10 Ways WWE Screwed Up At SummerSlam 2017

3. Spotlight On Shane McMahon

Jinder Mahal Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

AJ Styles and Kevin Owens worked a fine match last night. The duo's rivalry hasn't always delivered between the ropes, but both had their working boots on, and their chemistry was higher than ever before. Ultimately, AJ was victorious, defending his United States Championship with a Phenomenal Forearm/Styles Clash combination, seemingly ending the feud.

Had the two wrestled this match alone, without a special guest referee, it may have finished as the best of their three pay-per-view singles bouts. Unfortunately, Shane McMahon hogged much of the spotlight. This was inevitable from the moment he was installed, and while the SmackDown Commissioner stayed impartial throughout, he was far too involved in the match, imposing himself in ways that regular officials wouldn't even dream of.

Instead of letting KO and AJ conclude their rivalry in a meaningful way, WWE used the match as a stepping stone for Shane vs. Owens. Somehow, this company are still building towards wrestler vs. authority figure matches in 2017. The McMahon family show absolutely no shame in doing so, and while Owens should be playing a key role in SmackDown's main event scene at the moment, he'll be stuck in a go-nowhere story with Shane instead.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.