The return of Dean Ambrose is one of the top stories heading into SummerSlam 2018.
Two words brought joy to the masses last Monday night on RAW: Dirty Deeds.
Okay. The palpable excitement was already present in the building once the music of Dean Ambrose hit. And it was well worth the wait:
Rumors had been flying of Ambrose's return at SummerSlam. While this would have been a nice surprise for summer's biggest event, pulling it off on RAW was a good move.
Now we wonder if Ambrose will turn heel on Sunday.
Ambose, if only slightly, has been kind of a lost member from one of the better factions established in the WWE from the past 15 years. Roman Reigns has been the golden boy, circling around the title now for the last two and a half years. Fans have been torn on Reigns over this time as well, with the divisiveness maybe even causing the WWE to push him even more.
Seth Rollins, meanwhile, was the architect behind the dissolution of The Shield. While initially taking on the role of heel, Rollins himself got injured and came back on the hero side of things.
Ambrose earned a moniker as one of the hardest working wrestlers prior to his injury (a title since passed along to Rollins, who is far-and-away the wrestler of 2018 so far). The "Lunatic Fringe" brought a chaotic energy no matter the story he was involved in. He held titles, yes, but for the most part his energy and comedy styling stole the show.
And now he's back, looking to add to the story between Rollins, Dolph Ziggler and the "Scottish Psychopath", Drew McIntyre. It's not like the chemistry between these three was dragging but Ambrose should elevate it to even higher levels.
Now the question is when does this new-look (Triple H clone) of Ambrose turn heel? Hopefully we have a little time with this mini-Shield reunion. But when it does happen? I'll be all in.
Becky Lynch on the rise
Straight fire indeed.
If there is a worker on the women's side comparable to Ambrose, it's Becky Lynch.
While Sasha Banks has been a staple on RAW and Charlotte Flair has held the title, Lynch has consistently put up strong work no matter what ridiculous story she was put in.
The first woman selected for Smackdown Live! back when the split occurred, Lynch seemed destined to be the face of the women's division on the blue brand.
Though it didn't go exactly as planned, she has been the focal point as of late and has continued to deliver. Plus, she has the comedic chops to hang with the best:
Lynch will be pitted in a match with her best friend Flair and champion Carmella on SummerSlam. Will she finally be crowned the Queen of Smackdown?
Match card and predictions
SummerSlam hits your screens and devices on Sunday, August 19. The lineup is below, with my predicted winner in bold. Though I may turn the whole thing off if we don't get the Elias concert that's been promised to us.
Rusev & Lana vs Andrade 'Cien' Almas & Zelina Vega (kickoff show): Look for Aiden English to get involved somehow as we watch Rusev Day (likely, sadly) come to end.
Cruiserweight Championship- Cedric Alexander vs Drew Gulak (kickoff show)
RAW Tag Team Championship- The B-Team vs The Revival: I'd like to see The Revival finally wear the belts, but I don't think creative is quite done with The B-Team, especially if the Deleters of Worlds breaks up.
Finn Balor vs Baron Corbin: I've enjoyed Corbin in his role of constable, but it's time to get Finn a win and back in the title picture.
United States Championship: Shinsuke vs Jeff Hardy
Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens: The Money in the Bank briefcase is on the line. Strowman needs to keep to cash in later in the evening.
Daniel Bryan vs The Miz: This story might carry all the way until Wrestlemania if Bryan re-signs with the company.
Smackdown Tag Team Titles- Bludgeon Bros vs The New Day: It's time to get the belts back on the fellas from New Day. Or, if not, see if they've all got a singles run in them.
Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler: Though I personally think Rollins should always have a belt, Ziggler has been doing some of his best work in recent years.
RAW Women's Championship- Ronda Rousey vs Alexa Bliss: It's time for some fresh blood at the top (as much as I like Bliss).
Smackdown Women's Championship- Charlotte Flair vs Becky Lynch vs Carmella: Again. It's time.
WWE Championship- Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles: Styles wins simply for the fact to extend his run one month longer. Then it's Joe's turn.
Universal Championship- Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar: Oh man. Does Roman turn heel? What is Paul Heyman up to? Does a last second meeting with WWE keep Lesnar around even longer with the belt (let's hope not). I'm with a lot of people thinking that whoever wins, Strowman cashes in and takes the title.
Of course, prognosticators and fans like to pretend to know what's best (myself included) some I'm sure surprises will be in store. Let's just hope they make sense and maybe, just maybe, provide a little lunacy.
photo credit: sw.wikipedia.org
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