WWE SummerSlam 2018: Star Ratings For All 13 Matches
10. Dolph Ziggler Vs. Seth Rollins - Intercontinental Title Match
There was an excellent, blistering 15 minute match within the bones here. At 22:15, it went seven minutes too long, and there was an entire, dragged-out sequence that could have been dissected from it to accomplish that goal - but since the goal is to prolong PPVs to artificially measure the Network's success, this, sadly, is the new normal.
In order to tease the inevitable Dean Ambrose/Drew McIntyre physical confrontation, Dolph Ziggler threw Seth Rollins outside of the ring on three separate occasions. This made Rollins look like a bit of a prat, in falling for the same ploy, and Ziggler applied protracted rest holds between each repeated spot. The crowd tuned out. It all felt a bit still, when the dynamic required pulsating, non-stop action to extract the maximum.
But, on a show that breeds optimism, let's instead end on that scintillating final stretch.
Ziggler planted Rollins with a terrifying DDT on the apron. Rollins struck Ziggler with an incredible new weapon in his arsenal by braining him with an inverted suplex/Paroxysm combo. The crowd went bonkers for that, and in a state of awe they remained; finally, the unremitting waves of frisson had arrived.
Far flabbier than it needed to be, at its best, this was excellent, elemental stuff: just two high-calibre athletes motivated to win a prestigious prize.
Star Rating: ***1/2