Since SummerSlam is such a huge show, WWE decided to put 13 matches on the card. That is not an exaggeration; there are two more matches scheduled for SummerSlam than were scheduled for WrestleMania 32 earlier this year.
The Vaudevillains, The Ascension, & Breezango vs. The Hype Bros, The Usos, & American Alpha
This match involves every team in the SmackDown tag team division. Four of these teams (The Ascension, The Vaudevillains, The Hype Bros, and American Alpha) made their names in NXT, and only the Hype Bros went to the main roster without winning the NXT Tag Team Championships. Speaking of the NXT tag titles, many forget that The Ascension holds the record for the longest NXT Tag Team Championship title reign.
This match was made to give “bragging rights” to the winning team, but hopefully they can be competing for something else soon, like a set SmackDown Tag Team Championship titles. SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan confirmed on an episode of Talking Smack that there are titles coming to tag team division. With the SmackDown specific Pay-Per-View Backlash coming up next month, perhaps the championships could be awarded then.
Jason Jordan hits a vicious spear on Simon Gotch, and tags in Chad Gable to follow it up with Grand Amplitude. One of the Usos tags himself in (be honest, you can’t tell them apart either) and hits Gotch with a splash from the top rope, stealing the pin from American Alpha. Even though all four men were on the same team, their celebration after the match was pretty tense. Winners: The Hype Bros, The Usos, & American Alpha
Predicted Winners: The Hype Bros, The Usos, & American Alpha (1/1)
Pre-Show Panel Segment
While the Renee Young led panel previews the matches on tonight’s card, Baron Corbin interrupts and grabs a microphone. Corbin competed against Kalisto and Apollo Crews in a triple threat match several weeks ago, and Crews won to earn an Intercontinental Championship opportunity tonight. Since Kalisto “cost” Corbin the match, Corbin would attack Kalisto week after week in the backstage area. Corbin says that he was supposed to have a match tonight against the former Lucha Dragon, but Kalisto begged and pleaded to stay at home.
The Dudley Boys vs. Sami Zayn & Neville
Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley has not been on the same page over the past few weeks, with them accidentally hitting each other to lose matches. Sami Zayn and Neville, on the other hand, both picked up singles victories last week. Sami Zayn defeated Sheamus (thanks to the help of Cesaro), and Neville defeated the recently re-signed Jinder Mahal.
For the third tag team match in a row, miscommunication costs The Dudley Boys the match. Bubba Ray accidentally clotheslines D-Von, and Zayn takes advantage with the Helluva Kick. Neville then follows it up with the Red Arrow to put the legendary tag team away. Winners: Sami Zayn & Neville
Predicted Winners: Sami Zayn & Neville (2/2)
Cesaro vs. Sheamus – Best of Seven Series (Match One)
Cesaro has defeated Sheamus in two consecutive matches on Monday Night Raw in some of their best matches in a while. Even though their matches were great, they have had chips on their shoulders because they are not at the top level that they believe they should be. This was reflected in the WWE Draft, when both men were drafted way later than they expected to be.
If there are any two Superstars to have a Best of Seven Series, Sheamus and Cesaro are two great picks. They are perhaps the most evenly matched competitors on the roster in terms of both
Cesaro tries to counter a Brogue Kick into a Sharpshooter, but Sheamus pokes Cesaro in the eye. The Celtic Warrior takes advantage, hitting a Brogue Kick on the Swiss Superman to pick up the victory and to start the Best of Seven Series with the advantage. Winner: Sheamus
Best of Seven Series Standings: Cesaro (0) | Sheamus (1)
Predicted Winner: Sheamus (3/3)
