WWE SummerSlam 2015 Matches, Predictions, Schedule, How to Watch: Odds Favorite Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar
The first-ever four-hour "WWE SummerSlam" will be live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with celebrities and 10 confirmed matches.
Dolph Ziggler (with Lana) vs. Rusev (with Summer Rae):
It is a feud that has been building for a couple months, yet fans will only see a one-on-one match, instead of a mixed tag team match. Dolph Ziggler returned to WWE television after several weeks off due to "injury" after Rusev attacked his throat. In the meantime, Lana has been central in the storyline and antagonized by her former boyfriend Rusev and Summer Rae. With Ziggler back, Lana has a male companion to balance the fued.
Prediction:
Rusev wins. The fans want a mixed tag match. A victory by the heel team will continue the feud, and ultimately, Ziggler and Lana will secure a win at the next pay-per-view show.
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus:
THis is a rematch from "Battleground." Sheamus and Randy Orton have continued to go back and forth in attacking each other. There really is not much of an update in this feud, and there is no way the WWE would exclude Orton or Money in the Bank winner Sheamus from the company's largest summer event.
Prediction:
Orton wins. Sheamus still hold the briefcase, and he can take the loss.
Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro:
Fans of true professional wrestling are going to have a field day with this match. Kevin Owens and Cesaro are two men with more than a decade of wrestling experience in the independent circuit, and they always know how to deliver a stellar match. Owens and Cesaro started their feud after trying to capture John Cena's United States Championship title during an episode of "Monday Night Raw." Both failed to win the title, but the two remained at odds.
Prediction:
The true winner will be wrestling fans. Between Cesaro and Owens, however, the winner will likely be Owens. The former NXT champion has been on a slump, following two important losses: one against Cena and one to Finn Balor to lose the NXT Championship at "The Beast in the East" special on July 4. The night before "SummerSlam," however, Owens will compete against Balor in a rematch for the title, so it will be interesting to see if he reenters Barclays with the NXT gold, since the NXT event will also take place at Barclays.
Stephen Amell and Neville vs. Stardust and King Barrett:
The star of The CW's "Arrow" makes his wrestling debut in a tag team match that has been decorated with superhero elements. Since his debut a few months ago, Neville has entered the ring with a cape, while Stardust has continued his oddly evil gimmick. The only questionable aspect in this match is the inclusion of King Barrett, but at least he has a match at "SummerSlam." Stephen Amell has apparently received some wrestling training, but expect Neville to do most of the work on Sunday night, as he has on each show leading up to the event. Amell has been useful on social media, exchanging tweets with Stardust, which led to speculation the match could see the return of Cody Rhodes.
Prediction:
There is no way the WWE will have Amell appear and lose the match. Neville and Amell will win. The next question will be if the Stardust character continues after Sunday night, or if Rhodes resumes his regular persona again.
Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper vs. Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose:
Shades of The Shield and The Wyatt Family feud has resurfaced. Roman Reigns has largely been battling Bray Wyatt, as the latter has been stalking him for the past couple months. Harper has rejoined Wyatt and also antagonized Reigns. Dean Ambrose included himself to help Reigns, plus Ambrose had a feud with Wyatt last winter. The four have battled against each other previously and "SummerSlam" will see which team prevails.
Prediction:
This is a tough prediction since it's unknown what route the WWE will give the four men after Sunday night. Since Ambrose has a growing tradition of losing pay-per-view matches, he and Reigns may lose. Fans are speculating that Ambrose will betray Reigns, but it's unlikely at this juncture.
Triple Threat Elimination Match: Team Bella (The Bella Twins and Alicia Fox) vs. Team B.A.D. (Naomi, Sasha Banks and Tamina) vs. PCB (Paige, Charlotte and Becky Lynch):
The "Divas Revolution" continues at "SummerSlam" with all nine divas that have been central to the rejuvenation of the women's division. Each diva has secured wins and losses for their teams, and the momentum is flying all over the place. Most fans may say Team PCB has the best odds, due to the attention on Charlotte, daughter of 16-time world champion Ric Flair. The rule of Sunday's match is it only takes one diva to get pinned to secure the elimination of her team; it is not Survivor Series-style elimination.
Prediction:
The Bella Twins and Alicia Fox are predicted to win. After all, Nikki Bella is the WWE Divas Champion, and the title needs to look strong if all the remaining divas want a title opportunity.
WWE Tag Team Championship: Fatal Four-Way Match: The Prime Time Players (c) vs. Los Matadores vs. The Lucha Dragons vs. The New Day:
It is another four-way match for the WWE Tag Team Championship. The Prime Time Players have had a decent run as champions. It could have been better with more promo time and a proper storyline, but that is not their fault. It is the fault of WWE creative. The New Day, however, have continued to attract heat from fans. Love them or hate them, The New Day have people talking and are the true threats to reclaiming the tag titles.
Prediction:
The New Day's popularity, even as a group to jeer, could warrant them a second tag team title reign, and they should win on Sunday night.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Triple-Threat Match: Ryback (c) vs. Big Show vs. The Miz:
It's the match that was meant for last month's "Battleground," but was canceled due to Ryback's legitimate staph infection. Ryback returned from the sidelines two weeks ago, and he has not missed a beat in confronting Big Show and The Miz, as the latter two have continued the feud in Ryback's absence.
Prediction:
With Ryback returning from injury, the WWE will make sure to book him strong and have him retain the Intercontinental Championship.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship & WWE United States Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. John Cena (c):
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Seth Rollins battles United States Championship John Cena. It will be their first match together since Rollins broke Cena's nose, and therefore, Cena's first match since its repair. Both WWE Superstars agreed to make Sunday's match title vs. title, and one man could leave Barclays with both titles.
Prediction:
If this does not end in disqualification in Cena's favor, then the call is for Rollins to win the match. Cena does not need another World Heavyweight Championship reign just yet. Rollins still needs to establish himself as a main eventer, a process which took a step back last month since there was no clear winner in Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar at "Battleground."
Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) vs. The Undertaker:
It is the rematch from "WrestleMania 30," when Brock Lesnar ended The Undertaker's undefeated streak. More than a year later, Undertaker returned and cost Lesnar the opportunity to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at "Battleground" last month. Since July, the two have had minimal confrontations, but it's all aimed to build the storyline for Sunday night.
Prediction:
The Undertaker has nothing to lose at "SummerSlam." He does not have a streak at the biggest show of the summer. Lesnar, however, will make more televised appearances on WWE programming than Undertaker. Therefore, the Beast will defeat the Phenom. According to Oddschecker, Undertaker is narrowly the favorite to win.
What Else to Watch:
Jon Stewart was named as host of this year's "SummerSlam," expect him in a few comedic segments.
How to Watch:
Television: Contact your cable or satellite provider for information on how to order the "WWE SummerSlam" pay-per-view with the broadcast set to begin at 7 p.m. EDT.
Online: Live coverage streaming of "WWE SummerSlam" begins at 6 p.m. EDT, and it can be seen on the WWE Network. The "Kickoff" show can also be seen on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, WWE.com, the WWE App and YouTube.
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