SummerSlam 2021 is shaping up to be a major event

The biggest party of the summer, SummerSlam, is definitely shaping up to be quite the event and for very good reason: the matches. In these matches already announced, we’re getting the return of two legends, grudge matches—that have had years of a build-up, now coming to fruition—and a repeat performance from what has been heralded as one of the best matches from this year’s WrestleMania.

Join us as we take a look at the matches themselves, a little of the old hype going into them, a few predictions, and why this SummerSlam could be the best one we’ve seen in years.

Nikki A.S.H. vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley

Nikki A.S.H. shocked the world when she became Raw Women’s Champion, and although after all her work in the industry, it wasn’t easy in coming, but is well-deserved. She won the title from Charlotte Flair, cashing in her Money In The Bank contract, but by now that’s old news.

What isn’t old news is of course the feud that erupted because of it. Flair isn’t at all pleased with the fact that she was cashed in on, and if you know Charlotte, which I think you all do, she’s not a woman you want to see displeased.

Rhea Ripley gets her re-rematch, and no that’s not a typo. Technically she got her rematch with Charlotte on Raw, after MITB, but it has been decided by WWE that she gets another one.

At the end of the day, it’ll be a positive thing to see her in the match, as we’ve already seen Nikki vs. Charlotte twice now and unfortunately it’s a little one-sided (for Charlotte), and only because they’re making Nikki out to be weaker and less skilled than we know she was a few years ago.

Just take a look back at some of her early matches. The young lady can most definitely handle herself in there, but WWE wants us to conveniently forget that, but “whatever, never mind,” as the late, great, Kurt Cobain once said.

Roman Reigns vs. John Cena

We almost didn’t get this one, and despite the fact that we’ve seen these two face-off in the squared circle before, it’ll be interesting to see how John deals with Roman’s new embodiment as The Head of the Table.

It’ll be interesting also to see how John runs the ropes after so much time away. He always keeps in epic shape, but as Steve Austin used to say: Gym ready isn’t always ring ready (paraphrased). Personally, I think he’ll be fine and might even give Roman quite the challenge.

The Usos vs. The Mysterios

After a year, it’s really great to see the Usos back together, in the ring, doing their thing. Seeing them in the ring with the Mysterios is s a gift we are so rarely granted. The fluidity of movement, the precision of their movements…Rey and the Usos second-generation wrestlers, and Dominik, third…it’s no doubt that every time they get in the ring, we get something special.

Their match at SummerSlam should be special indeed.

But are we seeing a rift, or a disturbance developing in the Mysterios? Can SummerSlam hold a surprise turn for one of them?

Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks

Who doesn’t like a rematch? Especially one that has so much tension built into it. Sasha returned, playing the face to the best of her ability, but it didn’t last long, and she turned on Belair, in all her glory; Sasha in one fell-swoop, the ultimate heel.

I feel that Bianca’s run with the SmackDown Women’s Championship has been a little lackluster and a little anticlimactic. Sasha has breathed life back into the race for the title and that’s why I feel she should get it back at SummerSlam, or at least I hope so.

Then, she can wait for her old nemesis, Becky Lynch to return. Wishful thinking on my part, as these days in WWE, things just aren’t going right and for so many reasons.

Edge vs. Seth Rollins

And speaking of things not going right, Seth Rollins has been complaining since he made his return to SmackDown, showing off his impeccable fashion sense.

Always somebody to blame. These days, he’s blaming Edge for not getting his shot at Roman Reign’s title.

In all seriousness, I think that this is Seth’s greatest incarnation; it is the greatest direction he could have taken this character in, really. I like it; probably the best since his Tyler Black days over at ROH.

Edge, for his part, is a legend. In my opinion, one of the kings of that ring and this feud to me is the perfect option for either of them right now. It’ll be time well-spent and I hope it continues past SummerSlam.

These two are gearing up to give us a gift-wrapped match…one I’m highly anticipating like a child waiting at the top of the stairs for his family to wake up so Christmas presents can be unwrapped and turkey and stuffing gobbled.

I don’t even care who wins. I just hope we see another one. Now that’s showing confidence in how great this match should be. We really shouldn’t be disappointed here, folks.

The looming threat of the pandemic

And these are only the matches that we’ve been told of thus far. Who knows what other surprises might be in store…maybe even a Becky Lynch return at the biggest party of the summer? Now that would be a reason to celebrate for sure.

But, the news being what it is, we’re left to wonder: Has the pandemic dealt its final blow? Or are we still in store for more peril because of this mysterious flu that entered all of our collective lives uninvited?

WWE just got back out there and to the happiness of the fans and the wrestlers themselves, but reports are already being made that WWE is headed back to the TunderDome; numbers have been steadily rising, and this is what will happen, especially if the numbers don’t go back down, and if more people don’t start getting vaccinated. Sad but true, folks.

According to a report at Slam Wrestling, the numbers in Nevada have increased so much that they have gone over even the number for last year during the same time period, shockingly. Allegiant Stadium/Nevada recently released this statement:

"“Allegiant Stadium takes the health and safety of its guests, employees, and staff very seriously. In response to rising COVID-19 cases, and in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State of Nevada Emergency Directive 047, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a face mask while inside the stadium. The State of Nevada & CDC do not currently require proof of vaccination to attend events. Allegiant Stadium’s COVID-19 protocols are subject to change as additional information is discovered or provided by the State of Nevada & the CDC.”"

We truly hope it doesn’t go where most are fearing it will, and we hope that SummerSlam happens as it should, unfolding out there in front of you the fans, and we must keep in mind that WWE have been putting on epic events throughout the pandemic, creating memories we are unlikely to forget, regardless.

So SummerSlam can still be an epic event; no worries there, friends, but only time will tell where they’ll be setting up the old SummerSlam stage. Stay safe, dear readers.