Welcome one and all to my preview blog for "WWE Summerslam 2017" which takes place this Sunday. This is a stacked card to say the least as it is one of only 4 live specials that feature both "RAW" and "Smackdown Live" superstars. There are quite a few talking points so if you have anything to add or feel like leaving me a comment leave it in the section below the post. Apart from the two matches confirmed for the kick off show'll talk about them in no particular order.
1.Smackdown Live Tag Team Championship: The New Day (C) Vs. The Usos: This match has been the saving grace for the "Smackdown Live" tag team division, which is a shame really as there are some great teams within the division. "The New Day" have been a little bit mediocre since their move over to the "Blue Brand" a few months ago and the championships have been thrust on them without much thought. The Uso's have been a pretty entertaining part of "Smackdown Live" but, were given little to no exposure with the tag team championships and thus were part of a forgettable run with the gold. This match should be entertaining enough with "The New Day" coming out on top.
2.The Hardy Boyz And Jason Jordan Vs. The Miz and The Miztorage: This has been nothing short of a hastily thrown together match in order for "RAW" mid card talent being given a spot on the card. The whole Jason Jordan being Kurt Angle's "Son" debacle has been a bit of a damp squib to say the least. The whole angle came out of nowhere and whilst Jordan deserves the exposure he could have been given so much better. The Hardy Boyz seem to be sitting around for better weather with the "Broken" or "Awoken" characters being on the verge of being introduced. The Miz and his group have been entertaining enough to watch as The Miz is an un likeable heel through and through. This should be a bit of a filler match with The Miz and Miztorage coming out on top.
3. Cruiserweight Championship: Akira Tozawa (C) Vs. Neville: Another live special and yet again the cruiserweight division are left to fend for themselves on the pre show which, is a real shame as this feud has been one of the best since the launch of "205 Live". Neville has had a hell of a run since coming back from injury last October and has done a great job in pushing the faltering division. Akira Tozawa has been given a real boost by placing him with "The Titus Brand" adding a bit more dimension to his character. This should be a great back and forth match between the top competitors of "205 Live". I can't see what merit there would be in giving Neville the championship back so I think Tozawa may retain.
4. Smackdown Live Women's Championship: Naomi (C) Vs. Natalya: The women's division on "Smackdown Live" took a bit of a hit when Alexa Bliss was moved over to "RAW" however Charlotte should have proved to be more than a worthy replacement however, this hasn't been the case. Instead the women's division has been pushed to the side and forgotten whilst a mediocre title match between made between the under appreciated Naomi and Natalya. I feel that this match should have really been on the pre show but, I think this may be on the main card as a cash in by Carmella may take place. I expect Naomi to win clean.
5. The Big Show Vs. Big Cass: This has been a bone of contention amongst the "WWE Universe" of late. Splitting up Enzo and Cass was probably for the best as they were lost amongst the shuffle on "RAW" and if rumour is to be believed both are not really held in high regard. This should be a good enough match to hold the attention of the fans for about 5 mins and I expect Enzo will probably cost Big Show the match by getting himself involved.
6. Randy Orton Vs. Rusev: This is another case of a hastily planned match in order to have talent on the card. There has been little in the way of a story line between these two but, if I had to choose a winner I would be tempted to say Randy Orton just, well just because.
7.Raw Women's Championship: Alexa Bliss Vs. Sasha Banks: This match has been built pretty well over a short amount of time considering the original opponent for Bliss, Bayley, was injured. Alexa has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years and has positioned herself as one of the top heels in the company with relative ease. Sasha is back in the main event picture, where she deserves to be. There seems to be some real life heat between the two which should factor in nicely creating a tense atmosphere throughout this match. I could see Alexa retaining but, I could see Bayley interfering in some way to cost Sasha the match.
8. Finn Balor Vs. Bray Wyatt: This match is an interesting one. The feud between the two has been teased since the "Superstar Shakeup" with Wyatt making his intentions for Balor be known. The feud was almost all but forgotten about until a month or so ago when the two started facing off. I really enjoy watching both of these competitors and their opposing styles. This should be a great match but, with a card so large I fear it may be forgotten about and rushed through. None the less the battle between the "Eater Of Worlds" and "Demon King" should be an interesting watch with Balor coming out on top.
9. John Cena Vs. Baron Corbin: Corbin has been a little unlucky as of late. Becoming only the 3rd person to not cash in his "Money In The Bank" opportunity successfully. This may be a blessing or a curse, time will tell. "Big Match John" seemingly comes and goes between brands now so I can't see this match holding much relevance for a future feud. This will be a great opportunity for Corbin to prove his worth in the main event picture of "Smackdown Live" I would like to see him pick up the win over Cena but, I can't really see Cena lose on what could be his last "Blue Brand" appearance for a while.
10. United States Championship: AJ Styles Vs. Kevin Owens: This match is arguably more anticipated than the main event from "Smackdown Live". I could quite happily watch these two go back and forth over and over for a little while longer and let's face it they're doing great things for the profile of the "United States" championship. This should be a great back and forth between two of the top stars in the "WWE" today. I could see Shane McMahon getting involved in the finish of the match, perhaps costing Owens the match.
11. RAW Tag Team Championships: Cesaro And Sheamus (C) Vs. Dean Ambrose And Seth Rollins: This match is proving a couple of things. Mainly that the main event picture on "RAW" is so over crowded that 4 of the top stars are now taking over the already stellar tag team division. Cesaro and Sheamus have proven to be a great tag team over the past year or so. It is testament to both men that despite there being world class teams like Gallows and Anderson and nostalgia favourites in the Hardy Boyz on the same show they are being trusted to bring the tag division forward. Rollins and Ambrose have been involved in a "Will They ? Won't They ?" story line that has been interesting enough to watch. This should be a fast paced match that will prime the crowd for the double main event nicely. I can't see Rollins and Ambrose winning this time however, I could see further matches between the two teams taking place in the next few months.
12. WWE Championship: Jinder Mahal (C) Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: If you told me a year ago that the main event of "Summerslam 2017" would be Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura I would have thought you had been smoking some funny stuff. None the less this is the match that represents the "Blue Brand" at the top of the card. Jinder Mahal has been OK as a heel champion although I feel there is still something missing. Perhaps the right opponent is what has been missing and Nakamura could prove to be that opponent. The build up for this match has been pretty great with both sides having a decent amount of exposure. This could be a surprise to most fans watching, not expecting a classic. I would like to see Nakamura win clean but, I can't see it just yet.
13. WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (C) Vs. Samoa Joe Vs. Roman Reigns Vs. Braun Strowman: This match has to be the strangest mix of Superstars in recent times. With the exception of Lesnar, all of the men involved in this match have more than earned their place in the main event picture and could be great champions. As much as the "Universe" hates Reigns, and god knows I'm not a fan, I think he has come on leaps and bounds over the past months since laying claim to "The Undertakers" yard. Braun Strowman has surprised me most of all. Starting life as a one dimensional monster is usually a death knell for any push but, he seems to have made it work. Samoa Joe is finally where he deserves to be, in the main event picture. Lesnar is doing a great job being naturally un likeable, with the help of Paul Heyman or course. I really can't figure out what is going to happen in this match as I'm usually proven wrong. I can't see Lesnar going anywhere before "Wrestlemania" next year so I think he might retain.
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