WWE SummerSlam 2018: Star Ratings For All 13 Matches

4. Finn Bálor Vs. Baron Corbin

Finn Balor SummerSlam 2018
WWE.com

Finn Bálor is OVER again. That is the message WWE wished to put across, and they did so perfectly.

His spectacular entrance was something of a heartbeat monitor for performer and his public alike. The arena lights dimmed to jet black. Blood red lights flashed across the staging area as ominous bass notes throbbed, and grinding guitars screeched. A nightmarish skyline spanned the TitanTron. This was WWE doing awesome WWE sh*t, and doing right by one of its best performers.

The Demon Bálor emerged from the literal circle of hell (Dante calls this "being buried by Kane, bantered off for your size and stuck in feuds that make no appreciable difference to your career") and delivered only the eye-catching reaches of his awesome repertoire. In just 1:31, we were reminded that Bálor is a superstar. The last time we saw the Demon, he was put in his place by an older, slower, sh*ttier Demon 24 hours later. It may not lead anywhere, much as it hasn't previously, but you'd have to be even more of an ornery prick than your writer not to have marked out for this.

Factoring in the occasion as much as the content - with a bonus star awarded for this not being another repeat of their interminable 20 minute RAW bore...

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 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!