Tonight is the “biggest party of the summer,” SummerSlam. WWE likes to make this as big as, if not bigger than, WrestleMania. To put this into perspective, WrestleMania 32 had 11 scheduled matches, and SummerSlam tonight has 13. Here are my prediction for tonight’s 70-hour long Pay-Per-View.
Sami Zayn & Neville vs. The Dudley Boyz
The Dudley Boyz have not been on the same page as of late, and even though Bubba Ray and D-Von are veterans, I expect this to happen again. Time is ticking down, and Bubba Ray Dudley could use a great run in WWE much like his run as Bully Ray in TNA. Bubba Ray could fill the spot as a top level heel on Raw, but that would leave D-Von with no direction. However they go about it, I expect one of the greatest tag teams of all time to take the loss. Winners: Sami Zayn & Neville
The Usos, The Hype Bros, & American Alpha vs. The Ascension, The Vaudevillains, & Breezango
The brand split just got underway and I already don’t care about SmackDown’s tag team division. American Alpha should be the top team in the division, and every other team (other than perhaps Breezango) needs to prove that they are credible challengers for that top spot. Since this match is overinflated with 12 participants, no one is going to get enough time to convince anyone of anything. The face super team won on SmackDown, and American Alpha’s momentum will probably lead them to a second victory. Winners: The Usos, The Hype Bros, & American Alpha
Becky Lynch, Carmella, & Naomi vs. Natalya, Alexa Bliss & Eva Marie [Mystery Partner]
If this was a week ago, I would have been sure that Natalya, Alexa Bliss, and Eva Marie were going to pick up the victory. However, now that Eva Marie is suspended, that puts that into question. Unless Nattie and Bliss can find a replacement partner (there are no other women on the SmackDown roster, so good luck), they have a huge disadvantage in this match. Winners: Becky Lynch, Carmella, & Naomi
Cesaro vs. Sheamus – Best of Seven Series, Match One
Sometimes in WWE, seeing the same two wrestlers face each other week after week would tire anyone out. However, a best of seven series is the perfect way to prove who truly is better between Sheamus and Cesaro. Over the past month, Cesaro has scored two victories over the Celtic Warrior, so Sheamus needs to come out of the gate strong and as hard-hitting as ever. Winner: Sheamus
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho
Enzo and Cass are in their “backyard,” as Michael Cole calls it, so they have the home field advantage over Owens and Jericho. Unfortunately for the Realest Guys in the Room, that doesn’t mean much in a WWE ring. Owens and Jericho are two of the best, and as great as Enzo and Cass are on the microphone, Jeri-KO beats them in the ring. Winners: Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho
The Miz (c) (w/Maryse) vs. Apollo Crews – Intercontinental Championship
Poor Apollo Crews. Ever since his main roster debut, he has had no direction at all. Even in this Intercontinental Championship match, the biggest match of Crews’s career, just feels like a bunch of nothing. The Miz has been a great heel champion so far, and is a valuable asset for SmackDown, so keeping the belt on him is smart. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson – WWE Tag Team Championship
Big E suffering from “ringpostitis” almost seals the deal in my mind for giving Gallows and Anderson the titles now. The New Day can’t use the numbers game to their advantage like they have to retain the titles for almost a whole year. If there is any team on the Raw roster that can end the New Day’s record-breaking title reign, it’s Gallows and Anderson. Winners, and NEW WWE Tag Team Champion: Gallows & Anderson
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
Rumor has it that John Cena is taking a more laid back schedule after SummerSlam, so this gives Styles an opportunity to capitalize on Cena’s near absence. Also, if Dean Ambrose retains the WWE Championship, it gives Styles the chance to get back in the main event title scene. Winner: AJ Styles
Rusev (c) (w/Lana) vs. Roman Reigns – United States Championship
Rusev is the greatest United States Champion of all time. Well, at least he’s the greatest United States Champion in a long time, neck-and-neck with John Cena’s run last year. Ever since Reigns returned from suspension, he has not been booked as strong as he had been previously. Reigns defeated Rusev in a non-title bout on Raw, but Rusev should pick up the win when his title is on the line. However, this probably won’t be the end of their feud. Winner, and STILL United States Champion: Rusev
Sasha Banks (c) vs. Charlotte – WWE Women’s Championship
Charlotte held the Diva’s/Women’s Championship for way too long, and WWE seems to realize that The Boss is one of their most popular Superstars in the entire company. Considering Banks just won the belt on Raw a few weeks ago, her title reign is just starting. Winner, and STILL Women’s Champion: Sasha Banks
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler – WWE Championship
This is Dolph Ziggler’s chance to shine and finally silence critics who say that he can’t get the job done. However, he probably won’t unless WWE is ready to surprise the “Universe.” Ziggler will go out and possibly put on one of the best matches in his career, but it’s almost guaranteed that he is going to get hit by Dirty Deeds at the end. Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: Dean Ambrose
Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
Both Orton and Lesnar are returning from long stints away from WWE. This will be Lesnar’s first match since WrestleMania 32, and before returning to WWE, Lesnar won a UFC fight. Orton was rehabbing a shoulder injury, and returned to weekly in-ring action after Battleground. Since Orton is actually going to be around every week, he could use the win over Lesnar, who epitomizes “part-timer.” Winner: Randy Orton
Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins – WWE Universal Championship
It amazes me that WWE trust Finn Balor enough to start his main roster career in the main event of SummerSlam. Rollins is someone who has been champion for pretty much the last year and a half, and has shown that he should always be lurking around the title picture. While Rollins is the safe bet for the first WWE Universal Champion ever, I am going to make the bold prediction that WWE gives Finn Balor an amazing start by giving him the gold. Winner, and FIRST-EVER WWE Universal Champion: Finn Balor
