Building towards SummerSlam

SummerSlam 2017 is approaching. It's the third consecutive SummerSlam to take place in Brooklyn and Brooklyn has been treated to two good shows the last two years. WWE is doing its best to make this another good one. As of my typing, 7 matches have been announced, with another 4 to 5 to come based on feuds. This is going to be a packed card. Let's talk matches so far.

Alexa Bliss is currently scheduled to pick up her feud with Bayley for the Raw Women's Title but right now, Bayley is injured. WWE hasn't announced how serious it is but with only two weeks left before the Biggest Party of the Summer, it's likely WWE's resident hugger might have to sit this one out, which would definitely set up Bliss/Sasha II. In all honesty, THAT'S the match that should take place on the card. Their match at GBOF was intense and you could fill their disdain for each other in the match. Why not do it again on a big stage? Regardless of whoever faces Bliss, I don't see her walking out of Brooklyn with the belt. This could be a blessing in disguise for WWE as a way to springboard the inevitable Sasha/Bayley feud. Sasha takes Bayley's opportunity while she's on the shelf for a few months, she comes back to her best friend Sasha and wants a shot that she rightfully won. Sasha begins to mock her and eventually turns on her. Depending on how bad the injury is, this could lead to a big match at Survivor Series or Royal Rumble. I'm obviously hoping for the best for Bayley but if it is serious, WWE may have a great opportunity here.

Naomi VS Natalya is a weird one. I fully thought Charlotte was going to get the nod here to finally win the Smackdown Women's Title but they decided to go with Nattie instead. This alone speaks of Smackdown's Women Division compared to Raw. EVERYONE gets a shot. Obviously everyone is waiting on Carmella, to see when she will cash her contract in and it's very possible it happens here. We'll see but it's something that will be in the mind of everyone watching this match, which should be very good.

Randy Orton is officially out of the WWE Title picture following his 3 straight PPV losses to Jinder Mahal and now looks to take on another first time opponent in Rusev. I was really hoping that WWE was going to let AJ Styles do some sort of open challenge at SummerSlam and have Orton answer it but with Styles/Owens and Rusev/Orton both announced, we'll have to wait a bit longer for a feud between the two stars. Their Smackdown match during Wrestlemania season was great and only a tease for what the two men can do with each other in the ring. Orton/Rusev is fresh and should be a good match but it's kind of lose-lose. Rusev needs to look strong as he just got owned by John Cena at Battleground. Orton needs a win as he wasn't won on PPV since Wrestlemania. Someone has to lose here. As for Owens/Styles IV, it's like your favorite meal. You don't want to eat your favorite meal all the time do you? I love the two feuding with each other but I'm ready for something different, hopefully either Orton, Rusev or Chad Gable get thrown into the mix following SummerSlam.

Jinder Mahal will defend the WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura at SummerSlam. I will pay someone $1000 if they saw this match coming at the beginning of the year as Nakamura was still in NXT and Mahal was nowhere near the main event scene yet. This is definitely a weird choice, considering SummerSlam is a top PPV. Top PPVs deserve top matches and it seems WWE is wholly relying on the main event to carry the event. Smackdown did do Dean Ambrose VS Dolph Ziggler last year so I shouldn't be too surprised. The obvious thing to do here would be for Nakamura to go over Mahal. Mahal has done his best but it's time for somebody else to get the title. Though I think Nakamura will win over Mahal, I don't think he'll leave SummerSlam as champion. Corbin and Nakamura have unfinished business. Yes, Nakamura has won both of their matches but a guy like Corbin will not forget that. I see two new WWE Champions being crowned at SummerSlam. Maybe. Maybe not.

The massive main event features Raw's biggest and best. Brock Lesnar will defend the Universal Championship against Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns. In terms of mass and anticipation, it doesn't get much better than this. There is a 75% chance that Lesnar's reign of terror will be over on August 20th. A part timer holding the top title hostage is not OK and this is only Lesnar's second defense of the title in four months. They have to get him to drop the title NOW. They have put together three legitimate guys who could do it. Samoa Joe gave Lesnar a hell of a fight at Great Balls of Fire. There were times where Joe made Lesnar look human. Strowman has been the biggest success story long term on the Raw side. From squash matches to feuding with Zayn to becoming the most likable monster heel in recent memory, Strowman is an absolute beast. He has also defeated Roman Reigns on two separate occasions. He's definitely the least experienced of the four but I say give Strowman a shot. Again, if Mahal can win the title, anyone can. Roman Reigns is the clear cut choice as he's the undefeated at SummerSlam golden boy. Also, the match was suppose to be the singles rematch between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar and I always thought Reigns was finally going to defeat the Beast. Reigns as the top champion is best for Raw. He has SO MANY challengers. He can face Joe at No Mercy, Strowman at TLC and so on and so on. Again, I'm good with anyone but Lesnar.

SummerSlam is more than two weeks away and with 7 matches on the card and no announced plans for both brands tag titles, Miz's Intercontinental Title and the obvious Balor/Wyatt showdown, it's going to be a long night of professional wrestling. SummerSlam last year had 13 matches so I'm guessing it will be the same. Figuring the two hour pre show will have 2-3 to matches, SummerSlam will probably run right to 11PM this year. Let's plan this out:

1. Brock Lesnar VS Braun Strowman VS Roman Reigns VS Samoa Joe - Universal
2. Jinder Mahal VS Shinsuke Nakamura - WWE
3. AJ Styles VS Kevin Owens - US Title with Shane as ref
4. The Miz VS Jason Jordan - IC Title (possible)
5. Alexa Bliss VS Bayley or Sasha Banks - Raw Women's Title - depending on severity of Bayley's injury
6. Naomi VS Natalya - Smackdown Women's Title
7. The New Day VS The Usos - Smackdown Tag Titles
8. Neville VS Akira Tozawa - Cruiserweight - (pre show)
9. Sheamus and Cesaro VS Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins - Raw Tag Titles (possible)
10. Randy Orton VS Rusev
11. The Hardys VS The Revival (pre show)
12. Finn Balor VS Bray Wyatt (almost definite)
13. John Cena VS Baron Corbin (possible)
14. Big Cass VS Big Show (pre show)

Notably missing would be three of the Four Horsewomen, Gallows and Anderson, and Sami Zayn. Personally, I'm hoping Owens somehow messes up his US Title match and they change it to Shane/Owens and let Styles issue an open challenge and let him and Zayn tear the Barclays Center down. Fun fact, if Ambrose and Rollins can capture the tag titles, which is likely since Sheamus has to film a movie soon, then Ambrose will become a triple crown champion, the first of the three members of The Shield to do it. A Grand Slam champion if they're not counting either the Universal or Smackdown Tag Titles. Quite an accomplishment.

I'm ready for SummerSlam!