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The Summerslam main event may have always played second fiddle to the Wrestlemania equivalent over the years, but in terms of the overall WWF/E calendar, being able to close out the biggest party of the summer has always been seen as a huge deal.
If you can be left standing tall as Summerslam goes off the air, fans will know they are looking at you and seeing greatness.
We've now had 29 Summerslam main events in total, and here is the ultimate list ranking them all from worst to best.
#29 Team WWE vs. Team Nexus - Summerslam 2010
We all have our own opinions about wrestling matches, and any list that attempts to rank so many of them at once will essentially be totally subjective.
But if Pro-Wrestling counts for more than just the in-ring action, and if main events of big four PPVs are about signature moments and building to the future, then the main event of Summerslam 2010 between Team Nexus and Team WWE has to be considered the worst of the bunch.
The only saving grace is that the match signalled the return of Daniel Bryan after being initially fired. But that's where the fun stopped. The in-ring action was basically meaningless considering how the match ended.
The Super-John Cena monster reigned supreme and almost single-handedly buried one of the most exciting factions the company had seen in a long time. The business was left a much worst place as a result of this bout for sure.
#28 Diesel vs. Mabel - Summerslam 95
The WWF spent much of 1995 in the wilderness. The business as a whole was at an all time low with WCW still yet to find themselves and Vince McMahon apparently fresh out of ideas.
In a somewhat questionable decision, former Men on a Mission competitor Mabel was chosen to win the 1995 King of the Ring, and his reward was a main event match-up with WWF Champion Diesel.
Kevin Nash does receive a lot of stick for his limited wrestling skills and perhaps getting opportunities that he didn't deserve, but given the right dance partner, he could normally get to the end of the match without too much trouble. Mabel was not the dance partner Nash, or anyone, needed and the fans went home feeling pretty underwhelmed.
#27 Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake vs. Randy Savage and Zeus - Summerslam 1989
For everything the tag-team main event of Summerslam 1988 was, the match a year later was not. Despite having both Hogan and Savage in this, neither of the former Mega-Powers could hide the fact that Vince McMahon decided it would be a good idea to feature Zeus on such a grand stage.
The match was forgettable at best and did nothing for anyone involved. Even at the height of Hulkamania, the company could still make some terrible decisions.
In fact, the only thing you need to go back and watch when it came to this feud is the hilarious promo that Savage, Zeus and Sensational Sherry cut. Seriously, go check that out.
#26 The Elimination Chamber - Summerslam 2003
Almost everything about the Summerslam 2003 main event inside the Elimination Chamber was a huge disappointment. For all the Elimination Chamber at Survivor Series 2002 was, the repeat at Summerslam simply was not. The fact that the whole affair took less than 20 minutes is a joke in itself, but the real problem was who ended up winning.
The fans were clearly ready for Goldberg to take his rightful place as champion here, but unfortunately for him and everyone else in the arena, this was the Triple H burial era of the WWE and nothing was going to get past that.
This match was irrelevant but at least it had some decent action for the most part.
#25 The Undertaker vs. ''The Undertaker'' - Summerslam 1994
This bout from Summerslam 94 can be filed in the 'at least they tried' category. The Undertaker was clearly somebody the WWF saw as having a bright future, and it was right to try and place him in as many main events as possible around this time.
Unfortunately, we were starting to get into the New Generation era of the company and the writing ability just wasn't what it once was.
The fact that this match main evented a show that also had Owen and Bret Hart square off inside a steel cage didn't help matters. After the drama of that classic, nobody really wanted to watch The Undertaker attempt to carry a semi-talented jobber to a passable match.
#24 Yokozuna vs. Lex Lugar - Summerslam 1993
The fortunes of Lex Lugar during the period of 1993-1995 were enough to give you whiplash. At one point, the former Heenan Family member was being tipped as the next Hulk Hogan, the next he was floundering in pointless feuds and destined for WCW. In the midst of it all was the car crash that was Summerslam 1993.
According to rumours, this was supposed to be Lugar's crowning moment. Just weeks after powerbombing Yokozuna on the 4th of July, it appeared as though a brand new Hulk Hogan had been born.
Instead, Lugar won the match by count out, failing to win the championship in the process. The sight of him celebrating like that made him look ridiculous, and his fortunes, sadly, never really recovered.
#23 Shawn Michaels vs. Vader - Summerslam 96
It's a tradition as old as the company itself for the WWE's main event Superstar to eventually become overbooked and forced down people's throats. Even Stone Cold and The Rock have been on the receiving end of some fan hostility when they were placed in positions the fans no longer thought they deserved.
In the mid-90s, that particular status was owned by Shawn Michaels. Nobody could deny his abilities, but he was basically the only thing the WWF had other than Bret Hart, and his hold on the company and his influence in Vince's ear really showed through in 96.
Michaels vs. Vader wasn't a bad match from a technical point of view, but Shawn's attitude and approach to the affair made it one of the most frustrating. The sound of Michaels shouting 'Move, Move!' at Vader just ruined any notion that Vader was going to get pushed like he deserved to be.
#22 The Rock vs. Kurt Angle vs. Triple H - Summerslam 2000
When you have three legends like The Rock, Angle and Triple H in a ring together you would just assume the action was going to deliver. And while the in-ring work and drama wasn't particularly bad, there was just something off about this main event and that's why it features so low down on the list.
2000 was a strange year for the WWF. They managed to break away from WCW in the ratings and were now just doing whatever they felt like. Wrestlemania 2000 was a car crash of a show with various multi-man matches and a main event had that more to do with the McMahon's than anything else. Summerslam 2000 followed along similar lines with a triple threat match that had way too much Stephanie McMahon involvement.
This was the height of the Triple H ego trip with the focus being on him and his wife more than long term development of characters. Perhaps this would have been more successful as a one-on-one match between Triple H and The Rock, but whatever the case, this main event largely fell flat.
#21 Edge vs. John Cena - Summerslam 2006
On paper, this particular match up doesn't look too bad. Both John Cena and Edge were in their prime back in 2006 after having been chosen to lead the company into the 00s. Maybe this match features so low because of how badly it lived up to its high expectations. The match was just kind of 'there', nothing memorable about it at all.
This was also the start of the John Cena hate campaign, with the Cenation leader being booed in his hometown of Boston.
For two of the PG Era's top stars, we all expected so much more. If you were to go back and remind yourself how good Edge could be in the ring, this probably isn't the match to check out.
#20 The Rock vs. Booker T - Summerslam 2001
If you are a fan of the Invasion Angle in 2001, then this match would probably feature much higher on your list of Summerslam main events. But for a large portion of the audience who tuned into the Monday Night Wars on a consistent basis, the Invasion Angle proved to be nothing more than a confused Vince McMahon ego trip.
The main event of Summerslam 2001 between Booker T and The Rock, when taken as a pro wrestling match in its own right, was by no means a bad affair, but sometimes you just cannot take something out of context no matter how hard you try.
No disrespect to Booker T, but if you're building a big four PPV like Summerslam around the Invasion Angle, having these two in the main event would not be your first go-to decision.
Fans had pretty much spent the whole of 1996-2001 dreaming about different main events you could put together from both companies, Stone Cold vs. Hulk Hogan, Undertaker vs. Sting, Triple H vs. Rick Flair - all would have been instant money making bouts.
The Rock vs Booker T never really stood a chance of being one of the better Summerslam main events, especially considering the show could have been so much more.
#19 Triple H vs. Mankind vs. Austin - Summerslam 1999
Securing its rightful spot in the top 20 list is the 1999 Summerslam main event between three of the Attitude Era's greatest stars. The only reason this doesn't appear higher is that while the match was very good, the build up and finish to it were largely off the mark.
Fans will remember the convoluted way in which the company arrived at this main event, with Triple H, Mankind and Chyna all battling it out to face Austin. For a while it really looked like Chyna was going to feature on a big four PPV for the title, and it's still quite baffling as to why they didn't just go there with her.
Shawn Michaels and Shane McMahon were also trying to direct traffic and all in all it was a case of trying to do too much when the situation didn't call for it.
This should also have been Triple H's time to see out a big four PPV. If rumours are to be believed, it was Austin who managed to convince the boss not to pull the trigger on "The Game" as he just didn't feel like passing his torch just yet. Instead, Mankind came away with the victory only for Triple H to win it eventually.
For all the criticism WCW rightfully receives about the way it did business in 2000/2001, the WWE had its fair share of prima donnas getting in the way of doing the right thing as well.
#18 John Cena vs. Randy Orton - Summerslam 2007
By now we've all become used to seeing John Cena and Randy Orton at the top of the WWE mountain, and as far as most of us are concerned, it's all been happening just too damn long. Cena and Orton are a poor man's Rock and Austin, yet unfortunately, we got to see far more of them than we ever got to see of the aforementioned legends over the years.
That being said, their main event at Summerslam 2007 was probably the strongest match they ever had between themselves.
For better or worse, this was the right match up back in 2007. Two of the company's top stars going at it, one-on-one. It still strikes many of us as a surprise that the two have never met at a Wrestlemania, but at least they did main event here. The match was actually pretty good, and the John Cena-Randy Orton fatigue that we now all feel shouldn't be allowed to take too much away from that.
Maybe there will be a generation of young children who will grow up and look back on this as a really important moment in their childhood, which is why it does make the top 20. But it's safe to say both men probably had better matches in their respective careers.
#17 Shawn Michaels vs. Hulk Hogan - Summerslam 2005
Many will disagree, but this match comes in at a fairly central position owing to the fact that so many of us cannot work out exactly what we think of this one. Any occasion in which the Immortal Hulk Hogan goes head to head with Shawn Michaels ought to be treated with the ultimate amount of respect - unless, of course, your name is Shawn Michaels.
This was supposed to be one of three matches between the two, with Shawn picking up a victory along the way. For one reason or another, plans were changed and this ended up being the only meeting. Shawn, upset at the last minute change, brought out a side to him we hadn't seen since the mid 90s.
He oversold more than was necessary, deliberately jumping around the ring at the slightest touch from the Hulkster. Somehow, despite HBK's antics, the match wasn't too bad, but it could have been more.
#16 Chris Benoit vs. Randy Orton - Summerslam 2004
Back in 2004, Randy Orton was busy being shoved down our throats. The guy had all the talent and was still young enough to have the right attitude, but he probably could have done with more time in the mid-card division.
Unfortunately, the WWE didn't have much to work with at this time so Orton had a fairly clear path to the top.
Due to obvious reasons, this match has all been wiped from the memory of WWE folklore, but for those who remember watching it, the action was pretty solid.
Benoit always struggled to have a poor match and he was able to make Orton look better than he was. It's certainly a good enough main event to make the top 20, but not much more than that.
#15 Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton - Summerslam 2016
The most recent main event on the list finds itself roughly in the mid-way position. The match certainly left an impression - most notably on The Viper's head, and was a pretty standard day at the office for The Beast.
This was not long after the brand split following the WWE Draft. Orton was representing Smackdown and Lesnar was championing RAW. The build up had some pretty decent scenes with both men invading each other's show and Orton delivering his 'no enhancements necessary' line that caught everyone's attention.
The match won't be remembered for very long, but at the time it was definitely a passable enough main event.
#14 Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H - Summerslam 2012
The feud between Triple H and Brock Lesnar from 2012 felt a little unnecessary at the time. This was in the midst of CM Punk's lengthy title reign and John Cena's feud with the Big Show.
Triple H and Brock were basically put together because neither had anything else to do.
The fact that this main evented ahead of Punk's bout against Cena and Big Show annoyed quite a few people at the time, but the match was strong and gave Brock a signature victory against a legend on his way to the top of the mountain.
Both men have had better matches, but it still makes the top half of the main event list overall.
#13 The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar - Summerslam 2015
Out of all the matches on this list, few had a better build up than Taker vs. Lesnar at Summerslam 2015. After his shocking loss to "The Beast" at Wrestlemania, The Undertaker returned and cost Lesnar his match against Seth Rollins for the WWE Championship.
This led to weeks of intense action between the two as you could genuinely feel the animosity between them.
The match didn't quite live up to the hype, owing to Taker's advanced years and Brock's inability to wrestle the right kind of style to protect "The Deadman". The ending was also unnecessarily controversial. The two have definitely had better matches but considering the background to it and the initial excitement the pair raised, this features pretty high up.
#12 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker - Summerslam 1998
1998 was arguably the greatest year in WWF history, at least in terms of entertainment value. Stone Cold Steve Austin had finally reached the top of the mountain and with Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels out of the company, the responsibility fell on him to carry things forward and secure the victory over WCW.
There couldn't have been any other choice to main event than Austin vs. The Undertaker for the WWF Championship at Summerslam 98. This was in the middle of Vince's first major feud with The Rattlesnake but to the company's credit, the two legends were pretty much left to fight it out and see who the better man was.
Austin needed matches like this to cement his position as 'the guy' and while it does not make the top 10, Austin vs.Taker from 98 is a match to go back and watch.
#11 CM Punk vs. John Cena - Summerslam 2011
If it hadn't have been for CM Punk and John Cena, 2011 would have been a highly forgettable year for the WWE. The year started badly and ended in much the same way, but for a few months in the summer fans' interest for the product was at an all time high.
This was the conclusion of the 'Summer of Punk' storyline that saw the Straight Edged Superstar leave the company with the WWE title after delivering his infamous pipe bomb promo.
Cena and Punk had just put on the match of the year at Money in the Bank, and their Summerslam rematch was not too bad either. But without the Chicago crowd and the high stakes on the line, it wasn't nearly as good.
Also, this would have probably featured much higher on the list if the company had done the right thing and had Punk walk out the champion. Instead, we had to see an unwanted Kevin Nash return and an MITB cash in by Alberto del Rio.
#10 The Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude - Summerslam 1990
Everybody talks about the legendary feud between Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan throughout the early 90s, and rightly so, but what often gets overlooked from this period is the fantastic rivalry between the Warrior and Rick Rude.
Due to Warrior's standing in the company, he needed guys to work with who wouldn't make him look too green in the ring. Rude was one of those people, his style and in-ring work complemented the WWF Champion perfectly.
The two had already proven themselves worthy of being featured on the Summerslam card after delivering a brilliant IC title match at Summerslam 89. This time it was for the WWF Championship in the main event.
For a second time in a row, Rude carried the Warrior to a match better than we thought him worthy of and for this reason, the bout deserves to be treated with respect.
#9 John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar - Summerslam 2014
As we move into the top 10 Summerslam main events, we come across one of the most memorable matches in the history of the PPV. John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar was not so much a match as a complete destruction of the 16-time World Champ.
Due to Daniel Bryan's injuries, Cena was inserted into the title picture and took the beating that was probably reserved for the leader of the YES movement. Due to the anti-John Cena sentiment that pervades the WWE Universe, most fans loved every second of this main event.
Lesnar needed something to complement his recent Wrestlemania victory over The Undertaker, and taking out a legend in such easy fashion was more than enough. This was a really fun match and stands as a true highlight of Brock's recent run with the company.
#8 The Undertaker vs. Bret Hart - Summerslam 1997
In the second half of 1997, the WWF were doing everything right. So many of their main storylines, for example, were well thought out and pieced together. Bret Hart vs The Undertaker in the main event of Summerslam that year, as well as being a great contest in its own right, also paved the way for two of 1997's most important matches.
Shawn Michaels was the special guest referee and was forced to count his rival to victory after accidentally hitting The Deadman over the head with a steel chair. Shawn would then go on to face Taker in the first ever Hell in a Cell match and eventually screw Bret Hart out of the WWF Championship at Survivor Series.
While the company were still getting Steve Austin ready for the main event, the WWF was all about Bret, Shawn and Taker, and putting them together in the ring for that year's Summerslam led to nothing but gold.
#7 John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan - Summerslam 2013
There was something about Daniel Bryan back in 2013 that fans were drawn to. He was the most exciting prospect many had seen in a long time, and following a highly entertaining feud and partnership with Kane, we all knew he was ready to headline on a bigger stage.
John Cena hand picked Bryan to be his opponent for Summerslam 2013 and the two went out and delivered in a big way.
This was a classic confrontation, showcasing Bryan's highly advanced wrestling skills and John Cena's ability to bring his A game when it was called for. After Punk and Lesnar had threatened to steal the show an hour earlier, these two were not fazed and proceeded to prove the bookers right in their decision to put them on last.
This match will also be remembered for kicking off the Daniel Bryan and Authority angle that led to his coronation as champion at Wrestlemania 30.
#6 Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth's wedding - Summerslam 1991
Anyone who thinks professional wrestling is all about the in-ring action clearly hasn't watched Summerslam 1991. True, when you decide to put a wedding ceremony as your main event rather than a championship match, you run the risk of upsetting a lot of people. But when that ceremony involves Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth, normal proceedings must be parked to one side.
This came off the back of the highly emotional on-screen reunion between the two at Wrestlemania 7. Savage then proposed to Elizabeth shortly after and the stage was set.
Summerslam 91 was billed as having 'a match made in hell' featuring Hogan and Warrior taking on the Iraqis, and a 'match made in heaven', finally establishing the most popular relationship in wrestling history. Sometimes you can finish off a show in style without a single bell being rung.
#5 Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage vs. Ted Dibiase and Andre the Giant - Summerslam 1988
Kicking off our top 5 is the first ever Summerslam main event featuring The Mega Powers of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, and the widely despised pairing of Ted Dibiase and Andre the Giant known as the Mega Bucks.
The was a follow on from Wrestlemania 4 and Savage's victory over Dibiase in the main event for the WWF title. Savage and Hogan were easily pro-wrestling's most popular tag team and nobody else could have kicked off the Summerslam PPV quite like them.
Dibiase and Andre were obviously legends in their own right, and with the involvement of both Miss Elizabeth and Jesse Ventura, this had all the makings of a classic before a single punch was thrown. And if that wasn't enough, we all remember the spot where Elizabeth tore off her skirt to help her team to victory.
#4 The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar - Summerslam 2002
Summerslam 2002 is generally considered one of the best of all time, and in large part, it's because of its main event. Admittedly, both Brock Lesnar and The Rock have had better matches in their time, but at least as far as Lesnar is concerned, this was one of their most important.
WWE has had some great passing of the torch moments throughout its history but due to time constraints or certain people preferring to play politics as opposed to helping the business, they're not always possible. This is an example of a passing of the torch moment done correctly.
This match had such high energy and drama from the very start, which is surprising considering a number of great matches the crowd had already sat through with this show.
They clearly wanted to see a new champion be crowned, and despite still being widely popular with the audience, The Rock simply had to give away and allow a new generation to emerge. A very solid match from two of WWE's biggest all time attractions.
#3 The Undertaker vs. Edge - Summerslam 2008
Even at the height of the John Cena/PG era, the WWE could still put together a strong, captivating feud or two. One such example from 2008 was Edge vs The Undertaker. They'd just capped off a very impressive Wrestlemania 24 show and were now meeting in the main event of Summerslam inside Hell in a Cell.
This was a really entertaining match that deserves its place in our top three. It felt very much like an old school HIAC affair, with just the right amount of weapons and TLC equipment to make it work.
On his day, Edge was one of the best sellers the company had and despite Undertaker never really needing anyone to make him look good, the two complemented each other perfectly and just gave off so much chemistry from start to finish. The ending with Edge being chokeslammed through the mat and the sight of flames bursting out will also live on for quite some time.
#2 CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy - Summerslam 2009
It's been said before and it'll be said again, the rivalry between CM Punk and Jeff Hardy from 2009 was the greatest piece of business to come out of the PG era. Not only did we see an MITB cash in, a much needed CM Punk heel turn and the eventual suspension of Jeff Hardy, but the two also had brilliant matches in between all the drama as well.
The best of the bunch came at Summerslam 2009 in this fantastic TLC match. We all remember the Swanton Bomb onto the announce table towards the end of the match, and the desperate clawing from both men to try and reach the top of the ladder and retrieve the belt.
All throughout you could just feel the real life animosity between these two, which always makes pro wrestling that much more entertaining. Punk came away with the win here and immediately jumped into his next feud with The Undertaker after a surprise return from the Phenom after the match had ended.
#1 Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog - Summerslam 1992
Whenever Summerslam season comes around, you'll no doubt get used to seeing various fan-made lists of the greatest matches, moments and main events in the show's history. And there's a very good reason why Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog normally tops them all. Perhaps you need to be of a certain age to be able to appreciate this one fully, but even the youngest WWE fan in 2017 can recognize brilliance when they see it.
Even when you strip away all of the layers to do with the Hart family feud and the fact that Bulldog was being celebrated by nearly 80,000 of his fellow Brits, this match was a technical masterpiece that will live on through the ages.
This was without a doubt Bulldog's greatest moment and when it comes to Bret Hart and having entertaining matches, what more can we really say? When you think back to all the great Summerslam shows over the years, this one always springs to mind more than any other.
