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SummerSlam is the second-biggest event on the WWE calendar, second only in prestige and importance to WrestleMania. The prestigious Premium Live Event has given the wrestling world some incredible memories for nearly four decades.
The British Bulldog's infamous victory at Wembley Stadium immediately comes to mind, as does Daniel Bryan's first WWE Championship win, followed by Triple H's massive betrayal and the formation of The Authority.
The show has also built a reputation for some surprise returns. Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Becky Lynch, and Edge have all made shocking comebacks recently at The Biggest Party of The Summer.
However, there is an equally underwhelming and forgettable side of SummerSlam's history, where WWE made a few questionable decisions:
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#5. Kevin Nash and Triple H killed "The Summer of Punk" in 2011
WWE fever was sky-high in the summer of 2011 due to CM Punk's infamous Pipebomb promo. The outspoken veteran cut a shoot promo on The McMahon Family that blurred the lines between fiction and reality. On the night his contract expired, Punk defeated John Cena and walked out with the WWE Title.
Vince McMahon introduced a new WWE Championship (the same Spinner version), which ''Super Cena'' naturally won. However, CM Punk returned with the original title and a new theme song. A Unification Match was set for The Biggest Party of The Summer, with Triple H serving as Special Guest Referee.
At SummerSlam 2011, Punk defeated Cena, albeit controversially, as The Champ's leg was under the bottom rope. But the night wasn't over. Kevin Nash returned and nailed the Undisputed Champion with a Jackknife Powerbomb, allowing Mr. Money in the Bank Alberto Del Rio to cash in on The Straight Edge Superstar.
The aftermath was controversial. Nash was in no physical condition to compete, and his rivalry with Punk somehow intertwined with another with Triple H. Awesome Truth also got involved, as Cena and Alberto Del Rio played hot potato with the WWE Title.
Much of the hype surrounding Punk fizzled out as The Game defeated him at Night of Champions. The storyline became a mess, as The Best in The World became a side character in his own story.
SummerSlam 2011 should have ended with Punk celebrating his win and no further shenanigans. If that had happened, The Voice of the Voiceless may have never left WWE in the first place.
#4. The Undertaker's controversial win over Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2015 drew criticism
SummerSlam 2015 revolved around The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar, 18 months after The Beast Incarnate ended The Phenom's legendary WrestleMania streak. The writing was on the wall: The Deadman returned to avenge the biggest loss of his career, and The Beast wanted revenge for Taker's interference at Battleground 2015.
The eventual clash was phenomenal in many ways. Both men were way past their prime, especially Taker, but they brought the best out of each of them. Unfortunately, the rematch from WrestleMania 30 is notorious for its inexplicable finish.
Lesnar had the Kimura Lock in place; Taker tapped out, and the timekeeper saw the submission. Yet referee Charles Robinson didn't catch it, and thus, the match continued. Amid the chaos, The Phenom struck a low blow and applied the Hell's Gate on Lesnar, causing The Beast to lose consciousness.
The Undertaker using low blows and tapping out was a rare and inexplicable sight. The Demon of Death Valley came across as a coward, antithetical to his mystical character. There was no harm or shame in Lesnar losing to the Hall of Famer, and WWE didn't have to go the cheap route.
The match, which saw Taker deliver one of his finest performances, is unfortunately remembered for a poor climax, which could have been avoided.
#3. Hulk Hogan vs. Shawn Michaels is remembered for all the wrong reasons
The main event of SummerSlam 2005 was meant to be legendary. In many ways, it was, but all for the wrong reasons. It was "Icon vs. Icon," as Hulk Hogan took on Shawn Michaels in a legitimate dream match. However, by the time the match was over, it was evident that backstage politics had marred the spectacle.
HBK oversold everything that The Hulkster did, to the point that it was laughable. Hogan proceeded as if everything was normal, and eventually went over Michaels. Unfortunately, the WWE Universe was more concerned with Michaels' actions.
Mr. WrestleMania soon became babyface again, and a rematch never happened. No one remembers Hogan's win, for it was unnecessary and implausible due to the overselling. Yet, fans still recall HBK clowning around the ring.
#2. ''Super Cena'' shouldn't have run through The Nexus
The Original Nexus, led by Wade Barrett, had the potential to produce some great stars. They burst on the scene in June 2010 and laid waste to the entire RAW locker room, especially John Cena.
The seven-man faction, eight including Daniel Bryan, who was fired, unfortunately wreaked havoc during the height of the ''Super Cena'' era. The 16-time World Champion amassed an impressive group of babyfaces, which included Hall of Famers like Edge and Bret Hart, to take down The Nexus.
At SummerSlam 2010, both teams were evenly matched, with Nexus having the upper hand towards the end with a two-on-one advantage against The Franchise Player. However, Cena, in all-too-familiar sight, prevailed against the odds, as he made Barrett tap out to the STF to win the match.
Later, media outlets reported that The Doctor of Thuganomics had the outcome changed in his favor, against the wishes of his teammates like Edge and Jericho. In hindsight, his teammates were right.
The win would have put The Nexus on the map, made Barrett a credible main-event star, and potentially led to another version of The Invasion storyline. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, as became apparent at SummerSlam 2010.
#1. Hulkamania shouldn't have run wild over The Legend Killer
Twelve months after his infamous match with HBK, Hulk Hogan returned to SummerSlam to end Randy Orton's Legend Killer tirade. The Apex Predator had targeted veterans, earning him the moniker, and had to face the ultimate one in the form of The Hulkster.
At SummerSlam 2006, WWE had the opportunity to create a mega villain in Randy Orton by having him legitimize his claim as "Legend Killer" by defeating Hogan in "Hulkmania" mode. However, the company chose to have nostalgia run wild as The Hulkster prevailed.
This was the Hall of Famer's final match with the company. Putting a youngster like Orton on his way out would have been the perfect way to close the chapter. Hogan didn't need the win, but The Viper could have gained nuclear heat and serious momentum from that win.
