WWE SummerSlam 2015: 12 Biggest Takeaways
The most important ramifications stemming from the biggest party of the summer.
SummerSlam 2015 has come and gone, and over the course of the event, we saw some truly historic moments. Ten matches took place on the card, and the show was hosted by none other than former Daily Show host Jon Stewart. Four titles were on the line in three matches, the 'Divas Revolution' was in full swing, and two of the biggest legends squared off in a main event match that will be remembered for years to come.
So what were the ramifications of this show?
To begin, there were high expectations for SummerSlam, the least of all because, a) it was the first time the show went four hours long, and b) it was on the heels of yet another outstanding NXT TakeOver event that took place the night before. As such, WWE's decision-makers decided to make this show as 'memorable' as possible, partly by having its two most important matches end via controversial means. At the same time, the matches were exciting by WWE standards, with a lot of emphasis on high-flying maneuvers being shown (seriously, there were over-the-top-rope diving moves in at least five matches on a ten-match card...and that's a good thing).
This article will highlight the 12 most important things we've learned from SummerSlam 2015, in terms of storylines, match results, and overall show presentation.
12. Randy Orton Vs. Sheamus Was A Poor Choice For Opener
The combination of Randy Orton and Sheamus in singles competition has the dubious distinction of being one of the most repetitive feuds in recent memory...even more so than Randy Orton vs. John Cena. This was the match that took place on the night after WrestleMania XXIX, and on that night, the crowd didn't care about it whatsoever. They chanted random things, for legends, and even for the commentators...anything other than investing into the match between Orton and Sheamus.
While those actions might not have been malicious in nature, they highlighted a problem that was very prominent back then: Sheamus/Orton is a boring match prospect.
And yet, not only did WWE resurrect this feud without giving fans a new reason to like the match-ups, but they decided to make this the opening match for a four-hour event.
The match itself was nothing special, and felt very much like a regular main event of a televised program. Although the effort was there, it was just a boring combination that failed to excite the fans enough to make them loud enough to make SummerSlam even more memorable.