11 Match Star Ratings For WWE SummerSlam 2021

8. Sheamus Vs. Damian Priest - United States Title Match

Edge Seth Rollins
WWE.com

They got there in the end.

Good, physical, convincing work built around a realistic story beat got over after a babyface displayed great babyface attributes.

This sh*t really isn't difficult.

It didn't get over initially because the rhythm of virtually every WWE match is passé. This drifted at the usual glacial, condescending pace as Sheamus targeted Priest's back. The one-dimensional and solid work subverted itself to a terrifying degree when Sheamus failed to catch Priest's rope-step somersault plancha. The impact looked and sounded vile.

Sheamus toyed with the audience by refusing to complete his beats of the bodrhán and Priest, furious, at last fired up without neglecting to sell the back Sheamus had worked over. He ran through his signature offence with an elusive sense of energy. This wasn't exactly well-built; if it were, fans would have been engaged throughout. Perhaps that is just a byproduct of the piss-poor TV, but regardless: WWE went as in as they get in 2021 by allowing Priest to kick out of a beautifully-timed mid-air catch Brogue Kick. This near-fall was really, really well-done, and the resulting Reckoning underscored Priest's breakout moment.

A damn fine wrestling match elevated against a backdrop of total nonsense elsewhere.

Star Rating: ★★★¼

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 current Undisputed WWE 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!