Complete Primer for WWE SummerSlam 2016
WWE SummerSlam 2016 – Complete Primer
Join The Suplah hosts this Sunday, as they pull up a beach towel to discuss the full card of the biggest event of the Summer, who they think is going to win, and have some fun with the fans. In the meanwhile, if you need a catch-up on the events leading up to the PPV, check out this complete primer to get all the info you need…
American Alpha, the Hype Bros & The Usos vs Breezango, The Ascension & The Vaudevillains – 12-Man Tag Team Match
In a rematch from SmackDown Live, it’s the tag division against the tag division. Another example of “we need matches for the pre-show”, I’m sure this match will be acceptable at the very least.
Sami Zayn & Neville vs The Dudley Boyz – Tag Team Match
After defeating eternal rival Kevin Owens, it only makes sense that Sami Zayn has a tag-match on the SummerSlam kick-off show with no build whatsoever. The same could be said for Neville. His return to the WWE, newly bearded with the physique of a Greek statue, should naturally kick off with a tag match on the kick-off show. The Dudley Boyz fail to find any direction, and here we are. Still, a bunch of capable in-ring performers should make this a little less painful.
Carmella, Becky Lynch and Naomi vs Natalya, Alexa Bliss and Eva Marie – 2-on-3 Handicap Match
Ever since Eva Marie has been drafted to SmackDown, a variety of unfortunate events have led to the delay of her debut. From wardrobe malfunctions to traffic jams, Eva Marie has yet to perform in the ring since the draft… and will continue to sit on the sidelines, thanks to her non-scripted 30 day suspension via the Wellness Policy. Whilst the other women for the blue brand clash in a now uneven 2-to-3 handicap bout, the question remains; will Natalya and Bliss go it alone, or find a third hand to help?
Cesaro vs Sheamus – Singles Match; First Match in Best of Seven Series
After weeks of back and forth between these two, including matches and costing each other their own separate matches, Raw GM Mick Foley took some inspiration from Ring of Honor, and made a Best of Seven Series for the two combatants. Whatever you have to say about these two, it’s definitely better than being left off of the card entirely, and we now have a sense of purpose for their continuing matches going forward.
Enzo and Cass vs Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens – Tag Team Match
After an intergender tag team match on Raw between Charlotte, Chis Jericho, Sasha Banks and Enzo Amore, Jericho assaulted Enzo after the bell had rung, leading to Big Cass coming out to protect his friend. Continuing a camaraderie between the two Canadians, Kevin Owens came to Jericho’s aid against the tag team. The realest guys in the room challenged them to a match, which the new best friends accepted. Not much to say here, other than express enjoyment over the banter between these two teams in recent weeks.
John Cena vs AJ Styles – Singles Match
It’s time for the rubber match, ladies and gents. After scoring an unclean victory over Cena at Money in the Bank, and after Cena pinned Styles clean in that six-man tag at Battleground, there’s been a change in dynamic between the two dream rivals. The Club has been split between the brands, and Cena’s friends find themselves preoccupied with the Canadians. It’s time for John Cena to take on AJ Styles in one (hopefully) final battle. With John Cena’s habit of losing at SummerSlam coming to mind, it begs the question; will this trend continue? Or will Styles’ sentiment of Cena “burying” guys like him come true? Cena stood tall at the end of the go-home SmackDown, but all bets are off when it comes down to SummerSlam.
The New Day (c) vs Gallows and Anderson – WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Ever since they surpassed the all-time record of longest reigning WWE Tag Team champions, The New Day have been unstoppable after toppling every challenger in the books for over a year. But they’ve never faced an opponent like The Club before except for that one fatal 4-way match. After Gallows and Anderson trashed the New Day’s celebration and injured Big E’s Big Ts, the New Day have been shook at their very foundation. With the Club looking to add another championship to their already-decorated resume, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston may be in some hot water.
The Miz (c) vs Apollo Crews – WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
The Miz and Maryse have been gloating and boasting their Intercontinental championship around the place for the past several months, with Miz beating opponents ranging from Zack Ryder to Cesaro. However, young upstart Apollo Crews could spell the end for the Miz’s championship run. After winning a Number One Contender’s Battle Royal on SmackDown, Crews has shown a newfound intensity in the face of the moneymaker. When the chips are down, will we see a new Intercontinental champion in the form of Crews, who debuted this weekend last year? Or will the Intercontinental Championship World Tour continue under The Miz?
Rusev (c) vs Roman Reigns – WWE United States Championship Match
The demotion of Roman Reigns continues, as he takes on the newly-married Bulgarian Brute, Rusev. After being booted out of the title picture for his Wellness Policy violation, Reigns has fixated himself on defeating Rusev for the United States Championship, furthering the idea that Reigns will follow in the footsteps of John Cena. After crashing Rusev and Lana’s wedding celebration on Raw and covering the bride in cake, Rusev yelled at Mick Foley to the point of Foley booking this match. Whilst Rusev complained that Roman did nothing to earn this match (he has a point), Roman picked up a victory over the champion in a non-title bout on the go-home Raw. Reporting live from the Rusev prayer circle, I can officially tell you that I have no clue which way this will go.
Sasha Banks (c) vs Charlotte – WWE Women’s Championship Match
Sasha Banks shocked the world when she won the title from Charlotte on the first Raw following the draft. Shocking the pair of the former champion and partner Dana Brooke, Charlotte invoked her rematch clause for SummerSlam. Backstage, Banks approached Foley backstage, asking for a 2-on-1 Handicap match for the title against Charlotte and Brooke. Foley had the better idea of banning Dana Brooke from ringside, but only if Banks could beat Dana in a match on Raw. Banks followed through, and with Charlotte and Dana on the rocks, could this cost the former champion her chance to regain her spot?
Seth Rollins vs Finn Balor – WWE Universal Championship Match
Raw needed a new belt, and by God did they make a new belt. The inaugural champion of the WWE Universe will the decided in a match between “the Man” and “the Demon King”, when Seth Rollins and Finn Balor collide. After winning a fatal 4-way and pinning Roman Reigns clean on Raw, Finn Balor was put into the match against Raw’s #1 draft pick for the SummerSlam bout. The longest reigning NXT Champion’s reputation precedes him, remaining on top of the developmental brand for the better part of 2015. However, Rollins is no pushover himself, going to the point of calling out the Demon King for a fight on the go-home edition of Raw. When the Demon King made his presence known, Rollins retreated; with the stage set, it’s time to find out who the WWE Universe will call their champion.
Dean Ambrose (c) vs Dolph Ziggler – WWE World Championship Match
After winning a six-pack challenge on SmackDown, Dolph Ziggler’s fire has been burning violently, with no extinguishing in sight. Formidable champion Dean Ambrose defeated his former Shield brethren at Battleground, and now faces a challenge in the form of a show-off. Ambrose has made his doubts about his challenger known, and Ziggler has let Ambrose know that he has zero intention of losing one of the biggest opportunities he’s had for years now. After a superkick to the champion on Miz TV, Ziggler appears more than ready to face Ambrose – but Ambrose, like a cockroach in a nuclear war, has survived more than anyone can imagine throughout his career. The two will face off for SmackDown’s top prize, and only one man will be left standing.
Randy Orton vs Brock Lesnar – Singles Match
A dream match fifteen years in the making comes to fruition, as two of the WWE’s most tenured superstars clash for the first time in recent memory. After Lesnar’s victory at UFC 200, and ensuing drug test failures, the spotlight has been on this feud for the past month, with no intentions of leaving. Randy Orton returned to the WWE at Battleground, on Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel, talking about his SummerSlam opponent, bringing up the drug testing. The match itself transcends the brand split; SmackDown superstar Randy Orton dropped Lesnar with an RKO on Raw, whilst Lesnar returned the favor on SmackDown, F5’ing Orton during a match. Lesnar’s stock has risen and fallen more violently than a tidal wave, but whether the beach will be claimed by the Beast or the Viper at SummerSlam, it remains to be seen.
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