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Well, it's finally time - what seemed an eternity ago back when WrestleMania came to its conclusion is now just a matter of days away SummerSlam has crept up on us this year, but one of WWE's biggest events of the year is stacked and ready to go!
In typical WWE form, the event is shrouded in mystery, not just when it comes to card order, but in terms of personnel and how many matches we could actually see with a non-match "segment" already announced for the event.
This year's event could be one of the biggest of all time with both Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar confirmed - and we're looking like a six-hour special with any of around four matches that could go on last.
Needless to say, the main event is just one of several enigmas surrounding the show, so I'm going to try and address all of these questions here - and speak about everything from match order, to match time, surprises and outcomes.
Here, I list the card in chronological order from start to finish, and my prediction for SummerSlam.
#1 Andrade "Cien" Almas & Zelina Vega vs Rusev & Lana (Kickoff Show)
While it definitely doesn't have all the glamour and quite so many eyes as a certain Mixed Tag Team Match that took place at WrestleMania, this match looks like it could very well be very entertaining from what we've seen in past weeks.
This rivalry has been building over the last couple weeks on SmackDown with Andrade Almas and Zelina Vega getting clean wins over their counterparts. On the go-home SmackDown, the almost estranged Rusev Day member Aiden English tried to avenge Rusev and Lana's shortcomings by facing Almas, only to fall to the Hammerlock DDT. So, could we see English this weekend?
There's still some stigma about the pre-show to pay-per-views, but when you look at this card, almost every match is a title match, and this is one of only three matches with no obvious prize at the end. Being confirmed for the kick-off, I think this match will be the very first on the card - essentially kicking off the kick off.
I think this will be a hot match to get the crowd going. Vega and Lana have put on decent matches in past weeks, and Rusev and El Idolo remain crowd favorites, even if they're not where the WWE Universe may want them to be.
My prediction: More of the same. Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega pick up the win over Rusev and Lana, thanks to Aiden English, and Rusev ends up beating up his former tag team partner. An apologetic English causes Rusev to be rolled up or eat a DDT out of the blue and his pleas fall on deaf ears, with Rusev superkicking English and locking in the Accolade.
Match length: Ten minutes. Not too short, but just a quick, entertaining match to kick off the show.
#2 Cruiserweight Championship - Cedric Alexander (c) vs Drew Gulak (Kickoff Show)
Well, 205 Live really had been calling out for a dominant champion since the reign of Neville and Cedric Alexander has well and truly delivered that. Alexander defeated Mustafa Ali at WrestleMania in the culmination of a tournament that essentially revived the purple brand when Drew Maverick announced it.
Ever since Alexander has been virtually unstoppable - but his next challenge comes in the form of one of the roster's surprise packages, the incredibly aggressive submission specialist Drew Gulak. Gulak's character transformation has been incredible to watch and, while this match will definitely be, in the words of Ryback, "The Pre-show Stealer," I think it'll fit in second, splitting the two tag team matches.
Match prediction: An incredible match where two styles blend beautifully and mesh destructively almost simultaneously, but I think this may well be the dawn of a new era. Gulak wins by submission, with Alexander not tapping out, but passing out - giving the storyline some extra legs for the future. "And new..."
Match length: Due to how evenly this match will play out and the storytelling needed to capture the casual fans, I think WWE will give these guys a decent chunk of time to try to steal the show. 15 minutes, maybe even 20 at a push.
#3 Raw Tag Team Championship - The B Team (c) vs The Revival (Kickoff Show)
Well, it was only a week ago that The B team successfully defended their titles in a Triple Threat Match on Raw, but The Revival have been awarded for recent efforts with a straight two-on-two Tag Team Match for the titles.
While the Raw Tag Team Championships undoubtedly aren't the most important belts on the roster, it's surprising to see this be "demoted" to the kick-off show. The B Team have become possibly WWE's least likely champions for a long time, defeating Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt for the belts, and have been on an incredible run, but is their luck running out? Is it time for Dash and Dawson to finally capture the belts?
Match prediction: A narrow encounter where The Revival take over and their tag team expertise takes over, showcasing their incredible ability and teamwork. The Revival will be on top, but The B-Team will somehow escape with their titles again. The only real prediction is, "Luck" - whether it's via disqualification or a roll-up. But it won't be over between these teams. This match will establish The Revival as the uncrowned champions, and they'll be successful at the next time of asking.
Match length: A short to decent length match at ten minutes. Enough time to showcase both teams, but not long enough for the crowd to get bored of The B Team's antics.
#4 Finn Balor vs Baron Corbin
Well, if any match on the main card where to be moved to the kick-off show, it's this one. While it could go in anywhere as a bumper, I'm sticking it at the start. Balor will get a pop, and we can get the match out of the way.
That's no knock on these two talents. Finn Balor is incredible. Before his injury, he was arguably one of the best wrestlers in the world. His ability hasn't changed, but Balor's instant push on Raw where he became the top guy and even won the Universal Championship, becoming the first man ever to do so, seems to be falling into the same kind of territory as Seth Rollins did for the best part of a year after his recovery - and much like this feud, Balor's position in WWE seems to be becoming slightly stagnant.
On the contrary, Baron Corbin's character has been completely revitalized since he became Constable Corbin. A shaved head and some new attire seem to have worked wonders for refreshing The Lone Wolf.
While this feud has been nonsensical at times - with Balor mocking Corbin's appearance, and Corbin mocking Balor's height... Despite running away from Balor last week and into the ring with a much bigger man in Roman Reigns - it is somewhat tensely stacked at 1-1 with SummerSlam being the rubber match and hopefully the culmination of the feud.
Match prediction: A strong showing for both men but Balor shines through and picks up the win with the Coup de Grace - and hopefully we move on afterward and Balor goes on to bigger and better things, and Corbin turns his attention elsewhere.
Match length: 15 minutes. Enough time for these guys to put on a decent match while, again, not letting the crowd get too bored.
#5 SmackDown Tag Team Championship - Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs New Day
Well, has there been a tag team in WWE more dominant than The Bludgeon Brothers?
When you look at their win-loss record, you'd have to think not. Harper and Rowan have been reborn in their new roles and are obliterating tag teams on a weekly basis.
After tag team tournament was held to determine the No. 1 contenders, The New Day sealed their place as the new challengers by defeating The Bar in a fantastic match. Sadly, the build-up to this match hasn't been so fantastic with Harper and Rowan still taking on and demolishing enhancement talent.
But they will face probably their toughest test yet in a few days when two members of The New Day take on the champions.
Match prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers win. The New Day are still one of the hottest teams in WWE, but a win here for the experienced trio would be surprising. Possibly very refreshing, but surprising. I think Harper and Rowan hold on to the titles for a while longer.
Match time: 15-20 minutes. I think The New Day give the champions a good fight and put on one of the modern-day classics we've grown accustomed to when The New Day take to the ring.
#6 Elias performs his "greatest ever song"
While this isn't a match per se, Elias' appearance deserves a mention - particularly with the claim that the Fender-endorsed guitarist will be playing his greatest ever song. I mean, we remember what happened last time Elias made that statement - John Cena lost his cool with The Drifter and demolished him before The Undertaker appeared to accept the 16-time World Champion's challenge.
While something of that magnitude is probably a long way off, you'd have to think that this may not end well for Elias. With a mini-feud with Bobby Lashley seeing Elias unable to finish a song in recent weeks, and Lashley sitting idle on Sunday, you'd have to imagine this rivalry may come to a head. One night after Elias' concert at the Gramercy Theater in New York City, will the former NXT man be singing the blues after the one-two-three?
Of course, one man who's poised to come back, too, is Jason Jordan - a man who previously threw vegetables at Elias as he tried to play during a show.
Segment Prediction: Lashley interrupts Elias' greatest song ever (which, if there was any justice, would be The Brood's theme tune) and either demolishes Elias with his own guitar or challenges Elias to a match and gets the win over The Drifter. Then hopefully we can all move on and Elias' singles career can take off.
Segment length: 15 minutes including match. I think we get five minutes of Elias on TV followed by a near ten-minute match.
#7 Money in the Bank Briefcase - Braun Strowman (c) vs Kevin Owens
Well, I was VERY tempted to put this match first on the thought that we may get a cash-in later in the night, but we'll get to that later...
One other prediction for the previous segment is Braun destroys Elias (again) before heading to the ring for his Briefcase defense against Kevin Owens.
Kevin Owens "earned" this match after "winning" his Steel Cage Match at Extreme Rules. Given the nature of the victory, Owens may not have been too jubilant, though, but you can bet the Prizefighter will be up for the fight here with the chance of winning the Money In The Bank briefcase on the line.
Strowman has tormented his opponent in recent weeks by throwing a portaloo with KO inside off the stage and tipping a segment of the stage with Owens on it.
Match prediction: I actually think this may be THE hardest match to predict on the card. Everything points to a Strowman victory, which would lead me to believe Owens is taking it. It's not impossible, especially when you consider that Jinder Mahal has been a part of this equation and could get involved, too. And Owens would be a great Mr Money In The Bank. I'm sticking with a Strowman victory, though, with him demolishing Owens and Mahal. Strowman via Running Powerslam and pinfall.
Match time: 15 minutes - but with a great portion of which being escapology by Owens, with Strowman chasing the former Universal Champion around the ring.
#8 United States Championship - Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs Jeff Hardy
Well, well, well, this match came as a bit of a surprise. The announcement came on Twitter after weeks of Nakamura terrorizing Hardy. Nakamura picked up a win over Hardy in super-quick time to take the gold at Extreme Rules, hitting his signature low blow to incapacitate Hardy, then hitting an immediate Kinshasa when the determined Charismatic Enigma insisted the referee start the match.
After the match, though, a certain Viper struck to attack Hardy, before costing the challenger his rematch on SmackDown with one of the most brutal beatdowns seen on WWE television in recent years.
Given Orton's beef with Hardy, which has saw Hardy lose his face paint in recent weeks, and the Viper's lurking this past week, I don't think it will come to any surprise if we see Orton at some point.
Match prediction: Jeff Hardy wins. But doesn't take home the gold. Randy Orton hits an RKO outta nowhere on the former WWE Champion to cost him the match, but the feud moves on. Nakamura gets a new challenger and we move forward with Orton vs Hardy at Hell In A Cell.
Match time: I think this is another quick one. Less than ten minutes from entrances to end bell - but a brutal beatdown afterwards to write Hardy off television for a few weeks again before building to HIAC.
#9 SmackDown Women's Championship - Carmella (c) vs Becky Lynch vs Charlotte
Well, WWE have done an incredible job in building up Becky Lynch as the perfect challenger for Carmella's Women's Championship when her winning streak made the Lass Kicker one of WWE's most dominant women after playing second and third fiddle to the likes of Charlotte and Asuka on the blue brand.
After a hot streak, Lynch defeated Carmella to earn herself a title opportunity at SummerSlam, which coincided with arch nemesis James Ellsworth being fired, and thus unable to cost her the title like he has in the past.
However, the return of one Charlotte Flair may just be the X-factor here, with Lynch's odds now decreased as her former friend looks to regain the gold that Carmella stole from her after an IIconics beatdown.
Let's not forget about Carmella here, while she's been pinned a few times in recent weeks, the Women's Champion survived her rivalry with Asuka with the gold around her waist. But who will leave with the title?
Match prediction: This is a tricky one. I'm inclined to say Carmella retains. I could easily see Becky and Charlotte costing each other the title to set up a rivalry between them and Carmella sneaks the win, but I think we're more inclined to see Becky or Charlotte steal the win from the other. I'd love a gimmick finish where both women double pin Carmella and need to fight a best of seven against each other for the title, but that's unlikely. While Becky should be the hot favorite and the Lass Kicker winning the belt back would get a huge pop, I think it's a nearly story and Charlotte Flair picks up the win.
Match length: I think this gets a while. Let's say 20 minutes. 15 minimum. This match has all the potential to be one of the best of the night and I think it'll get the time to allow that too.
#10 Intercontinental Championship - Dolph Ziggler (c) vs Seth Rollins
Well, as if this match wasn't already exciting enough... We already know both Seth Rollins and Dolph Ziggler can put on one incredible match. They've done so every time they've faced off.
Ever since Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental Championship, it seemed like he'd be holding the belt for a very long time. That was until Dolph Ziggler came along with Drew McIntyre. Of course, Dean Ambrose returned this week to make this match even more exciting and even more unpredictable!
Match prediction: Well, surely there'll be a heel turn in this match - but where does it come? Either of the four of these men could turn on their partners, with Ziggler the unlikeliest, probably followed by Seth - but Drew or Dean turning on their respective partners could very well happen. I do think a Dean Ambrose heel turn is a bit soon. I say Rollins wins the title and Drew McIntyre turns on Dolph Ziggler to set up a rivalry between those two, and Ambrose remains in Seth's corner for the foreseeable future before the ultimate turn and feud for the gold.
Match length: Right, here goes, the longest match of the night - a 30-minute extravaganza.
#11 Daniel Bryan vs The Miz
Well, it's finally happening - the grudge match of all grudge matches. Undoubtedly the most personal rivalry culminating at this event, and this one is sure to be explosive.
This one could main event the pay-per-view, but I've stuck with number 11 on the card, probably hitting us just before the final hour.
In WWE right now, there is no better, longer-built story that Bryan vs Miz. This one goes all the way back to 2010 when Daniel Bryan was on the first season of NXT and his mentor was... who else? The Miz. And it would be an understatement to say the pair didn't get along well then.
But this particular cycle started back when Daniel Bryan was the SmackDown Live General Manager and disqualified from in-ring competition - and this is essentially where all the comeback rumors started. Bryan touched a nerve on Talking Smack with The Miz when he called the A-Lister a coward, only for one of the most heated, kayfabe-questioning conflicts in WWE in what seems like an age.
The pair would barb at each other for the months following with The Miz developing copying Daniel Bryan's moves and taking sly digs at every opportunity, but Daniel Bryan couldn't physically respond. Well, in early 2018, Bryan is cleared to return to in-ring action and, seven months later, here we are. The match is finally happening - and it could be the match of the night!
Match prediction: Well, surely it can only be a Daniel Bryan win, right?
Wrong. Surely this won't be the only time this pair clashes. Such an intense rivalry wouldn't get a one-match pay-off. Bryan will dominate the match when he eventually gets his hands on a "cowardly" Miz who'll run to the outside as much as he can. In the end, The Miz will win using dodgy tactics, possibly using a weapon, before hitting Bryan with the Skull-Crushing Finale.
Match length: 20 minutes.
#12 WWE Championship - AJ Styles (c) vs Samoa Joe
Again, this is a main event quality match, but I don't think it's going on last. If Styles vs Nakamura didn't go on last, I don't see this doing it - but I do think it'll be a contender for match of the night.
These two former TNA stars are going head-to-head for the WWE Championship in what has to be the second most highly anticipated match of the night behind Bryan and Miz. While the build for this match has been relatively rushed, the promo skills of both men have hyped this match even more. Just over a year ago, Joe was unsuccessful in challenging for the Universal Championship, but can he finally win his first piece of main roster gold?
Match prediction: After an incredibly hard-fought match, AJ Styles manages to pull off the win. This match will be the perfect combination of brutality and high flying, high energy, adrenaline rush action - but I can't see Joe winning the title. While Styles has held the title for quite a long time, I think Joe will have to wait for his main roster gold. I'd love to be wrong, though, and I think this is another one of those very unpredictable matches.
Match length: Well, both of these men can go! I think this is another 20-minute encounter, maybe even just tipping the 20-minute mark. If Styles and Joe get the time, they will steal the show.
#13 Raw Women's Championship - Alexa Bliss (c) vs Ronda Rousey
Well, it seems like every Ronda Rousey match is both huge news and a complete anomaly at the same time. While this could easily headline the event, I think it just falls into the subheadliner role.
This one goes back to Money in the Bank when Alexa Bliss wrecked Ronda Rousey's hopes of winning the gold in her match against Nia Jax. Bliss attacked Rousey, meaning the former UFC star won by DQ to keep up her 100% record in WWE, but Bliss also incapacitated Rousey in doing so and managed to defeat Jax to regain the Raw Women's Championship.
Needless to say, this pair has been at each other's throats ever since with Bliss barbing at Rousey on the mic week after week, even causing the former UFC star to get suspended.
This match will be only Rousey's third televised singles match, fourth overall, but it could put her atop the mountain in WWE.
Match prediction: Well, I think it's going to happen, Rousey's going to win the big one at SummerSlam. We all know how highly WWE values the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion and putting the gold on her would be huge news across the world of mainstream media. The only other options are another disqualification, possibly at the hands of Nia Jax or Natalya, or Bliss running as fast as she can for a count-out. Neither one is very likely, so I think we get Rousey winning the title with a feud with Natalya to come when Nattie turns on her friend out of jealousy.
Match length: Under ten minutes. A powerful showing from Rousey to make her look like WWE's top woman.
#14 Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar (c) vs Roman Reigns
No, your eyes do not deceive you, the Universal Championship will be defended at SummerSlam - the first time it's been defended in almost four months.
Brock Lesnar's last title defense came on April 27th at the Greatest Royal Rumble, and before that at WrestleMania, both against the same man he defends against at SummerSlam - Roman Reigns.
Reigns defeated Bobby Lashley just a couple of weeks after losing to him at Extreme Rules to earn a shot at Lesnar's title. After the way Reigns lost at the Greatest Royal Rumble, you could say he was entitled to a rematch. And with Lesnar's focus looking to be on UFC, you'd have to think the writing is on the wall for this one.
Match prediction: So, there are two ways this can go - but neither ends with Brock Lesnar winning the title. I'm saying Reigns FINALLY pins Brock Lesnar and wins the title, only to hear, "Roman, I told you, I'M NOT FINISHED WITH YOU!" - Braun Strowman makes a beeline for Reigns, cashes in and successfully defeats a worn down Roman Reigns to make all of his efforts worthless as he still leaves without the gold despite finally slaying the beast, setting up a feud between the pair going forward. Either that or Braun interrupts before Reigns gets the pin, meaning Lesnar leaves WWE having not been pinned since his loss to Goldberg last year.
Match length: 20 minutes. A solid match to end the night with a solution that should send the majority home happy.
Do you agree or disagree with my predictions? Let me know in the comments below.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
