WWE SummerSlam takes place this Sunday night from Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center. The card for the 31st event under the SummerSlam chronology is a stacked one, with the best from the RAW and SmackDown Live brands.
The main event for Sunday’s PPV will see Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns battle it out for the WWE Universal Championship in a match that will be viewed closely due to rumors of “The Beast Incarnate” possibly being UFC-bound. Other headline bouts will see Ronda Rousey challenge Alexa Bliss for the RAW Women’s Championship and Samoa Joe challenge longtime rival A.J. Styles for the WWE Championship.
SEScoops staff writers Ian Carey, Andrew Ravens and Jeff Moss have prepared their predictions for each of the matches scheduled for Sunday’s big event. Without further adieu, here are our predictions for WWE SummerSlam.
RAW Tag-Team Champions The B-Team vs. The Revival
Ian: I wish I thought the Revival are getting the belts but considering the match is on the preshow, I’m going to go with Axel and Dallas. I get the feeling the Revival might not be Vince McMahon’s cup of tea. (Prediction: The B-Team)
Andrew: A match that is purely filler as we just saw it this week on Raw and one that no one really cares about. The Revival should obviously have a run as tag team champions and will eventually but not here. WWE is behind Dallas and Axel right now, and they find a way to retain the titles. (Prediction: The B-Team)
Jeff: I doubt I’m alone in thinking that the B-Team thing has just about run it’s course. I’m all for comedy wrestlers or in this case tag teams, but “accidentally” succeeding gets old. If I’m lucky, the Revival with walk out there, Shatter Machine them both back to Main Event and walk away with the straps, breathing some much needed air into the RAW tag team scene. Smackdown has been killing it lately with tag teams, so let’s get a RAW team that we can take seriously as Champions. (Prediction: The Revival)
CONSENSUS: 2-1 for The B-Team
Rusev & Lana vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
Ian: If this was on the main card I would expect a storyline development involving Aiden English but I think they will wait for Smackdown to do that. The pre-show isn’t given as much importance for storylines and angles. Almas and Zelina should win after botched interference from Aiden English but English won’t leave the trio completely until Tuesday. (Prediction: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega)
Andrew: This is a throwaway match that will likely have a heavy showcase for Rusev and Almas, who should have a good match that will likely have them dominate the in-ring time of it. It’s a toss-up as to who wins this match. Rusev and Lana are fan favorites, but Almas has been kept strong on TV. I have Almas and Zega winning here. (Prediction: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega)
Jeff: Given that this card has Bryan/Miz, Aj/Samoa Joe and about a dozen other matches on it, I shouldn’t really complain about the wonderful unicorn known as Rusev and the downlow best worker in the company, Almas, being sandwiched into this mixed tag match. That said, wouldn’t Rusev vs Samoa Joe for the title be something you’d want to see at say, Survivor Series? Anyway, Rusev & Lana win here because they have merch. (Prediction: Rusev & Lana)
CONSENSUS: 2-1 for Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
Ian: Daniel Bryan will surely take home the feel-good victory here. One might think that Miz would get the win due to his reality show currently airing but Miz is better showcased by being given his due from babyfaces, anyway. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan)
Andrew: The contract status of Bryan plays a big factor in this match due to the fact that the next PPV event is after the date that his contract expires. If Bryan wins here, I could see that being a factor that he re-signed, but if he loses, that could lead to two things. Either he has signed a new deal, and WWE will continue this feud, or he hasn’t and want to put Miz over. Bryan should go over here in storyline, and I will predict he’ll win. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan)
Jeff: This feud has had it all; heated words, on-set face punchings, fake babies, and some of the most killer video packages WWE has ever done. This will more than likely be the match of the night given the 8 years of heat between the two men involved. I’d expect Daniel Bryan to win here, unless he’s planning on heading for the Indies next month. I don’t want to lose him from my weekly TV viewing though, so with a little luck this will not only be a killer match, but show WWE that they should back that dump truck full of cash out of Lesnar’s driveway and head west with it to Chez Danielson. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan)
CONSENSUS: 3-0 for Daniel Bryan
Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin
Ian: Balor should pick up the feel-good victory here. Once upon a time Finn Balor was winning World Championships at SummerSlam… now he’s wrestling Corbin in a match few are excited about. (Prediction: Finn Balor)
Andrew: Balor should win here and for the sake of the match, let’s hope they keep it short as they haven’t had the greatest matches in the world when they work with each other. Balor gets his revenge once and for all. Balor wins. (Prediction: Finn Balor)
Jeff: It’d be fun if Finn showed up in Biker Werewolf Baron Corbin cosplay, or beat him in 5 seconds and spent the next 30 minutes in the ring building a Lego Millennium Falcon. Aside from that, I can’t see this match being anything other than a pee-break for me, which is a shame considering how great Finn Balor is. (Prediction: Finn Balor)
CONSENSUS: 3-0 for Finn Balor
WWE U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jeff Hardy
Ian: So Randy Orton never got named to this match? He must get involved somehow. I’m predicting this match gets thrown out in some way due to Orton’s interference. I also predict nobody shakes his hand following the match. (Prediction: No Contest)
Andrew: Randy Orton lingering in the background of this match will be put out to shine, and he could even play a factor into this fight. We’ve already seen this match twice with the latest finish coming with Orton attacking Hardy for him to win by DQ. I have Nakamura winning with help from Orton, who distracts Hardy, in order to retain his title. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Jeff: Seriously, what does this guy have against Jeff Hardy’s balls? Shinsuke has crushed them. Shinsuke has allowed Randy Orton to crush them. Shinsuke crushed them AGAIN. I was hoping once he moved on from Aj, Nakamura could have a really feud with someone like Rusev or Daniel Bryan or even Tye Dillinger. But no, here we are, looking at our 7.000th Hardy/Nakamura match in 60 days that will more than likely have a testicle-related finish. Maybe if Matt’s serious about retiring, he could manage his brother and keep the w(br)oken universe alive. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
CONSENSUS: 2-1 for Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander vs. Drew Gulak
Ian: It’s still Cedric’s time with the title. Until 205 Live develops a potential new star, they won’t take the belt off the current champ. Lio Rush could be on his way up but he’s not there yet. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
Andrew: Alexander has gone a great job at not only being the Cruiserweight Champion but also carrying the 205 Live brand, which needed a solid champion that the fans could not only get behind but also believe in. Alexander will retain in a fun match. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
Jeff: Oh yeah, they still have a Cruiserweight title, don’t they? I kid, 205 live has been great lately, and I like Alexander as the champion. I’d expect him to retain here, possibly via Mustafa Ali interference in order to keep the belt on Alexander so they can go at it again. Come to think of it, a Crusierweight Hell in a Cell match has never been done before, has it… (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
CONSENSUS: 3-0 for Cedric Alexander
SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Carmella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair
Ian: I’m picking Carmella! A triple threat with one heel and two friends is often a great opportunity for the heel to pick up a cheap victory. Expect Carmella to rub her victory in on social media to all the people who tell her she can’t wrestle. (Prediction: Carmella)
Andrew: All signs point to Carmella losing the title here, but WWE might have a swerve coming with either Lynch or Flair turning on each other and setting up a rivalry going forward. Carmella squeaks out with a cheap win to retain her title. (Prediction: Carmella)
Jeff: Thanks for keeping that belt warm, Carmella! But Charlotte’s back in town and if she doesn’t walk out of SummerSlam the winner, I’ll be shocked. I could easily see this leading to a battle between Becky and Charlotte over the title as Charlotte will probably employ some of her father’s tactics in order to win. Could bring some “straight fire” to the SD women’s division heading into fall! Also, where’s Asuka? (Prediction: Charlotte Flair)
CONSENSUS: 2-1 for Carmella
WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins
Ian: The Shield will take this match for the feel good victory. The real question becomes if Roman will be thrown into the Shield reunion after SummerSlam is over. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Andrew: An interesting dynamic here as Rollins should get his revenge on Ziggler after weeks of problems and getting beat down by both Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. However, with Dean Ambrose being at ringside, that adds a factor into it. I think WWE keeps the strap on Ziggler here with Ambrose and McIntyre getting into at ringside which allows Ziggler to walk away with the cheap win and setting up a tag team match next month. (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler)
Jeff: Another potential show stealer in this match, especially with the return of jacked up, Angry Dean Ambrose. However, am I the only one who thinks after the match he’s going to turn on his former Shield Bro, setting up a feud between the two over the IC title? Dolph can go do standup for a while and wouldn’t it be fun to see Drew take on a new, Braun Strowman-sized challenge? I think it would. Like I say, potential show-stealer, but Seth wins. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
CONSENSUS: 2-1 for Seth Rollins
MITB Briefcase Holder Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
Ian: I have a feeling I might give a different pick than many on this one. I’m taking Kevin Owens, however. Owens is a cowardly heel and Strowman an unstoppable monster. One needs a briefcase to win the title and the other doesn’t. I expect Owens to get another cheap victory by way of DQ or count-out to win the briefcase. Strowman will have to win the title some other way. (Prediction: Kevin Owens)
Andrew: Strowman should not lose this match not only due to the good momentum that he has despite working with Owens at the previous PPV event but also because of what’s on the line here as Strowman is someone that should/will be booked into the main event scene, and likely an opponent for Roman Reigns going forward. Strowman goes over here to win the match and keep his MITB briefcase. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
Jeff: I’m genuinely curious what they plan to do with this match as they have telegraphed the idea of an Owens win and Cash-in pretty hard. Hell, could even be just a Strowman cash-in, but since it’s expected, thats when WWE likes to throw the monkey wrench into things. Are they ready to pull the trigger on a Strowman title run? I don’t think so, but Owens, the best Universal Champion, getting the case and holding it over the heads of everyone heading into the fall would make for great TV. Either way, no one gets rag dolled like by Strowman like Owens, so the match should be entertaining. (Prediction: Kevin Owens)
CONSENSUS: 2-1 for Kevin Owens
SmackDown Live Tag-Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The New Day
Ian: I get the feeling Vince McMahon isn’t totally done building the Bludgeon Brothers up as monsters yet. I give them the win over New Day. (Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers)
Andrew: You could make the case that it’s time to put the titles on The New Day as a way to change up the division but Harper and Rowan are still a new act as we have seen New Day as champions several times in the past. I see it being a good to solid match that could be extended another month. There’s no real good reason to take the titles off Harper and Rowan, and I see them retaining. (Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers)
Jeff: Let me just jump right to the prediction here and say New Day takes back the tag titles. The Bludgeons have run the course, which is sad given that they are both great workers. Hopefully WWE can find a niche for them that doesn’t involve paper mâché hammers and Nu-Metal outfits soon. New Day have been having killer matches for what, a year now? It’s time they take their place on top and we get a re-match of their Hell In A Cell outing with the Usos. (Prediction: The New Day)
CONSENSUS: 2-1 for The Bludgeon Brothers
WWE Champion A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe
Ian: This will be a fantastic match but it will not be where Styles loses the championship. I think AJ is going to be given the belt to run with until he surpasses CM Punk’s 481 day mark. To WrestleMania and beyond AJ! One day Joe will get the belt, it just won’t be Sunday. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)
Andrew: I actually see Joe winning this match here as it makes sense. Joe has been built up as a top star and challenger on the blue brand. These two are advertised for upcoming WWE events and will likely continue their feud at the Hell in a Cell PPV event next month. Styles has had a great run as champ, but now it’s time for him to chase with Joe as champion, which is something that is overdue. Joe wins the title. (Prediction: Samoa Joe)
Jeff: AJ Styles is one of the best performers in the world right now, arguably all time. He’s had classic matches during his run in WWE, but let’s be honest; his title reign has be lacking. Mainly lacking an adversary that can deliver. Joe can deliver. These two should be able to put on a clinic in what should be match of the night. My only disappointment has been that this feud has so far been mostly talking. Weird, family oriented talking. Here’s hoping some action takes it to the next level. As may or may not be apparent, I love heated rivalries over titles where it goes back and forth. (Prediction: Samoa Joe)
CONSENSUS: 2-1 for Samoa Joe
RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss vs. Ronda Rousey
Ian: I hope this match closes the show. It likely won’t, otherwise WWE would have made a big deal of the first women to main event SummerSlam. I think Rousey squashes Bliss and begins her reign as an unstoppable champion. (Prediction: Ronda Rousey)
Andrew: It appears more and more that this is Rousey’s time to finally capture her first title in the WWE and no other spot is better than SummerSlam at this time of the year. Some can say that it’s too early for her to win the title but we are getting closer month by month to WrestleMania. Rousey wins the title and can feud with Bliss for the next few months. Rousey gets it done. (Prediction: Ronda Rousey)
Jeff: Alexa bliss is a 5-time women’s champion. Ronda Rousey may not be human. We’ve already done the “Rhonda loses via shenanigans” bit so hopefully the WWE doesn’t go back to that well. As much as I love Alexa, if you want Rousey to be as dominant as she should be, she needs to grab that belt like she was born for it. That alone will elevate the title, division and give the women like Ember Moon and Ruby Riot a reason to step up their game and show us what they’ve got. (Prediction: Ronda Rousey)
CONSENSUS: 3-0 for Ronda Rousey
WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
Ian: I picked Roman at WrestleMania and I was incredibly confident in my pick. At the Greatest Royal Rumble, I again picked Roman and again felt confident in my pick. Yet somehow, here we are at SummerSlam and I’m about to make the same mistake all over again. He has to right? They have to have Roman beat Brock at SummerSlam. Part of me wants to believe he won’t and then they’ll have Strowman beat him and become the new big dog he runs this yard. Won’t happen though. Roman for the win. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Andrew: This is by far the easiest prediction of this whole card. Vinnie Mac gets his way and crowns Reigns as the Universal Champion. Lesnar, who is off to the UFC, is not advertised for any other WWE events and his contract is most likely up after this match. This isn’t a huge surprise by any means. Although I do pick Reigns as the winner, don’t be surprised to see Braun Strowman cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase after the match as a way to send the fans home happy. Reigns wins this match against Lesnar and the title. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Jeff: This match has been talked about, written about, blogged about, podcasted about and speculated on by everyone and their (big) dog, myself included, and I’m so tired of it. It’s going to go one of three ways; 1) Roman wins and everyone boos because they’ve been trained to even though he’s really good. 2) Brock retains and flips back and forth from WWE to UFC, we still don’t have a major title on RAW and everyone boos. Or 3) There’s a Money In The Bank Cash in and Strowman or Owens walks away with the title making it the second time Roman has been screwed by the MITB briefcase. And everyone will probably boo for no reason. Personally, I want the Monday-After-Wrestlemania Roman Reigns who beat the Undertaker to end up with the strap and not only revel in the boos but finally be allowed to make them work for him. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
CONSENSUS: 3-0 for Roman Reigns
What do the experts think is going to happen on Sunday? Check out the official betting odds. What do you think of the above WWE SummerSlam predictions? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section.
