WWE’s internal expectation heading into SummerSlam is that both world champions walk out still holding the gold.
WrestleVotes Radio spoke with a source familiar with WWE’s creative direction and reports that, as of Thursday, CM Punk and Roman Reigns are the favorites to retain. Punk defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on Night 1. Reigns defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins on Night 2.
The outlet is also told these names are considered favorites in their matches:
- Trick Williams, defending the United States Championship against Baron Corbin
- Oba Femi, against Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell
- Gunther, against Nick Aldis
- Chad Gable, challenging Penta for the Intercontinental Championship
Gable is the outlier on that list. He is the challenger, so if the read holds via the internal expectation, the Intercontinental Championship changes hands on Night 2.
Two matches are described as genuine coin flips. The five-way ladder match for the interim Women’s Championship and the No. 1 Contender’s match between Sami Zayn and Finn Balor are both considered too close to call and could realistically go either way.
SummerSlam runs Saturday and Sunday from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, starting at 6 pm ET both nights. It streams on the ESPN App in the United States and on Netflix internationally.
