WWE SummerSlam 2016 Matches: Power Ranking Bouts Most Likely to Steal the Show
Each WWE show has its high and low moments. While the main event of each pay-per-view is usually set, WWE can never be certain which match will steal the show. This is particularly true of this year's SummerSlam, which is set to take place Sunday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
This year's SummerSlam card is packed with top-tier matches that can make the four-hour show well worth the time spent. That also makes for a wealth of potential contests that could leave fans talking long after SummerSlam is over.
With every major championship up for grabs as well as major singles matches featuring Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton and John Cena vs. AJ Styles, there are so many potential show-stealers that each deserves recognition.
It will be up to the performers to make the most of their high-profile contests to outshine the best of the best in WWE today. You can bet Seth Rollins, Dolph Ziggler, Sasha Banks and more will all be looking to have people talking about them after the conclusion of the event.
The following is a ranking of the matches most likely to steal the show based on the story and chemistry of the performers, past recent performances, and the likely spotlight they will be given.
6. Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
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Certainly Lesnar vs. Orton is the biggest high-profile match for SummerSlam this year. Lesnar is one of the most popular names in sports, and Randy Orton is one of the biggest stars Lesnar has never faced in a major contest.
Lesnar is a physical specimen and an excellent storyteller in the ring. Orton may just be the best psychological performer in WWE, someone who's able to consistently and realistically dissect an opponent. Together, they will have an intense and explosive brawl.
While this may make Lesnar and Orton the main event of SummerSlam, it is less likely the aging veterans will be able to outshine their younger, hungrier competitors.
Both men have a tendency these days to rely on a set of specialty moves rather than tap into their full offensive repertoires, and it is hard to say what shape Lesnar will be in so soon after his UFC 200 bout given his history of health issues.
Certainly, Lesnar and Orton will have a great main event-caliber performance, but their dispositions make it unlikely they will go out of their way to outshine everyone else.
5. Rusev (c) vs. Roman Reigns
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Roman Reigns has drawn the ire of many fans over the last year due to his blatantly one-dimensional booking. Similarly, his promos have often come off far too rehearsed for a main event talent. However, one area where Reigns has consistently impressed has been in the ring.
The powerhouse has an impressive, fast-moving offense that works well with almost anyone. Just this year, he has had great matches with AJ Styles, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Brock Lesnar and Finn Balor.
Rusev has also rarely faltered in the ring with a similarly swift, heavy-hitting style. While he has mostly been working the midcard this last year, he has absolutely shined when put up against major competition.
These two have such comparable styles that it makes their potential brawl one to salivate over. As long as they wrestle on equal footing, this match could be a physically intense brawl that never slows.
The only thing holding these two back is their bout is likely the sixth-biggest match on the card, which could lead to their time being cut short and the potential for the contest to devolve into an overdone babyface-comeback contest with Rusev laying on a beatdown until Reigns rallies.
4. Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler
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Dean Ambrose has been a huge fan favorite for a while now, but he has not had much time to stand at the top of the roster. Ziggler similarly has been loved and put on great performances while rarely getting a main event spotlight.
This has made them both frequent show-stealers in WWE, putting on performances meant to showcase why they deserve more than they are getting. Thus, their WWE Championship bout is fascinating as it is a rare opportunity for them both to shine in the spotlight.
In the past, Ambrose and Ziggler have had good matches together, though not on a major stage. We have not seen these two at their best together. Still, their matches have shown significant chemistry with Ambrose often working a more technical style against Ziggler's explosive offense.
The main issue that holds both men back is that they have seemed to slack a bit as of late. Ambrose's offense looks unwieldy, even sloppy on occasion, while Ziggler rarely seems concerned when throwing a punch. Unless they can revert to their more driven styles together, they will suffer in comparison at SummerSlam.
3. Sasha Banks (c) vs. Charlotte
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While the women in WWE rarely are afforded even the opportunity to steal the show, Banks and Charlotte have already done so twice. First, at WrestleMania 32, they worked alongside Becky Lynch in a showcase reminiscent of old-school classic cruiserweight bouts, moving at a breakneck pace to use every second to their advantage.
On one of the best Monday Night Raws in recent memory, the June 27 edition, Banks and Charlotte did it again, telling the emotional story of Banks' desire and will to be champion. The two managed to outshine an entire world championship qualifying tournament.
However, it will not be easy to steal the show at SummerSlam. The card is stacked. Banks and Charlotte are great performers, but many of the top stars on this card have more experience in major matches.
It is hard to bet against the women who seem absolutely driven to prove themselves on every stage, but it is perhaps asking too much of them to outshine so many quality matches with the main story between the two women having already reached its climax.
2. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor
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One wrestler you cannot bet against to steal any show is Seth Rollins. Before his injury last year, Rollins was the best in-ring performer in the company. He barely lost a step in his time away, as he has been consistently excellent since returning.
Finn Balor is a bit of an unknown in WWE right now. During his time in NXT, he was highly regarded and promoted but rarely seemed to be working at 100 percent. Perhaps due to competition or the smaller spotlight, Balor has often been most notable up to this point for his entrances rather than his matches.
However, Balor's spectacular debut on Raw that won him this SummerSlam match also included two of Balor's best matches to date. If Rollins clicks with Balor and can bring out his best, there may be no match on the card that will be able to keep up with this fast-paced, kick-heavy encounter of veteran performers.
This match has such high potential because of Rollins' consistent excellence. Balor does not have that track record yet, but there is no doubt that his talent could make this easily the best match on the card and one that no one will want to follow.
1. John Cena vs. AJ Styles
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Cena seems to only get better with age. His excellent performances at every major event over the past few years have been almost absurd in their consistency. Cena may not be graceful, but he is a powerhouse who can truly move.
Cena has always matched up best with smaller high-flyers, and Styles has been the premier high-flyer this year. His ability to bring out the best in everyone from Chris Jericho to The Miz to Xavier Woods has been nothing short of phenomenal.
We already saw Cena vs. Styles once at Money in the Bank, and it was among the best WWE matches this year. After The Club disbanded as a result of the draft, thus preventing interference on behalf of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, the story only grew stronger. Add the huge spotlight of SummerSlam, and you've got a classic almost guaranteed.
While many matches could steal the show, the safest bet is Cena and Styles because they were made to wrestle one another and have been consistently among the best in the company this year at every event. It will take a truly outstanding performance for anyone to outshine two men who have defined pro wrestling for a decade.
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