Top 10 biggest title changes in WWE SummerSlam history

The famous SummerSlam event has seen many titles changing hands

The thirty-seventh iteration of WWE’s prime PLE SummerSlam is just around the corner. Aptly named ‘The Biggest Party of The Summer,’ the momentous night has seen many colossal title matches and, in turn, titles changing hands. Here we take a look at the Top 10 title changes in WWE SummerSlam history

10. Razor Ramon vs Diesel: SummerSlam 1994

Two of WWE’s biggest stars at the time clashed in this instant classic for the prestigious Intercontinental championship. While the champion, Kevin Nash, was accompanied by Shawn Michaels, Walter Payton stood in Razor Ramon’s corner.

The intense clash was decided when Michaels, to assist Nash, accidentally delivered a ‘’Sweet Chin Music’ to his ally. That was enough for Ramon to cover ‘The Silver Fox’ and walk out as the new Intercontinental champion.

9. Bret Hart vs The Undertaker: Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee. SummerSlam 1997

Bret Hart’s quest for greatness saw him challenge The Undertaker at the SummerSlam 1997 PPV. To raise the stakes even higher, Shawn Michaels was the special guest referee for the encounter.

As could be expected from a clash of two titans, the bout was a tense affair, with each wrestler trying to outmaneuver the other. It was the challenger Hart who prevailed; his eternal adversary Michaels shockingly made the three count.

8. Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) vs The Rock: SummerSlam 2002

Dubbed the ‘next big thing,’ Brock Lesnar faced his toughest battle when he challenged The Rock for the WWE title at the SummerSlam 2002 PPV. ‘The Great One’ had been a top star in WWE for years when he collided with Lesnar.

The excitement was palpable as an unstoppable force was set to meet an immovable object. Beast Incarnate emerged victorious as he blocked Rock’s attempted People’s Elbow and Rock Bottom moves to hit a devastating F-5. Lesnar captured his first-ever WWE championship with the win and became the youngest world champion in the company’s history at the time.

7. Randy Orton vs Chris Benoit: SummerSlam 2004

Being a third-generation wrestler, expectations were always high for Randy Orton. He exceeded all expectations with aplomb from a very young age. ‘The Viper’ challenged the then-World Heavyweight champion Chris Benoit at SummerSlam 2004.

Not many would have given Orton a chance against the seasoned veteran. But fans were in for a massive surprise as ‘The Legend Killer’ toppled Benoit to become the youngest world heavyweight champion in WWE history. A record that he holds to date.

6. CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match: SummerSlam 2009

The rivalry between CM Punk and Jeff Hardy in 2009 was iconic, to say the least. The Chicago native constantly berated Hardy for his lifestyle choices, which made the feud personal. ‘The Charismatic Enigma’ defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Punk in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match at the 2009 SummerSlam event.

Irrespective of their differences, the duo put on quite a show, bringing the audiences to the edge of their seats. Punk had the last laugh as he decapacitated Hardy just enough to retrieve the belt and become a three-time world champion.

5. Randy Orton vs Daniel Bryan: Triple H as the special guest referee. SummerSlam 2013

Over the years, WWE fans have grown accustomed to expecting the unexpected from the Stamford-based promotion’s booking. However, now and then, WWE throws a spanner in the works. That is what happened in the 2013 SummerSlam PPV when Daniel Bryan thought he was the new WWE champion after pinning John Cena cleanly.

But, Mr. Money in the Bank at the time, Randy Orton cashed in his briefcase to the special guest referee Triple H. He made short work of Bryan and quickly became the new WWE champion. It was the case of so near yet so far for Bryan and his vast fandom.

4.  Brock Lesnar vs John Cena: SummerSlam 2014.

In a rematch of their 2012 clash, Brock Lesnar came up against the WWE champion John Cena in the 2014 SummerSlam PPV. Unlike their last meeting, Lesnar ended up winning this time. The Beast Incarnate tamed Cena to win the WWE title and continued his stellar run of 2014, the same year in which he ended The Undertaker’s twenty-one-match winning streak at WrestleMania XXX.

3. Charlotte Flair vs Carmella and Becky Lynch: SummerSlam 2018

Carmella had successfully cashed in her Money in The Bank contract earlier in the year against Charlotte Flair to win the women’s championship. It was Flair’s turn to vie for the title at 2018’s SummerSlam event, but this time, Becky Lynch was an extra obstacle for her. ‘The Queen’ performed admirably in the match and regained the women’s championship by pinning Lynch, winning her seventh women’s championship in the process.

2. Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar: SummerSlam 2018

There is never a dull moment when Brock Lesnar comes up against Roman Reigns. That was the case when the two heavyweights collided for Lesnar’s Universal title at SummerSlam 2018. The encounter was a slobber knocker from the word go, with Mr Money in The Bank Braun Strowman waiting to pounce on the winner.

Momentum turned in the blink of an eye as both performers displayed their terrific wrestling acumen. Ultimately, Strowman’s presence at ringside proved decisive as Lesnar attacked him to prevent a potential cash-in. Reigns took advantage and hit his fourth spear of the match to pin Lesnar and finally win his first Universal title.

1. Seth Rollins vs Brock Lesnar:  SummerSlam 2019

Another SummerSlam and another former Shield member challenged Brock Lesnar for the Universal championship. Seth Rollins also managed to slay the beast and won the top prize in a famous win.

SummerSlam is one of WWE’s top four PLEs of the year and has always given fans many memorable moments to cherish. Wrestling faithful will hope that long may it continue.