The Biggest Party of the Summer is finally upon is with WWE SummerSlam 2024. WWE has given us a lineup with seven matches, with six being for various championships.
Here is a look at the card as it stands:
- Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk
- Logan Paul vs. LA Knight (United States Championship)
- Sami Zayn vs. Bron Breakker (Intercontinental Championship)
- Damian Priest vs. Gunther (World Heavyweight Championship)
- Bayley vs. Nia Jax (WWE Women's Championship)
- Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley (Women's World Championship)
- Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa (Undisputed WWE Championship)
As always, we have our panel of contributors here to offer predictions.
- Chris Mueller (CM) (@BR_Doctor)
- Graham Matthews (GM) (@WrestleRant)
- Donald Wood (DW) (@RingRustRadio)
- Kevin Berge (KG) (@KevinBerge)
- Erik Beaston (EB) (@ErikBeaston)
- Jeff J (JJ) (@JeffJSays)
Erik Beaston
Damian Priest vs. Gunther
Who would you be willing to bet money on to win this match and why? How much would you bet?
I would be willing to bet a moderate amount of money on Gunther winning, mostly because of the friction we have seen within Judgment Day as of late.
Finn Balor has visibly grown increasingly frustrated with Priest, and after losing to the 2024 King of the Ring in the main event of Raw, he may have had all he can take with the idea of The Archer of Infamy being superior to him.
I expect a betrayal that finally propels the Judgment Day story forward. Give me $50 on The Ring General.
Breakker vs. Zayn
If Zayn loses, how would you rate his few months as IC champion?
It is impossible to look at Zayn's IC title run as anything but a success. I know some will question that and claim that he was never really the focus of his own run, but that was the point.
With an established babyface champion at the center, WWE was able to build credible contenders for him in the form of Chad Gable and Bron Breakker.
Both are bigger stars now than they otherwise may have been and are in key roles on Raw. Booking deserves credit, but Zayn's ability to pull them up to his level has been integral in their development. On a scale of 1-10, it's a solid eight, and that may be too low.
Kevin Berge
Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan
How do you see this match playing out? Will Dominik Mysterio get involved?
The finish is likely to be entirely focused on "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio as his allegiance will make the difference. It is likely Dom will turn on Ripley to set up Morgan to win, likely beginning the true downfall of The Judgment Day.
Damian Priest vs. Gunther
Is it too soon to take the title off Priest?
Nearly 120 days as world champion is more than a satisfying number in WWE. While Priest has plenty more stories he could tell as champion, his opponent is so perfectly suited to hold the World Heavyweight Championship. Either result will work in the long run, but it is not too soon for a change.
Donald Wood
Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk
What kind of shenanigans do you think we will get in this match?
CM Punk has utterly dominated the booking of his feud against McIntyre, so the latter must come out victorious at SummerSlam.
Handing Punk a loss this early into his return is less than ideal. Seth Rollins should be the one to cost Punk the victory, setting up a series of matches and letting McIntyre eventually challenge Gunther for the world title.
Logan Paul vs. LA Knight
Do you think it's the right time for Paul to lose the title?
WWE gave Paul the United States Championship to get more eyes on the product. Mission accomplished.
With that said, Knight is on television every week and needs a marquee win to take advantage of his abilities on the mic. The WWE Universe will start to lose interest in Knight if he doesn't walk out of Cleveland as a champion.
Graham Matthews
Bayley vs. Nia Jax
Lay out how you would book this match
Bayley and Jax have a history dating back almost a decade, so it's well-documented that they have quality chemistry together. Bayley should fight from underneath throughout only to ultimately fall short.
Tiffany Stratton can have a presence at ringside, but she shouldn't cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase just yet.
Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk
Who is your personal choice to win this match?
Some will argue that this is a must-win situation for Punk since this is his first televised WWE singles match in over a decade. But McIntyre winning is much more important considering Punk has outsmarted him on at least four occasions since WrestleMania.
McIntyre must go over to keep the feud alive, perhaps with an accidental assist from special ref Rollins.
Chris Mueller
Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa
What odds would you give for Roman Reigns to show up?
A week ago, I would have said he was a lock to show up, but I'm now closer to 50-50. It would make sense for him to return, especially if the plan is a Survivor Series match between the old and new Bloodlines. But I could also see WWE holding off and doing it on TV to get a big rating.
Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan
What will Dominik Mysterio's role in this match be?
It feels too early for WWE to take the belt off Morgan, so Dom is going to do one of two things. He will either cost Ripley the win on accident, or he will do it on purpose, align with Morgan and leave Judgment Day. The group feels like it's on its last legs, so this could be the first nail in the proverbial coffin.
Mr. Jeff J
Breakker vs. Zayn
If you were booking this, lay out how you would plan the match and who would win
I expect Breakker and Zayn to emulate their past matches with Breakker dominating Zayn with his brutality and strength. Zayn will show the underdog fight and get the best of Breakker until he makes the key adjustments to win. I see Breakker unleashing multiple spears to make sure Zayn has no resiliency left.
Cody vs. Solo
There is almost no chance this goes without interference, but who do you expect to see? Why them?
The Tribal Chief makes his return to reclaim the Bloodline and set off the second Samoan Civil War, and he won't be alone. I can see Jimmy Uso looking for revenge against Sikoa for putting him on the shelf. Rhodes will have Randy Orton and Kevin Owens as backup, too. It's going to be a spectacle of madness.
Predictions
B/R Wrestling writers' predictions are represented by their initials:
- Drew McIntyre (CM, GM, EB, KB, JJ, DW) vs. CM Punk
- Logan Paul (GM) vs. LA Knight (CM, EB, KB, JJ, DW) (United States Championship)
- Sami Zayn vs. Bron Breakker (CM, GM, EB, KB, JJ, DW) (Intercontinental Championship)
- Damian Priest (KB, JJ) vs. Gunther (CM, GM, EB, DW) (World Heavyweight Championship)
- Bayley (CM, EB, KB, JJ) vs. Nia Jax (GM, DW) (WWE Women's Championship)
- Liv Morgan (CM, GM, EB, KB, JJ, DW) vs. Rhea Ripley (Women's World Championship)
- Cody Rhodes (CM, GM, EB, KB, JJ, DW) vs. Solo Sikoa (Undisputed WWE Championship)
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