SummerSlam, WWE’s second biggest Pay-Per-View of the year, is just around the corner. In fact, it is a pretty tight corner considering that it is this Sunday. Since the brand split took place right before Battleground, this is the last time before Survivor Series that both rosters will appear on the same program. SummerSlam returns to Brooklyn, NY this year and looks to top last’s year program as well as crown the inaugural WWE Universal Champion.
Sami Zayn & Neville vs. The Dudley Boyz
Fans of Sami Zayn were worried that he wouldn’t be on the card for SummerSlam, and now this match solves that. It doesn’t really do anything else, however. The Dudleys have had some miscommunication issues over the past couple of weeks, including a loss to Neville and Sin Cara. Neville has the Underdog from the Underground as his partner this time, and maybe the Dudleys can get on the same page.
The Usos, The Hype Bros, & American Alpha vs. The Ascension, The Vaudevillains, & Breezango
This match just happened on SmackDown last week, so of course we want to see it again. SmackDown uses the same strategy it is using for the women’s division (see below) by throwing everyone in the division in a huge tag team match.
Becky Lynch, Carmella, & Naomi vs. Natalya, Alexa Bliss & Eva Marie [Mystery Partner]
SmackDown managed to get a pretty decent women’s division in the WWE Draft, and here are all of them. Well, most of them anyway. Eva Marie was just suspended earlier today for violating the Wellness Policy, and no further details have been released. WWE has now billed it as a 2-on-3 handicap match, with Natalya and Alexa Bliss in need of finding a third partner. Will they have the numbers game against them, or will they find a partner to even the odds?
Cesaro vs. Sheamus – Best of Seven Series, Match One
Cesaro and Sheamus faced each other two weeks in a row on Monday Night Raw, and Cesaro came out on top in both affairs. Cesaro’s success would lead him to an impromptu United States Championship match against Rusev, and Sheamus interfered with a Brogue Kick to prevent Cesaro from picking up the gold. Because of the aggression that these two have shown over the past couple of weeks, Mick Foley decided to set up a “Best of Seven” series to prove who is truly the best. The first match in the series takes place in Brooklyn this Sunday.
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho
To start off Raw a couple weeks ago, Chris Jericho ruined Enzo Amore’s moment with Sasha Banks while temporarily aligning himself with Charlotte. After the two pairs competed in a mixed tag team match, Chris Jericho realized that he needed someone to watch his back since Amore had Big Cass to watch his. Since Jimmin Marvinleuder was unavailable, Kevin Owens stepped in to keep an eye out for his fellow Canadian. These two teams have rubbed each other the wrong way and have decided to settle things in the ring. Since this is in Brooklyn, Enzo Amore and Big Cass seem to have home field advantage.
The Miz (c) (w/Maryse) vs. Apollo Crews – Intercontinental Championship
Apollo Crews won a triple threat match against Baron Corbin and Kalisto to earn an Intercontinental Championship match, and The Miz couldn’t care less. The Miz has been purposely calling the challenger “Apollo Creed,” the character in Rocky, to show how little he cares about his opponent. Apollo Crews has a good opportunity to show The Miz that he should not be taken lightly, and to get out of the slum he has been in since his main roster debut.
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson – WWE Tag Team Championship
A few weeks ago, Gallows and Anderson made it clear that they were after the tag titles when Big E came down with a case of “ringpostitis.” The Club members wanted to make sure that this was a 2-on-2 situation, or 3-on-2 if AJ Styles decides to help his buddies out. If there is any team that can end the almost 1 year-long reign of The New Day, it is The Club.
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
Speaking of The Club, AJ Styles wants to make sure that he is better than John Cena and can humble the 15-time world champion. The last time these two squared off, Styles defeated Cena with the help of Gallows and Anderson, but this time he looks to go at it alone. If Cena wins, he proves that he is worthy of his spot in the company, and if Styles wins, he proves that he is ready to take it.
Rusev (c) (w/Lana) vs. Roman Reigns – United States Championship
Rusev was celebrating his wedding with Lana on Monday Night Raw a couple weeks ago when Roman Reigns decided to crash the party. After roasting Rusev, they fought until Lana ended up face first into the wedding cake. Since Reigns ruined everything, he gets a United States Championship match this Sunday. Well, it doesn’t make sense but it’s happening anyway, thanks to Mick Foley. If their match last week is any indication, we could see a new champion when the bell rings.
Sasha Banks (c) vs. Charlotte – WWE Women’s Championship
I have a gut feeling that this is the match that everybody will be talking about when the night is over. Banks defeated Charlotte on Monday Night Raw right after Battleground for the Women’s Championship, and Charlotte has her rematch. One night prior to this match will be Bayley vs. Asuka, which is sure to be one of the best women’s bouts this year. If Charlotte and Sasha Banks look to top them, they are going to have to do one hell of a job.
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler – WWE Championship
SmackDown’s roster after the brand split seemed pretty thin due to the lack of main event stars, but instead it just gave Dolph Ziggler the opportunity to step into the spotlight he belongs in. Ziggler won a Six Pack Challenge to become the #1 Contender to Ambrose’s WWE Championship, and since then the two have been at it arguing whether or not Ziggler still has “it.” If Ziggler defeats Ambrose, he will definitely prove it.
Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
Billed as 15 years in the making, these two WWE veterans somehow have never faced each other. This match has the same appeal as a Shawn Michaels vs. The Rock match would: two of the best in their generation finally squaring off after fans fantasizing about it for so long. Brock Lesnar has dominated WWE since his return (and Paul Heyman does not mind reminding you), but Randy Orton has had constant success since his debut in the early 2000s. Whether it’s Suplex City or Viperville, one of these competitors is going on a trip.
Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins – WWE Universal Championship
This match will probably be the main event of the evening, since it is crowning the first-ever WWE Universal Champion. After splitting the roster, Raw lost the opportunity to have the WWE Championship on their show and they needed a big title to fill its shoes. They should could have brought back the big gold World Heavyweight Championship that was made famous by Ric Flair, but instead they decided to create a new title. With all of the flack that the name has been getting, perhaps it could change by the time the Pay-Per-View starts.
Finn Balor made an incredible debut when he first appeared on the July 25th edition of Monday Night Raw. Balor won a fatal four way match, then defeated Roman Reigns later in the night to earn the opportunity to face Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship (Rollins was just gifted the opportunity by Stephanie McMahon). Rollins didn’t take Balor seriously until last week when the demon side of Finn Balor made its first appearance on the main roster. If Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks isn’t the match of the night, this one is sure to take the cake. The question remains, who will walk out of SummerSlam as the first WWE Universal Champion?
