For the fourth year in a row, SummerSlam is setting up shop in Brooklyn, and while it may be nice to get inside the air-conditioned confines of the Barclays Center for a few hours to escape the August heat, the convergence of the Raw and SmackDown rosters for this show is sure to be red hot. Titles will be defended and scores are sure to be settled at one of WWE’s most important shows of the year.
Lesnar-Reigns IV
Universal Championship Match – Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is stepping into the ring against Brock Lesnar for yet another opportunity at dethroning “the Beast” and claiming the top prize on Monday Night Raw for himself. After defeating Bobby Lashley on Monday Night Raw to be named the #1 contender, Reigns hopes the fourth time will be the charm at knocking off Lesnar, having suffered three defeats earlier this year in such situations. However, the stars may be aligned for Reigns this time out. Lesnar has barely been around WWE not only this year but for the entirety of his title reign as Universal Champion, and it certainly hasn’t done the title nor the Monday Night Raw brand any favors in having their top guy M.I.A. so often. In addition, it’s quite clear he already has one foot back in the Octagon already, looking down the road at a big money fight with Daniel Cormier for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Therefore, it makes no sense at all to keep traveling down this road with the Universal Championship around Lesnar’s waist. But is Roman Reigns the answer to carry the brand forward from this point on?
Prediction: Let’s get a bit creative here and hope some of the unpredictability keeps the fans happy. One possibility is that Paul Heyman, sensing his bank account isn’t as rich as it was when Lesnar was fighting more regularly, turns on “the Beast” and becomes an advocate for his new client Roman Reigns. It gives the WWE Universe the heel turn from Reigns they’ve so desperately been begging for for years now, and it positions Reigns more naturally to be booed by the fans. The other card to potentially play is a Money in the Bank cash-in, with Braun Strowman handing in his briefcase and walking away the new Universal Champion… or what if Strowman loses his briefcase, which I’ll get to in a bit and it’s Kevin Owens cashing in and reclaiming his Universal Championship? Oh, we have some interesting possibilities to consider, and I’m leaning towards Kevin Owens coming out of nowhere to snake himself into the title picture with a whole lot of heat on him for his tactics to get there. But if there is one thing I’m certain of though, it’s that Brock Lesnar will NOT stay Universal Champion.
WWE Championship On The Line
WWE Championship Match – A.J. Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe
It’s been a number of years since A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe stepped into the squared circle to face one another, and I can’t ever say I foresaw them doing it again in one of the main events of SummerSlam with the WWE Championship on the line… but we’re here, and I’m all for it. Samoa Joe has proven repeatedly that he is one of the premiere heels in the wrestling industry – ruthless, cunning and ready to win at all costs – making him a fitting challenger to disrupt “the House that A.J. Styles Built” on SmackDown Live! Samoa Joe has already caught Styles off-guard with a sneak attack before their contract signing in the hopes of softening him up for their match, but, as we’ve seen, Styles is always game to overcome whatever obstacles are put in front of him in order to hold onto his title. This one should be a barnburner with the potential to steal the show.
Prediction: Samoa Joe may be the most dangerous rival Styles has defended the WWE Championship against to date, and their history around the world with one another says we should get nothing short of an outstanding match between the two. Styles has shown time and time again that he belongs in the argument for “Best Wrestler on the Planet,” and Samoa Joe is the complete package of strength, speed and agility. Oh, man… I am super excited for this one to go down. I have a feeling that Styles will retain his championship and this rivalry will heat up a bit more in the coming months, but I wouldn’t be disappointed if Samoa Joe is rewarded for all the hard work he’s put in since signing with WWE and finds his hand raised high with a win at the end of the night. That’d set off Styles’ chase to regain his lost title. Either way, we may be in store for one hell of a feud between them.
Alexa Bliss Is About To Get Rowdy
Raw Women’s Championship Match – Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
There is nothing left to protect Alexa Bliss and her Raw Women’s Championship. At SummerSlam, “the Goddess” has a date with Ronda Rousey, and the “Baddest Woman on the Planet” is coming for revenge. Having had her first opportunity at a WWE Championship disrupted by Alexa Bliss at Money in the Bank, Rousey has had to sit on the sidelines seething while payback sat just out of her reach. But, after being reinstated from a 30-day suspension for putting her hands on Raw GM Kurt Angle, Rousey has another shot, and, if her fierce intensity and laser focus has shown the world anything over the years, it’s that Ronda Rousey will mean business at SummerSlam… and that’s all bad news for Little Miss Bliss.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey is one of, if not the, biggest stars in WWE, which means the natural inclination is to believe she’s going to plow right through Alexa Bliss, making her tap out on the way to her first championship in WWE. But that’d be too easy, don’t you think? I’m eyeing a screwjob ending of some sort that keeps the title around Bliss’ waist with Stephanie McMahon, fresh off her announcement of a female-exclusive PPV named Evolution coming in October, getting involved to amp up her issues with Rousey. That’d push Rousey into the spotlight as an even bigger fan favorite than she already is, setting the stage for a rematch to headline the women’s show in a few short months. Our heroes can’t get everything so easy. They need to beat some adversity at first, so their eventual triumph is that much sweeter when it comes around.
It’s About To Get Personal
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
These two men do not like each other. In fact, dating back to the original NXT competition, where The Miz served as Daniel Bryan’s pro, it’d be fair to say that these two despise, loathe and even hate one another. There is contempt. There is resentment. You name it… and The Miz and Daniel Bryan harbor it for one another. However, things really boiled over on an episode of Talking Smack in 2016, where Daniel Bryan criticized the then-Intercontinental Champion for his “soft” approach in the ring. The Miz then launched into a tirade against Bryan, turning things personal on Bryan at a time when he was not cleared to compete in the ring due to his concussion history. But here we are… with Daniel Bryan out of retirement and an active member of the WWE roster and on a collision course with The Miz at SummerSlam. Get ready for an explosive match between these two, as each would love to make the other shut their mouths, commanding the respect they’ve been denied from their opponent for so long.
Prediction: We’ve been waiting for this match for a very long time, and it’s easily the one I’m most anticipating. Daniel Bryan is a bonafide fan favorite, and it’s been inspiring to see him get another shot at living his dream. That said, The Miz has a lot to prove in this match as, even in Daniel Bryan’s retirement, he’s been dinged for stealing a number of Bryan’s arsenal rather than carving his own path. That’s made The Miz a hated competitor in the squared circle, and the crowd is sure to be behind Bryan in Brooklyn as a result. My heart’s telling me Bryan, as I’d love to see The Miz get some comeuppance for the out-of-bounds words he bombarded Bryan with on that night in 2016… but I’ve got to believe this is a rivalry that’s just heating up. And that’s why my head says The Miz will rob fans of the joy of a Bryan win.
The Money in the Bank Briefcase Is Up For Grabs Again
Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman
Poor Kevin Owens has been destroyed week in and week out by Braun Strowman. He’s seen his rental car overturned at the hands of the Monster. He’s been trapped inside a portable toilet and dumped on his head. He’s been thrown from the top of a steel cage and come crashing down through the announce table below. He’s felt nothing but pain and suffering at the hands of Strowman, which might be enough for anyone else to throw up their hands and just walk away at this point. But no, not Owens. He’s aiming to exact a bit of revenge on Strowman at SummerSlam and make him feel some hurt of his own – by potentially losing his Money in the Bank briefcase as a stipulation of their match. If Owens can somehow pull out a victory from their confrontation, he’ll win Strowman’s briefcase and have the contract for a WWE Championship match whenever he chooses in the future. Few have been able to mount much of a challenge for Strowman in recent history, but with such high stakes, could Owens possibly rise to the occasion?
Prediction: It’s easy to believe that Strowman will hold onto his briefcase, cash it in later in the evening following Lesnar-Reigns to win the Universal Championship and send the WWE Universe home happy from SummerSlam… so this is the perfect spot for me to tell you I don’t believe any of that is going to happen and that Braun Strowman will have his briefcase stolen via this match. Owens has paid some severe penalties at the hands of Strowman over the weeks, and it makes absolutely no sense for that pattern to continue at SummerSlam without Owens getting some sort of retribution to get the heat back on him. By hook or by crook, he’s going to figure out a way to snag a win. He may pay an even bigger price for his disruption of the Universal Title landscape down the road, but at least he’ll be able to notch some kind of victory over Strowman for his troubles and maybe even the Universal Championship to comfort him through such ordeals.
Intercontinental Championship Rematch
Intercontinental Championship Match – Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins has been burning it down since January in WWE, putting on show-stopping match after show-stopping match on his way to an Intercontinental Championship reign earlier this year. However, Dolph Ziggler had something to say about that, capturing the title for the sixth time back in June and then holding onto it with a thrilling Iron Man match victory over Rollins at Extreme Rules. But with Ziggler’s partner in crime Drew McIntyre getting involved in the deciding pinfall there, Rollins is getting another rematch, with the Architect looking to get the prestigious Intercontinental Championship back around his waist.
Prediction: Seth Rollins has been an absolute workhorse for Monday Night Raw with the absence of the Universal Champion and his title on the brand, and so it made perfect sense for Rollins to carry the brand for a bit with the next-best championship in the mix. In fact, I think he probably should still be carrying the Intercontinental Championship for all the effort he’s put in… but I don’t think this is the time he gets the title back. Ziggler has seen his stock rise again since recapturing the title, and he hasn’t been this high up on the radar in years. Ziggler, with the help of McIntyre, is rebuilding his value, and that trend needs to keep going up for the WWE Universe to take Ziggler seriously again and view him as a legitimate champion. A win over Rollins would help continue in that direction. Plus, Rollins doesn’t really need the Intercontinental Championship at this point. Ziggler most definitely does, and so I’m picking him to hold onto the title and keep his good thing going.
SmackDown Women’s Championship Contested In Triple Threat
Triple Threat Match for SmackDown Women’s Championship – Carmella (c) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte
It has been a bit of a journey for Becky Lynch to get back into the title picture on SmackDown Live! After claiming the honor of being the first-ever SmackDown Women’s Champion, Lynch has been a forgotten challenger since being defeated by Alexa Bliss for the title back in December 2016. In fact, many in the WWE Universe wondered if a change of scenery to Monday Night Raw might be in her best interests. But Lynch has persevered and finds herself with a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam after stringing together a number of victories, one of which included a triumph over current titleholder Carmella. And then the Queen returned as Charlotte returned to SmackDown and saved Lynch from a Carmella sneak attack. Beating Carmella in a match later that same evening thrust Charlotte into the #1 contender conversation and turned Lynch’s one-on-one for the title into a Triple Threat.
Prediction: I haven’t made much mention of the actual champion in this match, and it’s for good reason. I don’t believe Mella is going to be money again. Stealing a victory from one opponent may be possible under the perfect circumstances, but against two…? I just don’t see it happening. This just feels like Becky Lynch’s time, and I’d love to see her get the nod here as a fiery babyface champion to once again build the division around. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlotte resorts to her more heelish tendencies to snatch a win from her friend… After all, a Flair can’t help themselves when there is gold on the line.
The Charismatic Enigma Gives Chase To The U.S. Title Again
United States Championship Match – Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
Shinsuke Nakamura is finally a champion in WWE, low-blowing his way to the United States Championship at WWE Extreme Rules with a quick win over Jeff Hardy. However, his reign so far has been overshadowed by the re-emergence of Randy Orton, who has made his presence felt in this burgeoning rivalry between Nakamura and Hardy. Orton has embarrassed Hardy on multiple occasions since his title loss, and Hardy has a score to settle with The Viper. But he needs to focus on the task at hand first, which may be incredibly difficult since one never knows when or where Randy Orton may strike. That makes concentrating on the U.S. Title difficult, made even more so by how dangerous Nakamura can be. Then again, could all this be a part of a greater trap for Nakamura being set by Orton?
Prediction: Mind games are definitely being played against both WWE Superstars in this match. The interesting part of that premise is that it’s someone outside of the match unleashing the chaos. Don’t worry… Orton will be definitely involved in some manner or another during this contest, but I’m picking Nakamura to retain, especially after just finally winning his first title in WWE not long ago. Oh… and a groin shot is certainly going to pop up at some point during this match. There is no doubt in my mind about that.
Drew Gulak Wants The Cruiserweight Championship
WWE Cruiserweight Championship – Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Drew Gulak
The cruiserweight division has undergone wholesale changes since early this year, and Cedric Alexander has been at the heart of it. Being crowned the new WWE Cruiserweight Champion at WrestleMania has been a dream for Alexander, but one doesn’t get to stay atop the mountain on good feelings alone. Alexander has been facing tough challenge after a tough challenge on 205 Live and has managed to walk away from each with the title still around his waist. But are all those miles on his championship road starting to add up? We’ll find out when he takes on Drew Gulak at SummerSlam. Gulak’s tremendous mat wrestling is built to capitalize on an opponent’s weaknesses, and he’s sure to find one in Alexander’s game during their match-up. It’s going to be a matter of if Alexander can up his game for yet another night in order to turn back another focused opponent intent on becoming the new Cruiserweight Champion.
Prediction: Gulak has been one of the most over cruiserweights on the 205 Live roster, and it’d be an acknowledgment of all his hard work to win the title at SummerSlam. But I’m going to ride with Cedric Alexander here. I think one of the best ways to build the reputation and brand of 205 Live is with a steady and reliable champion, capable of exciting the WWE Universe at any moment with a spectacular match. Alexander can deliver on all those fronts while being a strong babyface for everyone else to chase. The title should stay on Alexander.
Finn Bálor Aims To Prove That Size Doesn’t Matter
Finn Bálor vs. Constable Baron Corbin
Since assuming his role as Constable, Baron Corbin has insisted on targeting Finn Bálor for his size, insisting that a little guy has no place in the squared circle when giants such as he exists. However, Bálor has more than held his own against Corbin, earning a victory over the Constable at WWE Extreme Rules. Corbin managed to even the score with a win of his own against Bálor on Monday Night Raw, and so, at SummerSlam, the rubber match between them will take place. Will Bálor slay the giant which stands in front of him at SummerSlam, or will Corbin show the world that bigger is indeed better?
Prediction: Finn Bálor isn’t a former Universal Champion for no reason, and I’m going with the heart and skill of the smaller competitor in this contest. Bálor is just the better all-around Superstar as far as I’m concerned, and, even though Corbin may put up a hell of a fight, I don’t think he’ll be enough to put away the wily veteran Bálor has become.
The New Day Seek Another Tag Team Title Reign
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match – The Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs. The New Day
Since arriving on the scene, hammers in hand, the Bludgeon Brothers have been plowing through whatever tag team has been put in front of them, leading to their big win at WrestleMania which put the SmackDown Tag Team Championship around their collective waists. But, if there is one tag team that knows what it takes to get back to the title level, it’s the New Day, who have already held the SmackDown Tag Titles on two previous occasions. Having just survived two hard-fought matches to win the #1 contender tag team tournament and earn this opportunity, it’ll be interesting to see if the New Day can call upon enough Pancake Power to get beyond the brute force and dominating physicality of Harper and Rowan to call themselves champs once more.
Prediction: We’ve gotten a bit of a break from The New Day being atop the tag division and that’s made me miss their antics. Plus, when the other option is the Bludgeon Brothers, the New Day looks pretty good right about now. I’m obviously not a huge fan of the Bludgeon Brothers, but really… I’m just all about new champions right now. The New Day! The New Day! The New Day!
Some Mixed Tag Action In The Kickoff
Mixed Tag Match: Rusev & Lana vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
It’ll be Rusev Day inside the Barclays Center as the Bulgarian Brute will be teaming up with his long-time associate Lana against the pairing of Andrade Almas and Zelina Vega, who have both been on fire since their call-up to the main roster following a successful run atop NXT. Almas and Vega have registered a few victories over Rusev and Lana in singles matches in recent weeks after interference by another Rusev partner – Aiden English – has backfired on several occasions. Can English get on the same page with Rusev and Lana at SummerSlam, or, for once, just stay out of their business and let them handle the matter at hand?
Prediction: Rusev Day continues to grow in popularity in the WWE Universe, and I’m sure the fans in Brooklyn will be behind Rusev and Lana in this match. However, I believe the sky’s the limit for Almas and Vega on the SmackDown brand, and there are no days of celebration that are going to stand in their way in the quest to further cement themselves as power players. I think English gets involved once more, with it again going awry, perhaps this time being the straw that breaks the camel’s back in his relationship with Lana and Rusev (which would be unfortunate), and I like Andrade and Vega to sneak away with another W.
Raw Tag Titles Defended On The Kickoff
Raw Tag Team Championship Match: The B-Team (c) vs. The Revival
Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel have seen career resurgences since stepping out from the shadow of The Miz, culminating in a surprise tag team championship title reign on Monday Night Raw. Still not taken seriously though, they have had to turn back every pair of challengers that come their way in order to prove they are not a fluke and are legitimate champions. Will a win over The Revival at SummerSlam work towards changing those perceptions? Or is it about time The Revival prove to the WWE Universe what they showed on two separate occasions in NXT – that they are indeed “Top Guys” who rise above the rest of the tag teams on the roster?
Prediction: I love The Revival – always have, always will… and the fact that they’ve been derailed by injuries since being called up to the main roster has been incredibly disappointing. I’ve been waiting for them to get back on track and show everyone why they should be rightfully in the conversation as the Best Tag Team in the World right now… but I don’t know that it’s going to happen at SummerSlam. The B-Team is gaining some momentum after an unlikely ascent in the tag team division, and I think it’d be a mistake to take the titles off them now. It’d only prove the naysayers right that they aren’t real champions. They need solid win after solid win to display that they really belong, and I think The Revival will be sacrificed in Brooklyn to get that message across.
Catch SummerSlam on Sunday, August 19, streaming live at 7pm ET/4pm PT only on WWE Network. For new subscribers only, SummerSlam is free. Sign up at wwenetwork.com.
