WWE SummerSlam 2018: Predictions, Match Card For Biggest PPV Since WrestleMania

WWE’s second-biggest show of the year is set for Sunday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York with SummerSlam 2018. Thirteen matches are scheduled for the pay-per-view, and all nine championships will be on the line.

John Cena and The Undertaker are not on the card, but there are plenty of big names that will compete in matches. Below is the official SummerSlam card, as well as predictions for each match.

Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns

We’ve been here before, but Reigns has to beat Lesnar this time, right? Even if the former UFC heavyweight champion isn’t leaving the company for good, his title reign has been less than enthralling and should come to an end. WWE has successfully found a way to make Lesnar the heel in this feud, and the SummerSlam crowd could deliver a positive reaction when Reigns wins. Of course, the Money in the Bank briefcase is still out there and there’s a chance that neither superstar will leave Brooklyn as the Universal Champion.

Prediction: Roman Reigns

WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe

Joe is about as good as anyone on the mic or in the ring in WWE, and he deserves to finally have a WWE Championship run. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to win, especially since he’s facing someone who’s held the belt for more than 280 days. WWE appears more than comfortable letting Styles hold onto the title. He’s been the top “SmackDown Live” champion for a combined 420 days since September 2016 and is on the cover of the WWE 2K19 video game. Styles could escape with the victory and hold the title for a few months longer.

Prediction: AJ Styles

Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss vs. Ronda Rousey

Rousey hasn’t been pinned or submitted since joining WWE, and it’s hard to see that happening anytime soon. The Baddest Woman on the Planet has been booked to look just like that, and she’ll hoist the title when her match concludes Sunday. It should be interesting to see how long Bliss is able to survive in singles competition against the former UFC champ.

Prediction: Ronda Rousey

Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens

Maybe WWE will get creative and have Owens defeat Strowman, who would lose his Money in the Bank briefcase to Owens in the process. But Strowman is a future Universal Champion, and it’s hard to see him losing his title opportunity Sunday night. Reigns and Lesnar are the only superstars to have pinned Strowman, and Owens isn’t likely to join that group.

Prediction: Braun Strowman

Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins

For weeks, WWE fans have been waiting for Dean Ambrose to return and eventually turn on Rollins. The Lunatic Fringe finally came back Monday. Will Ambrose cost Rollins the match while being in his corner at SummerSlam? Maybe the full heel turn won’t happen Sunday, but the shenanigans between Ambrose and Drew McIntyre ringside could result in a win for Ziggler.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler

SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch (Triple Threat Match)

Speaking of heel turns, the result of the SmackDown Women’s Championship Match could ultimately be the cause of Charlotte joining the dark side. Lynch is as popular as any female on the “SmackDown Live” roster, and Sunday could be her time to become a champion again. Look for that to spark a feud between the best friends, possibly culminating with a title match at WWE’s upcoming all-women PPV in October.

Prediction: Becky Lynch

Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz

This has basically been the perfect wrestling feud. From their history together on NXT eight years ago to The Miz’s infamous promo on “Talking Smack” in 2016, this is a long-term storyline that deserves more than one match. That’s why either wrestler could conceivably have their hand raised when the final bell rings. The smart money might be on Bryan to win at SummerSlam with The Miz winning the rematch. A rubber match with the WWE Championship on the line at WrestleMania could be where this is headed.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan

United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jeff Hardy

Nakamura probably won’t lose the belt just a few weeks after taking it from Hardy. Randy Orton has been feuding with Hardy just as much as Nakamura during that time, so expect him to get involved. Maybe the match will end in a disqualification and result in a triple threat match at the next PPV.

Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander vs. Drew Gulak

Alexander has held the title since WrestleMania, and his reign with the belt could continue a little longer.

Prediction: Cedric Alexander

Finn Bálor vs. Constable Baron Corbin

Corbin has been getting the better of Balor on “Monday Night Raw,” which probably means Balor will go over at SummerSlam. The Constable has done a decent job as one of the top heels on Monday’s and doesn’t necessarily need the win.

Prediction: Finn Balor

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The New Day

The Bludgeon Brothers have had an uninspiring title run, to say the least. It’s time that The New Day wins back the championships and returns to having great PPV matches with the likes of The Bar and The Usos.

Prediction: The New Day

Rusev & Lana vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega (Kickoff Match)

Aiden English could find a way to cost Rusev and Lana like he has multiple times over the last few weeks.

Prediction: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega

Raw Tag Team Champions The B-Team vs. The Revival (Kickoff Match)

Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas are still undefeated since forming The B-Team. Their first loss probably won’t come on the Summerslam pre-show.

Prediction: The B-Team