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WWE SummerSlam promises to be the show of the summer and if it lives up to even an iota of its hype, it will accomplish its lofty pledge. With WWE's biggest and brightest stars clashing on the summer's biggest stage, the WWE may have the closest thing possible to a can't fail card. With the end of the Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar feud finally in sight after 4 years in the making, what does Vegas believe the Big Dog's chances actually are to end The Beast's five hundred plus day reign of terror?
Ronda Rousey receives her very first championship opportunity; but, against the unscrupulous WWE RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss. Will Bliss use her championship advantage to survive Rousey and leave SummerSlam with her championship in hand or will Rousey reach the pinnacle of her newfound sport like she did her last?
A.J. Styles has been WWE Champion since November 2017; but, hasn't faced the likes of former Impact rival Samoa Joe. Will Samoa Joe's foray into familial psychological warfare be enough to defeat The Phenomenal One? There are twelve total matches on SummerSlam's main card & we analyze what Las Vegas oddsmakers think about each and every one of them in our SummerSlam By the Odds review.
SD Tag Champs The Bludgeon Brothers vs The New Day
The Odds: The Bludgeon Brothers (-140) vs The New Day (+100)
The Favorites: The Bludgeon Brothers
Why Vegas Is Right: The Bludgeon Brothers have been dominant since debuting on Smackdown LIVE this past October. The former Wyatt Family members have annihilated every team thrown their way. This includes The New Day, whom they defeated (along with The Usos) at WrestleMania 34 to achieve their very first tag team championship gold.
While The New Day had an impressive outing against Sanity on Tuesday's SmackDown, they aren't done with Sanity yet and are making the dangerous misstep of entering a new feud while another potentially more serious one festers on the back burner. If The Bludgeon Brothers size and physical strength fail, Sanity will certainly play a factor in their inevitable victory.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: The Bludgeon Brothers have been dominant; but, in an extremely weak tag team division. On last week's episode of Smackdown LIVE, their match with a trio of jobbers known as Triple Threat didn't even get off to a start as The Bludgeon Brothers annihilated the three before the bell started. Why did they attack the trio? Were they afraid to put something on tape that could be exploited later?
One wonders what it exactly is they are trying to hide. One thing is certain. It's easy to dominate against weak competition; but, how will they perform against one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history?
Furthermore, are we supposed to forget that this is Luke Harper and Erik Rowan, formerly of The Wyatt Family? Before entering Smackdown's tag division as The Bludgeon Brothers the two were losing regularly. History proves the duo are indeed beatable & possessing vulnerabilities that will inevitably be exposed.
Finn Balor vs Constable Corbin
The Odds: Finn Balor (-170) vs Constable Corbin (+130)
The Favorite: Finn Balor
Why Vegas Is Right: Finn Balor defeated Baron Corbin in their first matchup at Extreme Rules and with Corbin's history of losing no one should expect anything different in this match. Balor is a far superior in-ring talent with a much higher ceiling than Corbin. He will utilize his speed, elite aerial abilities, and superb technical prowess to achieve a decisive victory over The Lone Wolf.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: While Finn Balor may indeed be the superior wrestler, his career has stalled as of late. Corbin's career was stuck in neutral for years while on Smackdown LIVE; but, recently on RAW, may have found his calling as Constable Corbin. WWE once had high hopes in Baron Corbin, who was the 2017 Money in the Bank winner.
Why would WWE derail that now when they have a chance to re-build Corbin? If they viewed Balor as a much higher commodity than Corbin, he would have won more decisively than by a fluke small package at Extreme Rules. Look for a humiliated Corbin to learn his lesson after losing to Balor at Extreme Rules. A wounded wolf will prove to be a dangerous one and Corbin will gain an upset victory over Balor.
Cruiserweight Champ Cedric Alexander vs Drew Gulak
The Odds: Cedric Alexander(-120) vs Drew Gulak (-120)
The Favorite: Equal Odds
Why Vegas Is Right: These two men are simply equally matched. While Gulak is arguably best known for his personality and mic skills, Vegas recognizes that he is also masterful in the ring, just like his opponent the Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander. That's why this one is simply too close to call.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: There are several factors Alexander has in his favour. For one, he has the vaunted championship advantage. Unless Gulak finds a way to pin or submit Alexander, he won't be walking out of SummerSlam as the new Cruiserweight Champion. It isn't like Alexander isn't capable of losing via pinfall or submission. It's just that Gulak hasn't shown he is the man to do it.
Alexander has wrestled on the big stage before (WrestleMania 34); but, this is a first for Gulak, who will likely succumb to the pressure of the big lights, the thousands in attendance, and the millions watching at home on the WWE Network.
U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs Jeff Hardy
The Odds: Shinsuke Nakamura(-265) vs Jeff Hardy (+185)
The Favorite: Shinsuke Nakamura
Why Vegas Is Right: Shinsuke Nakamura is at his very best when he is a heel. Since betraying AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34, he has seen incredible advancement with his character and his WWE career. Why would the WWE derail that run for a quickly ageing and often injury-prone Jeff Hardy?
Nakamura is also simply better in the ring and more than capable of executing a single decisive Strong Style blow that will cause Hardy to inevitably lose consciousness and the match.
Fans must also remember that Randy Orton wants in this match in the absolute worst way and wasn't given the opportunity. He was lurking at Smackdown LIVE for a reason and it had little to do with Shinsuke Nakamura. A predator on the prowl doesn't don't bode well for Jeff Hardy's chances.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: Jeff Hardy is in the twilight of an illustrious career. Time and time again he has proven that he will do anything to win, including putting his body on the line in the most extreme circumstances.
Nakamura undoubtedly enjoys being United States Champion; but, he also has other hobbies like surfing and listening to Queen. He lacks Hardy's killer instinct and won't be willing to travel the extreme lengths Hardy will. At the end that will make all the difference in this match.
Daniel Bryan vs The Miz
The Odds: Daniel Bryan (-105) vs The Miz (-135)
The Favorite: The Miz
Why Vegas Is Right: Daniel Bryan is one of the world's best in-ring performers; but, oftentimes attempts to do too much. He can't help it. It's who he is. Working 'smart' is the Miz' domain and he will take advantage of every Bryan misstep and capitalize on every overreach to achieve victory in this match.
Furthermore, Bryan has yet to sign a new deal with the WWE. He will be a free agent on September 1st, which just so happens to be the date of Cody Rhodes' debut indie pay-per-view All In. Don't look for WWE Creative to do any favours for Bryan or independent wrestling here. The Miz goes over and goes over clean.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: Daniel Bryan hasn't signed a new deal yet; but, it has been reported that he is a virtual lock to re-sign with the company. Why would he leave a lucrative opportunity like the WWE for uncertainty in the indies, especially when his wife Brie Bella is also employed by the company? Bryan has an ideal situation to take care of multiple generations of his family for many years to come, so don't look for him to leave the WWE. With Bryan sticking around for a while, look for him to remind The Miz that his ultimate destiny is a world championship.
The Miz is arguably the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time; but, that is small potatoes compared to Bryan's legendary status. Bryan wins this one by utilizing his far superior technical ability and simply wrestling circles around the reality television star.
SD Champion Carmella vs Charlotte vs Becky Lynch
The Odds: Carmella (+115) vs Becky Lynch (+185) vs Charlotte Flair (+235)
The Favorite: Carmella
Why Vegas Is Right: Carmella's run as Smackdown Women's Champion has been far from perfect; however, if it has been nothing else, it has been entertaining. She is great on the microphone and the WWE after all is sports entertainment. Carmella doesn't have to be the best technical wrestler to carry the mantle as the face of the company. She just has to be good, charismatic, and more interesting than the others. So far she has met (even exceeded) those goals.
Have you noticed Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair getting personal as of late? Lynch recently appeared on Jim Ross' The Jim Ross Report podcast and vented about Charlotte's inclusion in the bout. She was also adamant and unrelenting (anything but friendly) about her inevitable victory while discussing the match with Charlotte last night on Smackdown. Lynch has been compared to Charlotte since her debut on the main roster and that's where her focus is and always has been. With Charlotte and Lynch consumed with one another, things certainly bode well for the Smackdown Women's Champion.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: Carmella hasn't done well with fans whatsoever. Recently WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross accused her of going into business for herself & many have described her as having go home heat with the fans. It's not a good place to be for the woman chosen as the face of her brand. She is in the ring with two far superior wrestling talents and each woman will dominate, even brutalize, Carmella in the match.
While Lynch & Charlotte have the buddings of a future feud on their hands, the two women are too professional to let anything get in their way of a potential championship victory. Look for them to join forces and take Carmella out early. Arguably the best woman's wrestler in history, Charlotte Flair, will defeat Lynch to win yet another championship.
Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs Seth Rollins
The Odds: Dolph Ziggler(+205) vs Seth Rollins (-285)
The Favorite: Seth Rollins
Why Vegas Is Right: Seth Rollins is arguably WWE's best in-ring performer. With a Universal Champion that isn't part of weekly television, Rollins has stepped up as the face of RAW and excelled in doing so. Admittedly, he is on bit of a losing streak to Dolph Ziggler, who has relied on interference from Scottish psychopath Drew McIntyre. Rollins; however, has found a great equalizer in returning SHIELD partner Dean Ambrose. Look for Ambrose to neutralize McIntyre and Rollins' star to continue to rise as he bests Ziggler for another Intercontinental Championship reign.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: The odds account for the return of Dean Ambrose as if that would be a positive for Seth Rollins; but, where was Rollins when Ambrose was injured? He wasn't in mourning; but, moving on quickly to a masterful singles run. Ambrose watched his SHIELD brother succeed where he had failed in getting over with the WWE Universe and it likely made him intensely jealous, even stark raving mad with rage.
Rollins won't just have to look out for Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler; but, also should be on the lookout for an obviously unstable Dean Ambrose, who will ultimately cost Rollins the match. The big issue Rollins faces is his loyalty to Ambrose. A double cross hasn't even crossed his mind and a heart is a bleeding wound in shark-infested waters.
MITB Briefcase Match: Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens
The Odds: Braun Strowman (-300) vs Kevin Owens (+220)
The Favorite: Braun Strowman
Why Vegas Is Right: There is no greater dominant force in professional wrestling that Braun Strowman. Owens is so terrified of the near seven foot behemoth that he finds it difficult to stand to toe with him, often resorting to running out of Strowman's reach, like a scared child running from a monster in a horror film. Yes, Kevin Owens technically defeated Strowman at Extreme Rules; but, did so in the weakest possible fashion imaginable, by being tossed over the steel cage and onto an unforgiving announcer's table. He won by default.
If Owens runs this time, he won't win the coveted briefcase and if he stays to fight, he certainly has no chance of defeating the strongest and most intimidating man to ever step foot in a wrestling ring.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: After taking such a brutal fall at Extreme Rules, Kevin Owens had time to reflect and time to reassess what family and professional wrestling mean to him. The disregard Strowman showed for Owens' safety disgusts Owens; but, even more so, it has motivated him.
Look for Strowman to feign fear and catch the Monster Among Men off guard. He will utilize his superior in-ring intelligence and technical acumen to cut Strowman in half, taking out his legs and cutting Strowman down to size. As a masterful heel, Owens won't hesitate to break the rules to even the playing field.
This will also certainly come in handy. At the end of the night, Owens is too intelligent to let such an opportunity slip through his grasp. He will defeat Strowman and become the new Mr. Money in the Bank.
RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss vs Ronda Rousey
The Odds: Alexa Bliss(+300) vs Ronda Rousey (-420)
The Favorite: Ronda Rousey
Why Vegas Is Right: Ronda Rousey is arguably the greatest professional fighter to ever step foot into a wrestling ring. She knows how to bend people at her will and make them break. This past Monday on RAW, Bliss utilized the services of four 'highly trained' security guards; but, Rousey annihilated three of the four with ease. The last man looked her in the eyes and terrified, ran out of the ring in search of safety. Rousey's dismantling of Bliss' security team was strictly business; but, Alexa Bliss' disrespect for Rousey makes it personal. The last time Bliss took things to such a personal level (WrestleMania 34 vs Nia Jax) she lost her RAW Women's Championship.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: Alexa Bliss is a professional wrestler and she won't let a rookie MMA fighter take her RAW Women's Championship. Bliss' championship advantage is key here and so is her in-ring intelligence. Bliss, whose often dwarfed by taller opponents, almost always seems to find a way to victory. SummerSlam will be no different. She has something up her sleeve. She always does.
This time look for Bliss to utilize the services of a heartbroken Natalya Neidhart in order to hold on to her coveted RAW Women's Championship. Natalya was reported to feud with Rousey before the passing of her father Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart.
Rousey said incredibly moving words on Monday; but, was she really there for her friend or did she care more about the pursuit of championship gold? Why wasn't she at Natalya's side instead of pursuing Alexa Bliss on RAW? This will all come into play on Sunday at SummerSlam.
WWE Champion AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe
The Odds: AJ Styles (-160) vs Samoa Joe (+120)
The Favorite: AJ Styles
Why Vegas Is Right: AJ Styles has been WWE Champion since November and has successfully defeated every challenger thrown at him. Oftentimes the Superstars were bigger and stronger; but, Styles has never faced a superior when it comes to heart and that makes all the difference. Samoa Joe is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with; but, Styles is one of the world's greatest wrestlers.
Look for him to use Samoa Joe's aggression to his own advantage. Styles has the coordination of an elite gymnast and even the slightest lack of coordination Samoa Joe shows will prove to be all the room Styles needs to achieve victory. When Samoa Joe is forced into wrestling a Styles match, he loses 100% of the time.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: This isn't the same AJ Styles. Styles is now a man scorned and when Samoa Joe brought Styles' family into this feud, he wounded Styles on a deeply emotional level. Samoa Joe, a master in psychology and manipulation, knew what he was doing. Gone will be Styles' strengths: his athleticism, in ring precision, and intelligence are now extinct in this SummerSlam match. An incensed Styles will attempt to engage Samoa Joe in a brawl which will be a terrible mistake that inevitably costs Styles his WWE Championship. If Styles keeps the more powerful Samoa Joe anywhere near him, he will be overpowered and outgunned by a far superior striker. With Styles taken out of his game, it is only a matter of time before Joe grips the lethal Coquina Clutch, putting Styles and his nine-month championship reign to sleep.
Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns
The Odds: Brock Lesnar (+220) vs Roman Reigns (-300)
The Favorite: Roman Reigns
Why Vegas Is Right: Did you see Brock Lesnar on RAW? He has never been leaner and that's because he is focused on fighting in the UFC. He assumes he will come in and beat Reigns; but, forgets that he was victorious over Reigns at the Greatest Royal Rumble on the account of a technicality. Paul Heyman has sheltered him to the point of wrestling insanity. He simply doesn't know that he is walking into a buzz saw. Reigns dominated the Greatest Royal Rumble cage match; but, Heyman is such a good hype man that even Lesnar falls for it and believes otherwise.
With Lesnar having one foot out the door and toe dipping into UFC waters, do you really think Paul Heyman will stand idly while his cash cow looks to graze in other pastures? Yes, Heyman appeared to betray Roman Reigns on Monday's RAW; but, he also offered him a deal that was never taken back. Heyman left Reigns with a contract in his hands. After initially failing to fully realize Heyman's value to Brock Lesnar and the Universal Championship, Reigns has learned a very painful lesson. Look for him to turn to the dark side and for Paul Heyman to somehow someway cost Brock Lesnar the match and his Universal Championship. Make no mistake about it: Roman Reigns is a Paul Heyman guy.
Why Vegas Is Wrong: Every time Roman Reigns has squared off against The Beast, he has come up short. There's no legitimate reason to think this time will be any different. Yes, Lesnar's eyes are on the UFC and he is losing weight in an attempt to get into fighting shape. This only means that he is hungrier and as he daily gets closer to the octagon, undoubtedly more prone to aggression. That's terribly bad news for Roman Reigns.
There's also the Vince McMahon factor to consider. If Lesnar's hell-bent on returning to the UFC, Lesnar taking the Universal Championship to the Octagon to destroy UFC's very best would be an opportunity McMahon likely would find to lucrative to pass up.
There's also the possibility that Lesnar is already signed to a long-term WWE deal and if that's the case, McMahon may keep the Universal Championship around Lesnar's waist just a little bit longer until he finds a more deserving (and likeable) champion than Roman Reigns.
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