WWE SummerSlam 2021 is the 34th event in the chronology, and sports a card of at least eight matches, of which six championships will be contested. The main event is Roman Reigns vs. John Cena for the WWE Universal Championship.
How To Watch? When Does It Start?
It’s important to remember that WWE SummerSlam 2021 takes place on August 21st, which is a Saturday(!), and not the Sunday evening traditionally reserved for PPV events.
For the Western hemisphere, you’ll like to know the start time remains the normal 5pm PT/ 8pm ET. There will be a kickoff show, likely beginning an hour before. For the rest of the world, fans in the United Kingdom will struggle to keep their eyes open with a start time of 1am BST, while Australians finish eating their breakfasts by 10am AEST.
Fans in America can pay less per month to get WWE shows on Peacock. Outside of the US, you will have to find it on the WWE Network.
WWE SummerSlam 2021 Predictions
I’m not one to make predictions often, but it’s SummerSlam and there are many permutations from its outcomes. Let’s look at the card:
#1. Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal (w/ Veer & Shanky)
After costing him the Money in the Bank match, Drew McIntyre seeks revenge on his old 3MB stablemate Jinder Mahal. After losing a Last Chance Hell in a Cell match, McIntyre isn’t allowed to challenge for the WWE title while Lashley holds it, so he’s in dire need of a PPV victory to keep his stock from crashing. Therefore, while Mahal would love to pick up the win, it would be so damaging to McIntyre to lose what has been a very one-sided feud.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
#2. Edge vs. Seth Rollins
Edge is another superstar desperate not to fall from grace, after losing out to the Head of the Table Roman Reigns. Seth Rollins has served as a reliable heel for well over a year, and he will prove it yet again by wrestling Edge to his limit. Unlike the plodding pace shown in the Universal title match at Money in the Bank, Edge & Rollins will have more urgency. Not only does it have the potential to steal the show, it could be one of the greatest matches in the history of SummerSlam. Rollins will do everything in his power, but the Rated R Superstar will use his experience to create an unforeseen opportunity.
Winner: Edge
#3. [United States Championship] Sheamus (c) vs. Damian Priest
This is tough to call, because while Damian Priest has momentum, factoring in The Miz & Morrison leans me more towards a screwy finish. Sheamus either takes advantage after interference, or he will lose by disqualification. I feel like it’s slightly too soon for Priest to become champion because he has done nothing substantial on his own, but it’s not unbelievable.
If I were to put money on it, I’d see this as an opportunity to garner sympathy for Priest on one of the biggest shows of the year. Let Priest get so very close, only to pull the rug out from under him. This would make a future title win for him better received, especially if he can do it by getting revenge on these three.
Winner: Sheamus retains (via interference)
#4. [Raw Women’s Championship] Nikki A.S.H. (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley
It’s clear how much management wants this to work after Nikki A.S.H. won the title so soon after changing gimmick. They want her to be a credible star in the landscape of their women’s divisions, and making her a role model for kids is the biggest selling point behind the push. WWE knows if they get her over, kids will want her merchandise (which I bet is cheap to make), and it brings the company much needed positivity in a time full of negative change.
Catering to young kids helps the future. It brings in unaccustomed eyes who may otherwise be disinterested if a Charlotte Flair, or a Rhea Ripley, held the title. This match is about cementing Nikki A.S.H’s credibility, even if it comes with some backlash from the mature audience.
Winner: Nikki A.S.H. retains
#5. [SmackDown Tag Team Championship] The Usos (c) vs. Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio
I think it’s safe to say that The Usos are presently the most accomplished team in WWE, so The Mysterio’s beating them would be a legitimate shock. The experience and chemistry between The Usos far outmatch their challengers, and with added pressure from Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman, they can’t afford to lose. Dominik will be the biggest winner in defeat, just by being booked in a title match on one of the biggest shows. It’s notable experience for him, while also motivating Rey Mysterio in the twilight of his career.
Winner: The Usos retain
#6. [SmackDown Women’s Championship] Bianca Belair (c) vs. Sasha Banks
I’m happy with how Bianca Belair has carried herself as Women’s Champion, however, there is a risk of her being resented for holding on too long. It would be beneficial for this rivalry for Sasha Banks to return the favor, because if she doesn’t, it leaves the SmackDown women’s division in a tough spot.
The feud between Banks & Belair needs to remain a back and forth, otherwise the heat will dissipate, and that would be a shame because the women’s division on SmackDown is one of the best. It would give Belair a challenge to chase after the title after knowing how it feels to be on top, which could make her look to improve more elements of her game. Banks needs the win at SummerSlam 2021 to remind everyone how great she is.
Winner: Sasha Banks becomes new champion
#7. [WWE Championship] Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Goldberg
This is difficult to predict because it depends on Goldberg’s status. While so many fans don’t want Goldberg challenging, there lies the biggest question mark hanging over him. Since returning, he has lost more matches than he has won, despite picking up two Universal titles. His last two singles matches (which were for titles) saw him lose clean to Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre. This means Goldberg faces the prospect of gaining a three match losing streak, which is the last thing anyone expects.
The only streak synonymous with Goldberg is one where he dominates, so having him lose again would devastate his value. His character should be more desperate than ever, because he’s in a never-before-seen position. If Goldberg loses, then it NEEDS to be his retirement match. He would have no choice but to shake Lashley’s hand and thank him for retiring his legacy, because that’s the only way he truly puts him over. However, if this isn’t Goldberg sailing off in to the sunset, then management has no choice but to switch the title to him. Not only will he finally get on the list of WWE Champions, but management can then squeeze the last bit of goodness out of his name.
If that means Lashley gets it back later, or it turns in to a Triple Threat between them and Drew McIntyre, it will undoubtedly be Goldberg’s last title reign. Many will crap all over it, but as far as business goes, WWE will see it as putting Lashley & McIntyre over in the long term. WWE needs to capitalize, or it’s just another short-term boost with no long-term investment. It won’t surprise most of us, but Goldberg will surprise Lashley with a quick win.
Winner: Goldberg becomes new champion
#8. [Universal Championship] Roman Reigns (c) vs. John Cena
While the other SummerSlam 2021 main event isn’t easy to call, I’d say this is one of the most predictable matches of the night. John Cena hasn’t returned to take over WWE. He isn’t leaving Hollywood behind, and he knows full well who the #1 guy is. Cena won’t admit it on TV, but Roman Reigns is carrying the company, even if he gets great help from their background operation (which ironically served Cena the same way).
In promos, some of Cena’s insults are hard to deny, while others are farfetched (Reigns did not drive Ambrose out of WWE), but none of it tells me he’s here to relive the glory days. He’s here to enjoy himself, and money isn’t what motivates him. Cena makes more money in Hollywood, so his return is about enjoying an old hobby than it is about his position in the company. He has said several times that he stepped away, not just because he’s done all there is to do, but to encourage WWE to focus on new stars. In the past, he insulted The Rock for being part-time, so the last thing he wants to be is a hypocrite, by playing the role of a Hollywood actor taking the spotlight for themselves.
He’s here to work a full-time schedule where yes… he will be compensated, but there is no way we’re seeing the return of Super Cena. That role is now reserved for the Head of the Table, if we like it or not. Cena won’t make it easy, but Reigns will triumph, because WWE has invested far too much time and money to pull the plug on everything they have built together. With that said, I thank you for reading! I hope you can join us here for all the latest news & results coming out of WWE SummerSlam 2021. See you Saturday.
Winner: Roman Reigns retains
