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SummerSlam is this Sunday. It's traditionally WWE's second biggest show of the year, with this year's edition being relatively ho-hum.
The booking throughout the company has been somewhat less than desirable since WrestleMania, and though SmackDown has turned a corner compared to where it was at the start of the year, it's fallen flat in its build to what's supposed to be the biggest party of the summer.
And the less said about the mess Raw's been in, the better.
One ought to note that irrespective of all the criticism levied at storylines being repetitive, the fact remains that pro-wrestling is a rather unique blend of sports and entertainment—one in which the very same feuds can be presented in a different manner, by newer performers.
Speaking of which, the company can right the ship at SummerSlam. If done correctly, the pay per view can act as a much-needed reset on the entire landscape of the main roster. Failure to make these decisions will guarantee that the doldrums will continue throughout the end of the year and into the Royal Rumble, and possibly all the way up until WrestleMania 35.
#1 Not crowning new tag team champions
Tag team wrestling was one of WWE's biggest selling points last year. Much like things in general, the division has fallen off a cliff this year.
On SmackDown, the Bludgeon Brothers have reigned supreme since April, and while they're credible as champions and bring it in the ring, the act just hasn't worked out. The booking has been a mess with long absences, repetitive jobber matches, and no character evolution.
No team has really been built up to dethrone them, but the bigger detriment is letting this situation continue. The New Day, stale as they are, can at least be challenged by the likes of The Bar and The Usos again.
On Raw, the situation is even worse. The B-Team's comedy act was never going to last long, and whatever semblance of a welcome it had when it started, it's well past its sell-by date. Though they have been dragged through the mud, The Revival is a team that can slowly revive the prestige of Raw's tag team titles, if given the chance.
#2 Making Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin long
On a show already rife with filler, this match wasn't needed at all. No one was clamoring for this match, and their last two have been nothing to write home about. It's a rubber match no one wanted to see, and one which has already stunk up Raw.
It doesn't really matter who wins this match. Victory or defeat won't do anything for either man and they'll both be in the same spot they were before.
What does matter is the time. If WWE cares at all about the staying power of its fans, this won't go past 10 minutes. Even that is far too long--Five minutes would be optimal.
#3 Handing Rusev Day a victory
Sadly, the Rusev Day gimmick's best days are behind it. Unsurprisingly, the company didn't capitalize when it should have and despite Rusev putting in an admirable performance against AJ Styles last month, it really felt like it didn't do anything for him.
While it's nice to see Rusev essentially in a babyface role, if the breakup of Rusev Day comes as a result of a loss here, so be it. Andrade "Cien" Almas has far more upside at the moment and this match should act as a stepping stone toward bigger and better things for him.
#4 Cedric Alexander retaining the Cruiserweight Championship
205 Live has been experiencing a rebirth in 2018. By its own standards, it's done very well. Cedric Alexander is a fine choice for a champion, but the problem is that he isn't the most interesting man on his own show.
Mustafa Ali, Buddy Murphy, and Drew Gulak are all more compelling than he is. 205 Live already chose to hold off on the first two, and if last night was any indication, they're choosing to hold off on Gulak as well. This shouldn't be the case.
A Gulak title reign can eventually lead to a comeback story for Mustafa Ali, who has been the top babyface on 205 Live in all but name. A rivalry between them would be far more interesting than anything potentially involving Cedric Alexander.
#5 Shinsuke Nakamura losing the United States championship
Jeff Hardy looks more and more beat up every week. He should take it easy to recover from some of his injuries.
There's also a lot more left to explore with a Shinsuke Nakamura championship reign, and having him drop the title right now even if his opponent wasn't banged up would be foolish to begin with.
The US title has grown more interesting, especially with Randy Orton's return. What presence the Viper will have (if any, given his currently embattled status) is unknown, but it shouldn't do anything to change the proper result.
#6 Dolph Ziggler retaining the Intercontinental Championship
After a few months, we can definitively say that Seth Rollins' run with the Intercontinental Championship has exceeded Dolph Ziggler's in quality. Making him a two-time champion seems a no-brainer.
By doing this, not only will the scene be shaken up, but we can get further into a team rivalry where both alliances eventually split apart. Drew McIntyre can begin his slow breakaway from Dolph Ziggler, while Dean Ambrose, in pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship, slowly makes the heel turn fans have been clamoring for.
There's more upside in a Seth Rollins title reign than in a Dolph Ziggler one. Let's hope the belt gets back to where it belongs at this moment.
#7 Not crowning new women's champions
Like the tag team division, both women's divisions are in the doldrums right now. It's the last place where they should be when the high-profile Evolution pay per view is around the corner.
And with the Mae Young Classic final set to take place there between two of the best female wrestlers on the planet, the main roster will have stiff competition indeed.
For Evolution to succeed, the main roster will need two new women's champions. Alexa Bliss and Carmella have no upsides to them at the moment. Both have brought their respective divisions into stagnation, and there's no logical reason to continue with their reigns.
On the Raw side, Ronda Rousey should decisively defeat Alexa Bliss, and then go on to feud with other, better workers on the red brand.
On SmackDown, a feud between Charlotte and Becky writes itself.
But whatever the aftermath, neither Alexa Bliss nor Carmella should walk out of Brooklyn still holding gold.
#8 Kevin Owens winning the Money in the Bank briefcase
Disaster. That's what awaits Raw should Kevin Owens wrest the Money in the Bank briefcase from the gargantuan hands of Braun Strowman.
Kevin Owens' last two main event runs have been disastrous, and only one eventuality awaits another title reign from him - Roman Reigns getting crowned, but only after a long, frustrating, and pointless chase.
Put simply, a cowardly heel Kevin Owens being chased by a babyface fans aren't enthusiastic about makes for a cold, dead show. Braun Strowman, on the other hand, can have big-feel fights with stars like Reigns, McIntyre, Lashley, and so on as Universal Champion.
The better choice is obvious.
#9 Daniel Bryan defeating The Miz
Daniel Bryan and The Miz should be in this for the long haul. It's the one feud on the main roster that has fans genuinely excited, and the videos that aired last night to hype this match up were widely praised.
There's a lot more to explore with this feud past Sunday, and to make the most of it, it would be ideal for The Miz to score the victory in the first match. That could sow in Daniel Bryan genuine doubts that his comeback has meant anything, and that perhaps his rival was right after all.
It would be a way to get Bryan out of the generic underdog role he's played since his March comeback.
#10 AJ Styles retaining the WWE Championship
This feud has been a disappointment, much like Styles' current reign has been. There desperately needs to be an injection of adrenaline into the WWE Championship picture, and the only true way for that to happen is for AJ Styles to drop the title.
Samoa Joe always brings a stellar performance if he's given the chance, and him being champion would make for a fresh title scene on SmackDown, one which could force AJ Styles to evolve and offer the opportunity for new contenders to step up to challenge the Samoan Submission Machine. For example, Daniel Bryan has a lot of unfinished business with Joe, and with The Miz lurking, the picture would get even more interesting.
Either way, Styles' reign was running on fumes months ago. It's completely lifeless now, and it's time for a change.
#11 Brock Lesnar retaining the Universal Championship
Enough. That's the word on everyone's mind when it comes to the Brock Lesnar/Roman Reigns saga. Enough.
If WWE makes every other decision correctly on Sunday night but gets this one wrong, SummerSlam will have been a colossal failure. Compared to this one, no other decision matters.
It's long past time for Brock Lesnar to lose the Universal Championship, and since Vince McMahon won't let this go, it's long past time for Roman Reigns to beat him cleanly. Whatever happens from there is comparatively minor in its importance.
This saga has been going on for over four years - ever since Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30. It's time for it to end. Once and for all.
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