WWE Summerslam 2013 Preview

WWE’s summer spectacular, Summerslam, will hit great highs or end with a heartbreaking low with one of their better cards in quite some time. On paper, it has all the makings of a great show.

Giving their thoughs and predictions on what to expect from the biggest show of the summer are members of the site @TimWelcomed, @typicalROHfan and @TomBlackett.

Dean Ambrose vs. Rob Van Dam for the United States Championship:

Tim:

Dean Ambrose is, without a doubt, one of the best up-and-comers in WWE today. He’s defended his US Championship against people like Kofi Kingston and Kane, however he’s never faced anyone like Rob Van Dam.

I could see Rob Van Dam coming out of this as champion but I don’t think that would do anyone any good in the long run. Dean Ambrose and his Shield comrades are at a standstill but I think they’ll be staying at their positions for a while longer.

This is a match-up I never thought I would see in WWE and I’m intrigued by that more than anything. Dean Ambrose is consistent with doing what he does with a certain finesse so hopefully RVD will bring his best and we get to see a good match.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Dean Ambrose retains.

typicalROHfan:

I’m excited for this match. RVD is cool again behind the WWE machine and I’m a little surprised they’ve demoted him down to mid-card title duty already. I guess it’s similar to Chris Jericho’s 2013 run. The match should be fine and it’s great to see Dean Ambrose finally get a noteworthy singles match for the first time since winning the US title.

I believe the rumors of a brawl ensuing happens and this is all just to lead to a six man tag match on the PPV. The faces of Mark Henry, Big Show and RVD would be my prediction if that happens.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Rob Van Dam wins by DQ.

Tom:

The Shield stuff on Raw was completely confusing to me, so I didn’t realise this was on the card until I came to do these predictions. It’s a bit of a shame that this is the pre-show match, but hopefully that means they’ll get a little extra time than if they were on the PPV.

Anyway, Ambrose is great and hopefully RVD keeps making an effort. In a perfect world, this would be one of those matches that we could look back at in 10 years as one of the first times we saw the potential of Ambrose as a top WWE singles star.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Dean Ambrose retains, RVD doesn’t kick too many of his teeth out.

Natalya (w/ The Funkadactyls) vs. Brie Bella (w/ Eva Marie and Nikki Bella)

Tim:

lol

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Poor Nattie

typicalROHfan:

This stinks and I don’t like it.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Poor Nattie.

Tom:

Poor Nattie.

Interest Level: 0/10
Prediction: Poor Nattie

Dolph Ziggler and Kaitlyn vs. Big E. Langston and AJ Lee

Tim:

This has been building up for quite some time. While it’s not the World Champion Dolph vs Big E match I was hoping for a few months back, this is perfectly fine. Kaitlyn and AJ have a great history with one another and I’m hoping this blows off their feud but I do not think that’s the case. I’ve grown tired of these four feuding.

I’m going to say Kaitlyn gets the pin on AJ after a spear. I expect some good wrestling. We know AJ and Kaitlyn have it in them to have some decent back-and-forth. Ziggler and Langston should be fun to watch as well.

Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: Dolph Ziggler and Kaitlyn.

typicalROHfan:

Interesting match selection. Since Wrestlemania season, it’s been clear to me that WWE views Big E Langston much higher than Dolph Ziggler, which has become even more apparent now. That being said, this match could go either way with the divas involved. AJ and Kaitlyn are good performers and fine wrestlers so this could actually help the match.

Not sure what route is most important to WWE, if any, but I can see Kaitlyn finally getting her redemption on AJ in this match without a title change and Dolph getting revenge on Big E without pinning him.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Ziggler and Kaitlyn win. Big E is the only one with a singles match at Wrestlemania 30.

Tom:

I guess there wasn’t time to give them separate matches (and I think Big E. and Dolph have already had, like, three TV singles matches) so… I dunno, it should be okay? I like Dolph, Big E. and AJ a bunch, so despite really having very little interest right now, I’m hoping I end up enjoying it.

Interest Level: 4/10
Prediction: AJ Lee gets the pin and Big E. is hilarious on Twitter soon after.

Bray Wyatt vs. Kane:

Tim:

Bray Wyatt has been astounding on the mic ever since his debut with The Wyatt Family. Evey word that drips from his mouth can send chills down your spine. With a character like this, a feud with a dark character like Kane is a great place to start.

Neither of these men intrigue me in the ring so I’m glad they’ve made it a “Ring of Fire” match. Fire can save most of anything. Maybe I’m just a pyromaniac. Anyway… I don’t think Kane has a chance in hell of winning this and it would be very strange if he did.

Interest Level: FIRE/10
Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins.

typicalROHfan:

Even the likely bathroom break match is fun this year with FIRE!!! Bray Wyatt was good in the ring when I watched him in old NXT as Husky Harris. Bray Wyatt was very good in promos when I watched him as current self in new NXT. Well, the one episode I watched. This leads me to believe Bray is very good.

I don’t have a strong feel for the Wyatt family yet in WWE and I’m not a Kane fan so the feud hasn’t done much for me. I am interested to see how this goes down and bringing back the Inferno Match shows WWE has faith in Wyatt so expect him to win.

Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins via FIRE.

Tom:

An inferno match where the object isn’t to set the other guy on fire? File it with TLC matches where you win by pinfall or submission, I guess. Anyway, it’s been so long since I’ve last seen a WWE match with any kind of fire involved that I’m looking forward to the novelty of this, even though it’s sure to be pretty slow and clunky just because… well, that’s how these matches are, especially when Kane’s involved.

Probably not the easiest way for a guy to have his debut TV match (SHUT UP ABOUT NXT, THIS ISN’T CANADA), but it’ll be interesting seeing how Bray Wyatt performs. I’m rooting for you, Bray! Please don’t chant Husky Harris, snark marks!

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins. The Wyatt Family show their dedication to the Eater of Worlds by diving in past the FIRE to interfere at some point.

Damien Sandow vs. Cody Rhodes:

Tim:

The build-up to this has been awesome. I’ve loved every second of it from the moment Sandow won the briefcase. It has brought out ferocious quality out of Rhodes that I would like to see stick around. Sandow and Rhodes both have the goods to make this entertaining.

I see WWE continuing their trend of having the Money In The Bank winner lose to people most of the time. In this case, I’m fine with it. Cody Rhodes is looking great lately and could pick up even more steam here. I’m pretty excited about this one.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Cody Rhodes wins.

typicalROHfan:

Damien Sandow is phenomenal. And Cody Rhodes is pretty solid. Cody had a strong showing in Money In The Bank and this feud started. I felt it lost a lot of luster between the PPVs. I honestly forgot this was taking place until I sat to do predictions.

WWE has a knack of making the Money In The Bank holder lose a lot of matches before cashing in unless you’re one of the golden boys. I expect that to continue and hopefully these two get a gimmick stipulation at a future PPV.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Cody Rhodes wins.

Tom:

The real Smackdown main event! I love Sandow and Cody. It’s a shame that Cody hasn’t been able to cement himself as a face because I thought his Money in the Bank performance was excellent, as was his attack on Sandow on the following Raw.

Sandow is one of the guys I enjoy the most on the WWE undercard. His matches never quite live up to the promise of his excellent promos and persona, but he’s still very decent. Really, I’m hoping that this’ll be a break-out performance for both guys.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Damien Sandow wins via ostrich skin briefcase.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Christian for the World Heavyweight Championship:

Tim:

Alberto Del Rio usually always has solid matches. Christian works the WWE style of wrestling better than most. This should be a very good match. I don’t see a Sandow cash-in just yet, either. I do wish they would have built this up a little better… but it is what it is.

I would love to see Christian win but Del Rio has been World Heavyweight Champion for quite some time and it doesn’t seem like that’s going to stop here, especially with Christian having two wins over him already.

Interest level: 6/10
Prediction: Del Rio retains.

typicalROHfan:

Best possible WCW title match. If you remember (you don’t because Randy Orton ruined it), Christian Cage and Alberto Del Rio had a fantastic ladder match that led to Christian winning his first WWE world title. They had great chemistry and I’d expect that to continue here considering both are excellent wrestlers. I want to see Christian Cage win but I think Del Rio retains.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Del Rio retains.

Tom:

As much as I like Christian, it’s difficult to be too excited for this one, or at least not as excited as I’d like to be. The video package on Raw for Christian was cool, but without watching Smackdown (or maintaining full attention throughout three hours of Raw), I feel like I’ve missed most of the build for this.

Del Rio ditching Ricardo is all I can remember about it from the past few weeks, and I don’t think Christian was involved at all in that. I know that, once the match starts, I’ll be very into it but my anticipation levels aren’t that high for now.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Del Rio retains.

CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar (w/ Paul Heyman):

Tim:

This is the best built match on the card. The story leading up to this match was told so good that I was a little shocked that they did it so well. Lesnar is a monster and we’ve only really had one match where he intrigued me (vs. Cena). I suppose Triple H is to blame for the other matches not pulling me in but I’ll get to him later.

Punk should be able to work with Lesnar better than Triple H and just as good as Cena at least. I’m anticipating a really good match here. Lesnar has won two matches and lost two match during his recent run in WWE and I can’t imagine him losing here, assuming that his next match will be at Wrestlemania 30. This is fine as long as we get the real pay-off of Punk getting his hands on Heyman sometime soon.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Lesnar wins.

typicalROHfan:

The best 1A WWE main event in a long time. By far, the best feud Brock Lesnar has been in since he returned. The John Cena match at Extreme Rules was incredible but the feud sucked and the HHH feud was probably the worst thing Lesnar has ever been apart of.

The match should be great as both guys are in the roles I enjoy them most in. Lesnar is the giant bully who kicks ass and Punk is the sympathetic babyface. You have to assume Lesnar wins.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Lesnar wins.

Tom:

It’s still bewildering to think that Brock’s last three matches were wasted on Triple H, but his Extreme Rules match with Cena was SO good that I’m still hoping this will be incredible.

It’s kind of hard to predict how this will go, which is exactly how I want it. Ideally, it’ll be rough around the edges and feel spontaneous and dangerous. I’d be disappointed if Heyman didn’t get involved, though I’m hoping Curtis Axel stays out of it as much as possible.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Lesnar wins.

Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship w/ Triple H as guest referee:

Tim:

This match has me so confused emotionally that I think I’ll need a paper bag to breathe in while I watch. There’s a lot of moving parts and all I really care about are two of them. Daniel Bryan is on the hottest roll he’s ever been on in WWE. John Cena is… John Cena. These two one-on-one for the WWE Championship was perfect for my tastes.

Then you have Orton teasing a cash-in which adds a bit of heart-sinking uncertainty to the finish of this match. There’s nothing I want more than Bryan to get a clean win over Cena for the WWE Championship and then beat Orton cashing in. That would be the pinnacle of my pro wrestling fandom. I know that’s not going to happen. I’d be fine with Cena winning clean… but then there is Triple H who I think will help Bryan win (in some fashion) which leads to Vince sending out Orton to cash in on him.

Interest Level: 9.9/10
Prediction: Bryan wins with help from Triple H/ Orton cashes in and wins/ I run away from life

typicalROHfan:

This has been my dream match for a few years. Sure, they’ve had a good match on a throw away RAW last year but I’ve been waiting for them to get a program and have the match main event a big PPV. Much to my pleasure, it’s happening on the (second) biggest stage of them all.

While I am immensely excited to see this match, the fear of my two least favorite things in WWE are in play. Triple H and Vince McMahon having an ego strokefest and Randy Orton possibly being champion. Hopefully both are a swerve. Most are worried about Daniel Bryan not leaving as champ. The thing is I don’t care if Cena retains. Obviously, I am rooting with all my heart for Bryan but if Cena wins, I’ll just call it a day and hope for a rematch. If Orton wins, I may shave my head and move to Alaska. In a perfect world, Bryan defeats Cena then Orton cashes in and Bryan defeats him.

Interest Level: 1000/10
Prediction: Daniel Bryan wins and leaves as WWE champ.

Tom:

I feel nervous about this match, and not just because of the looming threat of Orton and that briefcase. I just want it to be SO good, and even though I’ve got every confidence in Bryan and Cena, it’s all the other factors that have me worried, especially the distractions that might come from a certain Sexy Wrestler of the Week and his in-laws.

I’m also hoping that Bryan gets the reception he deserves – not that he’s not been getting a great response, but man, I want it to be special. DON’T LET ME DOWN, LA. Ideally, they’ll just transplant the PWG Reseda crowd to sit in the first couple rows (except that one guy who always sits his pitcher on the canvas, he seems like a bit of a jerk).

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Daniel Bryan wins, Randy Orton cashes in… but Daniel Bryan retains! Possibly as a result of HHH interference resulting in a tedious Orton / HHH feud down the road but WHO CARES IF BRYAN LEAVES SUMMERSLAM AS CHAMP!