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MAGIC, MEMORIES AND MANIA: Top Ten Summerslam Matches of All Time
Aug 21, 2008 - 12:11:19 PM |
For over twenty years, Summerslam has been considered the WWE's biggest blockbuster of the summer. From its introduction in Madison Square Garden in 1988, it has provided us with some of the most memorable moments in recent wrestling history. From Ultimate Warrior obliterating the Honky Tonk Man's overlong Intercontinental Title reign to Batista and Cena facing off for the first time, it has been an event where magic happens. With Summerslam 2008 fresh in our memories, this column will take a look at the top ten Summerslam matches of all time.
10. The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar: Summerslam 2002
This was the changing of the guard match that was not to be. In the summer of 2002, the Rock was headed to Hollywood and Brock was considered the next big thing in the wrestling landscape. This match had the atmosphere of a major event and saw the crowd turn on the babyface Rock, which unfortunately led to an ill-fated Lesnar face-turn. The match was a showcase of drama and athleticism of two performers in their prime. Brock beat the Rock to become the youngest champion in WWE history after a back and forth struggle. The Rock would never come back to be a full-time wrestler, and within two years Lesnar would pursue other avenues as well. Lucky for us all, they provided us with this memorable match before their departure.
9. Bret Hart vs. "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig: Summerslam 1991
The summer of 91 was the beginning of a transition era for the WWF. Hulkamania was fading and the Ultimate Warrior proved that he was too unreliable to become the next hero of the wrestling world. During this time of muscle-bound cartoon characters, two spectacular technical wrestlers dazzled the audience with their incredible pure wrestling ability. Mr. Perfect, wrestling with injury, put on a gutsy performance to put over Hart, who showed signs of being a different type of centerpiece performer than the Hogans and Savages. This was the first great Summerslam match.
8. The Rock vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley: Ladder Match, Summerslam 1998
By 1998, the Attitude Era was in full swing and a group of up and coming stars were poised to take the WWF to an unparalleled level of success. Steve Austin was the company's top star, but in the undercard of Summerslam, two terrific performers showed that Stone Cold would not have to be alone in carrying the company. The Rock, then part of the Nation of Domination, and Triple H, then part of DX, were already hot characters in factions that generated tremendous audience reaction. The two were battling for the Intercontinental Title and their feud would be settled in a ladder match, where Triple H, with the aid of China climbed the rungs to victory. Apart from being a great match, it was significant on multiple levels. It proved that the ladder match could be a successful gimmick even without Shawn Michaels. It also elevated The Rock and Hunter to main event status and set the stage for WWF to demolish WCW in the Monday Night War.
7. Shawn Michaels vs. Hulk Hogan: Summerslam 2005
After his Hall of Fame induction in 2005, Hulkamania saw resurgence in popularity and fans screamed out for Hogan to wrestle "one more match." Shawn Michaels, having never wrestled the Hulkster, saw this as an opportunity to put another epic encounter on his resume. The build to this match saw a series of some of the most memorable promos in wrestling history from HBK. From his infamous mock Larry King interview to a twenty minute promo where he tore down a rabid Montreal crowd, Michaels exemplified the weaknesses of Hogan's ability, while focusing on his own strengths as the superior in-ring performer. He lived up to his own hype by putting on one of the most spectacular singular displays ever seen in the ring, carrying a 52 year old Hulk to a terrific match. Although the ending was a formulaic Hogan leg-drop finish, Michaels' performance was one for the ages.
6. Undertaker vs. Edge: Hell in the Cell, Summerslam 2008
Undertaker and Edge have been involved in the in-ring feud of 2008. This is a match that felt epic and lived up to the brutality and drama of previous cage matches while incorporating exciting new action. Although the spots were there, it also brilliantly told the story of Edge sinking to demonic depths to destroy the Dead Man. Undertaker, after being "retired" by Edge in an equally brutal TLC match a few months prior, got his revenge by beating the Rated R Superstar and then symbolically sending him through the ring to hell to burn. Both men looked strong, as Edge showed a more vicious side and showed why he is the best heel of his era, and Undertaker again made a case for being the best big man in wrestling history.
5. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart: Steel Cage, Summerslam 1994
To give you all an idea of what the wrestling landscape looked like in 1994, Undertaker faced off against a fake Undertaker in the main event of Summerslam. In the midst of ridiculous gimmicks and storylines that would make Mighty Morphing Power Rangers seem sophisticated in comparison, one rivalry shined. Bret and Owen had the best in-ring feud of the year, including the Wrestlemania X technical classic and this equally excellent cage match. Based on a simple story of a younger brother's jealousy over his more celebrated sibling, there was a real emotion in this battle. It was not as brutal as other matches in the cage, but the storytelling and psychology were impeccable. Bret won and solidified himself as the top star of the company, and Owen proved to be a potential main event player when called upon.
4. Edge/Christian vs. Hardyz vs. Dudley Boys: TLC, Summerslam 2000
In the midst of a thrilling rivalry between three teams, in the last heyday of WWE tag team wrestling, this was the match that took the level in-ring chaos and showmanship to a whole new level. This was the first TLC match, and the standard set here made it a future staple of WWE main events. It took spots from previous ladder matches and added a creativity and flair previously unseen in the WWF and, in the process, elevated every team involved. Edge and Christian and the Hardyz would eventually become strong singles stars based on their performances in this and their Wrestlemania XVII TLC matches. In an era where chaos and excitement was the norm, this stood out and stole the show.
***image1***3. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon: Ladder Match, Summerslam 1995
This was almost never to be, but WWF officials looked at the horrific card that featured Diesel against King Mabel in the main event and added this rematch. This single-handedly carried the show, as Razor, and especially Michaels, put on a sensational performance. They took their previous ladder match and played off of it as each wrestler adjusted to their opponents' offense, and incorporated innovative ways to use the ladder. Moonsaults and superkicks on a ladder were unheard of at the time. Michaels climbed the ladder to victory and his phenomenal charisma and athleticism were undeniable and pushed him to be the star WWF would build around. While their Wrestlemania X match is the one that introduced the concept to mainstream audiences, this match solidified the ladder match as a big money draw.
2. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H: Unsanctioned Fight, Summerslam 2002
It is amazing to think of now, but in the summer of 2002, wrestling fans thought HBK was finished as an in-ring performer. Even when it was announced that he would have a comeback match against his old friend and DX partner, fans were wary that he would not be the same. Michaels shocked everyone with a gusty athletic performance that showed he still was the Showstopper. The story was based on Triple H's jealousy of fans' perception that he still had not surpassed his former mentor, and he wanted to destroy him and finish his career. The Game was brilliant in his role as unremorseful bully in the match, focusing on Michaels' injured back. The psychology of the match was perfect as the injured Michaels valiantly took everything Hunter had, but persevered out of pure heart and won the match. In one match, Triple H proved critics wrong that he did not belong in the main event, and Michaels set the stage for his return that would see him once again become the top all around performer in wrestling in the ensuing years.
1. Bret Hart vs. the British Bulldog: Summerslam 1992
In a list where you see just about every major gimmick that WWE has introduced over the last twenty years, it is a pure wrestling match between two family members that takes the top spot on this list. Bret approached WWF officials before the match with the idea that if he and Bulldog were given the main event and suitable time, they could put on a classic for the ages. They did not disappoint. After over twenty minutes of some of the best back and forth wrestling ever seen, hometown hero British Bulldog won the Intercontinental Title in front of over 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. This contest was significant for more than just a belt, however, as it brought pure wrestling to the main stage at a time where colorful characters were featured over wrestling ability. With the steroid scandal looming, Bret Hart exhibited the skills to show that a smaller better worker could be the top performer in the company. It represented a shift in the company's direction to more exciting, agile wrestlers and better matches. For this reason, it is the greatest match in Summerslam history.
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