Top 8 WWE PPVs of the 2010s

#4 SummerSlam 2013

Joy and pain, five minutes apart

The summer of 2013 was an exciting time for WWE. A lot of interesting feuds were planned, along with some strong new blood on the roster. SummerSlam was the peak of that excitement. The company booked the two biggest money matches they could possibly book for the show, in John Cena vs Daniel Bryan and Brock Lesnar vs CM Punk. It is fair to say that both matches delivered immensely.

The night opened with the debut match of a certain Bray Wyatt, as he defeated Kane in a Ring of Fire match. Christian and Alberto Del Rio shared a solid World Heavyweight Championship match, but the show was stolen by the two big matches.

Punk vs Lesnar was a tremendous David vs Goliath bout, which saw the Second City Saint come within inches of vanquishing Paul Heyman's massive gorilla. It was a classic that had the fans invested from the very get-go. However, it was Lesnar who came out on top following a spectacular effort from Punk.

The main event was probably more emotionally charged, as Daniel Bryan unseated John Cena to win the WWE Championship after putting on a clinic worthy of the prize he had earned. This was one of Cena's finest hours, especially considering his elbow was shaped like a tennis ball. After the classic between the two babyfaces, Randy Orton spoiled the party.

Special guest referee, Triple H, turned on Bryan and hit him with a Pedigree to leave him out cold for the Viper to prey on. His dream was taken just minutes after he had achieved it. And thus, the Authority was born. This was merely the first chapter in Daniel Bryan's road to ultimate glory. as we will get to in just a couple of moments.