MAJOR WWE SummerSlam Developments Unfold On Raw

Expected match OFF, unexpected match ON at WWE SummerSlam...

by Michael Sidgwick
Trish Stratus Zoey Stark Becky Lynch
WWE.com

Changes to the WWE SummerSlam card were made on last night's edition of WWE Raw - which was also notable for what did not get added to Saturday's Premium Live Event.

Firstly, as expected, Ronda Rousey Vs. Shayna Baszler will now be contested under 'MMA Rules', which seems ambitious. The anticipated Fight Pit match isn't happening, nor will WWE turn back time and dust off the fondly-remembered Lion's Den structure. Instead, Ronda and Shayna will work an emulated MMA-style match, which will prove to be a challenge in front of fans who have not been conditioned to grasp the intricate rhythms of the genre. It's a bold but refreshing move; any deviation from the in-house style is surely worth the experiment.

Moreover, the expected Becky Lynch Vs. Trish Stratus blow-off match will not take place on Saturday. If it has been moved - i.e. if it was on the internal card for Saturday to begin with - it has been moved to the August 14 Raw, which emanates from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. The plan all along, or an acknowledgment of a misfire of a programme?

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Lastly, despite reports that circulated a couple of months ago, at time of writing, no stipulation has been added to the Brock Lesnar Vs. Cody Rhodes rubber match. If the stip was going to be something fans hadn't seen for a long time, it seems like it will take a little while yet.

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!