10 Early Predictions For WWE SummerSlam 2016
4. Brock Lesnar Defeats Randy Orton
Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar should’ve been a straightforward build. It was an obvious match-up between two of the company’s biggest stars who had only ever wrestled once before, and had never met on PPV. While not as immediately thrilling as the prospect of Lesnar clashing with a younger talent like Kevin Owens, it was an easy sell, particularly after Lesnar’s dominant UFC 200 victory over Mark Hunt.
Then Brock Lesnar failed two USADA drug tests, and the promotion is anything but simple. The returning Orton made his intentions very clear at Battleground: he’s going to avoid Suplex City all-together, and take Brock Lesnar on a detour to Viperville at SummerSlam. He’ll get his opportunity to do just that, but Lesnar controversy means WWE will be going into the match with very little build, and with Paul Heyman’s contract allegedly expiring last week, there’ll be little-to-no verbal response from the Beast Incarnate’s camp.
It’s a huge blow for WWE, but it does make things a little less predictable. Lesnar was immediately installed as a huge favourite when the match was announced, but things became blurry as soon as he failed the tests. Do WWE really want to show this level of faith in a known MMA cheat, and inherit all the bad publicity that comes with such a decision?
Though not as certain as before, most signs still point towards a Lesnar victory. WWE clearly aren’t going to suspend him at this point, and it looks very much like they’ll try and sweep Lesnar’s failed tests under the rug, Orton’s “enhancement” comment aside. Expect the Beast to sweep through The Viper, and for his business to continue as usual.