10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE SummerSlam 2020
Can The Fiend "change" Braun Strowman into a half-decent champion?
Note: this article was written before the debut of the WWE ThunderDome on SmackDown, but it had to be covered because how couldn't it?
It's the ThunderDome!
It's WWE's version of Gabbo. It's exciting in an indeterminate way, but they think of us as SOBs.
We'll get an idea of that reality days before SummerSlam, but the omens don't look good elsewhere, either: in a desperate, scattersh*t attempt to improve dismal TV ratings, WWE hasn't really sold fans on SummerSlam but rather subjected itself to rapid-fire ridicule in the form of RAW Underground, RETRIBUTION, and additional ninja content.
WWE has drawn praise for the Randy Orton Vs. Drew McIntyre build, and while it all feels very worthy, the constant reminders of McIntyre's failures and the histrionic pensioner-bashings don't really lend it a dynamic, entertaining, must-see vibe. It's a very solemn and serious affair for the biggest party of the summer. But Drew's content will be all over the roof, so there's that.
Asuka, Bayley and Sasha Banks are reaching Triple H Vs. Randy Orton levels of fatigue, the key difference being that Asuka, Bayley and Sasha Banks can work exciting matches together. It'll be WinterSlam by the time that's all done with.
The undercard is meagre. The buzz is nonexistent.
But the roof is content.
10. The THUNDERDOME Experience
Expectation:
An incredible hi-tech spectacle the likes of which you've never, ever seen. Saudi Arabia shows in scope, every week, WWE will extract the one good, pretty thing from those atrocious and ugly events, and allow Asuka to wrestle bangers on that stage without having to wear a bodysuit. The fans will look really, really weird, but unlike every show from the last two years or so, Kevin Dunn can simply crank up the volume.
WWE is saved!
Reality:
Don't take Kevin Dunn's word for it, for f*ck's sake. On one of the few occasions he has spoken on public record, around 2004, he declared that Diva Search would be "sophisticated". In said Diva Search, Christy Hemme referred to a fellow contestant as a "c*m-burping gutterslut," and on that particular subject, do you recall WrestleMania 33? With a gigantic canvas on which to decorate, Dunn's crack production staff projected a very long sperm onto the ramp under the hilariously mistaken impression it was a viper.
WWE ThunderDome promises the high-end of WWE production, and with all of the majesty to capture, how many friggin' camera cuts so you think we're going to see?
Kevin Dunn is going to go apesh*t, guys, and Shane McMahon has just the word for it.