WWE SummerSlam 2012: Start Time, Live Streaming, and PPV Info

SummerSlam is one of the most important shows on the WWE schedule. Every summer storyline culminates at the pay-per-view and the night's results will have a significant impact on the direction of superstars in the coming months.

Although the build got off to a late start this year due to the hyped 1,000th episode of Raw, the creative team did a nice job of making up ground when it came to the main-event matches. Triple H and Brock Lesnar in particular really began to pick up in recent weeks.

One thing the show doesn't lack is intriguing matches. From Triple H and Lesnar to CM Punk defending his WWE title to Dolph Ziggler looking to build some momentum against Chris Jericho, there should be some terrific battles on Sunday night.

Let's take a look at all the key information for SummerSlam followed by a preview and predictions for one of the WWE's biggest nights.

Where: Staples Center in Los Angeles

When: Sunday, Aug. 19, at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: Pay-per-view (local cable providers)

Live Streaming: WWE.com has PPV for $44.95

Match Card

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar – Singles match

CM Punk (c) vs. John Cena vs. Big Show – WWE Championship match

The Miz (c) vs. Rey Mysterio – Intercontinental Championship match

R-Truth and Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Titus O'Neil and Darren Young – Tag Team Championship match

Daniel Bryan vs. Kane – Singles match

Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Jericho – Singles match

Santino Marella (c) vs. Antonio Cesaro – Pre-show match for the United States Championship

Main Event Preview and Prediction

Lesnar returned to much fanfare on the night after WrestleMania. His booking since that point has often been illogical, however. No decision was more of a head-scratcher than having him lose to John Cena at Extreme Rules.

Instead of giving him instant momentum, his stock immediately plummeted and it certainly didn't help that he proceeded to get written off television for a few months. The entire ordeal simply didn't make any sense.

Knowing Lesnar is working a limited schedule makes things difficult, but the company made an investment in him and now have to build him back up. He has to get back to what made him popular in the first place: dominating opponents.

On the flip side, Triple H really has nothing to gain by winning the match. But he's capable of helping Lesnar look really good in the ring and won't be negatively impacted by a loss, so he's really the perfect opponent to get Lesnar back on track.

It should be a brawl from start to finish, and that's exactly what the WWE Universe wants to see. In the end, Lesnar should pick up a much-needed victory on the big stage.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar

What They're Saying

WWE.com reports Shawn Michaels will no longer be in Triple H's corner at SummerSlam after Brock Lesnar's attack on Raw, which led to several kayfabe injuries.

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In severe pain, Michaels left the arena in an ambulance. According to medical personnel, Michaels sustained a fractured radius in his arm, as well as various forearm contusions. HBK also suffered a cervical strain and multiple contusions all over his body.

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Fan favorite Zack Ryder isn't on the SummerSlam card, but that didn't stop the "Internet Champion" from weighing in on the show's main event.

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Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H at #SummerSlam...I gotta go with my broski Triple H

— Zack Ryder (@ZackRyder) August 15, 2012"

Undercard Match to Watch: CM Punk (c) vs. John Cena vs. Big Show

The main reason CM Punk has been so successful over the past year is that his character remains so believable. It's basically just an extension of his own personality, which adds to the realism factor and helped him make a rapid rise up the ranks.

When he's in the ring or on commentary ranting and raving about not getting the respect he deserves, it seems like something he actually believes. And he would have every reason to feel that way after being left out of the main event frequently despite being the WWE champion.

Punk has now been in control of the top title for nearly 270 days. It's the longest reign since Cena, one of his opponents on Sunday night, held it for more than a year starting in 2006. But it would be fair to say Punk's run hasn't been as successful as it could have been.

So the question becomes will the WWE continue to stick with him or have Cena, who's still been booked like the top dog, win the belt? The third superstar in the match, Big Show, isn't a threat, in my opinion.

When you consider everything from Punk's attack on The Rock to his great promos about being lost in the shadows, it seems like he's in line for another boost starting with a win at SummerSlam.

Prediction: CM Punk

Which Star Will WWE Bury? Big Show

As mentioned above, I think the chances of Big Show winning the WWE Championship are slim to none. It just make sense to give him a title run when you consider the other options available, and that's not good news for his push.

Big Show entered the main-event scene after helping John Laurinaitis beat Cena at No Way Out and has handled it quite well considering he's always been viewed as a second-tier guy. But it wouldn't make sense for him to take the title off Punk.

He's just involved as a way to make it look like the odds are stacked against Punk. After SummerSlam, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him slip back down to the mid-card level, marking the end of his push.

Star Unaccounted For: Christian

Christian is one of the most reliable veteran superstars on the roster and those guys usually find their way on to marquee pay-per-view cards one way or another. That hasn't been the case for Christian, who has been left off the initial list of matches.

Ever since dropping the Intercontinental Championship to The Miz on Raw 1,000, he's become an afterthought. He remains one of the best in-ring workers around, but it appears there isn't a clear direction available for him right now.

Christian should eventually work his way back in to title contention, but as for now it looks like he'll be watching SummerSlam backstage.