On Sunday, August 21st, the WWE Network presents Summerslam 2016! The event is the final WWE show to feature both brands together until Survivor Series near the end of the year. Below is each match set for the event while Jon Potter and myself give our opinions on what we’ll see and who will win.
Sami Zayn and Neville vs. The Dudleys
Jon Potter: Well, this is a difficult situation, huh? I kind of get why people are annoyed. After Sami’s impressive victory against Kevin Owens, many have talked themselves into expecting immediate big things for him.
But the thing is, I can understand how we’ve ended up in this situation. When you look at it, all of Raw’s major spots have been taken on this card by deserving people. It isn’t that Sami is any less deserving, just that there are a metric ton of other people that are too. If the lack of focus continues into Clash of the Champions I’ll have more of a problem, Until then, I can let it slide.
Zayn and Neville will win this to continue the subtle story of an apparent Dudleyz split. Do I like that idea? If Bubba can recapture even an ounce of his TNA magic, he can be a damn solid midcard heel. That’s fine by me
Prediction: Sami Zayn and Neville
Steve Coulson: Sami Zayn not having a better position at Summerslam is a shame. A lot of people are mad he’s in this match, and while I think he should be in a much better spot, at least he’s getting a payday. The Dudleys seem to have a story going on, but I really hope it isn’t a break up. I don’t see Bubba getting a singles push, so what’s the point? Sami and Neville win here clean.
Prediction: Sami Zayn and Neville
The Usos, Hype Bros, and American Alpha vs. The Vaudevillains, The Ascension, and Breezango
Jon Potter: This match is controversial to some for being a carbon copy of a SmackDown match from less than a week ago. But if I’m looking at this objectively, the Tuesday match was extremely rushed. The Kickoff gives it the opportunity to be given a little more time. As long as they don’t keep doing it, this match has enough potential upsides to be fun enough in a second go around. American Alpha will probably be the ones to get the pin again as they cement their position as SmackDown’s tag team jewel.
Prediction: American Alpha, The Usos and The Hype Bros
Steve Coulson: A rematch from Smackdown on a PPV? Absurd! How dare they? Oh wait, that’s the United States Championship match on RAW with no title on the line? That is much worse. Truth be told, this isn’t a bad thing at all. The tag titles are probably going to be introduced at Backlash, so this is a way to showcase the teams on the brand. The babyfaces will win, but I’d like to see Breezango win the titles first when it comes to that so American Alpha can chase. Anyway, American Alpha get the win here over Simon Gotch or Viktor.
Prediction: American Alpha, The Usos, and The Hype Bros
Best of 7 Series: Match 1
Cesaro vs. Sheamus
Jon Potter: If I was to guess, I’d put this match as the “main event” of the pre-show. These two are obviously trusted by the company to have solid matches, so I see this first of a series in contests getting close to 15 minutes. With Cesaro having beat Sheamus twice in a row recently, logic dictates that the Celtic Warrior is getting one back. I’m not 100% sure we’ll get all the way to match number 7, unless they sneak some onto house shows. So, a solid match with a seemingly predictable winner.
Prediction: Sheamus
Steve Coulson: I know the Best of 7 Series has a lot of sceptics, and understandably so. It feels like just something for both guys to do. And it probably is. But these guys kill it when they’re together, and if maybe a title shot can go to the winner, we get great matches and a story in the process.
Historically, the heel gets the first win, but I think Cesaro will get it. He’s been on a roll, and I think they might tease him winning the entire thing without a loss only for Sheamus to make a comeback under nefarious methods. So Cesaro wins clean.
Prediction: Cesaro
Intercontinental Championship
Apollo Crews vs. The Miz (with Maryse)
Jon Potter: I’m really not too bothered about this. I stand by my previous comments that Crews has all the potential in the world, but there’s no denying that he’s struggling to show any real personality. The story leans towards the cocky heel champion getting his comeuppance, but I don’t think Apollo is ready for a midcard title run, so The Miz will squeak out with the Championship after a very average outing.
Prediction: The Miz (Still Champion)
Steve Coulson: The worst built up on match on the Smackdown side of things. Between Crews being overseas for one show and the weird use of him this past week, not a lot has been done in this feud aside from Miz mocking and underestimating Crews. The story seems to make sense for a Crews win, but I’m going to say Miz keeps the title. Maybe thanks to Maryse.
Prediction: The Miz (Still Champion)
United States Championship
Roman Reigns vs. Rusev (with Lana)
Jon Potter: I like to call this match “Operation Rebuild”. Are WWE still pushing Reigns pretty damn strongly? Yes, without a doubt. However, there’s also no argument that Vince’s pet project is at least being re-evaluated. We can all talk about WWE never learning in this modern age, but a former heir apparent doesn’t slip down to the midcard for no good reason. Of course, some people will say this was the kind of position he should have had in 2014 and they may be right.
Speaking of rebirths, Rusev has been rebuilt spectacularly. That isn’t to discount the odd misfire, but the overall direction for his character in the last few months has been exemplary. He’s an arrogant ass with a hot wife who actually manages to get it done in the ring. That is an old school heel at its finest.
The real question is whether Rusev’s resurrection has all just been a tool to benefit the Roman Empire? I’m torn on that answer, but just slightly leaning towards yes. I think WWE still want “The Guy” to ascend to his throne, but know it needs to feel less forced. Having him hold the US Championship for a memorable run seems to be the most likely plan. Hell, if they can top their match from Raw, we should at least get something memorable.
Prediction: Roman Reigns (New Champion)
Steve Coulson: Ugh. This is such a mess. Roman Reigns has the worst booking I’ve ever seen and they just continue to make it worse. Whether you like Roman or you don’t, and I’m not a huge fan, his biggest issue is they put him in horrible positions or shove him down people’s throats. This is the third time Roman Reigns has defeated the person he was set to face on the PPV the Monday before that PPV, and it never seems to make sense. 50/50 booking says Rusev wins, but I’m not so sure. The WWE definitely eased up on Roman for a few weeks, giving him some big losses and less focus, but he’s been back to getting a ton of screen time and getting the main event spotlight, and with that, I think a US title win is coming. Lame.
Prediction: Roman Reigns (New Champion)
Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens
Jon Potter: This whole scenario may have been played for comedy, but that doesn’t change the fact that all four men could tear the house down. This placeholder feud is a perfect example of comedy being used right. Both teams have made me laugh, while still having the in-ring skills to get it done. This could be the sleeper of the night.
I think Enzo and Big Cass will win to build them up for a run with the tag team champions. JeriKO are a makeshift team that can absorb the loss and part ways.
Prediction: Enzo Amore and Big Cass
Steve Coulson: I’ve loved this little feud. Jericho and Owens have been really entertaining since they first started interacting earlier this year, and as time goes on they just seem to get better together. Obviously, Enzo and Cass are great in their own right and being in New York, I expect their reaction to be huge. That makes for a fun match. Jericho is leaving soon, I believe, perhaps before Clash of Champions, so I don’t see Owens and Jericho getting the win.
Prediction: Enzo Amore and Big Cass
WWE Women’s Championship
Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte
Jon Potter: This is what I call a top-heavy rivalry. The “problem” here is that this all pretty much began with the best main roster women’s match in over a decade. So, from there almost any follow-up is going to pale in comparison. This hasn’t been a terrible build, it’s just a terrible shame that it all began so brightly.
Still I expect these two to put on another minor classic that everyone will be talking about once Summerslam. There’s no doubt on who’s going to win though. Sasha just got the belt and Charlotte just finished a reign that lasted close to a year. “The Boss” has to win this rematch.
Prediction: Sasha Banks (Still Champion)
Steve Coulson: This is probably going to be the second best match of the night. I think the quality should be high, but the winner should never be in doubt. Especially if another Wellness suspension ends up being true with Charlotte, which is what the hot rumor is currently. That’s all speculation though, so I wouldn’t put much stock into it.
But no matter what, Charlotte winning here just wouldn’t make sense. Why cut Sasha off in a few weeks? I just don’t see it happening. Both girls should work hard here, and if given enough time and a position to steal the show, I suspect they’ll come close to doing it. Sasha wins clean here by submission before Bayley officially debuts Monday.
Prediction: Sasha Banks (Still Champion)
Carmella, Becky Lynch, and Naomi vs. Nataly and Alexa Bliss
Jon Potter: I’m just going to be honest. I have no real interest in this 6-person tag. The SmackDown Women’s division just hasn’t clicked with me yet. I guess the suspension of Eva Marie has made things slightly more intriguing, especially since WWE.com is strongly hinting at a surprise partner. I have no clue who that could be though without looking at the remaining blue brand roster.
Anyway, with that in mind I’ll fall back on my rule of a mystery partner leading their team to victory.
Prediction: Natalya, Alexa Bliss and ???
Steve Coulson: So, this sure has been a whirlwind, huh? The six woman’s tag match was made, only to be change to either a handicap match or a match with a mystery partner due to Eva Marie’s suspension. Now, it turns out her suspension simply comes down to improper paperwork. So if she turns it in, does the suspension get lifted? Could Eva show up here after all?
No matter what, I’m predicting Carmella, Becky, and Naomi get the win. But that’ll change if the partner ends up being Nia Jax. I hope it isn’t, as I don’t want any RAW person taking the spot, but you never know. My perfect world scenario would be Emma to return here, but that all depends how far along her recovery she is. Either way, the babyface team gets the win is my pick.
Prediction: Carmella, Becky Lynch, and Naomi
WWE Tag Team Championship
New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. The Club (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows)
Jon Potter: It’s interesting that WWE’s preview image is devoid of Big E. I was expecting him to return for the big show, but that doesn’t seem to be happening. I suppose it could be being saved as a surprise.
I’ve been calling it for a couple of months now, but I’m absolutely certain that New Day’s reign is finally in its final days. If I’m counting right, this championship run will stop JUST shy of a full year. The Club is also thankfully starting to gain traction, so there’s no reason not to give them the ball. Whether it’s the end of a tag team era or not, I expect Woods and Kingston to do their best to steal the show.
Prediction: The Club (New Champions)
Steve Coulson: Has this feud been immature and childish? Sure. But I’ll be honest, I’ve found it to be quite funny. Anderson and Gallows showing off their personalities with the doctors skits are amusing, and New Day are always entertaining.
The big question here is do we see a title change? With Big E not in the match, people are pointing to this happening. And I guess I’m in that camp, although I could swing either way. I could easily see Big E returning ring side during this match, or even New Day surprising everyone by having Woods and Kofi retain on their own and keep their reign lasting even longer. But at the same time, something just feels like its The Club’s time. Who knows, maybe we could see Finn Balor and the Club reunite?
Prediction: The Club (New Champions)
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
Jon Potter: It’s rare that the second match in a series feels as big as the first, but Cena vs Styles II definitely does that for me. I think it helps that WWE didn’t rush to the second singles match. Add in the fact that both men have excelled on the microphone in the last month’s build and I’m truly stoked.
I’m really not sure who will win either. Just a couple of years ago, “CenaWinsLol” was in full effect, If someone was lucky enough to get a win over the Cenation leader, it was practically the 11th commandment that John would rollover his opponent in dominating fashion moving forward. But now, Cena is preparing for life outside WWE and is approaching another absence.
So, does that mean I’m picking AJ to go 2-0 in singles matches? I’m not sure. If the feud is going to continue, then no. If John is really skipping Backlash next month, then there’s no point keeping him strong. I’ll go.. AJ Styles. But in the end, does it truly matter? We’re going to get another classic which will keep us on the edge of our seats as we bite at every near fall. I’m just going to enjoy this.
Prediction: AJ Styles
Steve Coulson: The match I’m most excited for. This should be absolutely killer. AJ Styles and John Cena really brought it in their last one on one match, and I expect them to outdo it this time with Cena having shaken off the time away and AJ coming into his own as a heel.
As for the winner, Cena isn’t going to be on Backlash, apparently, so it only makes sense for AJ to win here. Whether that goes on to feud with Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler.. or maybe a surprise like the Undertaker, a win for him makes the most sense. And deep down, I feel like AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose headlines Backlash.
Prediction: AJ Styles
WWE Universal Championship
Finn Bálor vs. Seth Rollins
Jon Potter: I like Finn, but I’ve always felt that his Demon King alter ego is the only thing that makes him interesting. Otherwise he’s as bland as milk-soaked toast. That’s why I didn’t mind the early reveal of the paint. It gave the mainstream audience a glimpse of Bálor’s full spectrum.
Some feel that Bálor needs to win the Universal Championship in order for the “new era” to be legitimized. I disagree. This is about establishing a new Championship more than anything. Finn and Seth will do just that during the process of tearing down the house. It just makes more sense to me for Rollins to win and get chased. Have no fear, Finn Bálor will be hovering around the main event for years to come.
Prediction: Seth Rollins (New Champion)
Steve Coulson: Eh. I’m really not as into Finn Bálor as a lot of people. He lacks fire in the ring and on the mic. But I think this match will still kill it. A new title makes for an interesting scenario: does Finn Bálor win to really make things feel like a different era, or does Seth Rollins win and make things feel the same?
I think Rollins wins, and depending on the direction of the brand, that might be the best option. Him winning could lead to a Sami Zayn feud and even a big Cesaro story down the line that would really set RAW on fire. Or… we could see Rollins inevitably feud with Roman Reigns again or Sheamus. I hope not.
Prediction: Seth Rollins (New Champion)
WWE Championship
Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler
Jon Potter: There are numerous legitimate flaws with the fledgling brand split 2,0, but Ambrose vs Ziggler isn’t one of them. I get that some people feel like Ziggler is far too damaged to be in tis position, but WWE have used this doubt to their advantage wonderfully. Ziggler has gone from a complete joke to a man desperate for redemption.
In the process, I expect these guys to do all they can to make their mark. Dolph has said in interviews that this could be his last chance. In reality that could be true. So, he’s going to be on fire and Ambrose always tries his best. Who do I think will win? Dean without a second thought. Rumours of “heat” with management means nothing when that phrase is ridiculously vague. WWE don’t stifle their WWE champion just because he spoke his mind.
Prediction: Dean Ambrose (Still Champion)
Steve Coulson: I’m very excited for this. A feud that shouldn’t have mattered has ended up being hot thanks to really well done mic work by both guys. Smackdown has been the superior show in terms of character development and getting personalities over, which makes this much more interesting to me than the Universal Championship match.
A lot of rumors say Dean Ambrose has heat with WWE management, but I won’t take those to heart. Instead, I think Dean Ambrose wins here and headlines Backlash. In the process, I expect this match to be really good.
Prediction: Dean Ambrose (Still Champion)
Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
Jon Potter: I’m getting a little tired of Brock’s one-dimensional routine. Don’t get me wrong, I expect a big fight feel.I just hope Brock decides to put some actual effort into this. At least I trust Orton to throw in some creativity. I just hope it’s enough to avoid mediocrity.
After Lesnar won at UFC 200, I saw him as bulletproof for the foreseeable future. After what seemed like a perfect MMA comeback, Brock had gone from gold to platinum as far as being legitimate. Then he was busted for PEDs. Originally, I expected WWE to distance themselves from “The Beast Incarnate”. Possibly even having Orton beat him cleanly. But now I realise that WWE aren’t ready to kill a 2-year push just to make a hardline statement. That win is being saved for the next magastar, not a veteran on a slowing schedule like Orton.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
Steve Coulson: Well, there’s a few stories here. The most obvious is simply Brock Lesnar versus Randy Orton. Brock Lesnar recently failing that drug test brought WWE bad publicity, so would he be punished here? Then we have RAW versus Smackdown. Will a certain brand be put over?
Quite frankly, I don’t see either of those stories actually being important to WWE, and instead I see this being Brock Lesnar winning because that is almost all Brock Lesnar does. Orton doesn’t necessarily need the win, he is firmly established, but I can’t say I have much interest in Brock Lesnar winning either. Despite this being such a major match, it is likely the match I am least anticipating. Still, I suspect it will be good, potentially great if we don’t get trapped into a formula. Who’s next? I don’t suspect Golberg, but wouldn’t that be something?
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
Closing Thoughts
Jon Potter: Well, that took a while! As far as the card goes, I feel it has enough potential to rival WrestleMania 17. Sure, it’ll take some real luck, but there was some of that back in 2001 as well. All in all, Summerslam 2016 is an amazing card created by solidly average build. However, when I’m in that moment on Sunday, average build won’t make me any less hooked.
Steve Coulson: Phew, this is a long, long card. But I am excited. This isn’t a show for everybody. With the pre-show, we are looking at seven plus hours of a show, and that will be absolutely exhausting. But with a ton of fun matches and several great matches, this PPV could really deliver, and I’m looking forward to it.
There you go! Who do you predict will win the big ones? Be sure to let us know in the comments section. Don’t forget we will have quick results available at the conclusion of the show and a more detailed review of the event later on Monday!