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For the past several years, the Staples Center in Los Angeles has played host to the annual WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view event and 2012 will be no exception, as the big show arrives on Sunday. Los Angeles is now officially the annual stop for what has always been one of the "Big Four" (and briefly "Big Five") pay-per-views each year for the WWE.
While the card for this year's SummerSlam is a bit lackluster on paper, the performers have historically "stepped it up" for the event each year, so only time will tell how good the end product will turn out to be. There will be two world title matches and an additional three title bouts.
Here is the full card for Sunday's event:
Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H: Lesnar has butted heads with the WWE COO since returning to the company. Several months ago, Lesnar broke Triple H's arm and the bad blood has been simmering ever since.
WWE Championship Match - CM Punk (c) vs. John Cena vs. Big Show: Cena will need to watch his back as both Punk and Big Show are trying to make his night an unhappy one. Punk will have to watch his back since both challengers are gunning for his title in this Triple Threat match.
World Heavyweight Title Match - Sheamus (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio: Sheamus has been a bit of a bully to the cowardly Del Rio leading up to this match, but the challenger is definitely capable of taking the "Great White's" title.
Chris Jericho Vs. Dolph Ziggler: This match is all about bragging rights, but may also serve as a passing of the torch from the best all-around wrestler of the late-1990s and early 2000s to the best all-around wrestler of 2012. This match, above all others, has the capability to tear the house down.
Kane vs. Daniel Bryan: Bryan and Kane were fighting over Bryan's valet AJ for most of the summer. Now they'll just be fighting.
Intercontinental Title Match - The Miz (c) vs. Rey Mysterio: Mysterio is back and looking to capture the Intercontinental title once again in his first high-profile match since returning from injury. The Miz is also back after a recent hiatus and looking to prove he still belongs near the top of the heap.
Tag Team Title Match - R-Truth & Kofi Kingston (c) vs. The Prime Time Players: A simple feud between two up-and-comers and the reigning champs. Should be a solid match.
United States Title Match - Santino Marella (c) vs. Antonio Cesaro: Antonio Cesaro (formerly Claudio Castagnoli on the independent circuit) could make a splash by defeating fan favorite Santino Marella in his first big match for the WWE. This match will air for free online prior to the pay-per-view itself.
Sunday's pre-show featuring the United States title match starts at 4:30 p.m. PT and airs on YouTube.com/WWE and on Facebook. The pay-per-view begins at 5 p.m. PT.
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