Power Ranking the Greatest SummerSlam Moments of All Time

Clear your schedules, scrounge up some cash and call all your friends who are still cool, because SummerSlam 2012 is right around the corner.

The WWE's second-biggest event of the year kicks off Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, and with a stacked card that includes legends such as CM Punk, John Cena, Big Show, Brock Lesnar and Triple H, it's sure to be an incredible night for wrestling fans everywhere. 

This year's SummerSlam will also be the 25th edition of the event, making it the perfect time to reflect on the greatest moments produced by The Biggest Event of the Summer.

Since the inaugural event at Madison Square Garden in 1988, SlummerSlam has delivered some of the most memorable matches in WWE history. Just click the handy link below to see my personal top 10 list.

10. Triple H Defends His World Heavyweight Championship (2003)

When you throw six iconic wrestlers into an Elimination Chamber match with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line, only good things can happen.

The WWE proved that in 2003, when Triple H defeated Chris Jericho, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels in just the second Elimination Chamber match ever. It was an unbelievably brutal clash, with Triple H eventually using his trademark sledge hammer to bash Goldberg in the head and defend his crown.

It was the first of Triple H's four Elimination Chamber victories, and it still ranks as the best match ever to be held within the confines of the steel cage.

9. CM Punk Beats John Cena to Retain WWE Championship (2011)

Last year's SummerSlam featured one of the most captivating bouts in history, as CM Punk and John Cena engaged in a harsh battle to unify the WWE Championship.

Both men had a belt heading into the match, as Punk briefly retired after defeating Cena at Money in the Bank earlier that year. The temptation to defend his title was too much for Punk to handle though, and he returned to the ring with a bang, defeating Cena to earn one of the most hard-fought victories of his career.

Unfortunately for Punk, his celebration was cut short when Kevin Nash emerged from the crowd and hit the champ with a Jackknife Powerbomb. That allowed Alberto Del Rio to cash in his Money in the Bank contract and effectively steal the title away from Punk.

It was an unexpected twist, and it provided a bitter yet memorable end to one of Punk's best matches.

8. Undertaker Sends Edge to Hell (2008)

There have been many classic Hell in a Cell matches, but Undertaker's incredible victory over Edge in 2008 has to rank near the top.

After being banished from the ring a few months prior, Undertaker avenged himself in spectacular fashion. It was a vicious match that included tables, ladders, chairs and more than a few memorable moments.

From Edge spearing Undertaker out of the cell, to Deadman hitting his opponent with two of his own finishers, to Undertaker ruthlessly Chokeslamming Edge through the floor, the match contained enough brutal and heart-stopping action to last a lifetime. 

7. Brock Lesnar Officially Arrives (2002)

Brock Lesnar's rapid ascent to the top of the professional wrestling ladder was completed in 2002, when he took the WWE Championship from The Rock just five months after stepping into the ring for the first time.

It was a beautifully violent match, with Lesnar eventually surviving a Rock Bottom and finishing off The Great One with a devastating F-5. With the win, Lesnar became the youngest WWE Champion in history (at the time) and "The Next Big Thing" lived up to his nickname.

Lesnar is still a force in the WWE, and with a match against Triple H coming at SummerSlam 2012, he has another opportunity to deliver an instant classic.

6. Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon Do Crazy Stuff on Ladders (1995)

In a rematch of their classic showdown at WrestleMania X, Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon dazzled again at SummerSlam 1995.

The two delivered countless highlights, using their supreme athleticism and creativity to usher in a new era of high-flying performances. Eventually, Shawn Michaels won the Intercontinental Championship after landing a nasty Moonsault off the ladder.

It was a thrilling match on all fronts, and it ended appropriately after Ramon congratulated his opponent on his impressive display.

5. Shawn Michaels Gets His Revenge Against Triple H (2002)

After Triple H was exposed for attacking the inactive Michaels and putting him in a wheelchair, HBK got his sweet revenge at SummerSlam 2002.

It was a fascinating match; one that featured a rapid pace and non-stop action. Despite returning after a four-year absence, Michaels was as sharp as ever, and he eventually defeated his former best friend by out-brawling him.

With the victory, Michaels stole the show at SummerSlam, just as he had done seven years earlier.

4. Edge and Christian Win First Ever Tables, Ladder and Chairs Match (2000)

In one of the most influential matches in WWE history, Edge and Christian defeated The Hardy Boyz and the The Dudley Boyz in the first ever tables, ladders and chairs match.

It was a brutal affair, one that perfectly utilized the individual strengths of the competitors. From Edge and Christian unleashing chair attacks, to The Dudleys' use of the tables, to The Hardys' jaw-dropping aerial assaults, it was easy to see that TLC matches would soon become a staple of the WWE.

Edge and Christian eventually retained their Tag Team Championship, but the true winners were the fans. TLC matches are some of the most exciting events in wrestling, and we have the group in 2000 to thank for that.

3. The Hart Brothers Square off (1994)

Anytime you pair up two wrestling icons, the results are guaranteed to be good. When those two icons also happen to share the same blood, then "good" immediately changes to "historic."

That was certainly the case when Bret and Owen Hart battled at SummerSlam 1995, waging one of the most epic wrestling wars of all time.

While fighting within the confines of a 15-foot steel cage, the two brothers put on an incredible show. The match featured a magical blend of technical skill and bloodthirsty violence, as each unleashed some amazing moves during the brutal affair.

Eventually, Bret defeated his younger sibling, submitting him with a Sharpshooter to win the WWE Championship.

2. Bret Hart Wins First Major Singles Match (1991)

Bret Hart used to be known for his magnificent tag team performances, but he burst onto the singles stage with his classic victory over Curt Henning in 1991.

Hart took the Intercontinental Championship from Mr. Perfect despite absorbing an insane amount of punishment throughout the match. After somehow escaping the legendary Perfect-plex, Hart seized the momentum and pulled off the victory to the delight of the raucous Madison Square Garden crowd.

It was an instant classic, and given Hart's ascension to super stardom in the following years, the match became even greater as the years progressed.

1. SummerSlam Goes Global (1992)

Just one year after Hart's epic win over Mr. Perfect, SummerSlam reached major international fame by holding the event outside of the United States for the first time.

At Wembley Stadium in London, Hart and his brother-in-law, The British Bulldog, battled in front of a rabid crowd of 80,355. The fans got everything they hoped for, as Bulldog's power and Hart's technical mastery combined to create the best match possible.

The London fans also got to witness their countryman win the Intercontinental Championship, as Bulldog defeated Hart by reversing his sunset flip attempt. Afterwards, the mutual respect was obvious, as the two legends embraced in the ring.

It was a beautiful moment and a fitting end to what is certainly the best match in SummerSlam history.