear naked choke and pulled Riddle back into the ring, but Riddle hit a backdrop suplex to break it. he then caught Thatcher with a knee and looked for the twister, but Thatcher countered into a knee bar. They did a series of counters, Thatcher back to the knee bar and the he grabbed a knee bar. They slapped the hell out of each other, rolled to the apron and then the floor. We went back to the ring, Thatcher hit a butterfly suplex into a fujiwara arm bar but Riddle escaped and hit the fisherman’s buster and then the JUMPING tombstone, but Thatcher kicked out and into the arm bar again. Riddle tried to drag Thatcher to the floor, but ended up hanging there and had to tap. Thatcher refused to break the hold until Gulak made the save. Riddle was really next level here with his bumps, his selling and pretty much everything. It’s amazing how quickly he’s progressed. I was all about the title change here tonight, but the finish was top notch and works IF Gulak wins tomorrow. I am down on Thatcher as the champion, but they put together a hell of a match here, one of the better Thatcher outings of the year.

7. From Evolve 67 – Tommy End vs. Matt Riddle [****]: is still favoring the arm and ribs following last night’s war with Thatcher, which is appreciated. End was working kicks early so Riddle smartly took it to the ground, but End made the ropes. Riddle then started to light up End with strikes and knees. The ref checked on End, but Riddle kept attacking. End hit a desperation kick, but Riddle connected with more knees into rolling gut wrench suplexes. Riddle then attacked the arm, and then stomped the hell of End before working a triangle and elbows. Riddle is showing great aggression here, End then connected with kicks to finally slow Riddle. Riddle then hit a fisherman’s buster for the double down. Back to the feet and End worked knees and kicks to the bad arm of Riddle, and then hit a double stomp on the arm. Riddle’s selling is so very good, scary good actually. End continued the assault on the arm; Riddle made the ropes and managed a heel hook. End made the ropes, connected with more kicks and went up top. The double stomp missed, they traded knees and forearms and then End hit the double stomp and spin kick for a great near fall. Riddle worked to his feet, ate more kicks and challenged End to throw more. Riddle just fired up eating these kicks; hit an up kick and then the jumping tombstone for an awesome near fall. Riddle went for the twister, but End got a knee bar. Riddle used strikes to escape, got the twister and End had to tap. That was an excellent back and forth, hard hitting match. End of course is really good (he’s WWE bund) and Riddle seemingly grows with each and every outing. End left a wristwrap in the ring on the Evolve logo, so this appears to be his farewell to the company. If you guys aren’t checking out Matt Riddle, you really need to start because the guy is special.

6. From ROH Death Before Dishonor – Anything Goes Match: Hangman Adam Page vs. Jay Briscoe [****]: They went with chairs right away as Briscoe hit a smash mouth as Page ran towards him. It’s all Briscoe early, hitting a he suicide dive that took out Page and sent himself into the crowd. They had great intensity early on as Briscoe was brutalizing young Adam Page. Page was able to finally cut off Briscoe, using the hangman’s rope to choke out Briscoe in the ropes. They then went to the floor, where Page took his turn dishing out the damage, powerbombing Briscoe onto a chair on the floor. Page tied Briscoe to the barricade and beat on him with a chair. Briscoe did a spot where he tied Page in the corner, face against a chair, and Briscoe just destroyed him with repeated corner splashes. They kept teasing rite of passage on the apron, and after some back and forth and the teases, Page finally hit the move off of the apron and through the table at ringside. These poor bastards got more than they bargained for, as Briscoe cut his back open and Page put a hole in his knee, which started to bleed, he was also in a ton of pain and may have done some serious damage to it. Just fucking brutal. Page then choked out Briscoe with the noose, and then hit the rite of passage to pick up the win. The goal of this match was to try and make Adam Page a star, and while the follow up will be the key, the match more than delivered and commentary played up the importance of the win very well. Page took a ton of punishment and on his own, defeated one of ROH’s biggest stars/former world champion. I won’t claim that Page will be come a big star, but the match was awesome (if you like the style) and is a great launching point. Much better than putting a directionless Page into Bullet Club and telling fans he’s a big deal. They now have something real to work off of.

5. From NXT Takeover: Back to Brooklyn – NXT Women’s Title Match: Champion Asuka vs. Bayley [****]: These two had to follow Nakamura and Zayn and Dallas and now have to follow that tag match. Bayley did an awesome job in the opening minute selling that she was still tentative and also feared Asuka going for her arm. Bayley picked up the pacing and went for a series o of pinning combos in order to try and end this early. Asuka then cut her off with a knee strike and sent Bayley to the floor. Bayley made it back in and Asuka worked her over with hip attacks. Asuka was constantly frustrating Bayley, which again played into the mental aspect of Bayley still being insecure due to their first match. Bayley put a run together, avoided a hip attack and stunned Asuka off the ropes. Bayley hit a double jump cross body for a near fall. She then went up top, Asuka avoided the high cross and then hit a shining wizard for the near fall. They fought up top, Bayley slipped out and got Asuka in the tree of WHOA and hit her elbow drop for a near fall. They fired up and started to lay into each other and then Asuka scored with the stretch muffler. Bayley countered into a bridging pin for a near fall. Asuka was relentless, going for an ankle lock as Bayley sold the fear of and then the pain of the submissions well. Asuka laid into Bayley with kicks, but Bayley fired up and caught a kick and DARED Asuka to hit her! Bayley got a near fall off of the back slide, and then worked her own strikes. They had trouble with a powerbomb spot, as Bayley couldn’t get her up and ended up in more of a neutralizer style move, which was really unfortunate. Asuka then got the Asuka lock, Bayley fought out and to her feet… Bayley to belly hits, but Asuka kicked out. Asuka then scored with the lock again, Bayley fought to her feet but Asuka pulled her down but Bayley rolled over top and got a near fall. Bayley then totally NO SOLD a kick to the head, tightened the pony tail and dared Asuka again as she slapped her, but she ate more kicks to the head and Asuka retained the title. They told the right story and a great one, as Bayley went from being fearful and doubting herself to fighting to survive to finally overcoming and daring Asuka to hit her and going out on her shield. Asuka was the heel here, but she didn’t have to cheat to win, the story was that while Bayley overcame her fears and nearly overcame, Asuka was once again just that much better. This was an excellent match, better than Dallas, and they did an awesome job following the tag match. They have set up Asuka as the dominant force, and if booked properly, who ever beats her will be a huge star.

4. From Evolve 67 – WWE CWC Spotlight Match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Cedric Alexander [****¼]: ZSJ tried to use his grappling game right away, but Alexander was game early and went hold for hold with ZSJ. Some really slick work from both men here, working holds and counters with ease. Alexander tried to use his speed, but ZSJ picked the leg and looked to take it to the ground. Alexander’s speed was too much, fighting back and hitting a dropkick. Alexander took control, working chops and kicks, but as he went for a springboard, ZSJ cut him off with an uppercut. ZSJ then attacked the leg of Alexander, looking to slow the quicker opponent. He then worked a cravat, Alexander would get escapes and hope spots, but ZSJ easily cut him off each time. ZSJ was actually getting some heat here from the crowd, they usually love him but they love Alexander more. ZSJ continued to out grapple Alexander, and even tied him up in the ropes in an octopus variation. Alexander finally connected with a few knee strikes and a suicide dive. An enziguri off the ropes then got him a near fall. The crowd is great here, now chanting for both guys. ZSJ with a slick counter into a DDT and a cool dragon sleeper variation. ZSJ is showing more personality here, but as he talked trash Alexander made a comeback and slapped the shit out of him. This led to a triangle by ZSJ, but Alexander powerbombed out and went for a slam but ZSJ countered into a bridging pin for 2. Alexander countered an uppercut unto a backslide driver is the best description for another near fall as the action quickens. Alexander springboards into a uppercut by ZSJ, soccer kick follows but Alexander kicks out. They trades strikes center ring, daring each other to hit harder. Head butt by Alexander, but ZSJ got the hanging guillotine, which got transitioned into a brainbuster by Alexander for a great near fall. ZSJ works an octopus hold, pulled Alexander to the mat and hit repeated kicks to the head of Alexander and he had to tap. This was a styles clash, but they pulled it off very well and while the opening was slow, the second half was really well done and provided some great near finishes and had an awesome atmosphere. ZSJ heading to more of a dick heel role is fun, and Cedric is awesome.

3. From ROH Death Before Dishonor – ROH World Title Match: Champion Jay Lethal vs. Adam Cole (BAY BAY) [****½]: They went face to face, and then Cole pulled Lethal’s hair out of his trunks to torment him and Lethal went mental and attacked. Commentary played up the extra security to prevent another Bullet Club incident. Lethal controlled early, sending Cole to the floor and followed to continue the attack. Lethal kept control and searched under the ring for something. He failed two times to find it before finally producing a table. The momentum died during this portion as it felt as if it took forever for him to find the table. Lethal hit a cutter on the floor and then laid Cole on the table. He went up top and MISSED the elbow drop as Cole rolled out of the way. This plays into the story that Lethal is not fighting for the title but to hurt Cole, which may cost him. Lethal is cut on the head from that, and Cole then posted him and celebrated a bit. Back in the ring Cole took the heat, working a grounded headlock. Cole worked a solid, but flat heat; Lethal sold well. Lethal countered a charge, hit a leg lariat and then a DVD for a near fall. Lethal dropkicked Cole to the floor, and followed with a trios of dives. But that wasn’t enough so he hit a 4th and a 5th as he totally fired up, but when he went for one more Cole sidestepped him and sent Lethal into the barricade, which again sells the point that Lethal is too focused on punishment over winning. Cole started to slap Lethal around, which pissed off the champion and they traded strikes. Cole then turned Lethal inside out with a running boot for a near fall. Lethal avoided a superkick and laid out Cole with a clothesline. Cole cut off the Lethal injection, hit a low blow and then hit the last shot for a near fall. They again traded strikes, and then Lethal countered a figure four into a small package for 2. Cole locked in a hanging guillotine, Lethal powered out into the lethal combination for a double down. Lethal then hit a series of backdrop suplexes, went up top and the elbow drop connects for a near fall. Cole hit a series of kicks, Lethal then fired back with some of his own but Cole then caught him with a superkick for another double down. Cole then went for the destroyer, Lethal countered and hit the cutter off the ropes. Lethal injection countered with a superkick, Cole to the second rope, hops off into the destroyer! The last shot follows, but Lethal kicks out! Great near fall there off of that series. Cole then called Lethal a bitch sand slapped him around, and told him “you ain’t shit” before spitting at him. Cole missed the superkick, Lethal injection connects but Cole survives. They really got the crowd going here, Cole gave Lethal the double gun salute, Lethal missed a superkick and Cole got a near fall off of a roll up with the tights The last shot, shining wizard and another last shot by Cole all connect and he wins the title. This felt like a big time main event, and it more than delivered in the main event spot. They played into the story that Lethal was more concerned with revenge and violence against Cole, and his frustrations got to him and Cole out lasted him. It’s funny, for months I heard that lethal needed to drop the title, and then he got over so well and did the face turn and now people are upset because they wanted him to keep the title for a longer time. But I think it was time, as I said in the TV reports, the obvious direction was Cole winning to build to the O’Reilly match. Simply put this was excellent work from both guys.

2. From WWE Summerslam – John Cena vs. AJ Styles [****¾]: They had a great crowd right away. We got a basic back and forth, Styles hit the dropkick combo but celebrated way too soon, allowing Cena to attack and repeatedly slam Styles to the corner. I think we’re getting INDIE CENA tonight, as he took a suplex on the apron. Back in the ring, Cena fought back with a high backdrop and dropkick for a near fall. They are basically telling the story of the first match here, but this time it is Cena staying a step ahead of Styles now that he knows what he’s getting into. Cena kept rolling, shoulder blocks and the proto bomb, leading to the five-knuckle shuffle. Styles countered the AA and hit a PELE, STYLES CLASH connects, but Cena powers out at 2 (I hate that it has become a transition move). Cena then hit the AA for a near fall. This all happened at 8-minutes in. Cena went for the super AA, but Styles countered into the torture rack and then into a powerbomb for a near fall. Cena countered the clash and then hit a toss up cutter for a near fall. AJ then countered the AA, fought off the STF and hit the ushigoroshi for the near fall. Styles then just beat on Cena, went to the apron and MISSED the springboard 450. Code red by INDIE JOHN scored a near fall. AJ countered the AA into a German suplex and a facebuster for a near fall. Styles went for the springboard forearm, but Cena picked the leg as he flew in and licked in the STF. Styles managed to counter into a crossface; Cena then powered up and went for an AA but Styles rolled into the calf crusher. Cena powered up and rolled back into the STF; this whole sequence has been great. Styles rolled into a pinning combo, and then hit the enziguri but Cena hit a tornado DDT for a near fall. Cena headed up top, hit the fameasser off the top but Styles kicked out. They went to the corner, Cena set Styles up top and looked for the super AA, Styles escaped and hit a springboard RANA off the ropes! Springboard forearm connects for a great near fall. Cena tried to power Styles p for the AA, failed but leveled him with a desperation lariat. He again went for the super AA off the ropes, Styles again fought but Cena hit it but Styles said fuck off with that shit and kicked out! Cena looked amazed that it didn’t work as Styles fought to his feet. Cena went for the AA again, Styles then hit the clash and rolled to the apron. Springboard forearm connects and Cena is DONE. This was an incredible match with the right finish and man winning and the match hitting the climax at the right time. They played well off of the first match, they set the stage that Styles could not only hang on his own but that he could take everything that Cena has traditionally put people away with, overcome it and win. AJ is a made man, give him the belt now. They did everything right here, Styles and Cena have great chemistry together, and to me this was top tier MOTY level stuff.

1. From NXT Takeover: Back to Brooklyn – NXT Tag Team Title Match: Champions The Revival (Dash and Dawson) vs. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa [****¾]: These two teams have been tearing it up around the loop, constantly getting MOTN praise on all of the shows they work. I am expecting great things here. Ciampa and Dawson started things off; nice back and forth until Ciampa started to get an advantage and Dawson took a powder. Ciampa worked over Dawson and then tagged on Gargano; they worked double teams and kept control. Dash tried to help, got the tag but Gargano kept control. The Revival started to work quick tags and then sent Gargano to the floor. They chased, all four men in and they had a stand off and then brawled. Ciampa and Gargano cleared the ring and then they took flight to the floor to keep the champions on the defensive. Ciampa tagged in, chased Dash but Dawson tagged in and the numbers game got to Ciampa, allowing the champions to take control. The Revival has that great old school vibe to them that really shines through when they work the heat; quick tags, cutting off the ring, some underhanded tactics all mixed together and it works because they do it so well. Ciampa fought them off but Gargano was pulled to the floor to stop the tag. This was really good work by the Revival on the heat as well as great selling from Ciampa, both in selling the pain as well as trying for the tag and making it seem that he’s completely desperate. Ciampa got the hot tag, but the Revival distracted the ref so there was no official tag; they hit the Demolition finish for a near fall as Ciampa survived. Dawson laid into Ciampa with strikes and a clothesline before sending Gargano to the floor. The Revival’s shenanigans failed and Ciampa finally got the hot tag. Gargano ran wild, scoring with the roll up kick and then a neck breaker for a near fall. The crowd was completely behind him as he hit the slingshot spear for another near fall. These guys have the crowd right where they want them. Blind tag by the Revival and that allowed then to cut off Gargano with a DDT for the near fall. The Revival went for more double teams, Gargano survived and Ciampa tagged in and had the arm bar, but Dash made the save after fighting off Gargano. It broke down, Gargano saved Ciampa with a spear and Ciampa got a roll up for a strong near fall as the crowd is going nuts. My God this is tremendous. Ciampa and Dawson battled center ring, knees by Ciampa and then he slapped the shit out of him, hit the knee but Dawson fought back blind tag, Ciampa countered shatter machine after a superkick by Gargano. Superkick knee combo on Dash for near fall as Dawson put Dash’s foot on the ropes. Ciampa pulled to the floor and posted as Gargano fights off Dawson, but Dash destroyed his knee with a chop block. They hit a double stomp onto the knee like they did to Big Cass, Dawson worked the inverted figure four and Gargano had to tap. This was an absolutely incredible match, with everyone playing their role perfectly and the structure allowing it to organically build all the way through. The juxtaposition of the Revival’s old school approach against the current independent style of Gargano and Ciampa worked perfectly together; the Revival are not only the best big match tag team in wrestling right now, but they may be the best team in all of wrestling right now. I loved this match and the way it sets up the future of Gargano and Ciampa. This was the best tag match I’ve seen this year, everything was effortless, the crowd was into everything and I’d call it upper tier MOTY stuff. After a re-watch, I am completely comfortable in saying that this is my match of the weekend, I loved Styles vs. Cena, but I think that this match has a much better rewatch value.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”