WWE Main Event Review - July 8, 2014

Sheamus blocks a chair shot from Alberto Del Rio.

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

United States Champion Sheamus def. Alberto Del Rio in a Last Man Standing Match

The pre-match verbal exchange did a nice job of setting up the match, but both characters are so stale at the moment that it fell flat by the end. Nevertheless, as stagnant as they both might be at the moment, their in-ring skills haven't wavered whatsoever and they can be depended on for a great match. Yes, we've seen them clash countless times in the past, but they always manage to have excellent matches together due to their strong chemistry. Last Man Standing matches can be tiresome at times, but they made it an entertaining bout that the fans were into it. Viewers never had an incentive to believe that there was a threat of Sheamus losing the title, but I felt like the belt was elevated a bit from being defended in this high profile situation. Sheamus' line about unifying the Intercontinental and United States Championships at Battleground was interesting and I can't say it's out of the question.


Eva Marie, Summer Rae, Rosa Mendes, Natalya and Naomi def. Nikki Bella in a 5-on-1 Handicap Match

When was the last time Rosa received an entrance? That's all that went through my mind during this match. I realize that WWE is trying to further the story of The Authority punishing Nikki by putting her in Handicap matches, but I don't think the fans have a strong enough connection to her to make them feel sympathetic toward her. The match was an absolute train wreck given who was involved and while it didn't last too long, I only wish it could have been shorter. Eva Marie picking up the victory for her team was also a shocker. Why not give it to Summer instead? Cameron came out afterward anyway to further her feud with Naomi, but why wasn't her absence in the match ever explained by the commentators?

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Bret Hart appears on Chris Jericho's 'Highlight Reel.'

Chris Jericho Hosted 'The Highlight Reel' with Bret Hart

It was very cool to see Jericho and Hart in the same ring together in Canada, no less. The crowd obviously took a major liking to both individuals and treated them like the stars that they are. Hart and Jericho said nothing of note, but for Hart to even appear on Main Event felt surreal. It was obvious from the moment that Shawn Michaels' music hit that it was Damien Sandow, but I still found his impersonation to be hilarious. Don't get me wrong, I still despise the impersonation gimmick for Sandow, but his last few have been pretty comical. It was also a treat for those in attendance to see Hart lock in the Sharpshooter on Sandow.


Overall Show

This was a loaded show by Main Event standards with the United States Championship being defended in a Last Man Standing match and Bret Hart appearing on 'The Highlight Reel.' The opener was entertaining, the Divas match was a waste of time and the ending segment was enjoyable for what it was, so it was a mixed bag of a show as a whole. WWE has taken Main Event more seriously since bringing it over to the WWE Network earlier this year, but this episode was especially stacked due to this week being a "free preview week" for the Network. Hopefully the program continues to be properly spotlighted like this in weeks ahead.

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