WWE SummerSlam 2016: Way-Too-Early Match Card Projections and Picks for PPV
There are now fewer than 90 days until WWE heads to Brooklyn, New York, for SummerSlam 2016—a perfect opportunity to lay down some early predictions for the hottest event of the summer.
Given the big returns we've seen in recent weeks, those that are set to resurface imminently and the prospect of the brand extension, the WWE landscape is undergoing some major changes. However, it's not impossible to predict what's in store for SummerSlam.
Of course, injuries and other unforeseen circumstances could yet wreak havoc on any plans WWE might have in place. With that said, we've already seen some hints about what the company has in store for the summer.
Here are some way-too-early predictions for what we'll see unfold at SummerSlam 2016.
Neville vs. Sami Zayn
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Just ahead of WrestleMania, Neville suffered a serious ankle injury that took him out of the event's ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship. When The Jumping Geordie makes his return, you can bet that he'll have his eye on the gold.
However, it's more difficult to predict exactly who will be in possession of the Intercontinental Championship at that time. The Miz has managed to barely escape as champion several times, but it remains to be seen whether his luck will last the duration of the summer.
Indeed, with the likes of Cesaro and Sami Zayn gunning for him, even the assistance of Maryse might not be enough to preserve his reign.
Based on his seamless transition from NXT to the main roster, Zayn seems like a top contender to beat him for the belt.
Neville challenging a reigning Zayn would give the pair a chance to revisit their compelling feud over the NXT Championship with their roles reversed. The match could serve as an electric start to SummerSlam 2016.
There are admittedly a lot of pieces to put in place for it to become a reality.
Prediction: Zayn retains.
The New Day vs. The Club
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The New Day has been a huge boon to the tag division in recent months, but its record-breaking stint as champions has perhaps run its course.
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New Day are at 332+ combined days as tag champs, passing by both London & Kendrick and Smoking Gunn's combined reigns of 331 days.
Given its in-ring abilities and growing notoriety in WWE, The Club would be the perfect duo to steal the titles now that The New Day is firmly established as a dominant faction. However, a feud between two top-tier teams like these should be given the proper room to breathe.
The New Day could retain at Money in the Bank but lose the belts in a rematch at Battleground. This would set up Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson making their first defence against the former champions at SummerSlam.
The five men involved in this feud certainly have enough talent and creativity to make a lengthier program work. In fact, this could be the rivalry to kickstart the ongoing efforts to turn the tag division into something more than the afterthought it's become in recent years.
Prediction: The Club retains.
Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte
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Since WrestleMania, it's been clear that Sasha Banks challenging for Charlotte's WWE Women's Championship was the likely plan for SummerSlam—even if the former's absence from television suggested otherwise.
Banks could have flourished as champion if she had won the gold at WrestleMania, but Charlotte's reign was only beginning to get underway at the time, so she was seemingly given priority. However, the unquestionable popularity of The Boss seemed to suggest that she would get her moment in the spotlight at a later date.
Since then, she's largely been absent from Raw and SmackDown rather than trading wins with other competitors not currently in title contention—which we can assume is to maintain her mystique.
However, she needs to raise her profile soon if she is to challenge at SummerSlam.
Last year's SummerSlam weekend saw Banks lose her NXT Women's Championship in a memorable encounter with Bayley. Seeing The Boss come full circle and win some gold a year later would make for a compelling path to the gold.
However, that journey won't have the same impact if Banks springs into contention just weeks before SummerSlam. The time is now for her to start working her way through the division.
Prediction: Banks wins the gold.
Triple H vs. Seth Rollins
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We don't know enough about the brand extension to accurately predict whether or not a second world title will be in play come SummerSlam.
However, whether there's gold on the line or not, the co-main event of the show could well be a barnburner pitting Seth Rollins against his mentor Triple H.
Seeds were sown for a match between Rollins and The Game in the run-up to WrestleMania 32. Of course, injuries sidelined Rollins and caused Triple H to step into a main event role, squashing any plans that might have been in the works.
Still, there's a logical program here that fans could easily invest themselves in. We're yet to see Rollins interact with Triple H since The Authority disappeared from our screens, and their reunion could really go either way.
Many predicted that Rollins would return as a fan favourite, which didn't come to pass. However, his alignment could easily be tweaked in the coming months—and a feud with The Cerebral Assassin could be the perfect backdrop for the process.
This is a match that needs to happen at one point or another. Given the upcoming brand extension, it could be a perfect grudge match to run parallel to a world title program on the other show.
Prediction: Rollins wins.
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
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During his impressive ascent to the highest peaks of sports entertainment, Roman Reigns has picked up victories over the likes of Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan and Triple H.
However, there's one scalp he was unable to take—the one belonging to The Beast, Brock Lesnar.
Reigns challenged Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31 but was snubbed by a Seth Rollins cash-in. Given the champion's dominance since his big win at WrestleMania 32, he's in dire need of a challenge like The Beast.
We've seen Reigns compete in some great title matches against AJ Styles recently, but they've been undermined slightly by the fact that most fans knew his reign was in little peril. However, Lesnar's record since his return in 2012 means that he's the favourite in any match he competes in.
Putting Reigns on the back foot would be the best thing for his time as champion as he reaches the four-month mark with the gold. Stacking the deck against him using the likes of The Club is one thing, but a seemingly unbeatable opponent like Lesnar offers up a far more compelling dynamic between champion and challenger.
Lesnar is the perfect test for Reigns once he has a few months as world champion under his belt. Of course, there should be little doubt as to who ultimately comes out on top.
Prediction: Reigns retains.
What are your way-too-early predictions for SummerSlam 2016? Make your voice heard and your theories known in the comments section below.
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