Best SummerSlam Matches
Greatness is always expected at the second biggest WWE pay per view of the year, SummerSlam. Many superstars have made career-defining moments with some of the most memorable matches in WWE history. Of the many great SummerSlam matches that have taken place over the years, 10 of them stand out as the best.
10. AJ Lee vs. Paige 2014
Two pioneers of the women’s revolution, AJ Lee and Paige had one of the most iconic rivalries in women’s wrestling. This rivalry stemmed from Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania when Paige defeated AJ Lee for the Divas Championship. With the roles reversed a few months later, AJ Lee reclaimed the Divas Championship by beating Paige at her own game.
Paige was looking to win back the Divas Championship at SummerSlam. Some of the best storytelling took place in this rivalry with everyone invested in the action. The match itself lived up to expectations. Both performers gave a phenomenal performance, clearly proving why they were the ones to start the revolution. Needless to say, SummerSlam was Paige’s house as she won her second Divas Championship.
9. Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss 2018
With Ronda Rousey just getting started in WWE, she was already looking to climb to the top of the women’s division. Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss had her hands full with the ‘Baddest Women on the Planet’ coming for the title. While the match was short, it was very compelling as both performers sold the story to perfection. After annihilating Alexa Bliss, Ronda Rousey emerged victorious to win her first Raw Women’s Championship.
8. Lesnar vs. Reigns vs. Joe vs. Strowman 2017
Four of the biggest powerhouse superstars were set to clash for the WWE Universal Championship. With the odds already stacked against Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, another stipulation was added. If Brock Lesnar were to lose, him and Paul Heyman would leave WWE.
All four competitors brought their A game in this battle for supremacy. After surviving this brutal battle, Brock Lesnar pinned Roman Reigns to successfully retain the Universal Championship. Surviving three gladiators was a tremendous accomplishment for the ‘Beast Incarnate’.
7. Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock 2002
Brock Lesnar put the entire WWE roster on notice with his unforgettable debut in 2002. Even in his early career, Lesnar was top-caliber talent. SummerSlam was a huge opportunity for Lesnar to win his first major championship after winning the King of the Ring tournament. The Rock seemed invincible until Lesnar stepped on the scene.
The rivalry between Lesnar and The Rock is one of the most iconic rivalries of all-time. It was like watching King Kong vs. Godzilla. Everyone recognized the greatness before them in these two larger than life superstars. With excellent storytelling and solid ring presence, Lesnar and The Rock stole the show. Brock Lesnar prevailed over the ‘Great One’ to win his first championship, the WWE Undisputed Championship. From that moment on, Lesnar’s supremacy could no longer be denied.
6. Edge vs. John Cena 2006
Who can forget the long, heated rivalry between Edge and John Cena? With many terrific matches between these two in 2006, their SummerSlam battle for the WWE Championship did not disappoint.
Before today’s relentless heels like Roman Reigns, Bayley, Austin Theory, and MJF, there were superstars like Edge who epitomized the heel role. With his girlfriend Lita by his side, Edge easily drew heat. Of course, every ruthless heel comes with a babyface, which in this rivalry was John Cena, the biggest babyface of all-time.
Being two of the best storytellers in WWE, Edge and Cena built on this epic rivalry and tore the house down at SummerSlam. After Lita assisted Edge in scheming, Edge retained the WWE Championship in true heel fashion. This is one of the many examples of why Edge is called ‘The Ultimate Opportunist.’
5. Edge vs. The Undertaker 2008
Once again, Edge was the biggest heel in WWE with General Manager Vickie Guerrero as his partner. Fed up with Guerrero securing World Heavyweight Championship wins for Edge, The Undertaker was ready to beat the daylights out of Edge in a Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam.
Edge and The Undertaker had quite the rivalry, and this was one of the most intense matches between them. Their chemistry was showcased in this brutal match. Edge brought ‘The Deadman’ out in The Undertaker as shown throughout the entire match.
After going the distance, The Undertaker hit the nail in the coffin, hitting Edge with the Tombstone Piledriver to win the match. As if that wasn’t enough, The Undertaker chokeslammed Edge from the ladder and set the ring on fire to seal the deal. True cinema was displayed in this one.
4. Edge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz 2000
Edge & Christian, The Hardyz, and The Dudleyz will forever go down as the greatest tag team rivalry of all-time. One of their biggest TLC matches took place at SummerSlam. Like their other TLC matches, this one was mesmerizing.
With the World Tag Team Championships on the line, these three teams pushed each other to the limits in this fun, hardcore battle. Natural chemistry was evident between all three teams which made their matches special, and this one was no different. Edge & Christian fought hard to retain the World Tag Team Championships in one of the biggest battles in their careers. What a night it was for tag team wrestling.
3. Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H 2012
The ‘Beast Incarnate’ vs. ‘The Game’; it doesn’t get any better than that! Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE in 2012 put the entire roster on notice, including Triple H. Their intense feud was just getting started, and SummerSlam was the perfect place for their first battle for supremacy.
Selling this match came easily for Lesnar and Triple H as many have anticipated this match for years. Having Paul Heyman as the advocate for Brock Lesnar made things even more intriguing. In a no disqualification match, these two beat the daylights out of each other. Thus, both competitors were reeling after this one. Brock Lesnar survived to defeat Triple H in one of the most extreme matches in both of their careers.
2. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns 2022
SummerSlam featured the last match in the Brock Lesnar/Roman Reigns legendary feud. After defeating Brock Lesnar earlier that year at WrestleMania, the WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns was looking to slay ‘The Beast’ once and for all. However, Lesnar wasn’t going to make it easy for him. In a Last Man Standing match, everyone anticipated a brutal battle between the two most powerful superstars in WWE.
To no surprise, fans were captivated throughout the entire match as both Lesnar and Reigns were ready for war. With everything Lesnar has done throughout his career, nothing compares to the moment in this match when he drove a tractor to the arena and lifted up the ring. What an exhilarating moment it was. Even though Roman Reigns retained the WWE Universal Championship, everyone was buzzing about the tractor scene.
1. CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar 2013
Two Paul Heyman Guys, CM Punk and Brock Lesnar were set to clash at SummerSlam. After Heyman turned on Punk at Money in the Bank sparking their rivalry, Punk was determined to get his hands on Heyman, even if it meant going through Brock Lesnar. Facing Lesnar is never an easy task. Obviously, CM Punk had his work cut out for him with an angry beast waiting for him.
Storytelling made this match special. CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and Paul Heyman effectively sold this match with their superb storytelling. It was cinema in the making. While Brock Lesnar emerged victorious, CM Punk didn’t make it easy for him. With great fury and demise, Punk brought the fight to Lesnar. Unfortunately for Punk, Lesnar was too much to handle. With all things considered, CM Punk and Brock Lesnar easily put on the best all-around SummerSlam match.
