WWE: Summerslam 2008

I posted a review for the WWE SUMMERSLAM ANTHOLOGY, which I concluded that this PPV series was becoming "one long cold shower". Last year's SUMMERSLAM was hyped as "The Biggest Party of the Summer", but I felt it was "The Worst Party of The Year".

However, I'm pleased to say that WWE's "Biggest Blockbuster of the Summer" lives up to its name.

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1) Jeff Hardy v. M.V.P.
---I wasn't really looking forward to this one, because both men's strange offense doesn't work with a lot of superstars. But I was pleasantly surprised to see both Jeff and Porter use unique reversals and sensible wrestling from bell to bell. Seeing these guys put on a match this good makes me regret losing interest in recent weeks.
"7.0 / 10"
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2) Winners Take All
Mickie James (Women's champion) &
Kofi Kingston (Intercontinental champion)
v. Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix
---I was also completely surprised by this tag team contest. This is probably the best Intergender Match I've ever seen. For starters, Marella & Phoenix have such terrific chemistry; I'd be surprised if they weren't a real couple. The match flows very well, as each person gets to look good before the finish comes. But most of all, this whole scenario is flat-out hilarious! It's filled with little facial expressions and great comedic timing, especially from "Glamarella". Trust me, just give this one a look. You won't regret it.
"7.0 / 10"
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***I actually want to address Shawn Michaels' promo, because it's gotten mixed reactions from people. I personally think everyone involved with this angle has done a tremendous job. WWE was smart enough to know that if HBK came out on PPV airtime just to talk on a microphone, people were willing to tune in. First, HBK gave a very heartwarming speech; I almost thought he might actually retire. But eventually, Chris Jericho interrupted, and delivered one of his best speeches. And then, when Jericho punched Rebecca, it looked pretty real to me. This entire rivalry is a multi-layered work or art. If you don't like to watch promos during a PPV, I understand. But I urge people to give this an honest watch. You won't see a better exchange of words between two wrestlers.***
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3) ECW Championship
Matt Hardy v. Mark Henry (champion)
---Okay, two questions:
1) Who thought a 30-second title bout was a good idea?
2) Is Matt Hardy ever gonna get a decent SUMMERSLAM appearance?

To tackle the second question, I'm not joking when I ask. After two exciting Tag Team appearances, Matt Hardy hasn't had a decent SUMMERSLAM match since. He didn't get to compete in 2001, whereas brother Jeff got a Ladder Match. His 2003 match against Zach Gowen was cancelled at the last minute. He lost Lita's hand in marriage to Kane in 2004, which actually isn't very funny anymore. And Edge beat him to a knockout in 2005, in a grudge that everybody knows about. Hoenstly, what's the deal?

But more importantly, what possible intelligence is there in booking a brand's single PPV match this way?! This PPV only ran 160 minutes, meaning these guys deserved at least 10 minutes to entertain paying fans!
"1.5 / 10" (1 point for getting in the ring, and a half-point for the Hardys reunion at the end)
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4) World Heavyweight Championship
JBL v. CM Punk (champion)
---Before I criticize too harshly, I want to be clear that I do enjoy this match. However, you need to know that this title contest plays out like a typical Cena-style performance. JBL dominates most of the match, and Punk wins after very little offense. These kinds of "underdog" matches don't always work, but in this case, I think it does. JBL got to use some rough offense, and Punk...well, what I can say...he made me a believer. If you can forget Punk's classic ROH performances, then you might accept this one like I do.
"6.5 / 10"
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5) WWE Championship
The Great Khali v. Triple H (champion)
---I have similar thoughts on this title match as I do with Punk/JBL. It's an underdog-style, one-sided story. But this time, it worked for me. Even with a 9-minute length, and very basic offense from both men, I still bought into it. I mean, how else would a fight like this play out if it weren't fixed? Khali is an intimidating figure, HHH works extra hard to make the match work, and the crowd seemed to enjoy every second of it. However, Jim Ross deserves the most credit, because he sold this story as well as anybody possibly could. This wasn't a great match, but a fun one.
"6.0 / 10"
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6) John Cena v. Batista
---Oh boy, I had plenty of doubts about this one. The epic modern star clashes rarely work. Well, was this a "Bret/Shawn" classic, or "Goldberg/Lesnar" dud? Actually, it was more of a "Hogan/Warrior" battle, where it wasn't great, but good enough to convince skeptics. At the outset, this match seems like it's going to be nothing but signature moves from both men. However, what you start to realize as the contest plays out is that both Batista & Cena manage to put nice little spins on each of their moves. You will get to see the finishers, but in ways you don't expect. You will get to see the familiar moves, but also a few new tricks. By the end, I was as caught up as the Conseco Fieldhouse crowd. A surprisingly entertaining contest.
"7.0 / 10"
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7) Hell-In-A-Cell Match
Edge v. The Undertaker
---Do I even need to write a review on this main event? Actually I do, because Taker & Edge have put on five --- count them, "FIVE!" --- Match-Of-The-Year Candidates in one year alone. The opening video package is very crucial to this encounter, because most Cell Matches with Undertaker involve an intimidated opponent. But as you'll learn from the introductory video that hypes this Cell Match, Edge is even more eager to engage in the fight than Taker. And once the bell rings, Edge brings the fistfight to Taker much like he did at WRESTLEMANIA 24. But enough of the psychobabble, how's the match? Like their TLC Match back in June, this Cell Match is brutal yet sensible. When tables are set up, they're broken in convincing fashion. When Taker & Edge escape the Cell, they only fight on the ground level. When weapons are grabbed, they're used instantly. Every Cell Match has some "OUCH!" moments, but only the best include terrific psychology with the weapons & spots. Earlier in my review, I called the Jericho/HBK rivalry "a work of art". This rivalry is the SMACKDOWN equivalent. Come December, I think hardcore fans will have a heck of time picking a Rivalry-Of-The-Year.
"8.5 / 10"
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OVERALL
---With the exception of a pointless, mind-boggling ECW Title Match, I enjoyed every single match from SUMMERSLAM 2008. Even though I've used a couple of "6" scores, those matches are "Sixes" that I can still have a good time watching. And speaking of that ECW Title Match, at least WWE included the TV rematch on this DVD. The rematch is just over 11 minutes long, and isn't half-bad --- a weird (but nice) compensation.

But the rest of the package is the real deal. Besides, the Edge/Taker Hell-In-A-Cell Match is so good that it's worth buying this DVD, even if you don't like the rest of the card. SUMMERSLAM hasn't been kind to me over the last few years, but I think I'm going to hang onto this blockbuster for a very long time.

In my view, Summerslam hasn't lived up to the hype as the "biggest party of the summer" since 2002. Which I believe is still the best Summerslam ever. WWE's Summerslam 2008 doesn't completely live up to the hype and doesn't hold up very well next to most ppvs this year. Now for the record, the actual event gets around a 3.5 but I give the DVD a 4 for the extras.

Jeff Hardy vs. MVP
I expected alot better from these two but they still had a decent match. Some decent wrestling and Jeff took a sick belly to belly which kind of looked botched. Still just a decent opener. 3.25/5

IC & Women's Championship Tag Team, Winner Takes All Match
Kofi Kingston & Mickey James vs. Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix
The rules are the first team to score the pinfall or submission wins the titles for each other. This match was mostly here for comedy purposes and delivered some on that end. Kofi was pretty sharp and he put his incredible athleticism to work. Mickie & Beth worked pretty well together as well. Still the match only came off as average. 3/5

On a side note, Kofi Kingston to me is one of the the most athletic wrestlers out there today. I'm definitly sure if he stays healthy, he'll most likely end up in the Money in the Bank Match next Mania. I think he would be an outstanding addition to it, mixed up with the stars who know how to deliver in that match.

Shawn Michaels Announcement
I usually don't care for these segments on ppv. But this is one that I really did enjoy and emotions were running pretty high here. I thought it worked out pretty well and added more to the angle. 4/5

ECW Championship Match
Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy
Shades of Chris Benoit vs. Orlando Jordan of Summerslam 05 concerning length and formula. As far as entertainment value, it's pretty much unwatchable. And I didn't care too much for the aftermath. This match was a rip off and these two actually proved on ECW they CAN have a decent match. Good thing it's one of the extras. 1.25/5

World Heavyweight Championship
CM Punk vs. JBL
This match was mostly meant to prove that Punk was deserving to be a champion. In any case, this match seemed like a rehash of a bad formula. With JBL dominating for awhile but this time it wasn't boring. Punk got in some good offense and JBL did hit a couple of high impact moves. I just felt the ending was a bit too sudden. 3.5/5

WWE Championship
Triple H vs. The Great Khali
Honestly, Khali just isn't good. But Triple H's work ethic and JR's commentary actually made Khali look a little better than what he really is. So I give JR credit as well. They told a decent story with Triple H trying to overcome his strength and hit the pedigree. Overall, the match was entertaining and exceeded my expectations. 3.5/5

John Cena vs. Batista
I fully agree with the others, if it wasn't for the HINC match. This would have been match of the night. Even though I'm not a fan of these two. The hype won me over and I really couldn't wait for this one. Batista brought a different type of offense that surprised me. Overall you get the usual spots but the near falls really did add to the match. I'm sure they will meet again and I'll be looking forward to those matches. 4/5

Hell in a Cell Match
Undertaker vs. Edge
Undertaker has disappeared and reappeared many times in his career. And I know that I have seen all of these matches. But off the top of my head, this has to be his best return bout. Just when you think this feud couldn't get any better. Taker and Edge pull another rabbit out the hat. They delivered a classic that contained many memorable and brutal spots. The match was very well paced and the build up leading to the end. Was poetic justice at its absolute finest. I'm not sure what I think is the best HINC match ever. But if I ever get around to thinking about it. This could be close to the top. 5/5

As a mentioned earlier, the ppv to me is about 3.5. But the extras add to the DVD.

Extras
WWE Summerfest 2008

Post Summerslam Interview
RAW 8-18-08
Michale Cole interviews Shawn Michaels and wife Rebecca

ECW Championship Match
ECW 8-19-08
Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy
The match that should have been on this ppv. It was pretty decent but nothing really special. Henry sold pretty well for Hardy and the ending was worked out pretty well. 3.25/5

This DVD is worth seeing for the HINC match alone as far as I'm concerned. Taker and Edge in my eyes put together the best feud of the year. And easily one of my favorites ever. Four classics in the same year, each one feeling fresh. Is hard to come by these days.

Awesome Hell in the Cell Match. Boring WWE title match, although the ovation for Triple H kind of upped it a star. Good intergender match as well. Santino sells the weasle type character of the 80's Bobby Heenan. In the ECW title match, it was short but seeing the hardys suplex Mark Henry was cool. I was expecting Jericho to put HBK's wife into the walls of Jericho, but the punch to the face did just the same. The Cena and Batista match was pretty good then with all the hype, it made it all the more better. A little dissapointing that there wasn't much blood or any on the cell moments but this is from a being there live point of view. There was a bit of a tease when Edge speared Taker through the cell, everyone was on their feet watching for Edge to scurry onto the top. The spear through the announce table was a nice touch. As we were leaving, things kept happening so we would hurry back to see, first Undertaker comes back and chokeslams Edge through the ring. Then as we're going down some more we see flames appear.

As per my 9 year old son.....this DVD was super exciting! Especially Undertaker Vs. Edge in a hell in a cell match. (And Batista Vs. John Cena) This is a definite must see for any WWE fan!!

I witnessed Summerslam live in Conseco Fieldhouse and it was awesome!

MVP vs. Jeff Hardy

This was a good opener got the crowd really into it. MVP had some good counters on Jeff. MVP wins with his kick.

Kofi Kingston & Mickie James vs. Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix

This match was ok. More diva action than anything. Glamazon gets the pinfall on mickie. Poor Kofi he lost his belt without even getting pinned.

Shawn Michaels Announcement

Jericho punches Michaels wife and her lip swells up. Enough said.

Mark Henry vs Matt Hardy

Terrible, terrible, terrible. Lasted like 20 sec. before a DQ. Would have been a perfect night without this one.

CM Punk vs JBL

An okay match. Everyone pretty much knew that Punk was going to win. Couple of nice Counters Punk retains.

Triple H vs Great Khali

Surprisingly a good match. Mostly cuz of Triple H being a veteran and being able to make anyone look good. Triple H finally is able to peigree Khali for the victory.

Batista vs. John Cena

SHOW STEALER! I knew this match would be good and they hyped it up really well. These two men tore down Conseco Fieldhouse. Where I was sitting we ere all into this match. The buliding was split with Batista fans vs John Cena fans. Batista shows up John Cena in this match by using real wrestling moves. The figure Four leg lock, he's also been using Goldberg's Jackhammer as of late. 2 Batista bombs puts away John Cena. Great Match.

Undertaker vs. Edge

Seeing a Hell in a Cell match live is really cool especially when its Edge and the undertaker. No blood really but the action makes up for that. The used tables ladders and chairs, the broke out the cell, and Edge went through the ring. Very well done, a great return for Taker


Overall I was very pleased with Summerslam, especially being there live. A definite buy if you collect WWE DVDs.