WWE Summerslam 2015 will air this evening, Sunday, 23 August, on pay-per-view and on the WWE Network at 7pm (Eastern). These are my predictions for the winners of each of the announced matches:
Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker
This could go either way. From a storyline perspective, there is no need for this match; neither man gains anything from winning. Most likely, either the Undertaker wins, to set up match 3, or there is no clean winner. Even with no winner, is it a double countout/disqualification or is the match interrupted by Lesnar’s next feud?
Predicted winner: Undertaker
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
This match is hard to call. Orton is always popular, regardless of how big a push he gets, regardless of whether he is a face or a heel. On the other hand, Sheamus seems directionless since his return a few months ago. Even a Money in the Bank win seems to give him nothing.
And when I can’t pick a logical storyline for the future, I tend toward the person I think has more ability or the person I like best. Here both are the same: Randy Orton.
Predicted winner: Randy Orton
U. S. Champion John Cena vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins (Winner Takes All Match)
Frankly, I’m not sure why this match is happening at all. No one really wants to see yet another Cena title run at the expense of an up-and-coming Superstar. But Cena’s possession of the U. S. championship has brought some much-needed relevance back to the title. His open challenges have been exciting at times, as nearly each one showcased another young star. Even in their losses to Cena, they shone brightly: Neville, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, to name a few.
So this match really makes no sense except in one scenario: Cena loses to Rollins, probably not a clean loss, and Rollins immediately relinquishes the “lesser” title, leading to a show-stealing tournament of the company’s rich cadre of young superstars, vying to win the U. S. championship. Assuming that someone at WWE still knows what it takes to make good “sports entertainment,” I’ll predict this outcome.
The only other option that makes sense is that Rollins will be disqualified, with both men keeping their titles. Perhaps someone interferes against Cena, setting up his next feud.
Predicted winner: Seth Rollins
Intercontinental Champion Ryback vs. The Big Show vs. The Miz (Triple Threat Match)
The Big Show should really retire. I thought at Wrestlemania, when he won the Andre the Giant battle royal, that this is where they were headed. What better way to memorialize both Andre and the now-two-decade-long career of the Big Show—the man originally introduced as Andre’s son? Yet he has continued to lose matches that he was placed in for no real apparent reason. I’m also pretty confused as to why the Miz is in contention for the title.
This match must be seen as a way for Ryback to look strong as he returns from an injury, against two wrestlers who lose nothing in their careers by losing this match.
Predicted winner: Ryback
Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper vs. Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns
Hopefully this will be the Shield-Wyatts match-up we were begging for last year. All four men need the push to maintain their momentum. No matter whose hands are raised, if the match is as great as it can be, everyone will win. That said, I’ll go with Ambrose & Reigns who I just like a little bit more.
Predicted winners: Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns
WWE Tag Team Champions The Prime Time Players vs. Los Matadores vs. The Lucha Dragons vs. New Day (Fatal 4-Way Match)
While lucha libre has its place, and is quite popular, that place is not really the WWE. So I can’t imagine either of those two teams winning. They can put on a great show, but I just don’t see them maintaining a championship. And I really hope beyond hopes that New Day goes away soon. Very soon. I’m just completely tired of the gimmick. The Prime Time Players, on the other hand, have shown that they deserve the championship.
Predicted winners: The Prime Time Players
Stephen Amell (Arrow) & Neville vs. Stardust & King Barrett
Neville is easily one of the WWE’s hottest up-and-coming stars and Arrow is one of the hottest shows on television. Stardust and King Barrett are a pair of heels that WWE doesn’t seem to know what else to do with.
Predicted winners: Stephen Amell & Neville
Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro
I predict that this match will steal the show. This match will be discussed more in the next few months than any other, after of course ‘Taker-Lesnar. Both of these men are young ring veterans at this point. Each is at the beginning of the peak of his career.
That said, I won’t even predict a winner, because it doesn’t really matter. Both will come out of this match looking great.
Predicted winner: The WWE Universe
Team B.A.D. vs. Team Bella vs. PCB (Three Team Elimination Match)
Please, God, can we be done with the Bellas? Let them have Total Divas and keep them out of the ring.
The NXT “Divas Revolution” is in full force. NXT Takeover: Brooklyn highlighted just how good everything could be with the Bayley-Sasha Banks match, which Banks lost (so that she can fully join the main roster). That said, hopefully PCB wins, as Team Bella represents everything wrong with the Divas division since Trish and Lita retired and Team B.A.D. only exists because Tamina and Naomi are somehow still employed and Sasha Banks needed partners. It would have made so much more sense for Banks, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch to join with Paige for a new “Four Horsewomen” (assuming that Bayley would not be called up) to fight the Bellas.
That said, Team B.A.D. could win if Sasha Banks is going to be the next contender for the Divas championship given her NXT loss.
Predicted Winners: PCB
Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev
Rusev has not faired well. Monster heels never do once they start to lose. The strength of Rusev (like many others before him) was in his seeming indestructibility. Once that facade was destroyed, he has not been the same. The fact that he is currently fighting over “girlfriends” is just another chink in the armor. Ziggler, however, has never looked better than he has over the past year.
People want a Ziggler win. They might get it. Or WWE may see the benefit of a long-term feud between these two. If that is the case, Ziggler might lose. Hopefully the writers have some big plans to save Rusev’s career before he gets permanently buried in the lower mid-card. A win here might be his only chance.
Predicted winner: Rusev
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