WWE SummerSlam 2022: Kurt Angle previews Roman Reigns-Brock Lesnar

Since its inception in 1988, SummerSlam has introduced life to WWE in the summertime. Mockingly, Vince McMahon created the occasion partially in competitors towards Jim Crockett Promotions, which is making a short-lived return this weekend with the Ric Aptitude’s Final Match card. The Aptitude match will run on Sunday night, historically when SummerSlam airs, however this 12 months marks a transfer to Saturday.

Along with a uncommon (however more and more frequent) Saturday displaying, that is additionally the primary time SummerSlam has run in July. The occasion has been dwelling to loads of magic from the golden period of the World Wrestling Federation, with Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth dominating the early years. Bret Hart introduced a distinct degree of wrestling to the present, crafting signature performances towards Curt “Mr. Good” Hennig, “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith and Owen Hart. There was the ugly, with Steve Austin touchdown on his neck in a match towards Owen Hart, in addition to the distinctly unforgettable—like Shawn Michaels’s overreactions to Hulk Hogan’s offense in 2005. There have additionally been loads of nice matches extra lately, together with Sasha Banks–Charlotte Aptitude, in addition to Banks–Alexa Bliss (although Banks, sadly, is not a part of this 12 months’s card). Additionally lacking this summer time is John Cena, who wrestled a fascinating match final 12 months towards Roman Reigns.

This 12 months’s card is headlined by Reigns and Brock Lesnar in a Final Man Standing match, one other iteration of a pairing we now have already witnessed on a number of events. There may be potential that Montez Ford splits from Road Earnings associate Angelo Dawkins, in addition to two essential title matches—Liv Morgan towards Ronda Rousey and a SummerSlam rematch of Bianca Belair towards Becky Lynch.

There are various story strains, each on and off digicam, surrounding this 12 months’s occasion. Let’s check out a number of of them.

Kurt Angle’s tackle Reigns-Lesnar

Kurt Angle will probably be preserving a detailed eye on the SummerSlam fundamental occasion. He has historical past with Lesnar, headlining WrestleMania 19 with him in 2003, and he even stuffed in for Roman Reigns as a part of The Defend at TLC in ’17.

“Two professionals like that, I wish to be sure that they inform a very good story,” Angle says. “Their psychology must be nice. Brock is a type of guys that may wrestle a very long time, however he doesn’t need to as a result of he’s such a badass. However I’m anticipating this match to be lengthy. They’re each unbelievable professionals, and I feel this would be the match of the night time.”

Angle briefly reminisced about his sole newbie wrestling bout towards Lesnar. Although it was actually unsanctioned, Angle was capable of rating, but Lesnar couldn’t of their sparsely attended, must-see, 15-minute bout.

“Brock and I, we don’t speak about that,” Angle says with fun. “It was a fairly tight match. I didn’t dominate. However like I advised you earlier than, there gained’t be a rematch. Brock would annihilate me.”

Angle is the topic of Sunday’s Biography: WWE Legends, highlighting a legendary profession that included profitable an Olympic gold medal in 1996. He defeated Iranian wrestler Abbas Jadidi to seize the gold, although he initially believed he was defeated.

“When the referee was holding our arms, Jadidi pulled up his hand, making me assume I misplaced,” Angle says. “I instantly thought, ‘I’ve to attend one other 4 years.’ In that one second, I used to be crushed. Then the referee raised my hand.”

Following his gold, Angle embarked upon a professional wrestling profession. His most well-known matches came about in WWE, however his best possible work was in TNA/Affect. He additionally wrestled some memorable matches for New Japan Professional-Wrestling, in addition to the indies. However Angle’s hardest opponent has been habit.

“My documentary sends a message about overcoming obstacles,” Angle says. “Even if you’re down, you may pull your self again up. I need individuals to keep in mind that. It’s all about redemption and overcoming habit. Lots of people are going to have the ability to relate.

“For me, I turned obsessive. That’s what coaching did to me. I all the time wished to over-train. I don’t win the gold medal in any other case, however that additionally performed a task in my habit. I’ve all the time wished to be the most effective. I obsessed over that, too. Nothing else would suffice. Studying the best way to flip it down has been essential for me.”

The truth that Angle is a redemption story and never a tragedy is a blessing—and he’s desirous to share his highs and lows.

“I’m very proud that I used to be capable of make it by means of, and so are my spouse and my children,” Angle says. “However I can’t relaxation simple. I’m all the time very strict about my habit so I don’t set myself again.”

Cody Rhodes’s absence

Earlier this month, Cody Rhodes added to his {hardware} assortment when he gained an ESPY for Greatest WWE Second, which celebrated his long-awaited return to the corporate at WrestleMania 38.

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Farbod Esnaashari, who additionally covers the Clippers for FanNation, was on the ESPYs, and he spoke with Rhodes on the crimson carpet for this unique interview detailing his WWE return.

“Once I was negotiating to come back again, I saved listening to individuals say, ‘Don’t you wish to come dwelling? It’s going to be so good to come back dwelling,’” Rhodes stated. “It was a really stirring feeling to listen to that. I had gone away, helped begin a rival wrestling promotion, broke the throne, all this stuff, and I wished to see if the actions met the phrases—and so they did. Not simply that, however WWE followers opened their hearts, and so they’ve liked me. I’m so honored by all of it.”

Rhodes created an enduring, enduring reminiscence final month at Hell in a Cell when he defeated Seth Rollins within the cage. Wrestling with a torn pectoral muscle, Rhodes earned a complete new appreciation for his work.

“The college I educate at, The Nightmare Manufacturing unit, we inform individuals on a regular basis, ‘You’ll all the time wrestle damage, however don’t wrestle injured,’” Rhodes says. “I needed to look them within the face and say I did wrestle very injured. I solely received a number of people say I shouldn’t have executed it. Most individuals who know me know there was no probability I wasn’t wrestling. I wouldn’t suggest it, however we received out of it protected. I feel individuals actually loved the match. Once more, I don’t suggest it, however 10 out of 10 occasions, I’m making the identical name.”

I had the good thing about watching Rhodes win the Ring of Honor title in 2017, in addition to the NWA belt in 2018. Each of these have been emotionally charged moments, with Rhodes forming an intimate reference to the gang. However these moments will probably pale compared if he is ready to attain new heights by profitable the WWE title.

“I’ve been humbled and knocked down by the enterprise, rather a lot,” Rhodes stated. “Coming again was an enormous lift-me-up. We genuinely have unfinished enterprise. To get in there and hopefully get the chip I need, that’s the aim.”

A visit down reminiscence lane

One in all my favourite SummerSlam moments occurred in 1990, when the “Texas Twister” Kerry Von Erich defeated Mr. Good on quick discover to win the intercontinental title.

On the time, I believed Twister can be the following main WWE star. Solely 7 years previous, I used to be unaware of Von Erich’s brilliance previous to WWE in WCCW, however I assumed he would exchange The Final Warrior because the eventual WWE champion.

Clearly, that was not the case—although, a 12 months later, Bret Hart defeated Good for the IC title to ignite an iconic singles profession, finally turning into the face of WWE.

Liv Morgan’s outside-the-ring mission

Liv Morgan deserves greater than a month as a WWE champion, nevertheless it seems Ronda Rousey is poised to regain the SmackDown title at SummerSlam.

If that occurs, will probably be attention-grabbing to see how Morgan is booked after dropping the title. Outdoors of WWE, she is on the cusp of one other breakout second with a task within the upcoming movie The Kill Room, which additionally consists of Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and Maya Hawke.

“It was an unbelievable expertise,” Morgan says.“That was my first time on a set that wasn’t WWE, however I felt at dwelling. I felt so ready. The solid was superior. I can’t anticipate individuals to look at, and I wish to hear what everybody thinks. And shortly there will probably be extra nice information to come back.”

Prone to be launched subsequent 12 months, The Kill Room is a “darkly comedian thriller.” A movie like this might elevate Morgan to new heights, and she or he was ecstatic to be solid.

“It’s so totally different in movie,” Morgan says. “I had a distinct toolbox after going out and wrestling stay. I used to be positively assured on set. My background helped make it very snug and acquainted.”

My SummerSlam predictions

Roman Reigns outlasts Brock Lesnar in a Final Man Standing match; Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey regain, respectively, the Uncooked and SmackDown titles; The Usos defeat the Road Earnings, who’re sure to separate; Pat McAfee seems excellent in a victory towards Glad Corbin; Bobby Lashley pummels Concept in a profitable protection of the U.S. title; Logan Paul wins his singles debut towards The Miz; and Judgment Day prevails towards the Mysterios.

I’ll even be stunned if there isn’t a significant shock or two on the occasion. Brock Lesnar and Becky Lynch made their returns final 12 months, and Bayley and one different shock would assist full the cardboard this Saturday.

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