'Sarge Says So!' WWE SummerSlam 2016 Preview: Will New Era Of Superstars Steal The Show?
By Mike "Sarge" Riley, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Twitter: @Sarge985
BOSTON (CBS) -- 'Sup wrestling fans? Sarge here!
SummerSlam is this Sunday and it's traditionally the second biggest pay-per-view on the WWE calendar year, behind only Wrestlemania. It feels like a Mega-Main Event with the debut of the new WWE Universal title for Raw, the WWE Championship match on Smackdown, the Women's title match and alleged main event of Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton.
This is the first pay-per-view since the Raw and Smackdown draft last month and it features 11 matches in a four-hour pay-per-view show with a couple being bumped down to the pre-show, which begins two hours before.
Sarge's Summerslam Predictions
Carmella, Becky Lynch, and Naomi will beat Natalya and Alexa Bliss (Eva Marie was slated to be with Natalya and Alexa Bliss, but is a late scratch after being suspended 30 days for violating the WWE's wellness policy).
I'm looking forward to seeing the pay-per-view debut of the Spencer, Mass. native and former Patriots cheerleader Carmella, who was drafted out NXT last month.
Sheamus will beat Cesaro.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass will beat Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho.
Intercontinental Championship
The Miz (Champion) vs. Apollo Crews
Crews is a rising talent out of NXT on the Smackdown roster, but the Miz will retain with the services of his wife Maryse at ringside.
My winner: The Miz
Tag Team Championship
The New Day (Champions) vs. Anderson & Gallows
The New Day won the titles last year at SummerSlam in Brooklyn, and a year later they'll lose the titles. The WWE's "new era" continues with Anderson & Gallows taking home the belts.
My winner: Anderson & Gallows
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
Remember last year at SummerSlam when comedian Jon Stewart interfered on Cena's match vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE title? Stewart is confirmed to be part of the show. He screws Cena again in some capacity.
My winner: AJ Styles
Unites States Championship
Rusev (Champion) vs. Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is still serving his penance after the 30-day violation earlier this summer. Rusev is too good a heel to pass up on with the title around his waist.
My winner: Rusev
Women's Championship
Sasha Banks (Champion) vs. Charlotte
It's too early to take the belt off Sasha Banks, who just beat Charlotte for it last month. And without the services of Dana Brooke by Charlotte's side, Sasha is the favorite.
My winner: Sasha Banks
WWE Championship
Dean Ambrose (Champion) vs. Dolph Ziggler
Look out for a Bray Wyatt interference and he'll be the next guy against Ambrose for the title. It was a good bump up for Ziggler from the mid-card to main event status.
My winner: Dean Ambrose
Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
Lesnar is riding off the momentum from his UFC 200 win, and he carries that into SummerSlam. Orton will be too rusty with this being his first event in 2016.
My winner: Brock Lesnar
WWE Universal Championship
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor
This match has potential to earn the Sarge Salute of the day!
Balor is at the top of the "new era" list of talent and he's going to use his "Demon King" character to turn heel. There has never been a better time for the WWE to capitalize with their NXT talent after Balor was called up in this year's draft to Raw.
My winner: Finn Balor
Looking ahead, WWE will desperately try one more time to make Roman Reigns a face and he'll be feuding with Balor as the Universal Champion post-SummerSlam.
Don't forget SummerSlam is six hours starting with the pre-show at 5 p.m. on the WWE Network. This is the event of the summer (behind the Toucher & Rich 10 Year Anniversary show, of course).
And that's the bottom line because Sarge said so!
Mike "Sarge" Riley can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ News Radio 1030AM. Find him on Twitter @Sarge985.
