RYBACK (C) VS. BIG SHOW VS. THE MIZ

Rybac won an Elimination Chamber match at the namesake event at the end of May. Big Show and The Miz started feuding, dragging him and the title into the mix. This match was originally scheduled for Battleground in June but Ryback was injured so it was postponed and rescheduled for tonight. John “Bradshaw” Layfield, Jerry “The King” Lawler and Michael Cole are on commentary. We see Ryback's return from injury 2 weeks ago on Raw, interrupting Miz TV to attack both of his opponents tonight.

The Big Show enters first, it's been I think 10 years and I still can't get used to Big Show's weight being under 500lbs. JBL makes some movie star references during Miz's entrance. Ryback enters and this was during his “Feed Me More” schtick. I actually quite enjoyed that. The Intercontinental championship is Ryback's first title in WWE.

RYBACK (C) VS. THE MIZ VS. BIG SHOW

(WWE Intercontinental Championship)

WWE Summerslam 2015 (23^rd August 2015)

The Big Show and Ryback go straight for each other at the bell, with Miz ducking out of the ring. Ryback uses shoulder blocks in the corner but Big Show counters the irish whip and drops him with an overhand chop. Big Show stands on Ryback using the bottom rope as a catapult to smash Ryback's face into the apron and The Miz takes a cheap shot. Ryback chases him around ringside forcing The Miz to meet Big Show in the ring. Big Show goozles them both, but they get out of it with a kick to the gut. Ryback and Miz fail to suplex Show, so he takes them both over. The Miz goes back to his place at ringside. Big Show somersaults from the middle rope and The Miz tries to take advantage, getting a nearfall. The Big Show throws Miz into the corner and hits an overhand chop as Ryback is on his feet in the corner. Big Show does his 70% speed Undertaker impression hitting both with a corner clothesline, Ryback takes a running hip attack in the corner but a chop block takes out Big Show's knee. Ryback catches Miz from the middle rope and slams him down, covering for 2.

Ryback goes to the top rope, just to outdo his opponents, hitting a splash on The Miz. Big Show chokeslams him on Miz, so Miz rolls out of the ring to safety. Big Show gets a nearfall. Ryback ducks the Big Right Hand and hits a spinebuster, followed by a running splash. He sets up for the meathook but gets goozled. Ryback kicks Big Show in the gut, causing the release and hits a Samoan drop (they called it a Shellshock) and The Miz sneaks in with a Skull Crushing Finale on the champion for a nearfall. The fans really bit on that one. Miz covers Ryback and Big Show one after the other but they keep kicking out. The Miz shows his frustration, as does Ryback who gets to his feet and calls Miz stupid. He sets up for a proper Shellshock but walks into the Knockout Punch by Big Show. Big Show covers but it's interrupted by The Miz, who covers Ryback straight after. Big Show effortlessly shoves The Miz away from Ryback, Miz fights off a chokeslam attempt but runs into a Knockout Punch. Ryback clotheslines Big Show out of the ring and covers The Miz to retain his title.

WINNER: RYBACK (STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion)

This was a decent triple threat match. The Miz knew he had to take any opportunity he got whilst letting Ryback and Big Show wear each other out. He was caught out every time and brought into the match enough that he wasn't an afterthought. The pinning attempts sequence by Miz was something I don't remember seeing often, if ever and Ryback was able to take advantage of the stipulation to retain. It also gave an out to both challengers for a rematch. [**] 4.25/10.

After the match, we get highlights before Ryback leaves with his title.

Jon Stewart is in the back, ready to confront Brock Lesnar about breaking The Undertaker's winning streak at Wrestlemania XXX the previous year. He instead runs into Paul Heyman, who doesn't let him see Lesnar. Jon Stewart shows what a mark he is, saying that people remember The Streak, but not the guy that ended it. Comparing it to Joe DiMaggio's streak, which a quick google search shows me was broken by Kenny Keltner of the Cleveland Indians. I'm sure there are a few diehard baseball and Indian fans know that especially since he was the third baseman, not a pitcher. That concludes any and all knowledge I have on baseball. Stewart asks what Heyman has to say about disappointing every wrestling fan with that win and Heyman simply sings “Glory Glory Brock Lesnar” then says Stewart's here because WWE couldn't get Letterman. That was actually a pretty funny segment and leads into the last match I reviewed from this event (here).