7 Quick Fixes To Save WWE SummerSlam 2018

3. Stakes

Hulk Hogan Braun Strowman Bayley Sasha Banks
WWE

Extreme Rules was logician's nightmare - a catastrophe for continuity and consistency, yet again punishing fans that still cling on to loose narrative threads emerging from WWE. Why was Daniel Bryan permitted to go at it alone when Braun Strowman wasn't? Why didn't Seth Rollins just let Drew McIntyre interfere and take a Disqualification fall? Why was Kevin Owens such an idiot? (Okay, that one's exactly in keeping with canon...)

People made similar mistakes and matches followed similar patterns whilst the show subverted its own title by normalising several battles that could have done with an 'Extreme' shortcut.

SummerSlam will almost double the July show's comparatively modest 3:40 runtime, but it cannot justify the time without matches that actually have consequences. If Daniel Bryan is to face The Miz, the win or loss must mean something after such a long wait for their first 'proper' war since his return. Kurt Angle and Baron Corbin want control of Raw? Put the flagship on the line. Ronda Rousey can't get her hands on Alexa Bliss until the big night itself? Have her put 'Five Feet Of Fury' six feet under when she finally gets the chance.

WWE's re-establishing of the grandeur of the 'Big Four' since the WWE Network launched has yet to result in one of them being particularly good. A few matches that genuinely matter peppered throughout the lengthy broadcast would help their cause exponentially.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back almost 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 60,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett