It's very easy to criticize professional wrestling these days. The booking and storytelling doesn't always add up in the WWE, but a glance at the SummerSlam card shows that the company may finally be listening to its fans.
Just over two weeks out from the show, which emanates from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Aug. 21, the SummerSlam card is simply stacked.
The WWE Draft and brand extension has apparently put a jolt in the writing and direction of the company and while it's unfortunate this amount of talent won't always share a card together, it undeniably feels as though a special event is coming.
The main event will have a big match feel as Brock Lesnar, arguably the biggest draw in the company, goes up against Randy Orton, who is in many ways the perfect choice as a veteran opponent.
Adding to the intrigue of the match is the perceived stakes that either "RAW" will get a win via "The Beast," or "SmackDown Live" will earn a victory via "The Viper."
While it's likely the first of many inter-promotional matches going forward here in the post-extension New Era, there is a lot riding on the outcome of Lesnar and Orton from a brand standpoint -- which can only be a good thing.
Looking at the two World Championship matches, the WWE is also in a win-win situation as most fans would be happy with seeing any of the four men booked for those big bouts walk out of Brooklyn with the gold.
On "RAW," you have Seth Rollins, who is arguably the most popular heel on the roster, going up against Finn Balor, a star who has more than paid his dues and who fans rallied behind in NXT.
Balor is finally getting his big break on the main roster and the WWE is wasting little time in pushing him to the forefront of "RAW" as he'll main event his first pay-per-view for the Universal Championship. This match should be absolutely mind-blowing.
Over on "SmackDown Live," perpetual underdog Dean Ambrose holds the WWE Championship, a fact that still remains surreal nearly two months after he won the belt. His opponent at "The Biggest Event of the Summer" will be Dolph Ziggler, another perennial underdog whom fans have pined to see get pushed for years.
While some fans actually complained about the Ziggler choice for unknown reasons after spending years bitching about him being lost in the shuffle, that match will undoubtedly be a show-stealer among many shower-stealers come Aug. 21.
This card is shaping up to be so good, in fact, that a potential Match of the Year candidate between John Cena and AJ Styles almost feels like an afterthought. There are no titles attached and no titles needed. It's two of the very best in the industry going head-to-head on one of the grandest stages in the WWE.
Over in the women's division, the WWE finally listened to the majority of its fans and started pushing Sasha Banks, shockingly crowning her as its Women's Champion on "RAW" two weeks ago. She'll go up against Charlotte in what will be an immensely important match for the division.
The WWE has taken strides in making the women's matches and storylines more compelling and thus far has received mixed results. Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch stole the show at WrestleMania 32, but it was followed by disjointed storylines and a complete absence of Banks.
Now, Charlotte and Banks have a chance to captivate the WWE Universe like "The Boss" did with Bayley last year in this very same arena at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn.
The Intercontinental Championship bout between Apollo Crews and The Miz likely won't live up to classics of SummerSlam's past such as Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect in 1991, "The Hitman" vs. British Bulldog in 1992 or even Triple H vs. The Rock in a Ladder Match in 1998, but it should be entertaining enough.
Only six matches have been announced for the card thus far, so there are still likely plenty more bouts to go, but the card is shaping up nicely.
At least on paper, SummerSlam 2016 looks like it could be a classic that rivals the likes of 2002's tremendous event -- which also took place in New York.
Now, it's just up to the talent and, perhaps even more importantly, the creative team to get the job done.
