WWE SummerSlam 2016: 5 Of the best events in the PPV's history

It’s that time of the year again. The second biggest Pay-Per-View of the year happens this Sunday/Monday, depending on where you live. This year, we celebrate the 29th edition of this sports entertainment event, and whether you’re excited about Brock Lesnar vs Randy Orton, or John Cena vs A.J. Styles, or Sasha Banks vs Charlotte, or even Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins, we all know the event’s going to be off the charts.

What better way to celebrate this occasion by taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting past editions? If you’re a WWE fan (which you probably are if you’re reading this site), do try and binge watch these events if you aren’t into the mood for Summerslam 2016!

1. Summerslam 1992

The Fourth Highest Attended Pay-Per-View in WWE History

Every time the WWE goes to the UK, we see hungry and excited crowds. Nothing holds testament to this fact more than Summerslam 1992, where over 80000 crazy wrestling fans cheered for their own British Bulldog as he defeated Bret Hart in what was a wrestling clinic, for the Intercontinental title.

Even without Hulk Hogan (or maybe because of it), the rest of the card delivered. Shawn Michaels and Rick Martel wrestled for the affections of Sensational Sherri in a match where neither could hit the other in the face because it might just spoil their good looks. Amazing comic timing. We did not even mention the Randy Savage vs Ultimate Warrior, or Kamala vs The Undertaker matches. Go watch Summerslam 1992 today!

2. Summerslam 1998

   

   Legend fought legend, and new legends were born

After many lackluster shows through the 90s, Summerslam 1998 found the WWE at the peak of the Attitude Era. The crowds were hot, and the matches delivered. And how! The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin competed for the WWF Championship in what was a solid main event, and soon-to-be top stars Triple H and The Rock waged a battle with their bodies in a Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship.

But the match that unquestionably stole the show was the Ken Shamrock vs Owen Hart Lion’s Den Match. Amazing setting, great storytelling, and 5-star in-ring (or rather in Lion’s Den) work.

3. Summerslam 2002

The Beast was born in this event

Let us not tell you why this Pay-Per-View was good. You check out the card and judge for yourself. Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio, Ric Flair vs Chris Jericho, Edge vs Eddie Guerrero, Rob Van Dam vs Chris Benoit, and The Undertaker vs Test. Satisfied? Wait, we haven't even come to the main events yet.

Triple H and Shawn Michaels faced off in a street fight. And when the ‘next big thing’ Brock Lesnar faced off against the Rock, a new star was born that night. This is not just any PPV. This is essential WWE watching because every single match delivered. In terms of pure in-ring performance, perhaps the greatest Summerslam ever.

4. Summerslam 2009

   

   Some duds, but some epic encounters too

Now don’t blame us if you don't like the entire Summerslam 2009 card. We are certainly not asking you to watch the Kane vs The Great Khali match, but some matches on this card were off the charts. Dolph Ziggler and Rey Mysterio put on a performance for the ages, to kickstart this Pay-Per-View. This was Dolph’s first chance to shine and boy, did he deliver.

DX had an entertaining encounter against The Legacy, but the match that stole the show, and was probably one of the best matches of all time was CM Punk defeating Jeff Hardy (or Brother Nero, since Matt Hardy now owns all rights to the Hardy name) in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. C.M. Punk wasn’t the same star he would be until the pipe-bomb, but nevertheless he was World Heavyweight Champion this night.

Summerslam 2013

The Best vs the Beast, The Beard vs The Franchise

Much like most Pay-Per-Views in the PG era, most of this card won't stand the test of time. But arguably the two biggest stars of this era – C.M Punk and Daniel Bryan had their best matches at Summerslam 2013. Paul Heyman had betrayed C.M. Punk and aligned himself with Brock Lesnar yet again. The two prodigies of Heyman had an incredible, hard-fought NO DQ match, in which The Beast came out on top.

Similarly, Daniel Bryan took John Cena to the limit and dethroned the face of the WWE to win the WWE Championship. Then followed the highlight of the event; guest referee Triple H would turn on Bryan and allow Randy Orton to cash in with his Money in the Bank contract.

Kane also passed the torch to the new face of fear, Bray Wyatt, by letting him go over in the exciting Ring of Fire (Inferno) match.

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