By Greg Parks, PWTorch columnist

Six of us gathered at T.C. Hooligan's this month for Summerslam, the alleged biggest party of the Summer. Kurt, Doug, Gonzo, Dan and I were the usuals, while Doug's friend Kenny also joined in on the action. He kept quiet and didn't seem to know much of what was going on. Kurt wore his JR's BBQ hat (autographed!) that came with the set of three JR's BBQ Sauces I got him for his birthday last week. Hooligan's was more packed than it has been the last few months, which has to be a good sign after the disastrous buyrate of Fatal Four-Way was made public.

Dan always tries to get someone to go in with him on getting hot wings, but no one bites- I usually settle with medium. He was also disgusted by the realization that Kane was holding the World Title, which he found out on the pre-show.

(1) Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston: Kurt was against the idea of Daniel Bryan being on Team WWE as the discussion about who the replacement for Great Khali would be commenced. I was on the other side. Dan saw shades of Sid when Kofi came high off the top rope. When Nexus interfered, we thought about what would happen if they interfered in all the matches, including the women's match. This was a fine opener. **

(2) Alicia Fox vs. Melina: Melina looked like Tatanka coming out in whatever she was wearing. The wings came during this match, but we still managed to pay attention. Dan thought Fox really hurt her nose at one point, and it did seem that she kept checking on it throughout the contest. Dan got a nasty look from a woman at another table when he said that this match was getting too much time. I was disappointed to learn that Gonzo does not find LayCool entertaining. *1/4

(3) The Straight Edge Society vs. Big Show: I had low expectations for this one, and they were exceeded here. I thought it was a fun match and a good way to incorporate Big Show into the PPV without him and his s-l-o-w offense wearing things down. Kurt remarked that Joseph Mercury, as Matt Striker referred to him, sounded like a car dealership. Dan complained about Cole's love affair with Miz. Little did he know that it'd get worse. **1/4

-I expected a bigger pop for Miz's "yes" declaration, but it was one hell of a promo.

(4) Randy Orton vs. Sheamus: Gonzo suggested Orton grow his hair back out, and I wondered what he'd look like with it at shoulder-length. Gonzo: "Randy Orton is so boring." I do get that sense when he's on offense sometimes. We kept joking about Orton getting mad at Sheamus throughout the match, and it appeared he may have been pissed at the end when the table didn't break. Great Brogue Kick by Sheamus during this one. Surprised Miz didn't come out at the end. **3/4

(5) Kane vs. Rey Mysterio: Everybody in the building was shocked when Taker wasn't in the casket the first time Kane opened it post-match. Big pop at Hooligan's for his appearance, though. **1/2

(6) Team WWE vs. Team Nexus: Gonzo brought up the point of why were Jericho and Edge trying to recruit Miz earlier if Daniel Bryan had already been selected? Did John Cena not tell them? Were they doing it to try to get Miz to accept, then embarrass him by bringing Daniel Bryan out? Good pop for Bryan, too. Who would've thought after watching Season One of NXT that every one of them would be in the Summerslam main event? Kurt and I had that same thought at almost exactly the same time. I was really hating Cole during this match. We also wondered who Cena faces at Night of Champions...a multi-man match with Sheamus and Orton? We were all pretty disgusted at Cena not selling the DDT on the outside long enough at the end. Left a bad taste in our mouths. That's something that should take someone out for a week, not a minute. ***3/4

Middle of the road show with not much in the way of hot in-ring action. Barely a thumbs up thanks to nothing really stinking on the card, and the return of Daniel Bryan and Undertaker making it newsworthy.

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