Top 10 WWE SummerSlam singles matches

WWE SummerSlam 2015WWE SummerSlam is the second major Pay-per-view in the WWE calendar after WrestleMania. Every year, the SummerSlam match card is filled with many exciting matches and intense encounters. Since its inception in 1988, this PPV has always been a visual treat to the WWE fans. This year, SummerSlam will take place in Brooklyn, New York and the event will feature an epic encounter between Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker. At this point of time, let us recall 10 top rated SummerSlam matches that were fought over the years.

#1 The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar

It was in 2002 that something spectacular happened in WWE. Within 6 months of making his debut in the WWE, Brock Lesnar did the unthinkable. He defeated one of the biggest icons of the business, The Rock, in his first match against him. Add to that, he became the youngest WWE Champion in the history. WWE recognised the potential of Brock Lesnar and made this bold move. 13 years on, Brock Lesnar’s stature in the company is nothing, if not bigger ! This is probably one of the greatest WWE matches ever fought.

#2 CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar

CM Punk and Brock Lesnar ripped each other apart in the 2013 SummerSlam PPV in a match which was termed as ‘The Best vs. The Beast’. Two Heyman guys taking on each other in a PPV like SummerSlam had fans salivating. Since the return of Brock Lesnar, a couple of years ago, Punk is the only superstar who took Brock to the limit and almost went on to win the match. Thanks to Paul Heyman for interfering and saving the match for Lesnar. Have a look at the highlights-

#3 Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

Today, many of us are familiar with the phrase ‘Suplex City’. Do you want to know which superstar visited it first? The answer would startle you at the outset but you got to believe it. It was the 15 time World Champion, John Cena. Brock Lesnar took Cena for a ride to Suplex City by delivering 16 German suplexes and secured an emphatic victory over Cena. Many spoke about this match as the ‘Biggest fight of the summer of 2014’ but most people would remember this match as the one in which Cena got utterly atomized by the ‘Beast’.

#4 Edge vs. Undertaker

In 2008, Edge vs. Undertaker match was the main event of 5 PPVs including WrestleMania. These two superstars fought one of the greatest matches in SummerSlam history. This was a ‘Hell in a Cell’ match where lot of extreme action took place inside the ring. Remember Edge spearing Taker through one of the walls of the cell?! That was the best moment of the match. Then again, Edge spearing Taker on the announce table! How about Taker sending Edge through two tables with a Choke Slam?!The match had many nailbiting moments and it was the dead man who finally won, with a tombstone.

#5 John Cena vs. Randy Orton

John Cena and Randy Orton took on one another for a match for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2007. These two men have had numerous one on one matches throughout their careers but this match just laid the foundation to all those. As far as the quality of the match was concerned, WWE experts would rate it high because of the excellent chemistry both men have with one another. In a PPV like SummerSlam, it was an opportunity for both these superstars to prove their mettle on the main event stage and they did certainly did, par excellence.

#6 Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena

Talk about passing the torch and this match exemplifies just that. This match totally changed the landscape of Daniel Bryan’s WWE career. He was handpicked by Cena, a few weeks before SummerSlam, to face him for the WWE Championship. Bryan took Cena to the limit and secured a win over Cena with a high running knee. The special guest referee in this match, HHH ruined Bryan’s dream by delivering a pedigree to Bryan after the match ended and helped Randy Orton to cash-in his MITB contract. It was a sad night for Bryan but this match certainly helped Bryan cement his place among the WWE main event stars.

Have a look at the highlights from this match-

#7 Shawn Michaels vs. Hulk Hogan

One of the classic matches in 2005 was fought between Hogan and HBK at the SummerSlam PPV. The storyline for this match started on the July 4th 2005 episode of RAW when Shawn Michaels super-kicked Hulk Hogan after a tag team match. The stage was set and Michaels challenged Hogan for a match at SummerSlam. It was regarded as a match between an ‘Icon’ and a ‘Legend’. After a 30 minute long match, Hogan emerged victorious. After the match, Michaels extended his arm to Hogan saying that ‘I needed to know, and I found out!”. ‘The Immortal’ Hogan has preserved his legacy and Michaels on the other hand won the hearts of the WWE universe. Without a hint of doubt, this is one of the most epic SummerSlam matches.

#8 Rock vs. HHH

This match took place in the year 1998. This match was a turning point in the careers of both Rock and Triple H. It was a ‘Ladders match’ for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. In the weeks prior to SummerSlam, a lot of drama took place between Triple H, The Rock , Mark Henry and Chyna. This match was a show stealer back then. Neither of the superstars displayed extraordinary acrobatic abilities, nonetheless the match was physically draining. In the closing moments of the match, when the Rock was just about to take his title, Chyna attacked him with a low blow and helped HHH to secure a victory and also the title.

#9 HHH vs. HBK

Think about best friends in WWE and the first pair that strikes in your mind is HHH and HBK. These two guys have been incredible in the business and their faction DX is something that has a legendary history. Imagine a fight between these two at a PPV like SummerSlam! That too a Street Fight! You cannot ask for more as a WWE fan. This match was a gruelling 35 minute contest and Shawn Michaels emerged victorious at the end of the night. Chairs, Trash Cans, Ladders, Tables, Sledge Hammers, Stairs- name any lethal weapon used in a street fight- you have them all here. This match is regarded as one of the most brutal WWE matches ever fought. Have a look at the highlights of the match-

#10 . John Cena vs. Batista

This match took place in 2008. This was not a Championship match but a match in which two big icons of the industry locked horns. During the match, Batista used the Figure 4 leg lock, the signature move of Ric Flair, on Cena and Cena broke the hold. Cena delivered an AA over the top rope and also a five knuckle shuffle. Cena locked in the STFU on Batista for nearly 60 seconds and ‘The Animal’ somehow managed to break the hold. During the closing moments of the match, Batista delivered a power bomb on a high flying Cena outta nowhere and followed it up with a vicious ‘Batista Bomb’ and secured the win. Have a look at the video-