Keys to the Game 9.01.07: Unlocking SummerSlam
Posted by Joe Estee on 09.01.2007
This week we break down some of the high profile matches from last Sunday's SummerSlam without any mention of pharmaceuticals.
Greetings, and welcome to the latest review of SummerSlam 2007. I do
realize that it's been almost a week since the event and there has been
hours of new wrestling content to discuss since last Sunday. However,
its Labor Day weekend and I figure readers may need something other than
a steroid related editorial to peruse though while firing up the grill.
So let's all hop into the not-so-way-back machine and peer a
little deeper at some factors that led some to success while leaving
others in defeat.
REY MYSTERIO vs. CHAVO GUERRERO
Even with emotion running high for Rey Mysterio, who was making his
latest return from injury, I still felt that Chavo had a decided
advantage coming into this contest.
While Mysterio may be considered one of the greatest cruiserweights of
all time, he's been on the shelf since last October and it was Chavo
himself who put him there. During that time, Chavo has not only been
active with his hair replacement program, but he even enjoyed a nice
Cruiserweight title reign.
Upon seeing Mysterio appear at the top of the ramp Sunday, two separate
thoughts entered my head. 1.) I need to adjust the contrast level on my
TV, because Rey looks like he's just come out of a bad In Living
Color skit. And 2.) I think Rey has a chance to replace that chiwawa
as Taco Bell's new mascot, cuz' DAMN he got fat.
Don't misconstrue; I didn't anticipate Rey to look like he did during
his days in WCW, but I also didn't expect that the greatest high-flyer
wrestling has ever seen to be quite so "solid" in the mid-section
either. At this point, I was dreading the beating that Mysterio would be
handed to him by the last of the Guerrero's.
However, Mysterio ended up securing the victory, and in hindsight I
actually attribute his added weight as a significant factor in his
success. Admittedly, Mysterio wasn't nearly as quick and nimble as we're
accustomed to seeing him, but Rey wasn't also manhandled as much as
we're used to either. Mysterio was able to execute most of his signature
maneuvers, and Chavo seemed unable to adjust to Rey's heavier physique
by continuing to attempt a power game.
The finish itself was a modification for Mysterio who usually follows
his 619 up with either the West Coast Pop or Dropping the Dime. Instead,
Rey utilized a springboard splash to knock the wind out of Chavo and
pick up the three-count. Rumor has it that this new twist to Mysterio's
move-set will be dubbed the "Grande Quesadilla"
FINLAY vs. KANE
This was a match-up that in my opinion did not merit being included in
second most important PPV of the year, much less open the card.
Nevertheless, I was exceptionally impressed with the aggression
demonstrate by both combatants. Both men, obviously understanding the
opportunity offered to them went all out and left everything they had in
the ring. Ultimately it was the monster Kane (who really needs to get
that mask gimmick back) who survived the shamrocks and shenanigans of
Finaly and everyone's darling dwarf Hornswoggle, and walked out of
SummerSlam with a high profile victory.
JOHN MORRISON vs. CM PUNK - ECW CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Both Morrison and Punk have been very impressive over the last several
months. They have offered exceedingly competitive and engaging matches
both at PPVs and on ECW. With that said, the significant difference
between the two is that as inspiring as Punk has been gaining several
pinfall victories on Morrison over the past few weeks, Punk just can't
seem come up big with the title on the line. SummerSlam marks Punk's
third straight attempt at the ECW title in three PPVs, and in all cases,
John Morrsion has demonstrated the poise and patience of a champion,
while Punk continues to falter while at the doorstep of the Palace of
Wisdom. These are the qualities and traits that separate champions from
challengers, and it seems that CM Punk still has a considerable road
ahead of him. I do however continue to expect strong outings from the
Shaman of Sexy in the weeks and months to come.
TRIPLE H vs. KING BOOKER
All I remember of this match is that Helmsley appeared much slimmer than
I've seen him in years and that he must have either been trying to
recreate an Undertaker-WrestleMania entrance or Great White's encore.
Either way, it brought down the house.
THE GREAT KHALI vs. BATISTA - WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
I still can not comprehend how Batista continues to acquire World
Heavyweight title opportunities at PPVs... And before you send in your
"Big Dave is the man" emails, I'd like to state that Batista has been in
a World Heavyweight Championship match for almost every PPV this year.
The most baffling statistic here is that it took Khali smacking Batista
with a chair for The Animal to pick up his first PPV victory since
defeating Mr. Kennedy in January at The Royal Rumble.
Regrettably, I'm sure this "big win" only foreshadows several more
Batista PPVs.
Batista's 2007 PPV Winless Streak
No Way Out 2007 - John Cena & Shawn Michaels vs. Batista & Undertaker
WrestleMania 23 - Undertaker vs. Batista
BackLash 2007 - Undertaker vs. Batista
Judgment Day 2007 - Edge vs. Batista
One Night Stand 2007 - Edge vs. Batista
Vengeance 2007 - Edge vs. Batista
The Great American Bash 07 - The Great Khali vs. Kane vs. Batista
JOHN CENA vs. RANDY ORTON - WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Randy Orton rode more momentum into this match than perhaps any other
challenger John Cena has ever faced in a WWE Championship match. The
crowd as well seemed to radiate with the anticipation of Orton finally
reclaiming his spot at the top of the WWE. Orton, to his credit, carried
out his game plan completely on Sunday night. The challenger militantly
went after Cena's weakened head and neck region, making use of several
so called "rest holds" to wear down the battered champion. Orton also
maintained an offensive attitude even when weathering Cena's offensive
flurries. Echoing the endgame scenario from three years ago, Orton
managed to force a release on the champion's submission hold, and
execute his patented RKO from out of nowhere. This time however, fortune
merely smirked in the direction of the challenger, as Orton landed awkwardly
on his knee, delaying his cover of the champion. Cena, whose reputation
as one of the most durable athletes of our time, finished this song with
the same tune we've heard for the past eleven months. Whether it's The
Great Khali, Umaga, Edge, Shawn Michaels, Bobby Lashley, or even a
combination of any of them, Cena manages to hold on longer than the
other guy.
Interestingly enough though, the next night on RAW, John Cena
uncharacteristically rejected Orton's request for a rematch. Cena even
went as far as to propose that his next challenger should be the
returning Triple H (Not exactly someone that Orton likes to think about
in the same sentence as a World title)
Enraged, Orton stormed into Vince McMahon's office demanding a rematch.
This led to the chairman of the board challenging Orton to "show" him
why he deserves another title opportunity. Orton responded to this test
later that evening by not only attacking John Cena, but by brutally
assaulting Cena's father who was present at ringside.
Say what you will about the antics of Randy Orton in the past, and...
there certainly is quite a torrid list, but he's just manufactured
another shot at the man he dominated for the majority of Sunday night's
main event at SummerSlam.
