7 expected matches for Summerslam 2018

The second-biggest WWE pay-per-view of the year, SummerSlam is going down on Sunday, August 19 live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Summerslam is always one of the biggest and most fun events of the year. The four-hour event, which could easily run longer as the card could contain as many as 15 matches, will begin at 7 p.m. ET with a kickoff show that starts one hour earlier at 6 p.m.

#7 Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton - United States Championship

   Shinsuke Nakamura used a low blow to defeat Jeff Hardy in under a minute to win the United States Championship at Extreme Rules, but what happened after the match was more interesting. The surprise return of Orton confused Nakamura. But Orton proceeded to attack Hardy while he was down, signaling a new run as a heel.

Orton and Jeff Hardy have a history going back several years, but adding Nakamura into the mix makes this a fresh storyline again. Nakamura and Orton have had some good matches in the past, but not with Nakamura as the heel. It is about time for the Viper to actually show some interest in his work and be a part of a good storyline for once.

Why will it happen:

Considering a heel vs. heel match would not make sense, adding Hardy to the equation will make it a triple threat which seems to make a lot of sense.

Considering all three men compete for the title at SummerSlam would not only be a good match, but it would continue to help the U.S. title gain more prestige by having three high-profile stars fighting for it.

Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura gets the win

#6 Bludgeon Brothers vs sAniTy - Smackdown Tag Team Championships

The Bludgeon Brothers have dominated the tag team division on SD Live, beating whichever team has been put in front of them. They need new challengers after dominating The Usos, The New Day, The Club and most recently, Team Hell No. This is where SaniTY would rise to challenge them. They also won at Extreme Rules Kickoff, in a Tables Match against The New Day. Despite being heels, it is likely that we will see them challenge Harper and Rowan for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships. It would be a heel vs. heel match at Summerslam if happened.

At Summerslam, it would be two huge bearded monsters facing off any combination of Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, and Killian Dain.

Why will it happen:

At this time of the year, Bludgeon Brothers have no other feud after defeating Team Hell No recently, at Extreme Rules, they have dominated all the tag teams currently present on SD Live except SaniTY. No bout for The Bludgeon Brothers at the Summerslam would do them no good but only harm.

Both teams have had some really strong and powerful moves now. And at Summerslam, it would be a huge battle of monsters fighting for the gold.

Prediction: sAniTy win the Smackdown Tag Team Championships

#5 Carmella (c) vs. Becky Lynch - SmackDown Women's Championship

Carmella's reign in women's division history has not been very impressive. One must wonder why is she champion now when a more worthy contender is present on the blue brand roster.

But we must look forward to seeing who will step up to challenge for the Smackdown Women's title next. Who will be the next honorable savior of the blue brand’s Women's division?

It has to be Becky Lynch. We haven't seen her in the main story of Smackdown since she lost her feud to Alexa Bliss. But, now Becky Lynch has shown all the abilities to be a top WWE superstar and she deserves her time back on the top of the Women's division, it has been way too long.

Why will it happen:

Becky Lynch is quietly grabbing a bunch of victories every week now. She has gone on to win match after match against the likes of the IIconics and Absolution. The crowd was passionately behind Becky that entire time and it did show that WWE might be teasing us for this match. Now is her time, to step up to challenge Princess of Staten Island for the Smackdown Women's title.

Prediction: Becky Lynch defeats Carmella for the SmackDown Women'sChampionship

#4 Sasha Banks vs Bayley

WWE has taken a slower approach to the Bayley and Sasha Banks feud than anything we have witnessed in recent memory, but finally, it has to lead somewhere. WWE simply has to book this match for Summerslam if they want to redeem anything at all from this lame story. The match is the only thing that can save them.

WWE were sowing seeds of dissension at Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber for them, and it seemed like they were pulling the trigger when Bayley walked out on Sasha during a tag team match on Raw the next night. However, that was the most progressive this story would get as the two of them would reconcile and argue with each other which will result a match between them. But, nothing really happened since then.

Prediction: Bayley defeats Sasha Banks

#3 Ronda Rousey vs Alexa Bliss for RAW Women's Championship

Ronda Rousey ended up getting physically involved in the Raw women's title match on Sunday at Extreme Rules, which proves she will continue to be part of the championship scene going forward. Albeit, Alexa Bliss retained her title against Nia Jax, but she and Mickie James made an enemy out of Rowdy Ronda Rousey in the process.

WWE has made it official few moments ago. Also, on this week's edition of RAW, Kurt Angle emerged to inform Rousey that he would be forced to tack on another week to her suspension from Raw, which was scheduled to end Wednesday. Rousey was told that if she could adhere to the suspension, then she will receive another shot at the Raw women's title against Bliss at SummerSlam.

Why will it happen:

They clearly have unfinished business which will probably be resolved at Summerslam. Rousey has looked amazing whenever she got physical in the ring and now her time has come to hold the RAW women's championship. Anybody wouldn't be upset if she won the title here since she has proved how good she is in the ring or on the mic.

Prediction: Rousey Beats Alexa for the RAW Women's Championship

#2 Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns and/or Bobby - Universal Championship

Kurt Angle reiterated the ultimatum he sent to Brock Lesnar and his advocate, Paul Heyman, at Extreme Rules that if he does not set up a universal championship defense, he would be stripped of the title.

On this week's Raw, Angle cleared out who would challenge Lesnar for the top title on Raw. He proceeded to set up two triple threat matches, with the winners squaring off on Raw next week to determine who will face Lesnar inside the Barclays Center. The first match saw Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Balor, a bout in which Reigns emerged victorious and move one step closer toward a third match with Lesnar this year. Later in the evening, Bobby Lashley defeated Seth Rollins and Elias in the main event. So next week on Raw, the Extreme Rules rematch between Reigns and Lashley is set to determine who will get the universal title opportunity at SummerSlam.

Why will it happen:

Lesnar is now confirmed to be on his way out of WWE soon. He made an appearance at UFC 226 at the conclusion of the Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic fight, where DC stood triumphant. Lesnar stormed the cage after the main event fight at UFC 226 and challenged the new UFC Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Cormier.

Lesnar's reign of terror must end at the hands of a popular babyface who will be cheered while he does it otherwise this entire reign has been a waste of everybody's time. Even if Roman Reigns wins and immediately loses to Strowman, the moment of Brock losing the title would be ruined by a negative reaction.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar retains, but Braun Strowman cashes in and wins the Universal title

#1 AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe - WWE Championship

Styles retained his WWE Championship against Rusev at Extreme Rules and is marching to Brooklyn with his belt still intact. With Styles already having gone through Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev and with Samoa Joe absent from television despite being fit this makes all too much sense.

AJ Styles was named the cover star of the video games WWE 2K19, there was no chance for Rusev to beat Styles for the title. His WWE Championship loss would probably represent a bigger moment to a bigger star. Joe could be that guy. AJ and Joe are yet to face each other in a WWE ring but it is surely going to be a sight to behold. No one can deny it, this match will surely happen at Summerslam.

Why will it happen:

There is no one else left on the Blue brand's roster for Styles to beat. Styles and Joe have already worked together at TNA. By putting joe in the title picture will be the starting of the fresh feud for Styles, Joe and for the WWE Universe. Samoa Joe will be the perfect guy to end the Phenomenal One's long title reign.

Prediction: AJ Styles retains his title

What do you think of above match card and predictions? Sound off in the comments section below.