John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan: 5 Bold Predictions for SummerSlam Match

Daniel Bryan enters the biggest match of his career, attempting to take the crown from WWE's king, John Cena, at SummerSlam.

That WWE Championship match on Aug. 18 simmers with possible twists, turns and surprises. Beyond picking a winner, let's dig through backstage rumors and WWE's recent hints to try to answer the match's biggest questions.

How will the storyline of underdog from the independent circuit against the face of the franchise play out? How will the McMahon family drama and Randy Orton's championship pursuits affect the SummerSlam main event?

Starting with how Bryan will try to get the champ to tap out, here are five bold predictions for the WWE Championship bout at SummerSlam.

Daniel Bryan Will Bring out an Old Move

John Cena is a difficult man to defeat. In their classic match earlier this year, CM Punk tried everything from a Rock Bottom to the banned piledriver to get a victory over him.

Cena has an oft-discussed habit of kicking out of big moves, and that will mean that Daniel Bryan will likely get two counts from his diving headbutt, missile dropkicks and just about every weapon he flings Cena's way.

Expect frustration from the WWE title challenger and for him to be forced to dig deep into his repertoire.

WWE fans have seen little of Bryan's Cattle Mutilation submission hold, but in a match of this magnitude against a foe this powerful, Bryan will need that move and more to win.

Triple H Will Prevent Interference from Vince McMahon

Triple H took over as the special guest referee with the intention of keeping order and maintaining it. Order and fairness are rare beasts in WWE, but Daniel Bryan and John Cena will likely be thankful of Triple H’s presence.

The McMahon family saga and power struggle has spilled into this WWE title feud, and fans should expect some element of that storyline to pop up at SummerSlam.

Vince McMahon will try to get involved, either via Brad Maddox, Wade Barrett or on his own. McMahon has made it well known how little he thinks of Bryan. He is also likely still angry about Bryan refusing to complete his corporate makeover and about Triple H taking this match over.

WWE seems to be setting up McMahon as the sinister establishment and Bryan as the lovable rebel.

Triple H will want to thwart his father-in-law's plans just to spite him, and that likely means playing the steadying hand in a chaotic match.

John Cena Will Lose the WWE Championship

Fans unsure of whom to place their bets on come SummerSlam need only look at John Cena's engorged, unsightly elbow.

The injury, which he has joked about and played off, is likely to be his undoing as WWE Champion. Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio, via CagesideSeats.com, "The only thing that's probable is that Cena's not going to end the night as champion because he needs elbow surgery and it's actually scheduled."

Of course, that could mean Cena wins the match but loses to Randy Orton after he cashes in, but Daniel Bryan's red-hot momentum should make WWE comfortable with putting the belt around his waist.

Cena can always come back for a rematch when he's healthy.

For now, though, it looks as if WWE can crown a new champion and give Bryan a run as the company’s top face.  

Randy Orton Will Cash in but Not Win

WWE has been overtly teasing the possibility of Randy Orton cashing in his Money in the Bank contract at SummerSlam. The announcers have brought it up several times, and Orton has promised to make use of that red briefcase.

Should that scenario happen and Orton take advantage of whoever is champ at the end of the bout, it would be too predictable. WWE hinting that strongly could just be a setup.

Orton rushing to the ring after Daniel Bryan wins a hard-fought battle and is barely able to stand as he clutches the WWE title is what fans will see coming. Having Bryan get a fluky win in that cash-in match would not only be a memorable surprise, but the spark that sets the Staples Center crowd afire.

Joining John Cena as the only man to fail after a cash in would make Orton livid. He would likely have a breakdown, amp up his aggression and make the long-awaited return to heeldom. 

A subsequent Orton and Bryan feud would be a great way to kick off Bryan's reign and lessen the damage of Cena's absence.

Match of the Year

CM Punk vs. Undertaker at WrestleMania and CM Punk vs. John Cena from February are about to have major competition for the WWE match of the year.

Daniel Bryan has been marvelous in the ring over a two-year stretch. He's produced classics against The Shield, Punk, Antonio Cesaro and Sheamus. Putting him against Cena, a man with a growing resume of great matches himself, will be the formula for something special.

Last fall, Cena and Bryan put on a fantastic showing on WWE Raw. Expect this same blending of power, technical skill, speed and drama. Only this time, the stakes will be far higher.

This is more than a match about the WWE Championship; it's a potential changing of the guard moment where WWE listens to his raucous fanbase and lets a new man reside atop the mountain, at least temporarily.

The chaotic possibilities of Randy Orton and Triple H's involvement will only add to the excitement.