Meet our SummerSlam 2018 Predictors:
Simon Cotton – Sportskeeda Analyst and co-host of the “What You Mean?” Podcast on the Social Suplex Podcast Network.
Tom Gambardella – Social Suplex’s NXT reviewer.
Caleb Baldwin – Social Suplex’s Impact Wrestling reviewer.
Jeremy Donovan – Editor-in-Chief for Social Suplex and co-host of Keepin’ It Strong Style on the Social Suplex Podcast Network.
Rich Latta – Columnist for Lords of Pain and Social Suplex, and host of One Nation Radio on the Social Suplex Podcast Network.
Brian “Clive” Kinsella – Social Suplex’s 205 Live Reviewer and co-host of the Ricky & Clive Wrestling Show on the Social Suplex Podcast Network.
The Real “Perfect 10” Ricky – Co-host of the Ricky & Clive Wrestling Show on the Social Suplex Podcast Network.
Robb Gatts – The most reckless Social Suplex columnist.
Raw Tag Team Champions The B-Team vs. The Revival (Kickoff Match)
Ricky: I’m torn, I like The B Team but The Revival are one of the best tag teams in the world. It’s time though to finally put the titles on The Revival and perhaps, this may be the turning point in reestablishing the Raw tag team division. Pick: The Revival
Caleb: The B Team beats The Revival because fuck me, amirite? Pick: The B Team
Clive: The B Team will be soundly defeated by the A team. Revival to win. Pick: The Revival
Tom: Finally the Revival is in a championship feud, and I think the days of Raw’s tag division being a comedy act end here. Pick: The Revival
Rich: Pick: The Revival
Robb: The stupid Cinderella Story ends here. Revival gets a sneaky win and a fifth of their credibility back. Pick: The Revival
Jeremy: WWE has successfully turned the Raw Tag Team division into an absolute joke. I would prefer for The Revival to get the straps and try to salvage this division. However, something tells me Vinne Mac gets a kick out of The B Team. Pick: The B Team
Simon: The Raw Tag Team Championships were ruined at WrestleMania 34 and The Revival was ruined long before that. Who cares? Pick: The B Team
Rusev & Lana vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega (Kickoff Match)
Ricky: I enjoyed the Almas vs Rusev match on Smackdown and I’m happy both are on the PPV. Whether they should be higher up on the card is another matter but for now, I’ll take this matchup. Pick: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
Caleb: Rusev & Lana win ending this feud on a happy note. Pick: Rusev & Lana
Clive: Aiden English will cost “Rana” the match. Possibly on purpose. Pick: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
Tom: As happy as it makes me to see Rusev & Lana tagging together I think they’re in the ring to put Andrade & Zelina over. Pick: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
Rich: Pick: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
Robb: How many times will I say “who cares” in my predictions? Will I break my personal record? Find out next time on Social Suplex PPV predictions! Pick: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
Jeremy: Rusev and Almas deserve better than this. Hopefully, this will be the end of this feud and both these guys can move on to bigger and better things. Pick: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
Simon: This should be the opening match for SummerSlam and should be a singles between the two male competitors. This tag team match will probably be okay, but Rusev and Andrade deserve better than okay. Pick: Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander vs. Drew Gulak
Ricky: I’m not a huge fan of Alexander and I’ve been disappointed thus far with his title reign. Pick: Drew Gulak
Caleb: Drew Gulak beats Cedric to end the reign of apathy. Look for Ali to eventually usurp Gulak. Pick: Drew Gulak
Clive: Errybody better get ready for a #Better205Live!!!!! A Drewtopia awaits. Pick: Drew Gulak
Tom: I don’t think Cedric drops the belt here, as much as I would enjoy Gulak getting some gold. This seems like a one match feud to get us to Lio Rush vs Cedric Alexander, so Cedric retains. Pick: Cedric Alexander
Rich: Pick: Drew Gulak
Robb: Cedric’s character is bland, boring, and better in the Chase. Yes, he can wrestle, but I rather watch a PowerPoint then another one of his promos. Winner and NEW GLASS CEILING CHAMP, Yo Gabba Gabba Gula. Pick: Drew Gulak
Jeremy: Drew Gulak is one of the most underrated talents on the WWE roster. It’s time for Mr. Gulak to become the head honcho of the cruiserweight division. Pick: Drew Gulak
Simon: Mustafa Ali is the Cruiserweight who should be challenging for the title. This match is a placeholder and nothing more. Should be fun tho. Pick: Cedric Alexander
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The New Day
Ricky: We witnessed the Bludgeon Brothers dismantle The New Day in the not so distant past and I don’t think much changes here other than maybe this matchup being a little closer than the last encounter. The Bar awaits The Bludgeon Brothers which is the matchup that should have taken place here. Pick: The Bludgeon Brothers
Caleb: New Day beats 2B and we get a new twist on an old track. Pick: The New Day
Clive: The Brothers of. Bludgeon will retain (if given time, a contender for Match of The Night). Pick: The Bludgeon Brothers
Tom: The Bludgeon Brothers squashed the New Day AND the Usos at Wrestlemania, so naturally the New Day pick up a win here. Pick: The New Day
Rich: WWE used The Bludgeons to murder their best ever tag team division at Wrestlemania and the division promptly fell into the ether. With a few matches, The New Day reminded us just how special they were, and find themselves staring that not only trying to win the titles but save tag team wrestling in WWE in the process. Pick: The New Day
Robb: A slugfest, hopefully. The tag division has been weak though under the BB. Give it to New Day before they break up. Pick: The New Day
Jeremy: Harper and Rowan have bludgeoned all the Smackdown tag teams. There really is no interesting stories to tell with them as the champions. Pick: The New Day
Simon: As long as Luke Harper and Erick Rowan aren’t in squash mode, this could be another show stealer. The New Day don’t need titles, so my money is on the Bludgeon Brothers. Pick: Bludgeon Brothers
Finn Bálor vs. Constable Baron Corbin
Ricky: Once again, who cares? Pick: Finn Balor
Caleb: Balor beats Corbin and hopefully the lego king moves onto something we can sink our teeth into. Pick: Finn Balor
Clive: The only winners of this match will be the hot dog and popcorn vendors in the arena. And all the customers will miss a Finn victory. Pick: Finn Balor
Tom: It makes me sad that Finn is getting thrown in there with the charisma black hole that is baron Corbin. What can make me happy again is Finn beating him. Pick: Finn Balor
Rich: The master of restholds vs the short guy. After their 20 minute match a few weeks ago which was a rematch of their PPV outing, someone decided they couldn’t get enough of these two and jammed them up our rears again. This is bound to suck, no hands. Pick: Finn Balor
Robb: Who Cares©️? Pick: The bathroom breakers
Jeremy: New drinking game, take a shot every time Corbin puts Balor in a chin lock. Pick: Finn Balor
Simon: Nobody Cares. Pick: Finn Bálor
United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jeff Hardy
Ricky: Nakamura owns 2 wins over Jeff Hardy so why do we need the 3rd match? The feud these last few weeks has been Randy Orton vs Jeff Hardy so I expect Orton to cost Jeff Hardy the title. Pick: Nakamura
Caleb: Nakamura beats Hardy thanks to interference from Orton who distracts Hardy with a handshake. Pick: Nakamura
Clive: Nakamura will retain after Orton puts his junk in the hole in Jeff’s earlobe or something. Pick: Nakamura
Tom: Jeff is washed, Nakamura has stalled since winning the rumble. I think Jeff wins. Randy Orton is waiting for whoever wins, and doing a heel vs heel match between Nakamura and Orton just doesn’t sound like something WWE can do right. Pick: Jeff Hardy
Rich: If Jeff Hardy wore regular trunks I think we’d be able to see the dust flying off his knees. Nakamura has been given the US title as a pacifier but feels completely cold at the moment. I’m sure Orton pops up somewhere to rob Jeff Hardy of a win. Pick: Nakamura
Robb: Jeff ALMOST wins, until an RKOutta Nowhere ™️ ruins his day. Shinsuke in 5 (he’ll catch one too). Pick: Nakamura
Jeremy: I’ve always been a big Jeff Hardy fan, but he is washed. One more Swanton Bomb and his body will disintegrate. Pick: Nakamura
Simon: The story with this feud completely revolves around Randy Orton. I wouldn’t be surprised if this match ends in no contest or doesn’t even happen. If the match does happen, my money’s on Nakamura. He needs this win…in a legit match to validate his heel turn. Pick: Nakamura
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
Ricky: The best storyline in WWE and has been for the last 2 years finally comes to a head. Miz will get his comeuppance at some point, preferably at WrestleMania with the WWE Title on the line, but this match should be about giving Miz the win to allow him to gloat and goad Daniel Bryan. Pick: The Miz
Caleb: The Miz beats Daniel Bryan because this is just chapter one of the new feud. Pick: The Miz
Clive: Miz will win this battle, but the war is far from over. Pick: The Miz
Tom: The elephant in the room here is Bryan’s contract status. As James said on ONR, WWE loves their “forever heat”, and Miz beating Bryan before Bryan leaves the company would give him that. If Bryan stays he can get the win back later and challenge for the title. So I’ll say Miz wins here. Pick: The Miz
Rich: The only match I give any type of damn about. I’m ready to see the great Daniel Bryan PPV matches that we’ve not gotten because he was stuck with Big Cass, and put with Kane for a month. The video packages have been excellent, and it really feels like the real main event of the show. For Bryan, this isn’t about winning and losing, this is about kicking Miz’s ass. I think Miz realizes that though, and enlists outside help to sneak out a win over Bryan. Pick: The Miz
Robb: WHO CARES?! THIS MATCH IS GONNA BE FLAME FUEGO. I want to see this feud go to WM, so let’s have Miz get real heel-y. Pick: The Miz
Jeremy: I have really enjoyed the build-up for this match. This has been the best part of main roster programming in a long time. If Bryan wins this will put an end to this rivalry. I don’t see this feud anytime soon which means the Miz needs to win. Pick: The Miz
Simon: The buildup has been fantastic and the match is my pick for the show-stealer. Either winner makes me happy. Pick: Daniel Bryan.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch (Triple Threat Match)
Ricky: Charlotte was added to this match to improve the match quality and it allows Carmella’s flaws and ability to be hidden. It’s Becky’s time and at some point soon we should see Charlotte turn heel setting up a feud with Becky Lynch for the Smackdown Women’s Title. Pick: Becky Lynch
Caleb: Becky Lynch finally wins her title back and I can rejoice for a day. Pick: Becky Lynch
Clive: Carmella will retain, and the Twitter will blow up quicker than Peyton Royce’s Retweet counter. Pick: Carmella
Tom: This feud didn’t necessarily need Charlotte, but she’ll probably make the match better. I think Carmella sneaks out of Brooklyn with the belt and gloats about beating 2 of the 4 horsewomen for the rest of the year, maybe for the rest of her career. Pick: Carmella
Rich: Becky Lynch never gets a birthday. I saw an article by the New York Post that said: “How Charlotte Flair’s best friend made it to Summerslam.” What kind of crap is that? Carmella is redesigning what terrible wrestling is in 2018 as she submits her bid to be the Jinder Mahal of women. Charlotte is also here. Pick: Becky Lynch
Robb: Who cares? Charlotte being inserted has ruined Becky’s coronation back to the top. Carmella eeks it out. Pick: Carmella wins LOL
Jeremy: Promos might be scripted, but there is some truth behind every promo. WWE sees as Carmella as the “most attractive” female on the roster. Her push has been clearly directed by her appearance and not her skills. They could care less how good her wrestling is. Therefore we will have to continue to endure terrible Carmella matches. Pick: Carmella
Simon: This match has shenanigans written all over it. Anyone except Carmella winning would make sense…which is why she’s gonna win. Pick: Carmella
Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins
Ricky: I enjoyed the previous 3 matches so I’m not entirely against this match. A lot of talk of Ambrose turning on Seth which is plausible but I think they may continue with Rollins and Ambrose as a tag team for the time being. Pick: Dolph Ziggler
Caleb: Rollins finally beats Ziggler and we move along to an eventual Rollins/Ambrose feud. Pick: Seth Rollins
Clive: Seth to win the title, then a chair to the back by Ambrose, bagawd. Pick: Seth Rollins
Tom: This match is weird, both people in the match are about to get turned on by their cornermen, it’s just a matter of when. I’ll say Ziggler retains because Ambrose-Rollins can be bigger than the IC title. Pick: Dolph Ziggler
Rich: Dean Ambrose looks like he was freshly released and looks to balance out Drew McIntyre on the outside. Do we get foolishness or a Summerslam classic? It’s on them to decide. Pick: Dolph Ziggler
Robb: Screwjob incoming. Dean and Seth need to be in the universal title picture anyways. Let Dolph has his run. Pick: Dolph Ziggler
Jeremy: THE GREAT WWE HOPE will try his best, but will once again get screwed out of the IC title. Pick: Dolph Ziggler
Simon: The Brooklyn crowd should be much more receptive to this match this time but fans won’t be watching for the match. Dean Ambrose is back and a Heel Ambrose is what we deserve. Hopefully, that’s what the endgame is regardless of who wins the title. Pick: Seth Rollins
Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
Ricky: The stipulation of having the briefcase on the line here leads me to think Kevin Owens wins but if that is the case then what next for Braun? The ball has been dropped on several occasions with this man so why would I believe if he drops the briefcase that management can keep him relevant. Pick: Braun Strowman
Caleb: Strowman beats Owens. Nothing doing here. Pick: Braun Strowman
Clive: Why was KO given this opportunity? Obvious. To make Raw The Kevin Owens Show once again. Pick: Kevin Owens
Tom: KO has become a popular dark horse pick to walk out of Brooklyn with the fruit leather belt, but I don’t think he wins the briefcase here. Reigns vs Braun is the best feud reigns can have as champ, and it would be foolish to give that away. Pick: Braun Strowman
Rich: Strowman has already been robbed of his chance to beat Lesnar straight up for the Universal title, and a MITB briefcase doesn’t tend to help babyface. Strowman, with a million lives, has managed to heat himself up again, but it feels like WWE is prone to chicanery. Pick: Kevin Owens
Robb: Deep sigh…Pick: Kevin Owens
Jeremy: Poor KO has been mauled over and over again by Braun. By hook or by crook Owens will find a way to win the briefcase. Pick: Kevin Owens
Simon: The buildup has been weak, but these men have never had a bad match before. As far as the winner goes, anything can happen this Sunday, but I’m hoping that they finally give Strowman the win he deserves. Owens was already champion, so I say give it to the Monster Among Men. Pick: Braun Strowman
Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss vs. Ronda Rousey
Ricky: Unless we see some sort of interference then Ronda should leave SummerSlam with the title. I wouldn’t be entirely shocked if Natalya costs Ronda the title. Pick: Ronda Rousey
Caleb: Ronda Rousey might main event here but she will leave as champion. Pick: Ronda Rousey
Clive: Rousey to squash Bliss. Hopefully in seconds. Pick: Ronda Rousey
Tom: I think the most interesting part of this match will be seeing what hoops WWE jumps through to make Alexa bliss look credible against Ronda Rousey. This should be a 2 minute win for Rousey, but I think WWE will put off Rousey winning the title until evolution. Pick: Alexa Bliss
Rich: END ALEXA BLISS’ REIGN NOW! OR I WILL RANT AGAIN! Pick: Ronda Rousey
Robb: Ronda catches a body. No brainer. Pick: Ronda Rousey
Jeremy: Are these people dumb enough to beat the biggest star in the company? Pick: Alexa Bliss
Simon: If this match is more than a minute, it’s an even bigger joke than it is now. Pick: Ronda Rousey
WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe
Ricky: At what point do WWE pull the trigger on Joe? After having hit promo after hit promo, he loses the big match so when will this trend end? For Samoa Joe fans, not this Sunday is the answer. For anyone expecting anything like the matches these two had in TNA (I’m allowing myself to dream they might) then expectations need to be tempered because both men currently are not what they were in TNA but this match still has the potential to be special and a classic in it’s own right. Pick: AJ Styles
Caleb: Samoa Joe will beat AJ Styles. I believe it. Take it to your bank. If the check bounces, plans changed. Pick: Samoa Joe
Clive: Samoa Joe can talk the talk on the main roster, but hasn’t walked the walk yet when it counts. AJ to win. Pick: AJ Styles
Tom: I think Joe wins here. I like AJ as the top babyface champion, but Daniel Bryan has to get into the title picture soon. And as good as AJ vs Bryan could be, giving Bryan an established heel to go against would be an even bigger moneymaker. Pick: Samoa Joe
Rich: Styles and Joe is the battle of “We should have been here 10-15 years ago”. It hasn’t gotten the same attention as the other title match creatively. AJ Styles looks ripe for Joe right now. Pick: Samoa Joe
Robb: AJ…you’ve done a great job and broke records. Time to give Joe some credibility. Pick: Samoa Joe
Jeremy: If you would have told me 10 years ago that one day AJ Styles and Samoa Joe would be wrestling in the WWE title match of Summerslam I would call you crazy. I’m very familiar with all the Styles/Joe matches and I know if given the opportunity these guys can tear the house down. AJ’s title run has become stagnant and it’s time for Joe to finally win the big one. Pick: Samoa Joe
Simon: The buildup has been phenomenal to watch (pardon the pun). And if this match happened five year ago, it would be my pick to steal the show. However, both Styles and Joe are older now and with Joe being more injury prone in recent years, this match will probably be good, but not on the level of their work in Impact Wrestling. Pick: AJ Styles
Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
Ricky: So here we go again? Whether you love Roman or not, we, as fans, can at least agree that the Universal Title needs to be dropped by Brock as soon as possible. My gut is telling me Brock won’t drop the title at SummerSlam, maybe the following night on Raw against Braun? I have no idea what will happen but all I know is if Brock drops the title at SummerSlam then I don’t care if the rest of show delivers or not because Brock dropping the title will make up for that. I guess that’s an indictment of the Raw main event scene at the moment which is disappointing and that’s being polite. Pick: Brock Lesnar
Caleb: Lesnar beats Reigns. Who cares? Pick: Brock Lesnar
Clive: I don’t have a fucking clue. Rooting for my BAE Kevin Owens when all is said and done. Pick: Kevin Owens Cash In
Tom: It’s time. Let’s get it over with. Let’s give Roman the title and give him a long reign. That’s what should happen, right? Pick: Brock Lesnar
Rich: Can WWE outrun the hijack? That remains to be seen, but Roman Reigns destroying Lesnar in 3 mins or less and ending the night champion is best for everyone. Lesnar gets to come back fresh and he can have the ridiculous absent champion by his own doing narrative around him removed, and WWE can stop pump faking with Reigns. Pick: Roman Reigns
Robb: Who…cares…cause KO is cashing in if he wins…Pick: Not Brock
Jeremy: Put the belt on Roman and never book this match ever again. Pick: Roman Reigns
Simon: This match had people’s attention for two weeks straight with great segments and crapped the bed on the Go-Home Show. This is the match that has put WWE on pause since 2015 and hopefully, the time has finally come for this story to end. They’ve had bad matches and good matches in their past three encounters and hopefully, we get their best on what should be the last match between Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns. Pick: Roman Reigns
