Veteran NFL writer and "Pat McAfee Show" correspondent Mark Kaboly gives his predictions for the inaugural two-night SummerSlam, streaming live from MetLife Stadium on Saturday and Sunday at 6 ET/3 PT on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.
WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes (Street Fight)
I will leave this brief and to the point without many explanations: It’s just not time for John Cena to drop the WWE Undisputed Championship. But I will say this: If The Final Boss isn’t somehow involved in Cena retaining, then it will be a disappointment, and if The Rock doesn’t order a beat down of The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes, I will be very disappointed. That is all.
Prediction: Cena def. Rhodes
Women’s World Champion Naomi (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY (Triple Threat Match)
In my humble opinion, Rhea Ripley should already have the Women’s World Championship because she’s the best in the business. She’s mega over and has recently lost some big matches. You never know what might happen in a Triple Threat Match, and that doesn’t bode well for Ripley, but I anticipate this be one of the best bouts on the card. I just cannot bring myself to believe Naomi will lose the title three weeks after finally winning it.
Prediction: Naomi def. Ripley and SKY
Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
"Dirty" Dominik Mysterio was finally medically cleared and now has to actually defend his title against AJ Styles. With Survivor Series in Mysterio’s hometown, San Diego, in three-plus months, this match could go either way. Hold the title until then or win it back in front of a hometown crowd? Decisions, decisions.
Prediction: Styles def. Mysterio.
United States Champion Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu (Steel Cage Match)
A Steel Cage Match isn’t going to keep Solo Sikoa's family from interfering in this bout. Solo holding onto the Unites States Title for a little more than a month suggests that he will keep it a bit longer, even though Jacob Fatu is big time over and probably should still be holding the gold. (He held it for a little more than two months before dropping it.) If Tama Tonga was ready to come back, a different outcome might occur.
Prediction: Sikoa def. Fatu
Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria
Round and round we go with Becky Lynch, Lyra Valkyria and Bayley. The Intercontinental Title picture has involved these three Superstars for a few months. Similarly to WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill, Bayley could double dip to create chaos from the outside.
Prediction: Lynch def. Valkyria
WWE Tag Team Champions The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. The Street Profits vs. Fraxiom vs. DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Andrade & Ray Fenix (Six-Pack TLC Match)
If you think you know who is going to win this match, you are lying to yourself. All six tandems can easily win. What we will see is some crazy high spots that will get the capacity crowd at MetLife Stadium cheering “This is awesome.” After being left off the WrestleMania card, the SmackDown tag team division has, and will, assert itself again. As for who wins? Flip a coin.
Prediction: The Wyatt Sicks
