13 Match Quality Predictions For WWE SummerSlam 2018

11. Finn Bálor Vs. Baron Corbin

Daniel Bryan Miz Summerslam Stars
WWE.com

This isn't altogether difficult to predict because, having seen the match twice before, we know what to expect.

We know to expect something deeply average.

At Extreme Rules, the straight singles match between Finn Bálor and Baron Corbin was almost depressingly simplistic. Portrayed as smaller and thus weaker, Bálor struggled for long, tedious spells trapped in Corbin's chinlocks. Finn's comeback spots were bereft of heat because those rest holds were only ironically effective: the fans, at least, had been bored into submission. It was, at least, mercifully short.

Their RAW rematch, which badly exposed Baron more than his old hairline did, went 20 full minutes. In dragging the match out to this length, in addition to just filling TV time unimaginatively, WWE conspired to retcon the original result with 50/50 booking and exhaust the thinnest of patience. Nobody really wants to see this again and yet, we are seeing it again. Corbin is effective only playing the smash-mouth role in all-action multi-man affairs. This is a diminished return of something that was only ever filler.

It is the least anticipated match on the show with, demonstrably, the least potential.

Predicted Star Rating: *3/4

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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!