Righteous Rankings: Summerslam Matches

Welcome to another set of Righteous Rankings. Since the dawn of time or the WWE at least; there has been four main yearly PPV's. Those four are Summerslam, Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, and of course Wrestlemania. Each has put forward a fair share of classic matches but in this article I will be recognizing an event that has been around since 1988.

Summerslam is just weeks away so therefore it only seems necessary to look back on some of the great matches produced during this event. The summer's biggest blockbuster has put up so many great matches that it is hard to break the field down but I managed to do just that. During this article I will bring us back in time to relive the top ten greatest matches in Summerslam history. At least from a recognition stand point.

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Ranking: #10

Match: Honkey Tonk Man vs Ultimate Warrior (1988)

The reason this match broke the list wasnt because of the match in its entirety, but because of what it represents. This match was one of the bigger matches that actually took place on the first ever Summerslam stage. Ultimate Warrior ran down the ramp and hit a running splash just 30 seconds later to win the match. The win itself wasnt as big as the fact that he ended the longest Intercontinental Championship reign of all-time.

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Ranking: #9

Match: Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar (2003)

Summerslam was considered the best PPV event in 2003. With that being said, this match was able to headline the show that year. This match brought a showing of how Kurt Angle was able to overcome the strength of Lesnar. Lesnar tried to walk out on the match but Angle chased him down the ramp and brought him back to the ring.

From there Lesnar was able to use his strength to advantage. He tossed around Angle for a while but after many failed ankle lock attempts, Angle was able to lock in the ankle lock at the right moment. Lesnar tried to take the match at many times but Angle kept getting up and stuck around until Lesnar tapped out!

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Ranking: #8

Match: Undertaker vs Edge- Hell in a Cell (2008)

If you followed the top ten ladder based matches then you may remember Undertaker having to leave the WWE after losing to Edge in TLC. Well Undertaker returned after some strings were pulled and there storybook rivalry came to an end with a hell in a cell match to remember.

The match started out with Edge dominating with weapons such as TLC. But the turning point came when he managed to spear the Undertaker through a panel in the cell wall. From then on it was a battle but it was the Undertaker who hit a tombstone piledriver to win it. Unfortunately for Edge it was the end though as Undertaker headed back to the ring when he saw movement from Edge on the titantron. Undertaker then cemented the end of the rivalry by chokeslamming Edge off a ladder, straight to hell (through the ring).

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Ranking: #7

Match: Test vs Shane McMahon- Love Her or Leave Her Street Fight (1998)

This match was just another match on the Undertaker and Steve Austin card but it was able to turn into a match of its own. People might shake there head at this one and no appreciate this match but it was the defining moment in Test's career. Shane McMahon isnt even a full time wrestler but he found a way to deliver despite the loss.

This match saw a ton of interference as all the drama unfolded outside the ring between Test and the McMahon family. In the end though when it was all said and done, it was Test who came out on top to make perhaps his career highlight match. He went on to get engaged with Stephanie but it didnt last long once Triple H came along.

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Ranking: #6

Match: Bret Hart vs Owen Hart- Steel Cage Match (1994)

There is nothing like a good old fashioned family match. These two guys came in with one common goal to escape the cage and it wasnt easy for either of them to get the job done. Most steel cage matches can be solidified and at an eventual pace with outbursts of excitement but this match was that times two.

Both men came in with the thought of not only beating there opponent down but of beating there opponent outside of the cage. Both men put in plenty and multiple escape attempts but nobody could escape this competitive match. It went on for so long that they decided to race next to eachother as they climbed down to the floor. Owen Hart got his leg caught in the cage so Bret Hart was able to drop to the floor in
time to win possibly one of the greatest steel cage matches of all-time. 

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Ranking: #5

Match: The Dudleys vs The Hardy Boyz vs E&C- TLC (2000)

If you read the greatest ladder based matches of all time then you can probably remember this one ranked at #2. The same competitors also topped that chart at #1 but on this tough list, there lucky to fall into the top five. Many tables were destroyed on this night and the match was absolutely brutal.

In the end it was Devon and Jeff Hardy left climbing up the ladder until it was taken from underneath them. The two battled it out while hanging from the belts and it was Devon who dropped. Unfortunately for Hardy, E&C were there to knock him down with a ladder and then climb to victory. TLC represented the first of there match type and the bar was set high.

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Ranking: #4

Match: Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect (1991)

These two men put on an epic battle and they did it without weapons, without interference, and without any help. Just two guys giving the match everything they had for the Intercontinental Championship and it turned out to be a classic. And to top it off, Mr. Perfect did it all with a bad back. All of us have had a stiff neck or a bad back and we all know what its like. You can barely move out of bed let alone wrestle a match.

In the end it was a sharpshooter by Bret Hart that forced Mr. Perfect to tap out. The match was a turning point in Hart's career and just a bold moment in Mr. Perfect's. He even tapped out before pressure was applied because he knew once the submission was locked in then the pain would be unbearable. Not the last from Bret Hart on this countdown though.

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Ranking: #3

Match: Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels- Ladder Match (1995)

This match has two point of views. Some see it as the match that revolutionized the ladder match and others see it as overrated. Well I think its a revolution so thats why it is breaking in to the top three. This match was the kind that remind you just why the ropes are there. Not just to keep the men in the ring but they can also be used as weapons, leverage, springs, and even the reason the match ended in this one.

Both men battled it out and the ropes ended it. After the ladder collapsed on Ramon, Michaels thought he had a clear climb to victory but Razor Ramon was still in it and was able to tip the ladder. Michaels landed groin first on the ropes and it stunned Michaels just long enough for Ramon to win the match. No worries though because Michaels gets his revenge later in this list. Or right now...

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Ranking: #2

Match: Triple H vs Shawn Michaels- Unsanctioned Street Fight (2002)

I originally had this match ranked fourth but after watching it again, I changed my mind. This match was led by a great storyline and then it delivered. When these two names are said, most people think of DX but this time they did it by themselves.

The match had plenty of explosive moments and both men were broken open by a steel chair. Shawn Michaels got one dropped on him and Triple H took sweet chin music with a chair in the middle. When all the smoke cleared it was Michaels who stole the win by rolling Triple H up on a pedigree attempt. Michaels won the match but Triple H got the statement by dropping Michaels with a sledgehammer in the end.

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Ranking: #1

Match: Bret Hart vs British Bulldog (1992)

Ive seen plenty of talk about Summerslam and there are various different opinions on just about everything. But the one thing everyone can agree on is that this match is clearly the greatest match in Summerslam history. British Bulldog came into this in his hometown of London in front of over 80,000 of fans. Every fan hoping that Bulldog can find a way to take the Intercontinental Championship off of Bret Hart.

The entire match was fast pace and explosive wrestling that kept you on the edge of your seat for the entire match. Its hard to pin point any moments in the match as well because of all the counters and momentum changes that took place. But in the end when this battle turned into a war, it was British Bulldog who was able to run with the power of the crowd and win the match. Bret Hart was looking to lock in a sharpshooter but British Bulldog countered it into a stolen pin.

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Thanks for reading and read again next week where I will be breaking down another top ten.

Comments

1. Comment #1

   The HHH vs Austin vs Mankind it was the best summerslam match ever

   Posted by nelson harrington on Tuesday, August 03, 2010

2. Comment #2

   I was reading this thinking "If Bulldog / Hart isnt mentioned, Im gonna go mental!!!", so its nice to see it picked as your #1 match.
   Only tiny little complaint.... Bulldog's "hometown" would be Manchester, not London....
   I was actually there at Wembley and the place was electric for that match... I wouldnt say everyone was behind Bulldog, it was probably a 70/30 split with the chanting... But was an amazing night regardless

   Posted by Angel Of Desire on Tuesday, August 03, 2010

3. Comment #3

   Austin vs Angle was the best match of Summerslams. Potentially top ten ever. Watch it again.

   Posted by Visceral_Infestation on Wednesday, August 04, 2010

4. Comment #4

   the match were orton won the world heavy weight title was my favourite match ever in Summerslam

   Posted by VW on Friday, August 06, 2010

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