WWE SummerSlam 2011: Predicting the Biggest Show of the Summer

WWE’s biggest show of the summer is upon us. To me, though, it doesn’t feel very big. SummerSlam is supposed to be WWE’s second biggest show but this year has fewer matches then recent Slams. Over the past ten years, the big summer show has seen between 6-10 matches. While this year it is currently at five, which isn’t necessarily bad but it’s a low number for such a big show.

Why such a low number? I think it’s because of the WWE Title match. All the hype for the show has been behind Punk/Cena, and the other matches have barely gotten any hype in comparison.

I think WWE will add another match to the show as having only five at such a big event is quite the disappointment, especially for the people who have paid big bucks to attend. But you never know, five matches could deliver a great show.

So here are the five matches and who I think will come out on top.

Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix: Divas Title

Recently, the Divas Division lost two very talented women. The division was already lacking big time, but to get rid of one diva and to misuse one to the point where she quits goes to show that WWE doesn’t know how to do women’s wrestling anymore.

Beth Phoenix’s heel turn may be exactly what the division needed though. While the division lacked overall talent, it lacked good heels as well. Alicia Fox was not very convincing, Maryse is never around if she even still is a heel, and the Bellas are quite laughable as bad girls. Phoenix has the size, power, and talent to be a believable heel.

She’s also a believable threat to Kelly. K2 is pretty much a Barbie doll and is quite small compared to the Glamazon. The odds are definitely in Beth Phoenix’s corner. This past Monday on Raw though, Kelly proved that she’s not afraid of Phoenix. While it was an attack from behind, Kelly still attacked her bigger opponent despite the consequences of possibly being all but killed on Sunday.

As much as I’d love to see Phoenix win the title, I don’t think it’ll happen, at least not yet. Kelly is the most popular Diva right now, I doubt WWE will take the title off of her just yet.

Winner and still champion: Kelly Kelly

Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett

Thankfully another match was added, that being this one. We’ve seen Mr. Money in the Bank Daniel Bryan and Wade Barrett go at it for the past few weeks and I was hoping that this would be added to the card.

Both wrestlers are great inside the ring, especially Bryan. Barrett hasn’t really been given much of a chance to shine recently with his failed run at the Intercontinental Title and his stable breaking up. I would have never given Bryan a chance in hell at winning that briefcase, but here we are today. This should be a great match.

Bryan has stated that he will be cashing in his World Title shot at Wrestlemania 28. Whether this match is for the briefcase or not, I’m not sure if he can keep it that long without the fans losing interest and Bryan losing steam. If Bryan is keeping the briefcase until Wrestlemania, I think he should defend it at each pay-per-view. That way fans stay interested.

As for the winner, I’m giving it to Daniel Bryan. Barrett seems to be going nowhere with the exception of this feud. Bryan needs this victory to prove to the fans that he truly deserves that MITB briefcase.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

Sheamus vs. Mark Henry

Since Henry’s heel turn, he’s been plowing through everyone. He’s even taken out two of WWE’s largest superstars in the Big Show and Kane. Who will stop the World’s Strongest Man’s rampage? Sheamus has stepped up to the plate to do just that.

I’ve been waiting for a while to see Sheamus turn face. His heel character was growing beyond stale and he definitely needed a fresh start as a good guy. Thankfully his trip to SmackDown gave him that opportunity.

This match will no doubt help shape the main event scene for Night of Champions. I think the winner of this match depends on who wins the World Title match between Christian and Randy Orton. If Christian retains, Sheamus could very well be his next challenger. If Orton wins, could the World’s Strongest Man step up to challenge the champ? As long as we don’t see another Christian/Orton match I’m fine with whoever the next challenger is.

A lose for Henry could kill his momentum, but Sheamus needs this victory to show the fans that he’s someone they can believe in. I’m giving it to the Celtic Warrior.

Winner: Sheamus

Christian vs. Randy Orton: World Heavyweight Title

Again? Really? This is the fourth pay-per-view in a row we’ve seen these two go at it, and the fifth match overall in the feud. I stopped caring about this series around match three when Christian lost again. When he finally did win the title, it was in match four by disqualification at the Money in the Bank PPV. It was anti-climatic.

Who will win? Frankly I don’t care anymore. I’m sick of these two going at it. It’s time for someone else to get a shot at the title. As long as they don’t face each other again at Night of Champions, I’d be happy no matter who wins. I’m flipping a coin.

Winner and still champion: Christian

CM Punk vs. John Cena W/ Special Referee Triple H: WWE Title

This is the match we’ve all been waiting for, right? This storyline skyrocketed to the headlines after CM Punk did a worked shoot at the end of Monday Night Raw last month. When he won the title, the wrestling world was truly buzzing about WWE for the first time in years. Punk had just won the WWE Championship and left the company. What did WWE do?

Well, they held a one-night tournament the following night on Raw that didn’t actually end in one night. Rey Mysterio would eventually live his dream of winning the WWE Title, but that dream was crushed by John Cena’s spotlight killing persona. So Cena won the title. That’s not very exciting. What happened next is though.

“Cult of Personality” hit and CM Punk walked out with his WWE Title. The fans were no doubt behind him over the new champion John Cena. The following week, Chief Operating Officer Triple H made this match. This past Monday, he added himself as special guest referee. There you have the history of this feud in a nutshell.

This match has been beautifully hyped, though. Mic work from both Punk and Cena, especially Punk, has really sold this program. Honestly, Cena has surprised me with his mic work the past few weeks. Predicting the winner of this match is tough.

If Cena wins, then we all go back to “Oh look, it’s Super Cena. He’s champion again. No surprise there,” and Punk’s return would have been wasted. Everything Punk has been saying for weeks would essentially mean nothing.

If Punk wins, though, Cena has nowhere to go. There’s no one to save the WWE from, there’s no big heels coming in that would want to make an impact by taking out Cena, there’s nothing. At this stage in his career, Cena is nothing unless he has the title or is chasing it. I’d like WWE to prove me wrong in that, though, because I’m giving the win to CM Punk.

Winner and still, yet new, champion: CM Punk

Then you have the possibility of Alberto Del Rio cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase. I think he’ll try, but what happened at MITB will happen here. Punk will get away before anyone can ring the bell. I have a feeling Del Rio’s destiny will be fulfilled soon though.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. WWE has somewhat dropped the ball with SummerSlam, but CM Punk and John Cena are there to catch it. Their match and story has the potential to save this whole pay-per-view.

SummerSlam has some mighty big shoes to fill. Last month’s Money in the Bank was the best WWE PPV of the year, surpassing Wrestlemania 27 by miles. With a small amount of matches on the card, there’s cause for concern.

Like I said earlier, WWE will most likely add a match during the show to fill out the card. The match really should be announced in advance, though, so the fans can be excited for it when it happens.

Can CM Punk vs. John Cena live up to the hype and save a show that is obviously lacking? I think they can.