WWE SummerSlam 2012: 8 Matches We Absolutely Need to See on the Bill

SummerSlam is arguably WWE's second largest event of the year, and because of that, we can be sure to expect some exciting match-ups.

We already have the Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar match after Paul Heyman was goaded by Stephanie McMahon and Triple H into accepting the match, but what other matches belong on the card?

In this slideshow, I will propose eight matches which could add to the card and make for a very exciting event.

Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro

The WWE US title has been around the waist of Santino Marella for quite some time and it is time he defended it against some people who need some time in the spotlight.

Antonio Cesaro picked up a win over the champ on SmackDown, prompting a lot of people to think this is the beginning of a push for the man who stole Aksana away from Teddy Long.

Cesaro is a bright prospect in WWE and the win they gave him over Santino could signal the start of a feud which could end in Cesaro picking up his first title in WWE.

Christian vs. The Miz for the IC Title

At the Raw 1000 extravaganza, we had one title change. The Miz won the IC title by defeating Christian in one of the better matches of the night.

Christian already used his rematch clause when the two had a knockdown-drag-out fight on SmackDown over the title.

Miz and Christian seemed to have good chemistry and having Christian remain in the fight for the IC title would pit two former WWE and World Champions against each other in a feud for a mid-card title.

Their past success is certainly going to put some spotlight on the IC title and hopefully they can have a good feud which does not get lost in the shuffle.

Damien Sandow vs. Zack Ryder

These two faced off on the 7/20 edition of SmackDown in a match which saw Sandow come away with a really quick win.

The two clashing personalities could easily put on a much better match if they were given 10 minutes or more to show what they can do.

Sandow seems like he is going to be a success in WWE, but Ryder needs a major match on a PPV to get back in the swing of things, and Sandow could be the perfect opponent.

The Broski vs. The Brain would certainly be an entertaining match that would showcase two of WWE's bright young talents.

Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. Epico and Primo

Epico and Primo are very talented high flyers who WWE seems content to simply ignore for the most part.

The former tag champs have been treading the line between heel and babyface lately, and if WWE intends on keeping them heels, then having them face the champs again would be a good way to establish that.

Under the right circumstances, all four of these men have the capacity to steal the show in terms of excitement. Making it a title match would put at least some focus on the belts after being slightly rejuvenated with the addition of more teams over the past year.

We have seen them have good matches on TV, so a match at SummerSlam would most likely see them step it up a notch and deliver a high-energy spot fest we can all enjoy.

Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler

We saw the beginnings of this feud on Raw 999 when Jericho came out without speaking a word, allowing Ziggler to run him down before getting a Codebreaker for his troubles.

After Jericho left the ring, we saw Ziggler with a Cheshire Cat smile across his face as if his master plan had been set in motion.

We saw even more advancement in this feud on Raw 1000 when Ziggler cost his team the match by hitting Jericho, who was his partner.

On the following SmackDown, we witnessed Jericho attack Ziggler while wearing Ziggler's own shirt.

Jericho and Ziggler are very similar wrestlers in that they can both pretty much do it all. They both have serious mat wrestling skills and both can have some exciting spots as well.

With Jericho being one of the last wrestlers who is truly representing the last generation and Ziggler representing the current generation, this match would be exciting no matter who wins.

This match would be a show-stealing event for sure.

Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton vs. Kane

I know this one might sound strange at first, but hear me out. Big Show is not necessarily in a defined feud at the moment and Orton will need one when he returns.

These two are no strangers to each other, but they haven't had a long-term feud where they were only at each other's throats.

Adding Cody Rhodes to the mix, as well as Kane, could add to the match as well as give the two highly talented superstars time on the card when they do not have a current program going.

All four of these men are big enough stars to deserve a match at SummerSlam, and with the card already starting to fill out, they might have to settle for a jumbled tag team match.

Even though there would be little to no story behind this match, all four men have significant history with other wrestlers in the match, which could reignite one of the old feuds between them.

They could even make it a match to see who faces the World Champion after SummerSlam.

Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio for the World Title

We have already seen the beginnings of this match on SmackDown when Rey Mysterio was nearly attacked by Alberto Del Rio, only to have Sheamus even the odds.

The three men then continued interactions during a six-man tag match on Raw 1000.

Del Rio became the No. 1 contender on SmackDown, but that does not mean the match is set in stone as a one-on-one match.

Rey is returning from being away from WWE nearly a year, and the best way to put him back into the mix would be to have him make a match that probably would have happened into a triple threat.

Del Rio is obviously not done with Sheamus after what we saw on SmackDown last week, meaning he is likely to be in the title match again at SummerSlam.

Nobody wants to see the same match over and over, but when WWE wants a feud to go for months, they need to freshen it up here and there.

Mysterio is like a Lucha Libre Febreze in this equation.

CM Punk vs. John Cena

This match took place on the Raw 1000 episode, but since there was no title change and a DQ decision, it is somewhat safe to assume they will be locking horns again at SummerSlam..

Punk's actions at the end of Raw are sure to have lasting effects, and if there is one thing we know about Cena, it is that he does not just let things slide. He will be in Punk's face about this on the next Raw for sure.

Since Cena lost at cashing in his title opportunity, becoming the first to do so, he will want some kind of redemption.

It has been nearly a year since Cena held gold, and while some fans view that as a plus, there is no denying that his involvement will mean the matches will actually be the main events of the PPVs.

With CM Punk's attack on The Rock seeming to signal a heel turn, it makes the whole situation a lot more interesting.

Thanks for reading, and please share your ideas for potential SummerSlam matches in the comments section below.