Match card predictions for WWE Summerslam 2018 after Extreme Rules

#6 Shinsuke Nakamura vs Randy Orton (United States Championship)

These two could bring back some value to the US title.

Shinsuke Nakamura beat Jeff Hardy in next to no time at Extreme Rules to capture his first Championship on the WWE main roster. He became the United States Champion. But immediately after the match, Randy Orton made his return and attacked Jeff Hardy right away. This seems like a compelling match-up, that is if Orton is willing to come out of auto-pilot mode. Nakamura and Orton have had some good matches in the past, but not with Nakamura as the heel. It is about time for the Viper to actually show some interest in his work and be a part of a good story for once.

Jeff Hardy invoked his rematch clause for Smackdown Live but it will likely only be a short match if it even happens. Hardy is so knackered from all the injuries he has had. His back has been in a terrible place, so terrible that he stopped doing the Swanton Bomb at live events. He deserves some time off and the way Nakamura won the title was probably the smartest way to pull it off. Orton and Nakamura can easily have a very good match on pay-per-view, but they might need some help with the right story.

The United States Championship has been damaged goods for far too long now. We have seen so many changes, not good ones too, since the feud between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. This match and feud could bring some prestige back to the fallen Championship as it could be an extremely valued component of the vastly talented Smackdown mid-card. Nakamura will need the win more, to continue his rise and have a credible reign as champion. However, it will be tricky as WWE are unlikely to make such a big star like Orton lose so soon after he returns on pay-per-view. In all honesty, though, he could lose and it would not affect him at all.

Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura gets the win