Opinion

Mishal: Can Andrade Be A Top Star?

Mishal explores the top-flight potential of former NXT and WWE United States Champion, Andrade!

Published

6 years ago

May 26, 2020

Chairshot

Andrade Zelina Vega WWE Superstar Shake-Up

Mishal explores the top-flight potential of former NXT and WWE United States Champion, Andrade!

In today’s WWE there are few talents, few superstars, that we can say are naturally gifted to be a professional wrestler.

None of this is to say any other WWE superstar is without talent or credibility to become something special, because everyone that sets foot on a stage the size of WWE generally possesses a unique quality that makes them stand out considering the amount of talent the WWE currently holds under its belt. Whether it be the ability of a wrestler on the microphone, in the ring, on camera, interacting with crowds or their unique characters, professional wrestlers always have an aspect to them that is essentially ‘larger than life’, every now & then, however, we come across a few that seem like they’re born to dance in the squared circle.

In my humble opinion, Andrade is one of those very few.

At this current moment, WWE is almost in a transition period of sorts, with lots of new pairings being made on screen, new talents flooding their way to the forefront of programming & dozens of new pairings battling it out every single week. Despite the circumstances, it’s an exciting time to watch the product with so much experimentation going on. Every brand has something new planted into its weekly line-up & even though the product is dividing fans, at is has the tendency to, it’s nice to see the winds of change coming through at a time when it’s desperately needed. In the mix of all this, there have been downsides, namely talents who have gotten lost in the shuffle with so much going on. It’s sad to admit, but Andrade is one of those names.

Being the current, reigning United State Champion gives you the impression that a superstar like Andrade might be prioritized to get the spotlight as much as possible in WWE considering his status since in the past many men holding the belt have made it amongst the most illustrious in the company. It’s a belt that can help talent ascend up the WWE ladder in many cases, looking at guys like Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan or The Miz are pretty solid examples that it’s the title that one day could have you leading the very brand you’re a part of.

Andrade hasn’t followed the pattern of success that the other names I mentioned have, or at least doesn’t seem to be on the same path they were either. And this realization has prompted the question; Can Andrade be a top star in the WWE?

Rather than simply provide an answer, it’s important to look at his track record in the company as a whole, because a question like this isn’t just answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

The Glory Days

Like any NXT call-up to the main roster, these were Andrade’s glory days in the WWE, at least to date. In those days Andrade was referred to as Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas, a nod to his days wrestling in companies such as CMLL or NJPW where his persona referenced the words used in his name, based around the traditions of Lucha Libre in Mexico. His start on the roster displayed talent, but Andrade was always pretty plain considering the name he carried over from his days wrestling South of the border, there was talent there but nothing to get fans invested in his character.

Andrade was featured prominently on NXT programming, yet acted more like a superior enhancement talent than anything significant. He picked up an initial victory over Tye Dillinger that really did nothing to add value to him, but was then treated to a string of losses against the likes of Bobby Roode, Cedric Alexander & The Revival that left him aimless.

All of this changed in mid-2017 when Andrade appeared alongside an unnamed woman (now known as Selina Vega) to re-establish him as a worthwhile talent on the NXT brand. Vega’s appearance fueled his character with the charisma he displayed at stages in his early NXT career, not only bringing out a more ruthless aspect in him but making him a formidable force to contend with inside the ring. With Vega and his newfound confidence came a rise in the TV time he received, picking up a series of wins against Johnny Gargano which were simply incredible, leading to an NXT Title Match against then-champion Drew McIntyre that would set the course of his career back on track.

His match against McIntyre was a success at NXT Takeover: WarGames, resulting in a great match without question, more importantly, Andrade was holding onto the brands most coveted prize after 18 months of feeling like someone who was bound to be forgotten for the most part. This period was the defining one for the character of Andrade, as his next series of rematches against Johnny Gargano & Aleister Black remain among the greatest in the history of NXT in its entirety. The matches he put on with both pairings define the very essence of what professional wrestling is all about, encapsulating incredible stories, some of the best action the business was seeing at the time (and arguably has since) & establishing himself and everyone around him as a genuine superstar. More than just a champion, Andrade was the ultimate enhancement talent in the ring, making everyone around him look like a million dollars once the bell rang, everything the best in this industry are when it’s all said and done.

Main Roster Arrival

After losing his coveted NXT Championship to Aleister Black at NXT Takeover: New Orleans during WrestleMania weekend in 2018, Almas followed many other former NXT Champions in debuting following the biggest show of the year, on the blue brand of SmackDown Live as a part of the ‘Superstar Shake-Up’.

Almas was a welcome addition to the brand, which was having one of its oddest periods over the previous 10-months following a WWE Championship run by Jinder Mahal of all people & some odd booking that left its roster in a bit of flux. He started off on the right foot, scoring victories over the likes of Sin Cara, Rusev, R-Truth & fantastic performances against Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles & Jeff Hardy despite the losing effort. Where his talents really started to shine, was through his impromptu feud with Rey Mysterio, a perfect match with Andrade’s more Lucha libre style of in-ring work.

Their feud, while not the longest, established Andrade as one of the very best on the roster amongst the younger crop of talent. Every match they had reminded me of the early days WCW Cruiserweight matches, featuring insane athletics, constant one-upmanship, an incredible pace & finally giving something from Andrade that was a little more than just a fine performance. This mini-feud built on his character, making him more aggressive and a true threat since he took down one of the most popular stars in company history.

His remaining time on the roster was filled with a combination of fun matches between Mysterio, Samoa Joe & R-Truth, competing in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal, before yet another career shift. Andrade’s time on SmackDown wasn’t without its moments but left a lot to be desired considering the level of quality produced during his time in NXT.

Moving to Monday Night Raw

Moving to Monday Night RAW has always been something I dread my favourite superstars do. Not because it’s an outright terrible career move, but a 3-hour RAW is always going to be a more sizeable effort to get through as opposed to a 2-hour SmackDown.

When the company shifted the former NXT Champion over to the red brand, however, there was lots of potential for him on a new show, the issue was that WWE took far too long to capitalize on his potential. Andrade didn’t exactly stagnate during his time on the brand, just seemed to be floating in and out of opportunities with no real goal or direction for his character to end up or head to. Andrade was turning in fine performances, namely against the likes of Seth Rollins, Finn Balor & revisiting his old feud against Rey Mysterio, but was essentially headed nowhere as the rest of the roster was surging ahead.

All of that would lead to the December 26th show in Madison Square Garden, where Andrade would defeat Rey Mysterio to claim his first championship on the main roster, claiming the United States Championship in an unaired match. From there the tide starting to shift, as Andrade found footing as a prominent in-ring competitor that always delivered the goods, defending his title numerous times (even with a wellness policy violation) and finally making a name for himself.

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic making its mark, Andrade continues to turn in solid performances. He’s managed to spotlight the likes of Humberto Carillo, Street Profits & Angel Garza, who are all talents that in my eyes still lack the identity necessary to make a proper mark on the product.

The real question is; where do we go from here?

Conclusion: Can Andrade Be A Top Star?

The reason I chose to do a brief overview & analysis of Andrade’s time on the main roster is simple, it’s to understand that despite the immense level of talent the man has & has displayed in the past, Andrade hasn’t been given the perfect platform to work with like what was given to him in NXT. None of this is a nudge to anyone necessarily, just a realization that the world of the main roster in WWE is a crowded one, with so many talents vying for the top spot that makes it difficult for others to stand out.

Andrade was tossed into a crowded landscape when he was called up in 2018, and in 2020 there’s only even newer talent shifting its way up from NXT as that brand expands itself onto a new horizon. Any new star in this atmosphere is essentially fighting for survival with younger talent being the current priority, as we can see with the likes of Otis, Austin Theory, Humberto Carillo, Angel Garza, The Forgotten Sons or Apollo Crews, who seems to be getting a second chance.

In my opinion, none of this is an indicator that the main event-level star we’ve seen before can’t come to fruition again with Andrade.

If his past is any indication, we’re only patiently waiting for another classic to unfold from the incredible skill set that will surge him back to where he once was, only he’s under a very different predicament as opposed to his NXT days. Andrade is facing the likes of Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Braun Strowman, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan & so many more, a crop of superstars so talented that it takes the absolute best to get slotted in next to. While he has had his exchanges with Drew McIntyre as of late, even the booking of those encounters isn’t like their NXT Championship back in the day, Andrade isn’t booked as the threat he should be representing but that only changes with fixing the booking issues that exist within WWE’s creative team.

Many will point to issues such as the language barrier, his lack of size as opposed to the prototypical big-time WWE superstar or his record with wins & losses, but since when has this held back other non-American performers in the past? The likes of Eddie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio are proof that the WWE mould isn’t exclusive to what fans necessarily want from their product, and with the right tweaks, Andrade could very well join them in that select group if executed right. And in today’s WWE, it’s not like wins or losses are a good measure of how successful a star will one day become with 50-50 booking still going strong amongst their mid-card with every passing week. Even the issue of the language barrier can be the key to crafting a masterful heel, one that refuses to address his audience in their own tongue & relies on his own management to stoop to their level rather than himself.

Despite all the concerns I can think of, Andrade leaps over almost all of them for the most part.

Obviously my opinion might differ to others reading this, or across the internet & I’d love nothing more than to hear an opposing view because to me Andrade has the potential to be one of the companies biggest heels with the next generation rolling out. He possesses everything that an effective WWE heel should in order to craft a memorable, well-booked storyline, and in many ways feels like what the company was looking for in a superstar like Alberto Del Rio once upon a time.

I hope I’m not wrong with this opinion, but Andrade has the potential to be what the WWE has been looking for in an international star for so very long & I’m keeping my mindset as optimistic as possible that they don’t let him slip through their fingers.

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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?

Published

3 months ago

November 21, 2025

Greg DeMarco

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!

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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

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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!

Published

6 months ago

August 2, 2025

Greg DeMarco

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!