Matches to Be Most Excited for at SummerSlam
With less than two weeks until SummerSlam in Cleveland, the entire match card has been set for the party of the summer. For such a huge event like SummerSlam, the anticipation just gets even bigger. This match card has to be one of the most stacked cards we’ve seen in a while filled with matchups you don’t want to miss. As far as the match card is concerned, there are a few matches on the card that come to mind when thinking about which ones will be the most exciting to watch.
CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre (Seth Rollins as the Special Guest Referee)
This match may be, without a doubt, the most anticipated match on the card because of the long-term storytelling that goes with it. CM Punk made his return to WWE at Survivor Series last November and has been under the skin of Drew McIntyre ever since then. Punk injured his tricep at the Royal Rumble and McIntyre has been mocking Punk’s injury proneness since then. In return, CM Punk has screwed McIntyre out of the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40, Clash at the Castle, and Money in the Bank. On Monday night on Raw, Punk announced that he was cleared, and Raw GM Adam Pierce came out to make the match between Punk and McIntyre official for SummerSlam. However, now there’s a twist, Seth “Freakin” Rollins is going to be the special guest referee for this match. Everyone is now wondering how the match is going to pan out considering Rollins has an issue with both men.
Damian Priest vs Gunther (World Heavyweight Championship)
Gunther defeated Randy Orton to win the King of the Ring Finals to be crowned King of the Ring and also earn a shot at Damian Priest’s World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. “The Ring General” had the longest Intercontinental Championship reign of 666 days going into WrestleMania 40, losing the title to the current champion Sami Zayn. After what transpired Monday night on Raw, Gunther and Priest are going to tear each other apart in their match. Since becoming World Heavyweight Champion, this may be Priest’s chance to prove that he can win on his own without any outside interference. Damian Priest has beaten Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40, Clash at the Castle, and Money in the Bank with CM Punk’s assistance each time. Priest has claimed that he doesn’t need CM Punk or the Judgment Day to win his matches, but we’ll see what happens at SummerSlam.
Rhea Ripley vs Liv Morgan (Women’s World Championship)
Just like the match between Punk and McIntyre, this match between Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan has some long-term storytelling behind it as well. Well over two years ago, Ripley and Morgan were tag team partners for a while. Three weeks after WrestleMania 38, Ripley turned on Morgan because she had enough and that started their rivalry. Since then, they’ve been at each other's throats putting one another on the shelf with shoulder injuries. Rhea injured Morgan in July 2023, then Liv started her “Revenge Tour” by putting Ripley on the shelf the Raw after WrestleMania 40, forcing her to vacate the Women’s World Championship. Since Rhea’s been gone, Liv vowed to take everything away from Ripley, including “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio. Dominik has gotten himself stuck into a love triangle for the past few weeks until Rhea Ripley made her return two weeks ago on Raw. On Monday night, Dominik finally told off Liv Morgan and tears were falling down Morgan’s eyes, which brought a smile to the face of Rhea Ripley. Now Ripley and Morgan are set to face off at SummerSlam for the Women’s World Championship. Will Ripley win back the title she had to vacate? Or will Liv Morgan’s “Revenge Tour” continue?
Cody Rhodes vs Solo Sikoa (WWE Undisputed Championship)
On the episode of SmackDown after WrestleMania 40, Solo Sikoa took out his own brother Jimmy Uso with the help of his first recruit of the new Bloodline, Tama Tonga. He then recruited Tanga Loa and his new enforcer, Jacob Fatu. Solo and the new Bloodline even took out “The Wiseman” Paul Heyman for not acknowledging Solo as his tribal chief. Solo has been doing everything he can to make sure the WWE Undisputed Championship comes back to the Bloodline. This is now Solo’s chance to do so as he has a match against Cody Rhodes for the title. Yet that is just the reason for the excitement of this match is for all but one question on everyone’s mind. Will Roman Reigns make his return at SummerSlam? All the fans have been anticipating the return of the real “Tribal Chief” and are thinking that SummerSlam is the perfect place. Could we even see Jimmy Uso return to cost his younger brother for taking him out of action?
