10 greatest SummerSlam matches of all time

#3 Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs British Bulldog (IC Title Match) - SummerSlam 1992

"I was so mad at him, I kicked Davey right in the face." @BretHart tells a story of why he got so mad at British Bulldog during their classic #SummerSlam '92 match. pic.twitter.com/QCSHpvGvkZ

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 5, 2020

There has never been a more spectacular-looking SummerSlam like the 1992 edition. In front of a sold-out 80,355 fans at Wembley Stadium in London, England, Bret "The Hitman" Hart defended the Intercontinental Championship against his brother-in-law, British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith. This was the first time in WWE history that the IC Title would be defended in the main event of a Big Four pay-per-view. This match had a lot to live up to, but it definitely delivered.

Leading up to this SummerSlam encounter, the story surrounded whether the two men could keep this match as a sportsmanlike contest and not ruin their relationship as brothers-in-law. With Bret's sister and Davey's wife, Diana, in the crowd, the two men put on a technical wrestling masterpiece. Tremendous counter wrestling and expert storytelling throughout, Bret proved to the world how much of a ring general he was while Bulldog proved that he could keep up with the Excellence of Execution despite not being in the best condition.

August 29th, 1992: #WWE SummerSlam took place in front of 80,355 fans at @wembleystadium in London. 🇬🇧In the Main Event, the British Bulldog defeated @BretHart in a classic to capture his first Intercontinental Championship.@georgiasmith87 @NatbyNature @TJWilson @DBSmithjr pic.twitter.com/RB6iuEBU9g

— RetroMania Wrestling (@RetrosoftStudio) August 29, 2019

Bret tried to wear down the Bulldog using his superior wrestling ability while Bulldog kept Hart on his toes using his power and strength advantage. On a night where Ultimate Warrior took on Macho Man Randy Savage for the WWF Championship, there was no question that Bret versus Bulldog more than deserved the main event spot at SummerSlam.

For 25-plus minutes, Bret and Davey showed a level of technical wrestling not usually seen in main event matches at this time. In the end, it was Bulldog who reversed a sunset flip attempt from Bret to a pinning combination to win the IC Title at SummerSlam. Post-match, with emotions running high despite some hesitation, Bret shook the hand of British Bulldog then raised the hands of both Bulldog and his sister, Diana.

This SummerSlam classic not only was the greatest match of British Bulldog's career and one of the best Intercontinental Title matches ever, but was also the catalyst that led to Vince McMahon having the confidence to put the WWF Championship on Bret Hart. This incredible performance by Bret is actually his second best in the history of SummerSlam, though.