Choke's Summerslam Preview & Predictions: Punk/Sheamus retain?
Posted by: choke Aug 19, 2012 | 1501 views | 0 comments
My preview for Summerslam
Since the season is winding down, I'm skipping the Smackdown Fantasy Impact this week and going right into my Summerslam preview. Not much Fantasy talk in here either, though I'll be doing a separate Fantasy preview for the upcoming mini and full seasons of the game.
Onto the matches:
Santino vs Antonio Cesaro for the US Championship (pre-show freeview)
I expect Cesaro to go over here, but it's probably just wishful thinking. Somewhat hard to imagine a title changing hands on a freeview show, but I think it'd be a good idea for the WWE to start having major things happen during things like this to generate more interest. Hopefully I'm right. Can we at least get a clean pin one way or another?
Prediction: Cesaro wins the US Championship
The Miz vs Rey Mysterio for the IC Championship
The Miz has actually been on a little losing streak since picking up the IC belt, only defeating Christian as of late in singles action (I believe this is the case, with no research to back it up. lol). Anyway, I actually see that continuing, but him still retaining the belt. I see this feud continuing for the next month or two and Miz either getting DQ'd or losing via Countout to retain here.
Prediction: Rey Mysterio wins the match, but not the belt.
Chris Jericho vs Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler has MITB, and Jericho has been getting the pre-Wrestlemania Big Show treatment of any/everyone constantly bringing up his big losses in big matches. Ziggler doesn't need the win, Jericho does. Probably my most confident pick
Prediction: Chris Jericho defeats Dolph Ziggler
Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs the Primetime Players for the WWE Tag Team Championships
Here we go, more wishful thinking on my part, but I feel like the Kofi/Truth thing has run it's course a long time ago and it's time for some fresh blood to get the straps. Hopefully the AW firing doesn't negatively impact the PTP, but I don't think it should or will. It's time to get Kofi and Truth back to singles, and highlight more of the younger tag teams.
Prediction: PTP win the Tag Team Championships
Kane vs Daniel Bryan
Pretty much zero interest in this match. They've all but killed the interest in Bryan to me and this match seems meaningless. I do think they're going to have Bryan lose this match as part of his storyline, but either way, who really cares?
Prediction: Kane defeats Daniel Bryan
Sheamus vs Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship
Simple: I just don't think it's time for Del Rio to hold the belt. Wouldn't personally mind seeing it happen, Sheamus is tired.
Prediction: Sheamus retains the World Heavyweight Championship cleanly
Bonus prediction: Dolph Ziggler comes out and teases a MITB cash-in, but ultimately doesn't
Brock Lesnar vs HHH
This is a tough call to me. It's hard for me to imagine Lesnar losing his first and only two matches in the WWE since his return, but with the way the WWE sold his first loss to Cena was almost like a win for him. I could see them doing that here again, but ultimately I think Lesnar takes the victory to set up a bigger match for him at the Rumble and maybe culminating in a Wrestlemania match against Undertaker?
Prediction: Brock Lesnar defeats HHH
CM Punk vs John Cena vs Big Show for the WWE Championship
Big Show has next to no shot to win this, let's get that out of the way first. Punk seems like the safer bet because of the Rock situation they've been hinting at for the Rumble. I'm the master of wishful thinking, so damn common sense, I'm going to go with a Cena victory here. I just think the WWE needs a big title change soon, and don't see Del Rio beating Sheamus so here we are. If Dolph Ziggler cashes in the MITB earlier in the night and wins the World Title, I'd switch this to CM Punk.
Prediction: John Cena defeats CM Punk and Big Show to win the WWE Championship
I could also see them throwing in a Brodus Clay vs Sandow match, which I actually think they'll give to Brodus if it happens. Maybe a Ryback vs Jinder Mahal match where Ryback should obviously get the win. Possibly some sort of Divas battle royale to determine a #1 contender (Phoenix? Eve? Kelly Kelly?) Maybe a ceremony of just burning the Diva's belt so we can pretend it never existed.
Overall I think it will be a good show so long as we get a surprise (title change) or two. I hope the WWE realizes that watching the same guys with the same belts for months on end simply gets tiring. Then again I've thought this for the last 3 months with little to no change.