To say that this latest instalment of the WWE’s traditional summer event is stacked would be a gross understatement. Expanding to an epic running time of four hours to accommodate a large number of hotly anticipated matches, this year’s SummerSlam looks set to challenge the excellent WrestleMania for supershow of the year. With so much unpredictability surrounding the majority of the battles, what might happen when it all goes down this Sunday?
Fatal 4-Way match for the Tag Team Championship
The Prime Time Players (c) vs. Los Matadores vs. The Lucha Dragons vs. The New Day
Putting every team into one match has become relatively commonplace in recent years. Sadly the tag team division just isn’t what it once was, but a sudden, yet welcome upswing in quality from the rejuvenated New Day faction has allowed for a degree of hope. Here they are presented with an opportunity to regain the same belts they so oddly lost a couple of months ago, and they don’t have to pin the champions to get them. The New Day to regain their position atop the division, while the popular current champs remain strong despite the loss. Everyone wins...well everyone except The Ascension anyway.
Winners: The New Day
Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev
With Ziggler returning from acting duties and Rusev rebounding from a nasty ankle injury, the two superstars are set to compete on pay-per-view for the first time in seemingly forever. Rusev has struggled to bounce back following a four month programme with John Cena that saw him lose almost all of his hard-earned luster, but a much-needed win here should help get him back on track. Whether you love the fact or not, Dolph Ziggler is the undisputed best when it comes to making monsters look...well like monsters. Expect him to continue that trend here, even with the super popular Lana in his corner.
Winner: Rusev
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
Yes, Orton and Sheamus might be facing off for the billionth time, but it wouldn’t be a WWE event without them, and let’s not forget that their Battleground clash far exceeded expectations. In that ‘initial’ encounter it was Sheamus who tasted defeat; a common booking pattern for a superstar in possession of the Money in the Bank contract. The rematch might not reach the same level of quality that their last match did, but the Irishman should gain revenge against his longtime adversary. ‘The Celtic Warrior’ to win, with perhaps a little assistance from his precious briefcase...
Winner: Sheamus
Stephen Amell & Neville vs. Stardust & King Barrett
Celebrities and SummerSlam frequently go hand-in-hand, and that tradition remains intact. Star of ‘The Arrow’ Stephen Amell turns WWE superstar for the evening as he teams with former NXT champion Neville to take on the temporary teaming of Stardust and King Barrett. The involvement of any high-profile celebrity is always treated as a lucrative PR opportunity for the WWE, so don’t expect the heels to emerge victorious here. A brief, but fun match should see Amell pick up the win for his team, likely pinning Barrett for the count after another spectacular, and aptly named ‘Red Arrow’ from his British tag partner.
Winners: Stephen Amell & Neville
Triple Threat match for the Intercontinental Championship
Ryback © vs. Big Show vs. The Miz
With their originally scheduled match at last month’s Battleground cancelled due to a nasty staph infection suffered by the champion, Ryback will look to finally defend his title against his originally scheduled opponents, Big Show and The Miz. Probably, and deservedly, the least anticipated match of the night, Ryback should retain after a short match that will probably see him pick up the win after a highlight reel ‘Shellshocked’ to his giant rival. 2015 has been terrible for the IC championship so far, but with the US title about to be absorbed, there is still hope for the once-great title.
Winner: Ryback
Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro
A real treat for hardcore audiences, and something to satisfy the typically raucous New York crowd. If allowed the right amount of time this meeting of two of the WWE’s best workhorse performers could very well be a match of the night contender. Fresh off his acclaimed feud with John Cena that helped put him over as a must-see talent in the eyes of the masses, Owens desperately needs to get back to winning ways, especially after dropping two straight matches to Cena and losing the NXT title. Expect a ‘Pop-Up Powerbomb’ to seal the deal for Owens after an extremely competitive bout against the ever reliable ‘Swiss Superman’.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper vs. Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose
A continuation of a feud that has since grown to include Harper and Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt will continue their entertaining feud with a match that could go a number of different ways. Reigns hasn’t tasted victory on PPV since Extreme Rules back in April, so a win for him and Ambrose wouldn’t be surprised considering his standing as one of the company's ‘Golden Boys’. Rumors of an impending Ambrose heel turn however are as rife as they are welcome. His face run hasn’t worked as well as it could have and if the WWE are going to continue to keep Reigns away from the WWE championship, a deep programme with is ‘brother’ makes total sense. Wyatt and Harper to pick up the win, thanks to an “inadvertent” assist from ‘The Lunatic Fringe’.
Winners: Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper
Team Bella vs. Team B.A.D. vs. PCB
The ‘Divas Revolution’ desperately needs a showpiece match. Since its sudden, but welcome beginning last month, these nine women have all traded victories in a number of matches, but despite being afforded additional time on Raw and Smackdown there is still something missing. I’m not sure that the WWE’s go-to booking ploy of stuffing a match with as many participants as possible will work in the match’s favour, but if it’s allowed enough time it could be one of the biggest surprises of the evening. Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch have all looked excellent since making their long-awaited main roster debuts so expect the team featuring the majority of these players to prevail.
Tamina will probably take the first fall, followed by Alicia Fox, ensuring that all of the division’s main players continue to look as strong as possible as this gang war continues.
Winners: PCB
Title for Title - Winner Takes All
Seth Rollins (WWE World Heavyweight Champion) vs. John Cena (US Champion)
After five months of a fairly lackluster title reign, we have finally arrived at crunch time for Seth Rollins. Competing in a singles match with John Cena, Rollins will face his toughest challenge and the end result will likely determine where he stands in the grand scheme of the WWE’s ever evolving future. Both performers have already exhibited excellent chemistry, their triple threat match at the Royal Rumble being the prime example, and their promo work in recent weeks has helped generate the ‘big game’ feel that a match of this magnitude requires. A gruesome nose break to Cena courtesy of the champion helped a little too.
History will not be on Cena’s side. Of his SummerSlam appearances he has a disappointing record of 4-7 with his last victory at the event coming five years ago. Furthermore the recent unveiling of his newest ‘15-time champion’ merchandise could have given a clear indication of the result. It seems highly unlikely that the WWE would release a new range of t-shirts for a superstar who is about to void said t-shirts by becoming a 16-time world champion.
Rollins needs a strong signature win to help turn his first WWE championship title reign around. A victory over the aging, but still credible Cena would be the best way to do this.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker
Returning to avenge his heartbreaking first WrestleMania loss, The Undertaker will compete in his first non-’Mania match in five years as he tackles ‘The Beast’, Brock Lesnar. In his shocking loss almost 16 months ago ‘Taker looked a shell of the man we have watched for almost 25 years. Drawn out, slow and weakened after decades of wear and tear, ‘The Deadman’ surrendered his legendary streak in the most disappointing of fashion. Fast forward back to the present and the veteran is back and amazingly looking better than he has for years. Unfortunately however his ‘resurrection’ shouldn’t come at the expense of one of the greatest runs in recent WWE history.
Snapping The Undertaker’s 21-0 WrestleMania streak elevated Brock Lesnar to a level previously reserved for the likes of John Cena, Stone Cold, Hulk Hogan. Simply put, and to paraphrase the legendary Ric Flair, the win over the man made Lesnar the man, the new phenom of the WWE, its new star attraction.
Having The Undertaker return - even older - to take the win back would undo everything the WWE has accomplished so far with Lesnar, but at the same time it really wouldn’t shock me.
Once again the WWE once again finds itself in a tricky spot, something that is becoming increasingly common with Lesnar’s matches. I think Lesnar will succeed in once again defeating The Undertaker, but ‘The Deadman’ will experience far more success than before. With one final match awaiting him in his Texan homeland next year, perhaps we could see ‘Taker fatally distracted by a certain, and interestingly omitted ‘Icon’?
Winner: Brock Lesnar
WWE PPV Predictions 2015: 28-22
What do you think will happen at SummerSlam? Leave your predictions in the comments section below!
The Prime Time Players (c) vs. Los Matadores vs. The Lucha Dragons vs. The New Day
Putting every team into one match has become relatively commonplace in recent years. Sadly the tag team division just isn’t what it once was, but a sudden, yet welcome upswing in quality from the rejuvenated New Day faction has allowed for a degree of hope. Here they are presented with an opportunity to regain the same belts they so oddly lost a couple of months ago, and they don’t have to pin the champions to get them. The New Day to regain their position atop the division, while the popular current champs remain strong despite the loss. Everyone wins...well everyone except The Ascension anyway.
Winners: The New Day
Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev
With Ziggler returning from acting duties and Rusev rebounding from a nasty ankle injury, the two superstars are set to compete on pay-per-view for the first time in seemingly forever. Rusev has struggled to bounce back following a four month programme with John Cena that saw him lose almost all of his hard-earned luster, but a much-needed win here should help get him back on track. Whether you love the fact or not, Dolph Ziggler is the undisputed best when it comes to making monsters look...well like monsters. Expect him to continue that trend here, even with the super popular Lana in his corner.
Winner: Rusev
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
Yes, Orton and Sheamus might be facing off for the billionth time, but it wouldn’t be a WWE event without them, and let’s not forget that their Battleground clash far exceeded expectations. In that ‘initial’ encounter it was Sheamus who tasted defeat; a common booking pattern for a superstar in possession of the Money in the Bank contract. The rematch might not reach the same level of quality that their last match did, but the Irishman should gain revenge against his longtime adversary. ‘The Celtic Warrior’ to win, with perhaps a little assistance from his precious briefcase...
Winner: Sheamus
Stephen Amell & Neville vs. Stardust & King Barrett
Celebrities and SummerSlam frequently go hand-in-hand, and that tradition remains intact. Star of ‘The Arrow’ Stephen Amell turns WWE superstar for the evening as he teams with former NXT champion Neville to take on the temporary teaming of Stardust and King Barrett. The involvement of any high-profile celebrity is always treated as a lucrative PR opportunity for the WWE, so don’t expect the heels to emerge victorious here. A brief, but fun match should see Amell pick up the win for his team, likely pinning Barrett for the count after another spectacular, and aptly named ‘Red Arrow’ from his British tag partner.
Winners: Stephen Amell & Neville
Triple Threat match for the Intercontinental Championship
Ryback © vs. Big Show vs. The Miz
With their originally scheduled match at last month’s Battleground cancelled due to a nasty staph infection suffered by the champion, Ryback will look to finally defend his title against his originally scheduled opponents, Big Show and The Miz. Probably, and deservedly, the least anticipated match of the night, Ryback should retain after a short match that will probably see him pick up the win after a highlight reel ‘Shellshocked’ to his giant rival. 2015 has been terrible for the IC championship so far, but with the US title about to be absorbed, there is still hope for the once-great title.
Winner: Ryback
Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro
A real treat for hardcore audiences, and something to satisfy the typically raucous New York crowd. If allowed the right amount of time this meeting of two of the WWE’s best workhorse performers could very well be a match of the night contender. Fresh off his acclaimed feud with John Cena that helped put him over as a must-see talent in the eyes of the masses, Owens desperately needs to get back to winning ways, especially after dropping two straight matches to Cena and losing the NXT title. Expect a ‘Pop-Up Powerbomb’ to seal the deal for Owens after an extremely competitive bout against the ever reliable ‘Swiss Superman’.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper vs. Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose
A continuation of a feud that has since grown to include Harper and Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt will continue their entertaining feud with a match that could go a number of different ways. Reigns hasn’t tasted victory on PPV since Extreme Rules back in April, so a win for him and Ambrose wouldn’t be surprised considering his standing as one of the company's ‘Golden Boys’. Rumors of an impending Ambrose heel turn however are as rife as they are welcome. His face run hasn’t worked as well as it could have and if the WWE are going to continue to keep Reigns away from the WWE championship, a deep programme with is ‘brother’ makes total sense. Wyatt and Harper to pick up the win, thanks to an “inadvertent” assist from ‘The Lunatic Fringe’.
Winners: Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper
Team Bella vs. Team B.A.D. vs. PCB
The ‘Divas Revolution’ desperately needs a showpiece match. Since its sudden, but welcome beginning last month, these nine women have all traded victories in a number of matches, but despite being afforded additional time on Raw and Smackdown there is still something missing. I’m not sure that the WWE’s go-to booking ploy of stuffing a match with as many participants as possible will work in the match’s favour, but if it’s allowed enough time it could be one of the biggest surprises of the evening. Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch have all looked excellent since making their long-awaited main roster debuts so expect the team featuring the majority of these players to prevail.
Tamina will probably take the first fall, followed by Alicia Fox, ensuring that all of the division’s main players continue to look as strong as possible as this gang war continues.
Winners: PCB
Title for Title - Winner Takes All
Seth Rollins (WWE World Heavyweight Champion) vs. John Cena (US Champion)
After five months of a fairly lackluster title reign, we have finally arrived at crunch time for Seth Rollins. Competing in a singles match with John Cena, Rollins will face his toughest challenge and the end result will likely determine where he stands in the grand scheme of the WWE’s ever evolving future. Both performers have already exhibited excellent chemistry, their triple threat match at the Royal Rumble being the prime example, and their promo work in recent weeks has helped generate the ‘big game’ feel that a match of this magnitude requires. A gruesome nose break to Cena courtesy of the champion helped a little too.
History will not be on Cena’s side. Of his SummerSlam appearances he has a disappointing record of 4-7 with his last victory at the event coming five years ago. Furthermore the recent unveiling of his newest ‘15-time champion’ merchandise could have given a clear indication of the result. It seems highly unlikely that the WWE would release a new range of t-shirts for a superstar who is about to void said t-shirts by becoming a 16-time world champion.
Rollins needs a strong signature win to help turn his first WWE championship title reign around. A victory over the aging, but still credible Cena would be the best way to do this.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker
Returning to avenge his heartbreaking first WrestleMania loss, The Undertaker will compete in his first non-’Mania match in five years as he tackles ‘The Beast’, Brock Lesnar. In his shocking loss almost 16 months ago ‘Taker looked a shell of the man we have watched for almost 25 years. Drawn out, slow and weakened after decades of wear and tear, ‘The Deadman’ surrendered his legendary streak in the most disappointing of fashion. Fast forward back to the present and the veteran is back and amazingly looking better than he has for years. Unfortunately however his ‘resurrection’ shouldn’t come at the expense of one of the greatest runs in recent WWE history.
Snapping The Undertaker’s 21-0 WrestleMania streak elevated Brock Lesnar to a level previously reserved for the likes of John Cena, Stone Cold, Hulk Hogan. Simply put, and to paraphrase the legendary Ric Flair, the win over the man made Lesnar the man, the new phenom of the WWE, its new star attraction.
Having The Undertaker return - even older - to take the win back would undo everything the WWE has accomplished so far with Lesnar, but at the same time it really wouldn’t shock me.
Once again the WWE once again finds itself in a tricky spot, something that is becoming increasingly common with Lesnar’s matches. I think Lesnar will succeed in once again defeating The Undertaker, but ‘The Deadman’ will experience far more success than before. With one final match awaiting him in his Texan homeland next year, perhaps we could see ‘Taker fatally distracted by a certain, and interestingly omitted ‘Icon’?
Winner: Brock Lesnar
WWE PPV Predictions 2015: 28-22
What do you think will happen at SummerSlam? Leave your predictions in the comments section below!