The coming weekend is going to be heaven for the combat sports fan across the world. On Saturday, we have the much-awaited rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor on UFC and just a day later, we have the biggest WWE pay-per-view of the summer, SummerSlam. Unlike the preceding pay-per-view, WWE has stacked the SummerSlam card with 11 interesting matches.
Having two different brands might’ve been the reason why WWE went into overdrive mode, but the fans will be treated with some exciting bouts on Sunday Night. The show is bound to have huge implications on the near future of WWE.
Here is the complete analysis of the match card and predictions for WWE SummerSlam 2016
Carmella, Becky Lynch, and Naomi vs. Natalya, Eva Marie and Alexa Bliss
This is a typical booking from WWE’s side. They have stacked together all the women wrestlers from SmackDown into one single match and this is not going to be one of their main priorities. But this match does have some attracting factors. Fans will be eager to know what Eva Marie comes up with this time around as she has been running away from her matches so far.
It is very likely to turn into a handicap match once the pay-per-view starts and the baby face team are the favorites due to the same. If WWE does make Eva wrestle, it is another interesting factor as the whole internet will be out to judge her.
Prediction: Carmella, Becky Lynch and Naomi wins
Cesaro vs. Sheamus (First match from the best of Seven Series)
Cesaro and Sheamus are having something meaningful to do after all and they are not going to let this chance slip by. The best of seven series was a great idea from WWE’s side and it keeps the superstars busy for a long time. It also guarantees pay-per-view spots for these two for the near future so it’s a win for both of them and the WWE.
As we are familiar with such best of X series matches, both superstars could get wins under their belt. It will only be a matter of who starts off with the win. As Cesaro is riding on some momentum, WWE is likely to start off with him, making him the favorite to win.
Prediction: Cesaro wins
The Miz vs. Apollo Crews (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
The way in which Apollo Crews won the title shot against The Miz was implemented impressively by the WWE but this feud went downhill afterward. Miz was engaged in other stuff rather than building what they had in their hand and this takes a lot of heat away from the match. No one sees Apollo Crews as a real threat to the Championship reign of The Miz and rightfully so.
Miz has been brilliant throughout his run as champion and having Maryse on his side has made him better. So it’s probably going to be a win for Miz even though it might come in a tainted way so that WWE could keep Crews ready for the next challenge.
Prediction: The Miz wins
Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens
This is one feud that excelled on the buildup and due to this fact, the expectations are high. All four men involved have the capability to deliver and thanks to the experience of Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho, the chances of this match living up to the expectations are high. Enzo and Cass are getting a great opportunity to showcase what they are made off as SummerSlam is a big stage.
This is a match that could go either way as WWE would want to keep Jericho and Owens together for a long time. They are pure entertainment and breaking up them at this point would be a mistake. So what WWE could do is let Jericho and Owens win in a tainted way like usual heels do.
Prediction: Jericho and Owens wins
New Day vs. The Club (WWE Tag Team Championship)
New Day will be up for the battle against Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows without the muscle power of Big E. He has been kept out of the WWE programming to sell the groin injury that he picked up and it is going well so far. The idea of keeping away Big E could point towards a title change on the show. Big E is one superstar that WWE wants to push as a singles name once New Day is disbanded and keeping him away when the title is changed makes him look strong.
At the same time, Anderson and Gallows need the WWE championship to stay relevant so it makes sense for New Day to drop the championship on Sunday night.
Prediction: The Club wins
Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte (WWE Women’s Championship)
Sasha Banks got her big championship-winning moment on Monday Night Raw and it was special indeed. But now, Sasha is going to get a bigger stage to showcase her worth as a champion. She will be up against Charlotte and from what we have seen in the past, we can certainly keep the expectations high for these two. Given proper time and freedom, these two can deliver an interesting story for the fans.
The only concern here would be the time constraint as WWE has so many matches to complete in so little time. As far as the result goes, Sasha has a long title reign ahead of her and the showdown with Charlotte at SummerSlam will only be the start.
Prediction: Sasha Banks wins
Rusev vs. Roman Reigns (WWE United States Championship)
The United States championship got a big elevation thanks to the involvement of Roman Reigns and Rusev. Roman showing up in the US title scenario was a surprise for many fans but at the same time, it was perhaps the best path for him after losing to Finn Balor in the WWE Universal Championship qualifier match. Rusev, to his credit, has been playing the heel role perfectly, which in turn has helped Roman get some love from the fans.
It would be surprising if Reigns does not walk away with the title from SummerSlam, but from a fan point of view, it once again puts Reigns under the ‘superman booking’ category which could work against him to a certain extent. But as mentioned earlier, Rusev’s heel brilliance will be the difference here.
Prediction: Roman Reigns wins
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
For John Cena and AJ Styles, it’s all about knowing who the best is. Considering the amount of experience and star power that these two brings to the table, this is a good enough reason to draw big. WWE gave Cena a strong booking on the homecoming edition of SmackDown but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Cena is going to win on Sunday. Cena is apparently set to miss Backlash which happens next month and if that is the case, WWE will have to sell Cena’s absence.
A defeat to AJ Styles and a post-match beat down works well for everyone and at the same time, a win for AJ Styles sets him up for his new big feud which might come up against Randy Orton.
Prediction: AJ Styles wins
Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler (WWE Championship Match)
The match between Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler has attracted a lot of attention. This is because of the rise that Dolph Ziggler has shown. No one expected him to be in the title scene after the draft but WWE surprised the fans by giving the show off a strong booking. The transition of Ambrose and the struggle of Ziggler to silence his doubters have been the story so far but at SummerSlam, it will be about the gold.
Ziggler winning is indeed a possibility but since WWE has been giving Ambrose some strong booking these days. He defeated his Shield mates to take the title to SmackDown and he is not going to lose out to Ziggler due to this.
Prediction: Ambrose wins
Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar
The Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar fight seemed to be a randomly booked one throughout most of the build up, but WWE did step up the gear at a certain point to deliver the goods. A few solid segments and some good selling from Paul Heyman has built up some huge excitement surrounding this match and it is going to be one worth tuning into.
While it is understandable for WWE to let Lesnar win this one, Randy Orton might take the victory as there is a possibility of interference in this match. Goldberg, in particular, is a name to watch out as Lesnar vs. Goldberg might happen in the future.
Prediction: Randy Orton wins
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor (WWE Universal Championship match)
WWE will crown its inaugural Universal Champion at SummerSlam and this match has got everyone talking. Finn Balor, just a few weeks after his debut on the main roster, is going to headline SummerSlam, which is a big deal indeed. While most of the matches on the card are predictable, this is one that could swing either way.
Both the superstars are worthy of holding the championship and the fans will be happy no matter what who wins it. But as WWE has the possibility of pushing Rollins as a heel stable leader against Finn Balor, the pick goes to Rollins.
Prediction: Seth Rollins wins.
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