WWE SummerSlam 2013: Superstars Under the Most Pressure

The featured performers at SummerSlam will undoubtedly be feeling the pressure right about now.

Hey, wrestling isn’t exactly a stress-free business, and this is the second biggest pay-per-view of the year, after all.

One bad match or an underwhelming crowd reaction could damage someone's career permanently.  

So, let’s have a look at the guys on the roster who are going to have all eyes on them Aug. 18 in Los Angeles.

5. Bray Wyatt

As announced on Raw Monday night, Bray Wyatt will take on Kane at SummerSlam as the “Big Red Machine” attempts to gain revenge for his recent beatdown.

This marks Wyatt’s first ever match on the main roster.

To make matters infinitely more interesting, the bout will be fought under “Ring of Fire” rules (this sounds like another way to see an “inferno match”).

Talking about feeling the heat!

Let’s hope Wyatt can perform well in the bout and justify WWE’s huge push. He's one of the most promising characters to emerge on television in ages, and it would be a shame to see his gimmick go up in smoke at the pay-per-view.

4. The Miz

As the star announced at the San Diego Comic Con two weeks ago, The Miz will serve as the host of the SummerSlam pay-per-view.

It’s an interesting role for the 32-year-old, who has been branching out heavily from wrestling in the last few years. Thanks to recent roles in The Marine 3: Homefront and Christmas Bounty, he’s also got a movie career on the side, too. WWE seems keen to try using the star in various different ways.

Can he thrive in his role? Or will be just end up annoying everyone?

3. CM Punk

As he heads into his showdown with mega-draw Brock Lesnar, CM Punk must be feeling the heat right now.

As has been written about before, his year-long title reign failed to deliver great—or even decent—ratings numbers. June’s Payback pay-per-view, a show built specifically around Punk’s grand return, did a rather flat 186,000 buys worldwide (via Wrestleview).

If he does a bad number with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, will his stock in the company plummet?

2. Alberto Del Rio

To say Alberto Del Rio is having a dull World Heavyweight Championship reign would be a major understatement. Indeed, Del Rio, a man who just screams “midcard” in whatever he does, is struggling greatly as champion.

He just doesn’t feel like a big deal. At all. And the title’s credibility has fallen greatly due to its association with him.

Del Rio is currently scheduled to face Christian. Can a match with the Canadian rejuvenate his floundering title run?  

1. Daniel Bryan

Heading into the biggest match of his career, Daniel Bryan has to be nervous.

If he falters at SummerSlam against John Cena and can’t perform at a main event level, it will no doubt give his enemies in the company ammunition to use against him. As a smaller wrestler with an average physique and not-very-good TV look, Bryan can’t put a foot wrong right now.

The pressure is on him to deliver a great main event. Let’s hope that he can.