Ranking the buildup to every 2019 WWE SummerSlam match

We are just two days away from the 2019 WWE SummerSlam PPV, and with all of the final television shows in the books prior to the big event this Sunday night, some matches on the card have tremendous momentum heading into the PPV, and some feel less developed.

While the card for SummerSlam appears to be final, there are still lingering talents who do not have matches set for the PPV on Sunday night, leaving fans wondering what might be added to the show.

It's likely that the current Roman Reigns mystery attacker storyline will progress at SummerSlam, and there have even been rumblings that The Big Dog might face Buddy Murphy at the PPV, based on the angle which took place on SmackDown Live this week.

With final match build behind us and a few questions lingering heading into Sunday night, let's rank the build to every match on the 2019 WWE SummerSlam PPV card.

#10 Dolph Ziggler vs Goldberg

WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg made his return to TV on Raw this week, and in a surprise move, announced he will be facing Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam this Sunday night as opposed to The Miz.

While fans might be pleased to see Goldberg returning to the ring, the build to the match against Ziggler has been mostly non-existent.

A few weeks ago, Ziggler began taking subtle shots at Goldberg in promos, and the remarks are about the only build we have had to the Goldberg match at SummerSlam. This past Monday night on WWE Raw, Goldberg returned and delivered his classic "you're next" warning to Dolph Ziggler, and that has been the extent of the match build.

Given the lack of match hype, it's very likely this match on Sunday night will be over before the Goldberg chants die down.

#9 Trish Stratus vs Charlotte Flair

Another WWE Hall of Famer will be in-action at SummerSlam this Sunday night, as Trish Stratus will battle Charlotte Flair.

Earlier this week, Stratus announced on social media that her match against Charlotte Flair will be her last, which means not only is the Hall of Famer returning to the ring on Sunday, the bout will be a retirement match.

Considering the above, the build for this match has been pretty lackluster, with Trish Stratus receiving little TV time to hype what will end up being her final match in WWE.

The basis of the feud is also perplexing, as it began with Charlotte Flair complaining that she was not booked in a match at SummerSlam this year, only to have her complaints answered by a returning Trish Stratus.

The rivalry feels flat heading into SummerSlam on Sunday, and while Stratus and Flair have the capability of delivering a good match, there just hasn't been much interest built.

#8 Bayley vs Ember Moon

WWE Smackdown Women's Champion Bayley has had a lukewarm title run since capturing the gold, and at SummerSlam she prepares to battle #1 contender Ember Moon.

Moon recently returned to WWE TV following a lengthy absence due to injury, and she was thrust into the title picture upon returning.

The addition of Moon as a title contender has definitely helped freshen up a somewhat stale women's division on the SmackDown brand, but the build to the title match at SummerSlam has been mediocre.

The rivalry began when Bayley essentially nominated Ember Moon to challenge her at SummerSlam, and this week on SmackDown Live the rivalry concluded when Bayley saved Ember Moon from Natalya.

The angle did not leave Moon looking too strong, and the buildup to the match has been more about Bayley being the heroic character as opposed to Ember Moon being built up as a credible title contender.

#7 Drew Gulak vs Oney Lorcan

Former WWE NXT standout Oney Lorcan punched his ticket to SummerSlam and earned himself a shot at the Cruiserweight title when he won a Six-Pack Challenge match against Akira Tozawa, Kalisto, Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese and Gentleman Jack Gallagher.

Lorcan should make for a great Cruiserweight title challenger, and his brawling style should compliment that of Drew Gulak, who is less known as a high-flyer in the cruiserweight division.

As for the build to the match, because it has taken place on WWE 205 Live, less eyes have been on the rivalry, which for the most has been pretty good.

Since WrestleMania 35, talents like Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, Akira Tozawa and Oney Lorcan have been battling for the top spot and prize in the WWE cruiserweight division, however, lack of real exposure has dampened the profile of the 205 Live feuds and storylines.

#6 Becky Lynch vs Natalya

This Sunday night WWE's top babyface, "The Man" Becky Lynch, will face-off against WWE veteran Natalya for the WWE Raw Women's title.

Since winning the Raw Women's title at WrestleMania 35, Becky Lynch has feuded with the likes of Lacey Evans, who has disappeared from WWE TV since she lost her bid for future title shots at WWE Extreme Rules last month.

As for the build to Lynch vs Natalya, it kicked off with fiery promos from both The Man and the Queen of Hearts, but has lacked a certain amount of potency that The Man typically brings to her on-screen rivalries.

One of the reasons why the feud might feel flat is because Natalya is much less believable as a heel in WWE than she is a babyface. Natalya's heel promos typically come off forced, overly scripted, and not very well acted, and it might be because she is a natural babyface who is forcing herself into a role for which she is not really cut out.

#5 The Fiend vs Finn Balor

On paper, a Finn Balor vs Bray Wyatt match seems like a dream contest in WWE, especially when one considers the characters the creative team has to work with in Balor and Wyatt.

Wyatt debuted one of WWE's boldest characters months ago when he reintroduced himself to fans as a fun-loving children's show host, but his character soon devolved into the sadistic Fiend who will compete this Sunday night at SummerSlam.

WWE had the potential to build an epic showdown between The Fiend and Finn Balor's Demon character, but with Balor set to take time off TV following SummerSlam, the feud has been somewhat rushed and feels predictable.

Unless plans change, it appears likely the WWE Universe will not see The Demon on Sunday night at SummerSlam, so while the match between Wyatt and Balor will likely be good from an in-ring standpoint, one can't help but feel like WWE has left a lot of interesting storytelling on the table during this match buildup.

#4 Brock Lesnar vs Seth Rollins

The main event of Sunday night's WWE SummerSlam PPV will likely be Brock Lesnar defending the Universal title against Seth Rollins, in a rematch from WrestleMania 35.

Since WrestleMania 35 and announcing he is officially retired from MMA and UFC, Brock Lesnar has made more appearances on WWE TV than usual, which has led to more interesting and physical performances from The Beast.

As for the build to his match against Seth Rollins, the feud has created decent momentum, but storyline illogic has held the rivalry back from reaching its potential.

Seth Rollins and WWE seemingly forgot that The Kingslayer made very quick work out of Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 35, and while the company might have forgotten this important piece of WWE history, the fans have not.

Additionally, Rollins' attempt to come off a heroic, persevering babyface has more often than not left him looking silly and ignorant, as seen on WWE Raw this week.

#3 Randy Orton vs Kofi Kingston

When Randy Orton vs Kofi Kingston was first announced for SummerSlam, the match announcement was met with a tepid response from WWE fans.

However, Orton and Kingston have been able to draw on their near ten year history together to help infuse this rivalry with the depth it was sorely lacking about a month ago.

A decade ago, when Kofi Kingston was a star on the rise in WWE, he engaged in a brief feud with Randy Orton which many fans hoped would help catapult Kingston to the next level in WWE. That did not happen, however, as Orton emerged victorious in his feud with Kingston and Kofi quickly descended back to the lower ranks in WWE and never got the push fans felt he really deserved.

Ten years later, and now the current WWE Champion, Kofi Kingston looks to prove himself to The Viper at WWE SummerSlam, a PPV at which Orton has had much success, winning three world titles.

#2 Kevin Owens vs Shane McMahon

Say what you want about Shane McMahon's presence on WWE TV, but his feud against Kevin Owens has been one of the most engaging heading into SummerSlam this weekend.

The basis of the feud draws on real-life sentiments, as KO has been able to tap into the idea of Shane McMahon's presence on WWE TV preventing up-and-coming talents from making a name for themselves on the main roster.

Fighting for the locker room, so to speak, Kevin Owens has managed to transform from one of WWE's most hated heels to one of the company's most loved babyfaces, akin to Stone Cold Steve Austin.

The buildup of Shane McMahon as a nefarious heel in power has lent itself nicely to the babyface turn of Kevin Owens, and the match at SummerSlam should be a fun battle.

With Kevin Owens promising to leave WWE should he lose to Shane McMahon at SummerSlam, it should be quite refreshing to see Shane possibly take some well-needed time of WWE TV after KO picks up the win on Sunday night.

#1 AJ Styles vs Ricochet

Who would have thought that a United States Title feud would be the most interesting heading into WWE SummerSlam?

Despite AJ Styles being one of the most dominant babyface WWE Champions in recent memory, The Phenomenal one has been able to reinvent himself as a smarmy heel on WWE Raw.

Styles and Ricochet will meet this Sunday night for the U.S. title, and both talents find themselves in interesting positions in WWE at the moment.

Styles is enjoying an excellent run as a heel along with his newly reunited Club, who were crowned WWE Raw Tag Team Champions, garnering gold for all three members of The OC.

As for Ricochet, he is on a roll on the red brand, gaining incredible momentum on Monday Night Raw as a favorite of new Executive Director Paul Heyman.

With two top stars battling for U.S. gold at WWE SummerSlam, this feud is not only heating up the United States title, but is also the best rivalry heading into the PPV.

Which WWE SummerSlam match are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comment section!