WWE SummerSlam 2011 preview: The CM Punk vs John Cena show

WWE Summerslam 2011 is all set to pop off tomorrow night (Aug. 14, 2011) from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, the 24th edition of the annual August event.

The WWE likes to bill SummerSlam as the second biggest event of the year and one of the "Big Four," the other three being Royal Rumble, WrestleMania and Survivor Series. This year's event is notable for the fact that a rather large contingent of fans have been unhappy with the lead-up and build to the show.

"It's a one match show," they argue. "Why the hell are there only five matches announced with a ton of mid-level talent left blowing in the wind?"

I have no answer for the latter and in fact, have wondered the same thing myself. As of this writing, just under one day from showtime, the full card looks like this (subject to change, of course):

WWE Undisputed Championship: CM Punk vs. John Cena (With special guest referee Triple H)
World Heavyweight Championship: Christian vs. Randy Orton (No Holds Barred)
Diva's Championship: Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix
Sheamus vs. Mark Henry
Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett

How much does that say about the Intercontinental title? Ezekiel Jackson just dropped the strap to Cody Rhodes on Smackdown last night and there is, naturally, the chance that an impromptu rematch will be held. But there's no heat for it and how much will it matter, really? Also, where is Alberto Del Rio? Does his not being booked in a match mean something towards his potentially cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase? It's been a mockery so far, why would that stop now?

All legitimate questions and ones we likely won't get answers for until tomorrow night. The issue fans have with the notion of this being a "one match show," however, astounds me. Not because it's wrong for fans to want an entire card to deliver but because of the main event and all its implications.

I mean, are we really going to complain about CM Punk vs. John Cena for the "Undisputed" WWE Championship getting all the attention. Really?

We shouldn't because the fact is, while they won't tear the house down like they did at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view in Chicago last month, chances are they're going to do everything they can to replicate the success of that incredible night. I only hope the crowd in L.A. is as rowdy as the "Windy City" faithful. They won't be, but one can always hope.

With all that said, let's go through a rundown of the card as it stands now.

Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett

Bryan has already made his intentions clear that he wants to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase at WrestleMania 28 next year. If that's really the intended plan he needs to get a big push and he needs it fast. Kick-starting a big run at a major event like this would be the right place to do it. Going over clean at the expense of Barrett should be fine and I can see that being the case. If not, there's still time to make it happen but it seems the most logical and Internet geeks everywhere can mark out after a solid if not spectacular match.

Sheamus vs. Mark Henry

Where's the heat? This is what kills me about Henry. He's got talent and while WWE has screwed him around about two million times throughout his years with the company, he's been given ample opportunity to make a big impact and turn himself into a star. I just haven't seen him do it. Sheamus gets blame here, too, but I'll make my bias clear and say that I've actually enjoyed the "Celtic Warrior's" performances as of late. For that reason, I'll go with him to get the clean win, as they've booked Henry to look weaker throughout the feud.

Diva's Championship: Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix

I guess Phoenix will squash Kelly and win the title in what will amount to being a time filler and cool-down period after a hot match. Kelly is the more aesthetically pleasing of the two but isn't Punk hopping on the good foot and doing the bad thing with Beth? Why not two for two?

World Heavyweight Championship: Christian vs. Randy Orton (No Holds Barred)

This is match has a little more interest now that Christian has been teasing a surprise appearance from someone, presumably in his corner. With the recent news that Edge would be at SummerSlam, it makes sense that it would be him, which one would think would lead to some typical interference and Christian will retain the title continuing the only money feud Smackdown currently has going. Which I'm okay with because what's the point of yet another Randy Orton title run? A switch here wouldn't seem to matter much as this program will continue past this event anyway. Should be a good match and if the card remains this thin, it will get plenty of time.

WWE Undisputed Championship: CM Punk vs. John Cena (With special guest referee Triple H)

Once again, this match is made fascinating if for no other reason than the fact that it's unclear exactly what direction WWE will ultimately decide to go. Will Punk go over clean with Triple H begrudgingly counting the 1-2-3? Will the opposite occur for Cena? Will "Trips" take a mid-match bump from one of the two and turn before it's over? There are so many variables at play, it's almost impossible to make a prediction. Cena being handcuffed to The Rock at WrestleMania 28 next year is one of the bigger X-Factors here. I can see Cena going over with the help of "The Game," which could set up a big money feud between Punk and Triple H. Which, in turn, could lead to "Trips" making his in-ring return at 'Mania against Punk, keeping everyone involved at the top while getting the most bang for their collective buck. The problem there is the increasingly short attention span of professional wrestling fans. Would fans accept a Punk loss and yet another high profile win for Cena? I'm not sure but it seems like the most likely scenario. I fully expect better chemistry in this match with plenty of shenanigans from Triple H. I hope it's not too overbooked but I'm guessing they deliver a 4-star match regardless.

That does it for us. Feel free to sound off in the comments with your predictions and thoughts on SummerSlam and remember to join us tomorrow night for live event coverage.