WWE SummerSlam 2018: Star Ratings For All 13 Matches
5. The Miz Vs. Daniel Bryan
There was something sad about this match both by design and by accident.
Daniel Bryan once rewrote the language of professional wrestling; advancing and humanising the role of flawless technician, he inspired a host of imitators on the independent circuit. His influence was such that WWE redrafted its very recruitment policy when he broke through to the main event bracket through sheer force of will.
At SummerSlam, however, he played the imitator.
He borrowed from Nick Jackson by striking the ring post with his leg, and borrowed from Hiroshi Tanahashi's seminal sequence at this year's G1 Climax final by slapping the sh*t out of The Miz as the crowd finally came to life. It took some doing, too, which only added to the strange atmosphere. Bryan always guaranteed a molten reaction, but whether through card placement or the underwhelming build, he and The Miz had to work very hard to engineer it here.
The match was very good, if something of a disappointment. They pulled off the expected narrative well, if belatedly, as Bryan eventually proved himself better at his own repertoire than The Miz's sneering version of it.
The finish was executed superbly - for once, the referee was excused for missing Maryse's excellent heel work - and generated just enough momentum to justify and make us look forward to the likely Hell In A Cell sequel.
Star Rating: ***3/4