WWE SummerSlam 2014: Final match card and predictions

The Staples center in Los Angles will welcome one of WWEs big four pay-per-view on August 17. With a forgettable Battleground behind them, the company has a lot to prove with SummerSlam and has drawn out eight matches for the occasion.Unlike their last pay-per-view outing, a good amount of buildup was also given for almost every match adding on more pressure on the superstars to deliver.John Cena going up against the Beast would be the highlight on any day, but the spotlight is sure to be split up with the amount of hype that each feud carry.The SmackDown tapings was the final stop before the summers big party and now that it is wrapped out all eyes are rooted on Sunday. There is a wave of expectation riding on the creative team for SummerSlam and here is a look at the full match card and final predictions.

#8 Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins (Lumberjack match)

Just like the last outing, the match between Ambrose and Rollins is going to be the most anticipated bout from the entire pay-per-view.

The main reason for this is the storyline that have been brewing for the past three months while the weird stipulation chosen by Ambrose makes it more intriguing. The nature of the lumberjacks for the match will be the decider in this one and knowing the authority, it might be filled with heel superstars.

WWE should not let the lumberjacks overshadow the two superstars as they have all the talent to deliver a class match.

Adding such a botches stipulation makes it clear that the feud is nowhere from being over which will require Mr. Money in the bank to win the match with the help of the Authority.

Prediction: Seth Rollins wins

#7 The Miz (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental championship)

Unlike the faith of the other mid card champion, Miz got the chance to be on the SummerSlam match card along with one of the most talented wrestlers in the roster.

It is a fitting return to the limelight for the Showoff and he would be looking to make a statement even if he doesn’t walk out of Staples centre with the title around his waist.

WWE is pushing the Hollywood gimmick of Miz well and he would further look like a duck champion when he steps foot in between the ropes. Though they allowed Ziggler to have some match time, he has no chances whatsoever of winning the title.

Miz is set to continue his run as the champion by taking some easy route to escape from the former World Champion.

Prediction: Miz Retains

#6 Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns

Despite having two talented names in the mix, this feud was overshadowed thanks to the push that company gave to the other angles.

For an outsider it would just be a regular match between Reigns and Orton but there are a lot more to this match than what meets the eye.

Orton is finally finding his feet as a lone heel after a long time under the Authority’s shadow while Reigns would get his biggest singles win so far if he manages to knock out the Viper. The dynamics are well set by the company but the lack of any stipulation could hurt at some point.

With such a stage available, the creative team should push Reigns to the moon. Orton wouldn’t suffer with a defeat as it would only make him look better with the current lone run.

Prediction: Roman Reigns wins

#5 AJ Lee (c) vs. Paige (Divas Championship)

AJ Lee and Paige would be in between the ropes once again to reign supreme over the division. Though there hasn’t been a major buildup for the second match between the two, it could end up being a solid outing for the divas.

Both Paige and AJ knows how to put on a ‘wrestling’ match unlike all the others in the roster and WWE should try to emphasis on this rather than the storyline.

Heel turn of Paige is still not over with the WWE Universe and some evil deed on Sunday would change things upside down. If the company wants to have Paige getting over big time, a win for her would be the result.

This is unlikely to happen due to the lack of faith that creative has in Paige making the potential result in favor of AJ.

Prediction: AJ Lee retains

#4 Jack Swagger vs. Rusev(Flag Match)

Not many expected a feud between Rusev and Jack Swagger to stroll into the second consecutive pay-per-view considering the status of the superstars a few months back.

The factor that pushed the whole thing this far is none other than the success behind the face run of Swagger. After slipping out of relevance at WrestleMania, the face turn was Swagger’s opportunity to steal the limelight and he did just that.

At this stage of the feud, it is Swagger who has more momentum than Rusev and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the American flag is raised high on Sunday.

Rusev winning would give major heat for the Bulgarian Brute but Swagger’s current run is simply too precious to waste at a big stage like SummerSlam.

Prediction: Jack Swagger wins

#3 Brie Bella vs. Stephanie McMahon

The bout between the two divas got more spotlight than almost all the other matches that was set up by the company for Sunday.

Aided by the brilliant performance of Stephanie as a heel, the creative team has been able to mask the acting limitations that Brie has. Involvement of Triple H and the mention of Daniel Bryan add more layers and possibilities to the already hot match.

The in ring action wouldn’t be any technical marvel but it has all the ability to steal the show on a storyline level. The fans are expecting a plain cat fight rather than a match filled with submissions or mat wrestling and anything more than that can be considered as a success.

Stephanie winning would be an essential requirement right now as the result going otherwise would do no good for anyone.

Prediction: Stephanie McMahon wins

#2 Bray Wyatt vs. Chris Jericho

When WWE first pitted the idea of a feud between these two, the fans jumped into the bandwagon as they knew how physiological the angle could be.

Battleground however worked against all these hopes as the duo delivered one of the worst matches of the night. In an attempt to avoid redundancy in the buildup, the company banned Erick Rowan and Luke Harper from the ring side which makes the numbers game fair.

Also the face to face talk that Jericho and Bray had this week on Raw reminded the fans about the potential that this match has. The expectation levels from the fans are not high thanks to Battleground which is an ideal situation for an excellent match.

Jericho got the win in their last match and this time, it might go in the favor of Bray as he is desperate for a win that will keep his character alive.

Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins

#1 John Cena (c) vs. Brock Lesnar (WWE World Heavyweight championship)

It couldn’t have been any bigger for the company than these two headlining SummerSlam. Both Cena and Lesnar are multi – platform Superstars who could attract fans from every corner of the globe.

WWE didn’t have the luxury of having both superstars available regularly for the buildup but did a pretty good job in the limitations. Lesnar will be wrestling his first match after WrestleMania which raises the stake while Cena would be looking to give a fitting reply to everyone who questions him.

The match intensity wouldn’t be any low in this one but there are still concerns about how good it would be in terms of in ring action.

As far as the result is concerned, Lesnar is a clear favorite. Cena winning would be the worst decision that WWE could do at this stage of the year which opens the door for the Beast to add another goal to his cabinet.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar wins