WWE SummerSlam 2011: Preview

The biggest event of the summer is here and promises to be sizzling hot. The 24th annual WWE Summerslam will take place at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California on August 14, 2011 at 8pm ET. Generally, Summerslam comes second to Wrestlemania in-terms of the magnitude of the event and the hype given to it. This year however, Summerslam promises to be at par with the standards of Wrestlmania with three announced title matches and two other matches and a promoted appearance by R&B artist Cee Loo Green. Here is what’s in store for you on Sunday.

Match 1: Sheamus Vs Mark Henry

Singles Match

Mark Henry and Sheamus will go head to head in a singles at SummerSlam in a rivalry that has quickly grown more intense over the past few weeks. But, does The Celtic Warrior have what it takes to overcome the meanest “Fella” in all the land? Mark Henry has been on a rampage over the past few weeks during which he has victimised Big Show, Kane, Vladimir Kozlov and even a WWE sound technician who fell onto his dangerous radar. He has not only overpowered his opponents during his matches with them, but also brutalized them with his vicious assault after winning the match. On the July 29 edition of SmackDown, the Irish grappler laid down the gauntlet of battle against Mark Henry, shocking the WWE Universe by slapping The World’s Strongest Man. He then dropped from the top rope to avoid Henry’s charge and sent the enraged Superstar plummeting to the ringside floor. No one can deny the fact that Sheamus has a great love for battle, fused with a brutal nature that is sure to give him an incisive edge against the infuriated Henry. But whether the luck of the Irish will aid Sheamus to triumph over his massive adversary at The Biggest Event of the summer remains to be seen.

Match 2: Wade Barrett Vs Daniel Bryan

Singles Match

Wade Barrett Vs Daniel Bryan

This match is a last minute addition to the Summerslam card. This rivalry has been brewing since Daniel Bryan won the Smackdown Money in the Bank Ladder match which involved Wade Barrett too. Here is an interesting fact about both these men. Both were a part of the WWE NXT Season 1, in which Wade Barrett emerged as the winner and Daniel Bryan finished last. Since then, Daniel Bryan has had a fabulous run as the United States Champion on Raw while Wade Barrett had won the Intercontinental Championship in his tenure at Smackdown. The renewed animosity between the two grapplers began on the July 22 edition of SmackDown, when Daniel Bryan made a stunning announcement to the WWE Universe. Rather than employ the element of surprise by cashing in his SmackDown Money in the Bank contract without warning – a widely used tactic, criticized by many – Bryan heroically revealed the exact moment he would use the opportunity. That moment would be WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami. The following week, Wade Barrett took issue with Bryan’s actions. Feeling that it should have been him that triumphed at the WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view, he belittled the subject of his scorn, making it clear that Bryan was nothing compared to him. When Bryan emerged to respond, Barrett attacked him. His resilient prey quickly turned the tables, however, cinching in the LeBell Lock on the English Superstar. Wade Barrett got his say in the August 12 episode of Smackdown during which he attacked Bryan after his match against Alberto Del Rio. With both men eager to prove that they are better than their opponent, this match will be riveting to watch. Here’s the future of the WWE in action at SummerSlam 2011. I expect a high quality wrestling match between the American Dragon and the Bareknuckle Fighter.

Match 3: Kelly Kelly (c) Vs Beth Phoenix

Divas Championship Match

Beth Phoenix has joined forces with Natalya to prove a fact that they are better than the pretty blondes who have been ruining the divas division in the WWE. It all started in the end of the battle royal to determine the no.1 contender for the Divas Championship in which Beth Phoenix emerged as the winner. After winning that match, The Glamazon attacked the Divas Champion Kelly Kelly and proclaimed that she was against the beautiful women in the WWE. She said to Kelly Kelly,

“Your days as the cute, little blonde-haired bimbo are over.”

Kelly Kelly’s first tenure as the Divas Champion might come to an abrupt end this Sunday as a rejuvenated Beth Phoenix looks all set to stake a claim for it. Can Kelly Kelly continue to hold the Divas Title she has worked so hard for, or will The Glamazon show the WWE Universe exactly who is pin-up strong?

Match 4: Christian (c) Vs Randy Orton

No Holds Barred match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Christian and Randy Orton seem to be feuding forever. A rivalry which was sparked by Christian’s unceremonious loss to Randy Orton in a World Heavyweight Championship match at the first Smackdown after WWE Extreme Rules, seems to coming to an end at WWE SummerSlam in a No Holds Barred match. Since that loss, Christian has been whining about all his subsequent losses to Orton and forced Orton to get disqualified in their match at WWE Money in the Bank, last month. Orton lost that match via disqualification which meant that Christian was champion because of the special clause included in the match contract. Orton will get his hands on Christian this Sunday to try and end Christian’s second tenure as the World Heavyweight champion. The fact that the match will be a No Holds Barred match means that both men can use any kind of weapons during the match. Christian had announced on the August 12 episode of Smackdown that he has some special plans for Orton for Sunday’s match. What will Christian do to surprise Orton? Or will the Viper defeat the captain charisma and yet again become the champion. We will find out within 24 hours.

Match 5: CM Punk (c) Vs John Cena (c) with Triple H as the special guest referee

Singles Match to determine the Undisputed WWE Champion

This match has a lot at stake. This is the first time that an undisputed WWE Championship match is taking place which involves two legitimate WWE Champions – CM Punk and John Cena. To ensure that this bout is called down the middle and that there is no outside interference, WWE’s Chief Operating Officer Triple H will serve as special guest referee to personally crown the first-ever Undisputed WWE Champion. Under the watchful eyes of The Cerebral Assassin, there will be no doubt who deserves to be the sole holder of the coveted title this Sunday in Los Angeles. At the Money in the bank PPV last month, CM Punk defeated John Cena, fair and square, to become WWE Champion for the first time. He left the WWE with the Championship since his contract had expired on the same day. This forced Vince McMahon to hold a WWE Championship Tournament which was won by Rey Mysterio. But John Cena wanted his rematch clause to be taken into account. So, Triple H, who became incharge of the WWE affairs after Vince McMahon was relieved of his duties, announced the match between John Cena and Rey Mysterio on the same night that Rey Mysterio had won it. John Cena defeated Rey Mysterio after which the unthinkable happened. CM Punk made his return to the WWE with the WWE Championship which meant that there were two champions. Triple H decided to solve this problem through a match at Summerslam between the two WWE champions in an Undisputed WWE Championship match. There has been a huge build up to this match for the past few weeks since the pride of both men are at stake. If CM Punk loses, then he will fall from the pedestal and be called as ‘a one hit wonder’. If John Cena loses, he might lose his aura of invincibility which he has built over years in WWE. Either way, the fans can expect yet another riveting contest this Sunday at Los Angeles.

The Bottomline:

The Punk – Cena match will certainly be the show- stealer at SummerSlam 2011. But don’t underestimate the WHC match between Orton and Christian which could also turn out to be a blockbuster. Only five matches have been announced for the event so far. So, an additional match or two can be added to the show which might feature The Miz and Rey Mysterio or Alex Riley and Dolph Ziggler. Cee Loo Green’s live performance at the show will be an added attraction. Wrestling fans are in for a treat come Sunday at Los Angeles.

Make sure that you check out live summerslam results on August 15th at 5:30AM , IST here at Sportskeeda.com