SummerSlam Weekend Extravaganza

The world is in disarray, social unrest and things just don't appear to be getting any better. In trying times like this I sit back and think what can I, ya boy, do to give the people what they want...no what the people need. Ah yes. The people need me out here waxing poetically on professional wrestling! Now I used to give my opinion on every match on the card but sweet lord I don't have 6 months to pontificate so instead I shall give you my five favorite moments from the year in professional wrestling so far. Enjoy jerks!

Honorable Mention: 

*Shingo Takagi and his run through the New Japan Junior Heavyweights.

*Johnny Gargano finally winning the big one.

*The Return of Bray Wyatt as the Fiend. 

5. Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey Headline Wrestlemania 
We are just a few years removed from the era of women either getting no matches on the card or getting extremely demeaning matches and storylines. Flair, Rousey and Lynch closed out the show and what a match it was. The fans clamored for Becky Lynch to win the title and deep into the night she surprise pinned the mainstream favorite Ronda Rousey and became the first woman to win the main event.

4. The Indie Explosion Continues in NXT
As the main shows have called up talent from NXT there has always been the expectation that NXT would see a drop off in quality.

WRONG! Triple H has found ways to convince some of the worlds greatest Independent talent to join the WWE. ACH, Trevor Lee, Keith Lee, Jonah Rock and even managers such as Stokely Hathaway have all made their way to Stamford and just reloaded the yellow and black brand in time for a rumored move to FS1 and a two hour show.

3. The Departure of Dean Ambrose and the Rise of Jon Moxley

When rumors began surfacing that Ambrose was unhappy and on the way out it was pretty widely accepted that he would either go into acting or just take a break and return back to the WWE. WRONG. Hours after his contract was up a trailer promising the return of Jon Moxley was up and return to his violent ways he did. Making a huge return at the AEW show attacking Kenny Omega.

 He followed that up with matches against Joey Janela, winning the US Championship in New Japan Wrestling, and a highly entertaining run in the G1 Tournament. With AEW getting it's own tv show in October the legend of Mox should only grow.

2. Kofi Kingston Finally Winning the WWE Championship

I wrote about this a few months ago.
"So as a black wrestling fan, to see someone so unabashedly black, ascend to the point where he can be the first "one of us" kind of champions means a lot. Someone who has never changed who he was despite the fact he could have gotten to this point in his career much sooner had he done so. And to have it happen so organically just shows that fans are ready to not only believe in but also get behind and support a black champion."

Kofi followed through on that promise and is in the midst of a run that he has deserved for years.

1. Cody VS Dustin Rhodes
My favorite moment of the year has been without a doubt the story told by Cody and Dustin Rhodes. The star on his way out, challenged by his younger brother all in the shadow of their father's legacy. The build to the match was done by excellent video packages and the match they put on was a brutal and bloody affair. The cherry on this storytelling sundae however was the post match promo delivered by Cody which echoed the famous "View Never Changes" promo Dusty gave Dustin before Clash of Champions.



Well there you have it, my favorite moments so far. With Summerslam tonight who knows if I will have to expand this list later.