[2015-08-23-WWF-Summerslam] Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker

[Microstatistics]

Awesome spectacle with tons of memorable moments/spots, great character work, snug strike exchanges and well executed finisher kickouts. The execution of the screwy finish could have been better but I liked the storytelling behind it: Lesnar had surpassed Taker but Taker was the fighting veteran willing to kick you in the dick and cheat to win and that's exactly what happened. ****1/2

[cactus]

This felt as if Undertaker was embarrassed by the shambolic Wrestlemania match and decided to put in a career performance in the rematch. He's all killer, no filler here. This was a total bombfest, which played to Lesnar's strengths. The trash talk here was top-notch. The shady finish wasn't brilliant, but I can forgive them seeing as they were desperate to protect Brock's aura. If you would have told me a week ago that I'd prefer this match over their legendary 2002 Hell In A Cell, I'd call you crazy, but here we are. ★★★★¾

[Chess Knight]

I've watched this twice in the past couple months (having never seen it previously) and thought it was incredible, one of my surprise new favourite matches. I've thought about watching it a third time ever since second seeing it. Taker is as old as 2002 Hulk Hogan here and getting his rib cage splintered on the announce table in that demented F-5 like a junior. Lesnar is covered in blood and drool and looked absolutely five stars waiting for Taker in the ring like the world's most vengeful great white shark. I just wish more than anything that the fist fight, after the double sit up, had both guys taking their gloves off because that would have been another cherry on an already cherry-filled cake. Legit would call this the Undertaker's best match and one of the greatest WWE matches of all time.

[Superstar Sleeze]

Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker - Summerslam 2015

This far surpassed my recollection of this match as I have it on par with the Roman WrestleMania match from the year. Holy fuck, Brock Lesnar is a phenomenal wrestler. I am really interested in seeing how this compares to their 2015 Hell In A Cell. I might have to rewatch their 2002 Hell In A Cell to see what is the best match they have together. 

Big Fight Feel is an understatement. I hate to harp on this point, but ten years later I am struggling to think of a match that felt like this match. This was a true blue heavyweight bout, who is the biggest dog in the yard. It is not an overly choreographed dance routine they are stand and bang and throwing bombs.

Brock Lesnar is the best at setting that tone. The way he bumrushes Takes and he forces Taker to fight through that offense and dump him. That was a fist-pumping shine. The haymakers they were throwing early were great. Brock wrestles him to the ground and Taker just NAILS him with these VICIOUS straight rights on the ground. That shit started them at 5 stars, fuck we need more of that in wrestling pronto. I liked each teasing their finisher because these are heavyweights that dont get paid by the hour. They want the KO victory immediately. Just when it looked like Taker was going to run away with it, Brock dumps with the first suplex (belly to bell) coming out of the corner. The issue with Suplex City was less the multitude in my opinion but the way it was sold. Here I do think it was oversold, but it was a way for Brock to stem the bleeding. It is established as Brock's Ace in the Hole, even if Taker is pouring it on, all it takes is one suplex to turn the tide. In later matches, it was just a way to get a cheap pop. 

I liked after the second suplex, Brock gets cocky with "Suplex City Bitch" and Takes is able to dive into a turnbuckle to knock Brock for a loop and then hit some standard Taker offense (Snake Eyes, Big Boot, Leg drop across the apron) all the while Brock has a nice steady, stream of blook trickling down his face for the remainder of the match. I am not a vampire, but that is the perfect amount of blood for this moment. I loved the counter to Chokeslam. It was the perfect time for Taker to go for the chokeslam, but the way Brock did mid-air and with force was so credible and then BANG~! Suplex. Just like that Brock has that puncher's chance to totally turn a match on a dime because of his raw power and strength. 

The F-5 on the table was a sick spot and ensured the 21st Century crowd would be on their side because they are also delivering highspots. We get a little Cinematic here as Taker rolls back in at a count of 9, but it is good shit. Brock says "Ill Kill You" and Taker says "Youll have to" as he gozzles Brock from his knees and delivers an emphatic Chokeslam. It is always a case by case basis and this one worked. It set up the great Tombstone. 

Now we get to iconic part of the match as Brock sits up after the Tombstone first laughing and Taker does his Zombie Situp and mocks him back with laughter then trade heavy bombs. It was fucking sick! Again it is a case by case basis with a different twosome this could be lame and cringe-inducing but here it is just BADASS!

Brock gets the Kimura in the corner, but Taker counters with Last Ride. This is when the match goes from ***** OMG to MOTYC. Without much transition, Brock gets two F-5s and kick outs. The epic selling starts to take hold and it feels more my turn, your turn as Taker gets Hell's Gate. No real transition between Last Ride and F-5s or the F-5s and Hells Gate hurt the stretch. The counter into the Kimura is also pretty flimsy.

I actually kinda liked the finish upon replay. Taker taps in the view of the timekeeper but not the ref because Lil Naitch is watching Brock's shoulders on the Kimura and Brock is really wriggling to keep his shoulders off the mat. This is the beauty of pro wrestling is the added dimension of the pin that MMA does not have. By forcing the ref to watch the shoulders and Brock to keep his shoulders off the mat, it opens up this dimension as well as making submission holds like the Kimura and Hells Gate and Triangle Choke disadvantageous in pro wrestling. Heyman jumps for joy and into the ring that Brock has one-upped his Mania victory by making Taker tap. Lil Naitch is indignant that the Timekeeper went rogue calling for the bell on his own. Lil Naitch says the match is not over. Taker gives Brock a ballshot! Hells Gate! Brock gives him the Finger and passes out to give Taker the win by TKO. 

Fantastic Heavyweight Slugfest! Just two big uglies throwing haymakers and dropping each other on their heads. Like I said I didnt hate the finish as you needed a little sumthin sumthin to set up the third match because you knew Taker had to go over here to avenge his loss at Mania. If was really the section between Dueling Sit-Ups and the finish that dropped the match from a Top 100 Candidate to just one of the best matches of 2010s. Definitely check it out. **** 1/2