Nakamura, Ciampa, Alpha Academy Announced For WWE SummerSlam Battle Royal

By Sai Mohan
Ciampa and Nakamura trade blows in the ring WWE

The field for the first-ever SummerSlam Battle Royal is quickly taking shape. On last night's "WWE Raw," Shinsuke Nakamura, Tommaso Ciampa, Chad Gable, and Otis were announced as participants, joining Sheamus and mega-star LA Knight in the match.

Nakamura and Ciampa announced their own entries into the battle royal in a backstage segment, which also set up an impromptu match won by Nakamura. Leading into the bout, Ciampa — who recently returned to WWE television from an injury — made it clear that he needed to beat Nakamura to "pick up some momentum" and carry it into the SummerSlam attraction. Meanwhile, Nakamura — who has been displaying heelish tendencies of late — mocked Ciampa for thinking that he had a shot to win the battle royal while declaring his own intentions to win the match.

Later in the show, the announcers confirmed that Gable and Otis of Alpha Academy would also be a part of the Slim Jim-sponsored match. Gable had an impressive showing on "Raw," surviving a Beat the Clock challenge against Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER, albeit subsequently losing to "The Ring General" in a regular contest. Later on "Raw Talk," Gable told GUNTHER that he'd be waiting for the leader of Imperium "on the other side of SummerSlam" after the latter goes to battle with Drew McIntyre. 

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