WWE SummerSlam 2011: Predicting 10 Matches We Should See at SummerSlam

We're less than two weeks away from SummerSlam, the Biggest Party of the Summer.  While there is a storyline or two that has caught the attention of every pro wrestling fan, we still do not have a solid card built yet.

So what do we have to look forward to at SummerSlam?  

So far we have a likely match-up between John Morrison and R-Truth as well as Kofi Kingston and Alberto Del Rio.  Meanwhile we have confirmed matches between Christian and Orton, CM Punk and John Cena and a Diva's Title match between Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix.  But is that enough to get us excited?

Here's a look at 10 matches that are either already confirmed or should be placed onto the SummerSlam card.  I'll give you my thoughts on each match and my predictions for each potential outcome.

Feel free to leave a comment in the section below, and as always, thanks for reading!

John Morrison vs R-Truth

Are we really going to see this match again?  Yes, it looks like we are.

Many people have very strong opinions about John Morrison.  Most either love him and think that he should be pushed to the moon, or think that he is somewhat boring and will be stuck in the mid-card for the rest of his career.  Personally, I fall in the second category.  

Sure, John Morrison is a hell of an athlete, but he just lacks the personality and mic skills of a main event superstar.

R-Truth on the other hand, has taken his new gimmick and run with it farther than anyone could have originally thought.  He has gone from a comedic character who rapped and danced to the ring, to a legitimate, albeit still comical heel.

This match could solidify either of these superstars as a force to be reckoned with.  John Morrison could ride the momentum from his return and turn it into a hot main event run, or it could come to a screeching halt if Truth continues to grow as a character and a performer.

I don't see Truth going anywhere, and I especially don't see Morrison knocking him down a step.  Hopefully this is a one and done match and the feud ends here, but it might take a while longer for either man to emerge victorious.

Sheamus vs Mark Henry (vs Kane vs Big Show?)

Mark Henry has been on a rampage lately, destroying everything and everyone in his way.  Over the past several weeks he has taken out both Kane and Big Show, only to finally be confronted by Sheamus.  

The preview for Friday's SmackDown promises a showdown between the two powerhouses.  It is even likely that you could be reading this and already know the outcome due to SmackDown taping spoilers.

Regardless of what happens on Friday, it looks like a match between Sheamus and Mark Henry is already penciled in, and maybe even a lock at this point.  

What still could be up in the air is whether or not Kane and Big Show will be thrown into the mix.  My guess is that they will not and we will get a one on one match between the Celtic Warrior and The World's Strongest Man.

I think that this could be the perfect opportunity for Sheamus to begin a face turn.  He has the potential to be very popular with the fans, as he only gets true heat when he is facing a fan favorite.  When he is standing toe to toe with Mark Henry, the crowd is highly likely to get behind Sheamus.

Sheamus has already begun to stir the waters in the World Heavyweight Title picture, attacking both Christian and Orton on SmackDown before setting his sights on Henry.  This match could be just what he needs to grab the champion's attention.

Look for Sheamus to bring an end to Mark Henry's brief reign of terror.

Kofi Kingston vs Alberto Del Rio

Originally Alberto Del Rio was rumored to be in line to be the next No. 1 contender to the WWE Championship, but with everything that has transpired with CM Punk, Del Rio's main event push has again been put on hold.

This mini feud with Kofi Kingston seems like nothing more than a way for Del Rio to stay fresh in the minds of the fans while we waits for his championship opportunity.  Kofi Kingston has always been popular with the fans, so this is a solid way for Del Rio to remain a heel with strong heat. 

Personally I would have rather seen Del Rio take on the other Money in the Bank winner, Daniel Bryan, but I guess that would have been too much cross promotion for WWE.  Unfortunately, that probably means Bryan will be left out of SummerSlam.

However, since this match doesn't really mean anything, don't expect WWE to put too much into it.  Del Rio will likely remain the dominant force that he has been for practically all of 2011.  A cross arm-breaker will be all that he needs to dispose of Kofi. 

The Miz vs Rey Mysterio

The two that were in the finals of the tournament to crown a new WWE champion look to be continuing their feud.  Though neither man holds the title now, whoever wins could easily be next in line for a shot at either John Cena or CM Punk and the WWE Championship.

These two can put on a great match if given the appropriate chance.  SummerSlam could be the perfect setting for these two to show what they have and prove they belong in the title picture.  It is likely that whoever WWE decides to have walk away as the WWE Champion will determine who wins this match.

If Cena becomes the Undisputed WWE Champion, we'll likely see The Miz pick up the victory.  If CM Punk becomes the sole owner of the WWE Title, Rey will probably get the next shot.

Either way, we will probably see one heck of a match here, provided it's not the typical Rey Mysterio come from behind, 619, West Coast Pop victory.  

WWE Diva's Title Match: Beth Phoenix vs Kelly Kelly

On Monday Night Raw, Beth Phoenix won the Diva's Battle Royal to become the No. 1 Contender to Kelly Kelly's Diva's Championship.  After the match, Kelly Kelly stepped into the ring to congratulate Beth, only to be attacked by the No. 1 contender.

The Beth Phoenix heel turn wasn't the biggest shocker as of late, but it did make the title match more interesting.  I've always felt Beth Phoenix works better as a heel than a face and there is no doubt that Kelly Kelly is one of the most popular Divas in WWE, so this could become a match that the fans actually care about.

Kelly Kelly just became champion, so it seems unlikely that she would drop the belt this quickly.  I'm guessing that we will get more time for Beth to build herself back up as a heel before she is able to take Kelly Kelly out.

Look for Kelly Kelly to retain at SummerSlam, but not necessarily with a pinfall victory.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a count-out or disqualification used to extend the feud and grow Beth Phoenix as a heel.  

WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Ezekiel Jackson vs Cody Rhodes/Ted DiBiase

Rhodes and DiBiase scored a victory over the Intercontinental Champion last Friday, which could potentially mean that one, or both of them could receive a title shot at SummerSlam.

I'd like to see a handicap match for the Intercontinental Title where if either Rhodes or DiBiase score a pinfall or submission, they would become the champion.  

This would add some tension to the match if both superstars have the opportunity to pin the champ, but fight over who gets to go for it.  This would also set up the opportunity for Big Zeke to get his revenge from last week.

Don't count out Jinder Mahal and The Great Khali either.  The two made their presence known after the handicap match last week.  If the match goes down how I have it laid out, I wouldn't be surprised if the Mahal and Khali crash the party. 

WWE United States Title Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Alex Riley

Monday Night Raw gave us a preview of what is likely going to be the United States Championship match at SummerSlam.

On Monday, Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero came out to the ring and started with their typical "excuse me's" and "Dolph is better than Cena's" only to be interrupted by Alex Riley.  Riley then told Ziggler that he should stop hiding behind Vickie and sever his ties with her.

Dolph and Vickie quietly left the ring, but there is more of the story to be told.  I don't see any reason why these two won't face off at SummerSlam.

This is good for Alex Riley, as he should have a chance to stand in the spotlight of the mid-card before he makes the jump to the main event.  Just like The Miz before him, Riley can use the United States Championship as a stepping stone to something much greater.

This match would also work out well for Ziggler, as he could drop the title and start to move up the ladder.

The only problem that stands in Ziggler's way is the fact that there are many superstars who seem to be higher up on the ladder, including Rey Mysterio, R-Truth, John Morrison, Alberto Del Rio and The Miz.

I see Ziggler retaining here, only to continue the feud for another month or two.  By the time the feud ends, Riley will be walking away with gold around his waist. 

WWE Tag Team Title Match: Otunga/McGillicutty vs. Kings of Wrestling

OK, this is more of a hopeful match for me, but with all the rumors swirling around the Internet about WWE's possible acquisition of two of Ring of Honor's biggest superstars, it's not completely without chance that Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli could make their WWE debuts at SummerSlam.

WWE needs a kick in the rear end when it comes to the tag team division.  With the success of CM Punk and his recent storyline, as well as Daniel Bryan's shocking Money in the Bank victory, WWE seems to have opened their eyes and are giving the indy fans what they want.  

This could also finally put a nail in the coffin of what remains of Nexus.  Otunga and McGillicutty need all the help they can get in order to become more relevant in WWE, and they will not be able to grow and succeed if they are stuck in the tag team division.

Crossing my fingers that something like this happens and we get a jolt of electricity shot into the tag team division, complete with new champions.

World Heavyweight Title Match: Christian vs Randy Orton

One of the only matches to have been confirmed thus far, Christian vs Randy Orton has already seemed to have been beaten to death.

Since the 2011 WWE Draft, this has been the only main event feud on SmackDown.  Christian took Edge's place in the main event scene after Edge was forced to retire due to injuries, and it seems like he is only staying there because he is the biggest heel, since his turn on Orton.

Hopefully this No Holds Barred match begins to dissolve the feud between these two superstars and we see the rise of a new heel or face.

Cody Rhodes, Sheamus, and Wade Barrett are all ready to step up and take the spotlight away from one of the two in this match.  Not only would it give one of them the push that they deserve, but it would make Friday nights more interesting, so we are not seeing the same feud week after week.

I think Sheamus could make a good run as a face, and he would be a great option if WWE Creative decided to give Orton a break (however unlikely that may be).  His current feud with Mark Henry could also get the fans behind him.

What is more likely is that either Cody Rhodes or Wade Barrett will step up as the next heel and will take on Randy Orton for a few months.

This match could go either way, but it seems likely that when the feud ends, Randy Orton will be holding the belt.  If this is the end, look for him to come out on top.  If WWE is going to drag it out longer, Christian will retain. 

WWE Title Match: John Cena vs CM Punk with Triple H as the Special Guest Referee

Triple H announced on Monday Night Raw that the men who are both technically the WWE Champion will face off at SummerSlam to determine who is the Undisputed WWE Champion.

This has been, without a doubt, the most talked about storyline in many, many years.  CM Punk has helped put WWE back into mainstream media and I am extremely excited that he has resigned with the company.

I am not sure which direction WWE is going to take this feud.  John Cena is almost always a favorite to win the WWE Championship, no matter what the circumstances are.  However, nobody is as hot as CM Punk right now, and I think that WWE would be smart to ride his coattails as long as they can.

I would also like to see Triple H get involved in this match.  He doesn't have to become biased to either John Cena or CM Punk, but it would be cool to know that there is a chance that he could turn to the dark side or become another anti-Punk WWE official.  

He also could solidify himself as a fair and balanced leader, calling the match right down the middle, no matter who comes out on top.

I see Punk walking out of this match as the Undisputed WWE Champion.  John Cena will likely spend the next two or three months unsuccessfully trying to get the title back, and when Survivor Series comes around, he'll become too engulfed in his feud with The Rock that he will leave the WWE Championship scene until after WrestleMania.