Top five greatest WWE SummerSlam matches of all time

SummerSlam has given some of the best moments in the company’s history

WWE SummerSlam has long been regarded as the WWE’s second-largest yearly event. It’s the last — and largest — celebration of the summer, as the business tries to pack in its biggest and finest matchups after WrestleMania months ago. Throughout its 35-year existence, there has surely been a showcase of incredible matches.

Since its inception in 1988, SummerSlam has been one of WWE’s “big four” pay-per-views, alongside Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, and, of course, WrestleMania. Some of the biggest stars in wrestling have appeared at “The Biggest Party Of The Summer” over the years.

These huge stars made historic moments and participated in all-time classics on the big stage. A few wrestlers became WWE legends as a result of their performances at SummerSlam.

Here, we’ll take on the onerous task of ranking the top five greatest matches in the event’s history. Let’s have a look.

5. Daniel Bryan vs John Cena – WWE Championship (2013)

The tale of Daniel Bryan and the Yes Movement began at SummerSlam 2013 when the McMahon family called Bryan a “B+ player” owing to his unorthodox appearance for a WWE champion. It was up to John Cena to choose Bryan as his opponent for the main event that year.

Despite a torn triceps, Cena put on a fantastic performance in the ring, ending in a memorable bout. Bryan eventually overcame all Cena hurled at him before landing a decisive running knee finisher to win the WWE Championship. However, the night took a turn as Triple H turned heel and Randy Orton cashed in, overshadowing Bryan’s triumph.

Also Read: Top 10 interesting facts about WWE SummerSlam PLE

4. John Cena vs AJ Styles (2016)

After building a reputation for himself across the world for over a decade, AJ Styles made his WWE debut at the age of 38 in the 2016 Royal Rumble Match. WWE fans quickly fell in love with The Phenomenal One, who had his first feuds with Chris Jericho and Roman Reigns.

After losing both battles, Styles went heel and began feuding with John Cena, the ultimate top man. The two men had excellent chemistry and put on a show during SummerSlam 2016. Styles kicked out of Cena’s Attitude Adjustment twice before finishing him off with a Styles Clash, followed by the Phenomenal Forearm.

This feud, and especially this encounter, established Styles as a WWE major eventer. A month later, at Backlash, Styles captured the WWE Championship for the first time.

3. Hardy Boyz vs Dudley Boyz vs Edge & Christian – Tag Team Championship (2000)

There has been no progression of tag team wrestling comparable to what the Hardy Boyz, Dudley Boyz, and Edge and Christian accomplished in the Attitude Era. What they accomplished not just in tag team wrestling, but in the wrestling industry as a whole, will most likely never be exceeded.

Following their Triangle Ladder Match at WrestleMania 2000 a few months before, each team began to specialize in their preferred weapons, resulting in the first-ever TLC Match, which was essentially a modified version of the ladder match.

However, this match considerably eclipsed their ‘Mania encounter, resulting in not just another round of rematches, but also a whole program dedicated to the match. While not the finest of their TLC matches, it is undoubtedly one of the best SummerSlam matchups.

Also Read: Top five best WWE SummerSlam moments of all time

2. Triple H vs Shawn Michaels – Unsanctioned Match (2002)

When Shawn Michaels retired in 1998, WWE fans expected to never see The Heartbreak Kid again. During a short DX reunion on RAW in 2002, Triple H turned on Michaels by executing a Pedigree. Despite being out of action for years, Michaels challenged The Game to an uncontested battle at SummerSlam.

That night, the former (and future) DX partners shared an incredible story. Hunter relentlessly pummeled Michaels for most of the battle, and spectators were concerned each time The Cerebral Assassin struck HBK’s back. However, Triple H ultimately lost the match because he was more concerned with hurting Michaels than with winning.

Michaels managed to gain a surprise victory by countering a Pedigree into a bridging pin, but Triple H exited with a nasty look on his face after breaking Shawn’s back with the sledgehammer after the bout. The angle worked perfectly, allowing their hatred to continue.

1. Bret Hart vs The British Bulldog – WWE Intercontinental Championship (1992)

WWE hosted the most spectacular SummerSlam of all time in 1992. The event was held in front of almost 80,000 people at Wembley Stadium. The main event was the highlight of the program, as fans in London, England, couldn’t wait to watch their fellow countryman The British Bulldog challenge Bret Hart for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

The Hitman and The Bulldog entertained the audience for more than 25 minutes. Bret Hart was able to work a more heelish style without doing anything unethical or unlawful; he just delivered his maneuvers with a little more mustard and venom than normal, which enraged the audience. Bulldog won after turning a sunset flip attempt into a cradle, which resulted in one of wrestling’s largest pops. This is a real classic that will be discussed indefinitely.

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