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WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TONIGHT: THE WWE SUMMERSLAM 2022 TIP SHEET

WWE presents SummerSlam from Nashville, TN on 7/30, the first big event post Vince McMahon.  Here's our thoughts on what will take place.

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the Undisputed Title in a Last Man Standing Match

Dave: There is a lot to digest here.  One, Vince McMahon is no longer around and it's pretty clear that Brock was his guy.  Will he be Paul Levesque's guy?  I hope not. Brock has a place, for sure, but his schedule has led to long periods where the top guy and/or Title was not on TV.  That isn't acceptable to me.  Reigns works a lighter schedule but he's at TV, drawing ratings and providing content.  Two, Brock's aforementioned schedule.  He has been around a while now.  He's due for another vacation.  I say start the new era with a definite Brock loss.  If/when he comes back at Mania, he can be the Beast again, but for now focus on the guy who is there (and is THE top guy in the business, by far).  The question is, will Theory cash in.  If Vince were booking, Theory would lose to Lashley and then win the Title.  I am still not sure if he can cash in for both belts or not.  If it were me, after a war with Brock, I would have Theory cash in and have it go at least five more minutes.  When he won, I would have Pearce come out and ask him which Title he wants.  Theory could lose it and have legit anger for when he goes to Raw on Monday.  Reigns could have legit anger at Theory stealing his Title.  When they meet at The Survivor Series, there would be legitimate interest in them facing off.  That's the kind of stuff I expect Paul Levesque to do that Vince wouldn't.

Mike: Roman wins.  Brock F5s him in disgust.  Theory cashes in and then Roman comes back to life, spears him and pins Theory as well.  Then, the only way Brock can get a title shot again is to win the Rumble.  Roman puts a million dollar bounty on Brock to make sure he never makes it there.  Boom. 

Richard:  This match could end up on either side of the spectrum depending on what type of match they want to do.  If they do the typical Roman and typical Brock match, this could be an all timer, but not for the right reasons.  That would be a match where Brock does two or three suplexes and then bounces around for minutes before doing his next set of suplexes and then Roman does two or three moves and then stands around and talks for a minute or two before doing anything else.  This would continue for about 20 to 25 minutes and I will be wishing for Peter Rosenberg's return.  Or, we could get two men who want to beat the crap out of each other and they try to destroy their opponent and win the match as quickly as possible.  With the Theory cash in looming over this match, it might make sense to try to minimize the damage done to yourself to fight off the cash in.  What if something happens to Theory after his match against Lashley where he is incapable of cashing in (is this how they can debut Solo Sikoa into the Bloodline?)  If Theory does cash in, I hope it turns out to be an unsuccessful cash in, not because it is Theory but because I am sick of the 'take advantage of a weakened opponent for the sake of cashing in on a weakened opponent' (which is not how I would describe Liv's cash in [that was I can't win the big one so I am doing anything to cash in successfully]).  Give me Drew and Roman in Wales so Drew can win the title (assuming he wins on Smackdown [and assuming they actually do the match on Smackdown because it might end up happening on this show with Seth thrown in to make it a three way since his match isn't happening])

Liv Morgan defends the Smackdown Women's Title against Rona Rousey.

Dave: If they want to give Liv a chance to show she can be a legit top talent, she has to win here.  She has to.

Mike: I like Ronda but if she wins here, they have all but told the audience Liv is second-rate.  This needs to be Liv shocking the world with a clean win out of nowhere.

Richard:  Liv needs to win this match to justify her cash in and the ability to beat a 'healthy' Ronda Rousey.  I am sensing that we might see the return of Charlotte Flair, but if it happens, I hope she goes for revenge on Ronda before trying to get back the Smackdown Women's Title so other people on the roster can have a chance before it returns to the same rotation of challengers.

Bianca Belair defends the Raw Women's Title against Becky Lynch.

Dave: Becky is sooooooo good.  Her promos are awesome and so is her work.  And that's why she doesn't need the win here.  The story started when she suckered Bianca and stole her Title.  It has to end with Bianca giving her the comeuppance she deserves.

Mike:  The right move is for Bianca to get the win here and Becky throws a massive fit after.  Becky is a made woman.  This helps make Bianca even stronger.  I would do early spots to play off Becky basically running through Bianca last year as a near fall to make fans think lightning will strike twice.

Richard:  I don't see a repeat of last year's SummerSlam, but I can see them teasing it but with Bianca hitting an early KOD but Becky gets her foot or hand on the rope to stop the count.  This should be the longer of the two women's title matches and should be the better one.  A Bianca win is a major accomplishment for her career and puts her on the next level.  Then we can see Bianca move on to another 'B' on the Raw brand . . . Bayley (isn't it time for her to return?)

The Usos defend the Undisputed Tag Titles against The Street Profits.

Dave: Since I have Roman winning, I do a Title switch here.  We are heading into the dead time of year so angry Usos, who let their leader down, will make for better television.  Plus, the Profits are really good and Levesque knows how to get the most out of them.

Mike: It's time to do the title switch so my guess is we'll be seeing Double J call it right down the middle until one of the Usos piss him off and then, they get hit with The Stroke.  The great news is no matter who goes over we are all but guaranteed another awesome bout with these teams as long as they are given the time to make it happen.

Richard:  The Street Profits have been winning a number of singles and six man tag matches over the last few weeks, which we didn't see too often in the past so does this mean we see new champions?  It would be nice to see the Street Profits on top in the tag division, but I think we see the Usos hold on to the titles a little bit longer.  If the Street Profits lose, I hope they don't tease a break up because it is the trope for wrestling and we can break a few for a change.  Jarrett's presence in the match should be minimized and it would be nice to see the referees who are disrespected by having a non-referee in this match screw with him (a man can dream can't he?)  I don't see an El Kabong because that will probably happen on Sunday.

Bobby Lashley defends the United States Title against Theory.

Dave: I see Theory losing here, but how?  I like a repeat of Monday.  He knows what his plans are (or should be) for later so when he gets caught in The Hurt Lock he taps to be ready for later.  Then he can defend against Lashley and get wins that will legitimize him as champ.

Mike: The smart idea would be to have Theory lose, but they just had him tap to Lashley on Monday and you would think the new regime will be smarter than the old guard when it comes to booking with continuity.  My theory, no pun intended, is that Lashley retains, but I don't know if that's Theory taps or he walks to save himself for later.

Richard:  I have wondered why Theory is so obsessed with this title if he is going to cash in against the winner of Roman and Brock, but based on what I suggested above, I would have Theory win this match just because it makes no logical sense.  I almost want to see Theory squash Lashley so he is not 'hurt' going into his cash in attempt.  Then, I would do the Sikoa (or someone else) attacking Theory in the back so he cannot cash in.  Considering what Ziggler has been doing, let him be the one to take out Theory and then you set up Theory/Ziggler for a Raw feud.

The Miz vs. Logan Paul. 

Dave: Even though the booking has been bad, Paul goes over here.  They have booked Paul as the face and it's fallen flat.  So how do you remedy that?  Have him cheat to win here.  Not a cute Eddy Guerrero cheat, but a heinous one.  Or, they keep him a face and have him win.  Either way, Miz deserves payback for what he did.

Mike:  What's insane to me is how dull and watered down Paul has come off since returning.  My guess is he wins here and Miz takes all the big bumps and the finish will be something to do with Miz's balls.  All these years later, I can't believe I get paid to write sentences like that.

Richard:  Logan Paul is the face in this feud?  Miz is here to be the base for Paul and give him the win.  Maryse will try to interfere but it will backfire.  Hope this leads to Logan versus McAfee at Wrestlemania.

Pat McAfee vs. Happy Corbin.

Dave: I love Pat and he will deliver.  But if it's me?  I have him lose here because Corbin comes out not Happy, but Baron.  He does a promo saying that he is going back to his roots and he wins a hard fought with McAfee.  They can't have an announcer win all of the time.

Mike: You know this will be, at the very least, entertaining.  Corbin will do whatever he has to do to do to make this work and McAfee has been great in all of his in-ring appearances.  McAfee is going over though.

Richard:  This will be my favorite match if it keeps Pat off commentary.  WWE found the way for me to want to see Baron Corbin win a match.  McAfee showed what he could do in his matches in NXT and was good at Mania.  If they are going to a rematch, I would let Corbin win the match and set up their next match in Wales, because I want to hear Pat cut a promo with a Welsh Accent.  Is Boogs able to play McAfee to the ring?

The Judgement Day vs. The Mysterios.

Dave: I get that story wise the Mysterios should get revenge but I flip the script here.  They just told me on Monday that Rey is old.  Dom is small and still green.  If Priest and Balor lose here, they look bad.  Really bad.  If they need a crutch, have Aalyah get in Rhea's face, Rey watches and gets concerned and they lose that way.  Whatever the case, they need to lose or The JD doesn't mean anything going forward and that would be a waste of two prime talents.

Mike: The tease and expectation here is that Edge will return at Summerslam.  I would have Judgment Day go over after doing something diabolical and then have a big production for Edge's return and when it's all done, he's in the ring spearing everyone over and over, including Rhea with the idea that the unbridled Rated-R Superstar is back.  Then, he can align with Rey against them and leave Dominik in the position where he takes all the heat and the older stars can have the big comebacks.  I am very curious to see if Rey's daughter is now going to be part of the company storylines as well.

Richard:  THE Judgment Day has not had the same impact since Edge was kicked out of the group and to try to recruit Dominik is like a team paying the forward who is healthy scratched 40 straight games and had 3 points in the entire season $7 million to sign as a free agent.  I hope we get a dueling sunset flip roll through/counter sequence between Rey and Finn since you cannot sunset flip either man. What if Rey is the one who turns in this match and joins THE Judgment Day (I saw a few people online suggest it so it is not an entirely original concept).  Rey had his moment on Monday so it is time for Finn and Damian to rain on Rey's parade.  I hope this leads to what Buddy Matthews tweeted and that is an Aalyah vs Rhea Buddy on a Pole Match.

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