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WWE SummerSlam has made a name for itself for being one of the "big four" pay-per-views, second only to WrestleMania in terms of big matches and storylines. This year too, it promises to be "The Biggest Party of the Summer", despite there being question marks over the location because of the pandemic. Randy Orton will go up against Drew McIntyre, while Seth Rollins is set to face Dominik Mysterio in the two most anticipated matches on the card.
Despite not following a dedicated stipulation like Royal Rumble or Survivor Series, SummerSlam packs quite a punch when it comes to surprising the fans. Unpredictability often fuels the events at SummerSlam, which helps fill the lull that typically follows WrestleMania.
With less than two weeks left for this year's event, let's take a look into the five most surprising moments of WWE SummerSlam over the past few years.
#5 Finn Balor wins against Seth Rollins – WWE SummerSlam 2016
From being an NXT call-up to the first-ever WWE Universal Champion on his PPV debut, the rise of Finn Balor in the main roster was monumental. For the title match, Balor went up against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2016 after having defeated Roman Reigns.
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The two went back and forth in a frenzied contest, exchanging Pedigrees and Coup de Graces. The finish saw Rollins miss the Phoenix Splash off the top rope. The Demon took the opportunity to hit another dropkick and the final Coup de Grace to seal the deal and become the inaugural WWE Universal Champion.
What was more shocking than the action-packed match itself was what happened on RAW the next night. A heartbroken Balor announced that he had injured his shoulder during the match and was forced to vacate his title as he would take time to recover. It was a sad but unavoidable ending to a glorious contest.
#4 Brock Lesnar cutting open Randy Orton – WWE SummerSlam 2016
No one would have been surprised if Brock Lesnar clinched a regular win over Randy Orton at WWE SummerSlam 2016. But the way the Beast won left everyone wondering – did Lesnar do that on purpose? At the end of the match, Lesnar bent over his pinned down opponent, aimed his elbow at Orton’s face, and cut his forehead open with brutal strikes. The Viper started bleeding profusely, but that did not slow Lesnar down. He blocked Shane McMahon when he came out to check on Orton, and only stopped after hitting a signature F-5.
With this ruthless ending, WWE intended to convince the audience what they were showing was real, and it worked quite brilliantly. Rumors of Lesnar going off-script started doing the rounds almost immediately. Not just the fans, but many WWE officials were confused as well, since they were kept in the dark about the visceral finish.
Orton reportedly needed ten stitches for the laceration, but he healed soon enough. The WWE Universe, however, will take a long time to forget the utterly controversial ending of the SummerSlam 2016 main event.
#3 Randy Orton cashes in MITB contract – WWE SummerSlam 2013
SummerSlam 2013 set the stage for Daniel Bryan's incredible victory, or so it seemed at first. Bryan had built a strong fan base despite being an underdog. The WWE Universe was hoping to see him win the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2013. But no one was not expecting him to win against someone like John Cena. To everyone's surprise, he defeated Cena and the crowd thought that was it. But WWE had other plans.
The fans were taken aback when Randy Orton's music started and The Viper approached the ring, ready to cash in his Money in the Bank. But since Bryan was not down and out, Orton started walking away. That's where Triple H came in. Present as a special guest referee and a babyface at the time, Triple H hit Bryan with a Pedigree, much to the shock of the WWE Universe.
Orton then entered the ring, cashing in his briefcase and winning the title easily. This remains one of the most shocking moments in WWE SummerSlam history. Fans of Daniel Bryan were not happy with the outcome and it later saw the 'Yes Movement' reach new heights throughout the feud between Orton and him.
#2 Brock Lesnar destroys John Cena – WWE SummerSlam 2014
While ending The Undertaker’s undefeated streak was Brock Lesnar’s most shocking feat, the beatdown of John Cena at SummerSlam 2014 is something that will be remembered for a long time. WWE dubbed the match as the “biggest fight of the summer” and the contest lived up to the claim. The manner in which Cena lost to Lesnar was more shocking than his actual defeat.
Lesnar had the upper hand in the ring right from the get-go and dominated Cena in a way no one did before. The WWE Universe watched in stunned silence as Brock Lesnar destroyed Cena, one German Suplex at a time. They hoped to see Cena to make a trademark comeback like he always did. He even brought out his best weapon, the Attitude Adjustment, but Lesnar kicked out of it and went about demolishing Cena.
The WWE Universe was not used to seeing John Cena being toyed around with like this, but they did. Defeating The Undertaker at WrestleMania and now Cena at SummerSlam, The Beast Incarnate had slain two titans of WWE and walked away from this match with an air of invincibility.
#1 Shawn Michaels defeats Triple H in return match – WWE SummerSlam 2002
The return of Shawn Michaels was one of the best written WWE matches from a storytelling aspect. Michaels was out of the ring for four years as he was forced to retire after suffering a back injury in 1998. At the time, everyone, including Michaels himself, thought his career inside the ring was over. However, he returned as an even better wrestler and possibly in the best shape of his life. During his time away from the ring, he managed to fight off his demons, find God and marry the woman he was in love with.
In his return match, Shawn Michaels took on Triple H in an Unsanctioned Street Fight at SummerSlam 2002. Triple H was expected to clinch an easy win, given Michaels hadn't wrestled since WrestleMania XIV in 1998. The match gave the WWE fans everything they hoped for. In the end, Triple H held Michaels for a Pedigree, but HBK rolled him up for the pinfall victory. However, the real dramatics were saved for the very end.
As Michaels was celebrating his win, Triple H came at him from behind, smashing the sledgehammer across his back and injuring him as a part of the storyline. The fans were left aghast, allowing Triple H to successfully become a monster heel. The feud continued at Survivor Series a few months later and then at Armageddon. But the SummerSlam match is remembered by the WWE Universe for having the most rewarding and tragic moments of HBK's return all in one fight.
