Talking about the biggest party of the summer, every party has its ups and downs, and SummerSlam is no exception. After WrestleMania, it has probably the second most hype, and in terms of the quality of the show, WWE focuses on pulling off a great experience. But amidst that attempt, sometimes they create something extraordinary and sometimes they fail.
Here is a list of three of the best and three of the worst matches in the history of SummerSlam.
6. Worst: Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (2017)
In terms of the match, it might not be one of the worst on the list, but what makes it so bad is the build-up. From abysmal roasts to insufferable television, this rivalry sucked between Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura. Defeating Randy Orton, Jinder Mahal became the champion of the company and will be remembered as one of the worst champions. Fans were tired of Jinder in a couple of months, and Nakamura was a fan favorite. So fans were completely let down when Jinder became victorious. Upsets are important in wrestling, but fans didn’t treat it as one; this match is definitely one of the worst bouts in SummerSlam history.
5. Best: Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (1994)
Brother vs. Brother—this tagline is enough to build the hype for a match, and a match involving the Hart Foundation is always a big hit. The 1994 SummerSlam not only gifted us the best Brother vs. Brother match in WWE, but it also gave us closure in the rivalry. The match is like a movie; it had a rise and fall, and Bret Hart and Owen Hart delivered one of the greatest matches in SummerSlam history. Plus, steel cage matches are always a hit or miss, and this one just hit hard.
4. Worst: Ivory vs. Tori (1999)
Why should men have all the fun, right? A WWE Women’s Title match—you would expect WWE to make it special. But the 1999 SummerSlam will be notorious for Ivory and Tori clashing in one of the worst women’s matches in SummerSlam history. Though neither are fundamentally bad wrestlers, it was just a bad night. The fans weren’t excited about the match, and they definitely had a reason.
3. Best: John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan (2013)
Call John Cena boring or whatever you want; whenever he gets a chance, Cena proves that he is one of the very best wrestlers in WWE. And Daniel Bryan can work with anyone. So, when John Cena and Daniel Bryan clashed, they resulted in one of the best matches in the history of WWE SummerSlam. The WWE Championship match didn’t disappoint, and the ending of it is part of one of the most iconic cash-ins. Daniel Bryan was the company’s top babyface, and he needed to hold the title. Though he won, he didn’t hold it for long as Randy Orton cashed in.
2. Worst: The Undertaker vs. The Undertaker (1994)
Sorry, Undertaker, but the 1994 match was absolutely forgettable. SummerSlam of 1994 reached a level with the match between Bret and Owen. And a match between two Undertakers was not going to outshine it. This real vs. impostor match is probably one of the worst matches in the legend’s career and is our pick for the worst match in SummerSlam history. Despite both being Undertakers, they had no chemistry, resulting in one of the worst ventures for the Dead Man.
1. Best: Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk (2013)
Brock Lesnar and CM Punk, the stage was SummerSlam, and the pair delivered probably the best match in the history of SummerSlam. A battle between two of the best Paul Heyman guys—the marquee was written all over it. And being on the same night as Daniel Bryan vs. Cena, it had to be good. And Brock and Punk delivered. Brock Lesnar does have a strong SummerSlam record, and delivering one of the best matches just proves why he is one of the best WWE has ever had. On the other hand, it is CM Punk. He will always be the fan favorite, and with the tension between the trio, it was destined to be a solid match.