WWE SummerSlam: Our Predictions
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On Sunday, August 21, SummerSlam returns to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. This year's event promises to be a big one, as the card for the show is fully stacked. Every title is on the line, including Raw's new Universal Championship title.
Who will win these matches? We have a few guesses and a few way out there predictions for SummerSlam 2016.
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens
In what feels like a match made for the SummerSlam preshow, crowd favorites Enzo & Big Cass take on Chris Jericho and new best friend/enforcer Kevin Owens. Jericho's jealousy of Big Cass & Enzo is the motivator here, and Owens was thrown into the mix, so Jericho doesn't have to fight alone. These are two big egos teaming up, so expect a lot of problems for the two in this match.
There is nothing at stake here, and this match feels a bit slapped together, so unless this is the start of a long rivalry, this looks like it's going to be a match to push Cass & Enzo. We're guessing we'll be seeing some solid Kevin Owens antics during the match, like leaving to go do commentary.
Our prediction: Enzo & Big Cass win clean after Kevin Owens gets bored with Jericho and leaves the match to harass Michael Cole.
John Cena vs AJ Styles
Say what you want about John Cena, but his match with AJ Styles at Money in the Bank--as long as you forget about that dreadful finish--was one of the best matches of the year. The rivalry that built up between these two stars is hot, so why not have them fight again?
Styles no longer has Anderson & Gallows by his side, although they will be at SummerSlam. Styles will probably have to fight clean, since a repeat of Money of the Bank would be maddening. As much as we'd like to see The Club or former Bullet Club member Finn Bálor enter this, it should just be one-on-one. We're giving this one to Styles, in the hopes that they have another match, with some bizarre stipulations attached, at Survivor Series.
Our prediction: Styles wins clean.
Brock Lesnar vs Randy Orton
Every single part of my being wants Brock Lesnar to win. It makes sense. He defeated the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. He suplexed John Cena a ridiculous amount of times in the most one-sided PPV match ever, making Cena look like Barry Horowitz. Lesnar "real life" beats up guys in the UFC.
Nevertheless, Orton has been out of commission for a while and having him come back and lose just doesn't work. Expect Orton to win and for this to rivalry go on for the next few months.
Our prediction: Orton wins clean but is half-dead from the beat down.
Sasha Banks (c) vs Charlotte
(For the WWE Women's Championship)
The women's division has really taken a solid turn in the past year, especially since all the call-ups from NXT. The rivalry between these two stars is white hot, and this seems like it's going to be a must watch match, considering both these women put on amazing performances.
Charlotte's buddy, Dana Brooke, has been banned from ringside for this match, so it should be a clean battle. We're not expecting any big surprises, just a memorable match. However, Sasha Banks should come out on top because they need a champion who can retain a title. If it changes hands all the time, it's a bit annoying.
Our prediction: Sasha wins clean.
Rusev (c) vs Roman Reigns
(For the United States Championship)
Roman Reigns needs something to do at SummerSlam. He's out of the main event picture, for the moment. Since Rusev wasn't defending the US Championship, why not have them fight each other? While the logic isn't incredibly solid, the segment leading up to it was comical enough for us to accept it.
Rusev wants revenge on Reigns for ruining his wedding celebration, which--in turn--left Lana covered in cake that was worth more than any of us make in a month. Reigns will be cool and collected, while Rusev will be filled with rage, which won't bode well for him in the long run. Rusev has been a solid US Champ, but giving Reigns the strap is a solid move here.
Our prediction: Roman Reigns after failed distraction from Lana.
The Miz (c) vs Apollo Crews
(For the Intercontinental Championship)
Apollo Crews won the right to face The Miz for the IC Championship on Smackdown Live. There is no real hype around the match, and it almost feels like this could be a fight pushed to the pre-show, only on the WWE Network.
Whether you love him or hate him, The Miz has been and excellent champ. His attitude and cockiness play well for a heel with a belt. Apollo Crews is great but giving him the belt doesn't make too much sense. We expect The Miz to win but not without cheating somehow to retain his championship.
Our prediction: The Miz wins via distraction by Maryse.
The New Day (c) vs Gallows & Anderson
(For the WWE Tag Team Championship)
As much as we hate to say it, all good things must come to an end. The New Day really hasn't faced a tag team on their level in quite come time. Sure, they fought the Wyatt Family in a creepy, near abandoned compound with a freshly mowed lawn, but the New Day need someone they can feud with for the belts.
Gallows & Anderson need to make a name on their own, away from AJ Styles, so we're sadly giving it to them. Once, again, the New Day has been on top for so long, and Gallows & Anderson should be the tag team they could have a long, entertaining rivalry with. Will the New Day become champs again if the lose the titles? Probably.
Our prediction: Gallows & Anderson win, the WWE Universe cries.
Dean Ambrose (c) vs Dolph Ziggler
(For the WWE World Championship)
This is a bizarre match. It feels pretty forced, since Ziggler hasn't been in the title hunt for a while. Smackdown's biggest stars are already involved in other matches, aside from Bray Wyatt, so Ziggler seems like next logical opponent for the champ, we guess. During segments, Ziggler seems frustrated. This could be foreshadowing to the outcome of the match.
A Ziggler win isn't out of the question, but we're pretty sure that's not going to happen. Ambrose has the WWE Universe behind him and thus far, has been a great face for Smackdown Live. We're thinking there's going to be more to this match: maybe Ziggler turning heel? Regardless, Ambrose has this in the bag.
Our prediction: Ambrose wins by DQ and Ziggler goes heel.
Finn Bálor vs Seth Rollins
(For the WWE Universal Championship)
The top-drafted Raw superstars are set to fight for the new WWE Universal Championship. Seth Rollins has been at the top of his game, since returning from his injury. However, he's facing someone he's never gone up against: the former face of NXT, Finn Bálor. This will be Bálor's first PPV match in WWE, and he's already jumped to the front of the line.
We love Finn Bálor. His entrance is awesome, he's fun to watch in the ring, and during major matches, he paints himself up like Venom. Then, there's Seth Rollins who has been one of the most entertaining champs in years. Rollins is going to win. Putting Bálor in the title picture works because there's so much hype behind him but making him the champ isn't the smartest move, so we're giving it to Rollins. In order for Rollins to win, Dean Ambrose needs to retain the WWE World Championship, so there can be a rivalry between the two shows.
Our prediction: Seth Rollins wins clean.