The biggest party of the summer is back, and it returns to it’s previous location,i.e, The Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, where NXT Takeover:Brooklyn II will take place the night before as well. And this Summerslam has an extremely stacked card, arguably the greatest card in Summerslam history, though it can be disputed with the likes of Summerslam 2002. A mega-card on a mega-show, it almost feels like Wrestlemania of the summer.
We are going to witness a series of dream matches, a match 14 years in the making, and matches that are a result of great storytelling, and not just those that are thrown together, which shows in the fact that the fans are anticipating almost, if not all, every match that has been presented on the card. 6 title matches in a total of the 9. Let’s dwelve into the matches, and what we predict the outcomes to be!
Date: August 21st, 2016Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York CityTime: 7 ET/4 PTIndian Time: 22nd August, 2016; 4:30 AM IST
Here are the WWE SummerSlam 2016 Match Card, Result Predictions:
The New Day(c) vs The Club(WWE Tag Team Championship)
The Club have been featured constantly on television in important feuds, whether it has been against Roman Reigns, John Cena, or other tag teams. They are on an extremely great wave of momentum despite having been mis-booked several times over the last few months. After AJ Styles got drafted separately to Smackdown Live, The Club now have their eyes on the prize to dethrone The New Day, who won the tag titles last Summerslam, which would make their reign on the day of Summerslam reach up to 364 days.
However, The New Day have reached a stage where they do not require the titles anymore, and the fact that Big E was written out with a storyline injury makes it the perfect time for them to drop the titles to those who could really use it to fuel their momentum.Prediction: Winners, and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions, The Club
Rusev(c) vs Roman Reigns(WWE United States Championship)
The way things have taken a turn with Roman Reigns the last couple of months have been mind-boggling, to say the least. Before Money In The Bank, it seemed like Roman Reigns was invincible and was going to get atleast a 4-6 month title reign after he finally got his coronation at Wrestlemania 32. However, Reigns failure of the Wellness policy and subsequently his suspension saw him drop the title to Seth Rollins, and then be pinned at Battleground and then to Finn Balor the next night on Raw made his position in the eyes of the WWE officials very fragile.
He then began a feud with Rusev for the United States Championship, which indicated that WWE have stopped pushing Reigns as the top guy for the time being, and it looks like he will be in the upper mid-card until the WWE officials decide that it is time again to pull the trigger on him again, if they do. However, the prospect of Reigns in the mid-card has led to him getting more favorable reactions, unlike the constant backlash he faced leading upto this.
That being said, since May, WWE have began to rebuild Rusev as a monster heel, and he faces his first major challenge in Roman Reigns. Reigns won’t lose anything by a defeat, while Rusev will gain a major wave of credibility in beating the guy who has been pushed as WWE’s top star for 2 years now, so it is benefits both parties long term for the title to not change hands.Prediction: Winner, and STILL United States Champion, Rusev
Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens
This has been an all round entertaining feud, especially due to the comedic element between Jericho and Kevin Owens, and the masterful promos between Enzo Amore and Chris Jericho. Enzo and Cass are undoubtedly the call-ups with the greatest amount of momentum this year. They have been heavily featured in important feuds and are being pushed as an important force to be dealt with.
Not to mention, Enzo & Cass get some of the best reactions of the entire roster. Kevin Owens is fresh off a feud against Sami Zayn where he was unsuccessful, and Chris Jericho is in the midst of the best comeback run of his career so far. However, Enzo & Cass are easily running the greater wave of momentum, and it makes more sense for the babyfaces to go over here.Prediction: Enzo Amore & Big Cass
The Miz(c) vs Apollo Crews(WWE Intercontinental Championship)
The Miz won the Intercontinental Championship from Zack Ryder on the Raw after Wrestlemania when the returning Maryse distracted Ryder for The Miz to pick up the victory and become the Intercontinental Champion. Since then, Miz has hit the reset button on his character and improved significantly by Maryse by his side. He has had quite a good run, going through the likes of Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and a match with Darren Young as well.
Apollo Crews on the other hand, after being called up on the same night the Miz won the Intercontinental title, got lost in the shuffle. However, with the draft to Smackdown Live, it looks like Apollo Crews is getting an opportunity to take the first step in the right direction. The Miz has had a great run, but WWE may look at this match as an opportunity to give a real kick start to the up and coming Apollo Crews and elevate him in the Smackdown Live brand.Prediction: Winner, and NEW Intercontinental Champion, Apollo Crews
John Cena vs AJ Styles
AJ Styles debuted in the Royal Rumble match, and due to just how good he is, he has been shot to the top of the card quicker than most. After Wrestlemania, he became the Number 1 contender to Roman Reigns’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and despite 2 unsuccessful efforts, he came out looking very strong. He then began a feud with a returning John Cena, turning heel and aligning himself with The Club by attacking John Cena. He successfully defeated John Cena at Money In The Bank, albeit with the help of The Club, but nonetheless, defeated Cena in his first pay-per-view back.
They had a six-man tag team match with The Club against Cena and Enzo and Amore, which saw Cena pinning AJ Styles and winning for his team. The draft saw both Cena and Styles drafted to Smackdown Live, and after they both failed to become the Number 1 contender to Dean Ambrose’s WWE World Championship, their feud re-ignited. AJ Styles challenged Cena to a rubber match at Summerslam.
Now, it must be noted that John Cena will be absent from WWE television after Summerslam until atleast Survivor Series, from what is speculated. He will be filming the second season of American Grit, while AJ Styles is rumored to be feuding with Randy Orton after Summerslam. That being said, Cena has achieved almost all that there is to be achieved in the WWE, while AJ Styles is on an extremely hot run as a heel, and thus AJ needs to look strong going forward as the top heel of Smackdown Live. Prediction: AJ Styles with a clean victory over Cena
Cesaro vs Sheamus(First match in Best of Seven Series)
Announced on the go-home Raw before Summerslam, Sheamus and Cesaro had two matches the two previous weeks, with Cesaro being victorious in both. After Cesaro cost Sheamus his match against Sami Zayn, they both brawled backstage, with a visibly furious Mick Foley announcing that the 2 European superstars would have a best of Seven series, with the first match starting at Summerslam.
Cesaro has been gaining a good deal of momentum, while Sheamus has been pushed down the card significantly in 2016. The Celtic Warrior also openly stated that he was frustrated at his creative position in WWE, and said that he just wanted to be in an active storyline. It appears that his wish has been granted, as he is now in a full-fledged feud with The Swiss Superman. Expect this best-of-seven to go down the wire, and Sheamus starting off on the right foot.Prediction: Sheamus Becky Lynch, Carmella & Naomi vs Eva Marie, Natalya & Alexa Bliss
Many believed that the Smackdown Live women’s division had been robbed due to the likes of Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Paige all being on Raw. However, through some fantastic storytelling, especially the handling of Eva Marie, fans have been extremely keen on what the Smackdown Live Women’s division has in store, especially because there will be a Women’s title introduced to the blue brand in a matter of time as well. Naomi also made a triumphant return with a new entrance and gear, as a babyface. In the last Smackdown Live before Summerslam, the returning Naomi was scheduled to face Eva Marie in what was supposed to be her 3rd ”Spectacular debut”. Eva escaped a match with Becky Lynch 2 weeks in a row with some bizzare excuse or the other, and this time, the All Red Everything star didn’t even show up, with her background announcer stating that she was stuck in traffic. Later in the night, Becky Lynch and Carmella faced off against Natalya and Alexa Bliss in a tag bout. Eva Marie then showed up at last, only to have Naomi chase her. This led to a comical sequence that saw the two non-participants enter the ring and cause a scramble, leading to Becky Lynch submitting Natalya successfully. It was then announced that the three babyface women would be facing off agains the three heel women of Smackdown Live at Summerslam. Expect this match to go about with Eva Marie finding excuses not to wrestle, and somehow sneaking in a pin at the end to get nuclear heat from the Brooklyn crowd.Prediction: Eva Marie, Natalya & Alexa BlissSasha Banks(c) vs Charlotte (WWE Women’s Championship; Dane Brooke barred from ringside)
Many fans believed that Wrestlemania 32 would see the coronation of Sasha Banks as the champion of the division. However, it was Charlotte who walked away as the inaugural WWE Women’s Champion in a critically acclaimed Triple Threat Match that involved Becky Lynch too. Charlotte had a good run with the championship, which saw her disowning Ric Flair in the storyline and replacing him with Dana Brooke.
The first Raw after the draft saw Sasha Banks defeat Charlotte to become the WWE Women’s Champion. This came as quite a surprise to many as they believed that Summerslam would be Sasha’s coronation. However, the title reportedly changed hands as WWE wanted to create a buzz about the first Raw after the draft. Unsurprisingly, a rematch was announced for Summerslam. The Boss just won her first title on the main roster, and it is unlikely she will drop it anytime soon.Prediction: Winner, and STILL WWE Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks
Dean Ambrose(c) vs Dolph Ziggler(WWE World Championship)
The brand split has come in a great time for Dolph Ziggler, who has benefited greatly out of it, getting a re-ignited push that has seen him get an opportunity to face The Lunatic Fringe for the WWE World Championship at Summerslam. The match has come as a surprise to many, since Ziggler has been put on a pedestal and toned down for over two years, despite constant show-stealing performances.
However, with simple and effective storytelling, WWE have rebuilt Ziggler in order to make him a credible contender to Ambrose, who has had the strap put on him since Money In The Bank. That being said, they both have done tremendously in their feud so far, even joining forces to take on The Wyatts(Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan). However, it doesn’t seem likely that Ambrose will be dropping the belt anytime soon, as they need a top babyface on Smackdown Live, and John Cena will be missing the next few months well.Prediction: Winner, and STILL WWE World Champion, Dean Ambrose
Brock Lesnar vs Randy Orton
This is a match that has been around 14-15 years in the making. WWE have played this story out giving the context of their history together as rookies in Ohio Valley Wrestling(OVW), which was WWE’s developmental territory at the time. Orton and Lesnar faced each other once on Smackdown in 2002, with Lesnar getting an easy victory. However, it is 14 years later, and Brock Lesnar is now facing a man who is a 12-time world champion.
Their paths finally cross after nearly a decade and a half. It is a very interesting situation, as Brock Lesnar has been busted for anti-doping violations by USADA, and Orton is back from a 9-month injury and is in the start of a hot babyface run. Had it been a month ago before Lesnar was busted, there would be no questions about it that Lesnar was going over. However, Lesnar has been getting bad publicity, and Orton needs to be one of the top babyfaces of Smackdown Live after this.
Also, Lesnar will most likely be back only by Royal Rumble. So with this context in mind, the Viper seems to benefit more out of a win logically.Prediction: Randy Orton
Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins(WWE Universal Championship)
Finn Balor was the 3rd pick for the Raw brand and the 5th overall draft pick. That is a significantly high spot to be drafted at, and if that doesn’t say anything, there is nothing that does. Also, it saw the payoff of fans desperately waiting for Balor to be called up. The results have shown, because on his first night on Raw, Balor won a fatal 4 way against Kevin Owens, Cesaro, and Rusev, and then went on to beat Roman Reigns clean on the main event of Raw to secure his spot at Summerslam.
Seth Rollins was given a pass directly to the Summerslam match as it was Roman Reigns who took the pinfall to Dean Ambrose, and not him. With the WWE World Championship on Smackdown Live, there was the need to introduce a new title on Raw, which has been called the WWE Universal Championship. Not too much of a story has been told between the two competitors at Summerslam, but just the thought of these 2 wrestling titans in the same ring has generated a significant amount of excitement among the fans.
It is being told that Finn Balor will indeed come out as “The Demon” at Summerslam, and if that is so, there is a heavy chance of him winning, as “The Demon” is among the most protected characters. It is not yet clear whether this is the main event of Summerslam or not, but many fans seem to agree that this is the rightful main event of Summerslam. Prediction: Winner, and the inaugural WWE Universal Champion, Finn Balor.
