SummerSlam (2011)
Encyclopedia
SummerSlam was a professional wrestling
pay-per-view
event produced by WWE that took place on August 14, 2011. For the third consecutive year, SummerSlam was held at the Staples Center
in Los Angeles
, California
, and it was the 24th annual SummerSlam
event. Six matches
were originally scheduled for the event, but a seventh was added during the show when Alberto Del Rio cashed in his "Money in the Bank" briefcase and defeated CM Punk
. It was later announced that SummerSlam attracted a sellout crowd of 17,404 fans at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, grossing more than $1 million. This marks the highest grossing SummerSlam ever held at the Staples Center. The event garnered 496,000 pay-per-view buys, up from 350,000 buys the previous year.
involving different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storyline
s that developed on WWE's television programs. Wrestlers portrayed villains
or heroes
as they followed a series of events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.
The main feud
headed into SummerSlam from the SmackDown brand
was between Christian and Randy Orton
, over the former's World Heavyweight Championship
. At Extreme Rules
in May, Christian defeated Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match
to win the vacant World Heavyweight Championship for the first time, only to lose it to Orton on the May 3, 2011 tapings of SmackDown (aired on May 6). After two unsuccessful attempts at regaining the title from Orton at the Over the Limit
and Capitol Punishment
pay-per-views, Christian finally won the championship for the second time at the Money in the Bank
event in July, after he spat in Orton's face, provoking the latter to kick Christian in the groin and get himself disqualified; as per pre-match stipulations enacted by Christian, he won the title. At the July 29, 2011 episode of SmackDown, the new Chief Operating Officer of WWE, Triple H
, officially announced that Christian would defend his World title against Orton in a No Holds Barred match
at SummerSlam.
The main event from the Raw brand for SummerSlam would pit John Cena
against CM Punk
, both vying for the right of being called the "undisputed" WWE Champion
. In the weeks leading to the Money in the Bank pay-per-view in July on Raw, Punk announced the expiry of his WWE contract on the night of the July 17, 2011 event, en route lambasting WWE for failing to promote him as the "best wrestler in the world", and threatened some high authority figures like WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon
, of defeating Cena and leaving the venue
with the WWE Championship. At Money in the Bank, Punk pinned Cena to win the title, and even after McMahon tried to have Alberto Del Rio – who had won the Raw Money in the Bank briefcase
earlier that night – cash in his contract against Punk, the latter nevertheless left the arena with the championship. The following night on Raw, McMahon dismissed Punk's claim to the title, and announced an 8-man tournament
to decide the new WWE Champion. Also, on the same night, Triple H relieved McMahon of his duties, and assumed control over WWE as the Chief Operating Officer. On the July 25, 2011 edition of Raw, Rey Mysterio defeated The Miz in the finals to become the WWE Champion; however, under Triple H's orders, Mysterio defended his title later on the same night against Cena, who beat Mysterio to win the title for a record ninth time. After the match, Punk returned to WWE with his own title belt that he won at Money in the Bank, thereby establishing two WWE Champions. On the August 1 episode of Raw, Triple H announced that Punk would face Cena in a one-on-one match at SummerSlam to crown the new WWE Champion. On August 8, 2011 episode of Raw, Triple H announced he would be the special guest referee for the Undisputed WWE championship match.
The first match of the night was a Six-man tag team match, featuring Kofi Kingston, John Morrison and Rey Mysterio against The Miz, R-Truth and Alberto Del Rio. The match started slowly,but then Morrison and Kigston double teamed Miz. Morrison was then tagged in and nailed Truth with the Flying Chuck. Then Kofi used his aerial attacks on Miz, and hit the Boom Drop and The S.O.S. After a hard neckbreaker to Kofi from Miz, the other team started dominating. But then Mysterio used his aerial techniques to turn the tables and Morrison took out Del Rio, and after a double 619 to Miz and Truth, Kofi took out Miz and finally Mysterio hit a splash from the top rope for the pinfall victory for his team.
Next, Sheamus faced off against Mark Henry. Both the wrestlers attempted to gain momentum, but Henry threw Sheamus out of the ring, threw him back in again and followed up with his series of body splashes. After dodging a second rope slam, Sheamus gained the upper hand, and nailed his powerful clotheslines. After a doubleclothesline both the superstars were down, but then Sheamus hit his top rope shoulder block. He then nailed Henry with a massive Brogue Kick, propelling him out of the ring. But on the outside Henry dominated and slammed Sheamus through the security barricade, breaking it apart. Henry went back into the ring, but Sheamus couldn't get back into the ring by the count of ten. This led to a count out victory for Henry.
The next match features Kelly Kelly defending her Divas Title against Beth Phoenix. Beth dominated most of the match, but Kelly Kelly retained her title after reversing the Glam Slam into a roll up for the victory.
Wade Barrett faced Daniel Bryan in the next match. The match started slowly but then Bryan nailed a series of drop kicks. After that Barrett dominatated with various slams. Then Barrett threw Bryan to the outside, but Daniel hit a flying knee shot from the apron to Barrett's head on the outside. Back into the ring, Bryan hit a missile drop kick, and followed up with a series of kicks to the skull. Barrett kicked out of the pin attemt, but then Bryan locked in the Lebell Lock. Barrett was able to get to the ropes, and after Bryan had failed top rope maneuver, and was thrown onto the ropes, Barrett hit him with a clothesline from the top rope, and finally hit his finisher, the Wasteland, for the pinfall victory.
for the World Heavyweight Championship
in a No Holds Barred match. Christian had Edge return to be in his corner for his title defense against Randy Orton. Edge came down to the ring but was disappointed by the cowardly tactics Christian used to win his second World Heavyweight Championship, berated him and before walking out on him. Orton then came into the ring and the match started. Both the superstars wrestled and Christian hit his aerial attacks. Orton retaliated by hitting a high angle back drop. After some time Christian attempted to escape the arena, leaving the match and going into the crowd with the title. But Orton followed him and they fought in the crowd, and Orton took him back into the ring and hit a series of punches in the corner. But Christian drove Orton shoulder first into the steel post and brought in kendo sticks. Christian then began his assault with the kendo sticks, but after dodging a clothesline Orton attempted a roll up only for a two count. Christian then hit a spinebuster, and Orton was visibly bleeding from the mouth. But after countering Christian's top rope kendo stick attack into a drop kick, Randy hit his backbreaker and gained the upper hand. After some time Orton brought in two tables, setting one on the outside, and taking one in. Then Randy nailed Christian with a superplex in the ring, onto an unopened table, and went for the pin only for a two count. After Orton set the table in the corner, Christian gained the upper hand and attempted a Spear through the table, but Orton countered and again the match spilled on the outside. Then Orton threw Christian on the steel steps, but Christian then Chistian slammed Orton's head on the steps. Then Christian hit a TV monitor right on Randy's head and attempted Orton's finisher, RKO, on the announce table . But the Orton countered, and nailed Christian with the RKO through the announce table. But back into the ring, Christian hit a massive KillSwitch, but the challenger still kicked out at two. After this Christian brought in two chairs, spat on Orton's face, and attempted a con-chair-to, but Orton moved out of the way, and then used the steel chair on him, and after Christian was on the apron, slammed into him with the chair, sending him through the table set up on the outside. Orton then brought in steel steps and metal garbage cans, and back in the ring, countered Christian's clothesline into his scoop slam, sending the Champion through the table set up in the corner. Orton then repeatedly hit the Champion with the kendo sticks, and then nailed Christian with his rope hung DDT, but onto the metal garbage can. But at the corner, Christian hit a kendo stick shot, but as he went for an aerial move, jumping from the turnbuckle, Orton caught him in mid air and blasted him with a thunderous RKO on the steel steps. Following this Orton pinned him, and regained the World Heavyweight Championship
. This started Randy Orton's third WHC reign, and was his ninth World Championship overall.
The main event featured WWE Champion John Cena
vs WWE Champion CM Punk
, to determine the undisputed WWE Champion
. Triple H
served as guest referee. The match started slowly and was much reminiscent of their encounter at Money in the Bank. Both the champions tried to gain the upper hand and started hitting their signature maneuvers. At one point in the match, both the superstars were outside and were unable to answer the ten count, but Triple H brought them back in as he wanted a definitive undisputed Champion. Later, Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment, but Punk kicked out. CM Punk then attempted his finisher, and nailed Cena with the GTS, but Cena kicked out. After a back and forth match, the end came when CM Punk nailed a second GTS, and followed up for a pinfall, but Cena had his leg on the ropes, which should have resulted in a rope break, but Triple H didn't see that, and thus allowed CM Punk to pin Cena. With this CM Punk became the Undisputed WWE Champion.
As Punk celebrated his WWE Championship win, Cena and Triple H left the ring, and Kevin Nash, a long time friend of Triple H then returned, and attacked CM Punk, and laid out the Champion with a Jackknife Powerbomb. This allowed Alberto Del Rio to hurry down to the ring with a referee to take advantage of the chaos, and he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. After a Shining Wizard to the already fallen Champion, Del Rio pinned him to become the WWE Champion, his first title in WWE and his first World Championship. Thus the night ended with Alberto Del Rio winning the WWE Championship (this was declared as Raw's main event).
, WWE promoted the event with its SummerSlam Axxess fan convention
, held at the Nokia Plaza in LA Live on August 13 and August 14. R&B
singer Cee Lo Green performed both "'Bright Lights Bigger City
", the official theme song for the event, and his hit "'Forget You" during the broadcast.
saying that the WWE has put on two straight awesome pay-per-views. The Suns Rob McNichol praised the feud between John Cena
and CM Punk
and also their match, stating that after their huge match at Money in the Bank (2011)
, they could not repeat it, and they don't try to do it, so by the end, it turned a very different bout, he awarded the match a 9.5 out of 10. McNichol also praised the Randy Orton
vs Christian match saying that the two men put on an amazing performance in that No Holds Barred Match, and adding that the match was a return to the attitude era, with great action and a great crowd, he awarded the match a 9.5 out of 10. He also gave a positive review to the Sheamus vs Mark Henry
match saying that the match was better than expected and praised both men's attitudes. Overall, he gave the event 9.5 out of 10.
Note: Alberto Del Rio Cashes in Money In The Bank on CM Punk for the WWE Championship
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
event produced by WWE that took place on August 14, 2011. For the third consecutive year, SummerSlam was held at the Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and it was the 24th annual SummerSlam
SummerSlam
SummerSlam is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in August by professional wrestling promotion WWE. The inaugural SummerSlam took place on August 29, 1988 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and was broadcast via pay-per-view, unlike the Royal Rumble of that...
event. Six matches
Professional wrestling match types
Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of performing art that is professional wrestling....
were originally scheduled for the event, but a seventh was added during the show when Alberto Del Rio cashed in his "Money in the Bank" briefcase and defeated CM Punk
CM Punk
Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion....
. It was later announced that SummerSlam attracted a sellout crowd of 17,404 fans at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, grossing more than $1 million. This marks the highest grossing SummerSlam ever held at the Staples Center. The event garnered 496,000 pay-per-view buys, up from 350,000 buys the previous year.
Background
SummerSlam featured professional wrestling matchesProfessional wrestling match types
Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of performing art that is professional wrestling....
involving different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storyline
Narrative thread
A narrative thread, or plot thread , refers to particular elements and techniques of writing to center the story in the action or experience of characters rather than to relate a matter in a dry 'All knowing' sort of narration...
s that developed on WWE's television programs. Wrestlers portrayed villains
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
or heroes
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
as they followed a series of events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.
The main feud
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
headed into SummerSlam from the SmackDown brand
WWE Brand Extension
WWE, formerly the World Wrestling Federation and World Wrestling Entertainment , currently promotes its core business of professional wrestling through two "brands" named after their two major television shows Raw and SmackDown...
was between Christian and Randy Orton
Randy Orton
Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand...
, over the former's World Heavyweight Championship
World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)
The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand...
. At Extreme Rules
Extreme Rules (2011)
Extreme Rules was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE, which took place on May 1, 2011 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida...
in May, Christian defeated Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match
Ladder match
A ladder match is a type of match in professional wrestling that is most commonly used to describe a match where an item is hung above the ring, and the winner is the contestant who climbs a ladder and retrieves the item...
to win the vacant World Heavyweight Championship for the first time, only to lose it to Orton on the May 3, 2011 tapings of SmackDown (aired on May 6). After two unsuccessful attempts at regaining the title from Orton at the Over the Limit
Over the Limit (2011)
Over the Limit was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE, which took place on May 22, 2011 at the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. It was the second Over the Limit event...
and Capitol Punishment
WWE Capitol Punishment
Capitol Punishment was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE, which took place on June 19, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C....
pay-per-views, Christian finally won the championship for the second time at the Money in the Bank
Money in the Bank (2011)
Money in the Bank was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE, which took place on July 17, 2011 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. It was the second annual Money in the Bank pay-per-view...
event in July, after he spat in Orton's face, provoking the latter to kick Christian in the groin and get himself disqualified; as per pre-match stipulations enacted by Christian, he won the title. At the July 29, 2011 episode of SmackDown, the new Chief Operating Officer of WWE, Triple H
Triple H
Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley...
, officially announced that Christian would defend his World title against Orton in a No Holds Barred match
Hardcore wrestling
Hardcore wrestling is a form of professional wrestling that eschews traditional concepts of match rules in favor of matches that take place in unusual environments, using foreign objects that are not normally permitted...
at SummerSlam.
The main event from the Raw brand for SummerSlam would pit John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
against CM Punk
CM Punk
Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion....
, both vying for the right of being called the "undisputed" WWE Champion
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
. In the weeks leading to the Money in the Bank pay-per-view in July on Raw, Punk announced the expiry of his WWE contract on the night of the July 17, 2011 event, en route lambasting WWE for failing to promote him as the "best wrestler in the world", and threatened some high authority figures like WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
, of defeating Cena and leaving the venue
Allstate Arena
Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and...
with the WWE Championship. At Money in the Bank, Punk pinned Cena to win the title, and even after McMahon tried to have Alberto Del Rio – who had won the Raw Money in the Bank briefcase
Money in the Bank ladder match
The Money in the Bank ladder match is a professional wrestling ladder match held by WWE. The match can feature anywhere from six to ten participants from any WWE brand, with the objective being to retrieve a briefcase that is suspended 20 feet above the ring...
earlier that night – cash in his contract against Punk, the latter nevertheless left the arena with the championship. The following night on Raw, McMahon dismissed Punk's claim to the title, and announced an 8-man tournament
Professional wrestling tournament
On various occasions in professional wrestling a single-elimination tournament of varying match types are held, often to determine a championship or number-one contendership therein...
to decide the new WWE Champion. Also, on the same night, Triple H relieved McMahon of his duties, and assumed control over WWE as the Chief Operating Officer. On the July 25, 2011 edition of Raw, Rey Mysterio defeated The Miz in the finals to become the WWE Champion; however, under Triple H's orders, Mysterio defended his title later on the same night against Cena, who beat Mysterio to win the title for a record ninth time. After the match, Punk returned to WWE with his own title belt that he won at Money in the Bank, thereby establishing two WWE Champions. On the August 1 episode of Raw, Triple H announced that Punk would face Cena in a one-on-one match at SummerSlam to crown the new WWE Champion. On August 8, 2011 episode of Raw, Triple H announced he would be the special guest referee for the Undisputed WWE championship match.
Preliminary matches
| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| Commentator | Michael Cole Michael Cole Michael Sean Coulthard , better known by his ring name Michael Cole, is an American professional wrestling commentator, currently signed to WWE on both its Rawand SmackDown brands. Coulthard is a former news journalist.... |
| Jerry Lawler Jerry Lawler Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional... |
|
| Booker T | |
| Carlos Cabrera Carlos Cabrera Carlos Rodrigo Cabrera is a former newsman and currently employed with WWE, where he is one half of the company's Spanish announce team in which he is the play-by-play announcer. His longtime broadcast partner was the former Ecuadorian professional wrestler Hugo Savinovich, who was the color... |
|
| Marcelo Rodríguez Marcelo Rodriguez Marcelo Antonio Rodríguez Laprea is a Venezuelan actor and professional wrestling announcer currently working for the international Spanish versions of WWE shows Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Superstars, and pay-per-view events alongside Carlos Cabrera as color commentator. Their audio can also be accessed... |
|
| Interviewer | Josh Mathews |
| Ring announcers | Tony Chimel Tony Chimel Anthony "Tony" Chimel is an American professional wrestling ring announcer, currently employed by WWE working as the ring announcer for SmackDown brand.-WWE :... |
| Justin Roberts Justin Roberts Justin Jason Roberts is an American professional wrestling ring announcer, currently working for WWE appearing on its Raw brand.-Career:... |
|
| Ricardo Rodriguez Ricardo Rodriguez (wrestler) Jesús Rodríguez is a Mexican-American professional wrestler and ring announcer, currently signed to WWE, performing on its RAW brand under the ring name Ricardo Rodriguez as Alberto Del Rio's personal ring announcer and occasional wrestler.-Early career:Rodriguez formerly wrestled for promotions... |
|
| Referees | Scott Armstrong |
| Mike Chioda Mike Chioda Michael Joseph "Mike" Chioda, is a senior referee who is currently signed to WWE. While not refereeing, Chioda, as well as the other referees in WWE, help set up the arena before shows, constructing the ring and stage areas.-WWF:... |
|
| Jack Doan Jack Doan John Michael "Jack" Doan is a veteran professional wrestling referee currently signed with WWE.-Career:Doan joined WWE in October 1991 as a truck driver. From there, he took robes from Superstars at ringside, played music at shows, worked as part of the ring crew, and continued to drive the... |
|
| Justin King | |
| Chad Patton | |
| Charles Robinson Charles Robinson (referee) Charles Shane Robinson is an American professional wrestling referee currently signed to WWE.- Beginnings and World Championship Wrestling :... |
The first match of the night was a Six-man tag team match, featuring Kofi Kingston, John Morrison and Rey Mysterio against The Miz, R-Truth and Alberto Del Rio. The match started slowly,but then Morrison and Kigston double teamed Miz. Morrison was then tagged in and nailed Truth with the Flying Chuck. Then Kofi used his aerial attacks on Miz, and hit the Boom Drop and The S.O.S. After a hard neckbreaker to Kofi from Miz, the other team started dominating. But then Mysterio used his aerial techniques to turn the tables and Morrison took out Del Rio, and after a double 619 to Miz and Truth, Kofi took out Miz and finally Mysterio hit a splash from the top rope for the pinfall victory for his team.
Next, Sheamus faced off against Mark Henry. Both the wrestlers attempted to gain momentum, but Henry threw Sheamus out of the ring, threw him back in again and followed up with his series of body splashes. After dodging a second rope slam, Sheamus gained the upper hand, and nailed his powerful clotheslines. After a doubleclothesline both the superstars were down, but then Sheamus hit his top rope shoulder block. He then nailed Henry with a massive Brogue Kick, propelling him out of the ring. But on the outside Henry dominated and slammed Sheamus through the security barricade, breaking it apart. Henry went back into the ring, but Sheamus couldn't get back into the ring by the count of ten. This led to a count out victory for Henry.
The next match features Kelly Kelly defending her Divas Title against Beth Phoenix. Beth dominated most of the match, but Kelly Kelly retained her title after reversing the Glam Slam into a roll up for the victory.
Wade Barrett faced Daniel Bryan in the next match. The match started slowly but then Bryan nailed a series of drop kicks. After that Barrett dominatated with various slams. Then Barrett threw Bryan to the outside, but Daniel hit a flying knee shot from the apron to Barrett's head on the outside. Back into the ring, Bryan hit a missile drop kick, and followed up with a series of kicks to the skull. Barrett kicked out of the pin attemt, but then Bryan locked in the Lebell Lock. Barrett was able to get to the ropes, and after Bryan had failed top rope maneuver, and was thrown onto the ropes, Barrett hit him with a clothesline from the top rope, and finally hit his finisher, the Wasteland, for the pinfall victory.
Main event matches
The SmackDown! main event featured Christian against Randy OrtonRandy Orton
Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand...
for the World Heavyweight Championship
World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)
The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand...
in a No Holds Barred match. Christian had Edge return to be in his corner for his title defense against Randy Orton. Edge came down to the ring but was disappointed by the cowardly tactics Christian used to win his second World Heavyweight Championship, berated him and before walking out on him. Orton then came into the ring and the match started. Both the superstars wrestled and Christian hit his aerial attacks. Orton retaliated by hitting a high angle back drop. After some time Christian attempted to escape the arena, leaving the match and going into the crowd with the title. But Orton followed him and they fought in the crowd, and Orton took him back into the ring and hit a series of punches in the corner. But Christian drove Orton shoulder first into the steel post and brought in kendo sticks. Christian then began his assault with the kendo sticks, but after dodging a clothesline Orton attempted a roll up only for a two count. Christian then hit a spinebuster, and Orton was visibly bleeding from the mouth. But after countering Christian's top rope kendo stick attack into a drop kick, Randy hit his backbreaker and gained the upper hand. After some time Orton brought in two tables, setting one on the outside, and taking one in. Then Randy nailed Christian with a superplex in the ring, onto an unopened table, and went for the pin only for a two count. After Orton set the table in the corner, Christian gained the upper hand and attempted a Spear through the table, but Orton countered and again the match spilled on the outside. Then Orton threw Christian on the steel steps, but Christian then Chistian slammed Orton's head on the steps. Then Christian hit a TV monitor right on Randy's head and attempted Orton's finisher, RKO, on the announce table . But the Orton countered, and nailed Christian with the RKO through the announce table. But back into the ring, Christian hit a massive KillSwitch, but the challenger still kicked out at two. After this Christian brought in two chairs, spat on Orton's face, and attempted a con-chair-to, but Orton moved out of the way, and then used the steel chair on him, and after Christian was on the apron, slammed into him with the chair, sending him through the table set up on the outside. Orton then brought in steel steps and metal garbage cans, and back in the ring, countered Christian's clothesline into his scoop slam, sending the Champion through the table set up in the corner. Orton then repeatedly hit the Champion with the kendo sticks, and then nailed Christian with his rope hung DDT, but onto the metal garbage can. But at the corner, Christian hit a kendo stick shot, but as he went for an aerial move, jumping from the turnbuckle, Orton caught him in mid air and blasted him with a thunderous RKO on the steel steps. Following this Orton pinned him, and regained the World Heavyweight Championship
World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)
The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand...
. This started Randy Orton's third WHC reign, and was his ninth World Championship overall.
The main event featured WWE Champion John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
vs WWE Champion CM Punk
CM Punk
Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion....
, to determine the undisputed WWE Champion
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
. Triple H
Triple H
Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley...
served as guest referee. The match started slowly and was much reminiscent of their encounter at Money in the Bank. Both the champions tried to gain the upper hand and started hitting their signature maneuvers. At one point in the match, both the superstars were outside and were unable to answer the ten count, but Triple H brought them back in as he wanted a definitive undisputed Champion. Later, Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment, but Punk kicked out. CM Punk then attempted his finisher, and nailed Cena with the GTS, but Cena kicked out. After a back and forth match, the end came when CM Punk nailed a second GTS, and followed up for a pinfall, but Cena had his leg on the ropes, which should have resulted in a rope break, but Triple H didn't see that, and thus allowed CM Punk to pin Cena. With this CM Punk became the Undisputed WWE Champion.
As Punk celebrated his WWE Championship win, Cena and Triple H left the ring, and Kevin Nash, a long time friend of Triple H then returned, and attacked CM Punk, and laid out the Champion with a Jackknife Powerbomb. This allowed Alberto Del Rio to hurry down to the ring with a referee to take advantage of the chaos, and he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. After a Shining Wizard to the already fallen Champion, Del Rio pinned him to become the WWE Champion, his first title in WWE and his first World Championship. Thus the night ended with Alberto Del Rio winning the WWE Championship (this was declared as Raw's main event).
Production
Much like the previous year's SummerSlamSummerSlam (2010)
SummerSlam was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , that took place on August 15, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California for the second consecutive year...
, WWE promoted the event with its SummerSlam Axxess fan convention
Fan convention
A fan convention, or con , is an event in which fans of a particular film, television series, comic book, actor, or an entire genre of entertainment such as science fiction or anime and manga, gather to participate and hold programs and other events, and to meet experts, famous personalities, and...
, held at the Nokia Plaza in LA Live on August 13 and August 14. R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer Cee Lo Green performed both "'Bright Lights Bigger City
Bright Lights Bigger City
"Bright Lights Bigger City" is the third single from American soul singer Cee Lo Green's third studio album, The Lady Killer. The song was produced by Ben H. Allen III and Graham Marsh, and written by Cee Lo, Tony Reyes and Ben H. Allen III. The single was released on March 27, 2011, and has so...
", the official theme song for the event, and his hit "'Forget You" during the broadcast.
Reception
Summerslam 2011 received very positive reviews by many critics, with Dave MeltzerDave Meltzer
David A. Meltzer is the editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Sports Illustrated senior writer Frank Deford has praised Meltzer's work, saying that "Meltzer, I believe, is the most accomplished reporter in sports journalism." Meltzer has written for the Oakland Tribune, the Los Angeles...
saying that the WWE has put on two straight awesome pay-per-views. The Suns Rob McNichol praised the feud between John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
and CM Punk
CM Punk
Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion....
and also their match, stating that after their huge match at Money in the Bank (2011)
Money in the Bank (2011)
Money in the Bank was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE, which took place on July 17, 2011 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. It was the second annual Money in the Bank pay-per-view...
, they could not repeat it, and they don't try to do it, so by the end, it turned a very different bout, he awarded the match a 9.5 out of 10. McNichol also praised the Randy Orton
Randy Orton
Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand...
vs Christian match saying that the two men put on an amazing performance in that No Holds Barred Match, and adding that the match was a return to the attitude era, with great action and a great crowd, he awarded the match a 9.5 out of 10. He also gave a positive review to the Sheamus vs Mark Henry
Mark Henry
Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic...
match saying that the match was better than expected and praised both men's attitudes. Overall, he gave the event 9.5 out of 10.
Results
| # | Matches | Stipulations | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark | Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero Vickie Guerrero Vickie Lynn Guerrero is an American professional wrestling personality, manager, shifting authority figure and occasional wrestler. She is the widow of professional wrestler Eddie Guerrero, currently signed to WWE on its Raw brand... ) defeated Alex Riley Alex Riley Alex Riley is a TV and radio presenter.Born and brought up in Sheffield, Riley started performing with the city's Crucible Youth Theatre during which time he originated, and appeared in, dozens of sketches and devised pieces, as well as appearing in a number of plays and farces at the Library... |
Singles Match | N/A |
| 1 | Kofi Kingston Kofi Kingston Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah , is a Ghanaian American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Kofi Kingston. He is currently signed to WWE and works on its Raw brand where he is one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions with Evan Bourne as Air Boom... , John Morrison and Rey Mysterio defeated The Miz, R-Truth Ron Killings Ronald Aaron "Ron" Killings is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand. Since working for the company, he has been a one time United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth and a two time Hardcore Champion under the ring name K-Kwik... and Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez Ricardo Rodriguez (wrestler) Jesús Rodríguez is a Mexican-American professional wrestler and ring announcer, currently signed to WWE, performing on its RAW brand under the ring name Ricardo Rodriguez as Alberto Del Rio's personal ring announcer and occasional wrestler.-Early career:Rodriguez formerly wrestled for promotions... ) |
Six-man tag team match Professional wrestling tag team match types Much like singles matches, tag team professional wrestling matches can and have taken many forms. Just about any singles or melee match type can be adapted to tag teams; for example, hardcore tag team matches are commonplace... |
09:35 |
| 2 | Mark Henry Mark Henry Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic... defeated Sheamus by count out |
Singles match | 09:22 |
| 3 | Kelly Kelly (c) (with Eve Torres Eve Torres Eve Marie Torres is an American dancer, model, and professional wrestler. She is working for WWE on Raw brand. She is a two time WWE Divas Champion.Torres began her career as a model and dancer... ) defeated Beth Phoenix Beth Phoenix Elizabeth Kocianski is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE where she wrestles on the Raw brand under the ring name Beth Phoenix, where she is the reigning WWE Divas Champion.... (with Natalya) |
Singles match for the WWE Divas Championship WWE Divas Championship The WWE Diva's Championship is a unified professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is competed for by WWE Divas. The championship was created by WWE in 2008, and was introduced in storyline by then-SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero as an alternative to Raw's Women's Championship... |
06:33 |
| 4 | Wade Barrett Wade Barrett Wade Barrett is a retired American soccer player. He is currently an assistant coach at Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo-College:... defeated Daniel Bryan Bryan Danielson Bryan Danielson is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he wrestles on its SmackDown brand as Daniel Bryan, and currently holds the SmackDown Money in the Bank briefcase, which enables him to have a World Heavyweight Championship match at any time of his choosing... |
Singles match | 11:47 |
| 5 | Randy Orton Randy Orton Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand... defeated Christian (c) |
No Holds Barred Match for the World Heavyweight Championship World Heavyweight Championship (WWE) The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand... |
23:45 |
| 6 | CM Punk CM Punk Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion.... (c) defeated John Cena John Cena John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand.... (c) |
Title Unification Championship unification Championship unification is the act of combining two or more separate professional wrestling championships into a single title.-History:In professional wrestling, championships may be unified to consolidate the number of championships in a given promotion, or to add legitimacy and prestige to a... match for the both WWE Championships unified into the Undisputed WWE Championship WWE Championship The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963... . Triple H Triple H Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley... served as guest referee. |
24:12 |
| 7 | Alberto Del Rio defeated CM Punk CM Punk Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion.... (c) |
Singles Match for the WWE Championship WWE Championship The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963... |
00:08 |
Note: Alberto Del Rio Cashes in Money In The Bank on CM Punk for the WWE Championship