SummerSlam 2023 preview: I have no doubt that the WWE is going to deliver a spectacular show

We are just 24 hours away from SummerSlam, and it feels like we are in for a big show in Detroit. Let’s take a look at the card and breakdown what to expect from each match.

Slim Jim Battle Royal

It’s hard to get excited about a battle royal in 2023. I understand we are trying to get as many folks on the card as possible, but these matches rarely get over and are usually an overbooked, gaudy nightmare. I hope I’m wrong here because I know LA Knight will be in the match, but I just don’t think his presence alone makes this a worthwhile affair.

PICK TO WIN: LA KNIGHT

MMA Rules Match: Shayna Baszler vs Ronda Rousey

The company has done a pretty good job in building to this match. The surprise turn at Money in The Bank made for a memorable moment and the history between the two makes for an intriguing storyline.

I assume MMA Rules will be similar what we saw from the Raw/NXT Underground matches but we haven’t gotten any concrete details yet.

I honestly think if any current talent can pull this style of match off it would probably be Shayna and Ronda. I’m not expecting anything groundbreaking, but I do expect this to be something unique on the card, which should be a positive.

PICK TO WIN: SHAYNA BASZLER

Ricochet vs Logan Paul

I’ve always enjoyed watching Ricochet do his thing. He’s one of the most gifted athletes in wrestling and has a unique style that has always been appreciated by the WWE Universe. There are very few people on the planet who can do the things this man does in a ring on a nightly basis. One who might be able to compete with this athletic charisma is indeed Logan Paul.

Paul has made a lasting impression in just a short period of time in the WWE. He’s been face to face with the biggest stars in the company and held his own, a testament to his natural abilities as a performer.

Ricochet and Logan Paul will collide for what I can only imagine will be quite a spectacle in the middle of Ford Field. These two are always pushing the limits and are ever willing to risk it all for a show stealing moment. This should be an absolute SummerSlam classic.

PICK TO WIN: LOGAN PAUL

Intercontinental Championship Match: Drew McIntyre vs Gunther (C)

If you love seeing two brutes beat the ever living hell out of one another than this is the match for you.

By all accounts, this will be an absolute battle between two of the companies biggest international stars. Gunther’s intercontinental title reign has reached historic significance as one of the longest of all time. The Ring General and his Imperium counterparts have been a menacing force on Monday Night Raw.

After missing significant time, Drew McIntyre has picked up right where he left off, as one of the companies most consistent in ring talents. This feud with Gunther feels like it could be a turning point for both men in their individual careers.

Drew definitely needed a bit of a refresh from where he was from a character perspective just a few months ago, following his short reign at the top. I think Gunther is a solid choice to bring out a different Drew for the WWE universe to experience. I don’t see Gunther dropping the title here, but if anyone on the roster has the resume to realistically and believably be the one to end his historic reign, it would be Drew McIntyre.

Whatever the outcome, this should be one of the best overall matches in the card.

PICK TO WIN: GUNTHER

WWE Women’s Championship Match: Bianca Belair vs Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka (C)

The Women’s Championship feels like an after thought these days and this match is no exception. It just feels like this match was made to get Charlotte Flair on the card or fill some unspoken, underlying quota within the booking process.

I think Asuka is a phenomenal representation of the division, and a more than worthy champion. She is one of the best female wrestlers of all time, and one of the most unique personalities on the roster. She deserves a well built, storyline driven fued, crescendoing on a night like we will have on Saturday in Detroit. This triple threat just doesn’t have the gusto that it deserves, and I fear whatever these three women accomplish will be lost in the shuffle.

PICK TO WIN: ASUKA

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins (C)

There isn’t much that hasn’t already been said about Seth Rollins and Finn Balor. These are two of the most decorated talents in WWE history, and this feud has been red hot.

What makes this such a fascinating match are the layers involved in the storyline. Damien Priest holding the money in the bank briefcase has birthed a cloud of uncertainty over Balor’s aspirations of winning the WWE Heavyweight Championship. Beyond wanting gold, this match is personal for Balor, who blames Rollins for his recent struggles.

Here we have two performers that have proven over the years to be among the best in their craft going head to head on the second biggest WWE PLE on the calendar. There is no doubt in my mind that we will see another fantastic bout between these two incredible talents.

PICK TO WIN: SETH ROLLINS

Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes

Although we never really received an explanation as to why Brock Lesnar went nuclear on poor Cody Rhodes in the first place, the company has still done a fine job of building this feud seemingly out of thin air and keeping it hot to the touch.

Lesnar is back to being uber heel Brock which is always a scary sight. The way he is able to just manhandle competition is something else, and he just radiates aggression in a way that no other human is capable.

Since his return, Cody has been presented as the companies top babyface, and Lesnar is no question the most credible heel he has faced during this run.  I found the first two matches of this trilogy to be excellent from bell to bell and I have no doubt we will see something special on Saturday night.

I fully expect to see the most brutal version of Brock we have ever seen grace us with his presence. I also fully expect underdog Cody to put on a performance of the ages, and somehow come out on top.

PICK TO WIN: CODY RHODES

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match: Tribal Combat Rules: Jey Uso vs Roman Reigns (C)

The greatest wrestling story ever told comes to a violent crescendo in this match between Main Event Jey Uso and the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns. These two men have been transcendent in thier respective roles and have carried the Bloodline story, elevating it to new heights weekly.

This has that big fight feel you rarely get in modern professional wrestling. The main event means something far beyond the title at stake, and the tension will be palpable.

With the stipulation that no members of the family can intervene in the match being a reality, the possibility of a Solo Sikoa run in or Jimmy Uso heel turn has all but disappeared entirely. However, I have no doubt that some shenanigans will be taking place and find it more than likely that Roman finds a way to retain the belt.

PICK TO WIN: ROMAN REIGNS

Final Thoughts

This looks to be shaping up into one of the stronger SummerSlams in recent memory. We have some solid build with a really solid card and I have no doubt that the WWE is going to deliver a spectacular show.

Have fun and enjoy SummerSlam 2023!