By Ryan Kester

WWE hasn't done a good job with the build towards this year's SummerSlam. As it stands, it feels like any other WWE PPV event. Still, I look forward to this time of the year as it sets the stage for what we will be getting throughout the fall, and I look forward to the feuds and the angles that will be produced from this show.

The following predictions are made with no foreknowledge as to what the finishes or booking will be. They are predictions made solely based on what WWE has done and what I think they will do.

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar: While the build for this match has made it seem like Triple H needs to win this match for revenge, I think that move would be a mistake. Lesnar really doesn’t need to be losing anymore matches if WWE expects to get much out of the remainder of his run with them. I expect a physical match and I am expect ting to see Lesnar go over in the end.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar defeats Triple H.

CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Big Show for the WWE Championship: The time isn't right for a title change as Puk is still knee deep in his character transition and WWE hasn't built up the possibility of a change anywhere near enough. I'm expecting this match to simply further the Punk/Cena feud and to help further cement Punk's new heel persona.

Prediction: CM Punk retains his WWE Championship.

Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Ro for the World Heavyweight Championship: I do not care about this match. WWE has done a terrible job with Alberto del Rio and Sheamus as far as making them matter and both characters are currently one dimensional acts that don't feel like they belong in the main event scene. The World Heavyweight Championship felt prestigious heading into WrestleMania after having so many well-fleshed out characters with real storylines surrounding the belt. At this point, the belt feels like another midcard championship at best. Still, WWE seems rather married to the idea of Sheamus as a dominant champ, and a title change here would be meaningless. Sheamus wins, and likely in a dominant fashion.

Prediction: Sheamus defeats Alberto Del Rio.

Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler: This feud is all about building up Ziggler. Jericho has guaranteed victory on a few occasions, but he is also one of the first guys that isn't afraid to not live up to a guarantee he makes on the mic. I'm expecting Ziggler to go over and in a way that draws him some significant heat.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler defeats Chris Jericho.

Kane vs. Daniel Bryan: This is going to be a sleeper for a good match. Kane doesn’t get anywhere near the credit he deserves for his in-ring work, and he has surprised on several occasions when he's paired with a guy that's good in the ring. I expect Daniel Bryan will be going over because he's the more relevant name to WWE at this point, and I also expect this will be one of the better matches of the night.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan goes over Kane.

The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship: The Miz hasn't really been treated any better with the IC belt around his waist than he did before he captured the belt. That alone would let me think they want to move the belt onto the infinitely more over Rey, but I don't think it's time for the title change yet. I have Miz going over here, but by some means that necessitates a rematch between the two.

Prediction: The Miz retains via some nefarious means.

Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. The Prime Time Players for the WWE Tag Team Championships: While I am not as enthused about the Prime Time Players as others, they are obviously WWE's latest little pet project for the tag team division. I expect them to take the belts at SummerSlam, and I hope WWE finds a way to transition Kingston into something more meaningful.

Prediction: The Prime Time Players win the Tag Team Titles.

Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro for the United States Championship: I have a feeling WWE is going to want to get more eyes on the pre-show, and with Cesaro already defeating Santino on multiple occasions as of late, I see Cesaro going over here. Lord knows he can do more with the US belt than Santino currently is.

Prediction: Antonio Cesaro wins the United States Championship.

If you have any questions or comments or just wish to chat with a fellow wrestling fan about whatever, then feel free to email me at ryan.kester@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter at @TheRyanKester.

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