WWE SummerSlam 2015: Most Underappreciated Storylines to Follow

Brock Lesnar and Undertaker dominate the pre-SummerSlam headlines like many expected they would, but that doesn't mean there's nothing else to concentrate on as we head toward one of the biggest shows of the year.

Their sporadic appearances on TV between Battleground and now have meant there have been plenty of opportunities elsewhere for WWE stars to shine and garner attention ahead of a potential bout at SummerSlam.

And although the big names will continue to get the big mentions moving toward the pay-per-view, here are three underappreciated storylines worth keeping an eye on.

The New Day's Slow and Steady Road Back

When WWE put The Prime Time Players in a feud with The New Day, it effectively backed itself into a corner it couldn't get out of.

Darren Young and Titus O'Neil were overdue for a run with the WWE Tag Team Championships, but when they got the straps at Money in the Bank, The New Day didn't feel ready to drop them.

So, their loss to The Prime Time Players was a bit of a setback, but they have rebuilt well and are in a position to challenge Young and O'Neil and regain the gold at SummerSlam.

They're constantly evolving, both on the microphone and in the ring, and they seem to have the perfect blend of different wrestling styles and excellent promos. Xavier Woods, in particular, has been a revelation; he's the real mouthpiece of the group, and WWE has a great talker on its hands with him. 

But the way they compete also catches the eye. They won in style last week on Raw to effectively move to the top of the list of challengers for the tag titles, and with little competition around them and plenty of momentum, keeping an eye on how The New Day continues to grow in and out of the ring toward SummerSlam is something fans would be wise to do.

Where Dean Ambrose Goes Next

With only one match—the heavyweight bout between Lesnar and Undertaker—scheduled for SummerSlam so far, nobody knows will happen elsewhere on the card with some of the company's biggest stars.

Take Dean Ambrose, for example. The Lunatic Fringe has had a lean few weeks after a good spell in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship scene, and he looks like he'll be teaming up with Roman Reigns to take on Luke Harper and Bray Wyatt at SummerSlam.

Although that would be a good feud to get Ambrose back on the horse, it'll be interesting to see how he develops and flourishes in a different role. When he was given the freedom to cause chaos in the main event scene, he was a joy to watch, with unpredictability and entertainment guaranteed on every edition of Raw.

But here, it feels like he's taken a step backward and is now Reigns' ally rather than a key figure of the rivalry. WWE must give Ambrose the freedom to act on his own during this rivalry so he has a platform to build on when he branches off on his own again.

Otherwise, Ambrose faces a long road back to where he was just a couple of months ago, when the WWE World Heavyweight Championship seemed within his grasp.

Cesaro's Push Blurring the Lines

Nobody can argue that a push for Cesaro is the right move in the current WWE, especially after some commanding performances lately.

But what's interesting is that the push up the card seems to be conforming with the infamous catchphrase WWE is keen to use: the Reality Era.

The push is mixing real life and what happens in the ring, with Vince McMahon's now-legendary statement about the brass rings and Cesaro being utilised and included in many of his promos.

In an intriguing sit-down interview with Michael Cole, Cesaro discussed McMahon's comments on Steve Austin's podcast at length, and WWE seems to be making a big deal about the fact that Cesaro is reacting and responding to the chairman's comments.

What that suggests is that WWE is serious about this push, and it's worth keeping an eye on how it develops moving toward a likely match against Kevin Owens at SummerSlam.

Another sure sign WWE is intent on pushing Cesaro is that it is now giving him opportunities to strengthen his mic skills. There was that interview with Michael Cole and then a decent segment on Miz TV with Owens last week on Raw.

But while most pushes are based on what happens in the ring, expect WWE to keep making a big deal about those comments from McMahon and the fact that Cesaro has been on a long road to this point. It's a storyline that is worth following, and it should produce only good things for the Swiss Superman.

And above all else, WWE fans love Cesaro. The above tweet from the man himself shows that.