NZPWI Roundtable: WWE SummerSlam 2020 predictions, preview

by NZPWI

August 23, 2020

NZPWI Roundtable: WWE SummerSlam 2020 predictions, preview

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Drew McIntyre has had his eye on Randy Orton as a potential challenger since he first became WWE Champion at WrestleMania 36.

Now, inside the state-of-the-art WWE ThunderDome, McIntyre and Orton collide at SummerSlam.

McIntyre has retained his title against a who’s who of WWE Superstars, from Big Show to Seth Rollins to Dolph Ziggler, since claiming the belt from Brock Lesnar in April.

But it’s the names left in Orton’s wake that have really got people talking.

The Legend Killer has reverted back to his old ways in the lead-up to SummerSlam, taking out Edge, Christian, Big Show, Ric Flair, and Shawn Michaels in an attempt to get inside McIntyre’s head.

Unfortunately for Orton, he may have only served to motivate McIntyre further.

“I have a whole bunch of receipts to cash in,” McIntyre warned his challenger ahead of their SummerSlam main event.

So, with tensions high and stakes even higher, who’s leaving with the WWE Championship?

Join the NZPWI Roundtable as we break down the card for WWE SummerSlam 2020!

* * *

WWE Championship:
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Randy Orton

David Dunn (58% accurate for 2020):
Randy Orton has been unhinged over the past few weeks, but perhaps he’d have been better off to bide his time. Look for McIntyre to dish out one Claymore for each WWE Legend Orton has put on the shelf.
Winner: Drew McIntyre

Grady Hooker (58% accurate for 2020):
My head says that a vicious Randy Orton is the scariest thing possible and a clear pick to win the championship at SummerSlam – but my heart loves Drew McIntyre!
Winner: Drew McIntyre

Steve McCleary (50% accurate for 2020):
The Viper’s been on a punting spree, but he’s going to charge himself straight into a Claymore.
Winner: Drew McIntyre

Sammy G (42% accurate for 2020):
I’m truly torn coming into this one, both men have come a long way since the late 2000s. I have a ton of respect for Drew, but I think the reign of RKO is about to begin!
Winner: Randy Orton

Universal Championship:
Braun Strowman (c) vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

David:
Goldberg beat The Fiend to become Universal Champion, and Strowman beat Goldberg to do the same. Therefore…
Winner: Braun Strowman

Grady:
The defining factor of this match will be Alexa Bliss, but I don’t know which way she will swing. I’m going to take a bet on The Fiend picking up the win and possibly a new girlfriend.
Winner: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

Steve:
It’s been a strange road to get here, but finally The Fiend emerges to put down The Monster. Unless Alexa Bliss sticks her nose into this and ends up… yeah…
Winner: Braun Strowman

Sammy:
The Fiend can do no wrong in my eyes. So, with total bias, I summarise this match in three words: let him in.
Winner: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

Raw Tag Team Championship:
The Street Profits (c) vs. Andrade & Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega

David:
The Street Profits are wise to Zelina Vega’s tricks after she was exposed on Raw. When it’s a fair fight – or as fair as it can be under the circumstances – they should find a way to retain.
Winners: The Street Profits

Grady:
With everything going on with regards to the poisoning of Montez Ford, I have to give the advantage to Andrade and Garza. They’ll be heading into the match fully focused and I can’t say that about The Street Profits.
Winners: Andrade & Angel Garza

Steve:
Zelina’s clients have demonstrated exceptional focus, unlike Montez who couldn’t even remain awake during one of their matches. All smoke, poor form.
Winners: Andrade & Angel Garza

Sammy:
Zelina Vega has been an asset to Andrade and Garza’s careers, and could be the one to lead them to tag team gold – even if it takes underhanded tactics!
Winners: Andrade & Angel Garza

Street Fight:
Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins w/ Murphy

David:
We saw it with Pat McAfee at NXT TakeOver earlier today. No matter how impressive you are in your debut match, there are levels to this game.
Winner: Seth Rollins

Grady:
If anything has been clear over the past month it’s that Seth Rollins has a lot of enemies. They are going to stack up against him, and I think Dominik will win in his debut match.
Winner: Dominik Mysterio

Steve:
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Winner: Seth Rollins

Sammy:
The photos of Dominik’s body after the recent attacks have gone viral around the internet, it was a hell of a beating – now he’s had a taste, I think he’ll be ready for what happens next! Do it for Papi!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio

United States Championship:
Apollo Crews (c) vs. MVP

David:
MVP’s been obsessing over the United States Championship, even going as far as to redesign the belt! But I worry his focus is a little too much on the title itself, and not fully on the man who holds it.
Winner: Apollo Crews

Grady:
MVP has his little crew of The Hurt Business, and business is booming.
Winner: MVP

Steve:
The odds are stacked against Apollo, since he seems too stubborn to join The Hurt Business. Now he’ll just be hurt.
Winner: MVP

Sammy:
It’s been exciting to have MVP back on the roster again. As a former champ, he knows the importance of the US Championship, and will be proud to hold the belt once again!
Winner: MVP

Raw Women’s Championship:
Sasha Banks (c) vs. Asuka

David:
This is the match we’re discussing first but it’ll be the second on the night, which is a huge disadvantage to Asuka.
Winner: Sasha Banks

Grady:
Asuka is booked in two different championship matches against both of the Golden Role Models. I think she’ll walk out with at least one of the belts, so I’m going to hedge my bets and pick her for both.
Winner: Asuka

Steve:
Asuka 2 Titles!
Winner: Asuka

Sammy:
As fans sometimes will… I have been thinking ahead to the “what if” scenarios depending on outcomes of these matches, the future I have foreseen is a lot more interesting if Bayley and Sasha retain.
Winner: Sasha Banks

SmackDown Women’s Championship:
Bayley (c) vs. Asuka

David:
Bayley’s got a much harder job than Sasha Banks, having to take on a fresh Asuka.
Winner: Asuka

Grady:
As above, I’m going to hedge my bets and pick Asuka.
Winner: Asuka

Steve:
Asuka 2 Titles!
Winner: Asuka

Sammy:
The future I have foreseen is a lot more interesting if Bayley and Sasha retain.
Winner: Bayley

Loser Leaves WWE, No Disqualification Match:
Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville

David:
I worry about the mindset of someone willing to stake their career on the result of a match. Are they already, mentally, halfway out the door?
Winner: Mandy Rose

Grady:
Somebody is going to be kicked out of WWE after this match! Mandy Rose has already lost some hair as part of this feud, so I expect the tables to turn on Sonya.
Winner: Mandy Rose

Steve:
The match I’m most intrigued for. Deville may have overplayed her hand, leaving her unprepared for what Rose is bringing.
Winner: Mandy Rose

Sammy:
I enjoy the work of both of these Superstars, and both have made some big career moves this year. It will be sad to see one of them go, but I think it’s gonna be Sonya Deville.
Winner: Mandy Rose