SummerSlam is The Biggest Event of The Summer. This year’s pay-per-view will truly bring the heat, as the WWE Universe braces itself for an epic card from top to bottom, including Universal Champion Brock Lesnar against Seth Rollins, Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch against Natalya, WWE Champion Kofi Kingston against Randy Orton, WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus against Charlotte Flair, Kevin Owens against Shane McMahon, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley against Ember Moon and so much more. It all streams live tonight on WWE Network beginning at 7 ET/4 PT!
As the WWE Universe gears up for this pivotal event, WWE.com’s editors offer their own grand prognostications as to who who will sizzle at SummerSlam! Presented by Cricket Wireless.
Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins (PREVIEW)
MICHAEL BURDICK: Brock Lesnar may have turned WWE Extreme Rules upside-down when he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to take the Universal Title back from Seth Rollins, but The Architect already proved at WrestleMania that he is The Beastslayer. At The Biggest Event of the Summer, he will do it again. WINNER: SETH ROLLINS
RYAN PAPPOLLA: At a certain point I start to tire of hitting y’all with the same Heyman-esque spoilers on these. Seth is shook. Brock is Brock. #AndStill WINNER: BROCK LESNAR
JON CHIK: Though they’ve faced off twice in singles competition, each result has come with a bit of an asterisk: Rollins clubbed Lesnar with a vicious low blow at WrestleMania, while The Conqueror dethroned The Architect via a Money in the Bank cash-in after Seth had already endured tremendous physical punishment and mental anguish in an Extreme Rules Mixed Tag Team Match. In a fair fight, it’s unwise to bet against The Beast, and it would be sheer lunacy to do so after he decimated his challenger with two prolonged assaults in consecutive weeks. WINNER: BROCK LESNAR
ANTHONY BENIGNO: And we’re back. The rivalry resumes, but Lesnar seems to have done his homework this time by nearly crippling Rollins before the match even begins. Barring a miracle run, it looks like the time of The Beastslayer is over. Lesnar retains and a new hero begins his climb up the mountain. WINNER: BROCK LESNAR
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Natalya (PREVIEW)
BURDICK: This match will not be for the faint of heart. The Man is on the top of her game, and even a third-generation Superstar like The Queen of Hearts will not be able to overcome her momentum. #BeckyUp WINNER: BECKY LYNCH
PAPPOLLA: Bret Hart defeated Mr. Perfect to win the Intercontinental Championship with the Sharpshooter at SummerSlam ’91. It’s pretty darn fitting, then, that his niece will capture a title with the same hold this Sunday. WINNER: NATALYA
CHIK: We learned everything we needed to know on Raw when Natalya trapped Becky in the Sharpshooter during a tag team match and took a disqualification loss when she refused to adhere to the five-second rope break: The titleholder screamed in pain during the ordeal, but at no point did she give Natalya the satisfaction of tapping the mat — official match or not — despite being locked in the excruciating hold for more than 30 seconds. As we’ve seen, there’s no way anyone can last that long in Lynch’s Dis-arm-her. WINNER: BECKY LYNCH
BENIGNO: The idea that Becky Lynch is the one thing Natalya’s career needed might be a bit more braggadocious than true — the rivalry has given both women a shot in the arm — but the Raw Women’s Champion has brought out an impressively aggressive side of the typically pleasant Canadian. That veteran instinct is going a long way for Natalya, but she might be walking into a buzz saw: Becky does her best work when her opponent is so revved up they forget what they’re fighting for. WINNER: BECKY LYNCH
BURDICK: Woo! In this highly anticipated dream match, The Queen will ultimately rise above Stratusfaction. WINNER: CHARLOTTE FLAIR
PAPPOLLA: Trish Stratus initially retired from in-ring competition when she defeated Lita with the Sharpshooter in her home country of Canada in 2006. History will repeat itself when the WWE Hall of Famer bests The Queen with the same hold this Sunday. The Canadian women will sweep with Sharpshooters in Toronto! WINNER: TRISH STRATUS
CHIK: As noted in our preview for this bona fide Dream Match, Trish has competed sparingly since 2011, and Charlotte has won nine championships in that time. The Queen hasn’t held a title since WrestleMania four months ago (an eternity by Flair standards), and she’ll be motivated to back up her claim that she is “The Greatest Female Superstar of Any Era.” WINNER: CHARLOTTE FLAIR
BENIGNO: Well now here’s a match I never thought I’d see. On paper, it’s almost poetic: The Queen of this era vs. the queen of the most formative period in the history of the company. In practice, however, it’s a bit of a mismatch. Trish hasn’t wrestled since Evolution, and the slap on SmackDown LIVE was pretty, but she never tagged in on Raw; going against a full-steam Charlotte might be more than the WWE Hall of Famer can handle. Charlotte wins, but Trish’s legacy remains intact. After all, nothing wrong with losing to a legend. WINNER: CHARLOTTE FLAIR
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton (PREVIEW)
BURDICK: The WWE Champion is on a roll, and as dangerous as The Viper is and as intense as their history may be ... it's a New Day, yes it is! WINNER: KOFI KINGSTON
PAPPOLLA: I vividlyremember where I was for all the major moments that went down between Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton 2009-2010. It felt you were witnessing the rise of the next great Superstar in Kofi. And you were. It just took a lot longer than it should have … because of Randy. Another lasting memory will be created this Sunday when Kofi bests The Viper, finally putting the beginning of the decade firmly behind him and extending what I’m already willing to call one of the most special WWE Championship runs we’ve ever seen. WINNER: KOFI KINGSTON
CHIK: Give the devil his due: Orton is as good as it gets when it comes to mind games – from the grandiose and deranged (burning down Bray Wyatt’s compound) to the calculated and subtle (planting the smallest seed of doubt by telling Kofi he still isn’t worthy of being WWE Champion). That potential psychological edge, combined with The Viper’s extensive track record of main-eventing WWE’s biggest pay-per-views, is the perfect recipe for a title change. WINNER: RANDY ORTON
BENIGNO: If I had my druthers, Kofi Kingston would be WWE Champion until the sun swallows up the dried-out husk of the Earth and Armageddon arrives to the sound of Xavier Woods’ trombone bleats. I probably won’t get that, but I still think he’ll beat Randy Orton. WINNER: KOFI KINGSTON
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Ember Moon (PREVIEW)
BURDICK: This is a tough one, but gut tells me that it is time for a total Eclipse of the SmackDown Women's Title. It is the time for the rise of The Shenom. And Ember Moon will not be denied. WINNER: EMBER MOON
PAPPOLLA: Ember Moon’s had a rough few weeks, and Bayley is clearly as confident as she’s ever been. For how they operate, though, that might suit The Shenom and make The Hugger vulnerable. I’m going all in with Ember. WINNER: EMBER MOON
CHIK: Bayley knows what it’s like to reach the mountaintop (winning her first Raw Women’s Title in February 2017), suddenly plummet (getting dethroned by Alexa Bliss), and scratch and claw her way back to the summit (winning the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match and cashing in on Charlotte Flair). Knowing firsthand how hard it is to get back to titleholder status after losing a championship, Bayley will be hellbent on retaining at all costs. WINNER: BAYLEY
BENIGNO: A low-key show stealer possibility. These two never had a match in NXT, and despite achieving considerable success since then, both are still hungry for opportunities and clearly have something to prove. They’ll open a lot of eyes, and Ember will use this match to showcase why she should be considered a top-flight talent in the Women’s division for years to come. I don’t think she has it in her to top Bayley yet, but the performance will be its victory all the same: She might not beat the champ now, but she’ll come out of this looking like someone who can. WINNER: BAYLEY
BURDICK: I don't usually go against a competitor as intense and daring as Shane-O-Mac, but in this case, Owens' career is on the line. That is the difference, I believe, and I don't see how KO allows himself to be defeated. WINNER: KEVIN OWENS
PAPPOLLA: There ain’t a life coach or deep breathing exercise on this planet that can prep you for a Stunner. WINNER: KEVIN OWENS
CHIK: Owens has whipped the WWE Universe into a frenzy in recent weeks by railing against Shane McMahon and his omnipresence on Raw and SmackDown LIVE, and the fired-up Superstar is primed to deliver a beatdown in crunch time. Love him or loathe him, Shane-O-Mac isn’t afraid to take a death-defying leap of faith, but KO isn’t about to let his career be ended by the boss’ son. WINNER: KEVIN OWENS
BENIGNO: Far be it from me to pass judgment on Shane McMahon’s empirical grip on SmackDown LIVE airtime — I’m not looking to get a Coast-to-Coast from Shane-O-Mac over a predictions article — but there are few forces more powerful in the history of this company than a guy with a grudge against the boss. As wily as Shane has proven to be in the ring, Owens’ wild, nothing-to-lose vibe gives him the edge here. WINNER: KEVIN OWENS
BURDICK: I am not typically one to follow the warnings of felt creatures, but in this case, Rambling Rabbit has a valid point. Finn is The Extraordinary Man, but The Fiend is something else altogether. Barring an appearance by The Demon, Bray Wyatt walks away with the victory. WINNER: "THE FIEND" BRAY WYATT
PAPPOLLA: The whole Firefly Fun House operation terrifies me – The Fiend, the puppets, all the stuff. In the off chance that any of them are reading this (I presume Huskus the Pig Boy can read), I’m picking Wyatt to get the W. Oh, and he’s in Finn’s head. WINNER: “THE FIEND” BRAY WYATT
CHIK: Even moments before a big match, Finn is typically as cool as the other side of the pillow, but it can’t be easy to remain so tranquil when you’re dealing with an opponent who splits his time between playing an oddball host for an eerie children’s television show and making hearts jump by transforming into a nightmarish ghoul before laying out a target … all while the man’s puppets are constantly feeding you questionable advice and issuing cryptic warnings. After weeks of assaults and mind games, Wyatt clearly has the psychological edge. WINNER: “THE FIEND” BRAY WYATT
BENIGNO: A few months ago, Finn Bálor fought Brock Lesnar and didn’t bring The Demon. He lost. This time, he’s scheduled to fight Bray Wyatt’s horrifying alter-ego, and as of yet, he’s still planning on going into this match without calling on The Demon. I’d like to think he’s learned from his mistake. So, consider this a twofold prediction: Finn brings The Demon, and The Fiend goes back to the Firefly Fun House with its tail between its legs. WINNER: FINN BÁLOR
United States Champion AJ Styles vs. Ricochet (PREVIEW)
BURDICK: Ricochet is an amazing athlete, there is no doubt about it, but Styles already stands on the very plateau Ricochet aspires to rise to. Plus, with The O.C. watching The Phenomenal One's back, the numbers definitely don't add up in Ricochet's favor. WINNER: AJ STYLES
PAPPOLLA: It took Michael Jordan three tries before overcoming the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Playoffs en route to winning the NBA Championship in 1991. AJ Styles & The O.C. are definitely The Bad Boys Pistons, and Ricochet is quite literally His Airness, so it might as well be 1991 because he breaks through this Sunday. WINNER: RICOCHET
CHIK: Taking down one of the greatest grapplers to ever lace up a pair of boots in an enormous task; doing so when he’s backed by a pair of fearsome bruisers who recently rediscovered their mean streak is almost impossible. Ricochet’s blinding speed and athleticism at least give him a chance to stay a beat ahead of his adversaries, but it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where the acrobatic young Superstar outmaneuvers all three members of The O.C. and reclaims the championship. WINNER: AJ STYLES
BENIGNO: Ricochet is a dotcom darling, and I’m not about to imply the office favorite doesn’t have a chance … buuuuut, since reforming The O.C. and backsliding into an oily bad guy, AJ Styles seems to have a bit more wind in his sails these days. This one could go either way, and it’s going to be a delight to watch. But I think Styles is just a head and shoulders above all his opponents at the moment, no matter how high they levitate. WINNER: AJ STYLES
BURDICK: I want to say that when Dolph Ziggler stands across the ring from one of the most dominant forces in sports-entertainment history, Goldberg will remind The Showoff just how dangerous a WWE Hall of Famer can be. I want to say that, but I have a feeling that this will be Ziggler’s night. WINNER: DOLPH ZIGGLER
PAPPOLLA: Goldberg’s going to win this. The real prediction comes in figuring out if the pulverizing velocity of his Spear will cause Ziggler to spin into one or two full rotations. WINNER: GOLDBERG
CHIK: Goldberg is a competitor with an unquenchable thirst to obliterate whatever is standing on the other side of the ring, even when it’s nothing personal. By way of Ziggler’s near-weekly insults, The Showoff has gotten quite personal with the former Universal Champion, and while Dolph may use his otherworldly athleticism to skip out of the way of an early Spear attempt or two, it’s only a matter of time before an enraged bull hits his target. WINNER: GOLDBERG
BENIGNO: Potentially unpopular opinion here: I like Dolph Ziggler. Furthermore, I agree with what Dolph Ziggler said on Raw: He’s singularly talented, consistently reliable and ably commanded the spotlight even and especially when he wasn’t supposed to. He’ll go down as one of the more underappreciated talents in the history of WWE. That said, Goldberg is going to Spear him into the astral plane on Sunday. WINNER: GOLDBERG
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Drew Gulak vs. Oney Lorcan (PREVIEW)
BURDICK: After claiming victory in WWE 205 Live’s first-ever Six-Pack Challenge, look for Lorcan to bring his A-Game this Sunday at SummerSlam. But Drew Gulak will prevail and continue to solidify his reign over the Cruiserweight division. WINNER: DREW GULAK
PAPPOLLA: Oney Lorcan screaming nonsensically is presently my favorite thing in all of WWE. The only thing that could top it would be him screaming nonsensically in euphoria because he just won the Cruiserweight Championship. Let’s make dreams come true! WINNER: ONEY LORCAN
CHIK: Between his hard-hitting partnership with Danny Burch in NXT and his impressive first few months on 205 Live, the take-no-prisoners Lorcan has remained on the cusp of brawling his way to championship glory. Gulak has ruled the purple brand with an iron fist since finally capturing 205 Live’s top prize, but Oney is due to break through in a title fight. WINNER: ONEY LORCAN
BENIGNO: Drew Gulak is a dead-eyed Philadelphian who seems to have taken his in-ring inspiration from Torquemada himself and is finally enjoying a long-coveted reign as WWE Cruiserweight Champion. Oney Lorcan is a wiry bald maniac whose all-caps tweets suggest he operates in a constant state of rage. This match is going to be excellent, and as for my prediction, sometimes you just have to go with the guy who scares you more. WINNER: ONEY LORCAN
