Submitted by: Joren B. Apiquian, Pro Wrestling Writer
17 August 2016
Before every
Pay-Per-View, the Geektified Team is going to make their expert predictions on
what we think should and will happen on the show. We are going to kick things
off by guessing what’s going to happen at the biggest part of the summer, WWE
Summerslam. With Summerslam being the second biggest pay-per-view in WWE, they have
to live up to the hype and relay that message to the WWE Universe. As we have
seen in the past, Summerslam has lived up to the expectations of the audience,
but it has also left us scratching our heads on more than one occasion. For
instance, during one of the WWE’s darkest times, someone probably named McMahon
backstage believed that Diesel versus Mabel for the WWE Championship would have
been an amazing main event. Not only was it a complete disaster, but Mabel
nearly ruined Diesel’s career with a botched spot. Back to reality, this year’s
Summerslam has an impressive card that has a lot of potential to be recognized
as one of the best pay-per-views in the event’s storied history. Let’s take a
look at the card.
·
Naomi, Becky Lynch & Carmella vs. Natalya,
Alexa Bliss & Eva Marie
·
Cesaro vs. Sheamus
·
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho
& Kevin Owens
·
The Miz (C) vs. Apollo Crews for the
Intercontinental Championship
·
The New Day (C) vs. Luke Gallows & Karl
Anderson for the WWE Tag Team Championship
·
Rusev (C) vs. Roman Reigns for the United States
Championship
·
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
·
Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
·
Sasha Banks (C) vs. Charlotte for the WWE
Women’s Championship
·
Dean Ambrose (C) vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE
World Championship
·
Finn Bálor vs. Seth Rollin for the Universal
Championship
Honorable Mentions
Although
one of the aforementioned matches may be added to the pre-show, there is a good
chance that WWE may just throw an unannounced match onto the card as they’ve
done numerous times before. The following matches aren’t guaranteed to be on
the card, but anything can happen.
With
that being said, we may be doomed to see the continuation of the lackluster
feud between Darren Young and Titus O’Neil. The chemistry simply is not there,
but considering WWE’s (and Bob Backlund’s) persistence in making Darren Young
great again, expect him to walk out of Summerslam with a win if they do end up
locking horns, but due to their former partnership, this will not be the last
time we’ll see them mix it up in the ring.
Result: Darren Young defeats Titus O’Neil
Baron
Corbin has tormented Kalisto backstage ever since the former Lucha Dragon
“cost” Corbin his shot at the Intercontinental Championship. Although this
particular mini-feud has given this writer horrible flashbacks to Heidenreich
and Michael Cole as well as Ryback’s failed run as a heel in 2013, this rivalry
has a lot of potential to give the two NXT transplants larger pushes in the
future. Corbin’s “take no prisoners” attitude is nothing new to the WWE
Universe, but that fact that he takes out both heels and faces is a breath of
fresh air. The pop he received after flooring The Miz a few weeks back on
Smackdown Live was quite commendable. Kalisto has been in limbo since dropping
the U.S. title to Rusev. Expect Corbin to bring the “end of days” to Kalisto.
Result: Baron Corbin defeats Kalisto
Naomi, Becky Lynch & Carmella vs. Natalya, Alexa Bliss & Eva
Marie
The
finest women performers on Smackdown Live will go to war in 6-woman tag team
action. Since this is the final official addition to the Summerslam card, don’t
expect it to get a lot of time. This is a shame because all of these women are
extremely talented and have a lot of potential. Yes, Eva Marie has been
training endlessly to become a force in the ring too. She may not be the next
Trish or Lita, but she’ll turn some heads when she gets in the ring. He
reluctance to get in the ring has been one of the more interesting aspects of
Smackdown Live. With that said, Eva will avoid every tag she is offered, much
to the dismay of the Queen of Black Harts and Miss Bliss. Naomi’s recent
gimmick change was well received from the crowd and it is great to see her
simply having fun out there. That’s something that will definitely catch the
eyes of the creative team. Becky Lynch is one of the best performers today regardless
of her gender. She is receiving the slow-burn approach to success, which will
benefit her. Carmella has the toughest task ahead. Despite making great strides
in the ring over the last year, she is still green as a performer and would
have thrived with Enzo and Cass. With a mass array of fresh talent in the
women’s division on Smackdown Live, this is one of the more difficult matches
to predict. Eva Marie will resort to dirty tactics to pick up the win, making
her heat with the crowd even more substantial.
Result: Natalya, Alexa Bliss & Eva Marie defeat Naomi, Becky Lynch
& Carmella
Cesaro vs. Sheamus
Cesaro
just can’t catch a break, can he? His frustrations with his role in the company
have been on display both on and off of television. In the latest chapter of
Cesaro’s pitiful booking, he now has to take on Sheamus in a Best-of-Seven
Series. This is a feud that nobody wants to see go on, let alone for a maximum
of seven times in a row. Sheamus has been irrelevant since dropping the WWE
World Championship to Roman Reigns last year, yet he is still featured more
prominently than a lot of the so-called “New Era” performers. On the other
hand, the Cesaro Section is still alive and well. These two will have a good
match with a fair balance of technicality, brawling, and brute strength. Since
this will be the first encounter in the series, Cesaro should pick up the first
win to not only please his internet fans, but the Brooklyn crowd as well.
Result: Cesaro defeats Sheamus
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens
Given
all of the charisma involved in this feud, the build-up should have been
golden. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Enzo and Cass have been arguably
the most successful of the NXT alumnus in recent memory. Kevin Owens is the
next big thing in the WWE and consistent on a weekly basis. Chris Jericho is a
future hall of famer who has effectively reinvented himself once again, proving
that he really is the best in the world at what he does (Drink it in, maaan).
This match may not be remembered even a few months from now, but it will be a
fast-paced showdown. The New York and New Jersey boys have been on fire since
their debut, but this is where Kevin Owen starts rebuilding himself into the
main eventer that he is destined to be. Expect KO to pull Big Cass out of the
ring after Jericho rolls out of the way of the Bada-Boomshakalaka, leading to a
Codebreaker straight into Amore’s skull.
Result: Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens defeat Enzo Amore & Big
Cass
The Miz (C) vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Championship
Like
it or not, The Miz has been awwwwwwesome since taking the Intercontinental
Championship from Zack Ryder the night after Wrestlemania 32. He is one of the
few performers in the WWE today that can still garner heel heat from the
audience on a regular basis. After thwarting every challenger like a modern day
Honky Tonk Man, he is now presented with his latest challenger in the form of up-and-comer
Apollo Crews. If anyone is familiar with his work on the independent scene, they
know that Crews is destined for big things in the WWE. However, the crowd
hasn’t fully opened up to him. There are a few underlying factors, whether it
is the corny, never-ending smile or lack of character development. Crews’ time
will come, but don’t expect it to be at Summerslam. Although he undoubtedly
deserves the strap, him winning it at the biggest party of the summer will be
too underwhelming due to the current storyline. He won’t go down cleanly
because that’s not how The Miz operates! Maryse will definitely have some
involvement as well.
Result: Apollo Crews defeats The Miz via DQ, The Miz Retains
The New Day (C) vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson for the WWE Tag
Team Championship
The
New Day has ruled the tag team division for well over a year now. Many tend to
forget that The Primetime Players ended their first run with the titles before
dropping them back to them at last year’s Summerslam event. They have been one
of the more consistent acts in WWE, proving to be both comedic and serious when
called upon. However, all good things must come to an end and this is where the
New Day falls. They will be taking on Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson without
the muscle of the group, Big E, who is recovering from “ring-post-itis.” The
better part of this feud is the Gallows and Anderson have proved that they’re
capable of thriving without AJ Styles by their side. Many found their penile
jokes childish, but it shows that they’re more versatile than they have been
presented up until this point. The wily veteran Kofi Kingston and the
psychology genius of Xavier Woods are going to put up a valiant effort, but
once the Boot of Doom falls upon them, the reign of the longest WWE World Tag
Team Champions will come to an end.
Result: Gallows & Anderson defeats The New Day to become the new
WWE World Tag Team Champions
Rusev (C) vs. Roman Reigns for the United States Championship
Similar to the
6-woman tag match, this is one of the harder matches on the card to predict.
Since becoming a two-time U.S. Champion, Rusev has been transformed into one of
the best natural heels in the company despite using the evil foreigner heel
formula that has been used repeatedly over the years. On the other hand, Reigns
has taken a back seat following his suspension for violating the wellness
policy, but has he really? His feud with Rusev has been the focal point for the
last two episodes of RAW. Instead of pushing the new Universal Championship,
Reigns is still being portrayed as the main attraction. His reactions have been
much more positive lately, but that could be due to Rusev’s amazing heel work.
Rusev could be dropping the title to Reigns so he and Lana can go on their honeymoon,
but it would be a shame since his run would end prematurely. On the other hand,
Reigns could still be serving his punishment and take another clean loss. The
odd booking decision on the go-home episode of RAW saw Reigns cleanly pin Rusev
in a non-title match and if WWE’s booking has proved anything over the years,
it can prove that Superstars with the most momentum heading into pay-per-views
usually end up losing their match unless their name is Brock Lesnar. It
probably won’t be their final encounter, so expect Rusev to retain somehow
against The Big Dog.
Result: Rusev defeats Roman Reigns retains the United States
Championship
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
In
the span of eight months, AJ Styles has become one of the most intriguing
aspects in WWE and he will truly be someone to benefit from the brand
extension. John Cena’s in-ring career is definitely coming to a close in the
near future unless he begins a part-time schedule to pursue other career
opportunities. He has been preaching that the New Era Superstars have to go
through him before they can begin their journey towards prominence. The only odd
thing about that statement is that Styles is only two months younger than Cena.
These two have had the hottest feud of the summer and after Styles’ heel turn a
few months back, he has been on fire both on the microphone and in the ring.
After losing feuds to Chris Jericho and Roman Reigns shortly after his debut,
it is time to solidify Styles as the real deal. Despite being 39, Styles is in
tremendous shape and puts on breathtaking performances on a daily basis. He
needs this definitive win here, but if history has proven anything, it is that
the top guys in the company, no matter how long their run on top has been,
always come out the victor. Just take a look at Cena’s feud with the Nexus,
Ryback, Bray Wyatt and Rusev. This is where the tides should begin to shift,
giving the possibility of the impossible: A John Cena heel turn.
Result: AJ Styles defeats John Cena
Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
This
match has been 14 years in the making and the WWE Universe will finally be able
to see it. Suplex City meets Viperville. The RKO meets the F-5. The Beast
Incarnate meets The Viper. This is the one match that will definitely be
remembered for years to come without a shadow of doubt. The main question surrounding
this bout is simple: Is this where Brock Lesnar finally falls? Since his return
to WWE television in 2012, Lesnar has been portrayed as unstoppable. Foreign
objects and unclean finishes have been the only times Lesnar has fallen to
opponents since then, but that was a rarity in of itself. He remains the only
one who decimated John Cena in decisive fashion at Summerslam 2014. However, if
anyone can do it, it is Randy Orton. The third-generation superstar has been a
valuable asset to the company as he has expressed his love for the business
every time he steps in the ring. The RKO is also arguably the most beloved
finishing maneuver since the Stone Cold Stunner. Although it seems impossible
to pull off, but the only way Orton should slay The Beast is if an F-5 is
reversed into an RKO. Again, it doesn’t seem possible to do, but if anyone can
do it, it is Randy Orton. Unfortunately, not even that will be enough to put
Lesnar down for the count. Lesnar said it best during the video package aired
on Smackdown Live: “Randy Orton is not the one to defeat me.” Orton can recover
from a loss to Lesnar and based on their stare down on the last episode of
Smackdown Live, it is possible that Bray Wyatt makes an impact in this match.
Isn’t it odd that he is not featured anywhere on this year’s card? Suplex City
will remain intact while Viperville crumbles.
Result: Brock Lesnar defeats Randy Orton
Sasha Banks (C) vs. Charlotte for the WWE Women’s Championship
Sasha
Banks dethroning Charlotte on the first episode of RAW following the brand extension
was a breath of wonderful fresh air. It’s a shame that titles don’t switch
hands on RAW and Smackdown as much as they used to. When it does happen, it is
a great sight to behold. Banks is one of the most over performers in all of
professional wrestling and her reign will not end. This is the easiest match on
the card to predict. Charlotte has had a lengthy reign with the title
considering her run with both the Women’s and Diva’s titles. Banning Dana
Brooke from ringside is only going to help Sasha’s chances. She has done it
before and she can do it again. The Women’s Revolution finally seems as if it
is happening. It’s amazing to see the transformation of women’s wrestling in
the last couple of years. These females can give the men a run for their money
because they’re not subjected to Bra and Panty matches and mud wrestling. The
Banks Era has just begun.
Result: Sasha Banks defeats Charlotte to retain the WWE Women’s
Championship
Dean Ambrose (C) vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE World Championship
Dolph
Ziggler always takes advantage of every opportunity given to him. Despite the
worst booking of any other Superstar in this era, he still puts on one hell of
a show every time he steps in the ring. His willingness to prove the naysayers
and Dean Ambrose wrong has been a delight to see on Smackdown Live. His
emotion, whether it’s on the microphone, backstage, or on commentary, it is
apparent every time he speaks. His facial expressions makes one want to believe
in him. The only thorn in this rivalry is the face vs. face dynamic. It
shouldn’t be a concern in every rivalry, but it is hard to get in Ziggler’s
corner when he is going up against one of the most over Superstars in WWE today
in Dean Ambrose. Ambrose’s appearance on the Stone Cold Podcast definitely has
him more motivated to be the top guy and he has been set ablaze since then.
Ziggler’s frustration has been on full display, but Ambrose’s heart will
overcome him in this bout. After failing to grab the biggest title in the
industry, expect Ziggler to let out a vicious attack on Ambrose, leading him to
the dark side, where he has had great success throughout his career.
Result: Dean Ambrose defeats Dolph Ziggler to retain the WWE World
Championship
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor to become the FIRST EVER Universal
Championship
Despite
all the criticism surrounding the name of RAW’s newest title, this match will
be simply amazing. Anyone familiar with Bálor’s work in NXT will know that he
is fully capable of being the next face of the company. Rollins does not need
any explanation. He is one of the best all-around performers in the entire
world. The buildup leading up to the match has been the biggest drawback. Finn
is still adjusting on the mic from the NXT crowd and the main roster crowd. That’s
always been his biggest weakness, but he will figure it out like he did in NXT.
Luckily, Rollins (along with his awesome laugh) has been able to take the reins
from a talking standpoint to make their feud compelling to watch. The decision
of debuting The Demon King for the first time on the last episode of RAW before
Summerslam was questionable booking at its finest, but it was still a sight to
behold. The appearance of Bálor’s alter ego not only allowed the crowd to voice
their favorite profanities towards the Irish-born competitor, but it gave
people who aren’t subscribed to the WWE Network their first taste of why Bálor
has been put in this position immediately. He has all the tools to be the
biggest name in WWE since John Cena due to his marketable look, in-ring
repertoire, and intriguing character. As every WWE fan knows, Seth Rollins is as
opportunistic as Edge, so he may pull some strings to help him achieve victory.
However, Finn’s, along with the Demon King’s, credibility will be diminished
immediately if he loses in the alter ego’s in-ring debut. Much like AJ Styles,
Bálor needs this win way more than Seth does, especially if WWE wants to make
the New Era feel as new as possible.
Result: Finn Bálor defeats Seth Rollins to become the FIRST EVER Universal
Champion
What our your thoughts and predictions on WWE Summerslam this year? Share your comments below!
What our your thoughts and predictions on WWE Summerslam this year? Share your comments below!
No comments:
Post a Comment