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Lately, WWE have been working hard to cook the meatiest storylines for the summer's biggest spectacle, SummerSlam. This is following a period, where the fans have suffered through several months of unbearably sub-par WWE product.
On SmackDown, the return of Daniel Bryan briefly set things alight, but he soon entered a meaningless feud with Big Cass, and is only now finding his feet after reuniting with Kane as one-half of Team Hell No. Raw, meanwhile, has rested itself almost entirely on the charisma of Seth Rollins.
Hopefully, both of WWE's main shows are set to turn their fortunes around in the coming months in order to set up a second-half of 2018 that is much more entertaining than the first.
In this article, we take a look at five storylines that can make WWE great again.
5. Bayley vs Sasha Banks
Every time their friendship has seemed to be on the verge of exploding, something has happened to bring them back together.
The rivalry between Bayley and Sasha Banks has been running for almost a year and, thus far, it has been a thudding disappointment. The slow build-up has been never-ending and there have been tons of false starts.
This match could, and should, be fantastic. Bayley and Banks have killer in-ring chemistry and worked a bona-fide classic at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn back in 2015. With personal differences fuelling the storyline rather than a title, the stage is set for a vicious battle that will put the spotlight on the aggressive side of these two superstars.
4. The Return of Dean Ambrose
Many suggested he would be back in the ring in time for SummerSlam, but some reports hint at a September return instead. The re-emergence of the Lunatic Fringe will be an adrenaline shot on Raw and he will immediately shake things up in the upper mid-card.
Dean Ambrose has been out since December 2017, after he suffered a triceps injury. Ever since then, speculations about his return have been rampant. When he left, The Shield reunion was in full swing, but now Roman Reigns has been chasing the Universal Championship, and Seth Rollins has constantly stolen the spotlight as an all-round performer. But none of that can understate the impact Ambrose's absence has had on Raw.
If WWE plans this right, Ambrose's return can shoot him to unprecedented heights in his career. How would you like to see him return -- as a babyface or as a heel?
3. End of the Beast
There's something to be said about the notion of Brock Lesnar being a genuine box-office attraction, giving the title meaning by only turning up when there's a reason behind it, but that luster has faded over the course of almost 18 months with the belt.
Lesnar has held the WWE Universal Championship for more than 450 days. The Beast Incarnate has destroyed everybody in his path since he won the belt from Goldberg, beating Roman Reigns on more than one occasion, also defeating the likes of Strowman, Joe, and Kane.
The chances are good that Lesnar will finally drop the title before the year is over, and it won't be seen as a reign that ended too soon.
2. Alexa Bliss vs Ronda Rousey
The women's division has lacked a compelling feud since the tremendous rivalry between Charlotte Flair and Asuka, which culminated at this year's WrestleMania. Alexa Bliss vs Ronda Rousey, though, has the potential to carry women's wrestling on Raw throughout the summer and into the final part of the year.
The newly minted UFC Hall of Famer brutalised The Goddess with a briefcase on Raw in the aftermath of what transpired at Money In The Bank. She was later suspended by Kurt Angle as she had also battered him with the briefcase during her frenzied outburst.
Currently, Bliss and Rousey are scheduled to face each other at SummerSlam with the Raw Women's Championship on the line. It's not quite the right time to hand the UFC veteran a title belt yet, so it will be interesting to see how Alexa Bliss manages to stop the unstoppable Ronda Rousey.
1. Daniel Bryan vs The Miz
Bryan vs Miz is a rivalry powered by fissures that have existed between the two men for a very long time. Miz is at the height of his powers and Bryan is in the euphoric after-glow of an unexpected return to action; so this is a story that could go down in the history, if WWE can play its cards right and at the best possible time.
The two men have crossed paths on numerous occasions, but it's clear that WWE is saving the pay-off for a moment befitting the long-term build-up and the intensity of the rivalry. The match itself may be saved for next year's Summerslam or even WrestleMania. But one thing is certain, the fans can expect the feud to progress further very soon.
