WrestleView's SummerSlam predictions
» On Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 3:55 PM EST This is the first installment now of what will be a monthly doing here at WrestleView. We, the staff, will post our predictions for the big pay-per-view event the day of the event. We hope you, the readers, enjoy this and look forward to reading this feature on WrestleView in the months to come.
Thank you,
-Ryan Droste
Assistant Co-Webmaster
WrestleView.com
Ryan Droste's Predictions
The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar
-I think that this match will be a lot better than most people are expecting. Everything is set for Brock to break through to super-stardom, he's just gotta go out there and do it. I think he can, and there is no better top star in the WWE than Rock right now to help him do it. I think most people on the net expect Brock to win, and I'm expecting no different. That is unless the WWE trys to fool everyone like they did with HHH back at SummerSlam '99 and have Brock win the title a few days later and not on the PPV. However, I don't think that's what is going to happen. They know this is the perfect event to make the guy a star.
Ryan's Pick: Brock Lesnar
Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
-I'm expecting this to be a helluva match. In my opinion, it's going to be one of the top 3 matches of SummerSlam. Some people think the match is going to bomb with HBK's back being the way it is, but I disagree. As we saw on Monday, he can still pull out some decent spots. Even HBK at 50% of what he used to be is still going to be one of the best performers in the business. This is a real tough match to call a winner. They could book a winner on either side for this one. My feeling is that Michaels will win unless this is not going to be his last match. If he is going to wrestle again sometime after this, they may have him do the job. If it's truly going to be his last match, I can't see the WWE having one of their all time greatest stars going out on a big loss after a build-up like this. Then again, they could have HBK lose and then do a rematch on RAW or something tomorrow night and have HBK win there. Oh boy, this ones tough to call.
Ryan's Pick: Shawn Michaels
Chris Benoit vs. Rob Van Dam
-This should be an excellent match as well. Another match I for one am really looking forward to. Benoit should retain the title in the match. With the Hardcore title and Tag Team titles being on RAW, I just can't see SmackDown losing the IC title to the RAW brand. What titles would they have left that are exclusively on SmackDown?
Ryan's Pick: Chris Benoit
Christian & Lance Storm vs. Booker T & Goldust
-This should be a decent match. I would think that they would maybe want to give Booker and Goldust the tag titles since they are so hot right now, but then again I don't think they want to have the Un-Americans lose their heat. And with me feeling that Undertaker is going to go over Test, I think the Un-Americans have got to win this one if that's the case.
My Pick: Christian & Lance Storm
Chris Jericho vs. Ric Flair
-Now this one could either be really good, or just a little above average. Flair, even at age 53, can still pull out a big performance. A lot on this match depends on how well Flair is working tonight. As for who is going to win, I think that Jericho needs a big win and Flair won't have a problem putting him over. I think Flair is going to be performing strong at the top of his game tonight, as will Jericho, and this one will be really good.
Ryan's Pick: Chris Jericho
The Undertaker vs. Test
-Undertaker jobbed in the tag team match. I think that's all the further jobbing the dead-man is going to do for this feud. I think it'll be decent for 2 big guys, but nothing extraordinary.
Ryan's Pick: The Undertaker
Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.
-This event sure is full of matches that I'm really looking forward to, and here is another. I'm expecting an awesome match from these two. Should be really fun to watch. I think Angle will pick up the win here, because Rey losing at this point really shouldn't have much effect on his popularity and Angle needs a win in a big match badly.
Ryan's Pick: Kurt Angle
Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero
-Should be yet another awesome match on an event filled with matches with tons of potential. SmackDown really needs a new star baby-face on their roster, and I think that Edge is the man for the spot. I think that WWE thinks that too. I'm expecting a great match with both men working their asses off.
Ryan's Pick: Edge
Paul Nemer's Predictions
The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar
Too obvious that Rock is going to make a movie, and people will think he will drop it tonight. I think he'll win tonight and perhaps drop the title later on.
Paul's Pick: The Rock
Chris Benoit vs. Rob Van Dam
Eric Bischoff is counting on RVD to win this, which will not happen. I say RVD loses somehow and on RAW, Bischoff will yell at him saying he was counting on him bla bla... You get the point. Again, I can be wrong on this.
Paul's Pick: Chris Benoit
Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels
This is a tough one to call. I bet it'll end up in a disqualification based on the fact that both men's egos are so big, that its got their own zip codes. They both a history of refusing to job. ok ok, with all kidding a side...HBK already passed the Torch, wether he wins this or loses it won't affect him. But if HBK doesn't win this, what has the WWE accomplished in bringing him back for this supposed "Last Match" and making him lose? Maybe the hype I guess? I really don't give a rats ass who wins this one. But IF I had to pick...
Paul's Pick: ...I can't spit it out!... H..B..K
Christian/Lance Storm vs. Booker T/Goldust
No comment really on this match...
Paul's Pick: Christian and Lance Storm
Chris Jericho vs. Ric Flair
Jericho's been embarassed enough, I think Jericho is scripted to win this.
Paul's Pick: Chris Jericho
Undertaker vs. Test
If Undertaker loses? What's next? Doubtful.
Paul's Pick: Undertaker
Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio
A 12-year old can luck out once against an Olympic Gold medalist, not twice -:)
Paul's Pick: Kurt Angle
Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero
WWE is very happy with Edge and the crowd is loving this guy more and more. A loss here would kind of stall his push.
Paul's Pick: Edge
Robert Fallon's Predictions
Undisputed Championship Match
Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock
Do you smell what the Brock is cookin'? New Champ!
Unless Rock is going to make it to Unforgiven while
his new movie starts I see Lesnar winning the title.
Rock will probably get another beat-down ala Austin
and Triple H after WrestleMania 17.
Intercontinental Title
Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Benoit
I say Benoit keeps it, hopefully with the Crossface.
Smackdown! needs more than just the Cruiserweight
Title.
Tag Team Championship Match
-Booker T and Goldust vs. Lance Storm and Christian
I think the UnAmericans should keep the titles and
lose to Bookdust at Unforgiven. This feud hasn't had
the proper build up for a title change.
Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
Michaels defeats Hunter and after the match The Game
goes crazy with the sledgehammer... BOOM! Kane comes
down and saves Shawn. Triple H vs. Kane at Unforgiven.
Ric Flair vs. Chris Jericho
Ric passes out in the Walls of Jericho. I hoping this
is Ric's last match in the WWE.
Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle
Back and forth match that ends with the Angle Slam.
Match of the Night.
Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero
I see Eddie using the ropes or help from Chavo to take
the win and continue the feud.
The Undertaker vs. Test
I don't think this will be THAT bad and I'd like to
see a UnAmerican sweep for SummerSlam, Test wins.
Bobby Trask's Predictions
WWE Undisputed Title Match
The Rock (c) vs. Brock Lesnar
I believe everyone will be surprised. If your a betting man, your money is probably on Brock becoming the new champion. It's common knowledge Rock will be leaving for movies any day now and he's going to have to drop the title to someone. A lot of people believe he will get destroyed by Brock this evening and not be seen on WWE TV in months. I beg to differ. I believe Rock will pull the upset win tonight, then lose the title sometime this week. I believe Brock will get the 'John Cena' treatment and have his push cut off for now and he will float around the mid-card for a bit. I wouldn't be surprised to see Brock turn face on SD and fire Heyman as his agent if he did lose tonight. I'd also expect an Angle (heel) vs. Brock (face) feud coming up soon as well.
Bobby's Prediction: The Rock retains the belt
Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels
HBK's first WWE match in 4 years. I would think HHH would put over his buddy if this was indeed one last run for Shawn. Then again, knowing Mr. Levesque's backstage power, you can never predict how the booking will go. HBK could put over HHH big in this match and never been seen from again in the WWE. I'm bent on this 50/50, but I think HHH will do the right thing and J-O-B.
Bobby's Prediction: Shawn Michaels
WWE Intercontinental Title Match
Chris Benoit (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
Definately the match of the night here. These 2 guys had a excellent TV match a few weeks ago as Benoit became the IC champ once again. I believe this is just the start of their feud and they will have a blowoff match at Unforgiven. I expect Benoit to retain this evening by once again cheating to win. Expect this match to be MOTY as well.
Bobby's Prediction: Chris Benoit retains
WWE Tag Team Title's Match
Christian & Lance Storm (c) vs. Booker T & Goldust
Booker & Goldust are more over right now then they have been in years. It's almost a must they need to go over this evening, but you really can't job out the tag champs because the belt's crediblity will be deminished. Storm & Christian have only been tag champs for a month and I believe they should hold on the tag titles....but you can't kill off Booker and Goldust's overness. What's that mean?
Bobby's Prediction: Goldust & Booker win via DQ, Un-Americans retain titles
Chris Jericho vs. Ric Flair
This has been pretty much a one-sided feud with Flair winning. Jericho is still a main player despite being de-pushed to hell after losing the title. I believe, now that Jericho has re-signed a contract with WWE, his character will become something again. Tonight, I believe Jericho will go over clean against Flair. Why? Well, Flair's the ultimate professional, so I know he won't have a problem jobbing. Jericho's done his share of jobs for the past months, it's time for him to win the "big one" again.
Bobby's Prediction: Chris Jericho
The Undertaker vs. Test
Test got the win 2 weeks ago. It's WWE's logical that if someone jobs on TV a few weeks before the PPV against the guy they will be facing, they will return the job at the PPV. I also don't see Taker losing on PPV as well....but something inside of me is thinking that the WWE will surprise us this evening as far as match endings go. I believe Test will pick up the win, but not clean. Kane could possibly be involved in this match as well, maybe even turning on his brother.
Bobby's Prediction: Test
Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio
Different style of a match here. This could end up like Edge/Regal (Bad Mix of styles) or it could end up like Mankind/HBK (Really, really good mix of styles). I believe Angle's losing streak will contiune as Rey will pick up the win here. It seems Rey has been pushed to the moon since debuting in the WWE, and I believe his push will not stop here. This is definately a bad thing for Kurt Angle fans as Angle has been dishing out jobs left and right the past weeks. Hopefully, this feud will contiune with Angle winning the blowoff match sometime down the road. For now, Rey's push needs to continue.
Bobby's Prediction: Rey Mysterio
Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero
Really intresting match here. I don't see Eddy getting put over, but it's possible. I really don't have a lot to say about this match and the result could be 50/50, so will just say Edge wins this one.
Bobby's Prediction: Edge
William Martinez' Picks
The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar
If their confrontation on Smackdown is any indication, then this match should be played with a lot of intensity. I think the buildup has been terrific with vignettes and all and I could see a lot of nearfalls towards the finish of this one but seeing as The Rock is leaving to make a movie in a week or two, gotta go with Brock on this one.
Will's Pick: Brock Lesnar
Chris Benoit vs. Rob Van Dam
This match should be incredible especially with a good 20 minutes given to it. Their Raw encounter was great and this should top that off easily. I see Benoit winning since I feel the talent on Smackdown is more in need of a midcard title than the Raw talent.
Will's Pick: Chris Benoit
Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels
The quality of this match has me a little skeptical due to WWE's hyping as a street fight which leads me to believe that it will be a punchfest with Triple H using his sledgehammer to win it. Hopefully, HBK can pull out a few spots to remind us of the HBK of old but I see Triple H winning this one since his heel turn needs momentum.
Will's Pick: Triple H
Christian/Lance Storm vs. Booker T/Goldust
This seems to be the perfect opportunity to elevate Booker T and Goldust somewhat and could be Booker T's true coming out party as a face as he goes against arguably the most over heels in WWE right now. The result of this match, along with Taker vs. Test, will clearly show how much confidence WWE has in the UnAmericans.
Will's Pick: Booker T/Goldust
Chris Jericho vs. Ric Flair
Few realize that Jericho has won a pay-per-view match since No Way Out when he defeated Steve Austin but this seems like the most likely win for Jericho out of all those pay-per-view opponents. Flair is on his way out and Jericho is in badly need of some credibility so the obvious choice is Jericho over Flair.
Will's Pick: Chris Jericho
Undertaker vs. Test
This will be the worst match of the night but booking Test over The Undertaker would make up for the match quality but then again, this is WWE so I see Taker over Test
Will's Pick: Undertaker
Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio
At first, I was a little skeptical to see how these two completely different styles would mix but Angle can sell anything like a pro, even Cruiserweight moves as he showed against Kidman on Smackdown. These two wrestled each other last night at a house show so that should be enough warmup for these two to put on a match of the year candidate.
Will's Pick: Kurt Angle
Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero
Unfortunately, this match has little to no buildup but should be a great match nonetheless as these two upper-mid carders clash. Edge is getting the push of a lifetime and a hard fought victory would do Edge more good than Guerrero.
Will's Pick: Edge
Enjoy SummerSlam everyone!