WWE SummerSlam 2018: Final Card and Predictions

Daniel Bryan vs The Miz

WWE SummerSlam 2018: Daniel Bryan vs The Miz

Daniel Bryan and The Miz square off to settle a feud eight years in the making. It all began in 2010, when The Miz was Daniel Bryan's borderline abusive pro on NXT. To say the two didn't get along is a vast understatement. Their relationship was a disaster pretty much from the get-go and saw Bryan being ousted from NXT after an embarrassing 0-10 start.

Bryan eventually made his way to RAW, beat his mentor, had WrestleMania moments, became World Champion, Tag Team Champion, Intercontinental Champion, WWE Champion, became one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, ironically became a reality television star, married the beautiful Brie Bella and with Brie's help became a father.

To say the least, things have worked out well for Bryan....for the most part. Bryan has been particularly unlucky with injuries and especially concussions, of which he has suffered many. They, along with the violent seizures they brought, nearly permanently derailed his WWE career. He was forced into early retirement; but, never lost sight of his goal, a return to the ring.

Bryan was named GM of Smackdown LIVE where a familiar name now sat under his authority: The Miz. As expected, the reunion wasn't filled with warm and fuzzy feelings and it was only a matter of time before these two clashed once again. The whole endeavor being made worse by The Miz's near-constant taunting which only intensified when Bryan was unable to involve himself physically. Of course, The Miz never really thought Bryan would be cleared to compete in a WWE ring again, never believed he would one day be forced to atone for his transgressions.

The time has now come and things are deeply personal for both Daniel Bryan and The Miz. This isn't just a wrestling story line. These two men truly dislike one another. Bryan the small town kid from Aberdeen, Washington and The Miz, who received his beginnings on MTV reality television, simply couldn't be more diametrically opposed. One thing they do have in common is that they are each consummate professionals. Look for the two to put their differences aside and engage in what should be a show stealer of a match.

Bryan keeps insisting that he is likely to re-sign with the WWE; but, hasn't just yet. With indie wrestling seeing a resurgence and All In right around the corner, don't look for Vince McMahon to take any unwarranted risks here or do Bryan any favors. The two will put on a clinic; but, in the end The Miz will catch Bryan with his Skull Crushing Finale achieving a shocking clean victory and bragging rights from here on out.

Winner: The Miz via pinfall