WWE SummerSlam 2017: Match Card Predictions After Great Balls of Fire

WWE.com

WWE Championship Match
Jinder Mahal (c) vs. John Cena

John Cena recently returned to the WWE on SmackDown Live, only to be placed in a Flag match with Rusev at Battleground. It would have made more sense to do it on July 4, when the segment took place. Here we are, though, with a Flag match taking place two-plus weeks after this holiday.

Cena will likely go through Rusev, barring something unforseen. That will bridge the gap toward his SummerSlam match, which will potentially be grand. Could it be for his 17th World championship?

Jinder Mahal is six weeks into his WWE Championship reign, after winning it from Randy Orton at May’s Backlash PPV. Mahal retained the belt at Money in the Bank and will face Orton for it, again, at Battleground.

It would be surprising to see the title change hands for the second time, so look for Mahal to continue as WWE Champion for SummerSlam. If so, he could have a date with Cena in one of the night’s top matches.

Is this the time where Cena conquers his latest foreign heel? Maybe so, but for something like his 17th reign, it would be better off for WrestleMania, only to capitalize on the moment in front of 70,000 people. Will WWE wait that long, though?