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SummerSlam has always been one of the biggest attractions in WWE during the Summer months. Coming after a long gap post-WrestleMania, SummerSlam historically has seen some of the best cards of the WWE calendar year. Be it finishing a feud, or the start of one which could continue till WrestleMania, the show has it all.
This year's SummerSlam is set to have yet another amazing card, while also being one of the longest shows in the history of the pay-per-view. With the likes of AJ Styles and Samoa Joe meeting, as well as a rematch between Jeff Hardy and Shinsuke Nakamura, and not to mention Brock Lesnar taking on the 'Big Dog' Roman Reigns, there are some big matches on the card.
Over the years, SummerSlam has seen some amazing cards as well. On the eve of 2018's SummerSlam, let's take a look back at 6 of the best cards at SummerSlam.
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#6 SummerSlam 1992:
SummerSlam 1992 remains the only major WWE pay-per-view in the United Kingdom. The show is one of the best of all time, given the massive ovation from the British fans. More than any match, it was the entire pay-per-view which was at a legendary level.
Best Match of the Night: Bret Hart vs British Bulldog - This match saw two amazing faces confront each other with the crowd split in half over who to support. The British Bulldog's sudden win went over amazingly with the fans, who loved the fact that he pinned Bret. The post-match respect shown by both the stars only added to the importance of the affair.
Worst Match of the Night: The Undertaker vs Kamala - The fans did not expect much from the match, and for once The Undertaker met their expectations of disappointment. The Undertaker was good but there was not enough of a competition for the fans to be invested.
#5 SummerSlam 2008:
If there is one SummerSlam that is underrated, it is that of 2008. 2008 was the year that Batista and John Cena were brought onto the same brand for the first time, after having potential feuds between them being teased over the years. The two met in an epic encounter which did not disappoint in 2008.
MVP and Jeff Hardy and CM Punk and Bradshaw, both had good nights, but none of their bouts can be considered the best.
Best Match of the Night: The Undertaker vs Edge (Hell in a Cell Match) - The Undertaker and Edge finished a rivalry which had continued from WrestleMania 24, and had seen Edge with the help of La Familia cheat the Dead Man. On this occasion, they met inside the Hell in a Cell and had an epic encounter with both men giving it their all. The Undertaker won, but was not finished with Edge, and signalled the end of their rivalry by Chokeslamming him from a ladder through the ring, 'straight to hell', after which fire came from the hole. It remains one of the best Undertaker Matches of all time.
Worst Match of the Night: Matt Hardy vs Mark Henry - Matt Hardy battled Mark Henry for the ECW Championship, in a typical match, which did not help either of the participants. Henry was not at his best, at this stage of his career, and the crowd did not care much about the encounter.
#4 SummerSlam 1998:
Held in Madison Square Garden, SummerSlam 1998 was always going to be near the top of the list. The Superstars gave their all to have a SummerSlam that would see the meteoric rise of Steve Austin in the WWE continue. Jeff Jarret lost his hair to X-Pac, while Austin defeated the Undertaker on the night, but neither of the matches could be the best match of the night, despite coming close.
Best Match of the Night: The Rock vs Triple H - Both of the stars were up and coming and this was the perfect bout to help them to continue their rise to superstardom. Neither of them came out of it badly, and the added stipulation of the ladder helped them a lot.
Worst Match of the Night: Ken Shamrock vs Owen Hart - The two faced each other in a small cage, like an MMA cage, calling it a Lion's Den. It did not fit into the wrestling fan's idea of how things should be done, and they did not appreciate it.
#3 SummerSlam 2013:
SummerSlam 2013 is where it all changed for WWE. The face of WWE, John Cena fell, to the up and comer Daniel Bryan and things would never be the same again.
Best Match of the Night: Daniel Bryan vs John Cena - Daniel Bryan defeated John Cena to become the WWE Champion for the first time. He was betrayed by Guest Referee Triple H, who turned heel. Triple H hit the Pedigree on Daniel Bryan and had Orton come out with the Money in the Bank, and pin Bryan to take the Championship from him. The close to the show remains something that cannot be forgotten.
Worst Match of the Night: Bray Wyatt vs Kane - A Ring of Fire Match is never a good idea, and the opener of this SummerSlam proved it yet again, as Kane and Bray Wyatt fought in a silly match that helped no one.
#2 SummerSlam 2001:
2001 was the year where WWE's Attitude Era had slowly started coming to an end, with the Ruthless Aggression Era coming in, to take its place.
While the shamble of the Invasion Angle is something that cannot be forgotten, the 2001 SummerSlam remains one of the best shows of all time.
Best Match of the Night: Steve Austin vs Kurt Angle - 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin faced Kurt Angle in one of the main events of the night, and stole the show. The two were unmatched, and Angle's best side came out in the match, as he bled and bled but never gave up.
Worst Match of the Night: X-Pac vs Tajiri - The only weak point of the card, was Tajiri's Light Heavyweight Championship match with X-Pac. The two were good but seemed to be out of place among the rest of the card.
#1 SummerSlam 2002:
There is a reason that the 2002 edition of SummerSlam is considered to be the best SummerSlam event of all time. Not only did best friends Shawn Michaels and Triple H have their blood feud, but the Rock took on the 'Next Big Thing' Brock Lesnar.
Best Match of the Night: Shawn Michaels vs Triple H (Unsanctioned Street Fight) - While it is considered by some to be the best match of all time, Shawn Michaels and Triple H certainly put on a show that is impossible to forget. Michaels returned to the ring after being away from it for four years, following the injury to his back. The betrayal by his former best friend and him returning to the ring led to a huge amount of hype, and the match lived up to every bit of it, with the Heart Break Kid triumphing, only to be laid low after his victory with an unsightly sledgehammer blow from his once best friend.
Worst Match of the Night: Quite frankly, there was not a single bad match in the night. The card did not have a weak point, making it the best SummerSlam card in the history of the event.
