Hello everybody! @TheMagnumDA here with you for this month’s edition of the PPV Pick’em report. The WO Pick’em Crew is pleased to give you their picks for SummerSlam 2018, the hottest party of the summer, LIVE on the WWE Network. Here’s a recap of the scores for the 2018 Season:

Colin: 46 Points
Tricky Don: 44 Points
Heel Turn Tom: 43 Points
MagnumDA: 41 Points

For tonight, Brother Bull will be filling in for Tricky Don, with all points going towards Don’s 2018 score.

Also, we’ve got a great new contest that we want to introduce to all WO readers: Starting this month, we’re going to have a “Beat The Crew” contest. The rules are simple: Using the hashtag #BeatTheCrew, send me a tweet (@TheMagnumDA) with your picks for this month’s PPV. If you beat the highest score from our team of prognosticators (Colin, Tricky Don, Heel Turn Tom, Magnum DA, Brother Bull), YOU will win a digital copy of WrestleMania 34! This is a copy you can put on your computer or personal device, so you can take it with you anywhere without needing an Internet connection or the WWE Network.

Sounds awesome, right? SO LET’S GET PICKING!

Pre-Show: WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander vs. Drew Gulak

Colin: Once again, the Cruiserweights get relegated to the Kickoff show. Can’t say I’m surprised to be quite honest. I’m picking Alexander to retain the title in this one.

Brother Bull: Alexander has held the Title since Mania, making many wonder if it’s time for him to drop it? Gulak could add more to a show and division that has lacking, IMO. Hoping for Drew to get the W and the strap.

Heel Turn Tom: It’s the 205 Live pre-show. They need some characters that are more entertaining so they are no longer the fluffers of the main show. I see Cedric Alexander holding onto his title.

MagnumDA: Drew Gulak has been a solid character on 205 Live for a long time. Personally, I love the guy’s PowerPoints. I could watch them all day! That said, I could see Alexander holding onto the title for quite some time. Cedric retains.

Pre-Show: Mixed Match Challenge
Rusev & Lana vs. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas & Zelina Vega

Colin: Lana is the best, Lana number one! Ever told you I’m a big Lana fan? 😀 I’m thinking Aiden English will play a part in this one and will cost Lana and Rusev the match, turning heel in the process. Almas and Vega win.

Brother Bull: A loaded pre-show for sure, but the fans will be treated well early in this one and all be rewarded with a celebration of Rusev Day!!! Rusev and Lana win.

Heel Turn Tom: There is that weird love triangle with Lana, Rusev, and English. I see that continuing to the next PPV. Also, Vega and Almas are great together and Vega will at least contend for the US title with this push. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas & Zelina Vega for the win.

MagnumDA: I think this will be a showcase for Zelina Vega. Yes, Almas is the one getting the push here, but I think this is Zelina’s introduction to a worldwide audience. Unfortunately, for Rusev and Lana, it’s not Rusev Day…it’s the Summer of Almas! Andrade and Zelina win.

Pre-Show: WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match
WWE Raw Tag Team Champions The B-Team vs. The Revival

Colin: Is it time for B-Team’s luck to run out? The Revival are a great tag team and they deserve a run with the titles. New champions!

Brother Bull: It is time for the Top Guys! With a huge pin over Reigns earlier this summer, the foreshadowing for Dawson and Wilder was written some time ago. Time for them to become the A-Team on the A-Show, over the B-Team of course. Growing a little tired of the B-Team bit. Annnnnnnnnnd new champs…The Revival!

Heel Turn Tom: How many jokes can the B-team have? Also, I think they will not be celebrating with Roman after the night (spoiler). Plus, The Revival was in Waterloo, IA at the pro wrestling hall of fame weekend and that will rocket strap them to the new Raw Tag Team Champions.

MagnumDA: As crazy as it sounds, this would be the time that you’d pull the trigger on The Revival. Since Drew and Dolph are out of the picture, this would be the time for The Revival to win the titles. Or maybe Vince has a different plan in mind. For now, the B-Team retains. Of course, they’re just keeping them warm for the Authors of Pain, but that’s for another time. 😀

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match – Bonus! Worth 2 Points
WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler (w/Drew McIntyre) vs. Seth Rollins (w/Dean Ambrose)

Colin: Part of me wants for Ambrose to turn heel, but is it maybe too soon after he returned? This could be a fantastic match. The fact that Rollins got the upper hand on Raw makes me think that Ziggler will find a way to win this one.

Brother Bull: “I’m here to show the world, I’m here to show the world”…or I mean I’m here to tell the world that this match will deliver, but prob not the outcome everyone wants. Fans were rewarded with an Ambrose return to send this feud home on Monday. Well, The Bull Brother feels Ambrose costs Rollins in some way, and HBK/Diesel 2.0 will walk away celebrating with the IC Title. Ziggler retains.

Heel Turn Tom: I like both of these wrestlers and hope they get put in the Universal or World title picture soon. Ambrose will go on his own soon. I am not sure what they will do with Ziggler and McIntyre regarding the IC strap. I see Seth Rollins winning and a happy celebration with two-thirds of the Shield.

MagnumDA: I’m conflicted…because I’m convinced that Dean will turn on Seth. I just don’t know if he’ll do it tonight. If Dolph loses, any program that he would have with Drew is dead in the water. Dean and Seth don’t need the IC Title to have a main event program. So screw it, let’s do the turn tonight. Ziggler retains one last time, effectively winning this feud.

‘Money in the Bank’ Contract Match
Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman

Colin: Braun Strowman will win this one…and I’m predicting that by the end of the night, Strowman will walk out of the Barclays Center with the Universal title. CASH IN!

Brother Bull: I love the chemistry of Owens and Braun. Didn’t like the stipulation at first, but it has grown on me. Braun will overcome the most impossible of odds and walk away victorious while leaving KO lying in a pile of rubble somewhere ringside. Will this be the last time we see him victorious tonight? I sure hope not! BRAAAAAAAAAAAAUN wins and retains MITB.

Heel Turn Tom: It seems to logical for Braun to win. He seems too much of a cartoon giant and not in line for a championship. The only other time the contract was part of a non-title match, Mr. Kennedy…Kennedy lost the briefcase. I see that happening again and KO is the new holder of the Money in the Bank contract.

MagnumDA: I can’t go with him twice in a row, can I? This is the kind of match where Owens could win by DQ or Count-Out. I could absolutely see him slither his way to another win against Braun. Originally, I thought that KO would be the first guy to challenge Braun (after Braun won the title). I guess that’s still possible. Braun’s going to hold on to the briefcase, but that’s not a guarantee that he’ll cash-in tonight.

Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin

Colin: Ugh. Poor Finn. Poor us. Balor wins, move on.

Brother Bull: Yawn. For those that know me, this match will be used as a snack break. If you wrestle in business casual, you’re a complete joke, and if you think that the slingblade is effective, well…it wouldn’t even make Jericho’s list of 1,001 holds. Nonetheless, Balor wins and Balor Club will have a summer bash.

Heel Turn Tom: How much did we see this on Raw already? I doubt they are bringing the demon out for this match, but they need to soon. Baron doesn’t need the win. Finn needs something to get Balor Club going. Finn wins.

MagnumDA: What is this, Chapter 45 of a never-ending feud? I’m good, thanks. Balor wins.

WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The New Day

Colin: One thing that I don’t want to see again for now is The New Day as champions. I think their gimmick has run its course. I get it that they’re one of the most popular teams in WWE but it’s always the same thing. Give me a Bludgeon Brothers victory.

Brother Bull: I like how the Bludgeons have mowed through everyone, but I could see their reign ending. The New Day will serve as transitional champs to get them back on The Bar. New Day will find a way with their man advantage to become NEW SMACKDOWN TAG CHAMPS!

Heel Turn Tom: I don’t get the story they are trying to tell with the Bludgeon Brothers. Sure they are monsters, but what else? They could be good new Heyman Guys. But WWE will keep with this project and Bludgeon Brothers hold onto the titles.

MagnumDA: I do believe what Bull said is accurate. There’s going to be new tag champs later in the fall, but for now…New Day becomes your “World Famous Five-Time Champs”, so FEEEEL the POWAH! The New Day stuns the Bludgeon Brothers, brother.

WWE United States Championship Match
WWE US Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jeff Hardy

Colin: It would be pretty stupid to take the belt off Nakamura this early. Will Randy Orton be involved somehow? Hopefully with his pants on. Hah! I say this will end in a no-contest with Orton destroying both of them.

Brother Bull: Nakamura and Hardy can both go, and this could be one of the better matches on a loaded card. Unfortunately, this match won’t get the attention it deserves and will be a quick one. Nakamura retains and Jeff Hardy’s Summerslam Curse continues.

Heel Turn Tom: I thought I heard Jeff was injured and that was why the match was so short. I see Nakamura winning and Jeff taking time off.

MagnumDA: So are we actually going to get a match or not? Maybe Hardy is injured and someone takes his place? I hope we don’t get another farce like the one at Extreme Rules. Somehow, I think this is a winning showcase for Nakamura’s dirty tricks. Shinsuke retains. Also, Colin…if you actually call a no-contest here, I’ll give you the point. Same for other players out there!

Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz

Colin: Oh my, really looking forward to this one! I’m pretty sure this will not be the only match between the two over the next couple of months. Having Daniel Bryan win this match would pretty much kill off this angle. Having Daniel Bryan lose would spark more rumors that he’s leaving at the end of the month. I say The Miz steals this one, leading to another match next month…if DB is still around.

Brother Bull: Not gonna lie, probably looking forward to this one the most. The uncertainty of Bryan resigning mixed in with the storied rivalry and past with these two makes for must see or should I say must watch? I really wanted this at Mania for the WWE Title, and maybe we still get it. But for now, sit back, relax and when Miz’s hand goes up, your mouth better go shut, and enjoy as the Miz finds a way to beat Daniel Bryan.

Heel Turn Tom: You need the babyface chasing the heel. There is nothing on the line here besides some old grudge. The Miz has his TV show and a signed contract. I think this match will top the IC match with The Miz showing his former NXT rookie who the best is.

MagnumDA: I have mixed feelings on this one. Personally, it’s one of my favorite feuds of the entire decade. These guys are natural rivals. I just wish more was on the line…like a World Championship. For now, I’ll take Miz to win the first chapter of this new feud. My only hope is that Bryan will stay with WWE to finish the story.

WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Match – Triple Threat Match
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair

Colin: It’s time for Carmella to drop the title. I thought it was time two months ago and Asuka should have been champion. I’m thinking Charlotte Flair will win the title here and then feud with Becky Lynch.

Brother Bull: As much as I want to see Straight Fire and Becky Lynch become the Champ again, it just isnt going to happen. Carmella will find a way again, and retain.

Heel Turn Tom: I would have thought someone would win the title from Carmella if it was one one one. But I see Flair and Lynch being bad for each other and setting up a feud between themselves. Somehow even though I don’t like it Carmella wins.

MagnumDA: Wow, no love for Becky Lynch? That’s fine, I’ll have her all to myself. 😀 She was poised as the #1 Contender originally, and she’s been on the backburner for a long time after becoming the first-ever SmackDown Women’s Champion. Becky wins the SmackDown Women’s Championship for a second time.

WWE Raw Women’s Championship Match
WWE Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss vs. Ronda Rousey

Colin: Any match with Rousey, until she gets her first loss, will be a tricky situation. Do they pull the trigger here, or wait for Evolution? October seems like a long time away. She already won via DQ last time, so I doubt they’ll pull the same stunt again. She won’t lose just now. I’m calling it…the winner, and NEW champion, Ronda Rousey!

Brother Bull: With the news of Bliss vs Stratus booked for Evolution, my previous thought of Bliss retaining is gone out the window. That match is big enough to have without a title. So…on the 2nd biggest show of the year, “Crayon Eater” aka Ronda Rousey will become the NEW RAW Women’s Champ and WWE smiles for all the mainstream media attention they are going to get.

Heel Turn Tom: There are no MITB cash-ins to screw me on this pick this time. This will be the best women’s match today and Ronda will start her dominance as the champ.

MagnumDA: I was kind of hoping you guys would pick Bliss! Lol, damn it. With Shayna Baszler losing the NXT Women’s Championship, and with all this talk of a “4 Horsewomen” reunion…it only makes sense to position Ronda as a dominant champion. She wins, and the fans go wild…for now. In time, I have a feeling that the former MMA fighters will be positioned as the heels.

WWE Championship Match
WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe

Colin: Styles is in his ninth month as champion which is pretty impressive in today’s world of professional wrestling. Samoa Joe will be one of his toughest opponents but I predict that AJ Styles will walk out of the arena still the WWE champion.

Brother Bull: Styles and Joe…an ROH throwback! Styles is having himself a memorable title reign. Joe seems to be the most believable combatant to take the strap off the Champ Who Runs The Camp, however, with AJ as the cover guy for WWE’s newest video game, a momentous 2017/18 continues for the Phenomenal One as he retains the title.

Heel Turn Tom: As I read the matches again this should be a really fun card to watch. I will stand by Miz and Bryan being the best match of the night but this will be exciting. I do think WWE can hold a grudge and that grudge will keep AJ Styles champ until Royal Rumble and pass CM Punk’s reign. AJ to retain.

MagnumDA: I’ve got to stick with my prophecy from earlier in the year…or do I? I said AJ would hold the title for the entire calendar year. I don’t think WWE is going to have the cover guy of their upcoming video game lose any time soon. Eh, it’s hard to do, but AJ retains. I just keep thinking something’s going to happen here.

WWE Universal Championship Match
WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
Bonus Risk for 1 Point: Will “Money in the Bank” be cashed in tonight?
If it happens, and a player calls it, they earn 1 point. If it doesn’t happen and they call it, they lose 1 point. Players can also elect to say that there will be no cash-in to risk zero points. You don’t have to pick the participants in the match! Just your prediction if a cash-in happens.

Colin: I can see this going either way, both with MITB cash-ins. After Monday, I’m inclined to think that Reigns will finally win it. But remember Cena vs Bryan at SummerSlam 2013 where Bryan finally won…and then Randy Orton crashed the party? That’s what I’m thinking here. As for the actual match, I say Reigns wins. Then Strowman marches down and Reigns gets those hands!

Brother Bull: This match, or at least what I hope they do with it, should have happened at Mania. Reigns, after several spears (let’s get rid if that cartoonish Superman Punch) appears to conquer the unconquerable and almost becomes the rightful holder of the WWE Universal Title as Lesnar limps away to the USADA pool. Almost? How? Well, because BRAUN will cash-in during the match and become NEWWW Universal Champ. I’m happy, you’re happy and the WWE Universe will be happy. If Lesnar is to be dethroned, Strowman is the man that should do it…and he will!

Heel Turn Tom: WWE so wants us to like Reigns to win. They want the fans to like him. Lucky for Reigns that Brock is going back to the UFC, so they got to do something with the universal title. Roman will win with a bunch of superman punches and a spear. But then! While celebrating as Roman is about to get his revenge on Heyman for spraying pepper spray or whatever in his eyes, the new Paul Heyman guy, KEVIN OWENS, will join in beating down Roman with Lesnar and Heyman. KO cashes in and is the new reigning defending undisputed universal champion Kevin Owens.

MagnumDA: Wow! You guys came up with creative finishes. Bull, if Strowman cashes in during the match and wins, you’ll get both the points. Same rule applies for other players! As for this match…I heard Brock Lesnar was going to be on Raw tomorrow. There would be no reason for him to be on Raw – unless he’s still the Universal Champion.

Could he HONESTLY beat Roman one last time? Where does this leave Roman? I don’t know. Is Vince *still* convinced that Roman’s the guy? In Vince’s mind, you’d have Roman beat Brock finally, only to have his moment taken away by Braun Strowman. But that would turn Braun heel, right? Or not? It’s scrambling my freaking brain trying to figure this out!

What I really think could happen is this: Strowman cashes in (when the match starts) to become a Triple Threat, and Lesnar STILL walks out of Summerslam as champion. The next night, Lashley confronts Lesnar and challenges him for the title…and wins! However, to save points, I will officially predict no cash-in (thus risking no points) and I will say that Brock retains in the match.

That’s going to do it for the Pick’em Crew! Think you can beat our picks? Try it! You could win a digital copy of WrestleMania 34!! Using the hashtag #BeatTheCrew, send me a tweet (@TheMagnumDA) with your picks for this month’s PPV. If you beat the highest score from our team of prognosticators (Colin, Tricky Don, Heel Turn Tom, Magnum DA, Brother Bull), YOU will win a digital copy of WrestleMania 34! This is a copy you can put on your computer or personal device, so you can take it with you anywhere without needing an Internet connection or the WWE Network. If there’s more than one winner, the highest score receives the prize. THINK YOU CAN BEAT THE CREW? TRY IT.

We hope you all enjoy SummerSlam! See you next month!