Rasslin’ Roundtable — WWE SummerSlam

Features, Roundtables, Top Story

It’s that time again! Summer is finished off with a grand event…SummerSlam! A shockingly large amount of your Pulse favorites gather ’round to discuss the shockingly small amount of matches. Who’s choices will turn out to be right?

WWE Championship
CM Punk vs John Cena

Mike Gojira: For the first time in a long time, the status of the WWE Championship is truly up in the air.  I’m sure I’m not the only writer on this Roundtable who will say something to that effect, but since when has that stopped me before?  I smell shades of the 1997 edition of SummerFest, with Punk taunting The Game and it costing Cena the match.  Maybe that will keep John out of the title picture so he can slow down on his championship count.  Personally, i think it would be interesting to hear Punk pull a “worked shoot” on a new opponent and expose his flaws (del Rio or Miz) just to see if the new challenger can handle the searing taunts.
Winner and Undisputed WWE Champion: Phil

Blair A. Douglas: This is the match people are coming to see. Is it as big as it was last time? Maybe yes, maybe no. Regardless, these two are the only good main-event feud besides Shawn / Undertaker that WWE has had in years, and even Shawn / Undertaker never had this amount of fan interest and speculation. I legitimately have no idea what way they’re going to go with this, which is exactly how the main-event should be, for once. There’s any number of directions they could go with this, no matter who wins, and many of those directions are all good and interesting. Punk doesn’t even need to win this. He’s a made man, and as long as they don’t push him down the card, which I can’t imagine they’d do at this point anyway, he has breathed life into a dying main-event scene. The last match they had was great, and if this one is even half as good, it’d be twice as good as anything Cena / Miz or Cena / Shaemus did. Not only did Punk carry Cena to a good match, but it was a FUN match. Being that this is one of their “big 4” shows, I imagine this will be as good or better. I hope they keep that chump Del Rio and his dumb briefcase out of there. Winner is tough to call, but…
Winner: CM Punk

M.C. Brown: Okay who is the heel? For Triple H/Punk to flip flop roles, H must start screwing up at some point. As long as there is an opponent lined up for Punk to keep them from getting H to wrestle until Wrestlemania. Of course if Colt Cabana and Luke Gallows were to return with chips on their shoulder for Punk not negotiating for them to return, that could cost him the match, too. Or does WWE dare to have them help Punk and try to keep Punk heel opposite Cena? Either way, if H is going to help someone to end the show, it’s probably going to be Cena or perhaps they do Shawn Michaels/Bret Hart where Punk forces Triple H to count after spitting in his face. Another Cena win here might not be the best move as it would indicate back to status quo, but if he did win and say, Alberto Del Rio cashed in, that might get them into a feud with Cena chasing him up until it’s time for him to win it back vs. The Rock.
Winner(sole champion): John Cena
John Cena(c) vs. Alberto Del Rio(cashes in MITB)
Winner(and new Champion): Alberto Del Rio

Kelly Floyd: I can’t pretend I’ve been following Raw, because I really, really haven’t. I’ve caught up a smidge on these shenanigans, and I like what I have seen. But one thing I’ve noticed is that there is one name shining a little brighter on the marquee now-a-days, and it sure ain’t Cena. I almost feel like there’s a lot more to be done if Punk dons the strap, and that Raw could possibly become watchable again. That could be my biased exhaustion with Cena and everything he shits on, or it could be a genuine feeling. Either way, I want to laugh in a small child’s face at the bar on Sunday, and Cena losing would allow me to do so. But then, where’s del Rio at? There hasn’t been a cash-in yet, and Bryan seems to be the one holding out for a substantial amount of time, so could we see the cash-in tonight? God I hope so. Miz’s cash-in was spoiled for me by a douchebag ex-boyfriend, so I need this!
Winner: Punk

Joe Violet: Unless all parties involved bring their working boots, this isn’t likely to top Money in the Bank. The fact that HHH is the special referee, as well as the fact that this is the very same event that led to Bret Hart’s 5th WWE world title reign, AND the fact that WWE’s been on a nostalgia kick as of late…and it all adds up to overbooked shenanigans. We’re almost certain that there’s going to be an HHH swerve, but the question is, who’s he going to screw over? The way I see it, it’s foolish to end this angle this Sunday, because there’s still so much that can be done with it. Raw’s match against Del Rio looked to be Creative’s experiment to see if Punk would work as a face, and it looked as if it would be possible to book Punk as such. Cena’s character has been really the same for years, and it’s getting very stale. If anything, this has merely shown the fans’ (at least the older ones) distaste for the Super Cena character, and is reminiscent of 1997, where Stone Cold Steve Austin became the anti-hero everyone loved, and the-then loved Bret Hart was turned heel all in one move. I mentioned before that this could lead to Attitude 2.0…the signs are all there. Here’s how I see it happening: HHH screws over Punk, and Cena turns. It’s the best move WWE can make at the moment. Sure, it gives Cena back the title and serves to piss us all off royally…but isn’t that what makes us keep coming back? The Kings of Wrestling and Colt Cabana could also swerve Punk and form a new Corporation-like stable, or WWE could do something different, and have an entire stable go against the one man we all would hate, and the COO who he has in his pocket…a reverse Corporation effect. Either way, Cena will win on Sunday.
Winner: John Cena

Matt Harrak: It’s the one match on the one match PPV. The buildup has been great and the go home Monday Night Raw segment was stellar. The only thing I worry about is them living up to the high expectations after last month’s match. Money in the Bank was epic on every level and there’s no way they are going to replicate that atmosphere or drama on Sunday. Can they come close and deliver a terrific main event? Of course but it’s going to be tough, especially in LA. But if there’s any two guys who can do it, it’s these two.
Winner: John Cena – Cena will win, probably with a Triple H mistake. Punk and HHH will get into it after the match and Del Rio will cash in successfully on Cena. It’s going to be Cena versus Del Rio for the next couple of months, fans.
CB: This is the real moneymaker on the card for WWE for the second consecutive month, and with good reason. After all, CM Punk is the hottest ticket in town throughout all of professional wrestling right now, and Cena has been a somewhat serviceable foil for Punk thus far. Of course, Triple H inserting himself is the special guest referee is going to throw a wrench into the works, and something tells me we are going to get the big swerve here instead of anything remotely clean by the time WWE signs off at the finish. I’ll stick with my original gut feeling that CM Punk beats John Cena to restore the proper lineage of the WWE title, and then Alberto Del Rio — with help from Johnny Ace (ugh) and Triple H (using the sledgehammer of doom perhaps) — cashes in for the win and the pin. So basically, we get the Money in the Bank redux finish, but this time, Triple H succeeds where Vince failed, and Alberto Del Rio makes history at Punk’s expense.
Winner: CM Punk over John Cena, then Alberto Del Rio over Punk with tons of help to win his first WWE Championship.
Kyle Sparks: I’m a massive Punk mark, as everyone knows.  So I can’t help but feel like I’m ridiculously biased.  That said, the story ultimately calls for Punk to pick up the win here, because if Cena walks out of LA with the title, then it renders everything that has been done since June 27th completely moot.  The biggest concern is if Triple H calls it down the middle (which might be the biggest swerve of all) or if he screws somebody.  But his statement in the ring at the start of Raw and Punk’s insistence at the close that “the fix is in” for Cena tells me that Trips screws Cena.  My question: regardless of who wins, is this considered a new reign or a successful title defense?
Winner: CM Punk (STILL(?) NEW(?) WWE Champion)

Steven Gepp: The most compelling story of the year now features HHH? The cynic in me says, “But of course it does!” while the fan in me says, “Why does it?” I also expect the Rock to get involved, probably causing the Punk win with a reluctant 3-count from HHH. And then Alberto Del Rio comes out and yet again cannot cash in that brief case! Can they top their MitB goodness? Doubt it. Will this be fun? Hope so. Can they really stuff up this angle? Unfortunately, yes…
Winner
: CMPunk

William Shakespeare:

Then you lost

The view of earthly glory…

Made it a fool and beggar. The two kings,

Equal in lustre, were now best, now worst,

As presence did present them…

…and, being present both

‘Twas said they saw but one; and no discerner

Durst wag his tongue in censure.

(King Henry VIII Act 1, Sc 1)

Winner: Cena

World Heavyweight Championship
Christian vs Randy Orton

Mike Gojira: There is NO REASON to take the belt off of Christian and hand it right back to Randy.  Orton has no need for the title and should continue working on his anger issues, since the real storyline here is his inability to control himself.  Taking the belt off of Captain Charisma nullifies the last few months of his career and only serves to exemplify him as a paper champion, which he is not.  As much as I’ve loved this feud, it needs to end.  If Orton wins, that just means Christian gets his rematch and we’ll be stuck running in circles again.
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Christian

Blair A. Douglas: You have to admire WWE’s commitment to this feud, I suppose. Everyone got all butthurt when Orton beat Christian a while back, but given what they’ve done with Christian since then, I don’t know why anyone would still complain. If it’s a grudge match, this should be okay. Perhaps Bryan will cash in after the match? Who knows.
Winner: Randy Orton

M.C. Brown: No holds barred = shenanigans. Kane gets revenge on Orton? Christian gets a new buddy? Viper gets screwed. One world title doesn’t change hands.
Winner: Christian

Kelly Floyd: I used to be the biggest RK-Ho around, and Christian has always held a very special piece of my heart. But…I’m done with this. We can’t keep throwing these two together while putting a pretty “No Holds Barred” bow on top. Pick one to be the champ, and then let a little game of cat-and-mouse follow! Anyway. Christian chased the thing for so long, it almost seems foolish to remove it now. But then again, he lost the belt in 5 days before, so what the hell do I know. But I still feel like he’s going to keep it. Woman’s intuition.
Winner: Christian

Joe Violet: These two gel very well together in the ring against each other, and it looks like this feud may finally come to an end here. The no-holds-barred stipulation is obviously booked to mean that Orton can unleash his anger on Christian, but here’s what everyone’s forgetting: the door swings both ways. Christian can do whatever he wants to try and keep his title. This is one of those occasions where the license to cheat appears to favor the face more than it does the heel…but it’s the heel who will stoop even lower to get the win. I mentioned in my 10 Thoughts that Christian is starting to get Honky Tonk Man-type heat, and I think there’s a little more mileage left in a title reign of this type. I have a sneaking suspicion that Christian’s got something up his sleeve…which reminds me, where has Mason Ryan been as of late? Hmmmmm…
Winner: Christian

Matt Harrak: Another month and another Christian/Orton match. Remember when we all were ok with them having more matches because their first two were so good? Yea well, they haven’t really stepped up their game since then. The good thing is, Christian and Orton have very good chemistry together and the No Holds Barred format will at least give them more room to work something fresh. This match, once again, could be the sleeper of the PPV and I’m excited.
Winner: Randy Orton – What other babyface is there to face Christian besides Orton? I don’t agree with it but there’s been no signs that they have confidence in Christian to carry the ball.
CB: You figure No Holds Barred would favor Orton, except for the fact that this is SummerSlam and Edge is slated to make some appearances over the weekend. I must therefore assume that if Edge is around, he’ll wind up on the show in a very timely spot to help Christian retain against The Viper. Either that, or Randy goes apeshit, but I’ll take what’s behind Door #1 and say…
Winner: Christian, with help from Edge
Kyle Sparks: I understand that Orton is WWE’s Batman to John Cena’s Superman.  I get that, but for this Chrsitian story to have ANY legs whatsoever, and for Christian to retain ANY long term value as a champion or performer, he simply MUST win here.  Orton undercut his last reign (through no fault of his own, per se) and given how Christian won the title the second time, for him to lose it here will all but permanently ruin him.  Look for a Christian win and him moving on to fight Sheamus at “Whatever The Hell We’re Calling the September Show” next month.
Winner: Christian (STILL World Heavyweight Champion)

Steven Gepp: Enough already! First dozen times, great! Next dozen times, meh. Now… please let it go! Something has to happen to give Christian the win so he can go on and hold the title until WM where he’ll face Daniel Bryan Danielson, and Orton can go on and face anyone else, I don’t actually care. Or is this where Mick Foley comes out, costs Orton his match and we have another feud all ready for WM?
Winner
: Christian

William Shakespeare:

…Doth much excuse the appertaining rage

To such a greeting: villain am I none;

Therefore farewell; I see thou know’st me not.

(Romeo And Juliet Act 3, Sc 1)

Winner: Christian

 Mark Henry vs Sheamus

Mike Gojira: I’m loving this “tweener” turn from Sheamus.  It looks as though the whole point of having Henry go on this rampage is to establish Sheamus as the new hoss, and the only way to pass said torch is to have Sheamus go over Mark clean.  I can’t imagine this going on for another month.
Winner: Sheamus

Blair A. Douglas: This might be the match that clued me in to the fact that I just plain don’t get wrestling fans now. I guess they’re saying that this match has sparked all kinds of fan interest and that if given a chance, it could be good. I don’t know what anyone in the world could possibly base this on. I even downloaded a couple eps of SmackDown just to see those segments. Yeah, I don’t get it. Maybe I’m the crazy one. That’s fine with me. I got standards, and I don’t get it. If you attended the event, this would be where you went and got Glossettes.
Winner: Sheamus? I don’t know.

M.C. Brown: Henry is a stepping stone for a Sheamus face push.
Winner: Sheamus

Kelly Floyd: Who…the hell…cares. And that’s difficult for me to say. I always stand by my Irish brethren, and he’s definitely one of my favorites. But once Sexual Chocolate is thrown into the mix, the shit hits the fan. And not in a good way.
Winner: Sheamus

Joe Violet: I never thought I’d see the day where I would consider Mark Henry watchable in WWE. Am I surprised? Absolutely. Am I complaining? Not yet. Let’s give him some credit, he’s been improving by leaps and bounds. I was interested in watching his match against Big Show last month, and now I’m just as interested to see him against Sheamus this month. At the same time, the face turn looks to be just what Sheamus needed. I’ve still gotta get used to him smiling, but as far as his ring work goes, he’s also improved. This match is going to be as smash-mouth as you get…it’s almost like watching some good old football, seeing two hard-nosed defensive teams both just knocking the crap out of the opposing team’s offense. Either man losing here will hurt their push, so here’s my pick:
Winner: Double DQ

Matt Harrak: Sheamus might be the freshest character in the WWE outside of CM Punk. His babyface turn pretty much came out of nowhere and expectations weren’t high but he’s consistently been received some of the strongest pops on Friday Night Smackdown. And that’s because it was executed perfectly. I’d love to think that the recent mega push of Mark Henry was all set up to make Sheamus’ turn strong but for whatever reason, it was the right move and this should be a nice bathroom break match.
Winner: Sheamus – Once Sheamus is through Henry, he can move on to something actually meaningful and with someone who is athletic. I expect a Sheamus/Cody Rhodes feud this fall.
CB: I like Sheamus’ face turn, especially because SmackDown needed another heavyweight to go up against the redhot Mark Henry, who is currently having the best (heel) run of his career. Henry has legit freaked me out with the way he’s been destroying everyone in his path, including / especially  that poor audio technician. I actually think Sheamus will win this match to further establish his newly minted face persona as a real threat, but then Henry will get his heat back in the post-match shenanigans that will most assuredly take place.
Winner: Sheamus
Kyle Sparks: One has to think that WWE is looking to move towards a Sheamus program with Christian for the World Heavyweight Title.  That said, it really doesn’t do them any good to have Henry lose to the first major challenger he’s had since he went on his rampage.  There’s definitely still some value in Henry in his current role, so I’m going to go with Sheamus via DQ, due to Henry’s refusing to break in the corner.  Look for both men to continue brawling after the bell to help regain Sheamus’s heat.
Winner: Sheamus (via DQ)

Steven Gepp: Wow! A classic for the ages! If this doesn’t main event, then I’m writing a stern letter of protest!
Winner
: The audience! Okay, Sheamus

William Shakespeare:

Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain…

Send succors, lords, and stop the rage betime,

Before the wound do grow uncurable;

For, being green, there is great hope of help.

(King Henry VI Pt II Act 3, Sc 1)

Winner: Sheamus

Daniel Bryan vs Wade Barrett

Mike Gojira: This one is tough to call, as I’d love to see either man go over clean here.  DB has the Money in the Bank briefcase, so his push would logically continue, but I don’t expect him to win ALL his matches from now until Wrestlemania.  I think Barrett will pull out the victory, then demand Bryan put the briefcase on the line in their next encounter.
Winner: Wade Barrett

Blair A. Douglas: Daniel Bryan is awesome and Wade Barrett could generously be described as awful. So, unless they’ve given up on Bryan… again…
Winner: Daniel Bryan

M.C. Brown: Bryan still remains prevalent with the MITB case. Which means they can center it around a rematch after Barrett beats him.
Winner: Wade Barrett

Kelly Floyd: I’m actually digging this. It’s like, “Oh yeah! Daniel Bryan would have a grudge against Barrett…” Even I forgot about their involvement, and I was a huge Nexus (see: original Nexus) mark. Although, I do think that digging up old aggression is lazy, but whatever. Barrett has been fizzling out lately, and Mr. Money in the Bank has been hot, hot, hot.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Joe Violet: I’m not going to lie, I’m a Daniel Bryan fan. I was also a Chris Benoit fan before he went nuts. I like the mat technique kind of wrestling, so I’m rooting for Bryan to win this one. But all favoritism aside, all Barrett has done since he lost the Intercontinental Championship is beat Kane. I get a feeling he’s due…Bryan has Money in the Bank, he doesn’t need the win, not when he can cash in any time he wants with the briefcase, and since he’s said he plans to use it at Wrestlemania…meh, what’s a loss every here and there? Heck, he lost to Del Rio on Smackdown. Then again, he does need a little momentum…I’m torn here, actually. Barrett DOES need a win to look legitimate again…I’m going out on a limb and saying it’s not going to be on this card.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (won’t be surprised if I’m wrong on this one though.)

Matt Harrak: This match was apparently just announced Friday and it’s a damn good thing it was. For one of the “Big 4” PPVs, this show had nothing on the card that we haven’t seen before. It’s just sad that they didn’t give very much TV time to develop the feud. There’s so much history they could play with along with the different philosophies they alluded to recently on Smackdown and the who Money in the Bank angle. Hopefully this is only the start of the feud and we get a little more in the future.
Winner: Daniel Bryan – He needs to continue his upward momentum since winning the briefcase.
CB: All week, Daniel Bryan has rumored that this match might take place. If it does, I’d love to see Barrett step up his game to show he can work solidly against Bryan, and for Bryan to prove he can carry a one on one match on a bigger than normal WWE stage.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Kyle Sparks: Even though this isn’t on the WWE’s event page yet, I’ve seen it announced on other sites.  Plus, given the way things have been going the past few weeks on SmackDown, there’s no reason this match shouldn’t happen.  Despite Blair’s being rather unimpressed with Barrett, he has main evented multiple PPVs chasing the WWE Title, and does have the kind of cred that will help Bryan get over as a future main event guy, something he’ll desperately need en route to WrestleMania.  The entire angle has centered around this idea that Barrett was always better than Bryan and that Bryan doesn’t deserve the briefcase, so Bryan losing here is totally and utterly counterproductive, unless you want to build to a match next month in which Bryan puts the briefcase on the line.  I don’t think WWE wants to go there, especially given Bryan’s debut of the guillotine choke as a viable submission finish.  New music + New finisher = Push.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Steven Gepp: Could be good, could be good… Or could be a total clash in styles. Here’s what I reckon – this is another test for Bryan. If he can get a watchable match out of Barrett, then they may just trust him to successfully cash in that briefcase. If not… well…
Winner
: Bryan.

William Shakespeare:

…To-morrow, sir, I wrestle for my credit; and he that

            escapes me without some broken limb shall acquit him
well.

(As You Like It Act 1, Sc 1)

Winner: Bryan

Divas’ Championship
Kelly Kelly vs Beth Phoenix

Mike Gojira: Sorry, Floyd, but your namesake is a bust (get it?) as a champion.  She has never believably been able to prove to me that she can win a fight against any of the other, more capable, females on hand.  Phoenix should have won the gold when she came back from injury, but I guess now is as good a time as any.
Winner and NEW Divas’ Champion: Beth Phoenix

Blair A. Douglas: What was that WWE slogan they had for the Divas a while back? SEXY! SMART! POWERFUL! Or something. Anyway, I imagine we’ll see all of those things in what will turn out to be a classic. And it still might be better than Sheamus / Henry.
Winner: Guys Who Can’t Unscramble The Skin-A-Max

M.C. Brown: Should be a rise to prominence for women wrestling if Triple H’s regime reflects a renewed interest in all divisions. If that is true, then Beth is the best of the bunch now along with Nattie.
Winner(and new Champion): Beth Phoenix

Kelly Floyd: I’ve been waiting to get my verbal hands on this match. Beth Phoenix is an obvious choice to rule over the Divas. She’s beautiful, she’s powerful, she’s talented. However, I’ve learned that that means absolutely nothing. I mean, look at the current champion. Joan Cena is best when she’s being slammed onto a mat…it makes her boobs look nicer. But, I need a champion who does a little more than wink and shake her opponent’s hair around.
Winner: If it’s not Beth Phoenix, I quit.

Joe Violet: I’ve mentioned how the Divas division has improved over the past couple of weeks, and so here’s the chance to prove whether or not WWE is serious about making the Divas division worth watching again. For a while now, the Divas champion has been the one who’s been the best eye candy at the time, whoever Creative felt the fans were high on. Even LayCool wasn’t THAT talented, even though Layla is super hot…but I digress. Actually, no I don’t…that’s the POINT. It’s mainly been about who’s been the most over. Is there anything wrong with that? No, but it helps if they can actually go in the ring. Kelly Kelly…cannot. She’s still improving, yes, but I believe she’s about to hit that ceiling where she can’t get any better. The smart thing for WWE to do would be to give Beth the title, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.
Winner: Kelly Kelly (by DQ, Natalya-ference)

Matt Harrak: Hey a storyline for the Divas that isn’t specifically about one of their weights. There’s not much to this match besides the 2 week story unless you want to combine it with the original draft of the angle featuring Kharma. It’s just another example of WWE’s plug ‘n play booking which doesn’t say much for the variety of Diva characters they have on the roster.
Winner: Kelly Kelly – Unless they’re ready to establish a strong Diva’s division, Kelly Kelly is the female face of the company and will be until she hits 27.
CB: Beth must dominate here, and I *think* she will. Hell, why not have Punk come out for the distraction to help his woman win?
Winner: Beth Phoenix
Kyle Sparks: If Beth loses, we riot.  WWE generally doesn’t have faith that women’s storylines can sustain multiple PPVs, so having Beth chase here, especially when she’s supposed to be the heel, makes no sense.  Beth wins to usher us into a new era, where hopefully WWE will sign Sara Del Rey so we can have a women’s division to be proud of when Kong Kharma comes back.
Winner: Beth Phoenix (NEW Diva’s Champion)

Steven Gepp: This should be short as Phoenix squashes her like a bug, wipes the remains off on Cole’s face, and leads to a reign of terror until Nattie Neidhart stops her in the best women’s match in WWE since Trish retired at WM. Or… it’ll be crap like all the women’s wrestling on TV has been lately.
Winner: Beth Phoenix

William Shakespeare:

…From her shall read the perfect ways of honour,

And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.

Nor shall this peace sleep with her: but as when

The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,

Her ashes new create another heir,

As great in admiration as herself;

(King Henry VIII Act 5, Sc 5)

Winner: Beth Phoenix

Kelly has been with Inside Pulse since 6/2010, beginning with just her 10 Thoughts on WWE Superstars column. Now she brings you her 10 Thoughts on Smackdown weekly, and constructs the Rasslin' Roundtables for PPV's. In her spare time, she works with indy fed, Future Stars of Wrestling - AZ, wrangles children for her day job, and is generally and exceptionally awesome.