WWE Summerslam 2013: Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios for Top Superstars

This might be the only time I ever write a story for this site where I can use the topic of religion and wrestling in the same story, but here it goes.

If I were a religious man, every night before I went to sleep this week, I would be praying to the wrestling gods for a near-perfect pay-per-view at SummerSlam Sunday night.

But with perfection comes the need great matches, great feuds and a great planning on the part of the WWE and its creative team. Since Money in the Bank was the best money show we have seen this year, I have no confidence in the company putting back-to-back superior performances together.

Call that my editorial comment of the night.

With all things being equal and two world titles up for grabs, a mixed tag match and the potential for greatness between Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes, the company is off to a good start. But there is no challenger for the tag titles, the Divas title is not being defended and who will get in Curtis Axel’s face?

There are still plenty of questions to answer, none of which are, “Will Vince McMahon have a say in the outcome between Daniel Bryan and John Cena?”

Halfway through the year, there should be more confidence in what is going to happen at arguably the second-most important event of the year. With matches and claims and challenges comes circumstances, both good and bad. There is a positive and negative with the superstars involved in the biggest matches on the card. Here are the best- and worst-case scenarios for top superstars.

Daniel Bryan

Of course, he needs to win the WWE title to cement himself as the next true face of the company. While it would seem that everything is being done to squash his plans to win Sunday night, Bryan continues to win and beat all the top stars.

A win obviously does more for Bryan than Cena. It makes him “the” man in the WWE. A loss does nothing but ruin momentum. If Bryan wins—but is hurt—and Randy Orton cashes in his MITB contract, then it means he and Bryan will feud the rest of the summer heading into the holiday months.

John Cena

Cena really stands to gain nothing by winning or losing. Bryan is already over by all accounts. All this match does is help Bryan if he wins gives Randy Orton a clear path to the WWE title should Cena win.

The consensus is Cena will lose Sunday night, but I am not so sure about that. There is the guest referee issue now in this match and the fact Vince McMahon is going to want revenge in some way or another.

Christian

Of course, Christian is looking for one last match. He got that by winning a chance to face Alberto Del Rio for the World title. Now, it is time for Christian to cash in so he can make the smooth transition from being a champion to passing the title onto the new crop of WWE talent.

Should he lose, then all the momentum is lost. I could see a situation where Christian loses, but Damien Sandow cashes in the briefcase and wins the title.

Alberto Del Rio

Del Rio is as bland a champion as there has ever been on, and this includes Ron Garvin with the WCW title and Psycho Syd.

Del Rio will not win the title because of Christian’s need to claim the title and Ricardo Rodriguez interfering in the match.

Should Del Rio win, then somehow, some way, Cody Rhodes beats Damien Sandow for the MITB briefcase.

CM Punk and Brock Lesnar

There isn’t any way either of these men can "lose" in this match. Either way, there will be a rematch, more jabbing back and forth by the two, and of course, the more mouth from Paul Heyman. I think this David and Goliath feud has been too one-sided so far until Monday night.

The wrestlers win, and, of course, the fans win.

Curtis Axel

He holds the Intercontinental title, yet has no suitors for a match. It makes for a very interesting night. Like I have stated before, every title should be up for grabs. A title match (The Miz, Wade Barrett) only makes him more formidable.

If he has no match, it further confirms my feelings that he is being buried. The WWE continues to screw up the midcard champions.

Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow

This could be the feud of the year. There really is no winner and loser in this match. This is a feud that will have some legs, and while the World title is not involved right now, it will be down the line. Whoever wins, there will be a rematch at Night of Champions.

Does one of the two opponents have the title for Night of Champions? That remains to be seen.