5 best opening matches in WWE SummerSlam history

#4. Rey Mysterio vs Dolph Ziggler - Intercontinental Championship (SummerSlam 2009)

The first major match for Ziggler at a Big Stage.

Dolph Ziggler has been a constant fixture of the SummerSlam card ever since his debut back in 2008, having been part of all but two events in the subsequent decade. He has challenged for the WWE Title and the Intercontinental Title, defended the Intercontinental Title, been part of Intergender matches and was even part of a glorified squash last year. His love affair with the opening match at the pay per view, however, presents a very intriguing picture.

The Showoff has been part of five opening matches in SummerSlam history, all of which range from good to great from in-ring perspective. The first of them, in 2009, brought the then young talent to the limelight. Determined to win the Intercontinental Title from Rey Mysterio, who had already defeated him at Night of Champions, the future showoff challenged the masked legend to another match at the biggest event of the summer.

Opening the show in Los Angeles, the two highly gifted stars had a barn burner of a match. Mysterio was already in the form of his life, having defeated Chris Jericho merely months ago, and he gave his all to make the young Ziggler look like a million bucks. Non stop action took place for nearly 15 minutes between the opening and closing bell, with both superstars giving everything they had that night. Even though Mysterio got the best of his opponent and left SummerSlam in Los Angeles with the Intercontinental Title, it was Dolph who earned the most with this amazing clash.