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

6. Sheamus And Cesaro Vs. Seth Rollins And Dean Ambrose - WWE RAW Tag Team Title Match

Jinder Mahal Shinsuke Nakamuara
WWE.com

This should be excellent.

All four men, when motivated and on form, are capable of great things - even the underrated Sheamus, who has amassed several more gripping matches throughout his stint in WWE than his perception obscures. Unrestricted, PPV-level exchanges between Cesaro and Seth Rollins in particular promise a great deal, and the fading tension between the latter and partner-turned-rival-turned-partner Dean Ambrose creates scope for a dramatic narrative through line and even more dramatic, uplifting reconciliation, hugs and all. Such a moment works on the big SummerSlam stage, but has arguably arrived too soon - a luxurious problem for WWE to have, and one which should lend this a suspense driven by unpredictability. If any match possesses the potential to steal the show away from the headliner, it's this.

There's scope to annoy the tag team purists, if the story leans too heavily on the discord between Rollins and Ambrose. Lord knows the reluctant teammates trope has done as much as to kill tag team wrestling in WWE as institutionalised creative apathy.

But they know what they're doing in there. They're not going to relegate Cesaro and Sheamus as supporting players. If it's a disappointment, it will be on creative's hands. The temptation to hold something back for No Mercy might prove too much.

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!