WWE SummerSlam 2012 Matches: Unheralded Bouts You Can't Miss

With the 2012 edition of WWE’s SummerSlam already upon us, it’s time to examine the card and find out which unheralded matches will be absolute show stoppers.

As much as the WWE will claim that this is the second-biggest pay-per-view of the calendar year, there was insufficient build for almost every match, and the event lacks that top-tier feeling. The company spent more time and effort on the 1,000th episode of Raw.

While this card has been poorly built through and through, there are some really great matches; many of which are getting no hype.

Here are those matches, enjoy!

United States Champion Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro

While the YouTube pre-show means nothing to almost every WWE fan in the world, this time around, the matchup of Santino Marella and Antonio Cesaro for the US Title is a can’t miss for any real wrestling fan.

Who would have thought Claudio Castagnoli would be fighting on a WWE stage for a US Title?

As much as all signs point to Santino retaining the strap, this could be the coronation of one of the next big stars in the WWE. While it will be terrible to have to watch it on YouTube instead of a PPV, as long as Cesaro wins, the WWE Universe will be happy.

Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio

While the WWE doesn’t care about this match at all, that doesn’t mean the droves of WWE Universe members don’t love it; I’m pretty sure Miz and Rey Mysterio are still huge stars.

Add in the fact that the Intercontinental championship is on the line and this match should be one of the most important bouts of the night.

Instead, it was made via Raw GM A.J. through a text; how anti-climatic.

When the WWE hears the response this match gets from the live audience and the love it gets via social media, the hope is that they will realize the error of their ways and continue this feud through Night of Champions. This should be enough to give serious legitimacy to the IC strap.

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Big Show

While this match could be the main event, the fact that everyone is writing this match off as nothing special absolutely amazes me; is this not the WWE Championship match between CM Punk, Big Show and John Cena?

Yes, Big Show muddies the water and doesn’t add much to the story, but we as fans have to admit that Big Show is as interesting right now as he has ever been. Add in the possibility of a heel turn for Punk and the skill of Cena to get a crowd going crazy, and this match could steal the show.

With so many ways this can go down, the fact that this isn’t the main focus of all the fans is beyond understanding. As much as people want to say Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar is a big deal, that match fails to meet the same importance as the WWE title bout.

If the WWE title match doesn’t headline the show, I expect a full heel turn from Punk; how can the fans underestimate how amazing that would be?

Full SummerSlam Card

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Big Show

Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler

Kane vs. Daniel Bryan

Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio

WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs. The Prime Time Players

United States Champion Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro

Check back for more on the World Wrestling Entertainment as it comes, and visit Bleacher Report’s wrestling page to get your fill of WWE/TNA. For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss (some language NSFW).

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