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Raw and Smackdown are in the books and SummerSlam 2018 is just around the corner. Tomorrow night, every belt will be defended and great sagas will either end or put just another match in the books. So for now, let’s review the go-home shows from this week, discuss the upcoming card, and take a quick look back at something special that happened at SummerSlam.
Matches to watch
For the Raw and Smackdown’s before SummerSlam, both I thought were good, providing good set-ups for the stories going into Sunday. And before seeing Smackdown, I would’ve told you that I think Raw had the better show this week. But after re-watching both, I think it was a tie. Both shows provided slight build-ups going towards Sunday. But both left you with one clear front-runner for the top story from both brands. For me, that’s Seth Rollins facing Dolph Ziggler for the IC Title and Daniel Bryan facing The Miz.
Dolph and Seth have had good battles up this point. I’ve said it before, but I think that Seth Rollins is one of the most charismatic and exciting wrestlers to watch today. Dolph is a great adversary for him. Their styles are similar, their builds are similar, and all Seth needs is a big-man in his corner like Dolph has in Drew McIntyre. A perfectly fitting time to have Dean Ambrose re-enter the scene.
The return of Dean Ambrose has been long-awaited. I am excited to see in what capacity he is able to be included in the match on Sunday. From there, I do think that Dean versus Drew is a good feud and one that could be built easily. And I’m ready for the second edition of the Ambrose Asylum match! So, for me, this match is the one to watch on Sunday as far as title matches go.
Daniel Bryan and The Miz
For non-title feuds, none can even compare to what they’ve been able to build in Daniel Bryan and The Miz. This is a feud that has blurred the lines of kayfabe so intensely that I remember hearing about their back-and-forth on Talking Smack and was in shock. One is forced into retirement and then makes an unbelievable return. The other takes wrestling by storm as one of the most beloved heels (yep, that’s right) and best mic-workers of all time. Eight years after the two are put together; we finally get to put an end point onto this story. Or do we?
I am not so sure that this story will end with Sunday. Would it be fine and completely understandable if it did? Sure, but are we assuming that one will just concede and they won’t continue to find ways to put these two together? If Daniel Bryan stays (and don’t read too much into this, I’m not saying he’s leaving), this needs to keep going. So how do we keep it going? I’m hoping for a double DQ. Double count-out. Something, please! These two need to have a match at every major pay-per-view now until they both retire!
For me, these are the two matches to really watch. All the others will be good to carry us forward, but these two have built up an excitement and anticipation better than any of the others. I’ll still be excited to see all the outcomes, but I’ll be on the edge of my seat for these two.
Universal Title
So how about our Universal Title? Do you think Roman Reigns will finally get his hands on it? Or, will Braun retain and cash-in? Personally, I think Braun will lose it to Kevin (yes, I realize I’m in the minority here) and then Kevin will cash-in, winning back his Universal Title. After all, he’s had it in the past. And I like heels with the title; I think it makes for better stories. Historically, the first Universal Title was won by Finn Balor at SummerSlam in 2016. SummerSlam is the place for titles to change hands and could be “the place” for the Universal Title. So, I do predict that Roman will finally get his hands on that title, but I also think it could be short-lived.
Being the second biggest event of the year, SummerSlam will definitely not disappoint. I’ll see you guys on the other side, hopefully after some exciting matches and few title changes.
SummerSlam will air on the WWE Network on Sunday, August 19th at 7e/4p. As always, comment and share.
