SummerSlam preview
Predictions for tonight’s WWE pay-per-view:
World heavyweight champion Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk in a TLC match: With this most likely being Hardy’s last pay-per-view match before taking his much-talked-about hiatus, I expect him to go out in a blaze of glory. This match really is more about the guy who is staying, though. Punk may be a two-time world champion and two-time Money in the Bank ladder match winner, but I think there is a segment of the “WWE Universe” that still doesn’t view Punk as a true superstar. Winning the title from Hardy in a show-stealing TLC match – which is what I am expecting – should go a long way in changing that perception.
WWE champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena: I thought Cena was going to capture the title in the triple threat match with Orton and Triple H last month at the Night of Champions pay-per-view, and I still think the belt will be around Cena’s waist in the near future, but I’m guessing that it doesn’t happen tonight. Orton will find a way to walk out of this match still the champion. No matter who wins, something tells me that these two will be in the ring with each other again next month at the Breaking Point pay-per-view.
DX vs. Legacy: It would be an upset of epic proportions if Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes defeated Shawn Michaels and Triple H. It’s not happening. The best one can hope for is that the match is booked to be competitive and not a glorified squash. DiBiase and Rhodes gained a measure of credibility with their beat-down of DX on Raw Monday, and it would be a shame if that credibility was taken away from them six days later.
Unified WWE tag team champions Chris Jericho and The Big Show vs. Cryme Tyme: WWE is trying to make the tag team title mean something again by putting the belts on two star singles wrestlers in Jericho and Big Show. Therefore, it would make no sense to take the title from them this early in their reign. Cryme Tyme will put up a good fight, but the champs will prevail.
Intercontinental champion Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler: I thought Ziggler was going to beat Mysterio for the title last month at Night of Champions, but he ended up losing clean. If WWE is serious about elevating Ziggler, he needs to win this time, and I think he will.
ECW champion Christian vs. William Regal: This is an interesting match-up between two solid veterans. I don’t see Christian losing the title just four weeks after winning it, but then again, I never thought Tommy Dreamer would win the title. I suppose there is a possibility that interference by Regal’s new pals Vladimir Kozlov and Ezekiel Jackson could cost Christian the match, but I’m still going with “Captain Charisma.”
Kane vs. The Great Khali: I can’t say I have a lot of interest in this match. Kane is capable of having good matches if he’s in with the right opponent, but Khali is not that guy. I’m picking Khali in a (hopefully) short match.
MVP vs. Jack Swagger: I hope these two get at least 10 minutes because I think this will be a good match if they don’t have to rush. This one could go either way, but I think MVP wins it to even the score (Swagger beat MVP clean on Raw last month).
Comments
I have to agree (somewhat relucantly) with your picks, but Cena has a good chance to be the feel-good finale winner; or maybe Punk wins at the end and we get a 'taker tease. Otherwise it's tough for me to think both heels will win the world title matches.
I also like, despite my alignments, that you put the IC title above the ECW title because that's where it really sits in the current hierarchy.
Posted by: Andy | August 23, 2009 4:05 AM
What an unimpressive bill. If I thought there was any kind of chance that DX would job to Legacy, then I *might* buy it. But not tonight.
It's kind of sad, and annoying. There are only three PPVs that I genuinely get excited about—WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and the Royal Rumble. I want to order all three, every year. So when I skip one, it's almost because WWE went out of their way to make sure it would suck.
Posted by: Stephen | August 23, 2009 10:22 AM
Don't know why but I really think there's a massive swerve coming with the whole Matt Hardy face turn.
CM Punk to win the title with Matt's help and then Matt providing the finishing touches to the beat down that leads to Jeff's temporary break from WWE.
In terms of the tag titles, how likely is it that we'll see a DX v JeriShow programme somewhere down the line? Getting Jericho and Michaels together in the ring again would certainly make me shell out the cash for a PPV.
Posted by: Reshad | August 23, 2009 11:27 AM
2:19 am? Seriously man, do you sleep?
Anyway...
Personally, I wouldn't get upset if Legacy won against DX. That means the feud will continue, right? Legacy gains more credibility, DX tries to get revenge and then they'll have some material to work with (funny business as usual) and the WWE Universe is entertained (hopefully). There, everybody's happy.
...Even though Legacy annoys me, I just don't want to see Spirit Squad part 2...
Posted by: nandi | August 23, 2009 11:51 AM
Great comments as usual Kevin - As a huge DX fan, my thought since Legacy had the upper hand Monday, is that there's no way Shawn is going to lose on his first match back, so I say DX definitely wins that match tonight. While I can tolterate Dibiase, I really wish WWE would release Rhodes (can't stand even looking at him).
Regarding TLC match, I keep hoping against hope especially now that Matt and Jeff have reconciled, that Jeff retains the belt tonight and stays. However, I'm thinking if Punk wins, Jeff leaves, and it opens a program with Punk against either Matt or John Morrison (who has really grown on me since he's away from that annoying Miz) --- I'd like to see the gold around John's waist. Didn't realize how athletic he was and what a good wrestler until recently.
We all know Orton will keep the belt with outside interference from the "goon squad" --- He can't win unassisted....
And I agree with your calls for everything else.
Oh well, a bunch of us are getting together this evening to watch this --- Hope we're not disappointed - the last few were less than we expected. Take care and keep up the great blogs.
Posted by: Jeannette | August 23, 2009 1:13 PM
"Winning the title from Hardy in a show-stealing TLC match – which is what I am expecting – should go a long way in changing that perception. "
_________________________________
I just hope that is what happens. If it is true that the next Smackdown taping is Jeff's last day, it's possible that he will win the TLC match and drop the title on Friday. I hope that WWE chooses instead to elevate Punk in the way you described.
Posted by: Christopher | August 23, 2009 1:54 PM
Jeff Hardy/CM Punk match should be the best match of summerslam but I got a feeling that the Jericho/Big Show vs. Cryme Tyme match might steal that honor. Shad Gaspard has real potential.
Posted by: Frank | August 23, 2009 2:08 PM
I would lovet o see the litte girl who got super kicked come out during the match and get some revenge. Or see DX one or the other just at the point of defeating Legacy hit their finisher on the other setting up the HHH/HBK run to Wrestlemania.
Posted by: Patrick | August 23, 2009 5:29 PM
Looking forward to some new DX music tonight...
Posted by: Jerry | August 23, 2009 7:20 PM