The plans for the top of the card for this year’s SummerSlam have reportedly been finalized in recent weeks. While obviously things can — and usually do — change a hundred times between now and then, especially in the case of a big show like SummerSlam, the company has apparently decided on the key directions they want to go for this year’s big summer event.
Originally the plans called for a Daniel Bryan vs. Brock Lesnar match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the show, however with Bryan’s neck injury and uncertain in-ring future, that idea is said to be off the table.
As things stand now, Lesnar will still challenge for the title upon returning, with the idea that Lesnar — coming off ending Undertaker’s streak — going for the title will make the belt seem more important.
The most likely scenario for SummerSlam would be Lesnar challenging whomever wins the title at the 6/29 Money In The Bank pay-per-view. With that being the plan, it’s expected that a top baby face — likely John Cena or Roman Reigns — ends up winning the title at the pay-per-view in two weeks.
There is a long shot that Cesaro could win the title, seeing is how there’s been a long-standing plan for Lesnar and Cesaro — the two “Paul Heyman Guys” — to eventually collide with each other. While there haven’t been any indications that the company plans on turning Cesaro into a face anytime soon, it is considered a possibility considering the built-in story line.
It should be noted that Heyman, when referring to the Money In The Bank ladder match for the title on 6/29, said it was a “spoiler” that Cesaro would win, the same word he used when promising fans that Lesnar would break Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania XXX.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
