WWE SummerSlam 2012 Match List And Predictions [SPOILERS]

On Aug 19 WWE is hosting its annual summer pay-per-view SummerSlam. WWE is advertising the event to have seven confirmed matches, two rumored matches and a performance by Kevin Rudolf playing his song "Don't Give Up." The night will feature John Cena vs. Big Show vs. CM Punk for the WWE Title, Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar, Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Title as its three main events

Pre-Show SPOILER: United States Title

Antonio Cesaro vs. Santino Marella

A possible spoiler was revealed at the taping of WWE's new Saturday Monring Slam program. During a match between Kofi Kingston and Heath Slater due to air Aug 25, the Saturday after SummerSlam, United States Champion Santino Marella was seen at ringside with his title in hand, reports NoDQ.

This could mean that the US Champ is booked to win his match against Antonio Cesaro at the SummerSlam pre-show. NoDQ did note that "It's always possible that WWE could not show Santino on Saturday Morning Slam or do some other kind of editing" if the title changes hands.

Once the US title match concludes the pay-per-view will begin. Being that there is a WWE pay-per-view has three main events, there are multiple contenders for the last match of the evening, which is reserved for the most important bout.

WWE Title

John Cena vs. Big Show vs. CM Punk

One option is the triple-threat match for the WWE Championship. The match features two of the company's biggest superstars John Cena and CM Punk fighting for the WWE Title, along with the literal biggest wrestler in the company Big Show.

The three men have been the focus of most Monday Night RAWs over the past few weeks. Cena, Show and Punk have all been playing roles in the opening and closing of the shows, and building an intense storyline revolving around the WWE Championship's prestige.

With WWE constantly trying to rebulid their ratings status and John Cena a magnet for young viewers, he may once again become the champion at SummerSlam. It seems most likely that Cena will win, but CM Punk retaining would build Punk up as an unstoppable champion and make a better dynamic as Cena tries to regain his former title.

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

The other potential bookend match is Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar, since the inclusion of former WWE and UFC Champion Brock Lesnar is a massive draw to audiences outside of the WWE Universe. Triple H returning to the ring is also an attraction, since he has become semi-retired, wrestling only a few time s a year.

The two men have been working on the grudge match since April when Lesnar broke Triple H's arm in the storyline. The two men have exchanged words since then, usually through Lesnar's on-screen representative Paul Heyman, but sometimes face to face.

When Lesnar fought his first and last match since his return to the WWE, he lost to John Cena. The odds of WWE putting over LEsnar with a victory are slim for two reasons: Lesnar isn't a permanent wrestler and Triple H is has a high position, he won't be making himself look bad.

World Heavyweight Title

Alberto Del Rio vs. Sheamus

The third main event between Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio won't be closing out the night. The fight between the two men for the World Heavyweight Title is the biggest attraction for SmackDown, but even WWE has dropped the pretense and acknowledged that the World Heavyweight Championship is secondary to the WWE Championship.

Sheamus should retain the title and continue his reign that began in April. Having champions hold on to their belts longer makes it a more dramatic turn when the titles change hands, which makes the matches mean more. Even though Del Rio has shown a more aggresive and entertaining style of fighting lately, Sheamus should stay on top.

Daniel Bryan vs. Kane

Daniel Bryan will be facing Kane in a match that revolves more around Bryan's feud with Charlie Sheen. It is unlike WWE to not have promoted Sheen's appearance more, but NoDQ claims that sources within the company feel that Sheen will be at the event to confront Bryan after the "Anger Management" star called out the former World Champion at RAW 1000.

Following recent trends and nothing else, Kane will win. It's not because Kane is on a streak, but because Daniel Bryan has become something of a main event jobber.

Bryan fights only high profile matches with established wrestlers, but he hasnt' been winning many of them since he lost to Sheamus at WrestleMania in April.With Charlie Sheen against Bryan his odds are even lower, since WWE usually has their celebrity guests win.

Intercontinental Title

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz

SummerSlam will be the second pay-per-view since the return of The Miz, who has since been crowned Intercontinental Champion. Miz lost his Money in the Bank match, but managed to beat Christian for the IC Title at RAW 1000.

After his championship victory, Miz returned to his losing streak. He has lost four matches in the past two weeks, two of which involved his SummerSlam opponent Rey Mysterio, giving Mysterio an advantage.

There's nothing that would be worse for The Miz than a lose at SummerSlam. It would be a waste of tlaent to tarnish the former WWE Champions reputation so quickly when he has so much talent to offer.

Mysterio hasn't done much since his return and even though Miz is on a losing streak, the IC Champion should retain on Sunday. It wouldn't make sense to give him Miz the title just to take it away, but stranger things have happened.

Tag Team Titles

The Prime Time Players vs. Kofi Kingston and R-Truth

Kofi Kingston & R-Truth will be defending their Tag Team Championship against the Prime Time Players Darren Young and Titus O'Neil. The current champs have defended their belts against the Players Before, but Young and O'Neil have been showing improvement in the ring over the past few weeks.

This match would have originally included the Players manager AW, but he was unceremoniously released from WWE after an inappropriate comment he made on RAW a three weeks ago. The Prime Time Players will lose an advantage in having AW at ringside to cause distractions during their match, but have worked without him before.

The Prime TIme Players outdo Kingston and Truth in every way except skills, which they are equal in. The current champions lack personality and are an unalike duo to begin with, Young and O'Neil will be a breath of fresh air to the Tag Team Titles.

Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler

Chris Jericho will be wrestling one of his last matches before he departs from the company again to tour with his heavy metal band Fozzy. The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla will be facing Dolph Ziggler after the two men have spent their time since last month's pay-per-view taunting and attacking one another.

Ziggler will almost definitely be victorisuo over Jericho since Jericho is leaving. Even though Y2J has influence in WWE, he actually enjoys leaving on a bad note, like in 2004 when he left literally kicking and screaming. He's said that that's the way he likes to go out in regard to wrestling.

Possible additions

NoDQ claims that two possible additions to the card are Brodus Clay vs. Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes vs. Sin Cara. The two matches are results of grudges on RAW and SmackDown respectively, but would bring SummerSlam to a ten match event, which is high for a WWE pay-per-view.

Damien Sandow will problaby beat Clay becauswe he has such a strong push right now, and Cara will most likely defeat Rhodes based on his recent matches. These rivalries aren't entirely rounded yet, so they could both go either way.