The ‘Biggest Party of the Summer’ is here and there are three women’s matches to look forward to. Tonight the show is brought to you on a Saturday instead of the normal Sunday night pay-per-view. Both the RAW and SmackDown women’s titles are up for grabs and Alexa Bliss brings the supernatural to SummerSlam.
Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks for the SmackDown Women’s Championship
One of the PPV’s marquee matches is a rematch from their most excellent outing at WrestleMania 37. This programme is one of the best builds of the entire show due to its history and ability to keep it prominent and exciting. Both wrestlers have been on fire in the lead-up to this match and Banks is just so good as a heel.
From the mega-pop return to the heel turn on the same night, the comeback of The Boss hit all the right notes. Her outfits are astounding and the recruitment of Zelina Vega and Carmella was a great touch.
The turn by Banks has given Belair an edge that she needed earlier on in her championship run. Belair is an incredible fighting champion and has beaten all who have crossed her path but out of the ring she needed something extra. The feud with Banks has brought out an angrier side of Belair and that combined with her in-ring talents could spell trouble for the Boss.
The EST of WWE has met the Boss every step of the way but fell victim to a three-on-one attack last week. Belair evened the odds in an impressive manner on last night’s go-home show.
Banks was conspicuous in her absence especially that some doubt was cast over the match earlier this week, but hopefully, all will go ahead as planned.
Predictions
John: I think the hype may outweigh the match itself, but expect to see an excellent battle nonetheless. Sasha Banks wins to regain the title she never really got an effective run with. Plus I want to see the feud continue at least until Extreme Rules where we could get a fun stipulation match between the two.
Nick: This one is probably the hardest match to predict which makes it the most exciting to me. My mind wants to think logically Sasha, but my heart is telling me Bianca will retain. So I will listen to my heart and say that Bianca’s reign will continue
Nikki ASH vs Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair for the RAW Women’s Championship
From one championship match with a great build to another that has left a lot to be desired. The RAW women’s division has been mishandled for the better part of a year and new faces and new gimmicks have done nothing to change it in some fan’s eyes. In others, it might be doing the job.
When Ripley won the title at WrestleMania it seemed as if a new face with an impressive presence would elevate the championship and the division. However, that was not the case as she faced Charlotte for what seemed like a million times.
RAW’s incessantly repetitive booking hasn’t changed and plagued this build also. Therefore we have already seen these three opponents go at it multiple times over the past few weeks (and even months prior to Nikki getting the title). To make matters worse the champion has lost clean to both challengers in one night in the build-up making her portrayal as a credible champion obsolete.
Despite Nikki’s win against Flair in the No Holds Barred match, the rest of the booking has not benefited the Almost a Superhero.
Predictions
John: Charlotte Flair wins because she is Charlotte Flair. But the title needs to come off Nikki asap. It pains to say but this gimmick isn’t working. Each week the audience reaction is weaker than the last. The RAW Championship needs a long reign from an established main eventer like Charlotte to get it back to its once lofty position.
Nick: I am going to continue to disagree with John on this one and go with Nikki will retain. This may be me listening to my heart again, but seeing Nikki lose already would be crushing to the whole point of her new gimmick. Where would this gimmick go if she lost? Just to chase the title again? Putting her in a Triple Threat leads me to believe that Ripley will take the pin. I don’t think Nikki’s reign will last too much longer though.
Alexa Bliss (w/Lilly) vs Eva Marie (w/Doudrop)
Eva Marie said she wants to end Bliss and her possessed doll Lilly once and for all. At SummerSlam, she gets her chance to take on both.
The build to this match has been fun if not unbelievably stupid. WWE received criticism for the Bliss and Shayna Baszler angle and instead of dialing it back, they have upped the ante. Lilly now moves and winks putting the fear of god into poor Doudrop.
Predictions
John: Eva Marie isn’t going anywhere near the ring instead she will force Doudrop to do her bidding yet again. However, expect to see Eva Marie get involved allow Doudrop to get the win, and kidnap Lilly continuing the spooky shenanigans forevermore.
Nick: I do feel that Doudrop will be in the match instead of Eva, but I am going with an Alexa win here. Although I should give up on Lilly ever becoming a real person, this would be a great time for it to happen. The doll is becoming more and more “alive” so to speak. [OR if Alexa loses, she may ditch this gimmick and change back to a prior Bliss gimmick or even a new one.]
Check back in with Diva Dirt later on today for a SummerSlam Discussion Post. What are your predictions for SummerSlam? Let us know in the comments below.
