There have been many epic encounters at SummerSlam over the years. Most of which we have been detailed in our greatest main event in SummerSlam history article which can be found here. Judging by the card for this year’s show, there are potentially three or four matches that could steal the show. Now we have been burned in the past by cards that looked better than they turned out to be (we’re all looking at you, Battleground) but hopefully that won’t be the case with this event. 

Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler

It is a little sad to see Dolph in this match. On the one hand we should be happy he is fighting for a title on a major ppv. On the other hand he is fighting the Miz. Now that isn’t a knock on the Miz. Ok, maybe it is a little bit but should this match even be happening? Why didn’t Ziggler win the title in the battle royal? We try not to put too much stock in Internet rumor but it was reported that Ziggler was supposed to win but creative changed their minds a few days before the ppv. Things like this happen all the time in the WWE, but one question needs to be asked: Does the Miz need the IC title? He main evented a WrestleMania and just filmed a movie for the WWE. The title does nothing for him. In addition to that he brings nothing to the title either.

The IC title was historically known as the “workhorse” title and it really needs to be worn by someone how is just that, a workhorse. Ziggler is clearly never going to get another main event push. The least they can do is allow him to hold the title he was born to hold.

And the winner is…

The Miz. Miz with get the win by cheating or he will get himself DQ’d. 

Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt

It’s hard not to love an appreciate Chris Jericho for everything he has done in his wrestling career. That said, not even he could save this angle. Why are these two fighting? Because Bray is upset Jericho ate the last pizza roll? No? Well this writer’s explanation makes more sense. It would make more sense for Jericho to have spilled a cup of coffee on Bray and that led to them feuding… what? That happened already? With who? … Kane? Ah ok, well scratch that.

Bray had a ton of momentum leading into his feud with John Cena. Every last bit of it has dissipated since. You don’t have to beat your opponent to get put over, but being destroyed by Cena helps no one and that’s exactly what happened. The other issue here is that we are being over saturated with Bray promos. Less is more. His shtick is getting real old, real fast. Last week he stole a line from “Silence of the Lambs” we see you Bray. We see what you did there. Stop being lazy.

And the winner is…

Bray Wyatt. All signs point this feud continuing beyond SummerSlam so Bray has to go over. The Wyatt Family has been banned from ringside, but look for them to make their presence felt and cost Jericho this match. With a cheap win here, their next match can be a gimmick match to blow off their feud for good. 

Jack Swagger vs. Rusev (Flag Match)

Can someone tell this match it isn’t 1985 anymore? All jokes aside, flag matches are old school. It’s hard not to appreciate them. This writer’s preference would be to see these two go at it in a normal wrestling match. Their last match was great up until the count out ending. The build to this match has been better than most of the other matches on the card. The verbal sparing between Lana and Zeb has been highly entertaining. Swagger size is underrated. He looks physically imposing even when standing next to Rusev. Will Rusev’s streak finally end?

And the winner is…

Jack Swa… Just kidding, Rusev. As much as we all love Swagger it’s just not feasible for him to end Rusev’s streak. No, breaking Rusev’s streak is being reserved for someone else. Someone who is going to need something to do after they lose their match tonight. You’ll know who I am talking about when I get to them. Stay tuned. 

Divas Champion AJ Lee vs. Paige

First thing that has to be said is thank god they finally made Paige a heel. Her look just oozes heel. She is very talented in the ring, but when she was a face they gave her nothing to do and even less to say. AJ Lee has always been a polarizing character. No one would argue the fact that she has charisma, but some say she is lacking as far as her ring work is concerned. This writer doesn’t agree with that on any level, but even still she has stepped up her in ring work since returning. The build to this match has been fun. Watching Paige mimic AJ has led to some pretty funny moments. 

And the winner is…

AJ Lee. This match ends with Paige going for the Paige Turner and getting put in the Black Widow. 

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins (Lumberjack Match)

The big question here is will this match even happen? The WWE Universe got burned at the last ppv because we didn’t get to see the scheduled Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins match because Ambrose was thrown out of the building. If anything, it builds the anticipation for this match. Why they heck is this a lumberjack match anyway? As crazy as Ambrose is you would think he would have picked a dog kennel from hell match or something along those lines. Either way, this should be a great match and there is no way this feud ends here.

And the winner is…

Seth Rollins. It’s hard to see the Authority’s golden boy not go over here. Ambrose gets caught up with the lumberjacks and walks right into a Curb Stomp by Rollins. 

Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton

This match could have farther reacting implications than you would think at first glance. Can Roman Reigns perform in a big moment in a singles match? So far most of his defining moments have been in tag matches/battle royals. Orton is a great adversary and it is really up to Reigns to prove his doubters wrong here. If Reigns screws up, his push may go the way of Ziggler (yes, that is officially a thing now).

And the winner is…

Roman Reigns. Orton will do his damnedest to put Reigns over. Orton goes for the RKO, gets pushed off and Speared. 

Brie Bella vs. Stephanie McMahon

Who could have ever imagined that the co-main event for this year’s SummerSlam would be a match between Stephanie McMahon and Brie Bella. Oh, you didn’t know this was the co-main event? They have closed Raw with this angle twice leading up to the ppv and it gets more TV time than all the other matches combined. Up until this past Monday night it would be hard to argue that it didn’t belong as the co-main event. The whole “Daniel Bryan cheating on Brie Bella” thing is just plain stupid. Let’s not even talk about the horrid acting of the girl who claimed to be his lover. It was a long time coming seeing Steph put in the Yes Lock, but Brie has to tighten that up because it look awful.

And the winner is…

Brie Bella. Look, the shadow of the obvious swerve of Nikki betraying Brie looms over this entire affair, but doing that would mean they want this to feud to continue. One would gather that they only plan on getting one match out of this. So, Steph is celebrating because she thinks she one and gets put in the Yes Lock and taps out. 

WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

The build to this match has been great. Both Cena and Heyman have been hitting on all cylinders promo wise. There really isn’t much that can be said about this match so lets just get down to the nitty gritty.

And the winner is…

Brock Lesnar. There have been a lot of theories floated about how this will go down. My personal favorite is the whole “Heyman turning on Lesnar and representing heel Cena”. If that happened, this writer’s heart would explode with happiness and that is exactly why it will never happen. This is just like the “Batista winning the Royal Rumble” thing. It’s inevitable.  This ends after two F5’s. The second of which will probably be on a chair. All signs are pointing to the Reigns vs. Lesnar at WrestleMania. That match sounds great on paper, but it should be Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan. That would be the definition of David vs. Goliath. 

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