WWE SummerSlam 2017: Assessing The Potential Quality Of All 12 Matches

10. Randy Orton Vs. Rusev

Jinder Mahal Shinsuke Nakamuara
WWE.com

Randy Orton Vs. Rusev was thrown together out of nowhere on the August 1 SmackDown. Without putting too reductive a stamp on things, it is the quintessential "throw two guys together because they've got nothing else to do" match.

There's not much to see here; Rusev, still in full foreign heel mode despite his cult favourite status, doesn't seem to factor into WWE's immediate or long term plans. Randy Orton, still orbiting the moon to which he's been pushed this year despite his inflated currency, is always part of them. The opposites are bound to detract here in a match pervaded by futility and meaninglessness.

One positive is that the bloated beast of a card surely means this won't approach fifteen minutes. It will be better than it would be, if it were promoted on a B-level pay-per-view - an action-packed TV match rather than the elongated, methodical Orton vintage.

This being WWE, the spectre of a rematch on a B-level PPV looms large - so it is cynical (but justifiable) to expect a cheap or inconclusive finish designed to take the shortcut to Hell In A Cell.

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!