Best SummerSlam Matches Ranked By The Ringside Intel Team

WWE SummerSlam has set the stage for some of the best matches in history. But which were some of the best ones throughout the years?

Ringside Intel investigates!

Owen Hart Versus Bret Hart (SummerSlam 1994)

One classic match takes us back to 1994. After all, this is when the match between Owen and Bret Hart took place.

The best WWE SummerSlam matches usually have a good story behind them. And the same was the case for this classic SummerSlam cage match.

Owen and Bret Hart had a sibling rivalry for over a year. Obviously, this rivalry came to its culmination at SummerSlam 1994.

The final collision between Owen and Bret was absolutely brutal. To this day, it is also named as one of the best cage matches of all time.

The Rock Versus Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2002)

Before Brock Lesnar became an inactive champion, he was responsible for one of the best WWE SummerSlam matches in history.

Of course, this match also contained another iconic superstar – The Rock.

At the time, The Rock was on his seventh championship reign. He was also a big draw for WWE fans.

But, there was one big threat to the dominance of The Rock and that was Brock Lesnar. With Paul Heyman by his side, he would become the biggest threat The Rock ever faced.

Missing the people’s elbow by a millimeter, Brock became the youngest champion in history at the time. It also put him on the map as an A-lister.

John Cena Versus Daniel Bryan (SummerSlam 2013)

Back in 2013, Daniel Bryan was enjoying tremendous support from the WWE universe. Needless to say, it certainly contributed to one of the best WWE SummerSlam matches in history.

When SummerSlam 2013 came around, John Cena was handpicked as the opponent for Daniel Bryan. Fortunately, the experience of Bryan and Cena drew this match to the next level.

Both men also put their merchandise forward in the runup to the match. It brought iconic merch such as “The Champ Is Here” and “The Beard Is Here.”

The match became even better as the WWE decided to put Triple H in as the special referee.

And while Triple H wanted what was best for business, Bryan eventually reached the pinnacle of success.

Bret Hart Versus The British Bulldog (SummerSlam 1992)

Bret Hart has some of the best WWE SummerSslam matches to his name. And this one is no different, as he faced The British Bulldog in 1992.

A year before the feud with his brother, Bret had another iconic match during SummerSlam. With two iconic wrestlers such as this, pure magic ended up in the ring.

Like most of the best stories, this was another family feud in the Hart family. After all, The British Bulldog was Bret’s brother-in-law.

While the two had a brutal and exciting match, the end of the match saw both men hugging it out.

With it, the Hart family was back on the same page (until the following year).

This match was not only one of the best WWE SummerSlam matches of all time. For many, it was the best match all around!

Shawn Michaels Versus Triple H (SummerSlam 2002)

One of Triple H’s best career matches actually happened at SummerSlam 2002. It is also fitting that he faced his best friend and DX buddy Shawn Michaels.

After a devastating back injury, Shawn Michaels returned to the ring in 2002. But it was only fitting that he faced his friend Triple H for this iconic match.

Fans were anticipating the return of Shawn Michaels for the first time in four years. However, many were left wondering if the Heartbreak Kid still had the same moxie as he did before.

As soon as he entered the ring, it was clear Shawn Michaels did not miss a single step. In the end, his match with Triple H became the match of the year for many.

And to make his success song even more sweet, Shawn Michaels ended up with the win.

Edge & Christian Versus Hardy Boyz Versus Dudleys (2000)

When talking about the best WWE SummerSlam matches in history, you cannot forget to include the best tag teams in the world. And these tag teams actually had a match against each other at SummerSlam.

At SummerSlam 2000, these three tag teams faced off. As always, when they were in the ring together, these men created pure magic.

Naturally, SummerSlam 2000 included the match these teams were best at — a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match.

This match undoubtedly contributed to the tag teams being inducted in the Hall of Fame. To this date, they are still counted among the most iconic tag teams in the entire world.

The Rock Versus Triple H (SummerSlam 1998)

Bret Hart is not the only one who has multiple iconic SummerSlam matches to his name. In fact, both The Rock and Triple H also find themselves on this list multiple times.

During the Attitude Era, Triple H and The Rock had an unbelievable feud. This match had absolutely everything, including dirty tactics, and third-party interference.

Both men valiantly fought and did some unique things with the ladder. Mark Henry also blinded Triple H with some sand, while Chyna low-blowed The Rock.

Interestingly enough, this match is often lost in the mix when SummerSlam is talked about. In fact, it is often overlooked due to matches such as Bret Hart versus Owen Hart.

Nevertheless, matches such as this certainly contributed to the success Triple H and The Rock had in the rest of their career. 

Triple H went on to become a major executive role in the WWE.

Obviously, he is currently in charge of the NXT brands, which are now widely successful.

The Rock on the other hand, eventually left the wrestling business for Hollywood. Since then, he appeared in numerous films, including classics such as Fast and Furious and Hobbs & Shaw.

Needless to say, this match may not have seem to have consequences at the time, it certainly did for the career of both men.