SummerSlam 2019 Preview & Predictions

After four consecutive years at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, WWE’s biggest event of the summer, SummerSlam, heads to Toronto, Ontario, Canada this Sunday. 

WWE has hosted SummerSlam in Toronto once before, back in 2004. This event saw the then ‘Legend Killer’ Randy Orton win his first World Heavyweight Title, and at the same time become the youngest World Champion in WWE history.

All the superstars of Raw, SmackDown Live and 205Live will be in the house at the Scotiabank Arena, in what promises to be a memorable event. The event starts at Midnight GMT / 7pm EST live on the WWE Network, with the SummerSlam kick-off set to begin two-hours prior to the event. The total show time could total 6-7 hours.

Wrestling Travel have proudly brought over a number of fans for the event from the UK to experience SummerSlam weekend, which they will take in NXT TakeOver, SummerSlam, Raw and Smackdown Live. The WT team are also on the ground in Toronto covering the weekend events from WWE and the independent scene. Look out for our WT shirts whether you’re in Toronto or watching at home!

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Below are the 10 matches that are currently scheduled to go ahead during WWE SummerSlam 2019. It is expecting more will be announced on social media in the coming days or on the night.

Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Seth Rollins – WWE Universal Championship
After Brock Lesnar lost the Universal Championship to Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 35, we all thought that would be the end of ‘The Beast Incarnate’, especially in the title picture. Fast-forward 4-months, Brock is once again the reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Champion after cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Seth Rollins at Extreme Rules. Rollins earned an opportunity to gain revenge, winning a 10-man Battle Royal the following night on Raw to earn his rematch with The Beast. Since that night, Brock has left Rollins beaten, bloodied and bruised over the last few weeks on Raw after some brutal assaults. Many believe Seth has lost a bit of steam since winning the title, especially after being paired with real-life partner, the WWE Raw Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch in storylines recently. Brock has unleashed a new reign of terror since regaining the Universal Title and this match could be a brutal affair. ‘The Workhorse’ Rollins rebuilt his stock prior to WrestleMania, but now many feel he needs a new direction for now, without the title.
Predicted winner: Brock Lesnar to retain the WWE Universal Championship

Becky Lynch (c) vs. Natalya – WWE Raw Women’s Championship – Submission Match
‘The Man’ is still coming around, carrying the Raw Women’s Championship proudly, but she recently sparked a little divide amongst fans that she’s not quite receiving the same response that she was when chasing the title. Since her legendary main event win at WrestleMania 35 against Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey, in the Winner Takes All match to become ‘Becky 2 Belts’, Lynch has only had one real feud and that has been with Lacey Evans. Lynch has also recently had her real-life partner, Seth Rollins, inserted into storylines to combine feuds, with Lynch defending her Women’s Title and Seth defending the Universal Title. Becky now faces a more experienced competitor, Natalya. Natalya won a Fatal-4-Way Elimination Match to become No.1 Contender for ‘The Man’s’ title. The match will be contested in a Submission Match, which both carry a specialist submission manoeuvre in their repertoire of moves. Becky needs some more buzz surrounding her as the lead in to Mania buzz has fizzled out. I can see a big win making Natalya tap, then moving onto something to catch the audiences imagination once again.
Predicted winner: Becky Lynch, to retain WWE Raw Women’s Championship

Bayley (c) vs. Ember Moon – WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
Bayley has found a new lease of life since being moved over to SmackDown Live. She managed to win the Women’s Money in the Bank and capture the WWE SmackDown Women’s Title, cashing in on Charlotte Flair. Bayley’s stock has risen since then and recently defeated Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross in a 2-on-1 match to retain her title at Extreme Rules. If anything, I think Bayley has had a better run since WrestleMania than Becky, and Bayley has been able to spread her wings a lot more than previously. She is having a great run, I can’t see that ending just yet. Ember on the other hand, despite her being on the roster for over a year now, I still don’t believe she’s fully established just yet. Ember had some epic matches on NXT, but there’s still time for her to break through and lay down a marker on SmackDown Live.
Predicted winner: Bayley, to retain the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship

Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship
KofiMania is still running wild and going strong. Kofi will now face Randy Orton at SummerSlam in a feud that has been brewing since from almost a decade ago. A match on Monday Night Raw between Orton and Kofi Kingston, Orton was legit frustrated at the end of their match after he won via an RKO. Orton proceeded to shout ‘Stupid!’ at Kofi Kingston who was laying on the ground. Fast-forward to 2019, Kofi Kingston is now WWE Champion and Randy Orton the challenger, the incident from nearly a decade ago has been brought into the storyline, with Kofi claiming Orton used his influence backstage to halt any push for Kofi. Orton said he did exactly that and accepted a challenge from Kofi to face him at SummerSlam, with the title on the line. This one i’m split down the middle, but Kofi’s run still has a lot more left in the tank, especially with a potential New Day split to come down the line.
Predicted winner: Kofi Kingston, to retain the WWE Championship

Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon – If Kevin Owen’s loses, he will quit WWE
Shane McMahon has been a predominant figure on SmackDown Live for months, and many have become disgruntled and irritated that he has taken screen time from so many who are more deserving. This has been brought into a storyline as Kevin Owens spoke what many are thinking around the world, that Shane McMahon takes up far too much TV time on a weekly basis. Owens has been trying his best to take out ‘The Best In The World’ when Shane has tried to ban him from the show, but ultimately now KO has said he will put his career on the line when the two meet at SummerSlam. The stipulation has been added to fit the story, but outside of the narrative, we know that KO isn’t going anywhere. I’m sure these two will deliver, but the stipulation is meaningless considering KO’s contract is up in April 2023. If it was known his contract was due up soon, then it would immediately spark up the interest considering there is other competition out there.
Predicted winner: Kevin Owens

Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt has returned and has captured the imagination of everyone in the WWE Universe and beyond. The man has reinvented himself, and now looks set to reign terror on Finn Balor at SummerSlam. Promos began the night after WrestleMania and lead to the eerie ‘Firefly Fun House’ debuting each week, this then followed with ‘The Fiend’ making numerous appearances in the most sinister and terrifying way possible. Wyatt should take a lot of credit for pulling this new creative directive off and reinventing himself. Wyatt’s segments on the show are ones I look forward to the most. The character stands out amongst a roster that currently lacks stand-out stars and is too heavy on a generic look. I really hope this can turn Wyatt into something huge. I’m all for it, the potential is there. I’m looking forward to seeing what this match has in store for us on Sunday.
Predicted winner: ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt

AJ Styles (c) vs. Ricochet – WWE United States Championship
Ricochet has been impressive since joining the main roster, and captured the United States Championship just a few months after being drafted to Raw in the Superstar Shake-up. After eye-catching performances in NXT, he has now laid down a marker on Raw and has even got the backing of new Executive Director behind-the-scenes, Paul Heyman. Ricochet is now embroiled in a feud with AJ Styles, who has just recently found his inner bad guy once again and put ‘the band back together’, reuniting with his old Japan buddies Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson to form The OC (Original Club). Styles defeated Ricochet at Extreme Rules to take the US Title from him, and now they are set to have a rematch at SummerSlam, in what has the potential to steal the show.
Predicted winner: AJ Styles, to retain the WWE United States Championship

Trish Stratus vs. Charlotte Flair
Since losing her SmackDown Women’s Title in the Winner Takes All match at WrestleMania 35, Charlotte has had an indifferent journey leading up to SummerSlam. Firstly, beating Becky Lynch to regain her Smackdown Women’s Title at Money in the Bank, only to lose it after 4 minutes when Bayley cashed-in her Money in the Bank briefcase. Charlotte was then not seen on TV until recently, where she became frustrated that she wasn’t booked for SummerSlam and wanted to prove she was the greatest female superstar of all-time. The following week, Flair ultimately challenged Trish Stratus to a match at SummerSlam, who returned to SmackDown Live in a Kings Court segment with Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler. This would be Trish’s first match since the all-women PPV, Evolution, back in October 2018. This will also mark the return of Trish in her hometown of Toronto, where she last had a ‘retirement match’ at Unforgiven 2006 vs. Lita in the same building. It is being widely reported that this will be Trish’s official retirement match, so the feeling is this will be a ‘passing of the torch’ match, with Flair coming out victorious.
Predicted winner: Charlotte Flair

Drew Gulak vs. Oney Lorcan – WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Drew Gulak has been a mainstay on 205Live since its inception. Gulak finally made it to the top of the mountain by winning the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, beating Tony Nese and Akira Tozawa, in a Triple Threat match, on the Stomping Grounds kick-off show back in June. Gulak’s challenger, Oney Lorcan, moved over to 205Live from NXT earlier this year and has settled in well on the roster. Oney won a Six-Pack Challenge to become No.1 contender for the Cruiserweight Title at SummerSlam, which is expected to take place on the kick-off show. I watch 205Live on a weekly basis, and have to say it is the most entertaining 45 minutes of action you could wish for. Gulak and Oney will tear the house down and leave it all in the ring that’s for sure.
Predicted winner: Drew Gulak, retaining the WWE Cruiserweight Championship

Goldberg vs. Dolph Ziggler
June 7th 2019 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a dream match was contested between two of the all-time greats. Goldberg & The Undertaker. This clash would have been spectacular had it happened 20 years earlier, instead of appeasing the Saudi demands. The match itself was a disappointment to many. Goldberg injured himself early on which immediately slowed the pace of everything down. Moves weren’t able to be delivered correctly, and it turned into a bit of farcical outing for the two legends. The Undertaker has since ‘redeemed’ himself with an energised outing teaming with Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules, now it’s Goldberg’s turn to put that match in Jeddah behind him. Goldberg took to Twitter following the match, apologising to his fans and those who watched on the WWE Network. Goldberg needs this match to initially remove that dark cloud that currently looms over him, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we see some more Goldberg matches down the line.
Predicted winner: Goldberg

Let us know your thoughts and predictions ahead of SummerSlam below!

Danny Wolstanholme – Wrestling Travel