5 things that must happen at WWE SummerSlam

John CenaSummerSlam is almost nearly upon us and WWE is truly stacking the card like never before. The company’s heavy hitters are booked, some intriguing storylines are playing out on the main event stage and it’s all being crammed into a four-hour spectacle.This one has all the feel of a WrestleMania without the finality that usually comes along with it. SummerSlam is typically a night of beginnings. While the Royal Rumble is considered to be the start of the road to WrestleMania, it’s SummerSlam that truly lays the groundwork for what’s to come.From Daniel Bryan’s WWE title loss in 2013 to Lesnar’s decimation of John Cena in 2014, SummerSlam is full of big moments and major turning points for the company. This year’s edition should be no different.But in order for this event to succeed, certain things must happen. WWE’s short term future depends on it as the weekly storylines will continue and evolve after August 23. The company’s long-term future depends on it as well, as WrestleMania season will surely build upon what happens. For any fan anxious to see what early 2016 will hold, SummerSlam is definitely a must-see event.

#5 Conflict arises between Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose

Possible heel turn on the cards?

Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose are brothers. Cut from the same cloth and willing to do what needs to be done in order to protect each other, these two men have kept The Shield’s ideology alive. They work together, they fight together and they succeed or fail together.

They are the Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid of WWE, ready to battle to the very end and go out in a blaze of glory if necessary. That could be exactly what happens at SummerSlam as it could come as a result of conflict between the two. The truth is that no matter how happy they seem to be working together or much they appear to be on the same page, unity is a dangerous thing for babyfaces.

It just does not seem to always work out for the best and at this point, fans are likely waiting for the other shoe to drop. Their match against The Wyatt Family may be the moment it happens and whether it’s a straight-up heel turn by one guy or the other, it’s clear that something is going to go down eventually.

It sets the stage for what will happen, including a potential showdown at WrestleMania 32.

#4 Stephen Amell has a great showing

Stephen Amell has surprised everyone up until now

When celebrities crossover into WWE, it’s not always a pretty sight. Too often the spots are contrived, the conflicts are silly and physical altercations are much too rehearsed to feel real. But that is not the case for Stephen Amell versus Stardust.

The American Dream’s youngest son and the Arrow star have had a war of words back and forth on social media for a few months now, with no one really knowing what the eventual payoff would be. That payoff came on Monday Night Raw, when a provoked Amell jumped the guardrail, hopped over the top rope and speared Stardust in the middle of the ring.

The moment was very organic, very realistic and very fitting for a guy that’s not only a lifelong fan but a TV action star as well. Amell fit right in and looked as though he belonged in the ring. He silenced any critics that perhaps believed the spot would fail and he obviously took it very seriously.

His level of respect for the business and for WWE will be evident at SummerSlam, when he tags with Neville against Stardust and King Barrett, in a match that will see him excel far beyond what anyone is expecting.

#3 Kevin Owens and Cesaro steal the show

Cesaro and Kevin Owens would be an epic match

Kevin Owens was arguably the top heel in WWE at one point. Riding high after beating John Cena at the Elimination Chamber, Owens was coming into his own as a star and the hottest property WWE had seen in quite some time.

But two consecutive losses to Cena and an apparent lack of direction with his booking has left Owens in the lurch. Cesaro was poised to become a major star at one point himself, but even Paul Heyman could not prevent the slide that would eventually befall The Swiss Superman.

But now the two could be on the upswing once again and this time they will prove what they can do against each other. This match will not be simply a test for them, however; the fact is they have earned this spot at SummerSlam.

While The Beast and The Deadman are the two in the spotlight, it’s Owens and Cesaro that perhaps have the most to prove and the most to gain when it goes well. This match will be hard to follow and will remind everyone watching that WWE’s future is in very capable hands.

#2 Seth Rollins retains against John Cena

Seth Rollins

While the jury seems to be out on the success of Seth Rollins’ run as WWE world heavyweight champion, the fact is no one can argue he’s given it his all. Every week he works more than anyone in the locker room and makes more enemies than the week before when he speaks.

Everything about Rollins screams “villain” and no one has done a better job of completely immersing himself into character as he has. That level of dedication, that level of commitment, cannot be ignored. Rollins is the best heel that WWE has seen in quite some time and has made the most of his time as champion.

Even though John Cena will surely tie Ric Flair’s record of 16 world titles at some point, that should not happen at SummerSlam. Rollins is too good in his role and Cena is much too effective as the underdog chasing the gold.

There is no drama in Cena with the belt, no chase to be had. But if Rollins retains, it keeps the drama going and opens the door for a rematch or other rivalries for the former Shield mastermind and current champ.

#1 The Undertaker must beat Brock Lesnar

The Undertaker took down Brock Lesner at Battleground

The Undertaker’s return at Battleground may not have been unexpected thanks to online buzz, but it certainly left many fans scratching their heads. Was he turning heel by preventing Brock Lesnar from beating Seth Rollins for the championship? Was his low blow on The Beast Incarnate further proof of that and why would The Deadman ever whine about losing when he was pinned clean with no evidence of foul play?

But Taker’s aura and level of popularity made the how and why irrelevant. All the fans cared about was his return to the company and to the ring. Now that his rematch against Lesnar is nearly here, the fact is Taker cannot afford a loss.

This is one instance in which the match could work despite who wins or loses but Lesnar can take defeat easier than Undertaker, who’s last match against The Beast left a very sour taste in the mouth of fans.

Combined with the fact that this is quite possibly a three-match rivalry and Taker suddenly finds himself needing to even the odds like never before. The seeds for Taker's WrestleMania 32 match will be planted soon and that match should not start off with him coming in from a major loss in a must-win scenario.