Countdown to SummerSlam
By JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling
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A lot of people have been calling Summerslam a one-match show, and in some
ways they're right.
After all, CM Punk vs. John Cena is easily the hottest match that WWE's been
able to put together in a long, long time. The rematch from last month has been
built up so well that nothing WWE has cooked up surrounding the match even comes
close to it.
That's not to say that the other matches are slouches; it's just that they're
so far behind the main event in terms of heat that the PPV feels more like a
boxing card, with one match being the far and away draw versus a standard wrestling
card that has interest more top to bottom like an MMA card.
Regardless, tonight's pay-per-view promises some interesting pieces all around,
even if one story rises far above the others. Let's go deeper, shall we?
WWE UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
CM Punk vs. John Cena
Special Guest Referee: Triple H
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So all signs right now point to a screw job ending. We saw the attempt by Vince
last month, and it seems like we'll get it done this month with Trips in charge.
The question, then, is who gets screwed.
The logical choice would be Punk, who is nuclear hot and could easily embark
on a feud with Trips; but the wrestling fan in me has been trained for a swerve
and it being Cena that is shafted, thus turning Punk heel. The latter scenario
would be so freaking counterproductive and be a shot in the foot. So I do expect
Trips to take the heat out on Punk and set up their feud, while Cena gets slotted
into the program with Del Rio.
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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH (NO
HOLDS BARRED)
Randy Orton vs. Christian |
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Christian's tease to close Smackdown leads me to believe there's more happening
in this match than what we've got on the surface. As I said on Friday, I believe
there's a faction forming surrounding Christian, which will help ensure he keeps
the belt tonight and for the foreseeable future
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GRUDGE MATCH
Sheamus vs. Mark Henry |
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I've really been impressed by the lengths WWE's gone to get Mark Henry over
as a huge monster heel. I feel though that it's too early for Sheamus to be
challenging, since the expectation is that he gets the duke as the fresh face.
I'm guessing we get a screwy finish, perhaps by walk-out or DQ.
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GRUDGE MATCH
Wade Barrett vs. Daniel Bryan |
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Bryan and Barrett, despite being so different, just gel so well together. I'd
really like this feud to run for a few months; heck, put Bryan's MITB briefcase on the line to add some intrigue and I think you have a really strong feud. For now, I'll give Bryan the duke.
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DIVA'S TITLE MATCH
Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly |
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Like I said on Friday, this is really supposed to be Kharma's spot. Regardless,
Kelly's going down in a heap. Beth wins.
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SUMMERSLAM HISTORY
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From the SLAM! Wrestling archives:
Aug. 15, 2010: Rumored return helps Team WWE fend off Nexus at SummerSlam
Aug. 31, 2009: TLC Match and the return of a fan favorite liven up SummerSlam
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
Previous pay-per-view-reports
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