On Sunday, August 20th, WWE returns to the Barclays Centre for the third consecutive year, for their annual Summerslam event. The event is filled with never-before-seen pairings and hotly contested feuds. We will see both the Raw and SmackDown Live brands represented, in the hopes of presenting a great spectacle for all to see. What will come about is being tightly held to the chests of those in management, but it seems sure to be one of the most notable SummerSlam’s in history.

Whether or not Brock Lesnar departs WWE as a result of losing his Universal Championship is also something that remains a mystery. The event has 12 matches slated to take place over the course of four hours (plus the two-hour pre-show) on the WWE Network. Who will walk away from a champion, and who will simply walk away?

WWE Universal Championship
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman
(if Lesnar loses he will leave the WWE)

This match has the makings of something quite special. When we think about everyone who is involved, each man can easily claim to be deserving of the opportunity to battle for and carry, the WWE Universal championship. By having it as a multi-man match, Lesnar doesn’t need to be pinned to lose the match, which certainly resembles how he lost the WWE title at Wrestlemania 32, as he was not pinned there. Given that, leading into the event there is no confirmation that he has re-signed with the company past when his contract expires the day after Wrestlemania, it certainly presents an interesting scenario that could play out. The safest bet would be for Reigns to cost an opportunity at a win once again. We are calling an upset here, and predicting that the monster among men walks away from the champion. Predicted Winner: and NEW WWE Universal champion Braun Strowman

WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Akira Tozawa vs. Neville
One of the most dominant champions in recent memory has been Neville. As the King of the Cruiserweights, he has faced the best the division has to offer since capturing the title last year against Rich Swann. However, with his recent rivalry with Tozawa reaching a fever pitch, it was time for retribution for Tozawa, who captured the championship in a shocker this past week on Raw. While it isn’t likely to happen, Tozawa could once again walk away from the winner at Summerslam. However, given how Neville has been booked throughout his reign, it is hard to see him walking away as anything other than a champion. While Tozawa winning the championship was great, we see the title returning to the King of the Cruiserweights. Predicted Winner: Neville, the NEW Cruiserweight champion
WWE Smackdown Live Women’s Championship
Natalya vs. Naomi

What is interesting about this match is that it was set nearly a month before the event, with Natalya being named the one who will face Naomi for the Smackdown Live Women’s championship. Unlike the other Smackdown Live matches listed on the card, which was booked more recently, this one has been slated since Battleground. Natalya has been one of the most consistent and relevant characters in the women’s division. Whether as a heel or face, she has proven that she is the go-to person, not only to have a great match but a great feud as well. We believe this is the night when Naomi’s reign comes to an end. Predicted Winner: Natalya

WWE Raw Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks

It was initially supposed to be a match between Bliss and Bayley for the Raw Women’s championship. However, Bayley injured her shoulder in a match against Nia Jax, and as a result, there were qualifying matches between the remaining women on the roster, followed by a one-on-one battle to qualify to face Bliss for the championship. When the dust settled, Banks turned out to be the number one contender and will face Bliss for the championship. Banks has been in and out of the title picture, but a win here would begin her fourth reign, and may just what sets her apart from the rest of the roster. Predicted Winner: Sasha Banks

WWE Championship
Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

On the Aug 1st edition of Smackdown Live, Nakamura defeated John Cena to become the number one contender for the WWE championship, which meant he would be facing Jinder Mahal for the WWE championship at Summerslam. Nakamura’s value has been underutilized, and really he deserves to have been given a greater platform to rise. We believe the opportunity to become WWE champion at Summerslam is one to be taken advantage of. He has had successful matches against the likes of Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens, and of course Cena. His time to capture the championship is now. The stars may all be aligned for the King of Strong Style to walk away as champion. Predicted Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura and NEW WWE champion

Rusev vs. Randy Orton

A feud between these two seemed almost inevitable. Both men didn’t have a program but deserved to have one, and this match at Summerslam appears to be a good opportunity for both men. Having these two booked against one another could really help Rusev, as would putting him over the experienced. Conversely, having Rusev lose would definitely not help him, especially since he lost to John Cena in his previous pay per view match up. This is a booking challenge since both men are coming off being on the losing end of their previous feuds. If we had to pick anyone that would be suited to be successful in this feud, thus leading to other opportunities, it would be Rusev. He needs a win to help him move forward. Predicted Winner: Rusev
WWE United States Championship
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens
(with Shane McMahon as special referee)

It has been quite some time since the United States title has been passed back and forth between a couple competitors. Both Styles and Owens can claim to be a multi-time United States champions, but none of their matches have effectively shown how exceptional they are. One of the biggest impediments to presenting great matches during this feud has been the lack of time in to tell a compelling story in the ring. With the addition of special referee Shane McMahon to the mix, the waters are once again muddled. We could ultimately see this lead to a McMahon/Owens match up after Owens concludes he was screwed out of the championship because of Shane. In fact, we will go with that as the rationale for Styles retaining. Predicted Winner: AJ Styles

John Cena vs. Baron Corbin

One is the former sixteen-time World champion, while the other is the current Money in the Bank briefcase owner. This is a battle of past and present against the future. Corbin felt Cena stuck his nose where it doesn’t belong, but expressed his feeling that he has no reason to even fight Cena because he has nothing to gain from it. However, General Manager Daniel Bryan announced that Cena was more than worthy of Corbin’s time, and thus the two will battle at Summerslam. Cena has nothing to prove, but we still may see a moment where a loss by Corbin doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be victorious at the end of the evening. Predicted Winner: John Cena

WWE Smackdown Live Tag Team Championship
The New Day vs. The Usos

When the two most notable teams on the roster are poised to face each other for the Smackdown Live tag team championships, then it becomes something quite special for everyone to see. The delay in the debut of The New Day on the roster was due to an injury to Kingston. However, since they arrived on screen, The New Day was on a collision course with The Usos for the tag team championship. What is notable about this feud is the best team isn’t the champion. There would be merit in the heels walking away from the champions and having the incredibly over and successful former Raw tag team champions have to once again challenge for the championships. However, our Predicted Winner: The New Day

Finn Balor vs Bray Wyatt

The Eater of Worlds and The Demon finally come together. Balor is coming off a successful feud with Elias, while Wyatt feuded with Seth Rollins and also walked away victorious. Both men have a certain charm and charisma, despite being two very different talents. The seeds to these two feuding were initially teased at the Superstar Shakeup months ago. However, the ball didn’t start rolling until now. This will mark the return of The Demon, which means we will finally see the Eater of Worlds display amazement others normally direct towards him. Predicted Winner: Finn Balor
Big Cass vs The Big Show
(with Enzo Amore suspended above the ring in a shark tank)

It is the battle of the bigs, in what has been a rather strange storyline, to say the least. With the Big Show at a different place in his career today, the odds of Big Cass coming out victorious seem high. One is the rising star, while the other is on the downside of a long, storied career. The intangible in this match is Enzo. A rumor that has floated around is that the company hasn’t been happy with how this feud has developed and has since reconsidered this split, meaning Enzo would turn heel and aid Big Cass. It wouldn’t be something many would anticipate coming, but would certainly add something to the match. Predicted Winner: Big Cass

WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
Cesaro and Sheamus vs. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins

After being rumored for weeks, it was finally announced this week. When Ambrose and Rollins came to blows and were jumped by the current Raw tag team champions, it at first seemed that nothing more would come of it. However, after Rollins was being beaten down by the champions, Ambrose o the aid of his former ally. After both Ambrose and Rollins cleared the ring, they united in the hand gesture that was their calling card as members of The Shield. A recurring rumor is that their reuniting will be short-lived, with Ambrose turning on Rollins. Regardless, we see the champions retaining. Predicted Winners: Cesaro and Sheamus