Kanefabe Weekly: SummerSlam Curiousities

Wrestlemania was the culmination of some big stories in WWE. Famously, it was the end point of a story years in the making. Cody Rhodes was crowned WWE champion and closed the book on a historic title run by Roman Reigns. It also represented an end point for the Bloodline, even if Reigns was still the tribal chief.

That puts SummerSlam in an interesting place as the next big show on the WWE calendar. Not every show can wrap up lengthy, complicated stories that have been unfolding over multiple years. It makes sense, then, that the 2024 SummerSlam feels like the middle chapters of the book. There will still be big moments. There should still be great matches. But I think we'll see more big moments set up for later than actually delivered on Saturday night.

There should still be plenty of fun and plenty of intrigue. With that, I'm going to take a stab at ranking the various feuds, angles, and stories in terms of their importance for SummerSlam.

In this week’s Kanefabe Weekly, a rundown of the stories and matches that feel the biggest for WWE’s biggest party of the summer. I’m glad you’re here.

Whatever happens with CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and Seth Rollins

Punk remained relevant and involved with this story despite his injury way back at the Royal Rumble. With the interest he draws from his inexplicably loyal fan base, his feud would feel like a big deal no matter what. Add in the shared history with McIntyre and Rollins, and I think this feels like the biggest feud going into SummerSlam.

This match is also guaranteed to have people talking, because there is no obvious outcome. I'm not in the predictions business, but even if I was, I have no idea what's going to happen here. That intrigue should create real buzz.

Last thought here. As I noted in this week’s questions and quotes, I really want to see what Seth’s referee outfit entails.

Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, but really, it's about Dirty Dom

Look at this guy.

Is it a turn years in the making? Rhea and Dominic Mysterio have been together on screen for a darn long time. People still hate Dom, but they love Rhea. She still played the heel for a while, but like some of her colleagues in the Judgment Day, the crowd is ready to cheer for her.

Sometimes the obvious thing is the best thing, because sometimes the obvious thing still pays off a big story in a big moment. Is that what's coming this weekend with Dominic costing Rhea this championship match? I think so, and I think it should propel a long chase for Rhea as she tries to overcome that dastardly duo of Liv Morgan and Dirty Dom.

Gunther challenging Damien Priest

As I noted in this week's questions and quotes, I'm fully on board with the continued ascent of Gunther. This is his next chance for a big win, and this feud is going to turn Damien Priest into a baby face alongside stable mate Rhea Ripley. This match will be great, because it's Gunther. It's only a question of how great it can be.

Cody Rhodes defending his championship against Solo Sikoa

Cody is an excellent world champion, but he is between big programs right now. In some ways, his defense against Solo Sikoa feels like it might be launching the Bloodline's feud in a new direction as much as it is doing anything for Cody.

Will Roman Reigns return soon? And will that set up the next series of appearances for the Rock? These are fun questions to consider. It feels like the story is still building up in those directions. This will be the main event, and Cody always delivers in big matches. It's still a big deal, it's still a top story, but it's down a couple spots when it comes to the most intriguing matches on this card.

Sami Zayn trying to survive and defeat Bron Breakker

Will Sami drop the Intercontinental Championship here? Or will we move into the era of Breakker, with the crowd woofing as he defends his new crown?

It's been fascinating to see all of the different success stories with Sami's fingerprints all over them. He helped build the Bloodline story, he had a nice run with his pal KO as the tag champs, and he delivered a feel good moment when he won the IC belt at Wrestlemania. Now he'll leave this belt in a good place, assuming this is the moment where it's handed off to Breakker.

From there, it looks like we might be headed for a tag team run with Sami and Jey Uso. If so, that entrance is going to be a party each and every time.

Happy SummerSlam weekend. Talk to you next week.