SummerSlam is considered one of the biggest events of the professional wrestling calendar, and continues to be a chance for WWE to showcase some of their best performers in the most anticipated of matchups. So with this years monumental SummerSlam (the first since the draft split) fastly approaching, I’m taking a look back at 5 of my favourite matches of WWE’s ‘blockbuster of the Summer’.
2008 – Chris Jericho vs. John Cena (WWE Championship)
When two of the best in ring entertainers face off, you know you’re in for a treat. As a huge Jerichoholic myself, any time Chris Jericho steps in the ring, I’m entertained, but what I personally enjoyed about this match was the way the two competitors were able to tell a story throughout the bout. A very underrated pairing inside the squared circle, I feel the two complement each others styles very well, without overshadowing the other.
This turned out to be Chris Jericho’s last WWE appearance at a major WWE event for 2 years, and he went out on a high with this one, arguably one of Y2J’s best bouts during his wrestling career.
The match lasted 15 minutes with Cena hitting the FU (now known as the Attitude Adjustment) picking up the victory, and retaining the WWE Title in the process.
2005 – Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero (Ladder Match)
I do love a good ladder match, two superstars competing for a title which is hanging above the ring. Not in this case, however. What made this match intriguing, is that the prize for this match was actually custody papers of Rey Mysterio’s son Dominick.
Yes, that’s right, WWE had custody of a child decided during a match.
When people look back at the late, great Eddie Guerrero, this feud with Mysterio is often cited as some of Guerrero’s best work, certainly during his time with WWE. The two built up such a rivalry that this was a must see match, and it didn’t disappoint.
I remember being really nervous watching this rollercoaster contest between the two, worried for the chance of Mysterio losing the rights to his own son.
Of course I had no reason to be worried as thanks to an aiding Vickie Guerrero, Rey was able to climb the ladder and retrieve what was rightfully his, much to the relief of everyone watching.
2013 – John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
This was a good match, there’s no doubting that, but I think what I loved the most about it was the story the two of them told in the process. I’ve already mentioned John Cena’s storytelling ability in and out of the ring, and this time it was Daniel Bryan on the opposite end.
Having personally chosen Bryan as his opponent for the Summer blockbuster, the story was that Cena was undermining Bryan, deeming him not up to the challenge. Of course this infuriated Bryan, who hit back claiming had become a parody of himself, and the two would face off for the WWE Championship.
Prior to this match, Triple H had inserted himself into the match as the ‘Special Guest Referee’, which added an extra sense of intrigue surrounding the match. I had a feeling there would be a reason for Triple H’s involvement in the match, and I had my suspicions that he would turn on Daniel Bryan with Cena being non the wiser. However, the ending result of the match was Daniel Bryan picking up a clean victory over Cena much to my shock, but as Bryan celebrated I kept questioning, “why is Triple H still in the ring?”, “Why isn’t Bryan turning around?”.
As the celebratory confetti rained down and Bryan celebrated his title victory on the turnbuckle, the familiar theme of Randy Orton echoed around the arena, and out came Mr Money In The Bank.
Would he? Could he? Then there it was, Triple H answered the question, stunning the WWE Universe by hitting a Pedigree on the new WWE Champion, leaving him laying flat in the ring for an opportunistic Orton to capitalise on, cashing in his briefcase and sticking a knife through the fairytale ending of Daniel Bryan.
2002 – Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (Street Fight)
One of the most iconic rivalries in WWE history, ironically between one of the most iconic duos in WWE history. When Triple H attacked Michaels in 2002 leaving ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ wheelchair bound, and out for revenge. In arguably the feud of the Summer, the former best friends and founders of D-Generation X squared off in a Street Fight at Summerslam.
Despite having not competed in a match in over 4 years, HBK showed no signs of slowing down, pushing ‘The Cerebral Assassin’ to the limit, and eventually after almost half an hour of battering each other, Michaels was victorious.
What was great about Triple H during this era is that I felt I could get fully invested in hated his character, he was the ultimate bad guy, which made me want to see him brought down by his opponents. This feud was one fans could really sink their teeth into, as it had passion, emotion, fire and heartbreak (no pun intended).
This match paved the way for a full time return to the ring for HBK, and a chance for ‘The Show-Stopper’ to prove that he still had plenty of gas left in the tank.
2000 – (TLC 1) Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz (WWF Tag Team Championships)
3 of my favourite tag teams of all time, coming together for the first of what became to be a groundbreaking matchup. Tables, Ladders AND Chairs, the signature weapon of choice for The Dudleyz, Hardyz and E & C respectively.
Those who enjoyed the match at the same years Wrestlemania were in for another spectacle as all 6 men put their bodies on the line once again for our entertainment and the WWF Tag Team Titles.
Granted, a lot of the high flying moves had been witnessed at Wrestlemania X6, but that didn’t mean they weren’t just as enjoyable second time around.
The trio continued to push the boundaries and take themselves to heights nobody thought were imaginable, and just as they had done 4 months prior to this matchup, it was Edge & Christian who took away the Tag Team Titles, in a match where all competitors could hold their head high.
The match was such a success that WWE even booked a TLC 2 at Wrestlemania X7 the following year.
What has been YOUR favourite SummerSlam match?
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