Opinion
Chris’s WWE SmackDown Live Grades & Analysis 7/16/19
Following Extreme Rules, The New Day hold all the gold on the Blue brand but for how long? Who will face Kofi Kingston at SummerSlam for the WWE Championship, The Viper perhaps? Could we witness the reigniting of a ten-year rivalry?
Following Extreme Rules, The New Day hold all the gold on the Blue brand but for how long? Who will face Kofi Kingston at SummerSlam for the WWE Championship, The Viper perhaps? Could we witness the reigniting of a ten-year rivalry?
Chris’s Grades For WWE SmackDown Live:
- Aleister Black vs. Cesaro Winner: Aleister Black–B+
- Liv Morgan vs. Charlotte Flair
Winner: Flair–B - Ember Moon & Bayley vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya DeVille Winners: Moon & Bayley–B+, The B+ was for the announcement of Bayley vs. Ember Moon at SummerSlam
- The New Day vs. Randy Orton, Samoa Joe & Elias Winners: Orton, Joe & Elias–B+
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match The IIconics © vs. The Kabuki Warriors Winners: Kabuki Warriors by countout–C
- Apollo Crews vs. Andrade w/ Zelina Vega
Winner: Crews by surprise roll-up–B - Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler
Winner: No Contest
Analysis:
The shows opened up with a recap of KO’s Pipebomb promo and Stunner, on the self-proclaimed Best in the World last week. We see footage from earlier today with Shane is seen instructing security guards to detain Kevin Owens if things get out of hand.
The egocentric boss tells Owens that tonight there will be an open forum for many mistreated superstars to air their grievances and Shane “is going to listen”… excuse me while I hurl. Owens says he doesn’t work for him, his contract is with WWE. Shane gives him a lesson that the McMahon Family controls the company, so “Yes, you do work for me”. Owens is given the night off. Two things I see all said superstars with issues are going to get Claymore Kicked straight into next week, and Owens will strike again!
We go to ringside as the entire SmackDown Live roster is on the ramp I guess we’re getting the first-ever ‘Town Hall’ but first a recap of The Undertaker and Roman Reigns’ destruction from Extreme Rules! Of course, as long as they are respectful. The Big Dog speaks up first and says “Shane I don’t think you get it, nobody respects you…Oh and you can kiss my ass!” Shane’s rebuttal is Roman getting fined. I’ll be frank I just deleted two paragraphs worth of superstars who aired their grievances, and Shane cut them all off…Liv Morgan and Charlotte Flair bickered and maybe we’ll see a match soon.
Buddy Murphy is still a heel and sided with Shane, Apollo Crews got challenged to a match with Andrade, The New Day shut down Elias, and Kofi Kingston got his mic cut off while inquiring why Shane is not giving opportunities to deserving superstars.
Shane closes the thing… Cesaro wants another piece of Aleister Black tonight and gets it! Hell yeah! Owens is standing behind Shane, who botches and falls down… Stunner, this was a complete bore-fest. WWE needs to drastically change things with the upcoming move to Fox if they do long and boring segments to start the show there won’t be a SmackDown Live… commercial.
We return and Thank God we get some action as Aleister Black is making his entrance for his Extreme Rules rematch against Cesaro. I don’t expect a decisive winner tonight, I think these two will have another exhilarating match though!
We find out several things are happening tonight. First The New Daniel Bryan will give a Career-Altering Announcement, The IIconics will defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships against The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane). The bell rings and Black and Cesaro trade bombs…Black off the ropes and lands a kick. Cesaro slides outside and Black is gonna fly…Nope, sit-down cross-legged pose…commercial.
We return with Cesaro with a headlock on Black. The action is fast-paced with devastating strikes by both competitors. Black lands his signature springboard moonsault off the ropes for a close two-count. Black knocks Cesaro’s mouthpiece out of his mouth with a MASSIVE BLACK MASS 1-2-3!
Backstage we see Shane’s newest suck up Dolph Ziggler and he wants Owens tonight, he claims if it’s the main event he can get Owens back here.
We see a recap of a hallucinated Daniel Bryan in his Extreme Rules Post-Match Interview with Sarah Schrieber. Talking about saving the planet, he needs to go somewhere he’s never gone before. He knows exactly what he needs to do, yeah go see a shrink lol. Do you remember when I told you we would see Flair vs. Morgan soon? Well, it’s coming up next.
This will be Morgan’s first match on SmackDown Live since the Superstar Shakeup, and her first as a babyface. She played one before she debuted on the main roster as a member of The Riot Squad. The bell rings and Flair just shoves her down…Wild punches from Morgan.followed by a stunning hurricanrana and a side dropkick! Wow, I’m shocked! Flair just stares as Morgan just smiles and waves at her in his laying down pose. Flair gets the upper hand hits a Powerbomb and locks in the Figure-eight and Morgan taps. Morgan lumps to the announce table and grabs Corey Graves’s headset and says “Charlotte was right, and when I come back I’m going to be real”!
I wish this was longer so Morgan can show off more of her in-ring skills, but for what it’s worth she did alright in her first match back. The Queen has been MIA for some time, and she needed to get a dominant victory here.
Outside the arena we see Ziggler trying to get Owens’s phone number from senior NXT official Drake Wuertz. If you’re not familiar with him, he’s been the official for a plethora of TakeOver matches, here recently he’s been receiving much more exposure on the main roster.
Ember Moon is walking for her tag match against Mandy Rose and Sonya DeVille, I wonder her partner will be? Rose and DeVille are out first, The Shenom is here and…The SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. Before the bell rings Rose and DeVille attack both opponents.
The match is now underway, Rose hits a high knee and DeVille hits a shining knee… two-count. Moon gets the tag and is firing on all cylinders, bringing the fight to Rose. DeVille comes in and eats a Bayley-2-Belly and Moon hit The Eclipse for the 1-2-3! Post-Match Interview with Kayla Braxton as Bayley is asked who will be her next challenger now that she’s done with Alexa Bliss? She thinks for a minute and turns to Moon and she ecstatically accepts by saying HELL YEAH!
The match was fine. I’m seeing a pattern here, because of the extremely long opening segment to start the show, most of the performers are paying the price with shortened matches. This is ridiculous!
Backstage Interview with The New Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura who says “I am a storm, and now he’s free to rain down his chaos on the entire roster”. He’s then congratulated by one of SmackDown Live’s greatest assets The Heart and Soul of 205 Live Ali. Holy Shit, What A Match That Will Be!
Daniel Bryan and Rowan are coming up next, where do you think he’s going? I think maybe NXT. He technically was in NXT before it boomed as a rookie, but many are speculating its to 205 Live either way is Awesome!
We return live as Tom Phillips announces that Owens has been contacted and he’s on his way back to the arena. Something smells fishy to me, either he’s getting arrested or he’s getting a brutal attack from The Corporation 2.0.
It’s A New Day, Yes It Is… They’ve put the SmackDown WWE Championship and Tag Team Championships on Lockdown (Sorry Uce)! After some dancing and celebrating Kofi grabs the mic and tests it. Nope, we’re good compared to earlier, Woods gives props to Kofi for beating The Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe. Kofi congratulates E and Woods on their victory to become Six-time Champs! E offers Bryan and Rowan their Tag Team Championship rematch.
A distraught looking Bryan and Rowan walk off the stage, but it quickly turns to furious after “New Day” chants break out. Bryan throws the mic down and leaves.
The Samoan Submission Machine wants another title shot but of all people, Elias tells him he’s had his chance. The Viper is ready to take back the WWE Championship. Elias says we should all three make a statement to The New Day tonight, New Day pays homage to former Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long back in the day! Orton says Six-man Tag Team Match…Nah he’s good. Kofi provokes him to come back by saying maybe he’s gone limp! Orton storms down the ramp along with Joe and Elias… commercial.
We’re back as the bell rings and Kofi and Elias start it off, tie-up and headlock and a shoulder tackle by Elias. Kofi hits a flying-spinning elbow for the first pinfall of the match. Joe gets the tag and throws hard rights to the WWE champ in the corner, Kofi launches himself into a Lou Thesz Press maneuver. Woods in and Joe eats a highlight reel of splashes and attacks from Woods and Kofi. Tag to E and hits the splash two-count.
Back from a commercial, Woods lands a jaw-dropping missile dropkick all the way ¾ across the ring. Here comes Kofi, flying clothesline…Five Moves of Boom! Cross-body chops, followed by another flying clothesline and the Boom Drop to The Viper.
Kofi Sets up Trouble in Paradise… nope…RKO…nope Kofi hits a beautiful cross-body onto Orton, pin broken up by Elias. Woods and E back in and hit some good offense…Joe drills E with a ferocious lariat, Woods sends him to the outside…Huge Splash, Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch and Woods is out. E makes the save but Elias hits the Knee. Elias back in the ring, Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise… RKO 1-2-3! Yes, sir, my prediction of Kofi vs Orton at SummerSlam is all but confirmed now!
Paige and The Kabuki Warriors are making their way to the arena. Backstage Carmella is searching for R-Truth. HE’S FREAKING GOLD! Truth is hiding in a Washing machine! He’s stuck and Mella helps him out. She says she’s got a better hiding spot but he’ll need a wear a costume z Truth says “good because being the 48/7 European 7/11 24/7 I-75 277 Champion Ain’t No Joke!” Truth falls down while exiting the machine…and off they go.
We return live as The IIconics are making their entrance to the ring, their opponents are already in the ring. Greg Hamilton gives the championship introductions, and the match is underway. Sane and Royce start…Slap to Sane. Not wise…Whip tag to Asuka… Headscissors into a Code Breaker and a stunning Blockbuster…Asuka in and nails a shining wizard for almost the victory! They are on fire tonight!
Asuka wants the hip attack…nope tag to Kay and a big boot. Kay starts trash-talking…Huge Roundhouse Kick that sends her outside. Royce check on Kay outside as the official starts the ten-count, Royce grabs Kay off the ropes to ensure the countout victory… Genius! The challengers are not done as the women’s champions try to flee with the gold. Royce gets driven into the steps, and Sane and Asuka drives Kay into the barricade. Back in the ring and another vicious kick by The Empress of Tomorrow, followed by The Insane Elbow Drop!
While I know that the charades must end at some point, The IIconics are brilliant cowardly heel champions. I predict a few more weeks of cat and mouse games and then we’ll get the title change at SummerSlam. Andrade and Crews are up next.. commercial.
Andrade blasts Crews before the bell rings, now the match is underway. Hard knee in the corner to Crews, stiff strikes from Andrade. Crews answers back with rights of his own Enzugiri…nope stomps to Crews on the mat. Crews gets back up and tries to dodge Andrade but, he gets blasted with a nasty back elbow…Running knees in the corner. Andrade goes for the pin, Crews reverses into his own and gets the 1-2-3! Andrade and Vega are shocked.
Recap of The Fiend’s Spectacular debut and attack on Finn Balor!
Owens and Ziggler are up next… commercial.
We return as Ziggler is out first, followed by Owens, I sense a trap…Let’s find out!
The bell rings as Owens out of the gate Stunner… nope. Ziggler escapes outside but Owens flies into him! Owens up top, Senton…nope… Fameasser… two-count. Ziggler slows the pace down with a crossface submission and rakes Owens’s eyes in the process. Ziggler gets in some good offense now…Ziggler hits a splash in the corner, followed by his signature satellite DDT for a two-count. Owens blasts him with a Superkick, Senton connects two-count. Here comes Shane with a flood of superstars behind him, they surround the ring… Zig-Zag… two-count!
Owens gets drilled shoulder-first into the ring post. Owens slaps him, Ziggler unloads on him in the corner. Owens gets sent to the ring post again, Ziggler with the Superkick…nope… Stunner… pin…nope Shane pulls Owens outside, and eats the second Stunner kt of the night and Owens sprints outta there! Kayla Braxton tries to get a word from Shane he says “He’s gonna pay, Kevin Owens you are gonna pay my friend!”
That’s the show folks
Chris’s Grade Of The Show–B-
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Opinion
DeMarco: Eric Bischoff, Vince Russo, or Jim Cornette?
Greg DeMarco evaluates a $10 million dollar question (literally) – who would you choose if you were starting a new wrestling company?
Greg DeMarco evaluates a $10 million dollar question (literally) – who would you choose if you were starting a new wrestling company?
Social media has flipped the script on pro wrestling. The fans have more power than ever before—booking is done in real time, buzz is built or buried in seconds, and no one waits until Monday to cut a promo anymore.
Social media is also a place where ideas are shared and discussion takes place. The basis for this article was a question posted on social media, using this image:
It’s the Ten Million Dollar Question: If you are handed $10 million to start a wrestling company, and you have to pick one of the following as your partner, who do you pick? Eric Bischoff, Vince Russo, or Jim Cornette.
Ten Million Dollars?
Ten million dollars sounds like a lot—until you start pricing out weekly production, talent contracts, live event logistics, licensing, digital, and TV. That money will go fast when you realize you’re competing with billion-dollar conglomerates that can lose money just to win the culture war. To truly break through in today’s wrestling economy, $10 million is your entry fee, not your war chest.
You do have options, such as Roku TV (similar to the NWA), YouTube, and more. This should ABSOLUTELY factor into your decision–distribution is key. And all three options do have some connection, and that needs to be considered.
You already know the options…
You’re reading this article, so you already know all about Eric Bischoff, Vince Russo, and Jim Cornette.
Eric Bischoff broke all the rules—and made it work. He launched Monday Nitro, flipped the industry upside down with the nWo, and forced Vince McMahon to innovate. Bischoff turned WCW into a legit number one brand and changed the entire TV presentation of wrestling forever. Without him, do we have the Attitude Era? There’s no way to be certain.
Vince Russo brought the chaos—and a whole lot of ratings. He gave us Crash TV, blurred the lines between fiction and reality, and wasn’t afraid to throw the whole format into a blender. While the long-term storytelling often suffered, the shock factor he brought drove eyeballs and made every segment feel like “can’t miss” television. But you can argue that, without Eric Bischoff, there’s no Vince Russo.
Jim Cornette is wrestling tradition personified. He’s protected the business with his life, shaped generations of talent behind the scenes, and built up territories when no one else could. Cornette’s strength lies in his psychology, heat-building, and his unapologetic belief in what wrestling should be—even when the industry moves past it. Does that play if you’re starting a brand new company in 2025? In my opinion, the jury is still out.
But who do you choose?
To be fair, you can’t just pick someone and go. You need to pick someone who aligns with your vision.
- If you’re trying to focus on “old school” and nostalgia, Jim Cornette is your guy.
- If you plan to build on shock value, your product going viral, and outlandish reactions, you pick Vince Russo.
- If you think distribution is important, and need to get your product out there, you choose Eric Bischoff.
For me? I am a business guy. It’s called “the wrestling business,” and your $10 million investment needs to see a return.
I choose Eric Bischoff.
Many of you will scoff at this, thinking Jim Cornette was the right choice. He has a brilliant mind, and he has a following to help get you started. Hell, its enough for me to second-guess myself. Cornette is a close second. Vince Russo? Not a fan in this scenario.
But my perspective is different. I am a wresting promoter–I book and promote successful wrestling events. Our biggest weakness? Distribution. Among the three options, Eric Bischoff is far stronger.
How do you leverage Eric Bischoff?
Remember how the table was set – you’re given $10 million dollars to start a wrestling company. THAT is the hook. To me, that sounds like two things: a wrestling promotion AND a reality show. Even if the wrestling portion is on a streaming platform, or our own distribution like YouTube–the behind the scenes content is what Eric can start shopping. That can give us more resources in terms of budget and production. He also has the connection to Conrad Thompson, which helps with the online community.
If Bischoff gets us a distribution deal, even if it’s for the reality show portion, we have more budget for talent. Two people I can hire? Jim Cornette and Vince Russo. They are reality show GOLD.
Do I have to pay Eric Bischoff? Sure, but he’s not a “salary guy.” You want to motivate Eric Bischoff to perform, appeal to his competitive side. Give him a piece of the business–when the business grows, so does his piece. That’s one of the biggest advantages to having the former head of WCW.
Welcome to the team, Eric! Now let’s to get ourselves a deal!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Opinion
Greg DeMarco’s WWE SummerSlam 2025 Preview, Betting Odds, & Predictions
Are you ready for WWE SummerSlam? Greg DeMarco makes sure are with his official preview & predictions!
Are you ready for WWE SummerSlam? Greg DeMarco makes sure are with his official preview & predictions!
August 2–3, 2025 • MetLife Stadium
WWE is turning SummerSlam into the biggest blockbuster of the summer with a two‑night extravaganza, packing in title bouts, and celebrity surprise appearances. Let’s dive into the matches, the action that led us here, and the betting lines that tell us who the bookies think bets on.
And of course, the pièce de résistance, my predictions done in true form: Who Should Win? Who Will Win?
And as an added bonus, PC Tunney has sent along his picks, which will be included with each match!
WWE SummerSlam 2025 – Night 1 – Saturday, August 2
World Heavyweight Championship – CM Punk vs. Gunther (c)
Odds: CM Punk (−180), Gunther (+140)
Punk is favored at about a 64% win probability
Punk earned his shot in a gauntlet match, but remember that he came in last to beat a man in Bron Breakker who came in first. Regardless, the tension has been simmering ever since. Gunther’s technical dominance will test Punk’s recklessness, making this a high-stakes and high strikes match. Expect close calls, but if Punk pulls this off, he reestablishes himself at the very top of WWE’s hierarchy (although he doesn’t need it).
- Who Should Win: Gunther
- Who Will Win: Gunther
Look, I know CM Punk is the sentimental pick to win, but Gunther NEEDS to win here. Otherwise, what is he? Gunther is the type of wrestler whose character thrives on wins and losses, whereas CM Punk is a made guy.
PC Tunney’s pick: “CM Punk – If Seth isn’t hurt we likely see a cash in. I’ll stick with he’s hurt and Punk captures gold.”
Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
Odds: Reigns & Uso (−1500), Breakker & Reed (+600)
Roman & Jey are favored at about a 94% win probability
The Bloodline team is an iron-clad force, backed by legacy and brutal efficiency. Breakker and Reed bring raw power and youthful fury, aiming to shock the world. This will hinge on teamwork vs. dominance—do the underdogs coordinate enough to upset the odds? The wildcard in all of this is the WWE’s efforts to build Heyman’s duo, and establish Bron Breakker as a leader, and a star for the new generation. Does that swing the booking? I think it might.
- Who Should Win: Roman Reigns & Jey Uso
- Who Will Win: Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
Given the betting odds, it might actually be worth dropping a few bucks on this one (I won’t). I don’t think Seth Rollins appears here, but might we see a new member? I think we could. As far as my pick of Breakker & Reed, I’ll go a step further: Bron Breakker pins Roman Reigns. It won’t be clean, but it’ll be forever etched in history.
PC Tunney’s pick: “Roman & Jey – I don’t see Roman losing much.”
Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul
Odds: Orton & Jelly Roll (−500), McIntyre & Paul (+300)
Randy Orton & Jelly Roll are favored at about an 83% win probability
Jelly Roll’s wrestling debut has added real unpredictability, while Orton’s veteran savvy balances McIntyre’s muscle and Paul’s sheen. Expect social‑media chaos with a strong element of violencem This match plays to spectacle far more than to wrestling acumen.
- Who Should Win: Randy Orton & Jelly Roll
- Who Will Win: Randy Orton & Jelly Roll
Don’t overthink this one. Play it safe, go with the babyface celebrity.
PC Tunney’s pick: Orton & Jelly Roll – RK… Roll
WWE Women’s Championship – Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill
Odds: Jade Cargill (−600), Tiffany Stratton (+350)
Jade is favored at about an 86% win probability
Cargill has steamrolled challengers on her way to this pinnacle moment, while Stratton has proven she can hang with the elite (get it?). Will Stratton’s athleticism and swagger crack Cargill’s aura—or will Jade’s debutante dominance silence the critics?
- Who Should Win: Tiffany Stratton
- Who Will Win: Tiffany Stratton
I’m probably stupid, but I don’t think we’re done with Tiffany Stratton as WWE Women’s Champion just yet. Maybe Bianca Belair costs Jade, maybe it’s someone else.
Actually, I’m positive I’m wrong.
PC Tunney’s pick: Jade Cargill – Time to see what Jade’s got!
See, even Tunney knows that I’m wrong!
The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez) (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Odds: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss (–400), Judgment Day (+400)
Charlotte & Alexa are an 88% favorite to win here
Rodriguez and Perez have held the titles well through their title defenses, but Charlotte and Alexa bring star power, chemistry and a storyline deeply rooted in reluctant alliances. If Flair & Bliss click at the right moment, they could steamroll Judgment Day’s dominance. But if the champions have hidden synergy? This could be their breakout moment.
- Who Should Win: Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez
- Who Will Win: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
It makes WAY more sense for Roxanne & Raquel to retain, but the star power and fan-pleasing title change has to be hard for WWE to pass up. That’s okay, The Judgment Day duo can regain the titles in a TV match that leads to the inevitable split for Flair and Bliss.
PC Tunney’s pick: Charlotte & Alexa – I want to see this happen, I really want to lol
I have no clue why!
Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross – Singles Match
Odds: Sami Zayn (–250), Karrion Kross (+180)
Zayn is favored with a 71% win percentage.
Zayn’s momentum has been on a roller coaster ride for, well basically his entire WWE career. Fueled by emotional storytelling and that Helluva Kick finishing move he’s perfected over years. Kross is the physical menace—the kind of throwback monster heel who wants to bury Zayn’s momentum once and for all.
- Who Should Win: Sami Zayn
- Who Will Win: Sami Zayn
Based on everything I say, you’d think I wasn’t a Karrion Kross fan…when in actuality I’m a huge fan of the performer. But the character stinks, in my opinion, anyway. He’s a legitimate bad ass, and should be featured as one. Sami Zayn, on the other hand, is beloved by many, and should be headed to a mega push on The Road To WrestleMania 42. And a win here only makes sense.
PC Tunney’s pick: Karrion Kross – “Kross was right.”
WWE SummerSlam 2025 – Night 2 – Sunday, August 3
Street Fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship – John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
Odds: Cody Rhodes (−300), John Cena (+200)
Cody expected to regain the WWE’s top title at a win probability of 75%
This is the culmination of years: WrestleMania rematch, street fight rules, and Cena’s impending WWE retirement looming. Cody is favored to reclaim the title, but Cena’s legacy and weaponized veteran instincts make this a volatile rematch. But it IS A rematch. Does Cody’s movie role have any impact on the booking? Recent WWE direction tells me no.
- Who Should Win: John Cena
- Who Will Win: Cody Rhodes
Seth Rollins cashing in on John Cena (after he wins) here would be golden, but I’m not betting on it. Instead, go with what we know: LOLCODYWINS.
PC Tunney’s pick: Seth Rollins – Another heist of epic proportions!!!
Hell yeah, Tunney. Hell yeah.
Intercontinental Championship – AJ Styles vs. Dominik Mysterio (c)
Odds: Dominik (−200), Styles (+150)
Mysterio expected to retain at 67%
Styles brings experience, speed and flash, but Dominik has equally mastered psychological warfare and home‑field advantage. Expect a tactical back‑and‑forth, with Dominik banking on interference and lineage to stay gold.
- Who Should Win: AJ Styles
- Who Will Win: Dominik Mysterio
I love the idea of Dominik Mysterio winning the AAA Mega Championship at TripleMania, and carrying that belt both in Mexico and on WWE Monday Night Raw. And I think that does happen. So why does he need the Intercontinental Championship if that’s the direction?
He doesn’t. But WWE likely wants to see him draped in gold, and having him hold both accomplishes just that.
PC Tunney’s pick: Dominik Mysterio – Looking forward to this match most. These two should steal night two.
Triple Threat Match for the Women’s World Championship – Naomi (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky
Odds: Naomi (−1500), Rhea Ripley (+400), Iyo Sky (+750)
Naomi is a ….94% favorite to win? Seems crazy!
Naomi’s cash‑in and reign have been meteoric, but Sky and Ripley are hungry competitors who revitalized the division. This triple threat has finishers flying every which way—can Naomi dodge chaos and retain against the charging challengers? Or Ripley simply too popular to keep the title off of?
- Who Should Win: Naomi
- Who Will Win: Rhea Ripley
In an ideal world, this match closes Night 1. Of course, that ain’t happening, as it sits on the card for Night 2. It makes ZERO sense to take the belt off of Naomi so fast, but I think we are going to start seeing LOLRHEAWINS become a thing very soon.
PC Tunney’s pick: Naomi – Why cash in just to lose so soon?
Steel Cage Match for the United States Championship – Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
Odds: Solo Sikoa (−140), Jacob Fatu (+100)
Solo Sikoa sits as a 58.3% favorite to retain, the closest match odds of the weekend.
This grudge match in a cage is about revenge, incarceration-style brutality, and salvaging legacy. Fatu’s unpredictability (and recent arrest angle) ups the danger—so does Solo’s Bloodline backing and cunning brutality. The steel cage isn’t only meant to keep people out, it’s meant to be a weapon.
Which is good, because you know it ain’t keeping people out.
- Who Should Win: Soli Sikoa
- Who Will Win: Solo Sikoa
Jakob Fatu is meant for more than this program, and as we march into 2026, he will likely be headed down that road. But first, we need to see Solo and his MFTs victorious in a steel cage? Why? So they can ready San Diego, and the world, for the next chapter if Bloodline War Games!
PC Tunney’s pick: Solo Sikoa – Jacob should be moving on to bigger title scenes sooner than later.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship – Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria
Odds: Lyra Valkyria (−200), Becky Lynch (+150)
Valkyria favored to regain the title with a 66.7% edge
Becky is the veteran queen, Valkyria is the rising star hungry to dethrone her. Their recent matches have been technical showcases—this time divisional prestige, animosity and payback are dialing things even higher.
- Who Should Win: Becky Lynch
- Who Will Win: Lyra Valkyria
I am really torn on this one–at least on the “Who Will Win?” side. Personally, I don’t see the star power in Lyra that others do. Her promos still aren’t there, and let’s be honest. Is she all that much better than released stars like Dakota Kai and Shayna Baszler?
PC Tunney’s pick: Lyra Valkyria – Because Bayley.
TLC (Tables, Ladders, & Chairs) for the WWE Tag Team Championships – Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. Fraxiom vs. DIY vs. Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns
Odds: Andrade & Rey Fenix (+130 favorite, ~43.5%), Wyatt Sicks (+150), Fraxiom (+250), DIY (+500), Street Profits (+700), MCMG (+1000)
Andrade & Fenix are (surprisingly) at 43% favorite to win here.
This six‑team TLC match is WWE admitting a mistake by spotlighting its tag division now. Expect insanity—and the champions have to survive a flurry of stunts if they want to protect the belts at the elite level.
- Who Should Win: The Wyatt Sicks
- Who Will Win: The Wyatt Sicks
There really is no reason to move the tag titles here… instead this is all about spectacle. This match likely opens up Night 2, and it will deliver. But I see no reason why Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis won’t retain.
PC Tunney’s pick: Street Profits – This match should be a highlight of the weekend.
Final Thoughts for WWE SummerSlam 2025
SummerSlam 2025 is shaping up as a historic two-night WWE spectacle where legacy meets fresh blood, celebrity meets spectacle, and titles are on the line in every direction. The odds give us a blueprint of what the bookies believe—but wrestling is scripted to take us on a roller coaster ride of surprises. Let’s sit back and enjoy the ride!
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