Second only to WrestleMania as the year’s most celebrated pro-wrestling production, SummerSlam has had a hand in producing some of the greatest matches in history over the course of its 28-year run. With this year’s traditional summer extravaganza fast approaching, lets look at ten of the most revered matches in the long and storied history of the event.
10. Undertaker vs. Edge - Hell in a Cell match, 2008
The last truly great Hell in a Cell match saw the perfect end of one of the WWE’s greatest modern feuds. A thorn in the Undertaker’s side for well over a year, Edge's persistent scheming had cost the veteran gold on multiple occasions, but ‘The Deadman’ would finally have his vengeance in the main event of the 2008 instalment. Finally overcoming his opportunistic rival after a gruelling back-and-forth battle, which again saw the action spill outside of the cell, the legendary competitor would cap off his triumph...by chokeslamming 'The Rated-R Superstar' straight to “hell”.
9. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle - 2001
SummerSlam has long been the perfect stage for a heated rivalry, but 2001’s event didn't just feature a battle between two individuals: it saw three organisations vie for supremacy. Vowing to make Stone Cold Steve Austin pay for his stunning defection to an alliance of the invading WCW and ECW, Kurt Angle’s resilient performance against the dangerous ‘The Rattlesnake’ cemented him as a true main event player, even if he didn't leave with his rival’s WWF title. A true standout match from a memorable, but particularly disappointing summer angle.
8. Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk - No Holds Barred, 2013
Long considered a dream match considering their close affiliation with managerial giant Paul Heyman, ‘The Best vs. The Beast’ easily surpassed expectations when it served as a featured match in 2013. Fusing the reality and athleticism of mixed martial arts and the showmanship of pro-wrestling, Lesnar and Punk’s styles came together perfectly as they created beautiful destruction. Heyman's interference and a devastating F5 directly onto a steel chair secured the win for ‘The Beast’, bringing an end to the instant classic, and Punk’s final gem as a WWE superstar.
7. The Rock vs. Triple H - Ladder match, 1998
Continuing to set the foundation of their bitter rivalry, The Rock and Triple H announced their arrival as bona-fide superstars as they stole the show back in 1998. With the Intercontinental title hanging high from Madison Square Garden’s rafters, the two young superstars turned to innovation as they looked for new ways to torment each other with the eponymous foreign object. Triple H may have won the match, albeit with a little help from DX stablemate Chyna, but both men would be propelled to the top of the company thanks to their efforts here.
6. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Edge and Christian - TLC match, 2000
Making themselves famous worldwide with their incredible performances in the triangle ladder match at that year’s WrestleMania, the WWF’s trio of youngblood tag teams sought to provide a worthy follow-up, and they didn't disappoint. Every bit as violent and chaotic as the first, each team took full advantage of opportunity (and weapons) and firmly established themselves as the organisation’s premier daredevil performers. Emerging from the smashed tables, bent chairs and broken ladders, Edge and Christian proved themselves once again as the dominant force in the WWF’s rejuvenated tag team division.
5. Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels - Ladder match, 1995
A rematch from their groundbreaking WrestleMania classic from the year before, Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels continued their battle for the Intercontinental belt. Picking up immediately, as if their prior match had never ended, Ramon and Michaels revisited many of the same punishing tactics that proved so successful before. Ultimately Michaels would prevail, avenging his loss from their legendary first encounter. Unfortunately a rubber match would never materialise due to Ramon’s departure soon after, but the two had already left their mark with the ladder match eventually becoming one of the most popular gimmick matches in the industry.
4. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart - Steel Cage match, 1994
Another ‘Mania rematch, Bret Hart and younger brother Owen sought to bring their long-standing family feud to conclusion inside the confines of the old blue steel cage. As tense and unpredictable as their initial WrestleMania classic, Bret eventually overcame his brother with a dramatic escape from the cage after thirty epic minutes of nail biting back-and-forth drama. Owen may have lost the climatic battle, but his prior victory and amazing performance in defeat was more enough to secure his legacy as a superstar no longer in the shadow of his famous older sibling. Easily one of the greatest cage matches of all time.
3. John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan - 2013
3. John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan - 2013
Similar to how his fellow indy darling CM Punk dominated the summer of 2011, Daniel Bryan and his ‘Yes!’ Movement was easily the hottest thing in the industry back in 2013. The fans demanded it, and the fans got their wish as Bryan completed his unlikely ascent to the top of the WWE...with a little help from John Cena of course. An exquisitely executed, unpredictable instant classic of a match featuring career-high performances from both competitors, and that’s not even including the jaw-dropping twist following its conclusion...
2. Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog - 1992
Capitalising on a renewed wave of British interest, the WWF’s decision to hold the 1992 SummerSlam event at Wembley Stadium remains the only time the promotion has ever aired a major pay-per-view overseas. Fittingly headlining in front of a record attendance of 80,355 spectators, "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith and Bret Hart’s battled to end their family-engulfing rivalry with Hart’s Intercontinental title on the line.
A beautiful blend of technical proficiency (would you really expect anything less from Hart?), strength, drama and atmosphere resulted in a match that lived up to, and safely exceeded expectations. For Smith the victory represented the very top of the mountain, and surrounded by a sea of jubilant home country fans, it couldn’t have gotten any sweeter.
1. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels - Unsanctioned match, 2002
Returning to the ring after a lengthy 4-year absence due to a serious back injury, many questioned whether Shawn Michaels would still be able to compete with the industry’s finest. Any doubter were quickly hushed almost instantly however as ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ and former friend turned bitter enemy Triple H stole the show with their ‘Unsanctioned’ match in 2002.
Moving with the same grace and reckless abandon that had shaped his early career, Michaels not only proved that he could still hang with a new wave of superstars, but that the time away had actually improved him as a performer. Triple H acted as the perfect foil, his relentless attack to the back of Michaels further enhancing his reputation as one of the company’s greatest villains.
A brutal, dramatic and emotional match that would have significant implications going forward for both of its legendary participants. Not too shabby for a match that no one saw coming just a few months prior.
Honorable Mentions:
The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar - 2002
Mr. Perfect vs. Bret Hart - 1991
Randy Orton vs. Christian - No Holds Barred, 2011
Agree? Disagree? What is your favourite SummerSlam match? Leave your suggestions in the comments section below!
All images courtesy of WWE.com. All of the matches included can be watched on the WWE Network.
More Top 10 Lists
Mr. Perfect vs. Bret Hart - 1991
Randy Orton vs. Christian - No Holds Barred, 2011
Agree? Disagree? What is your favourite SummerSlam match? Leave your suggestions in the comments section below!
All images courtesy of WWE.com. All of the matches included can be watched on the WWE Network.
More Top 10 Lists
