WWE SummerSlam 2016: 10 Things That Must Happen
Last year, SummerSlam was extended to four hours in length and 2016 looks to be no different. With an earlier start time on the WWE Network, the pay-per-view seems set to be an epic one, but there are some things that must happen between the ropes to ensure it satisfies.
The card is absolutely stacked, no less than eleven matches have been announced. There's a fair chance some of these will take place on the souped up Kickoff portion, but eleven is still quite the amount. Six championships are set to be up for grabs come bell time, including the brand new WWE Universal Title.
Finn Balor meets Seth Rollins in that one, and it's clear that the former's demonic character will play a huge role in the match. Elsewhere, it'd be a shame to see Randy Orton creamed by Brock Lesnar, especially when that bout is simply begging for controversy.
Across all the main matches SummerSlam 2016 is set to feature, certain things are expected for the show to go off without a hitch. Here are ten things that simply must happen...
10. John Cena Vs. AJ Styles Opens The Show
The last thing fans witnessed on SmackDown Live this week was John Cena thumping AJ Styles with an Attitude Adjustment through the announce desk. That followed Cena's victory over a game Alberto Del Rio, a match during which AJ ran down his SummerSlam opponent on guest commentary before getting his comeuppance.
It'd be awesome if the first thing fans witnessed on the actual SummerSlam pay-per-view was the showdown between Cena and Styles. The latter has to be out for retribution, the match can't be booked any other way. AJ looked strong on the mic before being blasted by his rival, meaning the bout should be an intense one.
The result of the match is up in the air, it really is anyone's guess. It's unlikely that WWE would book a second clean win for AJ Styles over John Cena on pay-per-view, but stranger things have happened. Meanwhile, Cena doesn't need the win himself.
Whatever the outcome is, it'd be great to see the match as the SummerSlam opener. WWE have a glut of top clashes on the card, so spreading them out might be wise.
9. Enzo Amore & Big Cass Pick Up The Win
Despite their recent union, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens are not yet a full-time tag-team on Monday Night Raw. Their opponents at SummerSlam most definitely are, Enzo Amore and Big Cass have been a tandem stretching back to their time down in NXT. The writing team should think about that when picking a winner on Sunday.
Due to the packed nature of the card, this one might not get a lot of time. That doesn't mean it won't be entertaining, but it's utterly vital that WWE choose the right duo to win. Enzo Amore and Big Cass are surely future WWE Tag-Team Champions, so they are the ones who merit the victory.
Owens and Jericho are really just getting started as a team, so there's an out there if they just come up short at SummerSlam. Even with a babyface win, there's scope for further matches involving this quartet on Raw anyway.
However, Enzo and Cass are a team WWE must keep strong. Having them lose to an upstart combo wouldn't achieve that right now.
8. Sasha Banks Remains WWE Women's Champ
By the time SummerSlam rolls around, Sasha Banks will be closing in on a full month as WWE Women's Champion. On the July 25 episode of Monday Night Raw, she defeated Charlotte to nab the title amidst much fanfare. There was always going to be a rematch, this bout appears to have been in the SummerSlam pipeline for quite some time.
As per the ongoing storyline, Dana Brooke is also banned from ringside. In theory, this gives Banks the advantage, because Charlotte can't rely on outside interference to help her during the match. The cards are stacked in Sasha's favour for a reason, there's no need to strip the belt from her at the moment.
Banks is clearly the kind of woman WWE want to get behind and push as a major star, so cutting the legs out from underneath her so early into her reign would be confusing. Charlotte had a lengthy stint with the title, and she doesn't need another so quickly either.
SummerSlam has been earmarked as Sasha's big night for a while, many thought she'd be winning the belt there. Now she's champ, she can't lose it.
7. Cesaro And Sheamus Are Given At Least 10 Minutes
Eleven matches (some of which will take place on the Kickoff show) are scheduled for SummerSlam 2016. Obviously, that's quite the number, meaning some bouts will be short and maybe even feel a little rushed. If WWE expect fans to invest in the 'Best Of 7 Series' idea, Sheamus vs. Cesaro can't be one of them.
The entire concept of this gruelling challenge is to see who has the staying power. Such a premise pretty much demands that both men kick the heck out of one another across each of the bouts, using hard-hitting wrestling to sell their in-ring abilities and desire.
Therefore, the SummerSlam match has to be given ample time. This can't be a five-minute sprint, at least ten minutes is a must for the Irishman and his Swiss counterpart. If that happens, the live audience will have a blast, Sheamus and Cesaro have already shown they can work well together.
If time must be sacrificed for some, choosing other matches is a smart move. WWE would undermine their own idea if they rushed through this one.
6. Rusev Retains The WWE United States Gold
With Lana by his side and the WWE United States Title around his waist, Rusev is an absolute riot. The Bulgarian deserves to be in possession of the secondary title, he enhances it the longer he holds it. In many respects, 2016 has been a much better year for Rusev than 2015 ever had a hope of being.
WWE have rekindled faith in the man's character, but that could be killed stone dead by having him roll over for Roman Reigns. Moved out of the World Title picture for the moment, Reigns can't simply stroll into Rusev's back yard and steal his prize without a fight.
Admittedly, there's a good chance that this match will mark a title change. Whilst there's no harm in Reigns eventually holding the gold, now is not the right time. Beating Rusev cleanly would push him back a few steps and ruin some of the good work achieved by the writing team.
There's no harm in Rusev using Lana to cheat at SummerSlam, so long as that United States Title stays in his camp.
5. The Club Come Close To Ending New Day's Lengthy Reign
Listen to the announcers on Monday Night Raw, and you'd be led to believe that Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson represent the biggest threat ever to the lengthy WWE Tag-Team Title reign of The New Day. This hyperbole comes despite The Club already facing New Day for the gold, albeit in a multi-man situation.
WWE have tried to add some comedic touches to Gallows and Anderson recently, using the idea that they act like doctors and harp on about 'Ringpostitis'. Big E could be a non-factor at SummerSlam, and if that's the case then The Club need to come across like a real hazard for the babyfaces.
New Day have held the titles since last year's SummerSlam, and yet they still don't feel stale in the hot seat. This is another match that's perhaps ripe for a title switch, but at the very least Gallows and Anderson must come close.
Hammering Xavier Woods, the pair could even suffer miscommunication, allowing Kofi Kingston to take advantage and sneak a win for his side. Then, there's room for a rematch somewhere down the line.
4. Seth Rollins Struggles With Intimidation From 'Demon King'
It was smart of WWE's creative team to introduce the 'Demon King' character of Finn Balor on Raw. Some who exclusively watch the main roster shows won't have seen the Irishman's amazing entrance or theatrics on NXT programming, but now they have had a quick introduction to it before SummerSlam.
On Raw, Seth Rollins looked intimidated by Balor's guise and that's something the company have to continue come the pay-per-view. Rollins can't suddenly find his balls, strutting into SummerSlam without a care in the world like he's about to have just any old match. No, he must struggle to overcome his insecurity over what Balor's demon can do to him.
If that's a theme of the bout, both men will have something to work with throughout. The result is a tough one, simply because there's a brand new WWE Universal Title on the line. Do WWE put their eggs in the Balor basket, or do they embrace the idea of Rollins being the man?
Whatever is chosen, Seth really has to sell that fear of Finn's fresh-feeling 'Demon King' persona.
3. Randy Orton Hits An RKO On Brock Lesnar
Before Randy Orton invaded Raw and hit the move, Paul Heyman was crowing about Brock Lesnar never tasting an RKO. It seemed like that would become the crux of the SummerSlam match, could Randy hit the finishing move on his foe for the very first time and thus give himself a better chance of winning? That's now out the window, but the threat of the RKO still remains.
Lesnar shrugged off the humbling in a pre-taped promo the next week, although Heyman did build up the move beforehand by saying it represented Orton's greatest opportunity for success. At SummerSlam, one RKO and subsequent look of horror from Heyman is all it would take to add doubt as to which man will win.
There's a good chance it'll be Brock that leaves with his hand raised, but Randy has to hit that RKO out of nowhere. The resultant near fall would be colossal, and what if Paul Heyman actually pulls the referee from the ring, thus giving the illusion that Lesnar would have been beaten had he not?
2. Dean Ambrose Defends The WWE Title
Due to all the hubbub surrounding the WWE Draft, brand split and even the suspension of Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose hasn't had much focus as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. In a way, that's a shame.
The 'Lunatic Fringe' needs more time with the belt to really establish himself as a top guy, and that's why he shouldn't lose to Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam.
The match can be competitive (in fact, it really needs to be), but Ambrose winning is the right result come the end. The latest edition of SmackDown did a sterling job of selling the rising tensions between both men. Neither is necessarily a heel, they just feel the need to prove themselves as main event talent and gain permanent residence at the top of the card.
If Ambrose beats Ziggler, he can move on to another challenger. Someone like AJ Styles or even Randy Orton might be a shout, depending on whether or not WWE wish to give Dean a heel challenge.
As good as Dolph is, it's unlikely he's going to win the title this time.
1. WWE Pick One Of The Top Title Bouts To Close The Show
Either the WWE World Heavyweight or new WWE Universal Title, one of those belts must be the focal point of SummerSlam 2016. If a match like Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton or AJ Styles vs. John Cena is chosen to close out the show, both titles will look like bit-part props in the grand scheme of things.
It'd be a tremendous show of faith for either the Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins match or the tussle between Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler to have one of those bouts headline SummerSlam. After all, they are for the respective 'World Titles' on Raw and SmackDown.
Those titles should be viewed as important in WWE, and deserve the distinction of closing out the show. Naturally, both can't do it, so the company must decide which match has had the better build.
There was a case to be made that it was Balor vs. Rollins before, but the latest SmackDown really changed that. Now, Ambrose vs. Ziggler would probably be the better choice. That would show belief in Dean Ambrose as a main event talent and top champ.
What else do you believe must happen at WWE SummerSlam? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments section below!
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