WWE SummerSlam 2025 Discussion

[Lenin]

Rollins is a jobby. Waste of time watching that. Other than being very predictable, they've managed to suck the life and interest out of Punk the same as they did with Drew last year. Awful decision making. 

[d-d-d-dAz]

5 minutes ago, poetofthedeed said:

Why didn't CM Punk just get out of the ring???? 

They've never explored this concept properly as the champion has usually had their head stoved in, but I've always assumed in that situation the Champion would be forced back into the ring. The contact guarantees you a title shot, it's not caveated that you only get a title shot if the Champion doesn't run away first.

And also, you can't lose a title on a count out. I guess you could also argue, why don't they always just get out the ring. At some point you have to make the leap that the babyfaces don't want to run away, and want to fight.

[poetofthedeed]

1 minute ago, d-d-d-dAz said:

They've never explored this concept properly as the champion has usually had their head stoved in, but I've always assumed in that situation the Champion would be forced back into the ring. The contact guarantees you a title shot, it's not caveated that you only get a title shot if the Champion doesn't run away first.

And also, you can't lose a title on a count out. I guess you could also argue, why don't they always just get out the ring. At some point you have to make the leap that the babyfaces don't want to run away, and want to fight.

They explored it in 2011 when Punk kicked Del Rio in the head and just left the ring...... If Kevin Owen's wasn't hurt he'd be having a stroke....

[TheScarlettChad]

The crowd cheering for Rollins was embarrassing. I thought he was a heel?! Are we back to the crowd cheering for MOMENTS again? 

[d-d-d-dAz]

3 minutes ago, poetofthedeed said:

They explored it in 2011 when Punk kicked Del Rio in the head and just left the ring...... If Kevin Owen's wasn't hurt he'd be having a stroke....

Interesting comparison, though I guess the counter would be that at that point Punk's primary motivation was just leaving as Champion. He couldn't be compelled to do anything, and anyway he'd just knocked Del Rio out.

In this era, he still wants to be Champion and Seth got the jump on him anyway. If it was real (fools game I know) and he'd just popped out the ring, and Seth was still in a position to want the cash-in, surely the internal logic of MITB is that an authority figure (probably not Triple H as he hates the spotlight) would come out and say 'sorry lad, back in you get.'

I think your options are either accept the challenge, or incapacitate the other person enough so that you can go and they're in no fit state to protest.

I mean, I don't know why I'm trying to stress test the MITB gimmick. It's shit. I really don't like it.

Especially today.

[RedTwoster]

26 minutes ago, d-d-d-dAz said:

I worry that WWE under TKO's ownership may never be for me again. The obsession with social media, the endless celebrities, the aggressive advertising... if anyone's watched the new Happy Gilmore yet, it feels like I'm watching MAXI golf when all I want is regular golf.

People watch Mrs Brown’s Boys, Adam Sandler is one of the biggest names in film, Joe Rogan is one of the biggest names in podcasting - the mistake I’ve been making is assuming that to be successful, you have to book a show to a high standard. You clearly don’t, you simply have to appeal to a large group of people who have very questionable tastes, and clearly they’re doing that. As long as the numbers remain high, they’ll keep doing what they’re doing. I don’t even think it’s a TKO thing, and this certainly isn’t McMahon’s WWE - they’ve found a formula that works for them and they’re sticking to it. But it’s not for me either.

[d-d-d-dAz]

2 minutes ago, RedTwoster said:

People watch Mrs Brown’s Boys, Adam Sandler is one of the biggest names in film, Joe Rogan is one of the biggest names in podcasting - the mistake I’ve been making is assuming that to be successful, you have to book a show to a high standard. You clearly don’t, you simply have to appeal to a large group of people who have very questionable tastes, and clearly they’re doing that. As long as the numbers remain high, they’ll keep doing what they’re doing. I don’t even think it’s a TKO thing, and this certainly isn’t McMahon’s WWE - they’ve found a formula that works for them and they’re sticking to it. But it’s not for me either.

I'm happy to watch lots of tripe. It's just the flavour of this tripe isn't for me.

In general, I think its a modern sports phenomenon. Everyone's gone mad on the idea that younger audiences don't like anything, don't have an attention span and just want to watch facile tiktok videos and to be constantly stimulated.

Whether it's shitshow boxing, LIV golf, The Hundred, the new rugby thing that's coming... it just feels like everyone's got a social-first, firework heavy, influencer-loving sports 'brand' now, where the sport is just a sideshow at the bigger funfair they're trying to sell. Partnered with Barclays, usually.

 

 

[Callum1993]

I thought Night 1 was pretty poor overall. Reigns/Uso against the Brons felt really messy. Lots of missed spots. Bron was also helped to the back after so hopefully nothing serious. 
 

The women’s tag title match was fine. The right team won. Sami vs Kross was absolutely dreadful. Seems as if Kross’s contract is coming up so hopefully he’s off because despite all the fanfare around him recently he’s still the shits. 
 

Jade vs Tiffany was MOTN for me. Probably the best Jade has looked and probably the right decision not to put the belt on her yet.

The Jellyroll tag match was inoffensive. He took some decent bumps and actually refreshing to see a celebrity coming in and not winning(albeit to Logan). If Cena does end up retaining tonight I could see him vs Logan at the next PPV.

The main event was really good but took a while to get going but became a great match by the end. Could have done without the Rollins cash in as it does absolutely nothing for me. I’d predict a long reign now with Sami beating him for the title at Mania. Hopefully Night 2 will be better…certainly looks better on paper anyway! 

[TheScarlettChad]

10 minutes ago, Callum1993 said:

I thought Night 1 was pretty poor overall. Reigns/Uso against the Brons felt really messy. Lots of missed spots. Bron was also helped to the back after so hopefully nothing serious. 
 

The women’s tag title match was fine. The right team won. Sami vs Kross was absolutely dreadful. Seems as if Kross’s contract is coming up so hopefully he’s off because despite all the fanfare around him recently he’s still the shits. 
 

Jade vs Tiffany was MOTN for me. Probably the best Jade has looked and probably the right decision not to put the belt on her yet.

The Jellyroll tag match was inoffensive. He took some decent bumps and actually refreshing to see a celebrity coming in and not winning(albeit to Logan). If Cena does end up retaining tonight I could see him vs Logan at the next PPV.

The main event was really good but took a while to get going but became a great match by the end. Could have done without the Rollins cash in as it does absolutely nothing for me. I’d predict a long reign now with Sami beating him for the title at Mania. Hopefully Night 2 will be better…certainly looks better on paper anyway! 

Punk should be the one to beat Rollins, ONLY if it means the feud finally ends. 

[RedTwoster]

16 minutes ago, Callum1993 said:

Sami vs Kross was absolutely dreadful. Seems as if Kross’s contract is coming up so hopefully he’s off because despite all the fanfare around him recently he’s still the shits. 

It was hardly a mat classic, but I thought it was fine for what it was. Kross is very over, and I think they’d be daft to ignore that. He’s passable in ring, but that’s more than enough to get by in WWE. Alternatively, use him as a manager - his character would be well suited to that, and he’d be a good addition to the right wrestler - if WWE lets him go, I’d like to see AEW bring him in for this reason. I could see him being able to elevate someone like Thekla, Brody King or maybe even MJF - essentially doing for them what MVP has for The Hurt Syndicate.

[TheScarlettChad]

Kross has TNA written all over him 

[air_raid]

Wade quoting The Touch during Stratton vs Cargill is the best thing I’ve seen on a WWE show this year.

[RedTwoster]

4 minutes ago, TheScarlettChad said:

Kross has TNA written all over him 

I mean, that’s where he came from and I imagine it’s very likely he’d end up back there if he did leave WWE. He’s such a fun character that I’d like to see him either stay in WWE or move to AEW as a manager - there’s definite value in him in my opinion; just not necessarily as a wrestler. 

[SuperBacon]

Whether you like him or not, Rollins cashing in on Punk makes the most sense for what they could've done.

Rollins wearing what were seemingly David Brent's Cuban heels (you can still find them) was a nice touch.

You have a very bitter Punk being "screwed" out of his deserved win, a heel has done a heel thing, and you can build around that. It was obvious it was happening with 10 minutes left on the rewatch, but it was still a decent moment.

Enjoyed all I watched, the opener, the main event (too long though) and Paul/McIntyre vs Orton/Jelly Roll was tremendous fun.

Jelly Roll was the star of the night, put all the belts on him.

Don't care for any of the rest of the card so cut all that out, and turned into a fun watch. 

The only major criticism is as always, the comms. Just dreadful. 

[TheScarlettChad]

1 minute ago, SuperBacon said:

Whether you like him or not, Rollins cashing in on Punk makes the most sense for what they could've done.

Rollins wearing what were seemingly David Brent's Cuban heels (you can still find them) was a nice touch.

You have a very bitter Punk being "screwed" out of his deserved win, a heel has done a heel thing, and you can build around that. It was obvious it was happening with 10 minutes left on the rewatch, but it was still a decent moment.

Enjoyed all I watched, the opener, the main event (too long though) and Paul/McIntyre vs Orton/Jelly Roll was tremendous fun.

Jelly Roll was the star of the night, put all the belts on him.

Don't care for any of the rest of the card so cut all that out, and turned into a fun watch. 

The only major criticism is as always, the comms. Just dreadful. 

Except the crowd treated the heel like a babyface. Complete with roaring ovation.