WWE SummerSlam 2023 is finally here as the promotion returns to Detroit. Now, it is time we score each match and add a little feedback as well.
WWE SummerSlam 2023 Report Card: Grades Are In From Detroit!
MMA Rules Match: Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler
Talk about a strange time for Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler. After a lengthy delay, they won the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Baszler turned on Rousey and the title reign was short-lived. Seeing an MMA style match that was clearly gimmicked sounds, and looks, ridicules; so, it hurts the WWE SummerSlam 2023 grade.
If Rousey is taking time away from WWE, that is not the match to be remembered. UFC does not seem like an option, so she might be back. Grade: C-
SummerSlam Battle Royal
With WWE putting less matches on the premium live events, a battle royal is an easy way to get a large number of the roster booked. Slim Jim was sponsoring the match, but you would not know outside of some logos on the outside.
Unlike most battle royals, this one had plenty of legit contenders. LA Knight was easily the favorite and seeing Omos return was actually a nice sight.
No complaints as the match had some fun moments, even though it felt like a filler. Perhaps, the win for LA Knight will now allow him to enter the main event scene following WWE SummerSlam 2023. Grade: B
WWE Women’s Championship: Asuka vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair; Io Sky Cashes-In Money in the Bank
On SmackDown, the Women’s Championship has three women who all deserve to be champion. Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair have held main roster gold long enough and Asuka deserves to keep the belt.
It looks like WWE had plenty of high-spots planned, but there were big botches and that lowered our WWE SummerSlam 2023 score. Once Bianca Belair seemed to be hurt, I figured it was either legit or a way to bring her to the dark side.
These three superstars showed why they are some of the very best on the roster. I figured Asuka would retain after she sprayed the mist, but Belair is once again champion in what seems like the wrong call.
Great cash-in by Iyo Sky, who is now WWE Women’s Champion and totally deserves it. Grade: B
Ricochet vs. Logan Paul
Since Logan Paul’s brother, Jake Paul, is boxing Nate Diaz in only a few hours, it makes total sense why the match opened the show. Honestly, it was the right call because the bout should be filled with high-risk moves.
This all started back in January, when both created a viral moment during the Men’s Royal Rumble Match. They tried something at Money in the Bank, but that ended being a scary botch.
There were plenty of cool spots, which is what everyone knew would happen. I figured we would see some move to top the Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank spots, but no luck; which affected the WWE SummerSlam 2023 grade. Grade: B+
Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER vs. Drew McIntyre
At WrestleMania 39 GUNTHER defeated Drew McIntyre and Sheamus to retain his Intercontinental Championship. It remains the most difficult challenge of his title reign.
There were questions if McIntyre would return after an unexplained absence. Upon returning, he set his sights directly on GUNTHER.
Before McIntyre retuned, it seemed like GUNTHER would easily surpass The Honky Tonk Man for the longest Intercontinental Championship reign. After a hard-hitting affair, GUNTHER is less than 40 days from history. Grade: A-
Tribal Combat For Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso
Almost three years ago, Roman Reigns began his heel run and he has remained champion for this entire run. His only pinfall loss in that time-span came in a tag team match where Jey Uso pinned Reigns; which brings us to the main event of WWE SummerSlam 2023.
Outside of Cody Rhodes’ run for the title, Jey has the best chances to dethrone his family and became the new tribal chief.
We knew this match would have plenty of emotion and also brutality. The big takeaway, Jimmy Uso turns on his twin brother. Grade: A-
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor
Seven years ago, Finn Balor debuted on he main roster. He pinned Seth Rollins to become the first Universal Campion, but had to vacate the next day due to injury.
The big question heading into this WWE SummerSlam 2023 match was if Damian Priest and his Money In The Bank briefcase would be a factor.
We have been seeing these two battle for months now and they always deliver. Like before, the miscommunication between Priest and Balor cost The Judgement Day more gold. Grade: A-
Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar
Since the night after WrestleMania 39, Cody Rhodes was forced to shift his focus to Brock Lesnar. Cody won at Backlash and Lesnar at Night of Champions.
Hence, the feud would likely end at SummerSlam as both look for new programs. It was not a typical Lesnar match, as he hit more moves than in the past.
After a nonstop beating, Cody was told many times by numerous people to stay down. The match went rather long and it was the best of the three encounters. Lesnar showing respect to Cody after the bell was something special for WWE SummerSlam 2023. Grade: A-
So, did our WWE SummerSlam 2023 grades match what you scored the show?
