WWE SummerSlam 2017: Full Match Card Breakdown, Odds, Bold Picks and More
The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Sunday will be host to WWE SummerSlam 2017, a night jam-packed with the best and brightest stars in WWE. While every SummerSlam is the second biggest show of the year for WWE behind WrestleMania, this one will be particularly important because it will highlight the future of the business.
This is the complete card for WWE SummerSlam 2017 as it stands on Thursday morning:
- WWE cruiserweight champion Akira Tozawa vs. Neville (Kickoff)
- SmackDown Live tag team champions The New Day vs. The Usos (Kickoff)
- Big Cass vs. Big Show (with Enzo Amore suspended above the ring in a shark cage)
- Randy Orton vs. Rusev
- SmackDown Live women's champion Naomi vs. Natalya
- Raw women's champion Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks
- Raw tag team champions Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins
- Bray Wyatt vs. "The Demon" Finn Balor
- John Cena vs. Baron Corbin
- United States champion AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens (with Shane McMahon as special guest referee)
- WWE champion Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
- WWE universal champion Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman
With WWE champion Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura as well as a Universal Championship bout that includes rising talent such as Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman, the show looks completely different from past events. John Cena and Randy Orton will be competing, but only in secondary bouts with rising stars in Baron Corbin and Rusev.
It could very well be a special night, which is why it is so interesting to look at how it has shaped up. The following is a breakdown of the whole card, including a look at the stories and potential of each match as well as predicted results, bold predictions and the early betting odds for the top contests.
All odds via OddsShark
Akira Tozawa (c) vs. Neville (Kickoff)
1 of 12
Story So Far
The King of the Cruiserweights seemed unstoppable after defeating everyone in his path; however, with the support of Titus Worldwide, Akira Tozawa proved to be Neville's kryptonite, dethroning the champion in their second clash after Neville used dirty tactics to survive their first. Now Tozawa will face a man desperate to regain his title by any means necessary and with nothing left to lose.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
Neville may be the only glue holding the cruiserweight division together, so taking the championship off him was dangerous. Tozawa is talented but also underdeveloped. His story with Titus O'Neil could make him a star or break him, and this match is the biggest of his career to date.
The last time these two fought, it was a solid match but both have the potential to do much more. With Neville now wrestling with a new mindset and Tozawa the favorite, the only thing holding this contest back is its placement on the Kickoff show.
Predicted Result
Tozawa just won the cruiserweight championship, so it seems impossible that he'd lose the title so soon. However, WWE has never been afraid to flip a championship back-and-forth to get people talking. This is a Kickoff match though, and Tozawa has potential to be explored as champion. A title switch would be a waste.
Tozawa pins Neville after a diving senton, proving his first win was not a fluke.
Bold Prediction
205 Live will be canceled before the end of the year.
The New Day's Big E and Xavier Woods (c) vs. The Usos (Kickoff)
2 of 12
Story So Far
With a new attitude, no one could stop the vicious Usos from taking over the SmackDown tag team division. They ended American Alpha and ruined the antics of Breezango. The longest reigning tag champs in history, though, were a new level of challenge with New Day arriving in WWE and immediately going for tag gold.
The Usos tried their best to elude the trio at every turn, even taking a count out loss if it meant keeping their titles, but they were finally defeated at Battleground. Now The Usos have one chance to regain the championships, and they won't be able to walk away from this fight.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
Hopefully this will not be the last time these two teams face as they do not deserve to have their feud ended on the SummerSlam Kickoff show. Whoever wins here will be leading a somewhat understaffed division, and this feud alongside the antics of Breezango are all that this division has.
The Usos have already had a fantastic match with The New Day this year, outshining everyone at Battleground. This should be no different even if the competitors have changed with Big E in place of Kofi Kingston. Expect these teams to kick off the night hot, getting the crowd invested before the show even officially starts.
Predicted Result
The New Day may be the most popular tag team in WWE, and they won the championships recently for a reason. Given this will be the biggest match on the Kickoff, WWE will want to give fans a feel-good moment to set up SummmerSlam, so that means The Usos will be left without gold once more.
New Day defeat The Usos with Woods pinning Jey after a springboard elbow drop.
Bold Prediction
Breezango vs. New Day will be one of the top three feuds for SmackDown in the fall.
Big Cass vs. Big Cass (with Enzo Amore Suspended Above the Ring in a Shark Cage)
3 of 12
Story So Far
Big Cass has been awakened and found that he could be a megastar, targeting Enzo Amore for getting in his way. After trying to shift blame to Big Show for his own attacks on Enzo, Cass then made it his mission to eliminate Enzo from WWE, only to find Show standing in his way. After breaking Show's hand on Monday, he will now attempt to take out Show for good and then finish what he started with Enzo.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
Show is in the best shape of his life and clearly motivated to introduce the new big men of the business who will be taking his place. This could be Cass's coming-out party or just another solid match that is largely forgotten. Cass has the heat and has proved his ability more than ever on the mic, but he needs to showcase his worth in the ring.
Show and Cass have yet to prove they have real chemistry together, but the stakes of this match coupled with its importance to Cass's rise in standing should make this better than their last match. That still may not be enough on a card packed with potential showstealers.
Predicted Result
The hype train surrounding Cass is in full force, and this match is all about establishing the big man on a big stage. Show's "broken hand" will protect the veteran in this loss and allow them to fight one more time, but there is no way Show can win at SummerSlam.
Cass wins over Show after the referee stops the match given the damage to Show's hand.
Bold Prediction
Lesnar vs. Cass will be one of the main event bouts for Royal Rumble 2018.
Randy Orton vs. Rusev
4 of 12
Story So Far
Rusev has felt disrespected since he returned from injury, demanding championship opportunities and getting John Cena instead. He demanded an opponent for SummerSlam as he refused to be left out, and an angry Randy Orton, coming off being screwed out of the WWE Championship, answered the call. Both men are heated, ready to fight and willing to take out all their frustration on one another.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
This match comes off as filler at best. Orton and Rusev are too talented to miss SummerSlam, but their feud lacks much substance. No matter who wins, the contest could easily be forgotten before the end of the year. A win for Rusev, though, would be a major step forward for the Bulgarian Brute.
Orton can put on stellar matches when motivated, and Rusev is one of the most agile big men in the business. This will all come down to how much Orton puts into the match. Orton vs. Rusev certainly sounds like a great mix of styles on paper.
Predicted Result
With Cena likely moving to Raw, Orton will be the top veteran on the SmackDown roster and is coming off multiple losses in a row on PPV. Even if this feud is more than a one-off encounter, Orton will not continue his losing streak at SummerSlam.
Orton turns The Accolade into an RKO for the pinfall victory.
Bold Prediction
Rusev will be next in line to challenge AJ Styles for the U.S. Championship.
Naomi (c) vs. Natalya
5 of 12
Story So Far
The women's division has been fighting for months to decide who was worthy of a shot at SmackDown women's champion Naomi. Natalya finally emerged from the brawl after eliminating both Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a Fatal 5-Way to determine the new No. 1 contender. Now these two longtime veterans will fight for gold with their legacies hanging in the balance.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
The SmackDown women's division feels like it is drifting and lacking a solid focus. Natalya and Naomi are two of the best female veterans of the previous era and will want to put on a show. However, it will be up to more than just the winner to decide what makes this division special. Everyone will have to do their part.
Natalya and Naomi have rarely wrestled one another in their careers, but they come off as a perfect match. Naomi has yet to find a rival who can bring out her best, but Natalya may be the one. This will be a technical high-octane battle that could make waves if it overdelivers.
Predicted Result
Naomi is the longest reigning SmackDown women's champion to date, but it hardly feels like it because she has rarely had major matches for her championship. Natalya does not come off as a legitimate challenger to Naomi, taking up time until Carmella cashes in.
Naomi makes Natalya tap out to the FTG, then takes out Carmella before she can cash-in.
Bold Prediction
Naomi will still be SmackDown women's champion going into WrestleMania.
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Sasha Banks
6 of 12
Odds
Alexa Bliss 6-5, Sasha Banks 6-5
Story So Far
Alexa Bliss has seated herself atop the throne of the women's division and made more than her share of enemies. After Bayley was injured in a match with Nia Jax, the whole division was ready to take her spot at SummerSlam, with Sasha Banks emerging victorious and earning a shot she believed she already deserved after Bliss walked out on their last match at Great Balls of Fire.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
The women's division on Raw has a clear identity. It is defined by only a few women. The same couple of stars are always at the head with little variation. Bliss vs. Banks is a fresh contest that feels more played out than it actually is. Not only will Banks and Bliss be asked to put on a great show, they will also be working to prove why they deserve their spot over many underused women on Raw.
This was a good match the first go-round, but the two will need more time to make an impact. A frequent concern with women's matches in WWE, it is quite possible Banks and Bliss are not allowed to work long enough to prove themselves. They absolutely have the potential to steal the show.
Predicted Result
Banks was not even supposed to be facing Bliss at SummerSlam, so it would take a last-minute booking decision for this bout to lead to a title change. Bliss's character continues to evolve and is perfectly suited to the role of champion, while Banks has always been best chasing the title.
Bliss reverses the Bank Statement into a sudden roll-up with a handful of tights to steal the win.
Bold Prediction
Jax will be the woman to dethrone Bliss in the near future, but only after Bayley returns and gets a title shot at Bliss that Banks costs her, turning heel in the process.
Sheamus and Cesaro (c) vs. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins
7 of 12
Story So Far
On the June 2, 2014, edition of Monday Night Raw, Seth Rollins changed the game, turning on his Shield brethren Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns and becoming The Authority's star. After bad injuries derailed Rollins' career, he finally had a chance to reflect on his actions, denouncing Triple H and promising to be a better man.
Ambrose refused to simply accept Rollins' new attitude, and the two have clashed constantly as Rollins tries to help his former brother. Sheamus and Cesaro decided to help the process along by mocking the two, having fun at their expense and constantly beating them down. Unfortunately, they created a common enemy for these top stars, allowing them to set aside their differences to take out the champs.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
This match feels like a special attraction bout, putting the Raw tag team champions up against some of the biggest stars in the business to increase excitement for the division. If Ambrose and Rollins win the Raw Tag Team Championships, it garners attention for the entire tag team division, but it might take away from the actual talent proving their worth purely as teams.
These four are among the best in the business, and it is clear that Rollins and Ambrose are extra motivated to make this story special. This match screams "showstealer," and it might be good enough that WWE rides the feud for months to come.
Predicted Result
There are many directions this story could go, with both teams having legitimate claims to being the right duo to hold the tag team championships. However, Ambrose and Rollins' story does not need tag team gold to succeed. In fact, it would be just as poignant for them to fail at the end but find respect for one another again regardless.
Sheamus and Cesaro take the win with the White Noise/diving neckbreaker combination on Rollins, with Ambrose picking up Rollins afterward and carrying him to the back.
Bold Prediction
There will not be a full Shield reunion until at least 2020.
Bray Wyatt vs. "The Demon" Finn Balor
8 of 12
Story So Far
Bray Wyatt is drawn to the oddest performers—those with beasts in their hearts. Few fit that bill better than Finn Balor, the Irish brawler with a demon inside him. Wyatt has targeted Balor repeatedly, questioning who he is and costing him matches. After defeating Balor on Raw, Wyatt threw acidic liquid on Balor—the final straw that caused Balor to lose it and promise to finally unleash The Demon at SummerSlam.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
Wyatt vs. Balor is as close to an Undertaker vs. Kane feud that we can get these days: two men with supernatural aspects to their characters clashing. The winner of this match could be propelled toward a championship match, but it may be in WWE's best interest to keep these two together for a while. Maybe it will lead to another Boiler Room Brawl or Buried Alive match.
While these two only had a solid match on Raw, their dynamic feels right to put on a true spectacle. Perhaps the spectacle is still yet to come, but this could certainly be a great "big man vs. small man" clash with Balor more aggressive and violent under the Demon paint.
Predicted Result
Wyatt dominated his match against Balor on Raw, but the circumstances have changed with Balor bringing The Demon to SummerSlam. Given that aspect of his character has been so heavily protected, this should be the moment where Balor takes his win back, evening the series.
Balor pins Wyatt after the Coup De Grace.
Bold Prediction
After Balor's feud with Wyatt ends, The Demon will not appear again until WrestleMania.
John Cena vs. Baron Corbin
9 of 12
Story So Far
Baron Corbin respects no one, and that includes Mr. Hustle Loyalty Respect himself, John Cena. When Corbin tried to attack Shinsuke Nakamura after the latter defeated Cena in No. 1 Contender's match, Cena took offense, taking out Corbin. Corbin declared that he had no desire to face Cena, but he was booked against The Face That Runs the Place anyway by general manager Daniel Bryan.
Instead of waiting until SummerSlam, Corbin went after Cena early during his match with Jinder Mahal, making the fatal mistake of trying to pick up Cena's scraps by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract on Mahal right then and there. A distraction from Cena after the bell rang cost Corbin the match and his contract, leaving him empty-handed. Now Corbin certainly wants Cena, ready to extract his revenge.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
Any match with Cena is a big deal even if it feels like it was thrown together at the last minute. Corbin has been slowly built as a major force on SmackDown, and Cena will give him his biggest challenge to date. If Corbin proves himself to one of the legends of the business, he could very well be on his way to the top.
A bad Cena match is a rare sight these days with The Champ stepping up his game immensely in the past few years. Given he is taking so much time off, he has to make every appearance count. Corbin may not be the ideal fit for Cena's style, but this should be no less than a good match with the potential to be much more.
Predicted Result
There is no more difficult call to make than predicting Cena will lose a match given he has gone decades with at least an 80 percent win rate. This match, though, has the feel of a Cena loss with Corbin losing his Money in the Bank briefcase on Tuesday. He is one of SmackDown's top stars and could not take two huge losses like this back-to-back.
Corbin low-blows Cena to escape an Attitude Adjustment after a ref bump and hits the Ends of Days for the pinfall victory.
Bold Prediction
Corbin will win the WWE Championship before the end of 2017 but will not be champion come WrestleMania.
AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens (with Shane McMahon as Special Guest Referee)
10 of 12
Story So Far
When Kevin Owens first came to SmackDown Live, he was greeted by challengers to his United States Championship, including AJ Styles. Styles earned his opportunity at KO, only for the champ to trap Styles' leg in the announce table and escape with a win. Owens did his best to avoid ever facing Styles again, only for Styles to defeat most of the roster in a Battle Royal to become once more No. 1 contender.
Styles defeated Owens at a house show in Madison Square Garden with the two then trading the championship back-and-forth with some dubious referee decisions along the way. GM Bryan stepped in, declaring that the two would face off one last time for the championship at SummerSlam—but with a tough referee who would not be knocked down, Shane McMahon.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
It could be argued that this is a match between SmackDown's top face and top heel right despite being contested for the second-most important championship on the roster. Styles and Owens are at the top of their game and have made their mark definitively on the business in a short time.
These two won't be looking to have a good match but rather to have a match-of-the-year candidate. With Shane involved to add extra tension, this should be the best match Styles and Owens have and should be the best match of the night.
Predicted Result
It is never a safe bet in this feud that either man will hold the U.S. Championship for long given the two traded the title back and forth recently. However, it would make the most sense to finally get behind Styles as champion and let this be the last bout these two have.
Styles takes the victory after hitting a second Phenomenal Forearm.
Bold Prediction
Owens' frustration post-loss will send him headlong into a feud with Orton that will rage for the rest of the year.
Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
11 of 12
Odds
Shinsuke Nakamura 100-21, Jinder Mahal 5-8
Story So Far
Nakamura was the star of NXT, running through everyone in his path, and he quickly did the same when he came to SmackDown. When surprise WWE champion Mahal asked for new challengers, he was not ready for Bryan to announce Cena or Nakamura as his next opponent. Nakamura managed to defeat Cena fair and square and earn a shot at Mahal, looking to be on a roll that could go right through him.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
SmackDown's future could be decided by this match. Both Mahal and Nakamura are stepping into their very first SummerSlam with massive expectations. Nakamura has gone completely undefeated in singles matches since debuting in WWE, and he would be clearly labeled the future of the business with a win at SummerSlam.
This would make him the first-ever Japanese world champion in WWE history (as Antonio Inoki's championship reign is not recognized by WWE). Meanwhile, Mahal is still struggling to prove he is an elite talent in WWE; he is looking the part more and more but still not fully playing the part. A loss could completely derail him.
Mahal and Nakamura are an odd pair of stars, both of whom have not quite lived up to their standing in WWE. While Mahal has steadily improved and Nakamura has the potential to put on a spectacle like no one else can, it will take both men stepping up to put on a main event showcase worthy of headlining over so many other stars.
Predicted Result
All signs in this feud point to a Nakamura victory. Mahal has lost multiple matches in a row, while Nakamura just recently defeated Cena clean and has been booked as an unstoppable force. However, Mahal's push has barely moved past his original rival in Orton, with his string of losses actually a sign that he will escape with the title on Sunday as another loss would be too tough on his credibility.
Mahal pins Nakamura off the Khallas thanks to multiple distractions by the Singh Brothers.
Bold Prediction
Mahal will lose the championship in the next few months, and the Singh Brothers will win the tag team championships before he wins another title.
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman
12 of 12
Odds
Brock Lesnar 7-25, Samoa Joe 3-1, Roman Reigns 7-1, Braun Strowman 10-1
Story So Far
When Lesnar won the WWE Universal Championship, it was hard to imagine anyone willingly stepping up to The Beast. However, everyone declared their willingness to take the risk. Samoa Joe was the man to overcome the pack and emerge as No. 1 contender, with Lesnar barely escaping him with a sudden F5. Reigns declared himself No. 1 contender to the winner of that match, only for Strowman to get in his way.
The war between these two intersected with the continued animosity between Lesnar and Joe, and GM Kurt Angle decided to simply put them all together, setting up one massive battle of heavyweights. Lesnar and Paul Heyman did not take too kindly to this decision, with Heyman announcing Lesnar would leave WWE if this match cost him the Universal Championship.
Potential Consequences and Likelihood to Steal the Show
This could be an opportunity to make a new star on Raw. While both Joe and Strowman are close to main event status, a championship victory would solidify them. The idea is so enticing that it makes the obvious result of Lesnar retaining feel disappointing. Then it is impossible to imagine the nuclear heat that would be generated from a Reigns victory.
As long as Lesnar allows this match to go longer than his typical bout, this should be a match like no other—a pure slugfest that will leave all four men beaten and bruised. Even if other matches have bigger spots and story moments, this will be the match no one will stop talking about after it is over.
Predicted Result
Lesnar's time away despite holding Raw's top championship cannot be helping the brand's ratings, and a change in champion could be good for the show. However, the story of Lesnar's dominance may be too strong to lose this early. Lesnar will likely be sticking around on and off until WrestleMania, and he has not lost any momentum in his title reign so far. Why stop now?
Lesnar hits an F5 on Strowman and retains his championship after Reigns and Joe take each other out.
Bold Prediction
With contract negotiations falling apart in early 2018, WWE will not change the plan for Lesnar vs. Reigns at 'Mania but will have Joe take the championship off Lesnar at Fastlane.
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