SummerSlam is known as The Biggest Event of The Summer. This year’s pay-per-view will truly surpass that moniker, as the WWE Universe braces itself for an epic card from top to bottom, including a Fatal 4-Way Universal Champion Match between Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns, a WWE Championship bout between Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura, Raw Tag Team Champions Cesero & Sheamus defending the gold against a reunited Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins, "The Demon" Finn Balor against Bray Wyatt and so much more. It all streams live this Sunday on WWE Network with a special start-time of 7 ET/4 PT.

Full SummerSlam 2017 coverage | Get WWE Network

To get you ready for this pivotal event, WWE.com’s editors joined up with legendary sports-entertainment journalist and author of “Is Wrestling Fixed? I Didn’t Know It Was Broken” Bill Apter to offer their SummerSlam match predictions. See what you think about our picks, and let us know what you’re thinking in the comments.

Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman (Fatal 4-Way Match)

BILL APTER: Brock Lesnar, in the battle of his life, will emerge victorious. However, due to the title hunger and competitive instincts of his challengers, I feel the victory will be tainted with controversy.

WINNER: Brock Lesnar

TONY BENIGNO: Brock’s got incentive, Roman’s got the resume, Joe’s got the viciousness, but Braun’s got Braun. The Monster Among Men wins the prize, and Lesnar goes home.

WINNER: Braun Strowman

RYAN PAPPOLLA: Unpredictability seems inevitable when these four behemoths collide at The Biggest Event of Summer. Chaos will be the theme of the contest, and Samoa Joe will prove he thrives in chaos.

WINNER: Samoa Joe

SCOTT TAYLOR: A Beast, a Monster Among Men, The Big Dog and a Samoan Submission Machine enter the ring at SummerSlam … No, this isn’t the setup to a joke, but rather a very difficult match to predict. Any of these powerhouses could win, but I have to go with Roman Reigns, who will only further prove WWE is his yard now.

WINNER: Roman Reigns

WWE Champion Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

BILL APTER: A few weeks ago, I would have picked Nakamura to unseat Mahal. That has changed. I have noticed some small cracks in the foundation of the Japanese star that will make champion Mahal just a little bit better and see him retain the gold.

WINNER: Jinder Mahal

TONY BENIGNO: Too close to call, really. Nakamura’s a wild-card, but so was Jinder until about three months ago. That said, with Baron Corbin out of the equation, I think The King of Strong Style takes this one.

WINNER: Shinsuke Nakamura

RYAN PAPPOLLA: With the Money in the Bank contract no longer in play, WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura can throw down for the title at SummerSlam without having to have eyes in the back of their heads. Nakamura will still have to deal with The Singh Brothers lurking at ringside, but I like his chances with laser focus and momentum on his side.

WINNER: Shinsuke Nakamura

SCOTT TAYLOR: After defeating John Cena on SmackDown LIVE, Shinsuke Nakamura showed that no opponent is too great for him. The King of Strong Style’s time is now as he ends Jinder Mahal’s impressive WWE Championship tenure at SummerSlam.

WINNER: Shinsuke Nakamura

John Cena vs. Baron Corbin

BILL APTER: Corbin cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase and was severely embarrassed when he didn't win the WWE Title from Jinder Mahal. Corbin has to rise above the negative buzz surrounding him and make a decisive statement by beating Cena. Unfortunately for Corbin, he'll get close but will fall to Cena.

WINNER: John Cena

TONY BENIGNO: John Cena kinda-sorta cost Corbin his Money in the Bank cash-in. Expect the hottest free agent in the game to suffer appropriate payback.

WINNER: Baron Corbin

RYAN PAPPOLLA: Following the shocking events of Baron Corbin’s unsuccessful cash-in on SmackDown LIVE this past Tuesday, The Lone Wolf will be enraged as he takes on John Cena at SummerSlam. Rage is a powerful thing, but I’m still not sure that’s enough to be Super Cena’s kryptonite.

WINNER: John Cena

SCOTT TAYLOR: John Cena’s faced his fair share of young up-and-coming Superstars looking to make a name off him. Baron Corbin has tremendous potential, but look for the veteran Cena to use Corbin’s emotions against him en route to victory.

WINNER: John Cena

United States Champion AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens (Shane McMahon as the special guest referee)

BILL APTER: One of these competitors will lose their cool and get into a physical confrontation with Shane. Owens' temper is always ready to explode and if it does -- especially directed at McMahon -- he will pay dearly and lose to Styles.

WINNER: AJ Styles

TONY BENIGNO: Assuming Shane-O-Mac doesn’t go rogue and hit both of his quasi-rivals with a leap of faith? I’m gonna go with Owens, partially because he’s had Styles’ number more than AJ would like to admit, and partially because I don’t want to get blocked on Twitter.

WINNER: Kevin Owens

RYAN PAPPOLLA: Anything can happen in this contest with both United States Champion AJ Styles and Kevin Owens’ having such tumultuous histories with special referee Shane McMahon. Shane-O-Mac has promised to interject himself if prompted, and it just seems like KO is the more likely of the two Superstars to do the prompting.

WINNER: AJ Styles

SCOTT TAYLOR: I don’t think Kevin Owens will be able to keep his emotions in check in this contest. Shane McMahon as referee will be too much of a distraction for KO, who may try to push his luck with the SmackDown LIVE Commissioner in a move that will cost him.

WINNER: AJ Styles

Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks

BILL APTER: BANK on champion Bliss to make her own STATEMENT and beat Sasha to retain her title.

WINNER: Alexa Bliss

TONY BENIGNO: In the same building Sasha Banks and Bayley tore down two years ago, The Boss wins one for The Hugger.

WINNER: Sasha Banks

RYAN PAPPOLLA: Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss’ reign with the title has been absolutely fitting of her “Goddess” moniker. However, The "Goddess" is about the meet The Boss, and The Boss is ‘bout to make Bank.

WINNER: Sasha Banks

SCOTT TAYLOR: Sasha Banks has shown an ability to come up big on the biggest of stages. The Boss will leave Brooklyn a four-time Raw Women’s Champion.

WINNER: Sasha Banks

SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi vs. Natalya 

BILL APTER: Natalya's chance to prove she is "The Best There Is" will be solidly proven at SummerSlam. Her mean streak will be too much for Naomi to handle. New champion tonight -- Natalya.

WINNER: Natalya

TONY BENIGNO: Naomi’s got the glow, but Natalya’s long, hard, patient road to a post-Revolution Women’s Championship finally comes to an end. Watch out for Carmella though…

WINNER: Natalya  

RYAN PAPPOLLA: SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi’s glow has shined bright with the title since WrestleMania 33 this past April. However, Natalya has waited her entire career for a moment like this one and will not be denied at The Biggest Event of Summer.

WINNER: Natalya

SCOTT TAYLOR: There may not be a more overlooked Superstar in WWE today than Natalya. The Queen of Harts still has arguably the most dangerous submission move in WWE in the Sharpshooter at her disposal and the experience to pull out another big title victory.

WINNER: Natalya

Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose

BILL APTER: Now that Rollins and Ambrose have made peace with each other, they have to make sure their tag team is fine-tuned to perfection. I see them in a thrilling action-packed match and emerging victorious with Raw tag team gold.

WINNER: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose

TONY BENIGNO: The boys are back, baby. Dean-O and Seth burn “The Bar” down.

WINNER: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose

RYAN PAPPOLLA: It’s taken Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose a long time to get to this point of reunion. It would only be foolish to stop believing in the pair now.

WINNER: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose

SCOTT TAYLOR: As long as Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins are truly on the same page and work as a cohesive unit like they did when they were with The Shield, there is no stopping them.

WINNER: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose

“The Demon” Finn Bálor vs. Bray Wyatt

BILL APTER: No knock to Bray Wyatt, but when the fury of "The Demon" is unleashed, no opponent, no matter how unusual, can withstand the storm. Balor wins.

WINNER: Finn Bálor

TONY BENIGNO: When "The Demon" is in, Finn will win.

WINNER: Finn Bálor

RYAN PAPPOLLA: Bray Wyatt has gone and done did it now. The Eater of Worlds potentially had the mental edge on Finn Bálor heading into this SummerSlam match, but then he went and woke up "The Demon." Not wise.

WINNER: Finn Bálor

SCOTT TAYLOR: With Bray Wyatt seemingly awakening "The Demon" on Raw, The Eater of Worlds will be seeing red at SummerSlam.

WINNER: Finn Bálor

Randy Orton vs. Rusev 

BILL APTER: It will be an Accolade out of nowhere to shock everyone, as Rusev scores a major upset.

WINNER: Rusev

TONY BENIGNO: Orton specializes in outta nowhere, but Rusev’s good at grinding his foes down. It won’t be easy, but The Super Athlete gets the big win.

WINNER: Rusev

RYAN PAPPOLLA: Rusev’s requests for respect have fallen on deaf ears time and again on SmackDown LIVE. The only way to get respect in the land of opportunity is to take it, and The Bulgarian Brute will do just that.

WINNER: Rusev

SCOTT TAYLOR: It’s very hard to pick against Randy Orton, especially with his RKO outta nowhere, but Rusev seems hell-bent on using The Viper to make what will surely be an impactful statement.

Winner: Rusev

Big Show vs. Big Cass (Enzo Amore in a Shark Cage)

BILL APTER: Battling with only one good hand (his left), Big Show will score the win with the right -- an incredible knockout punch to help get final vengeance on Cass for both he and Enzo.

WINNER: Big Show

TONY BENIGNO: Big Show demanded respect on his name during Raw, and he has it … along with a broken hand, an opponent with momentum and two good brothers who could swing the match. Enzo’s champion goes down.

Winner: Big Cass

RYAN PAPPOLLA: Too many factors seem to be working against Big Show here. Enzo Amore will be suspended in a Shark Cage, and his hand was brutalized by Big Cass, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson this past Monday at Raw. Two hands are better than one, and you can’t teach that.

WINNER: Big Cass

SCOTT TAYLOR: Despite going into SummerSlam with what appears to be a badly injured right hand, don’t underestimate The World’s Largest Athlete. Throughout his career, Big Show has had to overcome plenty of obstacles, and an injured hand won’t stop him from toppling Big Cass.

WINNER: Big Show

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. The Usos (Kickoff Match)

BILL APTER: The New Day are enjoying a new tag team reign, but I predict it will be cut short by The Usos. Jey and Jimmy's unrivaled rebel attitude will lead them to victory.

WINNER: The Usos

TONY BENIGNO: New Day and The Usos have yet to not make magic on pay-per-view, but Jimmy & Jey might just surprise ya boys this time around.

WINNER: The Usos

RYAN PAPPOLLA: You are guaranteed a classic virtually every time out when arguably the two greatest tag teams of the past decade square off. Every match leading up to SummerSlam has been a thriller, and this should be no different. In fact, you can argue it will be Uso crazy.

WINNERS: The Usos

SCOTT TAYLOR: The Usos have shown they are willing to go to ruthless levels to gain the upper hand, something that could prove to be a difference maker at SummerSlam.

Winner: The Usos

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa vs. Neville (Kickoff Match)

BILL APTER: Neville is one of the fiercest competitors in sports-entertainment. That attitude mixed with his in-ring skills -- and a perfectly executed Red Arrow will be his method to regain the WWE Cruiserweight Title.

WINNER: Neville

TONY BENIGNO: Titus Worldwide’s resident Cruiserweight ascended the mountaintop on Raw and left Neville shook. It’s been a while since The King of The Cruiserweights tasted defeat, and he won’t have the answers by Sunday. The Twitter meltdown, however, will be spectacular.

WINNER: Akira Tozawa

RYAN PAPPOLLA: The King of the Cruiserweight’s reign with the title came to a humbling end this past Monday on Raw when Akira Tozawa defeated Neville to win the championship. If his appearance and demeanor from 205 Live this past Tuesday are any indication, then the title will stay with Titus Worldwide this Sunday night.

WINNER: Akira Tozawa

SCOTT TAYLOR: Normally I would say Neville would be so enraged from his shocking defeat on Raw that he would have to win back his title at SummerSlam. But after seeing Akira Tozawa get the best of Neville again on 205 Live, I’m convinced it’s Tozawa’s time to shine.

WINNER: Akira Tozawa
 

The Hardy Boyz & Jason Jordan vs. The Miz & Miztourage (Six-Man Kickoff Match)

BILL APTER: The Miz and his Miztourage need to have their egos put in check as they are well out of control. Matt, Jeff, and Jason have the skills and just as importantly the support of the fans in their corner and will give the Miz team some needed MIZery!

WINNER:  The Hardy Boyz & Jason Jordan

TONY BENIGNO:You demanded the Hardys, you got the Hardys ... and The Miz's crew gets their payback.

WINNER: The Miz & The Miztourage

RYAN PAPPOLLA: A disgruntled Miz is never a good look for his opponents … The A-Lister and his Miztourage will most definitely have a plan for act two following their trouble with The Hardyz and Jason Jordan this past Monday on Raw.

WINNER: The Miz & The Miztourage

SCOTT TAYLOR: With The Miz red-hot over not having an Intercontinental Title Match, The Miztourage will be determined to let their frustrations out behind an emphatic victory.

WINNER: The Miz & The Miztourage