Of course, like most WWE events, there are a few matches to look forward to. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston has continued his reign with the renewal of a personal rivalry with Randy Orton. Though the recent on-screen interaction between the rivals has been lacking, WWE has incorporated some real-life issues between the two to strengthen the program. As a result, Kofi’s defense on Sunday might be the most intense match on the card because the champion has the chance to earn some legitimate redemption.
Once could argue that, based on the rivalry itself, the match between Bray Wyatt and Finn Bálor isn’t inherently compelling. But many fans want to see Wyatt’s in-ring return, which will mark the payoff of the former Eater of Worlds’ return. Months of Firefly Funhouse have cemented Wyatt’s status as one of the most distinct characters on the WWE roster and his match on Sunday could be the next step on his path back to the top.
RAW has effectively progressed two of its main rivalries in the weeks leading up to SummerSlam. The feud between AJ Styles (and the O.C.) and Ricochet has been brewing for months now and their match on Sunday could mark its end or the beginning of a new chapter. Though some fans weren’t initially thrilled with the prospect of Lynch defending her RAW Women’s Championship against Natalya, the red brand has quickly made the match deeply personal. Lynch and her challenger have brought the heat in their promos and Natalya’s attack on Becky Lynch on the go-home show made the Man look somewhat vulnerable. Natalya’s role as the hometown hero makes this match even more promising.
There’s a fairly good chance that the whodunit mystery of Roman Reigns’ attacker will continue on Sunday. The Big Dog has already been the victim of a forklift-related incident and a hit-and-run. Going into the show, a number of the leading suspects have been ruled out. After SmackDown’s revelation that Rowan was the culprit of the forklift incident, many fans are champing at the bit to see the next development in this plot.
Practically every fan will be rooting for Kevin Owens when he faces Shane McMahon. At the expense of other wrestlers, the Best in the World has dominated WWE television for the majority of 2019. Owens is the embodiment of the WWE Universe, who would like nothing better than to see their hero shut McMahon up once and for all. With Owens putting his WWE career on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. On a show as illustrious as SummerSlam, that’s just the way it should be.
Whether you look at the top of the card or the opening matches, WWE SummerSlam 2019 is a mixed bag. Some of the featured rivalries, like the one between Kingston and Orton, have fans buzzing. Others, like the renewed feud between Lesnar and Rollins, make fans fight back the urge to groan. For fans looking for their fix of nostalgia, the matches with Goldberg and Stratus might be what you’re looking for. But several of the matches feel thrown-together and insignificant. Finally, thanks to the likelihood of Lesnar continuing his reign as Universal Champion, this year’s SummerSlam seems destined to disappoint.
Check out the WZ Daily Summerslam Predictions show:
