Hey fans! It’s @TheMagnumDA and it’s SUMMERSLAM SUNDAY! You know what that means: It’s time for my crew to make their SummerSlam 2017 picks. In addition to my boys Tricky Don and The Bull Brother, we’ve got W-O’s Editor-in-Chief Colin Vassallo contributing! Let’s not waste another second…IT’S PICKS TIME. Send your picks to @WrestlingOnline and @TheMagnumDA on Twitter!
(c) – indicates defending champion
* – indicates Kickoff show match
* Smackdown Tag Team title match
The New Day (c) vs. The Usos
Magnum: I am really digging the new and improved Usos. They were always good in the ring, but now they have personalities. Plus, they’re talented rappers! Unfortunately, I think the New Day is in this for the long haul. They may not eclipse Demolition ever again, but they’ll survive tonight. Give me The New Day to retain.
Colin: The New Day. I love The Usos as heels. Way better than their face gimmick. But The New Day will get this one.
Tricky Don: I love when PPVs give us matches we have not seen. That’s why a match and feud we have seen too much of is on the preshow. Granted these two teams have great chemistry, but are there no other contenders in Smackdown? There will be some funny spots from the New Day and the Usos will cheat. The Usos will go twin magic (somebody should be using it since the Bellas aren’t) but the numbers game will be too much and the New Day will keep their Smackdown gold.
The Bull Brother: The cream of the Smackdown crop tag division…sadly are relegated to the kickoff show. As a diehard fan of tag team wrestling, I would have liked to have seen them on the main show. I look for The New Day to retain, getting the win on the 2nd biggest show, after merely hosting WrestleMania. A tip of the cap, if you will.
Raw Women’s title match:
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Sasha Banks
Magnum: I don’t believe Bayley was going to win the title at SummerSlam. That said…I think Sasha Banks was next in line to take the title from Little Miss Bliss. So I’m going with the hotshot and the upset. Sasha Banks wins the Women’s Championship.
Colin: Sasha Banks. I believe that if Bayley was there, she was going to be the one winning the title. Giving the title to Sasha can build towards a proper Sasha/Bayley program with Banks turning heel on her friend.
Tricky Don: How did Nia Jax not get that monster heel push and become champ and ready for Asuka. Oh sure you push on relative of the Rock no matter how much the fans boo because he should be heel but the Rock relative that embraces heel, eh. Back to the competitors this should be a great match. These two performers will go back and forth and pull off some spots. Sasha Banks will have another show stealing match in Brooklyn, but this time walk out the new champion. And you can take that to the bank.
The Bull Brother: This is going to be a good one. Bliss is so good at being bad, Banks is so good at being the Boss. The feud is something I hope to see continue with Bayley on the shelf. Bliss is the total package in the division, and a high profile win on the 2nd biggest show of the year solidifies her and her continuing reign. Alexa retains, but not without a Boss effort from the Legit one.
Smackdown Women’s title match:
Naomi (c) vs. Natalya
Magnum: I do predict that the Money in the Bank briefcase will be cashed in DURING the match. Unfortunately, I don’t see Naomi or Natayla leaving as champion. Give me Carmella to leave Brooklyn with the gold.
Colin: Naomi. Natalya deserves the title as she has been there for quite a while and done everything, but I don’t see them giving her the belt. I think Carmella will eventually cash in her briefcase and walk away with the title.
Tricky Don: It’s neon versus the pink and black attack. Did you know that Natalya has only been Diva champion once. Diva…not WWE Women’s Champion, not Raw Women’s Champion, not Smackdown Women’s champion, or NXT’s Women’s champion. And this was back in 2010-11. Okay back to this SummerSlam, this will be a well fought match and Naomi will be a hart beat away from winning but Natalya will escape and lock in the sharpshooter to bring home the gold.
The Bull Brother: Naomi has been a pleasant surprise as Women’s Champ. Though not particularly a fan, I can respect the fact that her desire and in ring work has become something for others to aspire to. Natalya finds herself in another title match, and with recent history not being on her side, I don’t see her coming away victorious. Naomi is on a meteoric rise and will continue to stay on top.
United States title match (Shane McMahon as guest referee:)
AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Magnum: I’ve mentioned this on Twitter…there’s something going on with Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens. The seeds are being sown for a WrestleMania match. I know this sounds like a bad idea, but you can tell the tension is there. AJ’s already had his program with Shane, so I don’t foresee an encore of that situation. Give me AJ Styles to retain.
Colin: AJ Styles. I hate too many quick title changes so I’m hoping AJ keeps. Not that he needs the title, but it’s more important with it around his waist.
Tricky Don: While Smackdown seems to be lacking in tag teams, they are doing great in people who can be US or WWE champion. Both of these guys put on great matches. KOmmerSlams will heat up the Barclays Center and be the face of the United States again.
The Bull Brother: In all honesty, the best match on the card and my most anticipated. As if it wasn’t enough to have 2 guys that deliver on a regular basis, but add in Shane as the guest ref, and you have a potential match of the year candidate. My only hope is that this match gets an ample amount of time on the show. The only way we lose as fans is if it doesn’t. The Face That Runs The Place…The Champ Of The Camp will retain and we will be entertained!
Raw Tag Team title match
Sheamus & Cesaro (c) vs. Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins
Magnum: They’ve been building this for the last month. You don’t build this for the last month…only to have the former Shield members to lose. They’re going to be packing the gold, when it’s all said and done. Give me Rollins and Ambrose to win the titles.
Colin: Sheamus and Cesaro. I have this weird feeling that Dean Ambrose will turn on Rollins during the match.
Tricky Don: Okay another match added to card in the go home show from Raw. What do you do when you have stars that you don’t know what to do with. Tag Match!!These are four of the top performers and all could be single competitors. Now back to the match at hand, what does WWE do when things don’t be seeming to go well… go back to the past. The Shield V2.0 will get fans to cheer and buy more merch. After a great match you will see the Shield get the win and the belts. I think we will see the V2.0 grow more as you read later.
The Bull Brother: Whoa, baby! Love the pre-fight hype this match is delivering. The fans have been clamoring for a Shield reunion, and get it in a sense. However, Sheamus and Cesaro have personified what two great singles wrestlers can do when they join forces. Will old wounds be re-opened with Ambrose and Rollins? I dont think so. The 2/3 Shield will pick up where they left off long ago, and give the fans what they have wanted for so long. This one is going to be fun, don’t miss Ambrose and Rollins winning. That beverage will still be in the fridge after the match!
*Cruiserweight title match:
Akira Tozawa (c) vs. Neville
Magnum: As strange as this sounds…I could actually see Neville winning the title back at this event. He was in for a long title reign anyways…so it only makes sense that they get back on track with Adrian. Neville wins the Cruiserweight Championship back.
Colin: Akira Tozawa. Would make zero sense for Neville to win just a few days after he lost it.
Tricky Don: Wait, didn’t we just see this on Raw this week? Has there ever been a guy win the belt on Raw, and lose it less than 7 days later at a pay per view? Usually it is Vice Versa. The matches are great but they need more personalities (Enzo, Gable, Gargano, Ciampa). Tozawa will retain.
The Bull Brother: Tozawa finally tastes the Title, after Neville took the ball and ran with it for so long. Now Tozawa has to steal a page from Neville’s title run, and make the 205Live his own. And there’s no better way in doing that, then an immediate title defense against the best, and he will. Tozawa successfully defends the purple strap, and keeps 205 Live must see action.
Baron Corbin vs. John Cena
Magnum: Even though Corbin was in the doghouse for a period of time, I’m told that Nikki Bella will be ringside for this match. This only means one thing…Corbin is going to destroy Cena and make Nikki watch every second of it. Corbin wins and escapes the doghouse.
Colin: Baron Corbin. After Cena caused Corbin to lose the cash in, I’m expecting Corbin to annihilate Cena, putting him out of action for a while to explain his absence while filming Bumblebee. Plus, Corbin cannot lose the cash in AND to Cena in the same week. Right?
Tricky Don: Cena is back and he must be on the show before going back to Hollywood (looks like the Rock cleared the path for him at WrestleMania 28/29, although Cena was furious back then). Cena does put over a lot of newer talent but this seems like a match were Corbin will lose and continue a losing streak since cashing in the money in the bank. The lone wolf would need the nWo Wolfpac to beat Super Cena. I see one more match between these two where Corbin has to be stronger and meaner to beat Cena and propelling him to the main event.
The Bull Brother: Well, well, well…reaction for Corbin is one of the things to tune in for! This past weeks Twitter shortcomings cost the Lone Wolf his MITB shot, and merely transformed the WWE World Title picture. Cena, on the other hand, will be exiting for movie reasons, and after losing to Nakamura for the title shot, will be in need of a win. Despite what Corbin did on social media, he will defeat Cena, and continue down the path that he is destined for…it just may be a little longer wait then he had thought.
Bray Wyatt vs. Finn Balor
Magnum: Wyatt beat Balor so easily on Raw…if Finn comes out as the Demon King and comes up short, his mystique will be gone. The Demon reigns supreme over Bray Wyatt tonight. He needs the momentum.
Colin: Finn Balor. Just because it will be Demon Balor.
Tricky Don: It’s the Demon Kane…I mean Demon King or whatever it’s Bálor fighting the eater of worlds. Wyatt has great matches and should have more wins. But also he does seem to be the jobber to the stars. Bálor will go full demon and beat Wyatt on his way back to the main event once Lesnar is no longer champion.
The Bull Brother: The master of mind games, and an up and comer in the mental warfare field. Balor will undoubtedly have the entrance of the night, and will also make the biggest mess with paint all over the ring. Wyatt has been a long time favorite of mine, and I look forward to seeing how the big guy will immobilize the smaller, quicker threat. Hoping this kicks the show off. I look for Balor as the Demon King to impose his will and get the victory.
Randy Orton vs. Rusev
Magnum: I don’t feel like Orton can lose his 4th straight PPV, can he? Rusev certainly needs the win to get back in the title picture, but I think tonight will be a “thank you” from Vince for putting Jinder Mahal over. Orton takes it with an RKO outta nowhere.
Colin: Randy Orton. I’m very indifferent about this match. With no Lana, Rusev really lost that edge in my opinion. And Vince loves Orton, so…
Tricky Don: Two great performers but not really buying the story line and WWE won’t say that this is push Rusev back up to the levels of WM31. I am sure Lana will cheat somehow to help Rusev, but I am not sure how yet. Maybe she will rip here skirt off and to distract the ref and Orton to pay homage to SummerSlam 1988.
The Bull Brother: When this match was first shown the light of day, I was a little perplexed. In hopes of Rusev being repackaged, and not, this feud left me scratching my head. Both guys need the W, but Orton seems to be the one needing it a little more right now…and it is owed to him for crying out loud. Please see dropping the belt to Jinder Mahal!!! Look for the RKO to take down the Brute and trudge forward into a competitive SD singles field.
Big Cass vs. Big Show
Magnum: I feel bad for Cass here. I really don’t care about Show or Enzo at this point, yet they’ve kept the booking 50/50 going into the PPV. I think Cass becomes a contender after a victory here. Give me Big Cass with the big boot.
Colin: Big Cass. If rumors are true of Enzo in hot water, this is the only result that makes sense. Big match for Cass.
Tricky Don: Does this feel like WCW when Booker T had to fight Big T for the letter T. After this match only one should get to use the word Big. The Big Show has been wrestling for 22 years and looks in the best shape. But like the good old grizzly vet, he will make Big Cass look like a star. Big Cass will get the pin and Show will move onto the next rising star. Personally, I want to see Enzo go heel and cause Show the match and teaming up on Smackdown with Big Cass and Carmella. But Enzo will probably end up on 205 live or NXT.
The Bull Brother: Too bad this match wasn’t featured on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week…it could have saved that Michael Phelps debacle. With that being said the antics of Enzo may carry this match, in what will probably be a win for Big Cass over Show. Look for Cass to continue to pick up steam, in what seems like a flooded field of Heel Big Men.
WWE title match:
Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Magnum: I still can’t believe what happened last Tuesday, when Mahal pinned Baron Corbin to retain the title. As crazy as it sounds, I don’t think Jinder’s championship reign is over. Nakamura is a huge Vegas favorite, but they don’t say how…give me Nakamura by count-out. Mahal retains.
Colin: Shinsuke Nakamura by DQ. WWE is building Mahal and the India followers so I don’t see them taking the title away now. Nakamura will probably win thanks to interference causing the DQ. Nakamura needs to polish his English a little bit so he can cut some decent promos as champion.
Tricky Don: After three PPVs, Mahal gets to face someone other than Orton. This will be a fun entertaining match. The fans will see Nakamura fight the odds and the numbers against Mahal, The Singh Brothers, The Great Khali, Shawn Daivari, Ariya Daivari, Ranjin Singh, Drew McIntyre, and Heath Slater. It will look like the India World Order has Nakamura beat but out of nowhere…Kinshasas and a three-count. (Note from MagnumDA: I don’t see 3MB reuniting tonight. :-D)
The Bull Brother: Wrestling is a business, right? The current champ becoming the guy, was a business decision, correct? Sorry for the Business 101 Course Study, but I don’t think Mahal has any business, being looked at as the face of the business. Whew…enough of that big talk. Will this be Nakamura’s moment? I sure hope so, and say it is. This guy has wrestled all over the world, and now can become the guy in the number 1 promotion in his business (sorry, there’s that word again). Pinning Cena clean, Corbin going off on Twitter, Mahal’s title reign lackluster…all of these things for a perfect storm, and, fingers crossed, I’ll be looking forward to hearing those words…”AND NEW!!!!”…at the end of this match.
Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Universal title:
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Magnum: I am not sure why they wanted to put Brock’s WWE career on the line in this match, but here we are. It would be shocking if Lesnar lost and sat out the rest of his contract, but it’s entirely possible. Then again…possible is not probable. Lesnar retains.
Colin: Brock Lesnar. This is a great match to have Lesnar lose the title without him doing the job and keep him strong. But I’d like to think that when/if Lesnar decides to leave, he’ll do the honors and drop the title clean. For now, since Lesnar is sticking around, he gets the W.
Tricky Don: It’s the monsters or Raw Fatal 4-way. Brock will dominate all early on. Reigns, Joe, and Strowman will get a few shots in but then all will relocate to suplex city. All three will smarten up and work together to stop the beast. Heyman will interfere but Angle will step in and through off Lesnar pulling him out of the ring and away from the match. Brock and Angle will fight outside and Brock will F-5 angle. Reigns will Hulk up and hit Strowman with a few superman punches and a spear. As Reigns is about to win Samoa Joe sneaks back in but Reigns knocks him out with a superman punch. As Reigns tries to figure out who to pin Brock makes it to the ring and F-5 and a three-count leaving all of the top stars in the ring as Brock and Heyman walk out a passed-out Angle being helped by Jason Jordan. As the shows looks to close we will see Reigns still out laying in the ring. Then what do we hear “Sierra – Hotel – India – Echo – Lima – Delta”. We see Rollins and Ambrose walk to the ring. The fans pop. Fade to black and tune into Raw.
The Bull Brother: A lot of ifs in this one. First, the Lesnar/Jones fight will happen. However not for a while, so rest easy residents of Suplex City. IF Brock loses, who is it to? IF I was in charge, he wouldn’t…yet. But IF i had to choose someone other than Lesnar, it’s gotta be Joe. Joe is the one who stormed onto the scene and made a huge impact immediately. Joe needs this title, more so than Reigns or Strowman. IF Lesnar is losing it is to Joe, but that’s a big IF. Lesnar retains, and ironically for fans of fight, the WWE Universal Title serves as a beacon of sorts towards the inevitable fight with Bones Jones in the Octagon.
That’s it from all of us at the pick’em contest! Enjoy the show tonight! #SummerSlam @WWE @TheMagnumDA @WrestlingOnline
