WWE SummerSlam 2016 Matches: Full Card Breakdown, Bold Predictions and More

The waiting is almost over.

What promises to be the most exciting edition of WWE SummerSlam in years is just around the corner.

With a stack of matches on the card that will set the show alight, it's not hard to imagine a pay-per-view that could properly launch WWE's new era after the brand split.

There is the possibility of new champions being crowned all across the card and, perhaps more importantly, there is scope for some almighty swerves and shocks.

Where will they come? And what's in store for every single bout on the card?

Here's a run through all 11 matches at this weekend's show, as well as a look at where WWE may decide it wants to swerve us all.

Full Card Breakdown: Part I

Naturally, with a show as stacked as SummerSlam is this year, there are things to be intrigued and excited about all the way down the card.

The lower end of the card is generally discarded fairly quickly at some pay-per-views, but don't expect that to be the case this year.

Given the news of Eva Marie's 30-day suspension earlier this week, the rearranged match between Carmella, Becky Lynch and Naomi vs. Natalya and Alexa Bliss will still be fascinating. Expect it to take place early on in the evening, but there could be a surprise in the mix there if WWE decides to even up the stakes and have a shock return.

Who it may be is up for debate, but without Eva Marie, it seems likely WWE will roll the dice and incorporate someone else here.

The first of seven Sheamus vs. Cesaro matches will also be on early in the night, it seems. With both men almost certain to pick up three wins each before a decider, this will not be the most intensely watched bout of the night. But what it will be is technically impressive, and if Cesaro is having to chase wins rather than go in front early on, that would be the best way to run this series out.

One of two tag matches sees Enzo and Cass take on the new duo of Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens, and there could also be the potential for a surprise here. Jericho and Owens could combust at any one time. Should they lose to Enzo and Cass here, either Jericho or Owens is likely to turn on the other. 

That may set up a feud between the two moving forward, although there's always the possibility of "JeriKO" winning and moving forward as a team in the division on a lengthier basis. It promises to be a fascinating and genuinely unpredictable match.

Full Card Breakdown: Part II

Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte promises to be a contender for match of the night at SummerSlam, and with Dana Brooke banned from ringside, it means the action will solely be on two incredible competitors. 

Will The Boss hang onto the WWE Women's Championship, or will it be Charlotte who emerges victorious and gets a second run with the title?

The New Day defend the tag titles against The Club, and with Big E removed from contention for the reigning champions, it's not impossible their lengthy reign with the straps could come to an end this Sunday.

Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are overdue for a serious push as a tag team to be taken seriously. With Big E out of the picture, this could be a night which spells the beginning of the end for The New Day.

Will they combust without their heavy? Will Anderson and Gallows ascend to the top of the tag division and cause yet more disharmony among The New Day?

The two midcard championships will be on the line at SummerSlam. Rusev vs. Roman Reigns fighting for the United States Championship is potentially the more intriguing of the two matches.

With Reigns' move away from the main event scene and into a feud with Rusev, WWE should be looking long-term with this rivalry and have it go for a good few months. 

Reigns seems to be slowly finding his place in the company again after a disastrous and failed push to the top. In the opposing corner, Rusev has been tearing through opponents for a while now and is in need of someone with greater presence, so the two are a great fit for each other.

Elsewhere, The Miz vs. Apollo Crews may not have quite the same appeal. But what it does offer is an opportunity to shine for a star who hasn't quite broken out yet.

Crews' main roster run has been fairly disappointing so far. If a run against a man who is proving to be a fantastic heel helps get him over in the next couple of months, this could be a feud which has its merits for both men.

Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar

The heated exchanges have taken place, and the blindside attacks have come and gone.

Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton will settle the score once and for all at SummerSlam this weekend. Although Lesnar is on a huge unbeaten run with WWE, it's difficult to see who emerges victorious here.

Lesnar and Paul Heyman's promo on Raw this past Monday helped set the scene, as did the two interferences from Orton and Lesnar on Raw and SmackDown respectively earlier this month.

But who wins here? It promises to be undoubtedly the most bruising and grueling encounter of the entire night, with Orton's body pushed to the limit following his recent return from injury.

To that end, it may be Lesnar who breaks down The Viper and puts him away. But with Orton surely finding a place as one of the top names on SmackDown following this feud, simply having him beaten clean doesn't make that much sense.

So perhaps someone will interfere and cost Orton victory.

John Cena vs. AJ Styles

This multiple-month rivalry will finally draw to a close this Sunday. If WWE is adamant about pushing AJ Styles as a major player on SmackDown, it's vital he wins.

Styles can become a seriously big hitter on the blue brand with victory this weekend, and should he win what is likely to be the third and final meeting between the two, he should be looking up the card.

A run at the WWE World Championship should then be next on Styles' agenda, with Cena taking stock before making his next move.

This feud has been great for both men. It has enabled Cena to return to WWE programming seamlessly following his injury lay-off and to instantly get back into the groove of a big-name rivalry.

But for Styles, it has helped his elevation as a major star in WWE. His early months were inconsistent and shaky, but since turning heel, Styles has the edge many expected him to bring to the company from day one.

It should be a lengthy affair, but most important of all, it should deliver a conclusive finish once and for all as to who is the better man.

Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler

Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler's rivalry had failed to sparkle in the weeks leading up to SummerSlam, but they set the scene for Sunday magnificently in the go-home edition of SmackDown this past Tuesday.

Ziggler laying out the champion on Miz TV creates the possibility in the minds of WWE fans that he can do the impossible and beat The Lunatic Fringe this weekend.

Prior to that, it just never really felt right that Ziggler had suddenly jumped up to the main event scene.

It seems Bray Wyatt has taken a backward step from making this a three-man feud, and that did allow Ambrose and Ziggler to shine in their own light on Tuesday night.

However, although Ziggler has undoubtedly stepped his game up, this may still prove a step too far for the challenger. 

Ambrose's run with the title is nowhere near over, and he should be readying himself for a challenge from one of the blue brand's biggest names. 

Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins

If SummerSlam is a show made for high-profile dream matches, then the match which should close the show this weekend certainly fits the billing.

Both Seth Rollins and Finn Balor have been exceptional from the start of this feud right through the end, with the two challengers for the new WWE Universal Championship on top of their games of late.

The promo work from both has been of the highest quality, including Balor's exceptional pre-recorded effort from a couple of weeks ago where he explained the legend of The Demon King. 

All of that has built the hype up tremendously, although there is still a touch of doubt over whether WWE should have pulled the trigger over Balor's trademark entrance this week before waiting until SummerSlam.

That said, it shouldn't lower the anticipation and the belief that this contest could be one of the best matches SummerSlam has seen in years.

Calling it? It's almost an impossible task, although don't rule out a bold move from WWE—perhaps Balor turns heel and aligns with The Club.

Talk about a fitting end to a major pay-per-view.