Summerslam
WrestleMania, The Showcase of Immortals, is in the past and as the shock of the Undertaker’s undefeated streak ending has worn off and the Yes! chants have faded, we now turn the focus on to SummerSlam.
Written By: The Fitz
Not only is SummerSlam the biggest party of the summer but it is also one of the highlights of the often bleak summer wagering calendar. Before you scoff at the idea of wagering on a scripted event just remember that SummerSlam takes place at the Staples Center where pretty much every Lakers playoff game in the 2000’s had a pre-determined outcome.
John Cena and Brock Lesnar is your main event, there is an entertaining mid-card and thanks to a few offshore books there’s a reason to watch every match.
Jack Swagger (-230) vs. Rusev (+170) – Flag Match
If you think the most patriotic thing you were going to get this summer was during the Fourth of July, think again. This match has been built up over the last few week alongside the real life escalating crisis in the Ukraine – pinning Jack “The Real American” Swagger with Zeb Colter in his corner, up against Rusev and Lana who have spewed their Russian nationalism on every broadcast. Fun fact: Lana (real name C.J. Perry), is a hard 9 from Gainesville, Florida. This line opened on with Jack Swagger the favorite at -210, while Rusev was priced at +160. Since opening Swagger has lost some steam and been bet down to -190, while Rusev has shifted to +150. Look for the WWE to go for the cheap pop and let the U-S-A chants ring loud and Old Glory be waved proud.
Prediction: Jack Swagger
Chris Jericho (+700) vs. Bray Wyatt (-1500)
Chris Jericho will be facing Bray Wyatt in a rematch of last month’s Battleground clash. Despite being priced as the underdog on 5Dimes for that match, Jericho was able to defeat Wyatt. As this may have been a surprise to some, the WWE was clearly looking to keep to feud going into SummerSlam and having Jericho score the pin fall it helped add some credibility to their ongoing dispute. Bray Wyatt will be without Erick Rowan and Luke Harper by ringside, after Jericho beat them in separate matches on Raw. However, look for Jericho to revert to his role of helping to put the younger wrestler’s over (He lost to Fandango at WM29 for god sake). Wyatt at -1500 is a sure bet, just like betting ‘under’ 0.5 girls showing up to your SummerSlam party.
Prediction: Bray Wyatt
A.J. Lee (-230) vs. Paige (+170) – WWE Divas Championship
Paige will be looking to regain the Divas Championship, which she won from A.J. in her WWE debut following WrestleMania but it does not look like her “frenemy” will be giving up her belt very easily. This line has been all over the place since opening with A.J. Lee at -245 and Paige at +175. The Divas Championship belts changes hands quite easily. This feud looks destined to continue as the Bellas’ are wrapped up in other storylines. The only thing worse than betting on professional wrestling is betting on female professional wrestling.
Prediction: No Bet
Dean Ambrose (-160) vs. Seth Rollins (+120) — Lumberjack Match
The Lunatic Fringe, Dean Ambrose, will be looking to get his revenge on former Shield member and current Money in the Bank briefcase holder Seth Rollins, who turned his back on The Hounds of Justice and joined the Authority. This match was supposed to happen at Battleground last month but Ambrose was kicked out of the arena following a backstage attack on Rollins. Anyone who saw that PPV knows the best part of it was Ambrose hiding in the trunk to ambush Rollins. This Monday on Raw, Ambrose was hiding in one of Hulk Hogan’s giant birthday presents on stage and ambushed Rollins again. Honestly, if this match never happens and it leads to Ambrose hiding in random things to ambush Rollins I will be happy.
Neither wrestler has much to gain from a win or lose from a defeat, which makes this match difficult to call. Rollins will stay relevant with a defeat as he still has the MITB briefcase, while Ambrose lunatic character wouldn’t be impacted by a loss as long as he gets revenge on Rollins.
Prediction: Seth Rollins (via disqualification)
The Miz (-220) vs. Dolph Ziggler (+165) – Intercontinental Title
The Ohio battle sees Cleveland-born Miz (a Hollywood A-lister according to WWE announcers) square off against The Kent State-show off Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental title. The Miz has made the most of his cocky Hollywood persona, whose international film star status is apparently cemented by starring in The Marine franchise. On Sunday he will go against the up and down, crowd favorite Dolph Ziggler. The WWE has been all over the place with Ziggler in the last couple years. His MITB cash in post-WrestleMania 29 against Alberto Del Rio received one of the bigger pops in recent memory, only to later find himself jobbing at the bottom of the mid-card. This feud was set up after The Miz hid outside the ring for essentially the entire IC title battle royal only to eliminate Ziggler to be the last man standing. The WWE’s inconsistency with Ziggler and multiple attempts to push The Miz has me leaning towards The Miz. However, it could be in the best interest for the WWE to please fans right before network subscriptions come up for renewal and Bad News Barrett should be back from his separated shoulder he suffered at the end of June, so I could see the two heels chasing Ziggler.
Prediction: If there will be an underdog upset it will be Ziggler.
Randy Orton (+700) vs. Roman Reigns (-1500)
This could end up being a pretty entertaining match, but the Reigns push will continue. Reigns looks like a WWE star but has been so far the least entertaining of the three former Shield members. Just look for vintage Orton DDTs off of things only to lose by a spear. Oh and Corporate Kane will likely be somewhere to mess this match up.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
Stephanie McMahon (-140) vs. Brie Bella (+100)
CAT FIGHT! The build up to this match has been pretty solid, however, look for this to be an absolute dumpster fire of an actual match. I am going to go with the rumors of a Nikki Bella heel turn, Brie gets pinned and then we will be reminded that Total Divas season (?) will be airing on E! Network at some point in the near future….Nailed it.
Prediction: Stephanie McMahon
Main Event
Brock Lesnar (-270) vs. John Cena (+190)
SummerSlam’s main event will be the biggest fight of the summer, well until your wife notices you canceled Netflix and have allocated the $9.99 monthly charges from your joint checking account to the WWE Network. That is of course assuming anyone reading this is actually married. The main event features Brock Lesnar, back in the ring for the first time since his win over The Undertaker at WrestleMania, squaring off against WWE’s walking and talking merchandise billboard, John Cena. All you need to see to get excited for this match is their previous meeting at Extreme Rules 2012, which was one of the more brutal matches in the PG-era. I think my favorite part of that match is at some point, Lesnar is just hucking Cena into the barricade in front of small children decked out in John Cena gear. You could argue this match for both sides. John Cena is seemingly invincible and Lesnar is only a part timer. However, Lesnar being a part timer may not be much of a factor as Paul Heyman does enough work for him on the mic that limited appearance shouldn’t matter.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
Props: If you can find a “will there be blood prop” for the main event go with yes.
