12 Match Star Ratings For WWE SummerSlam 2019

9. Becky Lynch Vs. Natalya - RAW Women's Title Match

Brock Lesnar Seth Rollins
WWE.com

A very engaging match to start the show, without ascending to minor classic status, this was still some achievement: Becky Lynch rid herself of the Lacey Evans stench, and Natalya finally entered a performance on the main roster somewhere in the orbit of her TakeOver war opposite Charlotte Flair all the way back in 2014.

It wasn't as good as that, but it was memorable, creative, and it looked like it hurt a great deal - it was a match that, by actually making an impression on this stuffed weekend of wrestling in an over-stuffed landscape, was more impressive than may first appear. The spots designed to create indelible images, like that pictured, were more creative than contrived, underscoring the extent to which both performers are far better than much of the material handed to them recently (and forever, in the case of the challenger).

The purpose of the referee was muddied, to a point that it was almost distracting, but there was such an oomph and flow to the action that it didn't detract from it.

Peaking at the finish, this physical battle went some way towards rehabilitating Lynch - just a well-judged, well-worked pay-per-view attraction.

Star Rating: ***1/2

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!