WWE SummerSlam 2023 Preview

WWE SummerSlam 2023

Date: Sunday, August 6^th 2023

Time: 9am Pre Show, 10am Main Show

Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

How to Watch: Kayo, Binge

Match Card:

• Singles Match: Cody Rhodes vs Brock Lesnar
• World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs Finn Bálor
• Triple Threat for WWE Women’s Championship: Asuka (c) vs Bianca Belair vs Charlotte Flair
• Tribal Combat for Undisputed Universal Championship and Recognition of Tribal Chief: Roman Reigns (c) (with Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman) vs Jey Uso
• Singles Match: Ricochet vs Logan Paul
• Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) (with Imperium) vs. Drew McIntyre
• MMA Rules Match: Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler
• SummerSlam Battle Royal: (confirmed names) LA Knight, Sheamus, Tommaso Ciampa, Shinsuke Nakamura, Otis, Chad Gable

The Biggest Party of the Summer is upon us for the 36^th year in a row, and WWE are going BIG. 4 Championship matches, Tribal Combat, MMA, and a battle royal. What more could you ask for?

1. Singles Match

Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar

This is match 3 between these two guys, and the rivalry has been intense and violent. I doubt this match will be any different. Cody is determined to continue his story, and is incensed on getting Brick out of his way, especially after having his arm broken and getting beaten up in front of his mother. Brock is…. well, Brock is Brock. Brock has been dominant, Brock has been violent. Brock has been intense. This won’t be your normal match. There are rumours going around that Bobby Lashley and his faction (himself and the Street Profits) might interfere and restart the rivalry that from the start of the year, especially with how the Elimination Chamber match ended. There’s also rumours going around about Randy Orton returning and costing Cody the match. My money is on Cody winning clean.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

Staff Picks: Marek: Cody Rhodes, Samuel: Cody Rhodes, Dan: Brock Lesnar, Karl: Cody Rhodes, Larance: Brock Lesnar, Andy: Cody Rhodes

• World Heavyweight Championship

Seth Rollins (c) vs Finn Bálor

This match is a continuation of the “7 years of frustration” storyline. But it has the added caveat of Damian Priest being Señor Money in the Bank. Priest cost Finn matches recently against Seth. Could we see Damian doing what Seth did at WrestleMania years ago during the Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar match? It’s a possibility. A Judgement Day split had been teased recently, a mid or post match cash in could further that. I’m not against it, not am I against Finn winning, but I’d like to see Seth retain.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Staff Picks: Marek: Seth Rollins, Samuel: Finn Bálor, Dan: Seth Rollins, Karl: Seth Rollins, Larance: Finn Bálor, Andy: Seth Rollins

• WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match

Asuka (c) vs Bianca Belair vs Charlotte Flair

This match has been built around Charlotte Flair returning and getting a title match straight away, and Bianca Belair wanting her rematch from WrestleMania. Iyo Sky has also been lurking around reminding all 3 women that she’s got the Money in the Bank briefcase, so it’ll interesting to see if she cashes in. These 3 women have a chemistry, and have a history with one another. While I’m expecting a good to great match, it could go any one of 3 or 4 ways. I have Charlotte winning this, as she works her way to 16 World Championships.

Winner: Charlotte Flair

Staff picks: Marek: Charlotte, Samuel: Charlotte, Dan: Asuka, Karl: Asuka, Larance: Charlotte, Andy: Charlotte

• Tribal Combat for the Undisputed Universal Championship and Recognition as Tribal Chief

Roman Reigns (c) (with Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman) vs Jey Uso

Ahh, Tribal Combat. The Bloodline story continues with Tribal Combat with major ramifications for Roman is he loses. This chapter of the story started in the lead up to Night of Champions when Roman blasted the Uso’s for dropping the tag titles and following it up with a dedication to Roman during their rematch, which led to Roman and Solo unsuccessfully challenging for the Undisputed Tag Team Championship, and the Uso’s turning on The Bloodline and the 2 sides facing each other at MITB. The basis of the Tribal Chief recognition aspect of this match stems from Jey Uso being the right hand man, and Paul Heyman claiming that Jey was being groomed as the next Tribal Chief. The rules of Tribal Combat is, simply, no DQ, no count outs. This strip’s Roman is champions advantage, but allows Solo to be involved without any troubles, which is near guaranteed to happen. This story still has juice left in it with Roman as champion, and that’s how I see it ending.

Winner: Roman Reigns

Staff picks: Marek: Roman Reigns, Samuel: Roman Reigns, Dan: Roman Reigns, Karl: Roman Reigns, Larance: Roman Reigns, Andy: Roman Reigns

• Singles Match

Ricochet vs Logan Paul

This match will be the most athletic match of the whole show. A spot during the Royal Rumble match led to comments by Logan Paul on his podcast about Ricochet. Ricochet responded by challenging Logan to a match and impressing Logan with his acrobatic athleticism. Logan might try to brawl a little bit more, given his boxing background and size over Ricochet, but there will definitely be some high flying action from both sides. I have Logan winning this.

Winner: Logan Paul

Staff picks: Marek: Logan Paul, Samuel: Logan Paul, Dan: Logan Paul, Karl: Logan Paul, Larance: Logan Paul, Andy: Logan Paul.

• Intercontinental Championship match

Gunther (c) (with Imperium) vs Drew McIntyre

This match is steeped in history, dating back to a house show in September, 2022. These 2 guys haven’t had a bad match yet, and it won’t start now. There has been tension between Gunther and Ludwig as of late, and that could very well play a part in the finish to the match. Gunther has been a dominant champion since he captured the IC title last year and has taken on all comers, including Sheamus and Drew McIntyre in a triple threat match at WrestleMania. This will be a hard hitting match from both sides, and in not expecting anything technical. This will be a knockdown, dragout slobberknocker. Gunther will retain, but he won’t be winning, as I think either Giovanni or Ludwig will interfere and cause a DQ finish.

Winner: Drew McIntyre by DQ, Gunther retains

Staff picks: Marek: Gunther, Samuel: Gunther, Daniel: Drew McIntyre, Karl: Gunther, Larance: Drew McIntyre by DQ, Andy: Gunther

• MMA Rules Match

Ronda Rousey vs Shayna Baszler

The match with the most history behind it, stemming to their time in UFC, this match will be under familiar rules to both competitors. This rivalry started at Money in the Bank when Shayna turned on Ronda during their Women’s Tag Team Championship defence against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, allowing for them to win the titles from the champs. Shayna tried justifying the attack by saying that Ronda was selfish, self centred, and had used Shayna to advance her usb career, as Shayna had debuted in MMA and WWE before Ronda, but Ronda was the one that got all the attention, thus making this one of the most personal feuds in WWE, along with the Bloodline story. Shayna has the edge experience wise in both MMA and wrestling, but Ronda can handle the pressure of being in the spotlight better. And for that, I’m giving Ronda the win.

Winner: Ronda Rousey

Staff picks: Marek: Ronda Rousey, Samuel: Shayna Baszler, Daniel: Ronda Rousey, Karl: Shayna Baszler, Larance: double KO, Andy: Shayna Baszler

• SummerSlam Battle Royal

Confirmed Names: LA Knight, Sheamus, Tommaso Ciampa, Shinsuke Nakamura, Otis, Chad Gable.

Not much has been confirmed about this match. Unsure on the number of competitors, unsure who else is in it. LA Knight seems to be the favourite to win the match. Battle royals are always fun to watch. It could go any number if ways, depending on numbers and participants. My pick is LA Knight.

Winner: LA Knight.

Staff picks: Marek: LA Knight, Samuel: LA Knight, Daniel: Sheamus, Karl: LA Knight, Larance: LA Knight, Andy: LA Knight

Overall

This looks like to be a decent show. It’ll be fun to watch. Some of these matches could go either way, others seem to be set. Most of these stories will most likely continue to Payback in September. I can see some of these matches effecting how Survivor Series is booked.