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

#5-1

Undertaker chokeslams Edge inside Hell in a Cell

#5 2008 Edge vs The Undertaker

The long-running Edge vs Undertaker rivalry that had been ongoing since Wrestlemania XXIV when Undertaker defeated Edge to win the World Championship reached it's final chapter at Summerslam.

Edge and Undertaker contested a superb Hell in a Cell matchup, which was highlighted by Edge spearing Undertaker through the cage mesh to the outside.

After Undertaker defeated Edge, he chokeslammed him off a ladder through the ring as fire engulfed Edge. The implication being that Undertaker had sent him straight to hell.

#4 2009 - CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy

Tables, Ladders, Chairs. That was the stipulation for CM Punk and Jeff Hardy as they contested the World Heavyweight Championship.

It was an environment in which both men excelled. Both combatants battered each other with furniture until Punk was successful in retrieving the title atop the ladder. This thrilling encounter marked Hardy's last WWE pay-per-view appearance for almost a decade.

#3 2013 - John Cena vs Daniel Bryan

Quite possibly John Cena's finest ever non-stipulation match came against the superlative Daniel Bryan in a stunningly intense, heated and exciting match-up that had the WWE universe engrossed from start to finish.

The upset finish came when Bryan hit the defending WWE Champion with a running knee to the head to become the new Champion. Unfortunately, for the leader of the "Yes movement" it was a short-lived reign as Money in the Bank briefcase holder, Randy Orton cashed in moments later after the special referee, Triple H turned on Bryan.

#2 2000 - The Rock vs Triple H vs Kurt Angle

The Rock was the defending WWF Champion heading into this match but the real story was the escalating feud between Triple H and Kurt Angle over Triple H's wife, Stephanie McMahon.

Stephanie and Angle had become "good friends" but prior to this show Angle had kissed Stephanie and she hadn't pushed him away. Angle took great delight in winding Triple H up, which proved to be his downfall before the bell even sounded when an irate Triple H stormed the ring and attempted to put Angle through the announce desk.

However, the table prematurely gave way causing Angle to hit the concrete head first which turned out to be a nastier fall.

Angle later returned when the match was officially underway and The Rock took advantage of the pair's animosity for each other to pin Triple H and win the match.

The Attitude Era at it's very finest.

#1 1992 - Bret 'Hitman' Hart vs The British Bulldog

Still one of the greatest matches in company history, over a quarter of a decade on, The British Bulldog's career peak came when he defeated his brother in law, Bret Hart to win the Intercontinental Championship at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

In front of a massive crowd of 80,000 adoring fans, hometown hero Bulldog thrilled them all as he and Hart contested a stunning technical masterclass, boasting counter after counter. It was fitting then that the finish came when Bulldog countered a roll up attempt to pin Hart's shoulders down for the match winning three count.

Unquestionably the greatest main event in Summerslam history.

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