13 Match Quality Predictions For WWE SummerSlam 2018

3. Alexa Bliss Vs. Ronda Rousey - RAW Women's Title Match

Alexa Bliss Ronda Rousey
WWE.com

This is d*mn hard to gauge. Ronda Rousey has carried two non-wrestlers to improbably great matches thus far. It's foolish to doubt her at this point.

Conversely, the mixed tag spectacular at WrestleMania 34 was a work of total genius in its layout. Every last millisecond was considered perfectly in order to capture the maximum suspense and release. And Nia Jax, for all of her faults, is a physically imposing specimen. Ronda Rousey is immaculate at selling, and the notion of her having to sell at Money in The Bank was at least halfway viable.

This isn't the case for Alexa Bliss. This thing could fall apart at the seams, should Ronda struggle for protracted periods under the control of a performer who, through fictional characterisation and real-life skill, is no match for the Baddest Woman On The Planet. There are two potential means of plugging this gaping plot hole: either Ronda blitzes through Bliss in a high-octane squash, or WWE concocts an Over The Edge 1998-level series of smoke and mirrors designed to feasibly make up the feature length.

Reassuringly, WWE knows Ronda's star power and strengths. Rare brilliance fosters rare optimism.

Predicted 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!