Daniel Bryan vs John Cena for the WWE Championship-2013: My favourite SummerSlam match ever

A still from this great matchThere are many instances as a wrestling fan that I look back upon, and smile to myself. This isn't one of those instances. It's one that I look back upon and remember losing my mind and tearing up with joy, and minutes later, almost tearing up with sorrow. I have my problems with 2013, but when it was at its peak, it was amazing. On the same night, Christian and Alberto Del Rio tore the house down, and Brock Lesnar and CM Punk shook the world. For me, however, the main event will always be the match of the night, no, match of the year. There weren't many big spots, nor were there many signature moves. The thing that made this match special was its purism, it was simply a beautiful wrestling match, and it was also the start of something big. So, this being SummerSlam season, let's take a look at my favourite SummerSlam match of all time.

#1 The build-up

Brad Maddox: The man who started it all

On the Raw following Money In The Bank, General Manager Brad Maddox oddly decided to allow John Cena to choose his own opponent for SummerSlam.Cena, being the babyface that he is, chose the man who was backed by the fans, Daniel Bryan. Little Daniel Bryan, who had been called a goat, a troll, was now in the WWE Championship match at WWE’s second biggest show of the year. It was a story for the ages.

However, as the weeks progressed. Vince McMahon would openly show his dislike towards the match, claiming that Daniel Bryan was not “championship material”. He tried to convince Bryan that the only reason Cena chose him was because he thought Bryan would be an easy opponent. Triple H seemingly backed Bryan, and made himself special guest referee so that he could call the match evenly for Bryan.

Bryan, however, had his own arguments. He claimed that Cena is the best entertainer out there, but he is the best wrestler out there, and he would prove it at SummerSlam.

It was babyface vs babyface, but this instantly clicked!

#2 The match

What a moment!

The match was well paced from start to finish. Going in, John Cena had a torn muscle on his left arm, which Bryan would exploit later in the match.

Both men would mat wrestle in the early goings, with exchange of control. Eventually, Bryan would get knocked off the apron, hard on to the announce table, and would respond by Irish Whipping Cena into the steel steps.

That was pretty much everything that happened outside the ring in this match. Almost everything else that followed was between the ropes, but that took nothing away from the match. In a way, it made it better.

It’s very rare in the modern era that a match so heavy on submissions is so well received, but this match was exactly that. Bryan would target the left arm of Cena, and at one point it looked like Cena was out cold. Outside of this, there were some top rope spots, to which Bryan emerged victorious most of the time. Cena did hit his Attitude Adjustment once, but failed to prevail.

After a series in which both men exchanged blows and were simultaneously down, Bryan delivered a kick to Cena’s head. While he recovered, Bryan chanted ‘Yes’, and as he got to his feet, Bryan debuted his High Knee, and Cena stayed down for three. Daniel Bryan had done it. He had become WWE Champion. Everyone was overjoyed, celebrating and cheering, but that wasn’t the end of it (sadly).

#3 The aftermath

Just before millions of hearts broke

Right after the match, Mr Money In The Bank, Randy Orton, came down to the ring, and Triple H, who everyone thought was on Daniel Bryan’s side, turned heel and delivered a Pedigree, handing Orton the victory.

It was arguably the most heart-breaking cash-in ever.

However, that did begin something huge. The Authority was formed, and Daniel Bryan’s eight-month struggle leading in to WrestleMania XXX was ignited. One pay-off was killed, but another was formed.

Also, looking at the bigger picture, The SHIELD might not have feuded with Evolution had Daniel Bryan not been in the main event of WrestleMania. WWE today could be a lot different, if it wasn’t for Randy Orton’s cash-in.

I may have reached for the stars in that last paragraph, but I have a feeling I’m right. This, combined with the sheer masterpiece that the match was, is why I consider this match to be my favourite SummerSlam match of all time.