10 WWE SummerSlam 2020 Impulse Reactions

8. Bayley (c) Vs. Asuka

A cradle isn't a roll-up, but it's not that much more satisfying. And more's the pity - the pay-per-view opener between Bayley and Asuka was another banger-in-progress terminated early by a dour ending.

'The Empress Of Tomorrow's knee was targeted by 'The Role Model' as she loudly reminded Sasha Banks that she was doing it for her as much as to continue her 317+ day SmackDown Women's Championship reign. 'The Boss' interfering was inevitable, but the booking did so many backflips to try and protect the integrity of the Challenger that it ruined the effect for all three.

Sasha looked like a bumbling bozo trying to help, but Asuka looked no brighter when she got wrapped up by Bayley who, seconds earlier, had been completely snookered by her opponent's counter game.

Again, the match before it was such a terrific piece of work. Bayley and Asuka don't have bad ones, and this stood a chance of approaching one of their best before it was obscured by a fog made thick by plot. It had all the conviction the conclusion seemed desperate to avoid.