Countdown to Summerslam By SLAM! Wrestling Staff

TLC Match and the return of a fan favorite liven up SummerSlam

Summerslam (or Summerfest if you prefer) is here kids. Yes, the second-biggest PPV of the WWE year is finally upon us.

There's no question that WWE has built the event well. Every match has a well-built story, and despite notable absences it looks like we have much to look forward to. With eight bouts, we're bound to get a few good matches here, so on the surface this is one PPV worth ordering.

Here are the matches to look forward to tonight.

SLAM! Predictions

Matt Johnson

They usually like to end on a happy note and DX vs. Legacy does not seem strong enough to put on top. I think Cena wins with the Attitude Adjustment.

Jon Waldman

At one point this was a dream match, but it's now a nightmare. We've seen these two mix it up how many times now? Orton's bound to lose, which means we're bound to see this on yet another PPV for the mandatory rematch. Sigh.

Bob Kapur

Well, traditionally they show reruns on TV during the summer, and judging by RAW’s main event, WWE is following the trend. How many times are we going to see a variation of these two in the main event, with or without Triple H? In any case, with Legacy otherwise occupied in a match, Orton’s safety net is gone – and so will be his championship. Cena takes the gold.

Andy McNamara

Orton has escaped by the skin of his teeth the last few PPVs and his luck is about to run out. The next long title reign of John Cena is set to begin.

SLAM! Predictions

Matt Johnson

Hardy is probably leaving and Punk gets the win.

Jon Waldman

This will be the match of the night, hands down. The question is whether Hardy will lose. It appears that Hardy is on his way out, one way or another, but the question is now whether he sticks around for Tuesday's Smackdown taping. In theory he can with the match here then drop the belt later, or he loses here and loses the rematch as well, during which he puts his career on the line. I'll go with the former for the feel great ending.

Bob Kapur

In my view, this is the main reason to buy the PPV. Punk has been tremendous in the past couple of months, and it looks like the company has finally come to the realization fans had a year ago. Look for him to beat Jeff who is apparently heading for other ventures.

Andy McNamara

The real issue is the health of Jeff Hardy. If the rumours are correct and he needs some time off then he drops the gold. I'm thinking that Hardy does indeed require some down time...but it will not come this Sunday. Look for Jeff to lose the title in September and retain at SummerSlam. Either way it should be one helluva war.

SLAM! Predictions

Matt Johnson

If given 20 minutes, this match is the best one the show. It ends up being about 9 minutes and being a decent match. Christian gets the victory.

Jon Waldman

ECW is a dead duck. Regal gets the W for the heck of it.

Bob Kapur

Too quick for Regal to win it now, but hopefully these two get into an extended feud, because it would result in some modern classics if so.

Andy McNamara

From a technical stand point this match will be tremendous. Unfortunately, as with most ECW angles, this storyline becomes lost in the shuffle. This could possibly be the curtain jerker. Christian keeps the strap.

SLAM! Predictions

Matt Johnson

Jericho and the Big Show role to victory.

Jon Waldman

The buildup here has been surprisingly good. Now that the tag team DVD has been out for a while though, look for this hype around the tandem straps to end. Jerishow ends.

Bob Kapur

What kind of sick, twisted world do we live in when Brian Kendrick and Paul London are looking for work and Cryme Tyme is on PPV? Jerishow retains.

Andy McNamara

Although I'm not a Cryme Tyme fan, they have done a good job building this feud versus the more traditional and serious champions. Jericho and Show have such potential to grow as a dominant team and I hope their reign does not come to an end. Cryme Tyme will be tag champs one day...just not this Sunday.

	INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler

SLAM! Predictions

Matt Johnson

Dolph pushes Rey to the limit with several near falls, but Rey pulls out the win.

Jon Waldman

Rey should be elevated up at least momentarily for a bout against CM Punk. Thus, he loses the belt to Ziggler who could use the rub in any case.

Bob Kapur

Their last PPV match was a bit disappointing, so hopefully these two have found their stride this time. I think Ziggler gets the upset win.

Andy McNamara

Ziggler has improved by leaps and bounds and is ready to take that next step. The big stage of Summerslam could be a good time for the youngster to grab I.C. gold. However, Rey is in his home state of California where he is super over as a Latino hero. Dolph should get the nod, but my pick will be that WWE gives the L.A. crowd their feel-good win and go with Mysterio.

	GRUDGE MATCH D-Generation X vs. Legacy

SLAM! Predictions

Matt Johnson

Watch DX vs. the Spirit Squad from 2006. Unfortunately, Legacy gets treated like the Spirit Squad here and DX gets the win. Next month Legacy gets weakened even more as DX takes on Rhodes, DiBiase, and Orton in a 2 on 3 match.

Jon Waldman

Legacy deserves the win, but they won't get it. DX gets the duke.

Bob Kapur

Okay, I admit I laughed when HBK supposedly superkicked that whiny girl in the restaurant he was working at. Still, that doesn’t mean I really want to see DX back together again – especially if it means that Legacy, two guys who should have great careers ahead of them, will get their legs get cut off. Hopefully DX does the right thing and puts over the youngsters.

Andy McNamara

Oh goody another DX reunion. I hope this relaunch of a now tarnished stable is for one night only as I just can't take more cheesy, lame skits. The sad thing is that Legacy really needs a huge victory to elevate them, but Triple H and Michaels will make them look like punks. I will be shocked if Rhodes & DiBiase are given the "W".

	GRUDGE MATCH Kane vs. The Great Khali

SLAM! Predictions

Matt Johnson

Yikes! Hopefully this is short. Kane wins.

Jon Waldman

Boring. Khali wins. It would be interesting though to bring 'Taker back as Kane's brother to have bro vs. bro at the next PPV, if only to have the Phenom be a heel for a while.

Bob Kapur

Bathroom match.

Andy McNamara

This will be short but definitely not sweet. Expect a slow plodding affair and that's about it. Khali avenges his brother Ranjin Singh and defeats The Big Red Machine.

	GRUDGE MATCH Jack Swagger vs. MVP

SLAM! Predictions

Matt Johnson

Swagger begins the build up for a main event level feud with Cena following a win here.

Jon Waldman

I like the idea of elevating Swagger to the main event picture. I think WWE does as well. Swagger gets the decisive victory.

Bob Kapur

This and the ECW title match should be stellar, assuming they get enough time. Based on what happened on RAW, MVP should get the win.

Andy McNamara

Pure athleticism on display here with these two potential future world champions. Exchanging momentum in the past few weeks means this could go either way. Hopefully the feud continues and look for potential interference from Chris Masters.

SUMMERSLAM HISTORY

From the SLAM! Wrestling archives: Aug. 18, 2008: SummerSlam comes close to 'blockbuster' status Aug. 27, 2007: Returns highlight SummerSlam Aug. 21, 2006: Flair & Hogan top average SummerSlam Aug. 22, 2005: Hogan-HBK steal SummerSlam Aug. 16, 2004: Orton-Benoit, Guerrero-Angle save SummerSlam Aug. 25, 2003: Triple H retains at SummerSlam Aug. 20, 2001: Rock wins WCW title at SummerSlam Aug. 28, 2000: Stunts highlight SummerSlam Aug. 23, 1999: Foley new champ at SummerSlam Aug. 31, 1998: Ladder match dominates SummerSlam Aug. 4, 1997: SummerSlam: Hit Man wins WWF title for a fifth time 1997-2008 Pay-per-view-reports