Top 5 WWE SummerSlam matches of all time

The biggest party of the Summer is happening this Sunday, August 19, 2018. SummerSlam is WWE's second biggest pay per view and has had an array of classic matches worth remembering. This SummerSlam will be the 31st SummerSlam in WWE history. This is the 4th year it will be held at the Barclays Center in New York. WWE SummerSlam has had historic matches, moments, and memories that have captured the WWE Universe's imagination.

A memorable SummerSlam match should have several qualities. Capturing the crowd's attention as well as great ring work is one of them. Near falls, drama, suspense, and great chemistry make for a great wrestling match every time. Having an interesting storyline and buildup also makes for great drama.

Having a great match is easy for many wrestlers but it is the writing and booking team's job to make sure people are invested. A story of a wrestler trying to overcome an opponent he seemingly can't beat or an underdog who is trying to win a championship adds value and quality to a match. Near falls allow for fans to suspend reality and genuinely become emotionally invested in the product. Here are the top 5 SummerSlam matches of all time in no particular order.

#1 Daniel Bryan vs John Cena (champion) for the WWE championship

Bryan hits Cena with a stiff kick.

This match featured independent darling versus the face of WWE. Daniel Bryan always performs in the ring and there is a reason as to why Cena is called "big match John". The two put on a classic performance with Bryan taking the win. Bryan hit Cena with a running knee and Triple H counted to three. His reign as WWE champion was short as Randy Orton would shortly end his moment of joy.

Orton cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase and became the new champion. Despite the aftermath, Bryan's win was a major one and the crowd went nuts for the upset victory over John Cena.

#2 CM Punk vs John Cena (champion) for the WWE championship

John Cena hits CM Punk with a dropkick.

The Summer of Punk was a time when CM Punk took the WWE by storm. He made his infamous pipe bomb promo and was able to say what was on his mind. John Cena was the poster boy for the company while CM Punk was sort of an outlaw. The match took place for the WWE Championship with Triple H as the special guest referee.

Cena and Punk received a 5-star rating from The Wrestling Observer and received rave reviews throughout the wrestling community. Punk defeated Cena with the GTS and became champion. Unfortunately, Punk would be thwarted by Money In the Bank winner Alberto Del Rio.

#3 The Undertaker vs Edge in a Hell in a Cell match

The Undertaker & Edge stand on opposite ladders

In the first ever Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam, The Undertaker and Edge put on a show. We saw chairs, tables, and steps used as the two beat each other to a pulp. The end of the match saw Undertaker hit Edge with the tombstone piledriver. Undertaker became the WWE World champion for the second time. Undertaker was not finished with Edge and proceeded to chokeslam him through the ring and set it ablaze.

#4 Davey Boy Smith vs Bret Hart (champion) for the Intercontinental championship

Bret Hart congratulates Davey Boy Smith on his win.

Most WWE PPVs end with a WWE title match or a match featuring the top two superstars on the card. The WWE allowed Bret Hart and Davey Boy Smith to end the night's show in an amazing classic. SummerSlam 1992 was in the United Kingdom and drew 80,000 fans. This was the first time a match for the Intercontinental title would be the main event in a WWE PPV.

The two put on a stellar match that featured back and forth action. Smith would win the match after stopping Hart's sunset flip with a pin. Smith celebrated with his wife Diana & brother in law Bret in a historic moment.

#5 Brock Lesnar vs CM Punk

CM Punk catches Brock Lesnar with a flying knee

CM Punk & Brock Lesnar fought in a No DQ match that went 25 minutes. Paul Heyman betrayed CM Punk and told him he could never beat Brock Lesnar. Punk was attacked by Lesnar, starting a feud that would be settled at SummerSlam.

The match saw Brock Lesnar use his brute strength and CM Punk use his speed and agility to thwart Brock. Brock Lesnar defeated Punk with an F5. Despite his loss, CM Punk fought valiantly and delivered a great performance.