Howdy Good Brothers’ Nation! It is almost time for the hottest night of the year as WWE prepares to deliver Summer Slam, live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York! This year’s event offers some intriguing match-ups tossed together with some deja vu!

Summer Slam is always portrayed as the second largest show of the year and usually signifies the end to the summer doldrums. One thing is for sure, after this night we very well could see a new direction for Raw and possibly the end of an era on SDL. Let’s dive into the deep end and look at each match-up.

Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns (Universal championship)

Here it is, the rematch no one wanted. I suspect this will just be a beat down of suplexes and Superman punches. At any rate, I do not see the winner of this match leaving the Barclays Center with the title.

Excitement level: Napping till the cash-in

Prediction: Brock Lesnar

AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe (WWE championship)

This is a match that I really wish both guys could leave Champion. AJ Styles has been an excellent Champion and is with striking distance of CM Punk on the combined days as champion. I could see Styles winning a hard fought battle with Joe and then starting a program with Daniel Bryan.

On the other-side of the coin, Joe has been shamefully under utilized since his call up (of course he’s had his share of injuries). He is one of the best promo guys in the business and with his size and agility, is a very believable monster. Ideally, Joe would defeat Styles and move on to a program with….Daniel Bryan.

Excitement Level: Edge of my seat

Prediction: Samoa Joe

Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Ronda Rousey (Raw women’s Championship)

Once again, the easy pick would be to give the title to Rousey to set up a match with Charlotte at Evolution. One cannot discount Bliss’s value as a champ and this could be a premature move considering the amount of time that Ronda would have to carry the division. While she’s an Olympic level athlete and seems to improve every appearance, she’s still not the total package as it comes to a WWE Superstar.

Excitement Level: Sitting upright

Prediction: Bliss retains

Carmella (c) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair (SmackDown women’s championship)

Part of me thinks this match is set up to get the title on Charlotte to set up Champion vs Champion at Evolution, but that’s months away. Carmella has been a solid champ but is not at the same level as either of her competitors. I could see Lunch getting the title and setting up a “frenemy” rivalry with Charlotte, mirroring Sasha and Bayley on the red brand.

Excitement level: Sitting upright

Prediction: Lynch

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Seth Rollins (Intercontinental championship)

This is another case of apathy due to over exposure. No one can deny that both of these guys are great performers but it feels like this has been going on for years. Not only that, but it feels like this completely stalled the momentum that Rollins had built prior to starting this program. Unfortunately, with the return of Ambrose, I foresee Ziggler/McIntyre vs Rollins/Ambrose lasting deep into the Fall.

Excitement Level: Reclining

Prediction: Ziggler retains

Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Jeff Hardy (U.S. championship)

Is it me, or is it very weird that this is not a triple threat match with Randy Orton.

Excitement Level: Reclining

Prediction: Nakamura retains

The Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs. The New Day (SmackDown tag team championship)

The lead up to this match has been well executed, or maybe I’m just biased due to my love of tournaments. Both teams are capable of 4-5 Star matches, so if competitive, this could be a can’t miss.

Excitement Level: Edge of my seat

Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers retain

Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Drew Gulak (Cruiserweight championship)

This should be a really be a really enjoyable match and a classic clash of styles. I wish I could say I’ve witness this reinvigoration of 205 Live, but I just haven’t found time to watch. However, I’ve been a big fan of both of these guys since their Indy days and have no doubt they will tear the house down. The key question here, is it time for a title change?

Excitement Level: Edge of my seat

Prediction: Alexander retains

Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens

This is the most interesting match of the night for me. Both of these guys are great at what they do and the stipulation adds a great deal of intrigue. What’s to stop Jinder from attacking Owens to give him a DQ victory and the MitB contract? There are so many ways Owens could win and Strowman still look like an unstoppable monster. Also, I think Owens would be a great MitB contract holder. On the other hand, how amazing would the night be with a Strowman cash in at the conclusion of the Lesnar/Reigns match?

Excitement Level: Jumping up and down

Prediction: too close to call…Owens

Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin

Yawn! Third ppv match in a meaningless big guy vs little guy program. Probably should have been pre-pre-show.

Excitement Level: Grabbing a snack or drink

Prediction: Balor

Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz

I thought the video package featured on SDL was a nice touch to try and reignite the flames of this rivalry, but it may have been too little too late. Instead of capitalizing on the heat between these two superstars upon Bryan’s reinstatement, both were left to wallow in forgettable feuds. I’m sure this will be a good match, but the must see shine has somewhat faded for me due to the long wait to get to this match.

Excitement Level: Reclining

Prediction: Daniel Bryan

Rusev & Lana vs. Andrade Cien Almas & Zelina Vega (Kickoff match)

This is an ideal kick off match as both teams are garnering their share fan attention in all the right ways. While this is not the push that many were hoping for Rusev, he does have a prominent story line for his brand. Alma’s and Vega have not missed a beat since their call up from NXT and their futures look bright. This match is hard to call, but I think Aiden English factors into the outcome and may be changing his tune!

Excitement Level: Sitting upright

Prediction: Almas & Vega (w/Aiden English)

The B-Team (c) vs The Revival (Raw Tag Team Championship)

This should be another good pre- show match. Each team is entertaining and while the B-Team has led a summer of inspiration, it may be time for The Revival to live up to the hype they had coming from NXT.

Excitement Level: Sitting upright

Prediction: The Revival

We have reached the conclusion of our look at Summer Slam 2018! Don’t forget to sound off below and to follow Good Brothers on social media and download the podcasts!