One of the best events WWE has ever held is SummerSlam. It has always been one of the “big four” WWE events, along with Survivor Series, WrestleMania, and Royal Rumble.
Summerslam events have always managed to capture the attention of the audience. However, some Summerslam events ended up being etched in memory more than the others.
Here are the 10 most iconic Summerslam events that ever took place.
10. Summerslam 2020
At number 10, we have Summerslam 2020. This event was held in the WWE ThunderDome and saw Bayley successfully defend her championship, while Roman Reigns made a dramatic comeback.
9. Summerslam 2019
Following closely at number 9 is Summerslam 2019. An event hosted in Toronto, it was marked by Seth Rollins overcoming Brock Lesnar in the main event, and the unforgettable debut of The Fiend Bray Wyatt.
8. Summerslam 2016
Securing the 8th spot is Summerslam 2016, an event that occurred in the wake of the brand split between Raw and SmackDown. The main event saw a face-off between Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, while John Cena versus AJ Styles captivated the audience. Another highlight was Finn Balor clinching the first WWE Universal Championship.
7. Summerslam 2003
Summerslam 2003 without a doubt grabs the 7th spot. Being the first SummerSlam without a title change in seven years, SummerSlam 2003 was significant.
In a brutal battle, The Undertaker defeated A-Train, and La Resistance defeated the Dudley Boyz to maintain their title as World Tag Team Champions.
6. Summerslam 2014
Summerslam 2014 was a memorable event, and the reigning champs didn’t have a nice night. There were three championships up for grabs, and each title was transferred.
In the main event, Dolph Ziggler defeated The Miz to win the Intercontinental Championship, while Paige, at AJ Lee’s cost, achieved her second Divas Championship on her 22nd birthday.
5. Summerslam 2022
At number 5, we have the recent 2022 Summerslam. 2022’s Summerslam had a ton of shocks. In a rematch for the Raw Women’s Championship, Bianca Belair defeated Becky Lynch to keep the championship in the WWE.
After that, Bayley joined Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky in returning to WWE to create Damage CTRL. In a successful defense of the United States Championship title, Bobby Lashley defeated Theory.
4. Summerslam 2011
With incredible in-ring action, and an unexpected conclusion that saw a new WWE Champion crowned, the 24th edition of SummerSlam was also one of the greatest, and thus at number 4.
Interestingly, the first Six-Man Tag Match between The Miz, R-Truth, and Alberto Del Rio against Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, and John Morrison was captivating and fast-paced.
3. Summerslam 1998
Summerslam 1998 had the makings of an absolute thriller that has brought it to the top 3. In 1998, WWE advertised the prelim as “The Highway To Hell” in anticipation of the major main event showdown.
The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin, the two top babyfaces, squared off following a protracted buildup that also included Vince McMahon, Kane, and Mankind.
Taker lost to Austin in a close fight that fell short of each man’s hopes. The Rock and Triple H engaged in a ladder battle to defend the Intercontinental Championship, which proved to be the finest match of the evening.
2. Summerslam 2002
Shawn Michaels was just starting his comeback to action, propelled by Triple H’s treachery, and this comeback would ultimately solidify HBK’s reputation as the greatest in-ring performer of all time.
In the Undisputed WWE Title match, The Rock’s title gold was being challenged by a valiant newcomer by the name of Brock Lesnar.
The first-ever brand split followed by the first-ever Big Four pay-per-view. The Nassau Colisseum crowd saw the greatest stars WWE had to offer at the moment starting with the opening act.
1. Summerslam 2013
At first place, the most memorable and iconic Summerslam on our list, is the 2013 Summerslam. Daniel Bryan’s tale and the Yes Movement started at SummerSlam 2013.
Bryan’s unusual appearance for a WWE champion had earned him the designation of “B+ player” from the McMahon family. It was up to John Cena to select Bryan to face him in the main event of that year.
Cena gave an outstanding effort in the ring, which led to a memorable match. After enduring all that Cena had to throw at him, Bryan managed to secure the WWE Title with a decisive running knee finisher.
But the evening took a turn for the worse when Triple H turned heel and Randy Orton capitalized, casting doubt on Bryan’s triumph. Nevertheless, for a while, this critical juncture determined the course of the WWE.
These unforgettable Summerslam events have contributed significantly to WWE’s rich history, providing fans with memorable matches and moments.
