SummerSlam 2015 predictions

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

The Biggest Event of the Summer comes to Brooklyn, N.Y., as SummerSlam emanates from the Barclays Center Sunday, live on WWE Network. From The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar’s long-anticipated rematch to the Winner Takes All Match between John Cena and Seth Rollins, the action has been heating up all summer.

Legends are made at SummerSlam, and with 10 matches scheduled for Sunday, who will rise to the occasion?

Check out who WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel, ECW Original Joey Styles, legendary sports-entertainment journalist Bill Apter and WWE.com editors think will come out on top, presented by DraftKings.

Let us know who you think will prevail at SummerSlam in the comments below.

Full SummerSlam coverage |  Get WWE Network

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

The Biggest Event of the Summer comes to Brooklyn, N.Y., as SummerSlam emanates from the Barclays Center Sunday, live on WWE Network. From The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar’s long-anticipated rematch to the Winner Takes All Match between John Cena and Seth Rollins, the action has been heating up all summer.

Legends are made at SummerSlam, and with 10 matches scheduled for Sunday, who will rise to the occasion?

Check out who WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel, ECW Original Joey Styles, legendary sports-entertainment journalist Bill Apter and WWE.com editors think will come out on top, presented by DraftKings.

Let us know who you think will prevail at SummerSlam in the comments below.

Full SummerSlam coverage |  Get WWE Network

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs. United States Champion John Cena (Winner Takes All)

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkelI have always been impressed with John Cena’s wherewithal when it comes to bouncing back from injury. He always seems to come back stronger. But when he faces Seth Rollins this Sunday in Brooklyn, Cena’s damaged nose will still be vulnerable. I look for Rollins to exploit that area, retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and become the United States Champion. WINNER: Seth Rollins

@joeystylesOnly because I have predicted John Cena to lose so many times and been wrong, I’m picking Cena. I don’t think the Cenation leader will leave SummerSlam as a Ric Flair record-tying 16-Time World Heavyweight Champion, however. I think Rollins will lose the match by an intentional disqualification or count-out to keep the title. I wouldn’t rule out Sheamus trying to cash in his Money in the Bank contract either. WINNER: John Cena

Bill Apter, 1wrestling.com: United States Champion John Cena will push WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins to his mental and physical limits. Cena has proven to be a solid warrior for so many years, but he will lose to the sneaky, edgier and more unpredictable style of Rollins. WINNER: Seth Rollins

Jeff Laboon: Sure, John Cena beat Seth Rollins earlier this month on Raw, but Rollins came out of that match stronger than ever. We’ll see if Cena’s nose is truly healed because The Architect will target it from the get-go. WINNER: Seth Rollins

Ryan Pappolla: John Cena defeated Seth Rollins several weeks ago on Raw while battling through quite possibly the most gruesome nose injury that the WWE Universe has ever seen. In the rematch, he’ll be able to breathe without any difficulty. Cena ties Ric Flair this Sunday for most championship reigns with 16. WINNER: John Cena

Seth Rollins: 3, John Cena: 2

Rollins breaks Cena’s nose |  Cena trains through the pain

Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper vs. Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkelThese two teams have a genuine dislike for each other. I see this match turning into a knockdown, drag-out affair, with the end result being a victory for the Dean Ambrose-Roman Reigns tandem. WINNERS: Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns

@joeystylesDean Ambrose and Roman Reigns’ relationship is one of friendship. The relationship between Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper is based on who the hell knows what. I’m picking the power and unpredictability of Reigns and Ambrose to overcome The Wyatts. WINNERS: Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns

Bill Apter, 1wrestling.com: The reuniting of both teams makes this a very noteworthy matchup. However, the deep issues in their unusual personalities will cause Wyatt and Harper to fall to the well-oiled physical and mental performance by Ambrose and Reigns. WINNERS: Dean Ambrose & Roman Reign

Jeff Laboon: Bray Wyatt has a very sterling record in special events. He has beaten John Cena, Daniel Bryan and Chris Jericho, among others. He has even beaten both of his SummerSlam opponents. He’ll keep rolling at SummerSlam this year as well. WINNERS: Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper

Ryan Pappolla: In a recent sit-down interview with Michael Cole, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose definitively stated that their war with The Wyatt Family would not end at SummerSlam. Reigns and Ambrose are going to SummerSlam to fight, not to win. WINNERS: Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper

Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns: 3, Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper: 2

What led to this epic clash? |  Watch Reigns at Money in the Bank

Stephen Amell & Neville vs. Stardust & King Barrett

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkel: Stephen Amell bit off more than he can chew with this match, and will anchor down Neville to a fault. I really like the Stardust-King Barrett pairing, and feel they’ll have a surprisingly easy go of things this Sunday, en route to a victory. WINNERS: Stardust & King Barrett

@joeystyles: King Barrett has been on such a cold streak of late that I would bet against him regardless of who he was facing. That being said, what people don’t know about Stephen Amell is that he is a master of Parkour (you can find the videos on YouTube) and does most of his own stunts on “Arrow.” The agility and aggression we saw from Amell on Raw was a very small taste of what he is capable of. WINNERS: Neville & Stephen Amell

Bill Apter, 1wrestling.com: I’m a huge fan of “Arrow” star Stephen Amell.  He has been working tirelessly in the gym every day and getting ready for his official WWE debut. With the amazing Neville helping guide him, I cannot see anything but a huge win for them. WINNERS: Neville & Stephen Amell

Jeff Laboon: Stardust & King Barrett have 13 championships between them. Neville is an enigma, but that isn’t enough to compare to his opponents’ success. It’ll be exciting to see Stephen Amell in a WWE ring, but no amount of arrows will save him. WINNERS: Stardust & King Barrett

Ryan Pappolla: Will Stephen Amell’s complete lack of experience cost him and Neville against the savvy veterans of Stardust and King Barrett? The (green) arrow is pointing “no” on that for me, but we’ll have to wait and see. WINNERS: Neville & Stephen Amell

Neville & Stephen Amell: 3, Stardust & King Barrett: 2

Relive the social media war between Amell and Stardust |  Amell demands a match

PCB vs. Team Bella vs. Team B.A.D.

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkel: The Divas division has been turned upside down since the arrival of some new blood, which you will certainly see in this match. I look for an amazing match to ensue this Sunday, with Team B.A.D. prevailing. Why? Why not! WINNERS: Team B.A.D.

@joeystyles: As a longtime fan of women’s wrestling, I am loving the #DivasRevolution. I’ve also been a hardcore NXT fan since the “developmental” brand was re-launched by Triple H, so I’m familiar with the prowess of Paige, Charlotte and Becky Lynch, who I’m picking to be the last team standing via submission. WINNERS: PCB

Jeff Laboon: Team B.A.D. is the only trio without a former Divas Champion, but they’re also the most confident. Plus, they have on thing that neither team offers: Tamina. Good luck knocking her from the bout. WINNERS: Team B.A.D.

Anthony Benigno: PCB, you’re awesome. The future lies with you. Team B.A.D., you’re every bit as tough as advertised. But the future ain’t now just yet. Team Bella rules the roost, and they’ll get the win to prove it on Sunday. WINNERS: Team Bella

Ryan Pappolla: The young blood on Team B.A.D. and PCB will be yearning to prove themselves on this major stage so badly that it’s impossible to believe Twin Magic will produce successful results. I’m picking the team with the best female competitor on the planet: Sasha Banks. WINNERS: Team B.A.D.

Team B.A.D.: 3, PCB: 1, Team Bella: 1

Diva Team photos |  Watch Team Bella take on Team BAD on Raw 

Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkel: Though I revere everything that has been accomplished by The Undertaker, he will fall short of the mark in this encounter, and Suplex City’s No. 1 citizen will emerge victorious. This is going to be one for the ages. WINNER: Brock Lesnar 

@joeystyles: The Undertaker needs to win this match. If The Deadman can’t avenge his WrestleMania Streak-breaking loss to The Beast, he may as well retire. For that reason, I am picking The Undertaker to be successful in his quest for retribution. WINNER: The Undertaker

Bill Apter, 1wrestling.com: Both competitors are overflowing with deep animosity toward each other. The referee won’t be able restrain their uncontrollable physical explosions, thus causing a double-disqualification verdict. WINNER: Draw

Jeff Laboon: Superstars come and go, but one thing is for sure: The Undertaker beat them at some point. The Deadman has never defeated Brock Lesnar, though. The Undertaker will exorcise his biggest demon at SummerSlam. WINNER: The Undertaker

Ryan Pappolla: Since returning to WWE in 2012, Brock Lesnar has yet to lose at SummerSlam, going 3-0 at the event. There is certainly someone out there capable of conquering The Conqueror. It’s just not The Undertaker. WINNER: Brock Lesnar

The Undertaker: 2, Brock Lesnar: 2, Draw: 1

Full match preview |  Watch Undertaker vs. Lesnar at WrestleMania

Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkel: I am truly looking forward to this contest featuring two of WWE’s brightest Superstars. I hemmed and hawed about this one, and I’m going to go with Cesaro in what should be a closely contested contest. WINNER: Cesaro

@joeystyles: Cesaro and Owens are two of my favorite Superstars. Cesaro has recently fought his way into many Raw and SmackDown main events, and Owens made an impact by beating John Cena! Both Cesaro and Owens will be revered by the hardcore fans in Brooklyn, so the crowd won’t be a factor. In the end, I see Owens putting Cesaro away with the Pop-up Powerbomb. WINNER: Kevin Owens

Bill Apter, 1wrestling.com: Cesaro is as tough as they get, but he seems to have trouble putting an end to his opponent once he appears to have a win at hand. Owens knows this and will use it to cause Cesaro’s downfall. WINNER: Kevin Owens

Jeff Laboon: Kevin Owens stormed onto the scene in WWE, but his losses to John Cena and Finn Bálor took a little bit of the thunder out of that arrival. Momentum is clearly on The Swiss Superman’s side. WINNER: Cesaro

Ryan Pappolla: What a beautiful story it would be if Cesaro finally had a definitive, breakout win by defeating Kevin Owens at SummerSlam. It would be like a fairytale. But I’m wagering that Kevin Owens doesn’t believe in fairytales. So sadly, I don’t either. WINNER: Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens: 3, Cesaro: 2

How Cesaro grabbed the brass ring |  Owens talks trash on 'Miz TV'

Intercontinental Champion Ryback vs. Big Show vs. The Miz (Triple Threat Match)

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkelI’m going to get straight to the point here: The Miz will become the Intercontinental Champion. His SummerSlam opponents have been giving him his comeuppance in large doses for the last month. Still, somehow, some way, Ryback and Big Show will be thrown off their respective game plans, and Miz will become the new Intercontinental Champion. WINNER: The Miz

@joeystylesAfter seeing the intensity of The Big Guy following his return from a staph infection in his knee (did The Miz ever find his Louboutin shoe?), I’m picking Ryback to pin The Miz to retain the Intercontinental Championship. The Big Guy will Shell Shock the 450-pound Big Show and The Miz just to make a statement. WINNER: Ryback

Bill Apter, 1wrestling.comThe brash, trash-talking Miz is the underdog in this match with two competitors who outsize him. Somehow, he will let them beat each other down, and, at the right moment, The Miz will take advantage and win the Intercontinental Title. WINNER: The Miz

Jeff Laboon: Big Show has been begging for a fight all summer. He’ll finally get it at SummerSlam against Ryback and The Miz. His competition is talented, but Big Show is one furious giant of late. WINNER: Big Show

Ryan Pappolla: Did everybody see Ryback’s knee on Instagram a few weeks back? I have a hard time believing he will be feeling too splendid. Big Show will be focused on exploiting that injury, allowing The Miz to steal the championship. WINNER: The Miz

The Miz: 3, Ryback: 1, Big Show: 1

Intercontinental Title Match preview |  Photos: Hall of Intercontinental Champions

Rusev vs. Dolph Ziggler

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkel: Rusev has been spending a lot of time thinking about getting his hands on Dolph Ziggler. I see an agitated Rusev taking the measure of The Showoff — perhaps in relatively short order to boot! WINNER: Rusev

@joeystyles: People tend to underestimate how physical and aggressive Dolph Ziggler can be because of his sense of humor. But Ziggler isn’t coming to SummerSlam to make people laugh — he’s coming to give Rusev a receipt for crushing his throat. Forget Lana. Forget Summer. Forget national pride. This is personal and Ziggler wants payback. WINNER: Dolph Ziggler

Bill Apter, 1wrestling.com: Dolph Ziggler is on fire after returning from injury. Lana has invigorated him like I’ve never seen him before. Ziggler wins. WINNER: Dolph Ziggler

Jeff Laboon: Rusev has done a masterful job of getting inside Dolph Ziggler and Lana’s heads over the summer. Ziggler will be too focused on retribution to keep his eye on beating The Bulgarian Brute. WINNER: Rusev

Ryan Pappolla: A personal rivalry between two young studs, both trying to rise up the ranks, reeks of a match that could steal the show — and Ziggler knows all about that. Either way, we’ll surely see the biggest catfight of the summer between Lana and “Hot” Summer Rae. WINNER: Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler: 3, Rusev: 2

Summer Rae attacks Lana |  Rusev rips on Ziggler

WWE Tag Team Champions The Prime Time Players vs. Los Matadores vs. The Lucha Dragons vs. The New Day

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkel: Lots of human traffic to contend with in this contest. I truly believe that out of the three teams challenging The Prime Time Players’ reign, The New Day and their continued cohesiveness as a unit will allow them to begin another reign as WWE Tag Team Champions. WINNERS: The New Day

@joeystyles: Thanks to their clever use of the “Freebird Rule,” which allows all three members of a team to hold the tandem titles at the same time, The New Day will win back the championships and have something new to clap about. WINNERS: The New Day

Bill Apter, 1wrestling.com: It's time for The Lucha Dragons to climb to the next level and win the WWE Tag Team Titles. They will not win by pinning either of The Prime Time Players, however. It will be one of the members of The New Day that will fall! WINNERS: The Lucha Dragons

Jeff Laboon: Kofi Kingston brings a wealth of experience to his squad that no one else in this bout can match. Titus O’Neil & Darren Young have been great champions, but The New Day will prevail, thanks to Kingston. WINNERS: The New Day

Ryan Pappolla: All four teams are formidable and as exciting as can be. The difference maker here will be who can best rise up to the magnitude of the moment … and well, they’re not called The Prime Time Players just for funzies. WINNERS: The Prime Time Players

The New Day: 3, The Prime Time Players: 1, The Lucha Dragons: 1

Prime Time Players are confident |  Watch New Day vs. Los Matadores

Randy Orton vs. Sheamus

SummerSlam 2015 predictions

@howardfinkelI have been so impressed with Sheamus since he returned with his new look. Randy Orton is a smart, savvy veteran who can strike on a moment’s notice, but I’m going with The Celtic Warrior to eke out the victory. WINNER: Sheamus

@joeystyles: I’m not even sure that Randy Orton knows how good he is. If Sheamus doesn’t know how good Orton is, he will find out at SummerSlam. The Viper will fell The Celtic Warrior with a #StraightOuttaNowhere RKO. WINNER: Randy Orton

Bill Apter, 1wrestling.com: Sheamus’ new look — along with the razzing he’s getting from the fans — has made him more ferocious than he has been throughout his career. The RKO won’t be able to stop him. WINNER: Sheamus

Jeff Laboon: Randy Orton is the most underrated Superstar at the moment. He nearly won his 13th WWE World Heavyweight Championship earlier this month. This battle will be another marquee win in his Hall of Fame career. WINNER: Randy Orton

Ryan Pappolla: These two Superstars are so familiar with one another, but who is in more desperate need of the win? That’s Mr. Money in the Bank. Sheamus evens the score from WWE Battleground, but only after two Brogue Kicks. WINNER: Sheamus

Sheamus: 3, Randy Orton: 2

Watch Sheamus win Money in the Bank |  Never-before-seen Orton

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