WWE SummerSlam 2012 Card: Superstars WWE Should Add to Boost PPV

At every major pay-per-view like SummerSlam, there are always a couple of key superstars who don't end up making the initial card. That doesn't mean they can't be a late addition, however, as the WWE usually makes a few adjustments on the day of the show.

Let's take a look at a trio of superstars who have been featured prominently in recent weeks, yet still don't have anything scheduled for Sunday night. Adding them to the card late would provide a boost to one of the year's biggest wrestling events.

Ryback

Ryback has spent the past couple of months destroying jobbers and low-level superstars. This typical slow build has apparently worked, since the crowd actually got involved in a "Feed Me More!" chant on Raw, which is a clear sign of progress.

It also means it's time for Ryback to start getting involved in longer matches against credible opponents. He has nothing left to prove by squashing guys like Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks, which means it's time to take another step forward.

The best option would be to put him in a match against a former champion like Jack Swagger, who has name recognition, but doesn't have anything to lose. It would be a good test to see if Ryback is ready for a more comprehensive mid-card feud.

Randy Orton

Not having Orton on a SummerSlam card is a major surprise. He remains one of the WWE's biggest stars. Normally, that earns him an automatic place on the biggest shows, However, so far, that hasn't been the case at Sunday's PPV.

It's unclear if his absence has anything to do with his recent wellness suspension, a lack of available storylines or something else, but there's still time to change that. He would receive a major pop if he ended up appearing on the show.

There are several options available for him. Orton can be added to the world heavyweight championship match as a way to further stack the odds against Sheamus after a wacky feud with Alberto Del Rio, or he can just have a singles match against somebody like Heath Slater for the easy win.

Damien Sandow

Sandow has been on the rise recently thanks to his intellectual gimmick, which has drawn plenty of heat from the fans. It will be tough for him to take the next step without getting featured on PPVs, though. That's where stars are made.

He has been feuding with Brodus Clay lately. Clay was receiving a push earlier in the year, but it has fizzled out due to a lack of direction. Adding a match between the two would be the perfect opportunity for Sandow to pick up a victory.

Sandow has illustrated a lot of potential, both in the ring and on the mic, during his push. The best way to see whether or not he's ready for the next step is to put him on SummerSlam to see how he performs and how the crowd reacts.