12 Match Star Ratings For WWE SummerSlam 2019

12. Drew Gulak Vs. Oney Lorcan - Cruiserweight Title Match

Oney Lorcan is, ordinarily, as endearing as he is explosive - all id, he is at his best in out of control tag team scenarios in which he flings himself about the ring, as if possessed by a demon that likes to hit people really, really hard.

This wasn't that.

A controlled, clinical mat battle, this was an attritional (that is a euphemism) EVOLVE-style match performed in an arena full of punters not inclined to enjoy the so-called 'grapple-f*ck' style. When Lorcan did unleash his strikes, he wasn't carried by the same frenetic energy. Presumably under orders to perform in a certain gear, he looked subdued out there. And, in contrast to the power-driven Buddy Murphy, Gulak's mat-based approach isn't calibrated to win over a cold audience of casuals.

Even then, the faint enthusiasm never carried over to 205 Live, and so whatever attraction is shunted on the Kickoff show hardly matters. Still, surely the 205 Live showcase should manifest as a multi-man banger of sorts, if only to light up the crowd ahead of the main card. Otherwise, it's a total waste of time. That might read as disrespectful - they gave themselves to the match - but it wasn't invigorating.

Just a dry, underwhelming match that depicted Gulak as a clever enough strategist at the expense of the promising dynamic.

Star Rating: **1/2