WWE SummerSlam 2018: Star Ratings For All 13 Matches

2. Alexa Bliss Vs. Ronda Rousey - RAW Women's Title Match

Samoa Joe AJ Styles Star Ratings II
WWE.com

Ronda Rousey is amazing at this.

Her late '80s/early '90s-inspired colour palette was fitting; much like the Road Warriors and Steiner Brothers before her, she tore down the house in a glorified but unique squash driven by her formidable aura. It was the Ronda show, but Alexa Bliss played her rag doll role well enough. As she cowered behind the ropes, she wore a genuinely detestable expression. She embodied that sneering, smarmy, face-you-just-want-to-punch look perfectly. And, when Ronda plunged her to the mat with an incredible ferocity, she drew a sudden oh-sh*t reaction you're more likely to hear in the Octagon than the squared circle.

This was as good for what it wasn't, as much as for what it was. The diminutive and non-threatening Bliss didn't enjoy any offence. We weren't asked to accept the absurd notion of her even cheating to gain an advantage. She just got her "biscuit butt" handed to her in frightening fashion. Alexa used her elastic arm to gruesome effect here: the thing looked like it was close to coming off as Ronda teased the arm bar.

Ronda even perfected the art of trash talking, working admirably on her sole weakness. A bit too enthusiastically, if anything: her spot calling was the only dampener on a fire minimalist masterclass.

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!