10 Things WWE Got Right At SummerSlam 2016
8. Showcasing AJ Styles
SummerSlam just isn't John Cena's event.
Heading into the 2016 event, the "face that runs the place" had lost his last 5 SummerSlam matches (2 of the last 3 clean as a whistle), with a SummerSlam record of 4-8 (prior to Sunday night). That, along with WWE's favourite strategy of having Cena lose one match to an opponent followed by 2 or 3 victorious rematches, left many fans expecting John to avenge his Money In The Bank loss to AJ Styles at SummerSlam.
It didn't happen.
In fact, Cena lost clean again after an incredible outing with Styles, which was the best match of the night. Cena's now 4-9 on the biggest show of the Summer (3 of his last 4 clean as can be).
In addition to The Phenomenal One being a integral part of SmackDown's future, the company made the right call to feature their full-time talent in AJ Styles over the part-time yet bulletproof John Cena, who is rumoured to be taking even more time off again soon.
Looking back at Cena's previous feuds with Bray Wyatt, Rusev and Kevin Owens, WWE's handling of those programs has made AJ's two victories that much more important and impactful.
Not only is AJ Styles arguably the best worker in WWE right now, he's proven that he's capable of delivering under pressure on the grandest of stages. That's the quality of a star and AJ Styles has it in spades. Kudos to WWE for identifying that.