12 Match Star Ratings For WWE SummerSlam 2019

4. Charlotte Flair Vs. Trish Stratus

Brock Lesnar Seth Rollins
WWE.com

A match badly undermined by its layout in the opening phase, Charlotte Flair Vs. Trish Stratus got there in the end. In an unintended way, it mirrored Trish's in-ring career; she struggled, noticeably, to keep up with Flair throughout the first few clunky minutes, before finding her stride when it counted.

The irony is that Stratus struggled to keep up when operating in the crafty veteran role early, which created a weird narrative dissonance. At times, this was almost literally a carry job on Flair's part. But, with the nerves settled, and the crowd more receptive to the performance, Stratus leaned on her connection with them to fight credibly from underneath. Once the parity was established, the match soared, particularly during a top turnbuckle spot of real, anxious drama that culminated in a great-looking top-rope hurricanrana Trish did well to pull off. Understandably lacking in the underrated physicality of Flair's best matches, Trish deserves credit for taking a wicked back bump to the outside. This put over Flair as an insurmountable force in her prime.

Ultimately, the mission was accomplished.

Stratus went "out" in very respectable fashion, and the expected victory - which the two performers did well to plunge in doubt, it must be said - will enhance Flair's legacy and provide her with promo ammunition in the years to come.

Star Rating: ***

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!