The big storylines heading into SummerSlam 2021

WWE SummerSlam is set for Saturday, August 21 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and the card is chalk full of intriguing storylines that have been built on both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown over the past several months.

Of the 10 matches announced for the event, five in particular will headline the show as they’ve received the most time and attention in recent weeks.

Raw

WWE Championship: Bobby Lashey (c) vs. Goldberg

Bobby Lashley has had a successful six-month run with the WWE Championship and the night after last month’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view, he was confronted by WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg who challenged him for a title fight in Las Vegas. We’ll see if this clash of hosses will be quick and if the 54-year old former WCW legend Goldberg can capture the one world title he has yet to hold.

Raw Women’s Championship: Nikki A.S.H. (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley

Flair and Ripley have been trading blows over the belt since April but a new challenger was added to the mix last month when Nikki A.S.H. won the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match and proceeded to cash in her contract 24 hours later to win the title. Since, the three have battled each other in a series of competitive matches that will ultimately culminate on Saturday.

Smackdown

WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. John Cena

No doubt main eventing the show, this showdown will be a clash between the two dominant figures of the WWE over the last 15 years. The “Tribal Chief” has been working on a near year-long reign as champion since returning at last year’s SummerSlam. Meanwhile, Cena is gunning for a record 17th world championship reign. You can win up to $25,000 by correctly predicting this match here.

Smackdown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Sasha Banks

A Wrestlemania rematch, the duo put on a classic in April that saw Belair be coronated as one of the bright young stars of the company. Since then, she’s successfully defended her belt and has only increased her profile, even being showcased at last month’s Rolling Loud festival in Miami. During that time, Banks took a sabbatical from the ring but is now back to reclaim her title.

Edge vs. Seth Rollins

A match dubbed seven years in the making, this battle of a WWE Hall of Famer vs. a future Hall of Famer has the potential to blow the roof off of Allegiant Stadium. It started a few months ago when Seth Rollins was incensed that Edge skipped the proverbial line to get a WWE Universal Champion opportunity over him. When Edge got his opportunity against Roman Reigns at Money in the Bank, Rollins interfered and cost him the title, setting up this encounter between the two ring generals.

Full Card

Raw Women’s Championship - Nikki A.S.H. (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley
Smackdown Women’s Championship - Bianca Belair (c) vs. Sasha Banks
WWE Championship - Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Goldberg
WWE Universal Championship - Roman Reigns (c) vs. John Cena
Raw Tag Team Championship - AJ Styles and Omos (c) vs. Randy Orton and Riddle
Smackdown Tag Team Championship - Jimmy and Jey Uso (c) vs. Rey and Dominik Mysterio
United States Championship - Sheamus (c) vs. Damian Priest
Edge vs. Seth Rollins
Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal (Shanky and Veer barred from ringside)
Alexa Bliss vs. Eva Marie (with Doudrop)