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SummerSlam is less than ten days away and the wrestling fans around the planet are waiting to become part of the “Biggest Party of the Summer”. This event is guaranteed to be an action-packed extravaganza with every major championship on the line.
The reigning Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar, will face the uncrowned champion, Roman Reigns, in quite possibly their last face-off. Not to mention, Mr. Money in the Bank will be eagerly waiting for this brutal contest to prey on the winner.
However, the person who holds the Money in the Bank briefcase will also be determined on the night of SummerSlam. The contract is on the line as Braun Strauman faces Kevin Owens, thanks to the Raw Commissioner, Stephanie McMahon.
Speaking on champions, WWE Championship will be defended by AJ Styles against his arch-rival, Samoa Joe. These two were part of a couple of spectacular matches during their run in TNA, and fans would expect the same magic to be recreated on August 19th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
As of now, eleven matches are scheduled to take place on the night including eight championship matches. Here are the predictions for the show.
#1 The Miz will defeat Daniel Bryan
When Daniel Bryan made his debut in NXT in 2010, Miz was his mentor. A couple of months later, the “Goat Faced” Superstar not only defeated Miz in a singles match but was also chosen ahead of the latter to be a part of Team WWE for their match against the Nexus.
The leader of the “YES” movement is on a roll since he returned at WrestleMania 34 earlier this year and is the fans’ favorite to win this match. However, WWE network has recently premiered “Miz and Mrs.” and a win for the Miz could be a crucial factor in enhancing this rivalry on the sets of the show.
Not only this will be good for the ratings of the show, but will also help WWE to treat its fans to a couple of more matches between these two Superstars. Hence, it is safe to assume that the “Awesome One” would be victorious in the upcoming match. Although, it is unlikely to be a clean win in order to keep the story going forward.
#2 Shinsuke Nakamura will retain the US Championship
A couple of weeks ago, Shinsuke Nakamura won the United States Championship in a rather controversial manner when he assaulted Jeff Hardy with a low-blow before the match could officially begin. After the match, Randy Orton made his return to WWE and continued the assault on the former champion.
Since then, the “Viper” has made it a point to punish the “Enigma” at every possible step. Two weeks ago, he washed the paint off the Hardy’s face and claimed to take away his identity.
Considering the situation between these three Superstars, it is almost certain that Randy Orton would indeed have a part to play in the championship match. It could be a backstage attack or a ringside distraction. Both ways, it could prove fatal for the former champion.
#3 Kevin Owens gains the Money in the Bank contract
Braun Strowman has been unstoppable in the last one year, especially after he won the MITB contract. Since then, he has made it a personal mission to brutalize Kevin Owens.
The “Prize Fighter” has taken a fall from the top of the ladder, from the stage and from the top of the steel cage, all three coming at the hands of the “Monster Among Men”. Thanks to the Raw Commissioner, he now has a chance to redeem himself by taking away the Monster’s dearest possession, the Money in the Bank contract.
It is hard to believe that Kevin Owens would be able to defeat his opponent all by himself. However, help is not far as he has found himself a new ally in Jinder Mahal. Not to mention, Braun Strowman lost to the Canadian-Indian Superstar last week when Mr. Owens tried to steal his briefcase. The last week’s winner could return the favor at SummerSlam.
#4 Dolph Ziggler retains the Intercontinental Championship
Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins have featured in a couple of classic wrestling matches in their recent rivalry. However, SummerSlam could be the final chapter between these two where Dolph Ziggler is more likely to retain the championship.
The “Show Off” along with Drew McIntyre have gelled together as one of the top Heels in WWE on the current roster. There is no good reason to take the wind off their flight. Not to mention, Seth Rollins should be the next Superstar to be the part of the Universal Championship equation.
This bout is going to be one of the top three matches of the night in terms of class and technicality. Fans will surely be witnessing a couple of close pinfalls before this rivalry concludes for good.
#5 Bludgeon Brothers will retain the SD Live tag team championships
Bludgeon Brothers have been undefeated since they have won the tag team championships. They have defeated the New Day, the Usos and Team Hell No in their impressive run.
Fans would have loved to see them take on the Bar this time but thanks to New Day that is not going to happen. The “Pan Cake Lovers” defeated the Bar in a spectacular match to earn themselves the right to contest for the championship again.
However, it is more likely that the momentum of the reigning champions will. This team looks legitimately dominating in various aspects and have certainly added gravitas to the tag-team titles for the Blue-brand, which will love it to continue.
#6 Ronda Rousey becomes the Raw Women’s Champion
Ronda Rousey has been one of the top attractions on Monday Night Raw since she stepped foot in WWE at Royal Rumble earlier this year. At Extreme Rules, she came inches close to win the championship but was unable to do so thanks to the attack by Alexa Bliss.
Natalya will be in the corner of Ronda Rousey to counter the possible ringside distractions by Mickie James. Hence, it is good to believe that SummerSlam could be the night when the former-UFC champion wins the WWE Women’s Championship.
Not to mention, WWE Evolution is just two months away and it is the right time to crown the “Rowdy One” as the champion. It will give ample amount of time to build storylines for her to defend the championship on the all women’s PPV.
#7 Finn Balor defeats Baron Corbin
The last PPV, Extreme Rules, also featured the same match and it is difficult to imagine that the result is going to be different this time. Frankly speaking, it seems like Finn Balor is being kept away from the major championship equations.
Baron Corbin will continue to be the “Constable of Raw” after SummerSlam, but the future plans for the Irish Superstar are currently uncertain. Kurt Angle mentioned on Twitter that Balor could soon be part of the Universal Championship picture when he replied to a fan’s tweet who sought insight on the “Demon’s King” future in the company.
Fans would love to see both Seth Rollins and Finn Balor be in the run for the Universal Championship after SummerSlam. Hence, it seems the results of their respective matches will just be in line to achieve that.
#8 Carmella retains the SD Live’s Women’s Championship
Carmella cashed in her Money in the Bank contract on Charlotte Flair to become the champion. In her every championship match since then, she is considered as the underdog. However, by hook or by crook, she has been able to keep the championship wrapped around her waist.
In ten days, she will face Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a Triple Threat match. Not to mention, James Ellsworth is no longer in her corner to help her.
In the past, Carmella has proved herself to be resourceful in desperate times. She could indeed capitalize as the other two women tear each other in pursuit of the win.
#9 Drew Gulak becomes the new Cruiserweight Champion
Cedric Alexander won the championship at WrestleMania 34 this year. Since then, he and his opponent for SummerSlam, Drew Gulak, have grown by leaps and bounds in their own wrestling styles.
Drew Gulak won a grueling Fatal-Four way match against Hideo Itami, TJP, and Mustafa Ali to become the number one contender. Unlike the hi-flying wrestling style of the reigning champion, Gulak makes a strategy for his matches and work diligently in a ruthless manner to get the better of his opponent.
In the last couple of months, he has showcased his skills on numerous occasions including the Fatal-Four way match. Hence, it could be the time when Mr. Gulak becomes Mr. Cruiserweight Champion.
#10 Samoa Joe wins the WWE Championship
It could very well be the match of the night as the former TNA rivals face-off against each other for the most coveted prize in WWE. A significant fraction of fans across the globe believe this should be the match to close the show at SummerSlam.
AJ Styles has poured out everything from his mind, body, and soul since he became the WWE Champion ahead of Survivor Series last year. Since then, he truly has led the locker as the face of SmackDown Live.
On the other hand, Samoa Joe has made it personal against the reigning champion by making comments about his friends and family. Truth be told, he does know how to get under someone’s skin through his cold and merciless words.
In his rivalry against Shinsuke Nakamura, Styles won all the matches. This shouldn’t be the case for this rivalry, which has the potential to pan out till WrestleMania 35. Hence, it will be great to have the Samoan wrestler dethrone the current champion. It will be awesome to see a top-class Heel to be the WWE Champion.
#11 Roman Reigns becomes the crowned Universal Champion
The eyes of the world would be set on this match. Not only the result of this match would determine the fate of the Universal Championship, but will also tell the world how WWE would like to take their business from this point in time.
There have been talks that Brock Lesnar wants to hold both WWE and Universal Championship at the same time. But this could prove fatal for the WWE as it would not only mean lesser show-ups by the champion but will also lead to the awkward comparison between a sports and a sports-entertainer company’s championship.
On the other hand, Roman Reigns finally has a good percentage of the crowd cheering for him in the last couple of weeks, something WWE has been waiting for since long. Hence, SummerSlam is the time when the uncrowned champion from the Greatest Royal Rumble gets his due coronation.
#12 Potential Match 1: B team vs. the Deleters of the World
B team has recently gained a lot of attention when they became the tag-team champions of the flagship show of WWE. Unfortunately, many believe that this has taken off the prestige from the championships. As a result, despite the ongoing build in their storylines, this match is yet not announced for SummerSlam.
It appears that this match is going to be on the pre-show for the event. It is unlikely that the titles will change hands on the pre-show. If that happens, it would certainly bring down the glory of the championships.
Hence, it is safe to say the team of Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas will keep the gold. They have a long way to go before making it to the main-show again.
#13 Potential Match 2: Money in the Bank Cash-In
As per the predictions, Kevin Owens should come out on top as the one who holds the Money in the Bank contract. There couldn’t be a more opportune time to cash-in other than later on the same night when both the “Beast Incarnate” and the “Big Dog” would be exhausted after their match.
It is more likely that Roman Reigns will win the Universal Championship and the “Prize Fighter” will cash in on his glorious moment. Not only will this put an end to the rivalry between Lesnar and Reigns, but will also mark the beginning of the new one for Reigns and Owens.
Overall, SummerSlam 2018 indeed has the best possible matches slated for the show and has kept the fans buzzing. There is no doubt that it is going to be a blockbuster PPV.
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