WWE SummerSlam 2012: Predicting the Biggest Event of the Summer

WWE presents SummerSlam, live on pay-per-view tonight!

The annual August event made its debut in 1988 with a tag-team main event that saw Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage defeat Andre the Giant and Ted DiBiase. The show has since become the biggest wrestling event of the summer and the beginning of the road to the Royal Rumble.

For this year’s event, WWE has scheduled seven matches for the PPV with one during the pre-show on YouTube. Five of the company’s six titles will be defended throughout the night, so it’s quite possible at least one of them will change hands.

Here is the card to WWE’s big summer event and who I think will be coming out on top!

Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro: United States Championship

Number of times title defended at PPV: 2

Number of times title successfully defended: 1

Santino Marella's SummerSlam record: 1-0

Antonio Cesaro’s SummerSlam record: First event

This little feud all started a few weeks ago when Antonio Cesaro defeated Santino Marella in a non-title match. The former ROH world tag-team champion would since do it for a second time and WWE gave him a title shot in the pre-show.

This is the first feud Santino has had over his title in quite some time and it's good to see the belt get some of the spotlight for a change. Both Santino and Cesaro are very talented wrestlers, so this should be a good match as long as Santino is allowed to wrestle and keep the comedy to the side.

This will be the first SummerSlam match for Cesaro while Santino has competed once before at the event in a winning effort. In fact, Santino's one victory was a title win with Beth Phoenix over Kofi Kingston and Mickie James to win the Intercontinental Championship.

Not only does Santino have a little SummerSlam experience, he has championship experience going into the match.

In terms of the United States Championship itself, it has been defended twice at the big summer event and it was only retained on one of those two occasions. History gives Santino a 50-50 chance at retaining and I think that he will be on the wrong side of that statistic.

While he is popular with the WWE Universe, he has done nothing for the title. Some new blood is needed and that new blood will be in the form of a foreign heel.

Winner and New Champion: Antonio Cesaro

Kane vs. Daniel Bryan

Kane's SummerSlam record: 6-2-1

Daniel Bryan's SummerSlam record: 1-1

Kane and Daniel Bryan have a bit of history as they crossed paths a few months ago in the quest to win the WWE Championship. The title wasn't the only thing on their minds, though, as AJ Lee was in both of their heads.

Neither man would win the title, but AJ would end up with Bryan. Things took a turn for the worse for the former world champion when she left him at the altar and was named as the new general manager of Raw.

She has since got Bryan evaluated by a doctor, who determined that he had anger management issues. AJ would respond by sending Kane after him and this match was made for SummerSlam.

In recent weeks, it seems like AJ still has some sort of odd connection with Kane. As the Big Red Monster would choke-slam him on SmackDown last week, AJ got down on her knees on the ramp and gave that crazy smile that she gives when she's getting her way.

She very well may be using Kane to get back at Bryan for all of the abuse during their relationship. Kane seems to still not know what to make of the situation, but I think he's just happy that he's getting the chance to hurt someone.

I originally thought that this match was going to involve Charlie Sheen since Kane first declared that he was Bryan's anger management therapist, but with no mention of the movie and television star, the storyline looks to be centered on AJ's past relationships with both men.

Kane has competed at nine different SummerSlam events and has won six of his matches while Bryan has been at two and has won one of them. History gives Kane's 72 percent average the advantage over Bryan's 50 percent, but I don't think that's going to matter.

Kane may be in the head of Bryan, but he has nothing to gain from winning this match. A victory for Bryan would gain him some revenge on AJ and continue their storyline for at least another month. I'm giving this match to Daniel Bryan.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler

Chris Jericho's SummerSlam record: 3-5

Dolph Ziggler's SummerSlam record: 1-1-1

This all started when Dolph Ziggler told Chris Jericho that he had lost his touch. The statement didn't sit too well with the first-ever undisputed WWE Champion, so he delivered a Codebreaker to Mr. Money in the Bank.

The two men have since traded victories in multi-man matches and have gone at it on the mic. Their most recent encounter would occur this past Friday on SmackDown when Ziggler injured Jericho’s arm backstage before a match with Alberto Del Rio and the Showoff costing him said match as well.

There is some truth to what Ziggler says about Y2J, though. While Jericho has won matches since his return in January, he hasn't won a "big one." He has failed at winning the Royal Rumble, at winning the WWE Championship three times at the Elimination Chamber, WrestleMania and Extreme Rules and at winning the World Heavyweight Championship at Over the Limit.

After being away for the month of June, he lost once again at Money in the Bank in the WWE Championship MITB match that was won by John Cena.

Even Jericho's SummerSlam record isn't the best as he has competed in eight matches and won only three, which is a 38 percent winning average.

Ziggler hasn't had a stellar year either as he has lost at five of the seven PPVs this year, but he did win at WrestleMania and the MITB briefcase at Money in the Bank. His SummerSlam record is also better than Jericho's as he stands at a 50 percent winning average with one win, one loss and one draw.

Y2J may have the SummerSlam experience, but he tends to lose more than he wins. Add that to Jericho most likely leaving soon and I think he'll be adding another loss to his record.

Other than winning a "big one" this year, Jericho really has nothing huge to gain with this match. Ziggler has everything to gain as he's a MITB winner facing a former world champion. A win for him could be a big boost for his career and Jericho would be putting over the future of the company.

Add in the potential injury caused by Ziggler to Jericho’s arm and I think it’s safe to say that this match will go to Dolph Ziggler.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

Triple H's SummerSlam record: 8-4

Brock Lesnar's SummerSlam record: 1-1

"You're not going to give me what I want? That's fine; I'll just break your arm!"

That's basically how this match all came about in April. WWE chief operating officer Triple H denied Brock Lesnar his demands so the former WWE and UFC champion broke the Game's arm.

Paul Heyman made his WWE return a few weeks later and declared that Lesnar had quit and everything went quiet. Triple H would make his return at No Way Out in June and challenge Lesnar to a match at SummerSlam to which Heyman responded with a "no" and a couple of lawsuits.

After Triple H knocked out Heyman and Stephanie McMahon got involved at the 1,000th episode of Raw, Lesnar made his return and accepted the match.

Everything went quiet again until last week when Lesnar confronted Shawn Michaels. Michaels declared that he'd be in Triple H's corner at the event and Lesnar responded by saying that he'd see him before the event.

This past Monday, Triple H and Lesnar had a boring contract signing and Lesnar soon broke the arm of the Heartbreak Kid.

The feud leading to this match has been kind of boring for me, especially since Lesnar was barely around to help build it up. I have no doubt that the match will be intense and very physical, but it's not exactly the reason I'm watching SummerSlam.

This match may be at the center of the hype for the event, but it's not a match I want to see.

In terms of statistics, Triple H has the advantage with a 66 percent winning average with eight wins in 12 matches and Lesnar stands at 50 percent with two matches and one win. I think that the Game's SummerSlam experience, and his anger over what happened to HBK, will lead to his victory.

I feel that Lesnar's return has been a bust. He returned after WrestleMania, lost to John Cena at Extreme Rules and hasn't competed since. I can't see him winning a single match except maybe the Royal Rumble, but even that's a stretch, I think.

This match will go to Triple H since Brock Lesnar will most likely disappear afterwards before finally popping back up at the Royal Rumble, or maybe Survivor Series.

Winner: Triple H

Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. Prime Time Players: Tag Team Championship

Number of times titles defended at PPV: 13

Number of times titles successfully defended: 8

Kofi Kingston's SummerSlam record: 1-0-1

R-Truth's SummerSlam record: 1-1

Darren Young's SummerSlam record: 0-1

Titus O'Neil's SummerSlam record: First event

Kofi Kingston and R-Truth have had the WWE Tag Team Championship for over 100 days now and have taken on all comers to keep it that way. Their most recent challengers, the Prime Time Players, have given them quite the fight, though.

Ever since becoming No. 1 contenders at No Way Out in June, Darren Young and Titus O’Neil have had the champion’s numbers. The Prime Time Players have defeated Kingston and Truth in multi-man matches and in singles matches, proving their dominance over the champions.

When it came to the match that counted, though, they weren’t able to deliver. Kingston and Truth would retain the titles after the Money in the Bank PPV and would finally shut up the Prime Time Players, or so they thought.

Along with AW, Young and O’Neil kept targeting the champions. Their tactics would lead to one more match at this event, but the champions may have the advantage.

Not only do Kingston and Truth have the SummerSlam experience, 62 percent of tag team champions have retained the titles in the 13 matches the belts have been on the line in. This will be O’Neil’s first SummerSlam while Young has had one match to his record at the event.

Add in that AW is no longer by their side and the Prime Time Players are at a major disadvantage here.

I think this match is going to be an upset, though. Kingston and Truth have had the title for long enough; it’s time for some new blood. Without AW in their corner, it’s time for the Prime Time Players to step up their game and prove that they don’t need someone screaming instructions at them.

I feel that they’ll prove that here when new champions are crowned.

Winners and New Champions: Prime Time Players

The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio: Intercontinental Championship

Number of times title defended at PPV: 19

Number of times title successfully defended: 7

The Miz's SummerSlam record: 0-1

Rey Mysterio's SummerSlam record: 5-3

This match kind of came out of nowhere. Rey Mysterio defeated the Miz in a non-title match last week on SmackDown and he was given a title shot as a result.

Mysterio would be absent from Raw this past Monday but did defeat Miz once again a few days ago on SmackDown when he teamed with Sin Cara against the champion and Cody Rhodes.

This feud literally just started, so there’s not too much to say about the feud itself.

Historically, the Miz is at a disadvantage, though. The Intercontinental Championship has been defended 19 times at the SummerSlam event and it has only been retained seven of those times. That’s only 37 percent of champions that retained at the big summer event.

Add that to the Miz’s one SummerSlam match, which he lost, and things aren’t looking too good for him statistically.

Mysterio, on the other hand, has a decent record at the event. He has competed in eight matches and managed to win five of them, which gives him a 63 percent winning average at SummerSlam.

The master of the 619 doesn’t need the title, though. Mysterio could go the rest of his WWE career, which I don’t think is very long, without winning a single title and he’s still going to be loved by the WWE Universe. Unlike Mysterio, the Miz needs this victory.

He’s only had the title for about three weeks and a win over a former intercontinental champion and world champion would make him look like a legitimate title holder.

He also has last year to make up for, so I think this match will be going to the Miz.

Winner and Still Champion: The Miz

Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio: World Heavyweight Championship

Number of times title defended at PPV: 10

Number of times title successfully defended: 6

Sheamus' SummerSlam record: 0-2

Alberto Del Rio's SummerSlam record: 1-1

This has been kind of an odd feud. It started at Over the Limit in a fatal four-way match and it transitioned into a singles match at No Way Out. That singles match was cancelled due to Del Rio suffering a concussion, but he finally got his match at Money in the Bank.

With a new aggressive attitude, Del Rio went into the match ready to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Like every other time, though, Del Rio failed to deliver and the Celtic Warrior stood on top of SmackDown once again.

The Mexican superstar would regain his No. 1 contender spot and continue on with his new aggressive nature until he took it too far. He lost his title match last week after he orchestrated an attack on Sheamus. After general manager Booker T told Del Rio he was out, he gave it back to him after Sheamus demanded the match be reinstated.

Both of these wrestlers have experience at the big summer event, but Del Rio has a small advantage over Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior has competed at two events and lost both times while Del Rio has competed at one. His one SummerSlam saw him lose one match then cash in his Money in the Bank contract to win the WWE Championship later in the night.

While Del Rio may have that advantage, Sheamus has the championship advantage. Sixty percent of world champions have retained the title at SummerSlam, so history could prove to repeat itself in favor of the champ.

This is Del Rio’s final shot, though. It’s not his final shot in storyline, but I think it’s his last chance, period. This will be his third world title shot this year and if WWE doesn’t pull the trigger this time, they might as well just send him to the mid-card.

I think that it’s finally time to give Alberto Del Rio the title.

Winner and New Champion: Alberto Del Rio

CM Punk vs. Big Show vs. John Cena: WWE Championship

Number of times title defended at PPV: 21

Number of times title successfully defended: 17

CM Punk's SummerSlam record: 3-3

Big Show's SummerSlam record: 5-0

John Cena's SummerSlam record: 5-3

At the 1,000th episode of Monday Night Raw, John Cena became the first Money in the Bank winner to fail at cashing in his championship contract. WWE champion CM Punk can’t take all the credit, though, and the Big Show has reminded him of that.

Big Show costing Cena the match turned into a No. 1 contender’s match between them, but that ended in a no contest due to interference by Punk. Much to the champion’s dismay, his title defense at SummerSlam became a triple threat match.

With Punk’s desire for respect, this feud has turned into one for it. Punk wants respect, Cena says he has to earn it and the Big Show just doesn’t care. The three of them have also met in various singles and tag team matches since the match was made and neither superstar has the clear momentum going into the match.

The Big Show is surprisingly undefeated at SummerSlam, being victorious at the five events he has competed at. One of those matches may have been a dark match, but he still technically competed at the event.

John Cena has wrestled eight SummerSlam events and has won five of his matches while CM Punk has the worst average of the three involved. He has competed at five events, but has had six matches, winning only half of the contests he has wrestled in.

Since the event’s inception, though, the WWE Championship has been retained by the champion 17 times out of the 21 title defenses. That’s a huge 81 percent of champions who have kept their titles at SummerSlam.

Punk is at a huge advantage in terms of that and I think he’s going to add another win to the column.

I just don’t see the Big Show winning the title. It would be nice to see him as champion one more time as he hasn’t held the WWE Championship since 2002 and he has reinvented himself as a solid heel. I just don’t see it happening here.

This match will come down to Punk and Cena with CM Punk ultimately retaining the WWE Championship. With the Rock receiving a title show at the Royal Rumble, the champion come January is going to be either Cena or Punk, so one of them will come out on top here and I feel that it’s Punk.

John Cena will be WWE champion again, but not until next month’s Night of Champions from his hometown of Boston.

Winner and Still Champion: CM Punk