[2016-08-21-WWE-Summerslam] Sasha Banks vs Charlotte

[Microstatistics]

A match that smoked everything else that happened during that event. Great psychology with the back, the selling was top notch and Charlotte took some brutal bumps along the way. The botched spot was ugly but ironically setup the rest of the match nicely. The Eddie-Rey dynamic was really good with Banks using her wits and speed while Charlotte used her size and strength. ***1/2

[jcmmnx]

Yeah they had a few botches early and a finish the crowd didn't like, but it was easily the best wrestling match on the card.

[DMJ]

Totally concur. The only match on the show I rated above a 3-and-a-half.

 

While I understand the arguments made by some that Banks took too many risks and the match featured too many high spots, I'd argue that the setting was appropriate for such big spots (RAWs and house shows are not) and that, to their credit, the big, risky spots were treated as important and game-changing in a way that not a single thing was in Styles/Cena or Rollins/Balor.

 

Also, I believe that the concerns about Sasha Banks' risky decisions are a little bit misguided and almost misogynistic. Countless male wrestlers have wrestled hurt or taken insane bumps and, for years, were held as bastions of the sport. Just three years ago, John Cena put over Daniel Bryan with an elbow swelled to the size of a grapefruit and needing immediate surgery - his efforts and willingness to do "what was best for business" were praised far and wide. Speaking of Bryan, there are people who want to see him wrestle again despite the fact that it could lead to permanent brain damage. Mick Foley became a beloved figure almost entirely based on a reputation for mutilating his own body for the fans. Ditto for Jeff Hardy.

 

You can hate the risks that Sasha and Charlotte took, you can call them stupid, but they paid off and Banks and Charlotte both came out of that match as even bigger stars than before.

[donsem43]

This match was laid out really well. It did a good job of chaining the spots together although you get the feeling of them working out the steps in their heads at times. Charlotte work on Sasha's back leading up to her Die Hard Kansai attempt was a highlight. The match did lack a sense of drama that the first Sasha win had and a rollup finish didn't help. Overall, it was a pretty good match but nothing that you need to go out of your way to see compare to what else these two have done. ***3/4

[Jordan]

Agreed on this being the best thing on the show. Botch is ugly but as had been said worked for the match anyway and it seemed working on the back was the plan anyway. I actually enjoy that their matches, even outside of the botches have this sort of uncooperative and reckless nature to them from strikes to how they set up stuff and on execution. Some of that is probably them being overambitious with their ideas but it at least makes it seem like they actually dislike each other. Street fight was the same way.

[ShittyLittleBoots]

There's the infamous big turnbuckle backbreaker botch, and holy hell did it look & feel dangerous, but honestly? It kinda added to the match. Or at least it didn't take anything away from my enjoyment of it. Charlotte's attack was fully focused on the back afterwards, and it's really good stuff + Sasha sold that onslaught wonderfully. It had some big time Eddie vs. Rey vibes, and it's a dynamic that works fantastically with Charlotte & Sasha. Charlotte's work on top was indeed really good as implied, and Sasha's babyface work was simply pretty darn great throughout - that moment where she counters Charlotte's top rope big move attempt into that hurricanrana was superb in particular. Awesome match. ***3/4