VNYLDEN’S WWE SummerSlam Predictions

SummerSlam is this Sunday on the WWE Network. Due to the success with our Wrestlemania predictions, Micah, and Sean  decided to bring it back once again for the biggest show of the summer. On a side note, Xander was supposed to join in but due to other commitments, he had to bow out. So with that being said, Here we go!

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(SummerSlam Kickoff Match) Cruiserweight Championship Match  Akira Tozawa (C) vs Neville

Sean Quinn: As much as I felt it was a nice surprise to see Tozawa hold the belt, we all sadly know in the back of our minds what Vince McMahon thinks about anything to do with a foreign champion (that isn’t Jinder) and his past with Titus. Was a good way to bring in ratings for the go-home RAW. Sadly, I do not think Vince and the still new era same old sheet attitude the creative team has the guts to give Tozawa a good run with the belt. I expect Neville to reclaim his throne as the King of the Cruiserweights and we see more opponents come up. I for one would love to see more of Gran Metalik.

Winner: Neville

Micah Chen: This match is on the pre-show for a reason, Neville is not getting his title back. WWE seems to finally have found a role for Titus O’Neill, and they will likely run with the Titus Brand as they attempt to freshen up the Cruiserweight Division

Winner: Akira Tozawa

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(SummerSlam Kickoff Match) SmackDown Tag-Team Championship: The New Day (C) vs The Uso’s 

Sean: Very thoroughly disappointed with the state of the Smackdown Tag Team division. So let me get this straight, it’s the New Day, The Usos, Breezango (I’m the only one who couldn’t care less about the Fashion Police schtick?) Harper and Rowan who are nowhere to be found like the Hype Bros and the Shining Stars, AND The Ascension. What a disaster. This feud will likely carry onto Survivor Series at this rate. New Day is still doing really well and I don’t think Kofi missing out will be a problem. Expect another great performance from Xavier Woods.

Winner: The New Day

Micah: The New Day can be counted on for quality segments when everything around them is up in the air. The longest reigning tag team champions are in a position for another lengthy title run. You would hope to see them matched up with Breezango down the line.

Winner: The New Day

 

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(SummerSlam Kickoff Match) Jason Jordan and The Hardy Boyz vs The Miz and The Miztourage

Sean: (Editors note: due to this match being added at the last minute, Sean was not able to answer, so Xander stepped in)

Micah: The Hardy Boyz do not have the same appeal that they did in their prime early 2000s run. Which has caused them to fall to pre-show duty just months after their inspiring return. WWE needs a reason to give Jason Jordan a title shot. This will be a good way to get him momentum as Jordan gets pushed for his first major title match.

Winner: Hardys/Jordan

Xander:

Winner: Hardys/Jordan

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WWE Raw Tag-Team Championship: Cesaro and Sheamus (C) vs Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins

Sean: A lot of people are expecting a heel turn sometime soon but I believe WWE are smarter than that. The big plan that I’ve been hearing was a Shield triple threat somewhere down the road and to me that would make the most sense at ‘Mania. I see these guys holding onto the titles for quite a while having some great feuds, all while building up tension and an inevitable heel turn, and I see Seth as a better heel than Dean. Plus, while Summerslam has historically been a PPV with little title changes, usually 1 or two mid-card title changes so I pick this as one of those changes.

Winner: Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins

Micah: A Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins tag-team championship run is inevitable. However their entire storyline has been a slow burn, and that will continue at Summerslam. Cesaro & Sheamus are fine as tag-team champs, they should not be getting trounced by a recently reformed team.

Winner: Sheamus and Cesaro

 

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United States Championship: AJ Styles (C) vs Kevin Owens with Shane McMahon as special guest referee

Sean: Everyone is expecting since Kevin Owens kicking Shane McMahon for AJ to win thanks to Shane’s help, but I truly believe another swerve is coming. Not sure how it’ll happen but Shane should turn heel during the course of the match and help guide Kevin Owens to a victory. I expect this feud to carry on further down the road as well so AJ can focus on the big things he has in store for 2018.

Winner: Kevin Owens

Micah: Kevin Owens will accidentally on-purpose take out Shane McMahon. This will bring in a new referee and AJ Styles will retain. Setting Shane McMahon vs Kevin Owens. AJ can utilize the US Championship until Jinder Mahal is out of the picture.

Winner: AJ Styles

 

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“The Demon” Finn Balor v. Bray Wyatt

Sean: This one was pretty tough for me because Finn bringing back the Demon character really wants me to think he’s going to have a huge upside and a big victory. However, this feud just got started and I see it lasting into maybe one more PPV likely No Mercy. Bray’s character really has hit a low as of late and it’s really unfortunate. The cult leader scary voodoo man thing just isn’t cutting it in today’s audience I guess. Changing times maybe? Regardless, he’ll get the victory and Finn will get his revenge at the next Raw PPV.

Winner: Bray Wyatt (via count-out)

Micah: A lot of people say it did not make sense for Finn Balor to lose to Bray Wyatt on free TV. But with his demon character re-emergence, it is an excuse to give him a victory back and set up a best of three. This feud should keep them busy through at least the next Raw PPV No Mercy.

Winner: Finn Balor

 

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Smackdown Women’s Championship: Naomi (C) vs Natalya 

Sean: Not to be a dampener of moods but the WWE has a way of taking real life situations and making it part of their storylines. With Ric Flair being in the condition he is in, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Charlotte Flair hold the gold once again as a big win if we do end up losing the greatest in-ring performer and arguably the greatest talker in wrestling history. I can’t even fathom that happening but like Dale Jr did after his dad passed, it would make more sense for Charlotte to win off of a heel than Naomi. I see Natalya winning and starting a feud with the other faces like Becky Lynch and Charlotte.

Winner: Natalya

Micah: New life is needed in the SmackDown Women’s Division, and it certainly will not be provided by Natalya or Naomi. Having Carmella cash the briefcase in her backyard will magnify the reaction. James Ellsworth’s returns indicate Carmella is back in the spotlight on Smackdown, and having the SmackDown Women’s Championship will bring fresh match-ups to the Women’s Division.

Winner: Carmella via Money in the Bank contract cash-in.  

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Big Show vs Big Cass (Enzo Amore locked in shark cage above the ring)

Sean: Guys…someone started a rumor that Enzo is gonna turn heel and help Big Cass. Why? What was the whole point of splitting them up in the first place? What nobody has remotely suggested which quite frankly surprised me is the return of Vince McMahon (he’s still calling the shots folks) liking sweaty men! Big Show will win, Enzo comes down, and Big Show hits him with the KO Punch. Surprise! Big Show and Big Class team up. Yeah. You heard it here first.

Winner: Big Show

Micah: A built in storyline that Big Show is injured makes this an easy win for Big Cass to pick up. The last time we saw a shark cage match was at Royal Rumble 2017 when Chris Jericho was suspended above the ring. Jericho’s involvement was extremely limited, and I expect Enzo Amore to just be a mouthpiece in this match.

Winner: Big Cass

 

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Randy Orton vs Rusev

Sean: I can’t help but feel like these matches are complete filler. Quite frankly, that’s unfortunate because it takes away time from would be beautiful matches between Styles and Owens and Bliss and Banks. Honestly, this match is almost a throwaway. I’ll give it to Rusev who’s really had a burned bridge in his path lately. Unlike Titus though, I don’t see him on anyone’s bad side (at least for long) and see him getting the victory to get his persona back together.

Winner: Rusev

Micah: Randy Orton has been hard at work these past couple weeks getting his wins back. First against Jinder Mahal, and now he is going to pick up another vs Rusev. Rusev has nothing to lose after getting throttled by Cena in the previous Smackdown PPV.

Winner: Randy Orton

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RAW Women’s Championship: Alexa Bliss (C) vs Sasha Banks

Sean: What an incredible year it has been for Alexa Bliss. While she may not be as ring-savvy as one of the Four Horsewomen, she has absolutely outclassed them on the mic by far. She is fantastic to listen to and I expect her to be around for the long-run. With Bayley not around to be part of Sasha’s run, I expect Alexa to get some outside interference (expectedly from Nia Jax) and she retains.

Winner: Alexa Bliss

Micah: Alexa Bliss will be determined to have a marquee pay-per-view bout after a string of mediocre showings. giving Sasha Banks the title will allow her to continue her feud with Bayley when she returns from injury. But in the meantime, a rematch will Alexa Bliss at No Mercy will suffice. 

Winner: Sasha Banks

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John Cena vs Baron Corbin

Sean: I really have no idea what they are doing with Baron Corbin. I really do not. While he might not have made much sense as a world title holder, we said the same thing about Jinder Mahal and it really hasn’t been that bad. Corbin has zero purposes winning this match other than the minimalist of heat. I see Cena winning and getting back into title contendership. Because he’s John Cena that’s why.

Winner: John Cena

Micah: John Cena is on his way out on Smackdown, so this likely won’t be a John Cena squash. Baron Corbin’s aggression will be at an all-time high, and that should cause his emotions to get the best of him resulting in a disqualification. Cena will still beat up and Corbin will look strong coming out of it.

Winner: John Cena (via DQ)

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WWE Championship: Jinder Mahal (C) vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Sean: Those damn Singh brothers. And by the way, what an absolute waste of the Great Khali for a one night return at Battleground. Yeah, we all know the dude can’t talk nor wrestle but at least keep him around to do Jinder’s dirty work. Either way, a whole lot of interference, but Shinsuke should overcome that. I expect Corbin to come out though anyways without the briefcase and attack Shinsuke to generate nuclear heat because Cena will win earlier in the night.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (via DQ)

Micah: It is said everytime Jinder faces a new opponent, but it is really true this time. Shinsuke CANNOT LOSE to Jinder Mahal. Baron Corbin’s failed cash-in opens the door for a Nakamura clean victory. The entrances will be spectacular but the match will likely disappoint.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

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Fatal Four Way for the WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (C) vs Braun Strowman vs Roman Reigns vs Samoa Joe

Sean: This result is going to make me hurl but you just know it’s going to happen. The big dog hasn’t won anything major since Mania and you just know he’s bound to do something soon. I think Lesnar is going off to get back into the UFC and with Joe being kind out of the spotlight since his loss to Lesnar is going off to get back into the UFC and with Joe being kind out of the spotlight since his loss to Lesnar is really comes down to Braun or Reigns. Although Braun has a lot of good crowd reaction going for him, it’s time for Reigns to get back on top where he doesn’t belong but is there anyway just to troll the fans.

Winner: Roman Reigns

Micah: All this talk about Brock Lesnar leaving at No Mercy leads me to believe he is not leaving. They just keep throwing it in our face and I am not going to be distracted by it. As credible as Strowman and Joe are, they are not mainstream enough to be the champion. Roman as champion would draw groans. Lesnar should stay champion until somebody noticeably separates from the pack.

Winner: Brock Lesnar