WWE SummerSlam 2016 Match Card, Result Predictions, Date, Time (India)
The biggest party of the summer is back, and it returns to it’s previous location,i.e, The Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, where NXT Takeover:Brooklyn II will take place the night before as well. And this Summerslam has an extremely stacked card, arguably the greatest card in Summerslam history, though it can be disputed with the likes of Summerslam 2002. A mega-card on a mega-show, it almost feels like Wrestlemania of the summer.
We are going to witness a series of dream matches, a match 14 years in the making, and matches that are a result of great storytelling, and not just those that are thrown together, which shows in the fact that the fans are anticipating almost, if not all, every match that has been presented on the card. 6 title matches in a total of the 9. Let’s dwelve into the matches, and what we predict the outcomes to be!
Date: August 21st, 2016
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York City
Time: 7 ET/4 PT
Indian Time: 22nd August, 2016; 4:30 AM IST
Here are the WWE SummerSlam 2016 Match Card, Result Predictions:
The New Day(c) vs The Club(WWE Tag Team Championship)
The Club have been featured constantly on television in important feuds, whether it has been against Roman Reigns, John Cena, or other tag teams. They are on an extremely great wave of momentum despite having been mis-booked several times over the last few months. After AJ Styles got drafted separately to Smackdown Live, The Club now have their eyes on the prize to dethrone The New Day, who won the tag titles last Summerslam, which would make their reign on the day of Summerslam reach up to 364 days.
However, The New Day have reached a stage where they do not require the titles anymore, and the fact that Big E was written out with a storyline injury makes it the perfect time for them to drop the titles to those who could really use it to fuel their momentum.
Prediction: Winners, and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions, The Club
Rusev(c) vs Roman Reigns(WWE United States Championship)
The way things have taken a turn with Roman Reigns the last couple of months have been mind-boggling, to say the least. Before Money In The Bank, it seemed like Roman Reigns was invincible and was going to get atleast a 4-6 month title reign after he finally got his coronation at Wrestlemania 32. However, Reigns failure of the Wellness policy and subsequently his suspension saw him drop the title to Seth Rollins, and then be pinned at Battleground and then to Finn Balor the next night on Raw made his position in the eyes of the WWE officials very fragile.
He then began a feud with Rusev for the United States Championship, which indicated that WWE have stopped pushing Reigns as the top guy for the time being, and it looks like he will be in the upper mid-card until the WWE officials decide that it is time again to pull the trigger on him again, if they do. However, the prospect of Reigns in the mid-card has led to him getting more favorable reactions, unlike the constant backlash he faced leading upto this.
That being said, since May, WWE have began to rebuild Rusev as a monster heel, and he faces his first major challenge in Roman Reigns. Reigns won’t lose anything by a defeat, while Rusev will gain a major wave of credibility in beating the guy who has been pushed as WWE’s top star for 2 years now, so it is benefits both parties long term for the title to not change hands.
Prediction: Winner, and STILL United States Champion, Rusev
Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens
This has been an all round entertaining feud, especially due to the comedic element between Jericho and Kevin Owens, and the masterful promos between Enzo Amore and Chris Jericho. Enzo and Cass are undoubtedly the call-ups with the greatest amount of momentum this year. They have been heavily featured in important feuds and are being pushed as an important force to be dealt with.
Not to mention, Enzo & Cass get some of the best reactions of the entire roster. Kevin Owens is fresh off a feud against Sami Zayn where he was unsuccessful, and Chris Jericho is in the midst of the best comeback run of his career so far. However, Enzo & Cass are easily running the greater wave of momentum, and it makes more sense for the babyfaces to go over here.
Prediction: Enzo Amore & Big Cass
The Miz(c) vs Apollo Crews(WWE Intercontinental Championship)
The Miz won the Intercontinental Championship from Zack Ryder on the Raw after Wrestlemania when the returning Maryse distracted Ryder for The Miz to pick up the victory and become the Intercontinental Champion. Since then, Miz has hit the reset button on his character and improved significantly by Maryse by his side. He has had quite a good run, going through the likes of Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and a match with Darren Young as well.
Apollo Crews on the other hand, after being called up on the same night the Miz won the Intercontinental title, got lost in the shuffle. However, with the draft to Smackdown Live, it looks like Apollo Crews is getting an opportunity to take the first step in the right direction. The Miz has had a great run, but WWE may look at this match as an opportunity to give a real kick start to the up and coming Apollo Crews and elevate him in the Smackdown Live brand.
Prediction: Winner, and NEW Intercontinental Champion, Apollo Crews
John Cena vs AJ Styles
AJ Styles debuted in the Royal Rumble match, and due to just how good he is, he has been shot to the top of the card quicker than most. After Wrestlemania, he became the Number 1 contender to Roman Reigns’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and despite 2 unsuccessful efforts, he came out looking very strong. He then began a feud with a returning John Cena, turning heel and aligning himself with The Club by attacking John Cena. He successfully defeated John Cena at Money In The Bank, albeit with the help of The Club, but nonetheless, defeated Cena in his first pay-per-view back.
They had a six-man tag team match with The Club against Cena and Enzo and Amore, which saw Cena pinning AJ Styles and winning for his team. The draft saw both Cena and Styles drafted to Smackdown Live, and after they both failed to become the Number 1 contender to Dean Ambrose’s WWE World Championship, their feud re-ignited. AJ Styles challenged Cena to a rubber match at Summerslam.
Now, it must be noted that John Cena will be absent from WWE television after Summerslam until atleast Survivor Series, from what is speculated. He will be filming the second season of American Grit, while AJ Styles is rumored to be feuding with Randy Orton after Summerslam. That being said, Cena has achieved almost all that there is to be achieved in the WWE, while AJ Styles is on an extremely hot run as a heel, and thus AJ needs to look strong going forward as the top heel of Smackdown Live.
Prediction: AJ Styles with a clean victory over Cena