WWE SummerSlam: 10 Matches To Make The Perfect Event
Does Roman Reigns vs Triple H feature in this fantasy card?
With Battleground in the rear view mirror, WWE's got a clear path heading toward SummerSlam, the second-biggest Pay-Per-View event of the year. While WrestleMania is the undisputed king of the company's schedule, SummerSlam has long served as a miniature version of the "Granddaddy of 'Em All," featuring marquee match-ups and, in recent years, a full weekend of fan-oriented festivities.
The event has become legendary, with some SummerSlam moments -- The British Bulldog defeating Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Championship in 1992, Steve Austin and The Undertaker battling in the "Match of the Century" in 1998, and Daniel Bryan capturing the WWE Title from John Cena in 2013 -- standing just as tall as any of their WrestleMania counterparts.
Of course, SummerSlam moments don't create themselves. For the event to truly have that legendary feel, WWE has to give the fans at Brooklyn's Barclays Center the most explosive card they can concoct. With that in mind, here are 10 matches to make August 23's big show the perfect event (and sorry, no Chuck Palumbo or Shawn Stasiak).
10. WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ryback (C) Vs. Rusev
The spring was rough for Rusev, who lost his undefeated streak, his U.S. Title, and his relationship with Lana in the span of a couple of months, then suffered an injury that put him on the shelf for another six weeks. Now that "The Super-Athlete" is back, his sights are set on championship gold -- he's already answered John Cena's U.S. Title open challenge, but interference by Kevin Owens robbed him of his chance to win the belt.
Perhaps Rusev should set his sights on a different title. The former U.S. Champion was scheduled to participate in the Elimination Chamber match for the Intercontinental Title, but his injury forced his removal from the bout -- he still has a claim to an Intercontinental Title shot. Current IC Champion Ryback is on the shelf with a staph infection, but he should be back soon -- and Rusev could easily target him. A match between the two behemoths would be a brawl worthy of SummerSlam.