Ranking 31 Years of WWE Summerslam Main Events (1988-2018)

#15-11

John Cena leads Team WWE to victory

#15 2010 - Team WWE vs Team Nexus

In summer 2010, the rookies from NXT season 1, calling themselves Nexus ran roughshod over the WWE roster looking to make a name for themselves and take over.

They memorably interrupted a Raw main event between John Cena and CM Punk and destroyed the ring and ringside area and assaulted the wrestlers, announcers and other officials.

Cena pulled together a team consisting of WWE Hall of Famer, Bret Hart, Chris Jericho, Edge, John Morrison, R-Truth and former Nexus member, Daniel Bryan to clash with Wade Barrett, Skip Sheffield (the future Ryback), Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel and Michael Tarver, David Otunga and Darren Young.

What should have been Nexus's coming out party turned into a nightmare as Cena led Team WWE to victory which destroyed Nexus's momentum.

The match had some thrilling moments but some underwhelming ones too. The finish in which Cena sustained a DDT on the unprotected concrete floor, then two minutes later defeated Gabriel and Barrett in quick succession was ridiculous and spoiled the match.

#14 2001 - Booker T vs The Rock

The 2001 main event of Summerslam was the first WWF pay-per-view to be headlined by a WCW title match.

In the midst of a hostile invasion from WCW and ECW forces, the WWF fought back and The Rock returned from a storyline suspension to lead the charge.

The Rock carried Booker T to the best match of his career and pinned him to become WCW World Champion. A memorable match with a very popular result.

#13 1996 - Shawn Michaels vs Vader

WWF Champion Shawn Michaels and former WCW champion Vader worked a fantastic big man-little match together.

With an energetic Jim Cornette at ringside antagonising Michaels and inspiring his charge, Vader to win the belt, the heat in the arena was electric.

There were some minor flaws, most notably as Michaels missed an elbow drop then had a mini tantrum in the ring at Vader whom he claimed was out of position.

After first being counted out and then disqualified, Michaels finally pinned Vader after the match was twice re-started.

#12 2015 - The Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar

The long-running feud between Undertaker and Brock Lesnar reached escalation point once more, with the "Phenom" seeking vengeance for Lesnar ending his vaunted 21-0 Wrestlemania winning streak.

It was a well-crafted match, though not a patch on their earlier efforts. The finish was confusing as Lesnar locked Undertaker in a submission hold and the timekeeper rang the bell, indicating after Undertaker had submitted.

However, the referee hadn't seen it and re-started the match. Amongst the confusion, Undertaker low-blowed Lesnar to earn a cheap win. It was an unsatisfying end to what had been an entertaining match.

#11 2003 - Elimination Chamber (Triple H vs Goldberg vs Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho vs Randy Orton vs Kevin Nash)

The second Elimination Chamber was a thrilling match from start to finish. The star of the show unquestionably was former WCW Champion, Bill Goldberg.

Goldberg eliminated Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton and Chris Jericho in short order but was felled when Champion Triple H hit him in the head with a sledgehammer as "Da Man" attempted a spear. Triple H was still the champion and Goldberg's crowning moment would have to wait a further month.