Summerslam 2018 Preview

Well another month, another attempt at successfully prognosticating the world of choreographed grappling. Given that my track record is pretty terrible one may wonder, why spend time coming up with these? Well it's because you the loyal fives of readers demand it! And I, being a benevolent man of the people would be selfish to deprive you. So again without further ado, here's how I see it shaking out. (Note: I am not doing the pre-show, 10 matches is enough for you all, this is free content by the way.)

Braun Strowman VS Kevin Owens (Money in the Bank contract on the line)
I expect this match to lead of off the show so all night the will he, won't he tension can be teased. The build to this match is all pointing to Owens winning this match as he got the match to be conducted under Quebec rules meaning even if he wins by disqualification or count out he would win the Money in the Bank briefcase. Now given his penchant for not caring about who wins or loses and just wanting to cause destruction one would think Strowman is going to lose.

I disagree, the reaction to this guy is just too big not to at least have him lurking in the periphery of the title scene.
Winner: Braun Strowman

Daniel Bryan VS The Miz
This match is one that we have been waiting for. Daniel Bryan is the indie darling who made good. The accessible every man who proved that through hard work you could ascend to the top of your profession against the reality star who seemingly was manufactured to be in this spot.

From the years of berating Bryan to the blatant questioning of the Miz's talent by Bryan this match is one that has been built properly and while it may seem the match is rushed I think that this could lead to a Wrestlemania match NEXT year if they play this right. Given that I think this match goes to the Miz and begins a long climb to Miz vs Bryan for the WWE title at Wrestlemania.
Winner: The Miz

Finn Balor VS Baron Corbin
I loved Finn Balor in Japan as the first head of the Bullet Club. His real Rock-N-Rolla gimmick fit him but in the WWE without his face paint he's just a guy who smiles a lot with abs. Baron Corbin seems to have been reinvigorated with this Constable of Raw gimmick but is kind of treading water with this feud. My guess is Corbin goes over here and Finn comes back smiling again Monday.
Winner: Baron Corbin

Jeff Hardy VS Shinuske Nakamura (US Championship)
This may be another popcorn match which pains me to say. When the champion is the third most important person in a feud it's never a good sign.

Don't worry Shinuske, I too hope you get a good feud.

Randy Orton who while I will admit as a sadistic heel is one of my favorites I don't feel like Shinuske is needed as the focus has been on Hardy-Orton. That said I think Nakamura leaves with his title in tow and Hardy and Orton can go on to have a feud from here.
Winner: Nakamura

Charlotte Flair VS Becky Lynch VS Carmella (Smackdown Women's Championship)
There may not be a better babyface in wrestling right now than Becky Lynch. Juxtapose that to the ridiculous Princess of Staten Island and you have a pretty dope match right? Well how about you throw in the best friend of Lynch to the equation? Now you got some tension.

Perhaps she could join the New Day?

I have a feeling that there is going to be some confusion and that momentary confusion is going to be all Carmella needs and she will escape with the title. And while I wouldn't have Flair and Lynch feud I do think that oh I don't know having them go against Sasha Banks and Bayley for the Women's Tag Team Titles would be a good idea.
Winner: Carmella

Seth Rollins VS Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental Championship)
Right now there is no better wrestler in the WWE than Seth Rollins. No matter who you put him in the ring against you're going to get your money's worth. Dolph Ziggler has always been a very good wrestler but teaming him with Drew McIntyre has been an amazing choice.

Not to be outdone a returning Dean Ambrose looks jacked and he is getting a massive babyface pop. If I'm booking this Rollins gets the win, then Monday Rollins loses the title to someone because of Ziggler and McIntyre and then we get tag team warfare baby!
Winner: Seth Rollins

The New Day VS The Bludgeon Brothers (Smackdown Tag Team Championship)
I kind of feel bad for Luke Harper. This guy can GO. But he is stuck in a ridiculous tag team and when he was a singles wrestler he was very poorly used.

The New Day have been on a roll recently. In fact their match against The Bar on Smackdown last week was one of my favorite matches of the year. I would predict that The New Day pick up the title to feud with the Bar, Sanity and perhaps down the road even the Usos again because they have got that chemistry baby.
Winner: The New Day

Ronda Rousey VS Alexa Bliss (Raw Women's Championship)
This is going to be a hard one to predict. The WWE loves to have the mainstream appeal that Ronda Rousey brings but she has only had a handful of matches. Alexa Bliss while being a very good promo just does not bring the intimidation that Rousey does since she is small enough to classify as a carry on item on most airlines. So what is gonna happen here? Well I'll tell you what's gonna happen. Noa Jax is going to come back and she is gonna wreck shop. She's going to wreck Bliss for all the things said during their last feud and Rousey catching it for being so new and given so many opportunities. This will probably lead to a triple threat match at Hell in the Cell where Rousey gets her first title run.
Winner: Alexa Bliss via DQ

Samoa Joe VS AJ Styles (WWE Championship)
There are few wrestlers who I love more than Samoa Joe. He cuts an intimidating promo, has an aggressive style that will make you believe the chant "Joe's gonna kill you" is true. AJ Styles is possibly the best wrestler in the world, but if we're being honest this title run has left much to be desired.

Nice title reign you have there, be a shame if someone ended it. 

He recently passed JBL as the longest reigning Smackdown champion so I say there is no better time to freshen up the title scene. I think Joe makes AJ too aggressive and in his haste he shall fall victim to the Coquina Clutch and Joe gets his first title on the main roster.
Winner: Samoa Joe

Roman Reigns VS Brock Lesnar (Universal Championship)
Sigh. Do we have to do this? Fine! Ok, this could be a good match. But the lead up has been pure basura. Reigns just confidently swaggers around like he didn't get suplexed so hard the last few times they've wrestled that it realigned his chakras. If he was coming into this a little tenative or with a little self doubt then you have someone the people can get behind. Instead you have a petulant brat who keeps seemingly gifted opportunities after losses.

If they were smart you'd have Reigns win with the help of The Authors of Pain who reveal themselves to be henchmen of none other than Paul Heyman. Roman wins, and as he holds the title Paul Heyman extends his hand. One handshake, one massive villain has been born and you have an interesting story. Instead you'll probably get suplex, suplex, F5, and another Lesnar win. Yawn.
Winner: Brock Lesnar

Well there we have it folks. Another successful attempt at trying to figure out the booking decisions of a 75 year old man who lives in Connecticut. Here's to the Revival shatter machining their way to the Raw Tag Team titles during the pre-show.