Tonight, the ‘Biggest Party of the Summer’ will be bringing the thunder to the Thunderdome. It is surprising how a new set, fans on facecam, and a few pyro spots can freshen up the show again.
SummerSlam may not be in front of fans but it feels more organised than the only WWE show more extravagant, WrestleMania. It just shows that WWE may be still trying to work around this pandemic but they have it more under control than months ago. This feels like it may be the biggest party – not just of the Summer – but of the entire year.
There is lots of interesting matches on this show. WWE’s booking could fail them, however, they do have the potential to put on a killer show.
NXT TakeOver: XXX was exceptionally good, therefore, WWE have some competition. Pat McAfee can’t be the talk of the weekend…
Before we get to SummerSlam though, I need to deliver my predictions and hopefully I fair better than last night:
Street Fight: Seth Rollins vs Dominik Mysterio
Last month, at ‘The Horror Show at Extreme Rules’ Rollins ripped the eye out of the legendary, Rey Mysterio. In WWE ridiculousness, it was stated that Mysterio managed to get it popped back in. However, this was enough to fuel his son, Dominik, to sign his WWE contract and challenge the ‘Monday Night Messiah’.
Prediction: Dominik Mysterio
No DQ; Loser Leaves WWE: Mandy Rose vs Sonya Deville
Finally, we will get to see former-Absolution buddies, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, face each other in a marquee match.
Their feud has been one of the best this year and I’m anticipating the conclusion. It was originally built to be a ‘hair vs hair’ however, may have been changed to give the loser time away due to the tragic event that happened earlier this week. Deville’s house was broken into by someone who declared he has been stalking the WWE Superstar. Very disturbing and hopefully the time away helps bring light back into their world.
Therefore, I believe Mandy Rose will be picking up the victory here and then she can move onto bigger – perhaps more titler – things. 😉
Prediction: Mandy Rose
United States Championship: Apollo Crews (c) vs MVP
This match was originally slated to happen at Extreme Rules. That was changed, reportedly due to COVID-19 reasons. Once Crews returned he beat MVP in a Championship match on RAW.
MVP demanded his rematch clause – even though he was never champion and was just holding the new title design?!
Anyways, I don’t mind seeing this match again as Crews is getting the push he deserves and MVP has done some phenomenal stuff upon returning to the company.
The Hurt Business is one of the best parts of Monday Night RAW and like MVP states “Business is Booming”. As much as I’d like to see Crews continue his first title reign, I think MVP is going to win the prestigious belt for the first time since 2009.
Cedric Alexander has been hinted at for a heel turn on his allies, Ricochet, Mustafa Ali and Apollo Crews. MVP repetitively tells him that he deserves more.
Alexander may capitalise on this opportunity, costing Crews the title and joining the Hurt Business. As long as we get Alexander vs Crews/Ali/Ricochet, I’d be a happy guy!
Prediction: MVP
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs Asuka
It was made official in the Thunderdome, that Bayley defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Asuka will occur before Sasha Banks.
In another method of teasing a split up, Bayley lost the ‘Beat the Clock’ challenge on SmackDown, meaning Asuka should be more battered and bruised when ‘The Boss’ gets her shot against the Empress.
It is a busy night for the ‘Golden Role-Model’s’ and Asuka, however, I’m not complaining. These women have been quite under-utilised during Becky Lynch and Charlotte prime. They are now getting their chance in the spotlight. The only problem is the spotlight is dim and only shining on these three.
Post-SummerSlam has to see more women stars. Shayna Baszler, Nikki Cross, Naomi, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville can be huge deals if WWE let them.
Despite this, it is clear WWE are slowly trekking towards Bayley vs Sasha Banks. Therefore, one of them has to keep the gold. As much as I’d rather Bayley lose so that Asuka can freshen up the blue roster, I feel like Bayley will retain – maybe by assistance from Banks. This would increase the tension with my next prediction:
Prediction: Bayley
RAW Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks (c) vs Asuka
Sasha Banks will lose the RAW Women’s Championship due to interference gone wrong on Bayley’s part.
Asuka got the belt sweeped from her, quicker than she can spray green mist in opponents faces. She still should have a title over her shoulder. Furthermore, Banks has never retained a single’s title. This trend should continue due to the hands of the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Bayley and Banks are defending their Women’s Tag Team Titles at Payback next week and that should be the climax of their teased betrayal. Where they lose and Bayley just unleashes on her best friend.
They have teased it for months and they need to pull it off now before fans turn on it. Overall, Banks vs Bayley in WWE is very exciting and these matches with Asuka leading to that result should be very fun and a great wrestling match!
Prediction: Asuka
RAW Tag Team Championship: Street Profits (c) vs Andrade & Angel Garza
This tag match has the potential to steal the show!
The Street Profits vs Andrade & Garza feud has been quite dramatic with a “Who poisoned Montez Ford?’ storyline. Wife, Bianca Belair believes she has found out it is Zelina Vega, however, this may be a red herring as it is too obvious.
If that is to be true, this could just be a filler feud to lead to Street Profits defending (and losing) against the real culprits.
At least it will be very entertaining. Time will tell if any other poisoning-like antics happen on tonight’s show.
Prediction: Street Profits
Universal Championship – Falls Count Anywhere: Braun Strowman (c) vs “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
Most likely the main event (but I’m more invested in my last prediction) Strowman will be defending his Universal Championship against not Bray Wyatt and not in a Swam Fight, but against “The Fiend” and in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
Stars seemed to be aligned earlier this year, when Wyatt held the Universal Championship hostage. He was going to go on and face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 36 and get the main event he rightfully deserves. This then changed to Goldberg. Then changed to Strowman. At least Wyatt had the star performance of ‘Mania against John Cena.
More recently, Wyatt has been chasing the Universal title he should’ve never lost. “The Fiend” is unbeatable -that is the point!
Now we are finally here and I do believe that “The Fiend” will emerge victorious against bald Strowman. The stars are even more aligned here. SummerSlam was the birthplace of the Fiend. He abolished Finn Balor last year. Furthermore, Falls Count Anywhere was the stipulation for his title win against Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel 2019.
With Alexa Bliss mesmerised by the two and involved in a Sister Abigail liek way. This will be very interesting and I’m excited to see it play out.
Hopefully, The Fiend doesn’t look weak and has that unstoppable title reign they should’ve done last time.
Prediction: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre (c) vs Randy Orton
Lastly, Drew McIntyre will have his biggest title defence yet against “Legend Killer” Randy Orton.
This match should be very neat with lots of power spots. I’ve heard many people say that Orton will walk out a 14-time champ here. Ric Flair’s viscious attack a few weeks ago, could be a tactic to trick to the WWE Champion.
I hope it isn’t the case. McIntyre has been one of the best things about Pandemic-Wrestling and with the WWE Thunderdome, he can gain the cheer he rightfully deserves. Claymore Country for the win!
Prediction: Drew McIntyre
There we go! Let’s hope SummerSlam is as good as it has every right to be!
If you want share your predictions, let me know via Twitter!
Lost in Travel 