10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE SummerSlam 2021

1. Will John Cena Acknowledge Roman Reigns? (Glass Half-Full Version)

Bobby Lashley Bill Goldberg WWE Champion SummerSlam 2021
WWE

Expectation:

Look, Roman Reigns is going over at SummerSlam. Even the most cynical fans and critics can't forecast a different result, much as John Cena seems to be enjoying life back in the system.

Reigns is winning the match and continuing to dominate the entire landscape with, and this is very suboptimal, no babyface threat in the process of mounting a credible challenge. Reigns will either win with a barrage of spears or Cena will pass out under the guillotine choke.

Reality:

One way or another, WWE is going to deliver a shocker on Saturday. The events on TV are trending in the good sort of bold direction.

This reality is based on recent precedent: the last time John Cena went full shovel-wielding SuperCena, he buried the Fiend ahead of WrestleMania 36. This informed the theme of the Firefly Fun House match, in which Cena was finally exposed as an unpleasant human being; as every bit the heel fans received him to be at his peak.

What if all of Cena's counterproductive invective is leading to Roman Reigns making him tap out?

This is the one, seismic moment that would justify Cena's odd and not ideal burials of Roman as a middling draw.

And you'd never see it coming...

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!