WWE Creative Reportedly Feeling the Pressure of SummerSlam Week

This should go without saying, but it's a very big week for WWE.

The annual SummerSlam Premium Live Event is set for this Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and while an event this big naturally comes with some added pressure, members of the WWE creative team are reportedly feeling that added weight on their shoulders.

During the latest episode of WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, the guys said that Raw this past Monday inside the Intuit Dome in Los Angele carried added importance, as several Netflix executives were in attendance. And unfortunately for WWE, there were a couple of miscues.

"One source pointed to the show’s opening segment as not a good look, citing the microphone issues and the botched Fall From Grace spot," WrestleVotes said during the show Thursday. "The Danhausen/Joe Hendry segment was said to have missed the mark, as Ryan Garcia’s appearance was considered to be underwhelming and unnecessary given his recent controversies."

Garcia's involvement on Monday, which saw him crack Joe Hendry in the back with a guitar in an effort to help The Judgment Day, was heavily criticized online. His blatant disparaging comments toward Black and Muslim Americans led to his expulsion from the World Boxing Council during the summer of 2024.

He later apologized for his use of racial slurs on social media and attributed his hateful comments to a battle with substance abuse. The WBC reinstated Garcia this past November and he's scheduled to defend his welterweight title against Conor Benn in September, which is being promoted by Zuffa Boxing, a company that falls under the TKO umbrella. Hence the cross-promotion on Monday Night Raw.

Reported favorites heading into SummerSlam weekend (Potential Spoilers Ahead):

WrestleVotes Radio has also heard a few rumblings when it comes to this weekend's card. As of Thursday, July 30, both WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns are favored to leave Minneapolis with their respective titles.

Men's United States Champion Trick Williams is also expected to successfully defend his title against Baron Corbin, and Chad Gable appears to be in line for his long-awaited Men's Intercontinental Championship victory.

No surprises here, but barring some last-minute switch-ups, Oba Femi should be going over Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell, and Gunther will reportedly go over SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. It can never be stated enough, however, that plans can always change.

It was also relayed to WrestleVotes by a source that both the ladder match to crown an Interim WWE Women's Champion, and the WWE Championship No. 1 Contender's Match between Sami Zayn and Finn Balor, are considered too close to call.

Add us as a preferred source on Google