WWE SummerSlam 2017: Best Booking Scenarios For Each Match

Before SmackDown Live, the winner here was a much greater toss-up. Baron Corbin held the Money in the Bank briefcase, John Cena's career was winding down. Either could have used a win, but it wasn't completely necessary.

But now, Corbin must win - or his career prospects will be down the drain quicker than you can say "Damien Sandow."

As unlikely as it would be, a callback to SummerSlam 2014, in which Cena was systematically destroyed by Brock Lesnar, is the best call here if WWE is even slightly serious about keeping Corbin elevated.

Under most other circumstances, 'The Lone Wolf' dominating and either losing to a roll-up or a disqualification would be acceptable, if not ideal. However, as was already said, that finish is best used for Mahal vs. Nakamura. Relegating cheap finishes to both SmackDown Live's biggest matches would just damage the brand as a whole.

Corbin's only salvation is to be an unstoppable wrecking ball, hell bent on revenge against the man that cost him the WWE Championship. Anything less, and Baron can expect to headline the pre-show against Aiden English within a year.

There are many legitimate criticisms that one can level against Baron Corbin. Does any one of them justify being prevented from ever getting a chance to prove himself in the main event? Surely he couldn't be any worse than Jinder Mahal.