How WWE SummerSlam 2018 succeeded at storytelling

WWE Summerslam 2018 saw Roman Reigns being crowned as the new Universal Champion. The event itself had several eye-catching moments that led to fans talking about it endlessly on social media.

Despite its highlights, many people tend to disregard the booking & storytelling from a certain point forward on this show.

Truth be told, nobody was expecting WWE to pull off this year's SummerSlam in the way they did. Expectations going in were moderate, but the Pay-Per-View managed to surprise a considerable portion of the WWE Universe.

In an era where match quality is generally accorded more significance than storytelling, let's look at how WWE SummerSlam 2018 succeeded at the one aspect we are concerned with here, that is, "storytelling"...

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#5 Charlotte Flair Is The New Champion...But This Is Becky's Story All Along

WWE SummerSlam 2018 saw Charlotte Flair being crowned as the new SmackDown Live Women's Champion. Many fans had a specific problem heading into this event- Charlotte Flair.

Why? Well, Charlotte has had her spotlight numerous times before, and this was supposed to be Becky's moment. Therefore, many saw it as Charlotte stealing the spotlight from the Irish Lass Kicker once again.

Personally, I was convinced of the fact that this is Becky's story all along the moment when Charlotte Flair was inserted into the title picture. WWE's portrayal of all events heading into this match clearly showed that they wanted the audience to feel that 'certain uncertainty'.

This uncertainty turns into a reality when Charlotte proves to be the better competitor and becomes the new SmackDown Live Womens' Champion, hence overshadowing Becky Lynch once again.

But then it happens...

Becky Lynch turns on Charlotte Flair. It was a long-time coming. In the end, it all boils down to this- Becky Lynch was booked to come off as a sympathetic character. All of that sympathy would eventually lead us to SummerSlam 2018, where sympathy simply isn't enough to fuel the fire that encourages Becky Lynch to grind & put her body on the line each & every consecutive week.

Charlotte Flair may be the new champion, but she acts as an efficient catalyst to the only story that matters in the end, that is, the story of Becky Lynch's rise to the top...

#4 AJ Styles & Samoa Joe Steal The Show

AJ: I lost my cool. I'm sorry.

Wendy: I know.

AJ: That's not like me...You know I don't break promises.

Wendy: I know.

AJ: It won't happen again, I promise.

Wendy: Okay, it's all right.

AJ: Is it okay? Can I have a hug?

Wendy: I love you.

*The Styles Family embrace & hug each other at the end of the day*

AJ Styles: Let's get out of here...

That transcript above may sound something straight out of a rom-com movie. But no, it is all part of a wrestling angle that made everyone go through a wide range of emotions in a span of about 30 minutes.

Samoa Joe & AJ Styles put one hell of a match. Despite the finish, their match at SummerSlam 2018 probably ranks among the very best matches they've both had during their time in WWE.

Regardless, it's not just the amazing match that makes it so great. Samoa Joe's verbal taunt during their bout left everybody in shock. It also caused AJ to finally snap, and lay one hell of a beating on his opponent.

This web of interconnected moments is what made the sequence pantheon-worthy. AJ Styles is not just a wrestler, the sequence reminds us of the fact that AJ is also a dutiful husband and a father, both at the same time.

As everybody witnessed, the post-match events lead to one of the most heartwarming moments on WWE Television. AJ has unintentionally snapped in front of his daughter, and he is truly sorry for it.

He apologizes to his family, and it's all good at the end of the day. Nevertheless, AJ's bitter rivalry with Samoa Joe has just begun. This was a wholesome set of events that possessed all the elements in one single package.

Who knows what will happen next...

#3 Daniel Bryan Finally Gets His Hands On The Miz...But Some Things Never Change

Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz: A rivalry that has hooked everybody to the core for well over a year. If anybody thought that this match was supposed to seal their rivalry in one night, well they had to be wrong all along.

This match was bound to have a sketchy finish. The bout was moderately paced. The competitors made sure that they were telling a story in the ring instead of just delivering one move after the other like expressionless robots.

And it happened, The Miz won using unfair means. So what? That is what The Miz is supposed to be all about. WWE's way of displaying their feuds lasts over a span of several months, and if The Miz has to win the first match of the series of matches that are about to follow, the A-Lister is more likely to cheat rather than beat his opponent clean.

Daniel Bryan is probably going to win this feud in the end. But Daniel Bryan is the epitome of struggle & this match is the perfect example of why WWE always concentrates on long-term storytelling rather than only short-term fan-pleasing moments.

Honorable mention: They Actually Made Us Care About Finn Balor vs. Constable Corbin...

The Demon is Back! I see many fellow die-hard wrestling fans pointing out the fact that despite The Demon's return, this was nothing more than a squash match.

The question lies: "What else would you want it to be?"

Finn Balor's quick victory shows us why he is a more dominant entity as The Demon when compared to his regular avatar. If Corbin was allowed to work some offense in, then The Demon would be nothing more than Finn Balor coated in some cool artwork.

Therefore, the match was straight to the point, & entertaining (which nobody thought would be true for Balor vs. Corbin at this stage of their feud).

#2 Ronda Rousey Is The New RAW Women's Champion...(And?)

Sure, Ronda Rousey is the new RAW Womens' Champion. Once again, many fans thought that Alexa Bliss should have gotten some offense in.

To some extent, that should have happened. But then again, Alexa Bliss essays the role of a cowardly heel who only relies on cheap tricks to win her matches. Whereas Ronda Rousey is an ex-UFC fighter and an MMA legend who is capable of 'breaking arms' and laying a legitimate beat-down on her opponents.

So yes, when you put them together side-by-side, it makes all the sense for Bliss to get obliterated by the wrecking machine that is 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey. That is what happened at SummerSlam.

Alexa Bliss ran out of tricks, and she paid the price for it.

Instead of opting for fan-service, they decided to make Ronda look way too dominant. Moreover, contrary to popular opinion, I do not think that this hurts Alexa's credibility at all. Because technically, she is a heel, and she got what heels truly deserve, that is, the ultimate thrashing of their lives.

#1 The Beast, The Monster & The Big Dog: The Main-Event

Firstly, Brock Lesnar not appearing on WWE shows was a formality. Then, Brock Lesnar not appearing on WWE shows became a real problem.

Then, after everything, the WWE decided to turn 'Brock Lesnar not appearing on WWE shows' into an angle. An angle which resulted in one of Paul Heyman's best onscreen performances of all time. A part of Lesnar's gimmick, that to some extent pushed the audience support more in Roman's favor.

The people were going to witness a potential train-wreck in the making. So what changed? Well, how about sending Braun Strowman out for a change? The presence of the Monster Among Men kept everybody on their toes.

Adding to that, the buildup towards this match also kept the audience hypothesizing that Mr. Heyman was going to turn on Brock Lesnar at the very last second.

These additional factors, or layers, helped the WWE in achieving the most simple & the most clear-cut goal that they wanted to accomplish since the beginning of this year, that is, to make Roman Reigns your new Universal Champion.

That is what people were expecting, and that is what they got--except for that these additional factors looming around in the background which kept everyone occupied in the situation. Before you know it, Roman Reigns is your new Universal Champion, & nobody really got the time to hijack the entire show.

So, when you look at it: WWE SummerSlam 2018 had some really good, contrasting moments that managed to overshadow some underwhelming sequences.

All in all, WWE SummerSlam 2018 wasn't just about the matches. It was about storytelling too (and a pretty damn good Pay-Per-View at that).