The main event of the WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view (PPV) that went down tonight (Sun., Aug. 18, 2013) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, featured WWE Champion John Cena putting his title on the line against the hottest star in the industry right now, at least based on crowd reactions, Daniel Bryan.
Triple H presided over the proceedings as special guest referee.
The crowd was firmly behind Bryan early, and he responded by putting on a clinic in the style that made him such a darling on the independent scene and had so many fans calling for his rise to the top of the industry. Cena responded by trying to match him move-for-move, though it was clear he was limited by his elbow injury.
It was impossible to miss with the thick pad on his elbow.
The match was back-and-forth, with a lot of reversals and near falls and false finishes. They built towards a big spot where both men started slapping each other, Japan style. Then, Bryan got the crowd behind him, hit a running knee, and Cena sold it like he had been shot.
Unbelievably enough, that's the move that got the pinfall.
DANIEL BRYAN IS YOUR NEW WWE CHAMPION.
After, Cena turned him around forcefully, had a talk with him, and shook his hand. Cena also shook Triple H's hand before walking out, not even to his own music. They simply replayed Bryan's music.
Triple H raised his hand, shook it, and then backed out so the confetti could fall all around.
BUT WAIT.
Then, after an uncomfortable amount of time, Randy Orton came down to tease a cash-in. At first, it seemed he would simply back out and allow Bryan to have his moment while reminding him he's lurking in the wings. But Triple H turned heel, grabbing Bryan and hitting him with the Pedigree.
Orton cashed in right after, and won the title within seconds.
Wow.
For complete SummerSlam results and match-by-match coverage of the entire card click here.