WWE SummerSlam 2011: Tonight Is the Night: Viewing Guide

After all the long hours put into my "Suumerslam Series" column, and all the time spent racking my brain for match-by-match prognosis, the main event is finally here.

The second-biggest show of the year is not one to be taken lightly. Trust me when I tell you—this show deserves all the hype WWE (and myself) are giving it. This is the next-best thing after WrestleMania.

We know the matches. We know the crazy predictions.

What we don't know: How to watch the event—be it alone or with family at home/out with friends/at a bar.

Today, I will give you all a last minute "TV Guide" on what to look out for during the event.

1. Who will be the commentators?

That's an easy one right off the bat. Will it include Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and J.R. (Jim Ross)? Will there be any of the regular Smackdown announcers? Will Booker T get thrown into the booth to make it interesting?

PLEASE NO!

I love Booker, but they need to pick the right guys for the night. After all, commentary plays an important role in creating the spectacle.

J.R. should the cut, who will join him? I have no idea, but you can't deny how great a role this will play in shaping Summerslam.

Again, listen to the opening seconds of the Pay-Per View and see who is calling the show. It will determine a lot going forward.

2. Match order

I touched on this one yesterday, but it's an essential aspect that often gets lost in the pre-event hype.

Each match needs to have an appropriate time slot—and should be given the right amount of time, etc, etc. 

There is no worse way to kill a show and quiet a crowd by casting a pall through poor preparation.

3. The LA crowd

They are as hit-or-miss a bunch as any—if you've ever been to a Dodger game, and seen fans heading toward the exits by the seventh inning of a tied ballgame, you know I mean.

Yes, it is California, one of the more indifferent wresting markets nation-wide. However, other LA crowds in the past have been amazing—and the Staples Center is always sold out—so it has shown an ability to rise up to the occasion.

Again, by the time the opener ends, you'll have a sense of whether the crowd is into the event, or vaguely disinterested, which would really be a bummer. Crowds can make or break a show.

4. Edge is in town

Make no mistake—Edge will be there. I think I have mentioned this at least 500 times in recent posts, but it bears repeating. I really do not think he's come all the way to LA to enjoy the hotel room service.

As my prediction prophesied, I've got a gut feeling he'll be there—but Randy Orton will retain the title.

I've been wrong before, but I've been predicting an Edge appearance for awhile now—be on the look-out if he does show up.

5. The main event cluster

How will this jam-packed event shake out?

I can assure you that all the Cena heel-turn talk is for nothing (again - for the umpteenth time, people have called for it).

It is not going to happen, so what about CM Punk? Face turn? Heel turn? Triple H? Fair or foul?

I am sensing a mirror image of Bret/Taker in the 1997 Summerslam, with HHH-as-referee situation in this year's event.

Even with all that, what about Del Rio? Will he factor into the equation?

I picked him to cash in, but with him out doing interviews teasing the idea, I doubt it will actually happen. Why would he open his mouth about it?

I could be wrong there as well, however.

With those five things to watch for tonight, I firmly believe that if WWE hits the mark on these five topics, we should be in for a spectacle of epic proportion.

As we all should be.