With only weeks to go until SummerSlam at the Ford Field in Detroit on August 5, WWE fans are bracing themselves for a series of pulsating announcements over the next couple of weeks. Apparently, chief among the expected reveals will be a rematch between the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, and his familiar adversary, Finn Bálor.
Wrestling pundit, Dave Meltzer, announced the possible face-off on Wrestling Observer Radio, where he highlighted the WWE’s strategic attempts to Bálor’s image ahead of his challenge against Rollins.
This narrative received further fuel when Bálor went on a winning spree, an orchestrated move to rehabilitate his image in preparation for the incoming clash.
However, this isn’t just another rivalry; it’s a bitter and emotionally charged feud. WWE fans might remember SummerSlam in 2016 (who could forget when Bálor kept on reminding us of this ahead of Money in the Bank?), where Bálor clashed with Rollins for the Universal Championship title. Despite Bálor’s victorious moment, the match was clouded by an unfortunate incident where Rollins injured Bálor’s shoulder, costing him over a year of his career. This lingering animosity has only festered over time, and Bálor has made it clear that he is thirsting for revenge.
Bálor most recently got his first shot against Rollins in London where he lost due to an unintended distraction by his good friend and stablemate, Damian Priest.
Mind you, the rematch isn’t the only element of drama in what we can only presume is one of the planned main events for SummerSlam. Priest, who has now labeled himself as Señor Money in the Bank, casts a shadow, both literal and figurative, over the rest of Monday Night RAW. His win in London appears to have caused a divide with Bálor, although Rhea Ripley was quick to shoot down this rift and mend things. Still, with Priest being able to challenge for a champion any time he wants, there’s always the possibility that he’ll cash his prize in as soon as the winner of the upcoming matchup in SummerSlam walks away, regardless of who it is.
This factor is arguably what brings a ton of excitement and fuels speculation surrounding the ongoing tiff between Rollins and the rest of the Judgment Day, who have since become the top stable of the WWE outside of The Bloodline.
It’s essential to note that the Rollins vs. Bálor match hasn’t been officially announced, much like the other speculated bouts for SummerSlam.
At the moment, here are the still-unconfirmed matches for SummerSlam:
- Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jey Uso
- Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Bianca Belair
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs. TBA
- Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar (with some kind of stipulation)
- Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus
- Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler
- Ricochet vs. Logan Paul
Given the history between Rollins and Bálor, their potential showdown promises to be a high-voltage affair. Are we going to see Bálor finally avenge his past and dethrone Rollins? Or will Rollins solidify his reign further by fending off the rejuvenated Bálor? Only time, and the electrifying night of August 5, will tell.
For now, WWE enthusiasts worldwide can relish the anticipation, buckle up, and prepare for a rollercoaster ride less than a month from now.
Fingers crossed, the WWE has other plans for SummerSlam that we don’t know about. For example, Grayson Waller wants to bring The Rock over to Friday Night SmackDown. Even though it’s unlikely, WWE fans wouldn’t mind seeing The Great One pay his former home a visit if only to do a quick squash match against one of WWE’s rising stars in Detroit. Between that and the potential returns of Randy Orton and maybe even Bray Wyatt, and SummerSlam will indeed be The Hottest Party of the Summer.
