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   Mon, April 11, 2011


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COMMENT





Countdown to SummerSlam
By JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling






SummerSlam is here with what is, thus far, a drastically small card.

Thanks in-part to WWE's Nexus vs. Team Raw elimination match (a.k.a. mini Survivor Series), the number of bouts we'll see tonight is smaller than usual. Curiously though, there aren't more Smackdown superstars on the card tonight to fill these spaces. Drew MacIntyre and Matt Hardy's feud could have easily wrapped up tonight and Christian, Cody Rhodes, MVP and Jack Swagger could all have been inserted into one or two matches.

Nevertheless, the bouts on tap tonight do look pretty damn good and we should get a great show. Here's what lies ahead.

ELIMINATION MATCH

Team Nexus vs. Team Raw
Here's the funny thing about this match. When the teams were first announced, I was 100% certain that this was leading to a Bret Hart heel turn. Everything made sense after all - Bret had faked a car accident once, so why not do it again; Bret could have easily been behind the hit on Vinnie Mac given their history yada yada yada.

Now, with the tease of Miz either joining or not joining the match though, the attention focuses squarely on him. This gives WWE the chance to either turn Miz face or make him the main event heel we all know he can be (never thought I'd hear myself say those words). I get the feeling he will tease joining the team when it's down to just Cena and Bret (the inevitable two left) against, say, four of the Nexus members, only to abandon ship at the worst possible moment (read: best for his heelness). Nexus in the end will win this one handily.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Sheamus vs. Randy Orton
Here's another interesting scenario that has Miz written all over it. Miz could easily cash in the Money in the Bank case tonight after Sheamus and Orton destroy each other, but I get the feeling it won't happen and we'll just get a clean bout... to an extent. I'm betting that the Triple H return will be teased here, maybe with The Game's logo flashing on the Tron at the least opportune time, leading to an Orton victory.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Kane vs. Rey Mysterio
Here's another spot where we'll get a return tease. I wouldn't be surprised if 'Taker makes a full return to take out his assailant (which honestly I hope is Rey since they need to spice up this confrontation), but I think they'll save that and let Kane vs. Rey drag out a bit longer. I'll pick Kane to retain for no good reason (because that's how I roll).
  INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston		  
Sadly, this match doesn't mean much to me. It feels like we've seen these guys fight every week for the last two months, and to be blunt, I never want to see Vickie Guerrero on my TV screen again. She was effective with Edge, but now she's just annoying. Kofi wins.
  DIVA'S TITLE MATCH
Melina vs. Alicia Fox		  
I'm still not buying into Alicia as a legitimate champion. Sorry. Melina wins here and likely moves into a feud with Tamina.
  GRUDGE MATCH
Big Show vs. Straight Edge Society		  
Part of me doesn't want to admit that the S.E.S. is on the verge of break-up, but win or lose tonight I give the faction until the end of Survivor Series, tops. Take Show here.

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