The America vs. the world storylines from Battleground threaten to merge at WWE SummerSlam 2017.
Sunday’s pay-per-view saw John Cena stand tall in defense of Old Glory. In the main event, though, the foreign heel beat out the patriot in Jinder Mahal vs.
Randy Orton. The surprise arrival of The Great Khali in the Punjabi Prison match for the WWE Championship opens the door for SummerSlam to add a surefire clunker to the card.Battleground pointed to a number of rematches happening at the summer blockbuster, as well. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura don’t appear done with their current rivals.
The one certain addition to the SummerSlam lineup came courtesy of Natalya winning the Fatal 5-Way match. The victory earned her a shot against Naomi for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
What does WWE have in mind for Cena, The New Day and others, though? Who will battle for the Intercontinental Championship? Which big names will be left off?
Storyline analysis of recent Raw and SmackDown episodes and what unfolded in Philadelphia at Battleground helps figure out what SummerSlam will end up looking like come Aug. 20.
Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles (United States Championship)
In one of many curveballs from Sunday night, Kevin Owens reclaimed the United States Championship from Styles. KO ended Styles’ reign at just 16 days.
Their clash at Battleground didn’t feel like a climax to their rivalry.
Instead, there is controversy to build on moving forward.
Styles looked to have Owens beat with the Calf Crusher, but the referee was out cold when The Phenomenal One had the submission locked in. And the official was out of commission thanks to Owens throwing Styles into him. That all points to this feud continuing.Seeing how both Styles vs. Owens I and II ended less than decisively, SummerSlam could finally be their chance to let loose and create the classic we’ve been expecting.
The Miz vs. Seth Rollins (Intercontinental Championship)
Dean Ambrose has been tangling with The Miz since the end of last year. He’s set to give way to an old ally taking his place as the top contender for the Intercontinental Championship—Seth Rollins.
The Miz’s insults have drawn out Rollins. The Kingslayer has taken to trading blows with the heel but has found himself surrounded by The Miztourage.
For now, Ambrose and Rollins are battling those baddies together. That isn’t likely to last, though. Ambrose has had a multitude of title shots in the past several months.
At SummerSlam, it will be Rollins’ time to try to dethrone The Miz.
The New Day vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan (SmackDown Tag Team Championship)
The New Day knocked off The Usos in Battleground’s opener to become SmackDown tag champs. The trio is likely to collide with the twins once more, but a new threat looms.
Breezango suffered a sneak attack in the latest “Fashion Files” skit. Tyler Breeze and Fandango have eliminated The Ascension, The Colons and The Hype Bros as suspects for who has been terrorizing them. They have not, however, accounted for Luke Harper and Erick Rowan.
The former members of The Wyatt Family haven’t been seen in weeks.
Their absence may be a means to make their re-emergence and reunion more shocking. And it makes sense that these two have been hiding in the dark, looking to prey on the Fashion Police. They are shadowy creatures who plain like to hurt people.
After taking down Breeze and Fandango, Harper and Rowan would be a win or two away from…
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