By Laura Mauro @lauranmauro
The A show might be happening tonight, but don’t think that’s your lot for the weekend – there’s still the small matter of SummerSlam 2018 to contend with. An enormous card, packed full of talent, and – thank goodness – a healthy handful of potentially good matches to look forward to. Oh, and Lesnar vs Reigns. Let’s break down the card:
Raw Tag Team Championship Match: The B-Team (c) vs The Revival
Look. It was fun to give the B-Team the belts for a bit. Everyone loves a good underdog story. But this match offers the opportunity to right two significant wrongs: restoring a degree of prestige to the Raw tag belts, and giving the Revival the push they’ve deserved since stepping out onto the main roster. The B-Team will soon run dry on goodwill – best to cut the cord before they go from ‘fun comedy tag team’ to ‘most resented team on the roster’.
Prediction: The Revival to win the titles
Rusev & Lana vs Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas & Zelina Vega
On first glance, there’s a glaring weak link in this match. For all her recent improvement, Lana is still not good enough in the ring to make her part in things significant. That said, I have to give her credit: she took some legitimately hard bumps in the MITB match a couple of months ago, and the much more skilled Zelina may just be able to carry her to a few watchable segments. Rusev and Almas, on the other hand, are both great wresters, and their disparate styles should make for interesting viewing. It’s all very low-stakes stuff, though, and I have a feeling the primary motivation for this match is to further the tension between Aiden English and Rusev/Lana – leading, potentially, to an explosive breakup. Could be worth a watch for that alone.
Prediction: Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas & Zelina Vega to win
Cruiserweight Championship Match: Cedric Alexander (c) vs Drew Gulak
Fun fact: 205 Live is quietly killing it every single week, and if you’re not watching it, you’re missing out. It’s frankly criminal that this show doesn’t get a fraction of the attention it deserves. Ahem. Now that’s out of the way: there’s no way this isn’t going to be a great match. Drew Gulak is a brilliant character worker – his transformation from ‘PowerPoint-loving mayoral candidate’ to ‘PowerPoint-loving mayoral candidate who could break your neck (and probably will)’ has been great fun to witness, and given him a ferocious edge in the ring which sets him apart from most of the 205 Live roster. Cedric Alexander is a likeable, entirely credible babyface champion with remarkable versatility in the ring, and his title defences until now have been convincing. But I think he’s met his match in Gulak, whose newfound viciousness makes him look like a real contender.
Prediction: Drew Gulak to win the title
Daniel Bryan vs The Miz
This one could steal the show. The epic rivalry between these two hasn’t been properly consummated since 2010, and the recap video showcasing all 8+ years of their near-perpetual conflict just reinforces why this is unmissable. The Miz’s uncomfortably genuine tirade on Talking Smack back in 2016 set the standard for all further outings between these two, and their mutual antipathy has lost none of its fire since then. This could be a classic. It should be a classic. As for the outcome – assuming Bryan re-signs with WWE, then there’s no reason to have him vanquish his rival just yet. Long-term storytelling isn’t WWE’s strong suit, but I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt here.
Prediction: The Miz to win
Finn Balor vs Baron Corbin
Corbin’s ‘Constable’ character has proven a nice change of pace for a performer who has severely lacked direction in the past. Unfortunately, Balor now occupies that same directionless space. It’s almost as though WWE has completely forgotten how over he was as the first Universal Champion. It’s frustrating to see Balor thrown repeatedly into pointless feuds which do nothing for him, his character or his direction. Still, the in-ring action might be decent.
Prediction: Finn Balor to win
United States Championship Match: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs Jeff Hardy
Assuming Orton isn’t confined to the doghouse following accusations of unsavoury behaviour, it’s almost a given that he’ll be interfering in this match. It’s way too soon for Nakamura to lose the title, though, and the story needs more time to cook before Jeff reclaims his title.
Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the title
Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
As much as I love Kevin Owens, he’s not divesting Strowman of his briefcase. Owens excels at suffering: it’s one of many things he does very well, and with Strowman as an opponent, it’s inevitable that suffering is on the cards. Even though Owens is walking into the match looking as legitimate a contender as he ever has, I suspect misdirection is at hand. I just can’t see Strowman losing the case here, and – more importantly – losing his shot at Lesnar (or Reigns). Much like Balor, Owens has (quite unfairly) been pushed to the back of the title shot queue: the Monster Among Men is a much likelier shout for the Universal Championship.
Prediction: Braun Strowman to win
Intercontinental Championship Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins
Let’s address the elephant in the room first: Dean Ambrose is back, he’s hench, and he’s ripe for a heel turn. Except I don’t think that’s going to happen just yet. Ambrose provides a nice counterbalance against the imposing presence of Drew McIntyre and the likelihood of ringside shenanigans is very high indeed. As for the match itself – Rollins is one of the best WWE has to offer right now, and Ziggler has shown convincing chemistry against him, so there’s a strong possibility that this is going to be at the very least a solid match. I think it’s Rollins’ time, though, and a victory here would be the perfect way to kickstart a push to the top.
Prediction: Seth Rollins to win the title
Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match: The Bludgeon Brother (c) vs The New Day
I’m bored of the Bludgeon Brothers. A dominant monster heel tag team is only as good as the outside possibility that someone might overcome them. It becomes dull quickly when they wipe the floor repeatedly with any and all comers, and that’s been the pattern of their matches since before they secured the titles. That said, The New Day are smart, and fast, and that might stand in their favour….though it hasn’t in the past. Sigh. Please help us, SAnitY, you’re our only hope.
Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers to retain the titles
Smackdown Women’s Championship Match: Carmella (c) vs Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair
As much as I’d enjoy seeing either Becky or Charlotte take the title, this one’s all about the dynamic between them. I foresee Becky coming within inches of victory, only to have Charlotte swoop in and snatch her opportunity away. Cue the rapid deterioration of their friendship – which could be the perfect vehicle for a long overdue Becky Lynch push. Carmella, meanwhile, will moonwalk off with the title still in hand.
Prediction: Carmella to retain the title
Raw Women’s Championship Match: Alexa Bliss (c) vs Ronda Rousey
You can make a convincing argument that Rousey hasn’t been around nearly long enough, and put in nearly enough work to really deserve this title shot, but WWE are clearly high on her, and she’s a huge draw for casual fans, so it makes perfect sense that she’d take the title on her first attempt. But WWE are also very high on Alexa Bliss: she’s been heavily protected throughout her multiple title reigns, so it’s going to be very interesting to see who gets the push here. It’ll also be interesting to see if Alexa takes any hard bumps, given Ronda’s uncompromising in-ring style. A hard match to call, but I think Ronda has the edge.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey to win the title.
WWE Championship Match: AJ Styles (c) vs Samoa Joe
AJ might be phenomenal, but this is Joe’s time to shine. It’s criminal that he hasn’t yet held a title on the main roster, and although this feud has been a little lukewarm, Samoa Joe is consistently one of the best talkers on the roster, and you can guarantee that as WWE Champion he’ll deliver on the entertainment front.
Prediction: Samoa Joe to win the title.
Universal Championship Match: Brock Lesnar (c) vs Roman Reigns
I’m so tired of Brock Lesnar. I’m tired of his turnip face and his chicken legs. I’m tired of him turning up four times a year, suplexing some suplexes and then sodding off for the next few months. And I’m tired of him facing Roman Reigns over and over while the crowd find solace in beach balls and Mexican waves. Nobody cares anymore. Give Reigns the title and have it done with. We all know Strowman will be cashing in at the end anyway.
Prediction: Roman Reigns to win the title (and Braun Strowman to cash in on him)
