10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE SummerSlam 2020

9. Asuka Vs. Bayley

Bray Wyatt Braun Strowman
WWE.com

Expectation:

Well, we've seen X amounts of matches between Asuka, Bayley, and Sasha Banks, so we have a fair indication of their quality. We have a robust indication of quality. This programme has been stamped on, tampered with, smashed across the room, dropped down a toilet, set on fire, pissed on, sh*t on, and left to rust in a torrential downpour, and for all of the sh*tty booking, it remains just about intact as a great if now incredibly familiar series of wrestling matches. Bayley's patter is still abysmal, and she can't make abysmal on purpose funny, but by Christ she has grasped how to work as a heel: her mockery of Kairi Sane is far more powerful than her mockery of Michael Cole, and there's a new viciousness and snap to her counter game that far better sells her desperation than the bullsh*t finishes she, as a WWE Superstar TM, is inundated with.

This will be great!

Except...

Reality:

As far as finishes go, WWE's are only slightly less repulsive than borrowing your da's sock. So expect Sasha Banks to come out dressed as Stephanie McMahon, reveal that the loser is actually the winner, and Asuka to fall for it and take the three.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!