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For the fifth straight year, SummerSlam will come from Brooklyn's Barclays Center on August 19th. Often considered WWE's second biggest event of the year, the "Biggest Party of the Summer" usually boasts some notable matches and hints at what the next year's WrestleMania might look like. On the flip side, SummerSlam has some infamous moments throughout its history, such as Lex Luger's count out celebration in 1993 and the poorly-received swerves in 2015's main events.
Fortunately, the card for SummerSlam this year looks very strong at the moment. Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss has already been confirmed. Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz is unconfirmed, but the build to it has already begun. Likewise, a US title triple threat match between Shinsuke Nakamura, Jeff Hardy, and Randy Orton looks like it's on the cards. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe is also almost certain.
Fortunately, some of the worst-case scenarios have also already been avoided, though others still present themselves as possibilities.
If these 7 matches get added to the card, SummerSlam will boast a show that's very strong from top to bottom, one which might actually be able to rival NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 the night before.
#1 Andrade "Cien" Almas vs. Rusev (kickoff)
After his breakout main roster performance against AJ Styles this week, Andrade "Cien" Almas definitely shouldn't be left off the SummerSlam card. However, with Jeff Hardy now having dropped the US title to Shinsuke Nakamura, there isn't an obvious place for him on the show. SmackDown is very heel heavy in its main event and upper mid-card. Aleister Black should make up for that discrepancy soon, but not until after SummerSlam.
Where can you put Andrade "Cien" Almas, then? How about opposite a man that fans have been clamoring to turn babyface for a long time - Rusev?
Rusev's future remains up in the air following his title loss at Extreme Rules. There may be dissension in the ranks of Rusev Day, which Zelina Vega would no doubt be happy to exploit.
Ultimately this match could serve as the catalyst for Rusev's face turn and help to elevate Almas into US and WWE title contention on SmackDown, exactly where he belongs.
#2 Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
With no Universal Championship shot on the horizon and the Intercontinental Championship in limbo, this is the most obvious path. The staredown Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre shared on Monday was intense and they obviously have beef with each other. There's ultimately no better use for either man than to have them face off against each other.
Unfortunately for Seth Rollins fans, Drew McIntyre would almost certainly be the victor of the contest. It should be a spirited one, however, and would have a strong chance of being the sleeper hit on the show. It would also serve to put McIntyre on the next level and establish his credibility as the top heel on Monday nights, which is where he should be after Brock Lesnar finally leaves.
#3 Sasha Banks vs. Bayley (loser leaves Raw)
Enough with this "I love you" stuff. Enough with the therapy sessions. Enough with the false starts. It's time to get this feud started and do so with stakes. With the history these two have in Brooklyn, there's nothing more proper.
Kurt Angle declares that he'll trade one of them to Raw if they can't be friends? Fine. Make it a loser leaves Raw match. Unless one of Asuka, Becky, or Charlotte turns, SmackDown badly needs a top heel in the women's division since the Carmella experiment has proven such a dismal failure. Sasha Banks fits the bill.
We also know that Charlotte is eventually going to wind up on Raw to face off against Ronda Rousey, and if Sasha gets traded to SmackDown for Charlotte, it would at least make sense.
#4 Carmella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair
Long-suffering Becky fans probably won't like this option, but there's no doubt that a multi-woman match would be the best option for the SmackDown women's championship. Carmella is a terrible wrestler and would only put on another 1-star match in singles competition, stinking Brooklyn up. If Charlotte and Asuka couldn't carry her to a good match, Becky won't be able to do so either.
A fatal 4 way, on the other hand, would hide Carmella's weaknesses and present us a very good match to compete with Ronda Rousey and Alexa Bliss, as Charlotte, Asuka, and Becky would make some magic out of it.
The biggest danger in such a scenario would be Carmella pinning Becky to retain, but given the unusual circumstances to setting up the championship match at SummerSlam next week, a multi-woman match is the likeliest outcome, since some kind of shenanigans are almost guaranteed, and if not, Carmella would get her win back at SummerSlam. The champion always retains after a challenger beats them for a title shot.
#5 The B Team vs. The Authors of Pain
The B Team's journey as lovable losers ultimately saw them capture the Raw Tag Team Championships unexpectedly, but it's now time for them to run into a wall. While Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt didn't set the world on fire as the champions, the B Team isn't exactly helping to rebuild the titles with their fluke reign, either.
Enter the Authors of Pain. They've been making more appearances on Raw lately. Now it's time to move them into the championship picture since no other team is more than a jobber squad at this point.
Let them crush the B Team and try to establish some credibility in the division again.
#6 New Day vs. SAnitY vs. Bludgeon Brothers
Triple threat tag team matches have usually delivered, though the New Day vs. The Usos vs. The Bludgeon Brothers at WrestleMania proved a big disappointment. This one should definitely be full of chaos.
The New Day and SAnity are currently embroiled with each other, leaving the Bludgeon Brothers without an obvious challenger. Should they somehow get involved in the feud as well, it would be a nice war between factions, even if the story wouldn't necessarily be the best.
Regardless, Brooklyn could use some chaos.
#7 Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley
For some reason, Roman Reigns needs to find himself in the title picture again, which leaves us with three options.
- A fourth rematch no one wants.
- Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar, which seems unlikely now, despite the finish at Extreme Rules.
- A triple threat.
Obviously, a triple threat is the best option that's also actually likely.
It's also notable that Brock Lesnar has seen most of his best matches in recent years in multi-man settings. The triple threat match at the 2015 Royal Rumble and the fatal 4 way at SummerSlam last year are two notable examples.
A triple threat might also avoid Brooklyn shooting the match down before it starts, which Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns IV certainly wouldn't.
Ultimately, Braun Strowman should just cash in to make it a fatal 4 way and then pin Brock Lesnar so this nonsense can finally end once and for all.
