Fantasy booking 4 months out is usually something reserved for WrestleMania, but why not give the same love to SummerSlam? The event is taking on a lot of the same week-long features that were once exclusive to WrestleMania, and as this year's event is hailing from New York (Brooklyn, to be exact), I expect the WWE to pull out a number of stops to give it a special feel.
Here's my fantasy booking... which, likely will seem ridiculous and out of place by August. Feel free to book your own card, too.
John Cena vs. The Undertaker WWE Championship
They wanted to have this match at WrestleMania, but Cena's injury forced them to adjust. My guess is that the plan still calls for Cena and The Undertaker to wrestle at 'Mania, but why not start the backstory early? A win by Cena could lead to The Undertaker seeking revenge in a WrestleMania program. They could even go to the Shawn Michaels route, wherein the desire for a re-match eats at The Undertaker so much that he puts his career on the line in order for Cena to accept...
Reigns, Ambrose, Rollins vs. Balor, Gallows, Anderson
I think most believe that Balor is coming to the main roster soon, and that the Gallows/Anderson program is leading to a swerve wherein they turn on Styes, allowing for Balor to lead the new stable. A program can be made of that in May and June until the Balor Club (the assumed name, right?) sets their sights on Roman Reigns.
The logic behind this is that Rollins is going to be cheered upon his return, so they should just book for that. A mini-Shield reunion would accomplish this. Additionally, a Shield reunion might drown out some of the Reigns hatred for a bit, allowing him a bit of a fresh start. Thirdly, a second Rollins turn (or even an Ambrose turn) could plant the seeds for a triple threat match at WrestleMania between the three. And lastly, if the Shield is booked simply to plant seeds for a future match down the line, then it allows Balor Club to go over in a major program.
Cesaro vs Kevin Owens IC Championship
I can't imagine the WWE is going to put Cesaro into an IC Title program and not give him the belt. So this is basically just finding the best opponent for him And for my money, that's Kevin Owens. This might be the most physical match on the entire card.
Baron Corbin vs Kalisto US Championship
I just see Corbin having a big summer that eventually leads to him winning one of the midcard belts. As for Kalisto, the guy is being booked as the next Rey Mysterio, a luchador with international appeal who can sell masks to kids. If you're going to keep booking the guy to be an underdog, why not keep putting him against monsters like Corbin? Just makes sense to me
Enzo/Cass vs. The Vaudvillians vs. The New Day Tag Team Championship
These are the three teams, I believe, that are going to battle back and forth for the tag straps all summer long.
Charlotte vs Sasha Banks Women's Championship
Given that Banks wasn't pinned at WrestleMania, and that Ric Flair interfered with her during the match's conclusion, it makes the most logical sense for Banks to be challenging for the belt at Payback. I'll give the WWE the benefit of the doubt that the loss in logic is due a desire to put the strap on Banks at a bigger event. And SummerSlam is that bigger event.
Brock Lesnar vs Bray Wyatt
It's coming, right? The WWE has teased this match for a few months now, starting at The Rumble and continuing through Road Block. Most thought it would happen at WrestleMania, but my best bet is that it happens in August.
Randy Orton vs AJ Styles
Provided the WWE runs the angle where Gallows/Anderson turn on Styles, this one is easy. Orton could call out Styles and remind him of a time when he was turned on by the most dominant faction in pro wrestling due to his star shining a little too bright. Once has AJ on his side, Orton can attack Styles, screaming that he learned from his experiences, but that AJ clearly hasn't... This sets up a nice easy program for Styles following a summer where he'll likely put over Balor.
Sami Zayn vs Dolph Ziggler
This one is really just for the fans. Give these guys 10-15 minutes to open the show, and the place should be pretty hot. There doesn't even need to be a backstory, in my opinion.
Miz vs Ryback
Maryse is back and going to be starring on Total Divas. So there's no way Miz gets left off this card. He'll be on it, if for no other reason than to get footage of Maryse.
Kane, Big Show, vs League of Nations
This is a pre-show match designed to give the League of Nations something to do. I'm not terribly high on the group, but there really is too much talent between the three of them to be left out completely. Pitting them against Kane and Show allows for them to go over pretty easily.
Nataylia, Becky Lynch, Bayley vs Paige, Emma, Naomi
Too many amazing women on the card to leave them off. I see this as a pre-show match. And yes, I see Paige turning heel shortly as the list of faces currently overwhelms the list of heels in the women's division.
Here's my fantasy booking... which, likely will seem ridiculous and out of place by August. Feel free to book your own card, too.
John Cena vs. The Undertaker WWE Championship
They wanted to have this match at WrestleMania, but Cena's injury forced them to adjust. My guess is that the plan still calls for Cena and The Undertaker to wrestle at 'Mania, but why not start the backstory early? A win by Cena could lead to The Undertaker seeking revenge in a WrestleMania program. They could even go to the Shawn Michaels route, wherein the desire for a re-match eats at The Undertaker so much that he puts his career on the line in order for Cena to accept...
Reigns, Ambrose, Rollins vs. Balor, Gallows, Anderson
I think most believe that Balor is coming to the main roster soon, and that the Gallows/Anderson program is leading to a swerve wherein they turn on Styes, allowing for Balor to lead the new stable. A program can be made of that in May and June until the Balor Club (the assumed name, right?) sets their sights on Roman Reigns.
The logic behind this is that Rollins is going to be cheered upon his return, so they should just book for that. A mini-Shield reunion would accomplish this. Additionally, a Shield reunion might drown out some of the Reigns hatred for a bit, allowing him a bit of a fresh start. Thirdly, a second Rollins turn (or even an Ambrose turn) could plant the seeds for a triple threat match at WrestleMania between the three. And lastly, if the Shield is booked simply to plant seeds for a future match down the line, then it allows Balor Club to go over in a major program.
Cesaro vs Kevin Owens IC Championship
I can't imagine the WWE is going to put Cesaro into an IC Title program and not give him the belt. So this is basically just finding the best opponent for him And for my money, that's Kevin Owens. This might be the most physical match on the entire card.
Baron Corbin vs Kalisto US Championship
I just see Corbin having a big summer that eventually leads to him winning one of the midcard belts. As for Kalisto, the guy is being booked as the next Rey Mysterio, a luchador with international appeal who can sell masks to kids. If you're going to keep booking the guy to be an underdog, why not keep putting him against monsters like Corbin? Just makes sense to me
Enzo/Cass vs. The Vaudvillians vs. The New Day Tag Team Championship
These are the three teams, I believe, that are going to battle back and forth for the tag straps all summer long.
Charlotte vs Sasha Banks Women's Championship
Given that Banks wasn't pinned at WrestleMania, and that Ric Flair interfered with her during the match's conclusion, it makes the most logical sense for Banks to be challenging for the belt at Payback. I'll give the WWE the benefit of the doubt that the loss in logic is due a desire to put the strap on Banks at a bigger event. And SummerSlam is that bigger event.
Brock Lesnar vs Bray Wyatt
It's coming, right? The WWE has teased this match for a few months now, starting at The Rumble and continuing through Road Block. Most thought it would happen at WrestleMania, but my best bet is that it happens in August.
Randy Orton vs AJ Styles
Provided the WWE runs the angle where Gallows/Anderson turn on Styles, this one is easy. Orton could call out Styles and remind him of a time when he was turned on by the most dominant faction in pro wrestling due to his star shining a little too bright. Once has AJ on his side, Orton can attack Styles, screaming that he learned from his experiences, but that AJ clearly hasn't... This sets up a nice easy program for Styles following a summer where he'll likely put over Balor.
Sami Zayn vs Dolph Ziggler
This one is really just for the fans. Give these guys 10-15 minutes to open the show, and the place should be pretty hot. There doesn't even need to be a backstory, in my opinion.
Miz vs Ryback
Maryse is back and going to be starring on Total Divas. So there's no way Miz gets left off this card. He'll be on it, if for no other reason than to get footage of Maryse.
Kane, Big Show, vs League of Nations
This is a pre-show match designed to give the League of Nations something to do. I'm not terribly high on the group, but there really is too much talent between the three of them to be left out completely. Pitting them against Kane and Show allows for them to go over pretty easily.
Nataylia, Becky Lynch, Bayley vs Paige, Emma, Naomi
Too many amazing women on the card to leave them off. I see this as a pre-show match. And yes, I see Paige turning heel shortly as the list of faces currently overwhelms the list of heels in the women's division.
