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It was just one week ago that extensive rumors for the WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view (PPV) scheduled for Sun., Aug. 18, 2013, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, were being passed around. A few of the possibilities mentioned in this article are already looking highly unlikely based on recent changes on Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.
But there are three matches that appear to be as close to set as possible that would make the biggest event of the summer easily one of the biggest events of the year.
In any promotion.
Get in on this card:
- Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk
We know the match is happening and with Money in the Bank rocking two ladder matches with briefcases holding guaranteed title shots over the next year, not to mention a John Cena vs. Mark Henry WWE title match that is far more interesting than it has any business being, SummerSlam makes the most sense for this match. It would undoubtedly be the headliner too.
- Brothers of Destruction vs. The Shield
There continues to be talk that this may not happen but all signs are pointing towards exactly that. The Shield triple powerbombed Undertaker to get him off television, Kane is breaking up with Daniel Bryan, and Dean Ambrose has been mocking "The Deadman" in matches with Kane. There is, of course, always the chance that Undertaker says he doesn't want to work the show but after his recent interview in the Houston Chronicle and the way he looked during his brief run a couple months ago, it looks like a safe bet this is going down.
- John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan
The current popular rumor here is that Bryan will win the Money in the Bank ladder match for a shot at the WWE title before coming out on Raw the very next night and announcing he's cashing it in at SummerSlam, leading to a four week program with Cena after the champ is done dispatching Henry. It's expected Bryan will get his clean win over Randy Orton soon enough before becoming a two-time Money in the Bank winner. And with that show being in Philadelphia, he's going to get over HUGE.
Cagesiders, I don't know that I've been this excited for a non-WrestleMania PPV since Money in the Bank 2011.
You?