Predicting every SummerSlam match

A new champion will be crowned at SummerSlam, but it will not be Jey Uso

SummerSlam is upon us.

Even though it feels too early for SummerSlam, which was formerly an end-of-summer staple, and out of place on a Saturday night instead of the traditional Sunday evening, there is a lot to like about this year’s card.

The show is headlined by Roman Reigns’ showdown against Jey Uso, who he hasn’t wrestled in a singles match in three years. This is Reigns’ first televised defense of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship since WrestleMania 39 on April 2. Since then, Reigns has only defended it twice, both at live events against Rey Mysterio. This is a Tribal Combat bout, and Uso looks to become WWE champion for the first time in his career.

Finn Bálor meets world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins in a SummerSlam rematch from seven years ago. That bout ended victoriously for Bálor, who won the inaugural match for the Universal title, but his celebration did not last long. Rollins injured Bálor’s shoulder in that match, and a torn labrum caused him to relinquish the belt only a night later.

Asuka also defends the women’s championship in a triple threat against Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. The final title match is the hardest to predict, as Gunther puts the Intercontinental belt on the line against the newly returned Drew McIntyre, who had been off television for three months following his loss in the IC title match at WrestleMania.

The card is also significant for who is missing. Rhea Ripley is not currently slated to defend her women’s world championship, and the card is also missing tag champs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus are also currently not part of the card.

SummerSlam also includes Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler in an MMA Rules match, Logan Paul vs. Ricochet, and a 20-man Slim Jim Battle Royale. Feeling particularly confident (though we know how that goes), here are my predictions for SummerSlam:

Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso in a Tribal Combat match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

Jey Uso seems poised to defeat Roman Reigns and become the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. That is a credit to all involved in this storyline, especially considering Reigns is not going to drop the belt any time soon.

Reigns will still be champion by the time WrestleMania 40 rolls around. It will be a challenge to keep stories fresh until then and give the air of authenticity to contenders (Reigns would benefit tremendously if Randy Orton returns at SummerSlam). But Uso is a legitimate threat in this story, and all signs point to him winning the match until he is doomed by outside interference.

Who will thwart Uso from winning? Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa will certainly be supporting Reigns, but this Tribal Combat is destined to be decided by Jimmy Uso.

Could Jimmy cost Jey the match? If he does, will it be accidental or done on purpose? The Usos have accomplished so much in WWE, but a singles bout could be exceptional.

Prediction: Roman Reigns retains the title, and adds a member back within The Bloodline

****

Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor for the world heavyweight championship

The story writes itself: Finn Bálor finds his redemption for the shoulder injury that Seth Rollins caused at SummerSlam in 2016 by winning the world heavyweight championship.

Yet before he begins the celebration, a wounded Bálor is forced to make his first title defense when Judgment Day brethren Damian Priest cashes in his Money in the Bank contract. And how can you blame him? The story of Judgment Day is rooted in Bálor seizing power of the group by turning on Edge. So it would make sense that Priest would capitalize on the moment, and it should lead to some interesting Judgment Day segments if the group stays together (which it should).

Behind the scenes, Bálor is a massive advocate for Priest. The time is now for Priest to have a run as world champion, and he would be in the best possible position to defend his belt in matches against Bálor and Rollins, two of the best wrestlers on the planet.

Prediction: Finn Bálor wins the title, only to lose it Damian Priest

****

Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Bianca Belair in a triple threat match for the women’s championship

I wouldn’t be shocked if Charlotte Flair won here, but Asuka is only starting her title run. And she needs more time to make it a success, at least until Iyo Sky cashes in her Money in the Bank contract and wins the belt.

Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair are destined to have an out-of-this world singles match. Hopefully it takes place after a lengthy feud. At the current moment, their program is new. It isn’t out of the question that it could run until next WrestleMania (though Rhea Ripley would also make a perfect opponent for Belair), similar to how Becky Lynch and Belair did it two years ago.

This should be an outstanding match. There may even be a tease that Sky will cash in, but I don’t see the title changing hands–or the cash-in just yet.

Prediction: Asuka retains

****

Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre for the Intercontinental championship

Drew McIntyre has only wrestled one singles matches since his return in July, defeating Gunther’s ally Ludwig Kaiser. His match at SummerSlam should mark his triumphant return with gold, but the timing just does not work out.

Gunther is rapidly approaching the Honky Tonk Man’s record as longest run with the Intercontinental title, so it is highly unlikely he drops the belt here.

It is possible that McIntyre’s next opponent costs him the match. It is highly unlikely that Gunther wins this match cleanly, as McIntyre deserves to be protected, but I will be very surprised if there is a title change.

Prediction: Gunther retains

****

Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes

My prediction?

Blood. Lots of blood.

Cody Rhodes is going to win this match, and he will lose an ounce of blood if it is a necessary ingredient in making this a masterpiece. This should be between 10-12 minutes, somewhat long for Lesnar, who will make Rhodes look like the star that he is.

Defeating Lesnar is a massive moment for Rhodes. If he structures this correctly, getting pummeled and working from underneath for the majority of the bout, his comeback and victory sequence will be even more special.

Rhodes did not get what he wanted at WrestleMania. That will be different at SummerSlam, where he will defeat one of the greatest of all-time.

Prediction: Covered in blood, Cody Rhodes collects one of the most significant victories of his career

****

Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler in an MMA Rules match

On paper, this is the perfect match for Ronda Rousey’s send-off. She wrestles longtime friend-turned-foe Shayna Baszler in an MMA Rules match, a field she once dominated.

Except there is one issue. The best laid plans for Rousey in WWE have all failed to work out.

Rousey’s best moments in WWE occurred at WrestleMania 31 in a segment with The Rock, and then a tag match at WrestleMania 34 with Kurt Angle against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Beyond that, the highlight was her dropping the title to Becky Lynch in the main event of WrestleMania 35. There still has yet to be a rematch between Rousey and Lynch, as the crowd would be so anti-Rousey that it would be a horrible look for her and WWE.

There are multiple factors at play here as to why Rousey’s run did not work. The women’s division simply does not get enough television time. If you’re not a champion (singles only, as the women’s tag team division receives nowhere near the attention it should), then odds are you don’t have a legitimate shot at telling an in-depth story. It’s shocking that Becky Lynch-Trish Stratus was left off the SummerSlam card. Stratus can’t wrestle like she did at the height of her success, but Lynch is one of the very best in the world. They have had time to tell a story, but now don’t get their payoff moment at SummerSlam.

Back to Rousey: for a number of reasons, this just never worked. She rarely had enough time on air, and when she did, it rarely hit its mark. The connection with the crowd was not there, and her lengthy run as a babyface never felt natural. Even this feud with Baszler feels rushed. And that is a shame–there are few wrestlers as fearsome as Baszler, and she is incredibly talented in the ring. But attempting to turn her into a comedic wrestler in a tag team with Nia Jax, and putting her in a supernatural feud against Alexa Bliss have resulted in the unfortunate effect of making her seem ordinary instead of the master of joint manipulation.

Trained by former UFC champion Josh Barnett and the late Billy Robinson, Baszler presents a hard-hitting and authentic approach. She deserves her moment. What if she absolutely destroys Rousey? Would that get her back on the right track?

Baszler was a star in NXT, and hopefully this match serves as the reset she needs.

Prediction: Shayna Baszler

****

Ricochet vs. Logan Paul

Logan Paul and Ricochet should be spectacular.

This is an old-school feud in the sense that it started at the Royal Rumble in January and has continued all the way to SummerSlam in August. It is the perfect feud for Paul, who needs a win. The last time Paul won a match took place at SummerSlam a year ago against The Miz. A year later, wrestling Ricochet–who plays the opponent perfectly while allowing Paul to be the attraction–is exactly what Paul needs.

This should be full of outrageous, high-flying spots. Paul mentioned that he wants to open the show in order to get to his brother’s boxing match on time, but I would be surprised if Brock Lesnar doesn’t open the show.

Ideally, Ricochet wins this match. He has dedicated the last 20 years to pro wrestling. But Paul is a legitimate star. WWE may only be a side project for him, but that does not detract from his value.

Paul will win here. Whether he makes it to Dallas in time to be ringside for the Jake Paul-Nate Diaz fight, however, is far less of a certainty.

Prediction: Logan Paul

****

Slim Jim Battle Royale

Sponsored matches usually lose me right away (the Mountain Dew Pitch Black match immediately comes to mind), but there is something soothing about Slim Jim. Even though I’ve never found a Slim Jim to be anything close to edible, its commercials featuring “Macho Man” Randy Savage were legendary. So Slim Jim wins this battle, and I’m still hopeful that the WWE commentary team will shine a light on the iconic Savage, who remains my favorite wrestler.

Besides LA Knight, only a handful of other wrestlers have been announced. So far, that includes Shinsuke Nakamura (this match is not exactly a ringing endorsement for anyone headlining the Tokyo Dome to come to WWE), Sheamus, Otis, Chad Gable, and Tommaso Ciampa.

While some of the wrestlers here would undoubtedly have preferred to be left out of this match, it is still an opportunity to make an impression. The win should go to LA Knight, who is beloved by the crowd every week on SmackDown yet seemingly cannot move up the card. Hopefully that begins to change with a strong showing at SummerSlam.

Prediction: LA Knight

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.