The 31st edition of SummerSlam, which also means the 30th-anniversary card, takes place tonight from the Barclays Center.
Brooklyn has been home to SummerSlam weekend dating to 2015 with this being the second of four straight nights at the arena.
The focus of the show is on the Universal title match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, a rematch from WrestleMania and the Greatest Royal Rumble events in April. On one hand, you have one of the better promoted main events in some time as the last several weeks of television has seen the company go into overdrive to hammer home the significance of this match, what it means for Reigns to win, and accompanied by some of Paul Heyman’s best work in years.
The other side is that regardless of the promotion and talent involved, this seems like a match destined to fail in front of the Brooklyn audience. The expectation going into WrestleMania from my vantage point was that you would have a minority feverishly opposing the match but would be leveled out by the larger numbers in a stadium setting, I was incorrect, and the audience revolted against the match and was a terrible ending to the biggest card of the year.
There is no doubt that Brock Lesnar’s appearance at UFC 216 in July to confront and challenge Daniel Cormier has heightened the interest because of the mystery of where he lands. He has shot an angle in a UFC octagon, has re-entered the USADA testing pool, but remains under WWE contract, which is expected to be approaching its conclusion. The result is a finish no one outside of a small number could have a good sense of. Logic dictates this is the match Reigns needs to win as another failure would be detrimental to the 3 ½ year plan behind Reigns pinning Lesnar. It was probably the right call to have Reigns win at WrestleMania, as the scene tonight could be even worse.
The company has many options in their back pocket from striking a deal with Lesnar and surprising everyone, wrestling the next night on Raw unexpectedly and dropping the title, and the Money in the Bank cash-in option to send the audience home happy with Braun Strowman or Kevin Owens leaving SummerSlam with the title.
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It’s intriguing because of the variables at play and that’s a good dynamic to have. Whether Brooklyn gives the match a chance is not something to bank on or even remain optimistic for. The company should have the knowledge from WrestleMania to know the audience they are playing for and it’s on them to be proactive and book a match with that in mind. Going 25 minutes to prove a point is sacrificing two key figures, who will be eaten alive and doesn’t prove anything beyond a notion that you won’t allow a crowd to dictate your plans.
If Lesnar is wrapping up this weekend for the foreseeable future, regardless I would be surprised if he never returns, the idea of Lesnar having one match on Raw this week intrigues me and would be the only argument to do a surprise finish and Lesnar wins through nefarious means and then lose the title on Monday.
Here is a preview of the rest of the show, which features 13 matches and we will have a big review of SummerSlam tonight on the site with Wai Ting and myself.
AJ STYLES VS SAMOA JOE FOR THE WWE TITLE
Rather than the culmination of a lengthy program, this feels like the start of a prolonged feud and this is the first chapter.
The story of Joe calling out the conflict of Styles being a full-time wrestler on the road with a family is a real issue audience can buy and hasn’t delved into territory where it has become silly or over the top. The performances of both have brought this program to life and I’ve enjoyed the promos.
In Joe, they can move forward with a champion who possesses an incredible aura, has not been marginalized on the main roster and feels special. Styles has had the title a long time and chasing Joe could be a great story.
With this being the first match of the feud and not the main event, I can easily see this being a non-clean finish to hold off until Hell in a Cell with Joe violently attacking Styles and being disqualified, or Styles is the one to snap proving Joe is in his head. Ultimately, Joe should have a run with the title and would be a great heel champion on SmackDown for Styles and Daniel Bryan to work with.
ALEXA BLISS VS RONDA ROUSEY FOR THE RAW WOMEN’S TITLE
While I’d peg Lesnar and Reigns as the match expected to close the show, the visual of Rousey winning the title is not a bad option to go off the air with.
Rousey has been outstanding in executing her matches at WrestleMania and Money in the Bank. Her matches are carefully put together and even Rousey has compared it to “fight choreography”.
Unlike the Nia Jax match, you don’t have the size differential to tell that story of Rousey overcoming the bigger opponent. That’s why Alicia Fox should be incorporated into the match to help outnumber Rousey and sets up the potential of Natalya coming down late in the match and would probably receive one of the biggest reactions of the entire show.
The idea of Natalya fighting off Fox and setting up Rousey’s first title win is a great scene and will have the audience at a fever pitch. I feel it’s the right time for Rousey to win and the right show and city too.
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DOLPH ZIGGLER VS SETH ROLLINS FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE
I feel these two are going to have a tremendous match and make up for the Ironman debacle at Extreme Rules, where they didn’t have a chance in front of that crowd and the match fell apart.
Dean Ambrose should be a heel, it’s only a question of when you pull the trigger. If Reigns is winning the Universal title, Ambrose can turn with programs against both former Shield members, beginning with Rollins.
The usage of Drew McIntyre will be interesting as he’s ready for something bigger than the sidekick to Ziggler. He could be working main events with Roman Reigns tomorrow. It would seem likely to at least get one tag match out of the four involved in this match and perhaps you run through Ambrose’s popularity from his return and when the time is right to execute the turn.
I’m expecting a great match from these two.
CARMELLA VS CHARLOTTE FLAIR VS BECKY LYNCH FOR THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S TITLE
The easy pick is Becky Lynch finally winning the title but long term, Charlotte winning and having Becky chase her may be more viable. Regardless, I think we are getting a title change with one of the challengers winning.
One idea is Becky Lynch pinning Carmella, and then she comes out of it without beating Charlotte and that’s the fuel for their program. On top of that, it can begin a turn for Charlotte, who can’t accept her best friend accomplishing her dream despite Becky’s support of Charlotte through all her title reigns.
The other option is Charlotte wins the title and Becky is the one jealous that Charlotte swooped in and made this a three-way match. Personally, I think Becky is a phenomenal babyface and wouldn’t mess around with a character the audience loves. I prefer the first scenario with Becky winning and then building to Becky and Charlotte at Evolution in October as you can tell that story over the next two months as opposed to immediately turning Charlotte, it should be gradual as their friendship disintegrates over the championship.
BRAUN STROWMAN VS KEVIN OWENS FOR THE MONEY IN THE BANK BRIEFCASE
They have set the match up with the believability that Strowman can lose based off the stipulation that the briefcase can switch with a disqualification or count out.
Kevin Owens emerging as top heel, aligned with Paul Heyman and winning the title at the end of the show sounds great on paper but I don’t see Owens being presented at that level and feels like he is slotted as a strong mid-card performer, even though I feel he has every tool necessary to be that top player.
Strowman could be placed in that scenario, winning the title by himself or with Heyman’s assistance. It adds a lot to the main event with this scenario in place and is one of the best teases they have set up for a cash-in in a long time.
I’m less interested in this match than I am with the booking coming out of it and how much they tease the main event run-in.
After winning the briefcase, Strowman stated the next time Lesnar appeared on Raw he would cash in the briefcase and that’s been ignored with Lesnar appearing twice with no mention of that promise. It could be explained with Heyman aligning with Strowman and striking a deal to defeat Lesnar when he is most vulnerable at SummerSlam, or it could be completely forgotten about.
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DANIEL BRYAN VS THE MIZ
I thought this match would be heated when they announced it based off the history, but after the videos from this week’s SmackDown, I think this is one of the most anticipated matches on the show.
It’s a rare case of the WWE capitalizing on a grudge match and not watering it down but instead enhancing it, making the audience believe the two don’t like each other and beating the other means everything, which is always a great prelude to a match where the outcome means a lot.
The SmackDown side needs some top babyfaces and Bryan is one of the few they have. While some may clamor for this feud to continue, I think one match is plenty and Bryan wins. Miz can lose every month and he’ll stay over in his spot and isn’t going to hurt him while Bryan losing in front of this crowd would be a downer on the show.
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA VS JEFF HARDY FOR THE UNITED STATES TITLE
This was a strange build up as the most focused person in the program was Randy Orton, who isn’t in the match.
I’m puzzled why Orton came back when he did last month than returning on this show and beginning the feud with Jeff Hardy. It feels like the two B-sides of the feud are having the match and Orton is in the lead role.
I don’t know where Nakamura heads after this, Orton and Hardy don’t need the title, and perhaps Nakamura is matched with Daniel Bryan. The babyface side on SmackDown gets tricky after Styles, Bryan, and Hardy.
Overall, this match feels very cold going in.
THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS VS NEW DAY FOR THE SMACKDOWN TAG TITLES
This will depend on the type of match they opt to do.
The Bludgeon Brothers have been steamrolling through everyone rather than having back-and-forth matches designed for high-end quality. New Day has been on a roll in their recent matches and it feels like the end of the line for The Bludgeon Brothers when it comes to opponents. It seems a bit out of place to expect a title change, but it would freshen things up in the division.
The tag division on SmackDown does suffer from the two-hour format with so many performers on the roster. There was a long period where Sheamus & Cesaro were off of television and now The Usos are going through that dry spell of television time. It is a strange dichotomy that The B Team have a good presence on Raw and The Usos don’t have anything.
FINN BALOR VS BARON CORBIN
I’m sure this will be fine, it will be acceptable, but I have no interest in this program. It feels like a match taking up space on the card that is already very heavy, to begin with.
I’ll make this clear, not every match has to sound like the greatest match on paper. I’m fine with different styles, different characters and a mix of match types providing there is a reason for it and the story warrants a spot on the card.
This summer I have learned that Corbin thinks Balor is short, he has attacked Balor, Balor has attacked him, they have had matches on television and will have another match at SummerSlam. That’s it.
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THE B TEAM VS THE REVIVAL FOR THE RAW TAG TITLES
I’m not that high on the Raw tag division, although the three-way on Raw this week was a great outing from the three teams.
Th B Team has the cult following that is a positive for Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel, but it has a shelf life and in time they’ll be Rhyno & Heath Slater. I see way more potential with The Revival as champions and working with a variety of teams, although the most interesting teams for The Revival are on SmackDown.
Given this is on the pre-show, they may not want to waste a title change when people are still filing in and have a B Team victory for the celebration spot. For the strength of the division, I’d like to see a title change.
ANDRADE CIEN ALMAS & ZELINA VEGA VS RUSEV & LANA
While Almas isn’t in a prominent position on the show, I feel he’s going to be elevated into a more meaningful position on SmackDown in the fall.
The first week Vega and Lana attempted to brawl, the audience loved it and wanted to see them fight and rather than wait for the payoff in this match, they did two singles matches and the novelty was cashed in on television instead.
This seems set up for Aiden English to screw up again and Almas & Vega get the win with Almas moving up for a bigger program and Rusev can feud with English.
Perhaps, they can reveal that Lana is secretly having an affair with Aiden English, turns on Rusev and her ability to learn “English” is complete with the accent completely gone. I’m here all week.
CEDRIC ALEXANDER VS DREW GULAK FOR THE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE
The worst spot on this card is being the first pre-show match at 5:30 pm because last year the audience was barely trickling in that early and you had The Hardy’s in a match with a half-empty arena. I fear these two may draw the dead spot.
I’m not expecting a title switch as it seems that Lio Rush is being groomed for the next title program and would make more sense to be paired with Alexander than Gulak.
This should be 205 Live to a tee with the two working a great match and minimal audience engagement. I hope I’m wrong and they open doors much earlier than last year.
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PAY-PER-VIEW REWIND
WWE SummerSlam
Sunday, August 20th, 2017
Barclays Center in Brooklyn
*The Miz, Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel over The Hardys & Jason Jordan
*Neville over Akira Tozawa to win the Cruiserweight title
*The Usos over The New Day to win the SmackDown tag titles
*John Cena over Baron Corbin
*Natalya over Naomi to win the SmackDown women’s title
*Big Cass over Big Show with Enzo suspended above the ring
*Randy Orton over Rusev
*Sasha Banks over Alexa Bliss to win the Raw women’s title
*Finn Balor over Bray Wyatt
*Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins over Sheamus & Cesaro to win the Raw tag titles
*AJ Styles over Kevin Owens to retain the United States title with Shane McMahon as the guest referee
*Jinder Mahal over Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the WWE title
*Brock Lesnar over Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman & Samoa Joe to retain the Universal title
