Welcome one and all to my preview and predictions blog for the upcoming WWE Network live special, Summerslam. Before you read on I encourage you to check out my post on NXT Takeover:Brooklyn 4 which takes place the night before.
There is a mammoth card for Summerslam this year with something for everyone. Over the years WWE have really tried to push the fact that Summerslam is really one of the biggest events of the year for the company and this year we have a two hour kick off show and a 4 hour show as well. The first 3 matches I will talk about have been announced for the kick off show so that leaves a massive 10 matches for the main card. As always I will be talking about the matches in no particular order.
1. WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander (C) Vs. Drew Gulak: I was so happy when it was announced that 205 Live would have a match featured on Summerslam this year as the championship hasn't been defended on a live special on a while but, as usual the match has been lumped onto the kick off show which is a little disappointing. 205 Live is still struggling along but, has really been great as of late, there simply isn't an audience for it at the moment. Drew Gulak is an incredible heel character that I feel has really been one of the top talents on the show for a very long time and partnering him with The Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher has been a stroke of genius. Cedric Alexander has been a little bit of a damp squib of a champion which is a shame as he's a great worker and is a little bit lost in the shuffle. I expect this to be a great example of how to showcase the talent in this criminally under rated division. I think Drew Gulak may come out on top to usher in a new era on 205 Live.
2. Rusev And Lana Vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas And Zelina Vega: This match has been teased for a few weeks now and as with the first match, it is a shame that it didn't make the main show as I think this will be a great showcase for both Almas and Rusev. That's not to say that both Vega and Lana haven't been performing well. This will be an entertaining enough match that may be the beginning of an entertaining feud between the four and add Aiden English to the mix and this will be a great example of the soap opera style sometimes lost in the reality era of sports entertainment. I think Alamas and Vega will come out with the win thanks to some Aiden English interference.
3. RAW Tag Team Championships: The B Team (C) Vs. The Revival: The 3rd and final match for the kick off show. I feel that given the cryptic nature of Matt Hardy's activity on social media he may be on the verge of retirement but, if he hadn't you have to believe that the Deleters Of Worlds would have been involved in this match too. This should be a great match between two under rated teams within the WWE. As much as I love the whole B Team gimmick and story I can't really see them continuing on with their unbeaten streak, The Revival will pick up the win and begin a much deserved title reign.
4. Daniel Bryan Vs. The Miz: The match that a lot of people have been looking forward to for a very long time is finally happening, and I for one can't wait. The build up for this match has been fantastic and despite the other prominent story lines on Smackdown Live, this one has been the most entertaining. I think that this match would have been more entertaining and would have meant more if the United States Championship was involved in the outcome but, it would have slowed down the story lines involved. This should be a fantastic match with a lot of entertainment factor. I think that The Miz will come out with the win due to some foul play of interference but, will set up these two for a more long term feud.
5. Smackdown Live Tag Team Championship: The Bludgeon Brothers (C) Vs. The New Day: If there is one thing that can be said for Smackdown Live it is that there isn't a shortage of great teams on the roster. The proof of this is that neither The Bar nor Sanity are involved in this match. The New Day continue to be one of, if not, the top teams in the WWE and have maintained a popularity that hasn't been seen in the fickle world we live in. The Bludgeon Brothers have played the role of heel monster team incredibly well for the past number of months and are seemingly unbeatable. This should be a fast paced match with some memorable spots. As much as I would love to see The New Day win the match I think that The Bludgeon Brothers will win to keep their path of destruction on track.
6. MITB Briefcase: Braun Strowman Vs. Kevin Owens: It's been a bit of a up and down year for Kevin Owens, being lost in the shuffle a little bit since his move to RAW. There is so much wasted potential, after all Kevin Owens was Universal Champion for nearly a long period of time and has been easily the most entertaining Universal Champion since the belts inception. Braun Strowman continues to prove himself as one of the most popular superstars on the roster and some feel, myself included he could easily be the face of the RAW brand if he was to cash in his Money In The Bank Case by the end of Summerslam. This should be a great back and forth match between these two. I can't really see what benefit the MITB case would make to Kevin Owens so for that reason Braun Strowman will retain the case.
7. Finn Balor Vs. Baron Corbin: There has been a lot said about both men recently. Some see Balor has been pushed to the back of the pile since his return from injury, there could be something in that but, I think that due to bad timing he's simply lost his place which happens to anyone out for an extended period of time. Baron Corbin is a polarising superstar. Luckily I actually quite like Corbin and his new role as Constable seems to be allowing the audience see a bit more of his character. This should be a fast paced affair with a lot of hard hitting action. As much as I like Balor I think that Corbin will come out on top in some suspect fashion.
8. WWE United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura (C) Vs. Jeff Hardy: The match that took place at Extreme Rules was a rather bizarre affair to say the least. Hardy had a pretty lacklustre run as United States Champion and putting the Championship on Nakamura made some sense but, it's the inclusion of Randy Orton in this feud that confuses me a little. Whilst he seems to have taken issue with Hardy and assisted Nakamura there hasn't been a clear alliance between the two. This should be an entertaining affair but, not really the showcase for either of these men. Randy Orton will become involved costing Hardy the match.
9. Triple Threat Smackdown Live Women's Championship: Carmella (C) Vs. Charlotte Flair Vs. Becky Lynch: Carmella has really surprised a lot of people by holding on to the Women's Championship by any means necessary. Charlotte Flair was out injured for an extended period of time and thrust straight back into the championship scene. This has set up an interesting rivalry between Flair and Becky Lynch that may lead to one of them turning on the other. I for one would love to see a heel Becky Lynch. This should be an interesting enough match but, I think the fighting friends will be of benefit to Carmella who may just retain once again.
10. WWE Championship: AJ Styles (C) Vs. Samoa Joe: If there was any justice in the world this match would be the main event match at the end of the show but, well it's not and we'll be subjected to another Lesnar snore fest instead. This is being heralded as a dream match but, this match has happened a number of different times of the year, does that make it any less exciting ? absolutely not. These two have beaten the hell out of each other in recent weeks with Joe gaining the upper hand on Styles. This should be quite easily the match of the night with a lot of high spots from both men. I would love to see Styles retain but, I think there might be a changing of the guard with this match and Joe may leave New York champion.
11. WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dolph Ziggler (C) Vs. Seth Rollins: The Iron Man match that Ziggler and Rollins had at Extreme Rules was in the main event spot for a reason, it was highly entertaining and proof that the Intercontinental Championship and both of these men deserve the attention. This rematch features the stipulation that Drew McIntyre is in the corner of Dolph Ziggler and the returning Dean Ambrose is in the corner of Seth Rollins and there may be the deciding factor of this match. I think the very obvious outcome of this match is that Ziggler will retain at the assistance of Ambrose turning on his friend Rollins. With that being said this should be an interesting match between two under rated superstars.
12. RAW Women's Championship: Alexa Bliss (C) Ronda Rousey: Ronda Rousey has been thrust into the main event picture extremely quickly and this could prove to be either the making of her as a superstar or the downfall of any push she was in line to get. In my opinion WWE is taking a little bit of a risk putting Rousey into the main event picture this early in this career but, she has proven time and time again she has proven to do well under pressure. Alexa Bliss has taken her rightful place at the top of not only RAW's women's division but, the entire women's division in general. This will be a great match with Bliss in full heel mode on the relatively inexperienced Rousey. I think Bliss will retain.
13. WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (C) Vs. Roman Reigns: OK deep breaths everyone I will remain calm when talking about this match. Lesnar has become even more unlikable and devious, along with the help of Paul Heyman as of late but, the recent spot where Heyman sprayed pepper spray into Reigns eyes was bizarre to say the least. There are numerous rumours at the moment as to the state of Lesnars' WWE career and contract but, nobody knows really what is going to happen come Sunday night. I for one wouldn't be that fussed to see Lesnar go from WWE to UFC much in the same way I wouldn't be too fussed about Lesnar going to UFC as a double champion as long as he retains his championship more. Who knows whats going to happen but, for once, I would like to see Reigns win the championship.
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