Personally, I feel that this year's card is much stronger than WrestleMania, and the WWE actually had a few interesting story lines developed coming into this big event.
So, sit back and enjoy my ideas on how this one should play out.
U.S. Championship: Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
It's no secret that I believe ECW was the greatest United States based wrestling organization ever. Its combination of well-developed storyline and interesting booking style changed the industry. There also isn't much dispute to the fact that Rob Van Dam contributed greatly to that success. His nickname was "The Whole Fuckin' Show" and in most cases, that's exactly what he was. However, his performance outside of the hallowed halls of that dirty bingo hall in Philadelphia hasn't been as impressive from what I've seen. Of course, you should keep in mind I didn't see much of him post-ECW. I fail to understand why the WWE have picked him up on this current run with no real plans to use him. He has recently been meandering from match to match, with no feud or even hope of one in the pipeline.
Dean Ambrose and The Shield, on the other hand, have been going strong since their debut last year. They have consistently had feuds with main eventers and upper mid-carders. Their faces are staples on Raw.
This is also a dark match, scheduled for an hour before the official air time for the PPV. There is no way Van Dam gets the title here. The Shield will reign supreme.
Prediction: Dean Abrose retains The United States title.
Natalya vs. Brie Bella
For those not in the know, the WWE recently launched a television show centered around the Divas on cable television. I haven't seen it and won't. Although the women of the WWE have consistently become better workers over the past decade, I just don't care. I understand they need to advertise their new product, so there is two divas matches on the card for Summerslam.
Brie is apparently one of the bigger stars on the show form what I can gather. Natalya is simply filling space in the ring for this one.
Dolph Ziggler and Kaitlin vs. A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston
This is an interesting match. Finally, Dolph Ziggler is over. He is one talented guy and I see him being a huge star in the coming years if he can stay healthy. Where Kaitlin comes in I missed.
Of the Divas in the WWE, A.J. Lee is my absolute favorite. She has taken the "crazy chick" gimmick and ran with it nicely. It helps that the front office has thankfully given her plenty of opportunities to showcase her talent at playing crazy. On her side is Big E. Langston, who possesses one of the funniest twitter accounts out there. These two have an interesting dynamic following the break from Dolph Ziggler.
No surprise here, but Ziggler is going over.
Prediction: Ziggler and Kaitlin
Cody Rhodes vs. Damien Sandow
This former tag team's split has big potential for career advancement. This storyline is one of the best in the WWE right now after Sandow cheated Rhodes at last month's Money in the Bank pay-per-view to win the coveted briefcase. Since then, he may have won the match, but Rhodes has gotten the best of him every week.
Sandow is going to cash in the briefcase to win the title, eventually. At SummerSlam, Rhodes is going to continue to get the best of him.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes
Kane vs. Bray Wyatt
Kane is nearing the end of his career. He's been around long enough that we've seen what he can do. His gimmick has definitely run its course. It's time to pass on the torch, and I can't think of a better person than Bray Wyatt.
The Wyatt's have a new twist to the dark, evil bad guy gimmick that has potential to be big. They first caught my interest in NXT, and was not surprised in the least when they began airing promos for them on Raw.
This is also a "Ring of Fire" match, which was custom designed for Kane and the Undertaker. Wyatt going over here is the perfect way to pass the torch.
Prediction: Bray Wyatt
World Heavyweight Championship: Alberto del Rio (c) vs. Christian
Alberto del Rio is the champion, rightfully. He's a talented worker and has finally caught on with the fans. His run as a face was successful, but he is best as a heel. It is best for the WWE, as they currently have a lack of decent bad guys, especially in the upper mid card.
I just feel no excitement in seeing him take on Christian. There was just no one else available. This may be a good match, but it's just there out of obligation and to fill time.
Prediction: Alberto del Rio
CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar
I'm looking forward to this one. CM Punk and Daniel Bryan are two tremendous workers, and I'm glad to see them main eventing the big pay-per-views. Punk's break from Paul Heyman was well-done and completely necessary. CM Punk doesn't need someone to speak for him. His gimmick makes him sound like a loner, and he should be written accordingly.
Brock Lesnar, on the other hand, needs Heyman to speak for him as he is in the WWE on a limited basis and Heyman is at every show. His mic skills also aren't that great, much like Curtis Axel. It is inevitable that these two meet at SummerSlam.
This match could go either way. It doesn't make sense for CM Punk to lose this one as he has only recently returned and is gaining momentum after the face turn. A clean win over Lesnar is one way to jump him back to world title contention. However, having Lesnar completely destroy one of the top main event guys right now solidifies him as a monster, and the WWE could go that way.
It's hard to say which way the creative team will go. At the end of the night, I see CM Punk walking away with a win via disqualification.
Prediction: CM Punk
WWE Championship: John Cena (c) vs. Daniel Bryan
John Cena with the championship serves no purpose. He has to lose it, and there is no better person for him to lose it to than Daniel Bryan.
I don't get Cena. When I began watching wrestling again after twelve years of not watching, he is the biggest "I just don't get it" guy out there. Why is he so popular? His exchanges with The Rock leading up to their first WrestleMania match were entertaining, but it was The Rock carrying Cena the entire way. He isn't a great worker. He appeals to kids. He supports the troops. He works with Make-a-Wish. He's Hulk Hogan. In no way does Cena need this championship to be over. It serves no purpose.
When wrestlers have been that popular that long, they don't like to lose. Much like the aforementioned Hogan and someone like Shawn Michaels. So it takes a little something extra to have them drop that title.
Enter: Daniel Bryan. He's not your typical wrestler. He's much smaller and has a true indy pedigree. He is professional wrestling's equivalent of the American dream. He looks nothing like a main eventer and probably shouldn't even be there. Except he is. He caught on with his "Yes" and "No" chants, which moves merchandise which ultimately decides your fate. I'm one who says he'd never wear wrestling related merchandise, but even I want that "respect the beard" shirt. McMahon just did several segments with him which gives me hope that the chairman is taking interest.
Also, Bryan and Cena are both dating one half of the WWE's Bella Twins. As they have the potential to become brothers-in-law, Bryan has a more than fair chance of winning the belt. If they want to cement Bryan in the main event, he should be the person to finally make Cena say, I quit."
Prediction: Daniel Bryan wins WWE Championship
But wait, there's more. Speculation is running wild that Randy Orton may cash in his Money in the Bank contract to take the title away from Bryan. This could very well happen, because in theory Bryan making Cena submit takes every bit of effort he has. He'd be written as defenseless, setting up a rematch at whatever next month's pay-per-view is. I hope that isn't the way it plays out. Why build up Bryan as a big contender, have him win the title in what I hope is spectacular fashion, only to lose it minutes later for a rematch at some no-name pay-per-view. However, this is the WWE and anything can happen.
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