Photo Credit: wwe.com
World Wrestling Entertainment’s “SummerSlam” Premium Live Event comes to us this Saturday, July 30th, 2022, from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN, at 8 pm (Kick-Off at 7 pm) on Peacock TV. Here are the picks on the Eastern Observer’s “Essential Wrestling Podcast,” sponsored by ProWrestlingPickem.com, for this event.
**Undisputed WWE Universal Championship “Last Man Standing” Match**
**Champion ROMAN REIGNS vs. BROCK LESNAR**
“Ever since they ended Walter’s UK title run short of 1000 days, I’ve thought it was because they want Roman to do it on the main roster instead. Vince retiring didn’t change my mind. I’ve got Reigns taking this one, although I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended in a draw with both men getting counted down simultaneously.” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: ROMAN REIGNS
“They made a point of mentioning that Roman is closing in on 700 days, so I did some googling because I thought perhaps there was a legendary reign in line to be passed. Nope. Punk’s 434 days are well in the rearview & next up is Pedro Morales’ 1,027, which would take Roman past the next WrestleMania. So, while I have a ‘blow-it-all-up’ scenario bouncing around my head that I would love to have the testicular fortitude to go with (which would also change other picks on this card), I’m going with the safe bet of the Tribal Chief retaining.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: ROMAN REIGNS
“I’ve said it, and I’ll repeat it – this is two big boys having a big boy fight! This match will be brutal. It seems like we’ve seen it all before between them, but it’s not as often as people think. I have a feeling this one will be remembered for a long time to come. I figure Roman goes over, but it’ll be a real “slobber knocker,” to quote JR. Expect lots of hard-hitting moves, as well as lots of outside interference. I could see Theory cashing in – or being talked out of it – after some more Paul Heyman-inspired shenanigans. Nothing like hedging my bets on the cash-in! But I’m at least decisive that Roman wins this one.” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: ROMAN REIGNS
“I don’t think Brock gets this done. We still haven’t gotten Roman vs. Drew yet (since Roman has been champion), and I feel that that match has to be what Main Event’s Clash at the Castle. And with Theory, I think that he is going to try to do what he’s been saying he’s going to do in Cashing In on Roman. But I think the Usos will attack him at some point, and Theory will never get the chance to. It would make sense to get the MITB out of the way ASAP since Theory was never planned to win the thing, to begin with, but you can stretch it for a little bit.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: ROMAN REIGNS
**Raw Women’s Championship**
**Champion BIANCA BELAIR vs. BECKY LYNCH**
“Maybe I’m putting too much stock in the UK being the next show, but I think you gotta have Becky be the Champ walking into Clash at the Castle. And we haven’t seen Becky vs. Alexa Bliss for a few years now, so that should be a fun feud for the next couple of months. Big Time Becks is back on a Roll! She’s the Biggest Draw in the Division! Keep her going!” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: BECKY LYNCH
“In some ways, this match has almost gone under the radar for me. I’d virtually forgotten it was happening until their awesome brawl on Raw this past week. It should be a short, intense match. I find it hard to pick a clear winner here. Who am I kidding, gotta go green! (Or ginger!) Big time Becks is back with a long title reign.” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP Correspondent
Pick: BECKY LYNCH
“I thought Becky should have won the Money in the Bank briefcase. Don’t get me wrong, I love what Liv did, and I love it even more that she cashed in successfully. But if the plan was to continue to have Bianca & Becky circle one another, Becky should have won the briefcase & cashed in to take her title. Maybe then I would care about chapter 47 of their rivalry here at SummerSlam. If I’m right & Bianca retains, I want a TRO that states these two don’t come within 100 feet of one another for at least 18 months after this weekend. At least when the Usos & New Day fought three dozen times in 6 months, the matches & mic-work were great. Repetition to this degree is only excusable when it’s entertaining, and these two haven’t been for about half of this year since Becky’s return.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: BIANCA BELAIR
**Smackdown Women’s Championship**
**Champion LIV MORGAN vs. RONDA ROUSEY**
“It would be criminal to take the belt off Liv so soon. I’m not exactly sure how she pulls it off, possible interference from Ronda’s next foe, possibly a good old-fashioned roll up, but I think our Jersey girl retains here.” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: LIV MORGAN
“I thought Natty would weasel her way into this match by skullduggery means so that she could eat the pin. I was having a hard time seeing Rousey taking another loss, this time without the surprise aspect of cash in. But if you decided to pull the trigger on a title run for Liv, you can’t now ignore the overwhelmingly positive crowd reaction she’s gotten.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: LIV MORGAN
“This is a tough one for me to choose. I have to be honest; I like them but dislike them equally. I can’t quite convince myself that Liv is the right person to be champion (sorry to the Jersey collective!), but neither can I convince myself that now is the right time to take the belt off her. I could see interference (Charlotte maybe?) causing Liv to retain, setting up a Charlotte/Liv match and then leading to the Charlotte/Ronda feud. Hopefully, they make them both look strong, as they need to prove a lot to the fanbase.”
Pick: LIV MORGAN
**WWE United States Championship**
**Champion BOBBY LASHLEY vs. THEORY**
“Not going to be a good night for Theory. I don’t see him getting the job done against Lashley or in Cashing In.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: BOBBY LASHLEY
“I think this will be shorter than everyone thinks. Lashley will dominate and retain, but Theory will still have his briefcase to cash in. Not sure where Bobby goes after this, but he’ll retain.” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP Correspondent
Pick: BOBBY LASHLEY
**Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship (Jeff Jarrett as Guest Referee)**
**Champions THE USOS vs. THE STREET PROFITS**
“I’m not sure what Jeff Jarrett is even doing here, but he’s never exactly been a trustworthy character, and I think that plays into the Usos’ hands. The GOATs hold on to their undisputed tag belts.” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: THE USOS
“Now, this DOES seem like a matchup we’ve seen a million times, even if we haven’t. This could easily be the show stealer if they’re given enough time. Ironically, I can see the Usos retaining (even if I would prefer a title change) but in a way that leads to a rematch in Cardiff, where they’ll change the titles. This time next year, we could easily see Montez Ford in a high-profile singles match (just sayin’). Also, I’m hopeful we don’t see a heel ref turn from Jeff Jarrett. That’s J, E, Double F, J A, you know the rest.” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: THE USOS
“If Roman is going to retain, but work fewer dates, the Usos representing the Bloodline in his absence while also carrying undisputed titles makes the most sense.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: THE USOS
**LOGAN PAUL vs. THE MIZ**
“Logan shined in his first match at Wrestlemania, and I expect him to be even better this time. That being said, I think the Miz cheats his way to victory here, and this feud is far from over (possible ‘Mania match?).” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent
Pick: THE MIZ
“I’m looking forward to this match, but for the wrong reasons! I think it will be better than people expect, but the reactions will be fascinating if there are any for Miz. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve been a Miz supporter for years. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves (and wrote as much in an article years ago), but this match won’t be a technical masterclass. The words mirrors and smoke come to mind. Miz will lose nothing by being pinned, but I don’t think he will be. I think, somehow, Miz will show he has a set of, well, let’s say he will overcome the odds and defeat Logan Paul, leading to them convincing Logan to turn heel. Then he will want to turn face again before WrestleMania, where he’ll still get booed!” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: THE MIZ
**PAT MCAFEE vs. HAPPY CORBIN**
“I love that Pat McAfee is a Special Attraction now and wrestles on these Big Shows, but that doesn’t mean he has to win every time. He got the Win at Mania against Theory with a Raw Rollup (before losing to Vince), so that should be good enough for us for a little bit. I’d give McAfee a better chance of winning if it was a No Holds Barred Situation, but it’s a straight-up match, so Corbin should win this.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: HAPPY CORBIN
“Interference by Madcap Moss should tip things towards McAfee’s favor.” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: PAT MCAFEE
**No Disqualification Match**
**THE MYSTERIO’S vs. THE JUDGMENT DAY**
“I know the Mysterio’s just won on Raw this past Monday, so I feel the obvious pick here is The Judgment Day, but the NO DQ Stip with Edge looming around waiting to return for a retaliation on the Judgment Day, I don’t see that happening until after the match, most likely thwarting a post-match attack” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: THE JUDGMENT DAY
“If Judgment Day doesn’t win this, what are they even doing here? Unless, of course, Edge gets involved. But I think he makes his return on RAW to rain on Priest and Balor’s parade. Give me The Judgment Day here.” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: THE JUDGMENT DAY
Be sure to catch the “Essential Wrestling Podcast” on Tuesday evenings at 5 pm on the Eastern Observer, and join the EWP public pool on ProWrestlingPickem.com to play against our team of experts!
