With WWE’s SummerSlam pay-per-view Sunday, Aug. 19, the frenzy over what should be the company’s second-biggest event of the calendar year is through the roof.

While the WWE didn’t go all-in on this year’s event—instead, opting to put most of its summer resources into the 1,000th edition of RAW—the stellar card full of matches fans will want to see has the ability to save the show.

Between the dream match of Triple H and Brock Lesnar, two world championship matches and a plethora of other matches worth watching, this card is still one of the company’s best for 2012, but it feels like it is missing something to take it to another level.

No matter how fans feel about the card, this show is sure to be a wrestling spectacular that any enthusiast would be foolish to miss.

 

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles

When: Sunday, Aug. 19 at 8 p.m. ET (pre-show at 7:30 p.m. ET)

Watch: PPV

Live Stream: WWE.com ($44.95)

 

Full SummerSlam Card

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Big Show

Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler

Kane vs. Daniel Bryan

Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio

WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs. The Prime Time Players

United States Champion Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro

 

What They’re Saying

Shawn Michaels keeps his character even on Twitter and wishes Triple H luck despite being forced to miss the action. Something tells me he still may show up:

Just talked with HHH. He sounds ready! Obviously told him, I wish i could be there. This is gonna be a tough one to miss!! #summerslam

— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) August 18, 2012

The always vocal Dolph Ziggler expresses his respect for Chris Jericho, but talks about how this time is his to shine, not Y2J’s:

biggest match of my career sunday vs @iamjericho #SummerSlam hes a LEGEND but i work too damn hard, its just MY time

— Dolph Ziggler (@HEELZiggler) August 16, 2012

Ring Rust Radio points out a sad truth about this year’s SummerSlam and how the company clearly put this event on the backburner:

While @wwe claims #SummerSlam is their second biggest PPV of the year, they clearly cared more about #RAW1000 this time around. #TRUTH

— RingRustRadio (@RingRustRadio) August 18, 2012

 

Main Event Prediction

The WWE Universe has no idea what the company will actually do with the main event, either letting the WWE title fill the spot as it should or give it to Triple H and Brock Lesnar. According to rumors (h/t Wrestling Inc.), though, we will call the WWE championship the main event.

With champion CM Punk forced by general manager A.J. to defend his title against both Big Show and John Cena, the odds are stacked against Punk in this match. The good news is that Punk’s title reign doesn’t appear to be coming to a close anytime soon.

The talk of The Rock facing the WWE champion at the Royal Rumble points to whoever is walking out of SummerSlam with the gold holding it until the match with The Rock. While many fans would love Cena vs. The Rock II, Punk vs. Rock is far more intriguing.

With all points considered, Punk will continue his slow-burn heel turn and retain the WWE title in the main event of SummerSlam. How far this former Indy star has come never ceases to amaze me.

For complete SummerSlam predictions, check out the full slideshow here.

 

Rumors

While rumors have been flying for the last three weeks about what the WWE has up its sleeve for SummerSlam, there are two main pieces of scuttlebutt that have the WWE Universe beyond excited.

First, the news from Wrestling Rambles is that CM Punk may have spoiled one of the biggest surprises of the night. Punk claims that the WWE has a new world title waiting in the wings to be unveiled and SummerSlam may be that time. As someone who hates the spinner belt, anything would be better.

The other rumor making its rounds is the possible return of Wade Barrett to the roster live from SummerSlam. According to F4WOnline.com via WrestleInc.com, the WWE is ready to bring back one of its most promising stars either Sunday at SummerSlam or the following Monday at RAW.

For all the latest WWE SummerSlam rumors, check out the Bleacher Report tracker.

 

Check back for more on the World Wrestling Entertainment as it comes, and visit Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of WWE/TNA. For more Wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss (some language NSFW).

Follow @Donald_Wood