12 Match Star Ratings For WWE SummerSlam 2019
1. Brock Lesnar Vs. Seth Rollins - Universal Title Match
An excellent, excellent match, and a very powerful performance from Seth Rollins, it was so excellent, in fact, that it backed up the new Universal Champion's recent, off-putting braggadocio.
Seth Rollins walked the walk in Toronto.
Using his agility to counter Brock Lesnar's German suplex game, and pure heart and ingenuity to surmount his wicked offence elsewhere, this match restored Seth's aura and made a mockery of the '[X Wrestler] only does X moves' complaint. The timing of those Germans, and the timing of Seth's impeccably graduating comebacks, made for superb drama. The space between those moves was acted tremendously. This career highlight was framed, authentically, as the fight of Seth's life. The worst babyface in wrestling ahead of the match entered a transcendent babyface performance in it. He performed with such sympathy, conviction and grit that he won the crowd over across 14 minutes of exhilarating drama.
The big, character-driven spot was pitched perfectly. When Brock tightened Seth's rib tape and sent him for a ride, it looked almost funny, but the joke was so callous that it framed Lesnar as a bully who demanded his comeuppance. Lesnar was bang up for it too, screaming "Closing time, bitch!" in Seth's agonised face mid-gruesome assault.
Rollins might not emerge as the undisputed top face in WWE after this. His promo work still lacks cool and credibility. But this was a hell of a d*mn match, with a huge, clean finish that showed real faith in his ability.
The brown-nosing got him over with those it counts, at least.
Star Rating: ****1/4