WWE SummerSlam 2011: 10 Greatest Matches in the Annual Event's History

For 24 years, the SummerSlam pay-per-view event has served as World Wrestling Entertainment's second biggest show on the calendar. While WrestleMania is afforded the most pomp and circumstance of any show the company produces, SummerSlam has managed to leave its own mark on the industry.

The show often is heavier on work rate than the more celebrated WrestleMania and is responsible for several of the greatest matches in the history of the sport. Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and John Cena have all come up big at the summer's biggest extravaganza. Join me as I take a look back at the 10 greatest matches involving these, and other, legendary stars at WWE's traditional August event. 

10. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk

The blow off to one of the most interesting and intriguing programs in recent WWE history, CM Punk challenged Jeff Hardy for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of the 2009 edition of the summer spectacular.

Punk had spent the summer of 2009 slowly transforming into the most complete heel in the company and never shied away from introducing Jeff's past personal demons into the equation. This TLC match for the World Heavyweight Championship was every bit as risky, as dangerous, and as personal as one would expect from a rivalry as heated as this would prove to be.

Punk captured the world title from Hardy in what would be Jeff's last major pay-per-view event for WWE. The new champion would have little time to celebrate, however, as Undertaker made his return and left Punk lying in a memorable conclusion to the evening's festivities.

9. The Undertaker vs. Edge

The rivalry between Undertaker and the "Rated R Superstar" Edge began at WrestleMania XXIV, where Undertaker improved his undefeated streak and left the annual spectacular with the World Heavyweight Championship. Throughout the course of the spring, Edge and his girlfriend, Vickie Guerrero, did everything possible to wrest the gold from the "Dead Man." They were successful following the Judgment Day pay-per-view, when Undertaker used his Hell's Gate submission hold to retain the title. Unfortunately, that maneuver had been outlawed and as a result, the title was stripped from him.

Edge would win the gold in a TLC match at the One Night Stand pay-per-view, a match that resulted in a two-month absence for the Undertaker. In that period, the relationship between Edge and Vickie Guerrero deteriorated and Vickie booked her former lover in the demonic, unforgiving Hell in a Cell match against Undertaker for the 2008 edition of SummerSlam.

The match was a brilliant example of two men utilizing the brutal gimmick that was the cell to its full potential but without needing to bleed to portray just how punishing the cell really was. In the end, Undertaker picked up the victory, ending the six-month rivalry and reasserting himself as the demonic ruler of the devil's playground.

8. Shawn Michaels vs. Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan. Shawn Michaels. Two of the greatest and most influential stars in the history of the professional wrestling industry. In the summer of 2005, a unique opportunity came about for a one-time dream match that would make history and finally deliver one of the few dream matches the business still had to offer.

In the weeks leading to the match, Shawn Michaels would revert to his heel persona, circa 1998. He would run down the "Hulkster," often making fun of his age and pulling no punches when shooting on the most internationally recognizable professional wrestling star of all-time. Hogan, true to his character, often took the high road but did not hesitate to promise he would defeat HBK at the 2005 SummerSlam event.

Shawn Michaels' performance at SummerSlam 2005 may very well be one of the greatest in his career. In the main event of the second biggest show of the year, Michaels carried Hogan to one of Hulk's best matches and, at the same time, continued to poke fun at Hogan's nonsensical offense, often over-selling moves as simple as punches and kicks.

The match had little significance past the SummerSlam event. Michaels would be a baby face again come the following night's Raw and Hogan would be gone. The match, however, will go down as one of the great matches of Hogan's legendary career and a shining example of HBK's undeniable greatness.

7. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon

At Wrestlemania X in 1994, Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon engaged in what many consider one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history. It would inspire an entire generation of Superstars and would be a major piece of the puzzle that became the WWE's New Generation era, where younger and more athletic stars such as Michaels and Bret Hart dominated the company.

At the 1995 SummerSlam, Michaels and Ramon set out to try and top their previous effort with another ladder match. There was no back story. Originally set to be Michaels versus Psycho Sid, Sid would bow out of the match, instead choosing to participate in a softball league.

The match was the best on the card yet it never truly reached the level of greatness that the WrestleMania X match achieved. Several botched spots, a ladder that did not want to cooperate with Michaels, and a slight mid-match temper tantrum from HBK all dragged the match down, even in the slightest. Even with its flaws taken into consideration, the ladder rematch between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon remains one of SummerSlam's greatest matches and a critical final step towards the main event push that awaited Shawn heading into WrestleMania XII. It would also, sadly, be one of Ramon's last great matches with the Vince McMahon-owned company.

6. The Rock vs. Triple H

There comes a time in every future Hall of Famer's career when they have that one breakout match that catapults them into the main event stratosphere. At SummerSlam 1998, The Rock and Triple H stole the show in a ladder match that surpassed not only expectations but also that of its predecessors.

The Rock, the cocky leader of the Nation, utilized the ladder to work over the injured knee of D-Generation X leader Triple H. It allowed the future "Game" to build sympathy with the fans and would result in a tremendous pop when Triple H, blinded by powder thrown in his eyes by the interfering Mark Henry, was able to reach up and retrieve the Intercontinental gold.

The match created two instant stars that would go on to dominate the WWE over the course of the next ten years. This one match was responsible for The Rock's victory at the Survivor Series event three months later, when he captured the WWE Championship. Triple H's push would take a little longer but one year later, he too would enjoy a run as the company's top champion.

5. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H

In March of 1998, Shawn Michaels would wrestle what would be his final WWE match, thanks to a severe back injury that, if not treated, would almost assuredly result in paralysis. It appeared as though the all-time great career of Shawn Michaels would end far sooner than any expected.

In 2002, something weird happened. Michaels began feeling better and the idea was floated to him, hinting at a one-time return to the ring. A storyline featuring Triple H attacking his friend led to the signing of an "unsanctioned" Street Fight between the two for the SummerSlam 2002 pay-per-view.

The match was everything a street fight should be. There was weapon use, blood flow, and terrific and breath-taking high spots. But Michaels and Triple H are so gifted at what they do that they were able to incorporate a story into their match, with "The Game" targeting Michaels' injured back, building crowd sympathy and making it even more unlikely that Michaels would be able to walk away from the match, let alone walk away victoriously.

But that's exactly what happened. The strong storytelling, the satisfying outcome, and everything between resulted in one of the most beloved matches in the history of the event. It would also prove to be one of the most important matches in company history as this one match gave Michaels the confidence to return to the ring. Without this one match, Michaels may never again have stepped foot in the squared circle and the eight years of memories that HBK has left etched in the minds of the fans who witnessed them would not have existed.

4. Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect

The match that launched the Hall of Fame career of Bret "Hitman" Hart.

Prior to SummerSlam 1991, Hart had established himself as a serviceable mid-card talent with extraordinary in-ring skills but only moderate microphone skills. At SummerSlam, he defeated Mr. Perfect in one of the finest wrestling matches the World Wrestling Federation had ever seen, earning himself the reputation of one of the fastest rising stars in the business.

Curt Hennig's performance in the match cannot go unrecognized, either. Working with a back injury that was in dire need of surgical help, Hennig made Bret Hart a star with his unique ability to sell a beating and his unselfish ways inside the squared circle.

The match would be one of the building blocks on Hart's path to the World Wrestling Federation Championship, which Hart would win just one short year later.

3. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart

The best steel cage match in WWE history. Bar none.

The personal rivalry between real-life brothers Bret and Owen Hart had captivated the World Wrestling Federation audience for the majority of 1994, proving once and for all that compelling storytelling and outstanding in-ring work resonated with fans as much as any giant behemoth could. Come SummerSlam 1994, the Hart brothers were on a collision course with one another, heading towards a WWF Championship match that promised to steal the show at an event hyping Undertaker vs. Undertaker as its main event.

In one half hour, Bret and Owen Hart competed in a masterpiece of professional wrestling, utilizing the "escape the cage" stipulation to craft one of the most dramatic matches in the history of the business. Fans sat on the edge of their seats, watching with great interest as each man attempted to escape the cage, and the building, with the WWF title.

Bret Hart would leave the event with the gold but, once again, the founders of the New Generation era in WWF would prove that athleticism and work rate could be responsible for classic moments.

2. TLC

The TLC match at SummerSlam 2000 was responsible for two reasons, each of which would become more and more significant in the decade following the event.

First, it was the match that continued the progress of Edge & Christian, the Hardys, and the Dudleys in tag team division in the WWF. Each man put their body on the line for the sake of entertainment and because of the quality of the match, the three teams remained integral parts of the weekly television programs. Because of their contributions and the quality of their work during the tag team wars of the Attitude Era, Edge, Christian, and Jeff Hardy would all go on to enjoy World Championship reigns.

Secondly, the match was the genesis of the dangerous "spot fests" that would follow. It could be considered the godfather of the Money in the Bank match, which ups the ante by adding competitors and a contract for a future title match to the equation.

1. Bret Hart vs. British Bulldog

The greatest match in SummerSlam history is the first time the Intercontinental Championship Match was the main event of a World Wrestling Federation pay-per-view (not taking into account the Champion vs. Champion match between Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI).

Bret Hart has gone on record stating he was as proud of this one match than he was any other in his long and illustrious career. As memorable a moment as Davey Boy Smith winning the Intercontinental Championship in Wembley Stadium, in front of a home country crowd, it was also the final obstacle Hart needed to clear on his way to the WWF Championship. The consummate professional, Hart carried Smith to one of the finest wrestling matches the business had seen to that point.