30 Greatest SummerSlam Matches
From WrestleMania rematches to wacky stipulations, we’ve seen some classics at WWE’s second biggest show of the year.
For the past 30 years, WWE has showcased some amazing matches at its second biggest show of the year. Whether via wacky stipulations or WrestleMania rematches, SummerSlam tends to stand out from the rest of the shows with an impressive lineup and compelling storylines. These are the 30 greatest SummerSlam matches.
If you want to pregame the biggest event of the summer, check out these classics.
30. Charlotte vs. Trish Stratus, 2019
In the closest thing to a plausible dream match you’re going to get in women’s wrestling, the two greatest Women’s Champions in WWE history delivered big time. Trish Stratus surprised Charlotte by not only showing zero ring rust, but also busting out moves she never did before, even hooking in the figure four with a yoga bridge. Of course, even in her hometown of Toronto, Stratus ultimately succumbed to “The Queen.”
29. Steiners vs. Heavenly Bodies, 1993
In the Steiners’ home state of Michigan, the brothers get a hero’s welcome as they collide with Smokey Mountain Wrestling’s hottest duo. In what was a down period for tag team wrestling, this match was a hybrid of old-school style mixed with modern energy and innovative moves. While Brock Lesnar was still eating his Wheaties, Scott Steiner was building Suplex City.
28. Tatanka & The Smoking Gunns vs. Bam Bam Bigelow & Headshrinkers, 1993
The monster trio of Bam Bam, Fatu and Samu proved to be a dominant force as they mauled Bart Gunn seemingly forever. It wasn’t a painful wait for the hot tag, though, as Bam Bam in particular unleashed a flurry of offense that reminds you he deserves to be in the WWE HOF. All three heavyweights took flight for a triple headbutt, but they all crashed and burned in a stunning finish.
27. Edge vs. Seth Rollins, 2021
Reality breeds the best stories in pro wrestling. Look no further than Seth Rollins targeting Edge’s surgically repaired neck and constantly trying to end his career once and for all with the Curb Stomp. The WWE Hall of Famer avoided disaster, rallying back with all his signature moves, as well as a Glam Slam for wifey Beth Phoenix. With so many near falls and counters, you couldn’t help but join the chants of “This Is Awesome!”
26. Hulk Hogan vs. Shawn Michaels, 2005
Whether you love this spectacle or loathe it, this dream match had everybody talking. HBK turned back the clock to 1997, becoming the hottest heel in the company for a couple months. After being told that the scheduled three-match series wouldn’t be happening, he also made it his mission to bump like a cartoon character in a mockery of the 50-year-old Hulkster’s power.
25. Ken Shamrock vs. Owen Hart, 1998
Paying homage to Shamrock’s UFC roots, WWE held the first Lion’s Den match, which took place inside a caged octagon in a theater connected to Madison Square Garden. The intimacy of the theater led to a louder crowd and subsequently a more exciting experience. Owen adapted to the MMA-style quite well, and Shamrock bounced off the cage like Spider-Man in an unusual, yet really fun battle.
24. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya, 2019
It’s a submission match, so they exchange holds right away, emphasizing the sport of “sports-entertainment.” Playing to their strengths, Natalya targeted Becky Lynch’s leg and “The Man” went after Nattie’s arm. At one point, Natalya locked Lynch in the sharpshooter while trapped in the turnbuckle (Uncle Bret would be proud of such innovation). Easily Nattie’s finest performance.
23. Jerry Lawler vs. Bret Hart, 1993
After pretending to have a knee injury and having Doink the Clown substitute, Lawler got caught in the act and was forced to face The Hitman. The raucous crowd went wild as Hart pummeled The King around the ring, with Owen and Bruce cheering him on. It’s cool seeing Hart give Lawler a taste of his own medicine by pulling down the strap and hitting a piledriver.
22. Mankind vs. Triple H, 1997
Definitely an underrated cage match, as Mankind (unsurprisingly) took a brutal beating inside the old-school blue bars. After Chyna got knocked down for interfering one too many times, Mankind ascended the cage and paid homage to Jimmy Snuka by leaping off onto The Game. As Chyna tried to pull HHH out of the structure, Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy climbed over the top to the roar of the Jersey crowd.
21. Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar, 2015
Sixteen months after The Beast ended The Streak, Undertaker had come for revenge. The animosity between these two behemoths was palpable as Lesnar struck The Deadman before he could disrobe, sacrilege in WWE canon. They had a hellacious fight with Undertaker taking a major ass whooping, before giving the greatest GIF ever in his traditional sit-up. It’s a shame such a lame finish tarnished such a classic encounter.
20. Brock Lesnar vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns, 2017
No offense to Impact Wrestling, but this is a real Monster’s Ball. At his peak popularity, Strowman destroyed the ringside area, slamming Lesnar through two announce tables before dumping the third on top of his prone body. With Lesnar temporarily taken out, a new champion seemed certain. Of course, nothing can keep the Beast down.
19. Kurt Angle vs. Stone Cold, 2001
After tensions brewed for months, it finally reached the boiling point as Angle came into his own as the resilient American hero and Austin reached peak villainy as the desperate, sadistic king of the jungle. The overbooked finish keeps this out of the top 10, but you should still go out of your way to see the night Angle cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with.
18. Batista vs. John Cena, 2008
In their first-time encounter on WWE TV, the two biggest stars of the 2000s finally collided in a heavyweight superfight. As these two fan favorites traded knockout blows, the crowd remained loud for the entire clash. The finish was surprising as Super Cena had rarely taken a clean loss at the time.
17. CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy, 2009
In Hardy’s last WWE PPV appearance until WrestleMania 33, the Charismatic Enigma let it all hang out in this TLC match. Neither man showed any fear as their real-life differences fueled this barbaric brawl, in which grabbing the World Heavyweight Title came secondary to inflicting pain upon the other. An extreme spotfest for the backyard wrestling lover.
16. Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock, 2002
The Great One passed the torch to The Next Big Thing in this wild encounter which saw the Long Island crowd turn on The People’s Champ. With Hollywood in his immediate future, The Rock did his best to give back to the business by cementing Lesnar as an unstoppable monster. Realizing the stakes would never be higher, Paul Heyman got involved more than ever before, even taking a Rock Bottom through the announce table.
15. Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar, 2003
This marked a trend of WrestleMania rematches taking place at SummerSlam, only this time the roles were reversed: Angle was the resilient champion and Lesnar was the desperate challenger who sold his soul to Mr. McMahon. Whenever these two locked up, you were guaranteed a clinic. This one doesn’t disappoint, either, and has a stronger finish than their Mania encounter.
14. Test vs. Shane McMahon, 1999
Love her or leave her was the stipulation – Shane O’Mac didn’t feel that Test was worthy of his little sister. So he proceeded to recruit the Mean Street Posse and go to war with the big man in a brutal street fight. Sure, there is plenty of smoke and mirrors, but that’s the fun of pro wrestling. A rookie and a non-wrestler went out there and had the best match of either’s careers.
13. Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler, 2009
This was a cruiserweight match straight out of Nitro. Despite taking place only a few miles from Mysterio’s hometown of San Diego, Ziggler managed to win the crowd over with his incredible performance. They matched each other move for move in one of the most underrated bouts in SummerSlam history.
12. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon, 1995
Despite not being allowed to use the ladder as a weapon, as Michaels has revealed in recent years, the Kliq buddies made history yet again with another unbelievable match. It’s funny listening to Vince McMahon try and cover for whenever they broke the rule and “inadvertently” hit each other with the ladder. If they didn’t surpass the original at WrestleMania X, then at least they came pretty damn close.
11. Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude, 1989
The Ravishing One brought the best out of Warrior. They electrified every arena they squared off in, and the crowd here is ecstatic for Warrior to get his revenge from WrestleMania V. Warrior expanded his arsenal to include top rope action and Rude busted out everything he had to try and slay the face-painted lunatic. The finish was a bit weak as Rude got distracted by the Rowdy One, but the crowd loved it nonetheless.
10. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero, 2005
Ridiculous storyline aside, these amigos beat the shit out of each other in this ladder match. It was like the season finale of a telenovela as the camera cut to a concerned Dominick as his two father figures collided in a car crash. It’s also Guerrero’s last great match as he mastered the sinister villain role years before Heath Ledger, torturing his little buddy who won’t give up. Plus, the crowd was super into the drama, which embodied the fun absurdity of pro wrestling.
9. Triple H vs. The Rock, 1998
Seemingly rivals forever, this was the match that propelled each of them to the main event level. Unlike in the previous ladder match at SummerSlam 95, they were encouraged to use the ladder as a weapon, and by Gawd, they sure did. This was no spotfest – this was a goddamn fight as Rock targeted Triple H’s knee so he couldn’t climb. Unfortunately, the knee was legit injured and Triple H had to wait to capitalize on his victory.
8. Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect, 1991
In what was Curt Hennig’s last match for over a year, Mr. Perfect passed the torch to Bret Hart, igniting his incredible single’s run with this instant classic. Despite suffering from unbearable back pain, Perfect bumped all over the ring and made The Hitman look like a world champ.
7. AJ Styles vs. John Cena, 2016
With both men vying to be the best of their generation, this is perhaps Cena’s best match ever and certainly cemented Styles as a top guy in WWE. Dueling chants for “AJ Styles” / “Let’s Go Cena” gives this a big fight feel, and the knockout shots inside the ring complement the melody quite nicely.
6. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart, 1994
After Owen shocked the world with a clean win on his brother at WrestleMania, the King of Harts challenged The Hitman in a cage match for the WWE Championship. With the Hart family at ringside, the atmosphere was electric for over a half hour as the brothers struggled to escape the cage. Instead of a bloody grudge match as most cage matches are, this was an emotional roller coaster that kept you on the edge of your seat.
5. Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena, 2013
The Yes Movement was a living, breathing organism at this point, rallying behind the indie darling to dethrone the face of the company. Ever the pugnacious challenger, Bryan attempted to outwrestle Cena with various submissions and hard-hitting strikes. Of course, Super Cena refused to lay down, utilizing his strength and explosive power to turn back the challenge…until a running knee knocked out the champ in a passing of the torch (albeit briefly).
4. Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk, 2013
The Best in the World versus The Beast. In Lesnar’s best match since returning and Punk’s last great match, these two dual-sport athletes tore the house down in fantastic big man-little man brawl. With one eye on Heyman as well, Punk told an enthralling story of trying to get his hands on his weasel ex-manager hiding behind the unstoppable monster.
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H, 2002
Best friends, even better enemies. No one knew what to expect from Shawn Michaels in his first match back after four years away from WWE. In hindsight, we should have suspected that the Showstoppa wouldn’t return for anything less than perfection. The non-sanctioned stipulation allowed for smoke and mirrors, but ol’ HBK didn’t need them because he and The Game knew how to tell an incredible story.
2. Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz, 2000
The one that changed the game. In the first TLC, these three teams risked their lives to put themselves on the map, simultaneously elevating tag team wrestling as well as the hardcore style. Knowing the kind of damage it did to the performers in later years may leave you cringing, but this human demolition derby never gets old.
1. Davey Boy Smith vs. Bret Hart, 1992
A professional wrestling masterpiece: brothers-in-law competing for the Intercontinental Championship in front of more than 80,000 fans, most of whom supported hometown boy Davey Boy. Not to diminish the impact of the other matches on this list, but it’s really impressive to tell a riveting story without the benefit of weapons and blood. Hart and Davey Boy (well, according to Hart in his autobiography, Davey Boy was fucked up on drugs and forgot all the spots so he had to be carried) put on an amazing performance just using their body language, facial reactions and awe-inspiring athleticism.
It’s mandatory viewing for every fan and more than 25 years later, the match still holds up.
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