37 Moments That Have Defined the Legacy of WWE SummerSlam
WWE will present the 37th SummerSlam Saturday from Cleveland Browns Stadium. The main event will feature Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Solo Sikoa.
That match and the circumstances surrounding it are certain to produce a moment or two that will live forever in the annals of the event, looked back upon by fans forever when eagerly anticipating that year's incarnation.
SummerSlam has been responsible for countless of those moments, beginning with the very first one from Madison Square Garden in New York and continuing through last year's extravaganza in Detroit.
What are those moments and how have they helped define the annual summertime spectacular?
Find out with this journey through nearly four decades of unforgettable matches, angles, and Superstars.
Honky Tonk Man's Ultimate Defeat (1988)
1 of 21For over one year, Elvis wannabe The Honky Tonk Man reigned as WWE Intercontinental champion, finding every cheap sneaky, underhanded method imaginable to hold onto it. All while beating a who's who of future Hall of Famers.
That all changed on August 29, 1988, when the insufferable heel issued an arrogant open challenge. The frantic and furious ball of energy that was Ultimate Warrior answered.
The historic Madison Square Garden fans erupted as the face-painted enigma rushed the ring, ran over and through the hated heel, and claimed his first singles title in record time.
The long-awaited title change was an exclamation point; a message sent loudly that SummerSlam was a can't-miss extravaganza. It set the stage for the summertime spectacular as the site of major occurrences, such as the coronation of fresh, new faces and exciting up-and-comers that it would become.
Laying the Foundation of One of WWE's Big Four
2 of 21"She Took Off Her Skirt!" (1988)
Miss Elizabeth is one of the most beloved women in WWE history, synonymous with class and dignity. She captured the hearts and attention of WWE fans around the world and stunned them with a most unexpected act at the first SummerSlam.
With The Mega Powers' Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage reeling on the floor and momentum squarely on the side of The Mega Bucks' "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant, Elizabeth climbed onto the apron and proceeded to take off her skirt.
The distraction allowed Savage and Hogan to recover and win the inaugural main event.
The moment served as a reminder that anything can and does happen on WWE premium live events; something SummerSlam would prove countless times over the next 37 years.
Bret Hart's Perfect Victory (1991)
Bret Hart struck singles gold for the first time in his career at the 1991 event, submitting Mr. Perfect to the Sharpshooter and claiming the Intercontinental Championship. The win ignited a run that would see Hart evolve into one of the greatest Superstars in WWE history, an influential performer as loved in 2024 as he was then.
That he did so in one of the best matches in SummerSlam history, against a guy who was equally as respected as he was as an in-ring technician, made it that much more significant a moment.
It would not be the last time The Hitman shined on the SummerSlam stage, with his next show-stealer having longer-reaching effects.
Jail House Rock (1991)
Big Boss Man and The Mountie made history in 1991, battling in the first (and only) Jail House Match in WWE history. With a night in a New York City slammer awaiting the loser, Bossman utilized his opponent's stun gun against him, flattened him with an Alabama Slam, and scored the win.
More than the match or outcome itself, the entire ordeal is a memorable SummerSlam moment because of the heel's over-the-top antics as he was thrown in a paddywagon, driven away, and booked in prison. The humor is excellent, not forced, and almost all attributed to the man behind the character, Jacques Rougeau.
It was not overdone, over-produced, or overbooked. Everything hit and helped make that 1991 show, the event's return to MSG, that much more memorable.
British Bulldog's Golden Homecoming (1992)
3 of 21For the first time in WWE history, the Intercontinental Championship was at stake in the main event of a major pay-per-view event as Bret Hart defended against hometown hero "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith in front of 80,000-plus fans in Wembley Stadium.
A five-star classic match between brothers-in-law, it ended with Smith countering a sunset flip into a rollup for the win and the title.
For the future Hall of Famer, it was a successful homecoming in front of his fellow countrypeople and marked his first singles title in WWE.
For Hart, it meant even more.
The match was a defining one, not only providing him with an unforgettable moment but also proving to Vince McMahon and WWE officials that The Hitman could be a top-tier star in the biggest promotion in professional wrestling.
So much so that, within three months, Hart would win his first WWE Championship and embark on a run that would see him become one of the faces of an entire decade.
The enormity of the match was met only by its setting, with the wondrous Wembley planting the seeds for the stadium show we see so regularly today.
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A New Generation
4 of 21Undertaker vs. Underfaker (1994)
Yes, one of the worst matches in WWE history can be one of the defining moments in a premium live event, as fans found out in Chicago's United Center on August 29, 1994.
That night, The Undertaker returned from a months-long hiatus to battle a paid-for doppelganger introduced by the evil "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase.
The pre-show marketing and the visual of the two standing face-to-face was fun but once the bell rang, it was all downhill. The real Phenom scored the win with a Tombstone piledriver, but not before setting the bar incredibly high in terms of historically bad in-ring content at the August spectacular.
An Epic Rematch (1995)
Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels made history at WrestleMania X, revolutionizing professional wrestling with a Ladder Match that would inspire an entire generation of performers. On that night, The Bad Guy bested The Heartbreak Kid to win the Intercontinental Championship and just over a year later, the two would once again clash for the coveted prize.
This time, Michaels emerged victoriously and continued building momentum—the same momentum that would ultimately take him to WrestleMania 12, where he would realize his boyhood dream of becoming world champion.
The match was equally as good as WrestleMania, without the novelty of fans seeing it for the first time. The combatants switched roles, with Ramon upping the aggression and Michaels fighting from underneath.
The first Ladder Match in SummerSlam history would be far from the last.
Paul Bearer's Shocking Betrayal (1996)
For six years, The Undertaker and Paul Bearer were inseparable. The funeral director and his undead monster dominated WWE, becoming one of the top, most popular acts in the industry.
One did not go anywhere or do anything without the other. That is why Bearer's betrayal of The Phenom at the end of the Boiler Room Brawl at SummerSlam 1996 in Cleveland was so stunning.
Bearer struck down Undertaker with his trademark urn before handing it to the deranged Mankind, allowing the masked menace to secure one of the biggest victories of his career.
It was an unforgettable moment that left the commentary team understandably shocked while also opening the door for The Phenom to break free of any spokesperson and have the opportunity to express himself. Without that creative decision, who knows exactly what the Hall of Famer's career would have been. It was an essential moment for one of the greatest characters of all time and another unforgettable development on the SummerSlam stage.
Hart and Soul (1997)
5 of 21Stone Cold Steve Austin's Near Miss
The history of professional wrestling nearly changed forever at the 1997 show when Owen Hart hoisted "Stone Cold" Steve Austin up for a tombstone piledriver and instead of dropping to his knees, did the sit-out variation, which accidentally drove all of The Texas Rattlesnake's weight onto his head and neck.
With Austin momentarily paralyzed, Hart played to the crowd long enough for Stone Cold to recover minimal feeling, give him the weakest rollup in wrestling history, and win the match.
The winner and new Intercontinental champion would never really be the same competitor again. Though he would become the top star in the industry, he was never as healthy as he was before that fateful night in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and would undergo a neck fusion surgery in the Fall of 1999.
Shawn Michaels' Errant Chair Shot Hands Bret Hart Fifth World Title
Shawn Michaels was the most despised man in WWE in the summer of 1997, but no one hated him more than Bret Hart.
Their rivalry intensified with every passing week, culminating with the announcement that HBK would be the guest referee for The Hitman's WWE Championship Match against The Undertaker at SummerSlam.
Tensions were high and with Michaels forbidden from intentionally costing Hart the title, many wondered exactly how things would play out. They got their answer as the challenger spit in Michaels' face, causing the official to wind up and swing a steel chair, connecting with the face of...Undertaker.
The moment ignited Michaels' feud with The Deadman, further escalated his hatred of Hart, and provided a monumental show near the onset of the Attitude Era, an exclamation point.
It was also Hart's final SummerSlam for the next 13 years and given how integral he had been to its history, having provided countless Match of the Year candidates, it was a notable exit.
The Rock's Breakout Performance (1998)
6 of 21The Rock and Triple H entered the 1998 SummerSlam pay-per-view amid a rivalry between two warring factions: The Nation and D-Generation X. The leaders of those respective groups clashed in a Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship.
The babyface and future Chief Content Officer of WWE would ultimately leave Madison Square Garden with the coveted title, thanks to some well-timed interference from Chyna on his behalf, but it was The Rock whose stock rose incrementally on that night.
Bloodied and battered, he earned the fans' respect. Chants of "Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!" rained from the stands. It was the first indication that the character reboot and evolution that he had undergone over the previous year had been exactly what he needed.
Rock would build on his momentum from SummerSlam and win his first WWE Championship within three months.
From there, the rest is history as he became a main event player and one of the most popular Superstars in WWE's annals. Who knows exactly how his story would have played out had it not been for his performance in that match and the reaction from the fans in the always-tough New York City?
Highway to Hell (1998)
7 of 21The buildup to the 1998 SummerSlam was nothing short of extraordinary; it was one of WWE's finest marketing campaigns ever.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker was already a match that sold itself, with some quality storytelling and the immense popularity of both men driving interest. Throw in some pre-produced vignettes of them walking through the wartorn back allies of New York City, and splash in some of AC/DC's iconic "Highway to Hell," and you have a must-watch main event.
It was against that backdrop that the match took to the squared circle inside Madison Square Garden and while it was not the epic encounter that everyone had hoped for, thanks to a concussion suffered by The Texas Rattlesnake, it did not have to be.
The vignettes and marketing pushed fans to buy tickets or purchase the pay-per-view event, and despite the injury, Austin and Undertaker still told a great story, concluding with Austin dropping The Dead Man with a Stone Cold Stunner for the win.
New Millennium, Higher Risks
8 of 21Shane McMahon's Leap of Faith (2000)
There are certain things the child of a billionaire should not be doing. One such thing is taking a massive bump off of scaffolding and to the ground below, yet that is exactly what Shane McMahon did at the 2000 version of the event.
The spoiled brat son of Vince defended the Hardcore Championship against Steve Blackman and late in the chaotic match, scaled the scaffolding on the SummerSlam set, only to find out that Blackman did, too.
A kendo stick shot to the back or two later and McMahon took the first of several high-risk dives that he would be synonymous with over the next two decades.
Historically signifcant? No. Unforgettable for those who watched? Absolutely.
The Inaugural TLC Match (2000)
For the first time in WWE history, the tag team titles were defended in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match at SummerSlam 2000.
The Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian, and The Dudley Boyz wrote the latest chapter in their rivalry while building on the chaotic spots they had devised months earlier at WrestleMania to create a masterpiece of high risk.
The fans in North Carolina watched as all six men took enormous bumps and threw caution to the wind, all in pursuit of the top prize in tag team wrestling.
Edge and Christian, the cerebral and alert heels, ultimately won the match and retained the titles but all three men further established themselves as the most creative young competitors in professional wrestling, something they still do not get enough great for nearly a quarter century later.
Shawn Michaels' Triumphant Return (2002)
9 of 21After four years away from the squared circle, Shawn Michaels returned to the ring in Long Island in 2002, squaring off with Triple H in an unsanctioned match that would test just how healed his previously injured back was and whether he could enjoy one last run with the company.
The answer to that second part was a resounding "yes," as Michaels never once looked out of shape or rusty, delivering another inspiring performance that only he could.
The Heartbreak Kid went to war with Triple H, putting his body on the line to take out the man he once called his friend. Overcoming pain and punishment, he caught The Game with a roll-up and secured the come-from-behind win that would propel him into chapter two of his career.
The fans in New York greeted the victory with excitement and enthusiasm, welcoming HBK back into the fold.
A post-match beatdown by Triple H ensured the rivalry would continue, setting the tone for what could best be described as a unique relationship for the eight years that followed the epic encounter.
The Next Big Thing (2002)
10 of 21While Michaels was coming back to the ring after a lengthy absence due to injury, Brock Lesnar was ascending to the top of the professional wrestling mountain in 2002.
The reigning King of the Ring and as a result, recipient of a WWE Championship opportunity, the so-called Next Big Thing challenged The Rock for the top prize in the industry in the main event of that year's SummerSlam.
Exploding onto the scene just four months earlier, no one had ever made the meteoric rise that Lesnar had. He defeated Rob Van Dam to capture the crown, submitted Hulk Hogan, and in front of a worldwide audience, he looked to dethrone The Great One.
And he did, in front of a fan base tired of Rock's shtick and his budding movie star career. Those fans greeted Lesnar with cheers, rooting the hulking rookie on as he absorbed everything thrown at him by the Attitude Era legend.
Ultimately, he caught Rock with the F-5, won the match, and secured his first championship with the company, much to the delight of the Long Island fans.
It was a crowning achievement and one of the most important moments in WWE history for a young performer who was not quite The Beast he would ultimately become.
Randy Orton Makes History (2004)
11 of 21Two years after Brock Lesnar closed out SummerSlam by becoming the youngest Superstar in WWE history to capture the world title, Randy Orton broke that record.
The Legend Killer followed a defining spring, in which he defeated Cactus Jack in a Hardcore Match at Backlash and had banger after banger before dropping the Intercontinental Championship, by wrapping up the summer with a World Heavyweight Championship win.
The victory over Chris Benoit in Toronto that August of 2004 saw Orton counter an attempted Crippler Crossface and deliver an RKO for the win.
The spotlight was solely on Orton as he celebrated the momentous occasion to close out the show, with many wondering if it was too early for him to have such an honor bestowed upon him.
Hindsight tells us it may have been, but given how hot the third-generation star was at that time, it made sense that WWE would want to strike while they could. That it erased Lesnar from the history books just months after he shockingly exited the company to try his luck at professional football, was simply an added bonus.
Michaels vs. Hogan (2005)
12 of 21The 2005 show brought with it a legitimate dream match as two stars of different eras clashed in a much-hyped main event pitting Shawn Michaels against Hulk Hogan.
A tense build gave way to an even more interesting match as HBK bumped around the ring for the Hulkster, making all of his stuff look like the absolute most devastating punch, kick, or slam ever seen.
Sure, he oversold the heck out of Hogan's offense and at one point late in the match, made him look like a fool as he bounced off the mat, ran around the ring, and bumped back to the ground again.
Still, the match was better than it had any right to be, fans got a small taste of the attitudinal Michaels of a bygone era, and Hogan got another (unnecessary) pay-per-view victory.
CM Punk's Epic Trilogy
13 of 21Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk (2009)
In the summer of 2009, CM Punk and Jeff Hardy engaged in an intensely personal rivalry focused on the latter's well-known addictions. The prophetic Punk denounced Hardy, both as a man and world champion, fueling The Charismatic Enigma to show renewed passion and aggression as he fought for more than just his title reign.
The feud culminated in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match for the world title and neither man missed out on the opportunity to shine brightly on the grand stage.
Punk took a more calculated approach to the match while Hardy threw caution to the wind. Both took big bumps while the crowd in Los Angeles' then-Staples Center watched in awe, hoping Hardy would pull it and disappointed when he did not.
Punk won the match and title and celebrated to close out the show. Until the arena went dark, and The Undertaker returned, laying out the Chicago native and putting an exclamation point on that year's broadcast.
2-0 vs. The GOAT (2011)
Still riding a wave of popularity from his famed Pipebomb Promo, CM Punk entered SummerSlam in 2011 as the WWE champion.
So did John Cena, who won an interim title after it appeared Punk had left the company.
On the grand stage, in front of thousands in Los Angeles, they would clash in a rematch of their instant classic at Money in the Bank, the right to call themselves "champion" on the line.
The duo engaged in another epic encounter full of counters, reversals, and high drama produced by dramatic near-falls. With Triple H serving as guest referee, fans were even more on the edge of their seats as they anticipated chicanery at some point.
They got it as Punk pinned Cena to retain his title despite the latter's foot draped over the bottom rope.
Punk's celebration was cut short, however, as Kevin Nash appeared from out of nowhere and dropped him with a Jackknife Powerbomb, allowing Alberto Del Rio to rush the ring, cash in Money in the Bank, and leave as champion.
It was not the last time the summertime spectacular would end with a Superstar taking advantage of their guaranteed championship opportunity.
Punk Nearly Slays The Beast (2013)
In the final match of an epic trilogy of SummerSlam bouts, Punk proved his toughness and grit against the monstrous Brock Lesnar in a match set up by Paul Heyman's betrayal of The Best in the World.
Emotions high, Punk and Lesnar beat the hell out of each other in a physically intense match. The Beast pummeled Punk, tossing him around the ring and punishing his smaller opponent in a way that suggested it may be a far shorter match than expected.
Punk responded, seizing openings and taking advantage of Lesnar's weaknesses. Late in the match, though, he allowed his emotions toward Heyman to get the best of him. Punk took his eyes off The Beast and paid dearly, ultimately succumbing to the F-5 as Lesnar escaped with a win.
It was another instant classic from Punk, who, like his idol Bret Hart, made a habit of saving his best for the SummerSlam stage and will look to do so again in 2024 when he returns to the squared circle for a showdown with Drew McIntyre.
Daniel Bryan's Dream Turns Into A Nightmare (2013)
14 of 21Daniel Bryan spent his WWE career hearing that he would never become world champion; that he was merely a B+ player in a world of A+ Superstars.
John Cena knew better and, in 2013, offered the bearded wonder a shot at the WWE Championship, looking to prove himself against who many considered to be the best in the world.
The two competitors wowed fans and, with Triple H as guest referee for the second time in three years, delivered a classic encounter that concluded with Bryan launching himself across the ring with a running knee, laying Cena out, and winning the prize so many were sure he was undeserving of.
Then, the unthinkable happened.
Randy Orton appeared with his Money in the Bank briefcase and Triple H delivered a Pedigree to Bryan. Moments later, The Viper cashed in, won the title, and The Authority was officially formed.
Bryan spent months trying to regain his title while combatting preconceived notions about his worthiness. This led to a WrestleMania 30 broadcast that ultimately became known as "YEStleMania," thanks to the significance of Bryan's story to that particular card.
Brock Lesnar Squashes John Cena (2014)
15 of 21After ending The Undertaker's unbeaten streak at WrestleMania 30, Brock Lesnar entered SummerSlam in 2014 as the undisputed top contender for the WWE Championship and the odds-on favorite to win it from John Cena.
The Beast was unstoppable and both Cena and his fans found that out the hard way.
Lesnar uncorked 16 German suplexes on that August night in Los Angeles, wearing Cena out before hoisting him overhead and delivering a second F-5 to put him out of his misery.
The outcome and how it was achieved were completely unexpected by fans. Lesnar had squashed the biggest star in the industry without as much as a full, legitimate babyface comeback spot.
He was dominant like Bane breaking Batman's back in The Dark Knight Rises.
Cena would go on to explain the creative behind the match during an appearance on Sam Roberts' Not Sam Wrestling podcast, remembering Arn Anderson telling him that sometimes, "it's just not your night, kid."
Shocking Moments
16 of 21John Stewart Helps Seth Rollins (2015)
John Cena and Seth Rollins competed in a Winner-Takes-All Match for the WWE and United States Championships. With the stakes high, the combatants turned in strong performances in a great and dramatic match.
The ending, though, earns it its place on this list.
John Stewart, host of The Daily Show, appeared in the closing moments and teased laying Rollins out following a tense confrontation between them days earlier. Instead, he blasted Cena, allowing The Architect to score the win and both titles.
The outcome once again proved that fans can expect the unexpected from the event.
Even when the unexpected doesn’t make a lick of sense.
Finn Balor Wins the Universal Championship (2016)
Less shocking than Balor winning the Universal Championship and becoming the inaugural titleholder was that he accomplished it while dealing with a severe shoulder injury.
Midway through the match, the NXT export took a powerbomb from Rollins, into a guardrail. With no way to protect himself, he crashed into the unforgiving surface and tore his labrum. An excruciating injury, it was astonishing that he finished the match, let alone won the title.
Unfortunately, the injury would force Balor to the injured list 24 hours later, ending his reign before it started.
Becky Lynch Turns on Charlotte Flair (2018)
Moments after a Triple Threat Match for the SmackDown Women's Championship that saw Charlotte Flair pin Carmella to win the title in a match that also featured Becky Lynch.
Frustrated after another failed opportunity to win a title, Lynch unloaded on Flair, putting an end to their longtime on-screen friendship and turning the Irish-born competitor's heel.
The moment planted the seed for the run that would culminate with Lynch evolving into The Man and, eventually, making history as the first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania less than eight months later.
An Epic 2019
17 of 21The Fiend's In-Ring Debut
For weeks, fans watched as Bray Wyatt introduced the world to the Firefly Funhouse and the many friends (puppets) he had met there. Ultimately, the captivating pre-taped vignettes concluded with the shocking revelation of The Fiend, a dangerous and deranged alter ego of Wyatt.
At SummerSlam in 2019, the new character made his first in-ring appearance against Finn Balor, himself no stranger to enigmatic alter egos.
The aura and horror of The Fiend proved distracting enough that Balor was never in it. The former Universal champion stood zero chance of combatting the unpredictable Fiend, who rolled to victory with the mandible claw.
Trish Stratus Returns in SummerSlam Classic
Eras clashed as Toronto's own Trish Stratus returned to the squared circle in the very arena where she wrestled her retirement match 13 years earlier, squaring off with Charlotte Flair in a dream match of sorts.
With expectations high, the Hall of Famer showed up and showed out, turning back the clock in a show-stealing performance against The Queen. The chemistry was undeniable, the action plenty dramatic, and the crowd red-hot for the titanic clash between the two best women's wrestlers in company history.
Flair would earn the win via submission with the Figure Eight, but Stratus reminded fans that she was still every bit the iconic competitor she spent her career establishing herself as.
If not better.
Seth Rollins Makes It 2-for-2 Against The Beast
Rarely does anyone defeat Brock Lesnar once in a year, let alone twice.
At WrestleMania 35, Rollins did just that, overcoming an early onslaught from The Beast to win the WWE title.
Four months later, The Visionary found himself in a similar position, challenging for the top prize in the industry against a seemingly insurmountable opponent. This time, Rollins brought the intensity, driving Lesnar through the announce table with a frog splash. He added another, and a collective four stomps to score the win and title title.
Again, Rollins proved to be the kryptonite to Lesnar's Superman.
The Rise of the Tribal Chief
18 of 21The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated plenty of changes in WWE, including the absence of Roman Reigns. A two-time leukemia survivor, the former WWE champion took a leave from television, with real questions about when (or if) he would return.
He did, attacking The Fiend and Braun Strowman with spears before holding the Universal Championship high overhead.
It was Reigns' first appearance in five months, and the first chapter of the epic storyline, The Bloodline, was introduced. Not yet The Tribal Chief nor the champion, Reigns was back and clearly edgier than he had ever been.
Within days, he would reveal a new on-screen partnership with Paul Heyman and undergo a heel turn that would forever change the course of his career and the direction of WWE.
In hindsight, it is already a significant moment in WWE history but one that will only grow in its enormity moving forward.
Monumental Returns
19 of 21Becky Lynch Returns, Defeats Bianca Belair in Short Order (2021)
For the first time since giving birth to her daughter earlier in the year, Becky Lynch returned to WWE at the 2021 SummerSlam and challenged Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women's Championship, replacing Sasha Banks (unable to compete) and Carmella.
Lynch had attacked Carmella to set up her appearance in the match, shocking the wrestling world and leaving Belair with the task of competing against an elite opponent for whom she was not prepared.
It was reflected in the match, too, as Lynch downed her with a Manhandle Slam and won the title in 26 seconds.
There was understandable outrage as The EST lost her title in such short order after spending months establishing herself as a legitimate champion, but the moment set up a great rivalry between the two that ultimately concluded a year later on the same SummerSlam stage.
The Beast Is Back (2021)
Brock Lesnar returned to WWE after over a year away at the 2021 event, confronting Roman Reigns and making it clear that he was back to win the Universal Championship.
The surprise moment came seconds after The Tribal Chief defeated John Cena in a star-studded main event and reignited a rivalry that would extend over the next year and culminate in an epic encounter.
More on that in a moment.
Bayley Returns and Debuts Damage CTRL (2022)
Following a devastating injury suffered in 2021, Bayley made her first appearance in over a year at the 2022 SummerSlam, stepping through the curtain and into Nissan Stadium in Nashville to a thunderous ovation.
She did not come alone, either.
Dakota Kai, who was released earlier in the year, returned to the company, and Iyo Sky made her first official main roster appearance.
Together, the group would be known as Damage CTRL and dominate the women's division for the next 18 months.
Reigns and Lesnar's Epic Clash (2022)
20 of 21Brock Lesnar used a tractor to lift the ring in an attempt to keep Roman Reigns down and win the Last Man Standing Match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
It was a defining moment that served as the concluding chapter in one of the most prominent rivalries in company history.
The match that accompanied it was a wild, Attitude Era-style brawl that had fans hanging on every major spot and left them guessing whether The Beast would do as he had done so often before defeating Reigns.
He did not and The Head of the Table remained that way, retaining his title and extending what was already a historic two-year title reign.
For two men who had competed against each other so often, the idea that they would find new ways to inflict pain on each other was seemingly unfathomable.
That is exactly what they did, though, all while bringing their feud to a satisfying conclusion.
Please, for the love of all that is good, let it be the conclusion.
The Last of an Era
21 of 21The 2023 edition of SummerSlam was the final under the Vince McMahon regime. It was one last look at what the event had been previously, and it delivered two unforgettable moments.
Iyo Sky Cashes In
Some possessors of the Money in the Bank briefcase wait months to cash it in, opting for patience instead of impulse.
Iyo Sky was not one of them.
The Genius of the Sky rushed the ring moments after the Triple Threat Match for the WWE Women's Championship between Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Bianca Belair and cashed in on the battered EST, who had just overcome a knee injury to regain a title that had been stolen from her by the underhanded Empress of Tomorrow earlier in the year.
Sky laid out Flair and Asuka with the briefcase, then delivered her trademark Over the Moonsault to Belair to win the coveted title for the first time in her main roster career.
All while continuing the tradition of SummerSlam cash-ins.
The Bloodline Civil War
Jey Uso and Roman Reigns settled a family feud in the main event of the 2023 show. The Tribal Chief looked to establish himself as the undisputed top of the food chain in The Bloodline, while Uso sought to prove that he was every bit as capable of filling that role.
An emotionally charged match saw Uso roll late, his first world title victory within sight and the end of The Tribal Chief's historic run as champion on the horizon.
Until that is, Jimmy Uso returned and laid out his brother, costing him the victory and ensuring Reigns' run at the top of the company would continue.
It remains to be seen what WWE has in store for the event in 2024 but as the first under the Paul Levesque Era, expect both the unexpected and historically significant.
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