WWE SummerSlam BreakDownZ: The ThunderDome Era Begins

Triple Z discusses and predicts WWE SummerSlam, which will kick off the ThunderDome era of WWE. 

We are still in the pandemic era of WWE but that hasn't stopped WWE from trying to create something new. After weeks of slumming it out in the Performance Center, WWE has decided to move into the ThunderDome (Amway Center with fancy screens and graphics). This represents effort to try to create more interest in the product. WWE's recent attempt with RAW Underground has shown some good results, and it will be fascinating to see if the ThunderDome connects with fans. 

I'm sure more matches will be added. This is the current card at the time of writing. 

Mandy Rose vs Sonya Deville (Hair vs Hair)

Even though Hair vs Hair matches are part of the gimmicky charm of pro wrestling. I feel like in this particular feud it's a weird choice. I rather have Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville do a hardcore match. That's just me but these are two great looking stars, and having one of them lose their hair is just a weird choice. I have to assume it will be Sonya because heels usually lose these type of matches. 

​Either way it will be weird to see. 
Winner: Mandy Rose

Bayley vs Asuka

I have to go with Bayley here. She's holding onto the SmackDown Women's Championship until they do a feud with her and Sasha. 

Winner: Bayley

Sasha Banks vs Asuka 

It's tempting to have Asuka regain the championship here but I think WWE will hold off and have Sasha retain. 

Winner: Sasha Banks

Braun Strowman vs Bray Wyatt

I'm starting to come around on The Fiend gimmick. 

But for the love of god can Bray Wyatt actually wrestle? This dude has found a way to barely wrestle in all of his big PPV matches. I'm hoping for the Strowman match at SummerSlam we actually get The Fiend in the ring, and we see him become the new champion. Bray Wyatt, even though I have a love-hate relationship with his character, probably should've been champion all year. Goldberg never needed the championship, and if he did need it, it  doesn't make sense having him lose it to Braun Strowman of all people. 

Here's a ZWrestleTalk Bet for you. Bray Wyatt is a favorite on Sunday. I'm predicting him to win. He has too much upside and WWE loves him. 

Winner: Bray Wyatt

Apollo Crews vs MVP 

The one thing WWE got right during the pandemic era is that they realized they needed to highlight certain talents more. Apollo Crews is one of them. He was rushed to main roster from NXT. Probably needed to be in NXT a few more month to really develop himself but now he's finally coming into his own on the main roster. 

WWE has also been smart with the usage of MVP and pairing him with Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin, two underutilized talents who have been misused since their returns to WWE. MVP 's stable The Hurt Business is legit, and I'm excited to see where it goes. I'm thinking we see The Hurt Business more in the main event picture soon. 

​For this match I think Apollo Crews is going to defeat MVP. He's just the better option to be champion at this rate. 

Winner: Apollo Crews

Dominik Mysterio vs Seth Rollins

This match doesn't scream SummerSlam. Let's be real this entire card doesn't seem like SummerSlam. Hopefully, we see a good showing from Dominik Mysterio. Seth Rollins is one of the best in the business so it is hard to imagine this match not being good. This match was clearly used as a bargaining chip in the Rey Mysterio negotiations. I still think Dominik is going to need to NXT for the long run. 

Street fights are usually entertaining. Hopefully, this will allow Dominik to shine while also rebuilding Seth Rollins towards the main event scene. 

Winner: Seth Rollins

Street Profits vs Andrade and Angel Garza

The Street Profits are entertaining but their time as champions is likely over. Zelina Vega is one of WWE's brightest future stars. I hope we see her wrestle more in the future also. I think the pairing of her and Andrade along with Angel Garza will be worthy of  the main event scene. It just shows how good wrestling can be when you utilize people in the right way. I think Angel Garza and Andrade will win the tag team championships before transitioning on to bigger things. 

As a side note, I believe WWE needs to reexamine their entire tag team division. I think they could develop incredible divisions for both RAW and SmackDown if they put in the effort. 

Winners: Angel Garza and Andrade

Drew McIntyre vs Randy Orton

The biggest match of the night. 

This match feels like a true SummerSlam main event. Drew McIntyre has been the hottest star for WWE since WrestleMania. McIntyre has cemented his reign as champion, and now he has ran into the ultimate test in Randy Orton who is having a career year. Orton started off his year as the ultimate heel to Edge before transitioning into full-on Legend Killer. Will Orton become WWE Champion once again? I think so. He's been one of the best parts of wrestling this year. 

McIntyre could chase after Orton and that would make for a compelling storyline heading into Survivor Series. I'm starting to think they are setting up Orton for a match with Triple H down the line. I can't get over the fact that Orton is one of the best things about wrestling this year. I dig the amount of effort he's been putting in to be entertaining during an era of WWE that lacks creativity and star power. 

I'm expecting this to be an absolute classic with Randy Orton coming out on top. The Legend Killer rides again! Orton begins his 15th championship reign, and maybe just maybe Orton forms a modern day Evolution. 

Winner: Randy Orton

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