WWE SummerSlam 2017: Match Card Projections After Payback

WWE.com

John Cena vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

John Cena’s WrestleMania match disappointed some, but at SummerSlam, expect us to get the usual big-time matchup with the Face That Runs the Place involved. It’s been this way for years, with WWE making him a consistent presence in a top bout on the show (Daniel Bryan, Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins and AJ Styles in recent years).

Shinsuke Nakamura recently debuted on SmackDown Live, and looks to be in position to take a top spot on the brand. It may not happen within the first one or two months, but by SummerSlam? That doesn’t seem like a crazy idea.

Cena vs. Nakamura will satisfy many WWE fans’ dream match scenario. They’re two of the biggest names from their respective countries, and have never faced off. While this could be WrestleMania-worthy, putting this on the second-biggest stage isn’t so bad, especially when Cena isn’t around as much anymore.

This match doesn’t quite have the feel that the one with Styles had in 2016, but it’s another way for Cena to put over one of the rising stars of WWE. He’ll then leave for another hiatus, sending Nakamura into the upper-echelon of SmackDown and WWE, in general.