SummerSlam 2007: Cena and Orton Saved a Party That Never Really Started

Kane and Finlay open with a basic revenge match built around Kane's taped ribs and Finlay's willingness to attack them. That target gives the match enough logic to survive a slow pace, especially when Finlay uses short strikes and pressure rather than trying to trade power. Kane's comeback is predictable but effective, and the crowd responds once he begins throwing heavier offense. Finlay sneaks in a shillelagh shot to the ribs, yet Kane kicks out and immediately regains control with the Chokeslam. The result is clean enough and the story is coherent, but eight-plus minutes never develop into anything beyond a respectable opener.

Umaga, Carlito, and Mr. Kennedy make efficient use of a short triple threat by centering every alliance around the problem of the champion's size. Kennedy and Carlito cooperate only until an easy pin becomes available, which keeps the match moving and gives Umaga natural openings to destroy both challengers. The champion's athleticism remains the strongest feature, especially when he accelerates into offense that looks impossible for someone his size. Carlito eventually turns on Kennedy, but Umaga recovers before either challenger can steal the title. The Samoan Spike on Kennedy ends the match decisively. It is not deep, but it is energetic and protects the champion exactly as intended.

Rey Mysterio's first match in roughly ten months succeeds because the crowd cares about the return before the wrestlers even need to create drama. Chavo Guerrero wisely attacks with enough aggression to remind everyone why Rey was gone, while Mysterio works cautiously early and gradually increases the speed as his confidence returns. The knee history gives ordinary counters more meaning, and the audience responds every time Rey proves he can still accelerate. Chavo's Gory Bomb creates the strongest near fall before Mysterio reaches the familiar finishing sequence. The 619 and springboard splash give Rey the clean comeback victory. It is not an all-time return match, but it delivers exactly the emotional result the card needs.

The women's battle royal is more roster inventory than meaningful wrestling. Twelve participants enter a seven-minute match, which leaves almost no room for individual stories before eliminations begin stacking up. Beth Phoenix is at least booked consistently as the strongest presence, eliminating multiple opponents and surviving the final exchange with Michelle McCool. That gives the finish a clear purpose because Phoenix earns a future championship opportunity rather than winning through a fluke. The problem is everything before it. Most eliminations arrive without setup, alliances dissolve immediately, and the crowd has little reason to track anyone besides the eventual winner. As a vehicle for Beth, it works; as a pay-per-view match, it barely exists.

John Morrison and CM Punk continue to look like two talented wrestlers still searching for the match that will make their rivalry click. Punk gets the stronger crowd response and creates the more dynamic offense, while Morrison controls with positioning and counters that never become especially threatening. The seven-minute runtime hurts because the match reaches its finishing sequence just as the pace begins to improve. Punk attempts a Frankensteiner, Morrison counters into a pin, and the champion uses the ropes for leverage to steal the victory. The heel finish makes sense, but it also repeats the feeling that this program is postponing its decisive chapter. The match is competent and forgettable in equal measure.

Triple H's return receives one of the loudest reactions of the night, and the match is structured almost entirely around preserving that comeback energy. King Booker gets enough offense to avoid becoming pure enhancement, including the Book End and a few control stretches, but there is never much doubt about the destination. Triple H hits the familiar comeback sequence, survives Booker's brief resistance, and finishes with the Pedigree in under eight minutes. The crowd is happy because the returning star wins, which is the main objective. As a standalone pay-per-view match, however, it is slight and predictable. The spectacle of seeing Triple H again matters more than anything the two men build after the bell.

The Great Khali versus Batista is the card's unmistakable low point because the match exposes every limitation the booking is trying to hide. Khali controls with slow strikes, chops, and holds while Batista spends most of the seven minutes selling without enough movement to create suspense. The challenger finally builds a comeback and appears ready to turn the match, only for Khali to use a steel chair and intentionally get disqualified. That finish preserves the championship but gives the audience neither a satisfying match nor a decisive result. Batista's post-match chair attack produces more energy than the official contest. On SummerSlam, a world-title match this poor and this evasively booked is a major card-level failure.

John Cena and Randy Orton finally give SummerSlam the major match it has been missing. The first half is deliberately slow, with Orton targeting the head and Cena selling the damage in a way that makes every comeback feel more difficult. Once the pace rises, the match becomes excellent. Cena escapes the RKO long enough to threaten the STF, Orton reaches the ropes, and the eventual RKO creates a believable championship near fall. The crowd is split loudly enough that every exchange feels important. Cena eventually catches Orton and lands the Attitude Adjustment for the clean pin. Because the rivalry is still fresh, the result feels like a chapter rather than another repetition.