It’s one of the hottest pay-per-views on the WWE’s annual calendar and by the time WWE SummerSlam rolls into its now regular home of Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, we should all be in for one hell of a show.
Not only do we have the small matter of Brock Lesnar finally returning to our screens with the Universal Championship on the line but we also have fellow UFC alumni and Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey vying for the RAW Women’s Championship.
Throw in the standard surprise appearances, potential major upsets and the looming Monster in the Bank and we have a lot to be excited about as the clock ticks down to the August 20 showpiece.
So, without further ado, let’s look at how the card is currently looking, as well as some of the biggest rumours circling social media, the internet forums and wrestling newsletters.
THE CONFIRMED CARD…
BROCK LESNAR vs ROMAN REIGNS (UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
Universal champ, Brock Lesnar, will finally return to in-ring action at SummerSlam after a three month absence since defeating Roman Reigns for the same title at the WWE Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at the end of April. The Beast Incarnate will once again face-off against Reigns with the Universal Title on the line at SummerSlam in what is widely being debated as Lesnar’s final match before heading back to UFC to take on Daniel Cormier. Keep your eyes peeled for that Money in the Bank briefcase, too. It may well show up at some point in this one.
AJ STYLES vs SAMOA JOE (WWE CHAMPIONSHIP)
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These two have a storied rivalry from their TNA days but are yet to go at it in a WWE ring. All that will change, however, at SummerSlam when Styles puts his WWE Title on the line against the Samoan Submission Machine. This one came about in dramatic fashion on WWE SmackDown Live where Joe made the most of an opportunity created by the distraction of the fired James Ellsworth to attack Styles and sign the contract to fight for the title at SummerSlam despite it being unclear as to who Styles was due to originally face.
ALEXA BLISS vs RONDA ROUSEY (RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP)
Ronda Rousey is set for a second shot at the RAW Women’s Championship at SummerSlam where she will go up against the woman who cost the former UFC Bantamweight Champion a fair crack at previous incumbent Nia Jax. Rousey has since served a suspension dished out by Kurt Angle for attacking Bliss on Monday Night RAW and this is sure to be a fierce, heated match for the women’s division’s top gold on the red brand.
BRAUN STROWMAN vs KEVIN OWENS (STROWMAN’S MONEY IN THE BANK CONTRACT ON THE LINE)
A really fun feud between two of the best performers on either roster, Owens gets a shot at Strowman’s Money in the Bank contract at SummerSlam which could even play into the Main Event later in the evening. Strowman “lost” (are you really the winner if you’re thrown from the top of the cage through a table like Owens was?) their cage match at Extreme Rules and the Monster in the Bank will be seeking to inflict further punishment on Owens while securing victory this time around to remain in the title picture. Expect this to be a whole lot of fun.
DOLPH ZIGGLER vs SETH ROLLINS (INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
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Since Rollins dropped the Intercontinental Title to Ziggler on Monday Night Raw last month, the pair have continually clashed over the gold. Ziggler first retained thanks to the help of personal enforcer Drew McIntyre a week after recapturing the belt, while a number of tag matches have sandwiched their Iron-Man marathon at Extreme Rules that saw Ziggler retain his title in sudden death. Expect this one to put the final nails in the coffin of the pair’s rivalry.
BLUDGEON BROTHERS vs TAG TOURNAMENT WINNERS (SMACKDOWN LIVE TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP)
SmackDown Live commissioner Paige announced on Twitter that the blue brand will hold a tag-team tournament to determine who will face The Bludgeon Brothers for the tag gold at SummerSlam. In the mix are former tag champions The New Day, The Usos and The Bar, as well as former NXT tag champs SAnitY. That tournament will play out on SmackDown Live over the coming weeks so keep an eye on that one with our weekly live shows on OSN Sports Action 1HD at 03:00 KSA every Wednesday morning.
CARMELLA vs BECKY LYNCH vs CHARLOTTE FLAIR (SMACKDOWN LIVE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP)
The Long Island Princess was due to put her SmackDown Live belt on the line against the Irish Lass Kicker at SummerSlam in what would be a huge test for the champion. That test got even greater when the returning Charlotte Flair booked her place in the title picture, too. So far, Carmella has come through two major tests against Asuka (albeit with a lot of help from the now fired James Ellsworth) since cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase and claiming the title from Flair. However, with no Ellsworth in her corner, Flair after redemption and Lynch in red-hot form, Carmella’s days as champion could be numbered.
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA vs JEFF HARDY (UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP)
Nakamura will face-off against the man he dethroned for the US Title in Hardy. Since turning full heel, Nakamura has been a hit and even found an ally in Randy Orton since the Legend Killer returned in a similarly villainous role. Hardy has been the target of both men’s ire and an appearance from Orton in this one should not be ruled out. He may even feature in the bout, making it a Triple Threat for the belt.
DANIEL BRYAN vs THE MIZ
A match well over a year in the making first denied by Bryan’s retirement, then fuelled during Bryan’s run as SmackDown Live GM and at last a possibility since Bryan’s return from injury. WWE had looked like they were putting off what will likely prove one of its greatest rivalries in recent memory with their eyes set on a showdown ready made for WrestleMania. However, an injury to Kane freed up Bryan and the pair have since started ramping up their rivalry and at SummerSlam we will be in for a treat when these two finally meet.
Also on the card…
FINN BALOR vs BARON CORBIN
CEDRIC ALEXANDER vs DREW GULAK (CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
RUSEV & LANA vs ANDRE “CIEN” ALMAS & ZELINA VEGA
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