Introduction
It’s the biggest party of the summer. It’s Summerslam! Across its storied history, Summerslam has seen some incredible matches which are rightfully held up as the best in its illustrious history. For example see Bret Hart vs Mr Perfect, the chaotic Universal Title Four Way or Brock Lesnar vs CM Punk which you can read about in our best Summerslam Matches list. However, today we’re discussing those matches which maybe don’t get the same love. The ones who deserve to be held in much higher regard than they are. Check out more of our wrestling content here and without further ado here are our picks for the most underrated Summerslam matches ever!
Top 10 Most Underrated Summerslam Matches Ranked – Top 10
10. Brock Lesnar vs Seth Rollins – WWE Universal Championship (Summerslam 2019)
Kicking off our list with two men who have made it a habit of having great matches at the biggest party of the summer in the form of Brock Lesnar and a pre-Freakin Seth Rollins. Don’t forget just how reviled babyface Seth Rollins was in the summer of 2019 as his Universal Title reign hadn’t set the world alight and the Toronto crowd certainly let him know. However, in what is testament to both men’s abilities, by the end of this match the partisan Toronto crowd loves Seth. Huge credit for that has to go to Lesnar for manhandling Rollins and attacking his ‘injured’ ribs to really get the crowd behind the architect. Honestly, this match is yet another example of how when Brock has his working boots on, he can turn out near peerless work.
9. The Rock vs Kurt Angle vs Triple H – Triple Threat for the WWE Championship (Summerslam 2000)
Whilst this is nominally a triple threat match for the WWE Championship, it’s actually more about the love triangle storyline between Triple H, Kurt Angle and Stephanie McMahon. Oh, and the Rock just so happens to be there at the height of his popularity. Naturally, given the stakes here it’s very heated between the Game and the Olympic Hero as both men go right after each other. Honestly, the way that Stephanie is woven into the fabric of the match is really good as she initially costs Triple H before coming down and causing a distraction between Angle and the Game which allows the Rock to slide in, deliver a People’s Elbow and retain his WWE Championship. Whilst this storyline was more or less dropped in the months following Summerslam, this match stands as a fascinating what if to where the storyline could have gone.
8. Asuka vs Sasha Banks – WWE Raw Women’s Championship (Summerslam 2020)
Maybe it’s difficult to call anything from the Thunderdome underrated as despite some classic matches, nobody wants to relive that experience of watching wrestling. Firstly, it forms part of a double challenge for the Empress of Tomorrow as she first challenged Bayley for the Smackdown Women’s Championship so there’s a redemptive story working in this match’s favour. Secondly, it’s two of the best women’s wrestlers of the 2010s beating each other senselessly, albeit to fake crowd noise. Either way, the final stretch of this match is excellent as Asuka finally submits the now Mercedes Mone to claim one of her final world championships to date. An underrated watch if you can stomach the Thunderdome Era.
7. Jeff Hardy vs RVD – Ladder Match for the WWE Hardcore Championship (Summerslam 2001)
From a wrestling match to a nonsense hardcore match as we discuss this criminally underrated match from Summerslam 2001. And yes, this is bang in the middle of the botched ass Invasion storyline. However, don’t let this distract from a phenomenal ladder match between Hardy and RVD, which curiously for both men involved only uses one ladder. However, this doesn’t stop them from doing some very silly and violent spots which were still relatively new to the WWE at this point. Whilst it’s nothing special overall, it is nice to see WWE showcasing two future world champions in a fun little ladder match and even better RVD goes over through the old shove your opponent off the ladder into the ropes trick. Definitely one of the matches worth watching at Summerslam 2001.
6. Kurt Angle vs Eddie Guerrero (Summerslam 2004)
We really shouldn’t have to explain why a match featuring two of the greatest wrestlers to ever lace up a pair of boots is incredible but we’ll give it a go regardless. Considering that there was nothing really at stake for either man (beyond pride), they didn’t have to go nearly as hard throughout this match. However, both men decide to work at triple speed due to the relatively short match length with counters and moves flying about at a truly frightening rate. And yes, it eventually ends with Angle getting his win back on Guerrero after the creative ending to their Wrestlemania match. Overall, a very underrated match between two of the greatest to ever do it which is really saying something. Oh, and for all of Luther Reigns’ fans he was at ringside too.
5. Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon II – Ladder Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship (Summerslam 1995)
Infamously a match that was never supposed to happen but even Vince McMahon realised Summerslam 1995 was so bad that he needed something to convince people to part ways with their money. And yes, this might be a controversial pick but this is definitely underrated in comparison to their match at Wrestlemania X. Whilst both men were told they couldn’t use the ladder as a weapon, they found creative ways around it by jumping off the ladder and whipping each other into the ladder in the corner. Honestly, while it isn’t as great as their instant classic at Wrestlemania X, it is definitely worth the time to track down for fans of either man.
4. Rey Mysterio vs Dolph Ziggler – WWE Intercontinental Championship (Summerslam 2009)
Speaking of underrated Intercontinental Championship matches at Summerslam, this match doesn’t get nearly enough credit for being as good as it is. And that might be because of the fact Mysterio kind of Hogan’s the ending by going over the hot young talent in a breakout match. However, do not let that distract from the incredible work rate on display as Mysterio is still very much at his peak, springboarding around like a lunatic, whilst Ziggler is the perfect base to work off in the sense he’s phenomenal at selling whilst also manhandling Mysterio where possible. Whilst the fact Mysterio retains for a few more months at Ziggler’s expense felt weird, this IC Title match stands as one of the most underappreciated matches in Summerslam history. Oh, don’t worry Vickie Guerrero fans because she’s there too.
3. Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins – WWE Universal Championship (Summerslam 2016)
Now this match was arguably a dream match at the time and concludes Finn Balor’s rocket push but nobody ever gives it the respect it deserves. Two reasons why. The first is the nasty shoulder injury Balor takes from a Bucklebomb into the barricade. The second is the fans spending the entire time chanting about how sh*** the Universal Title looked. Whilst it did look terrible, the fact it came at the expense of a wonderful first time ever dream match is not on. That aside, this match is incredible mostly because of how fluid it is as both men seamlessly go through incredible sequences which is doubly impressive given how badly Balor’s shoulder is here. Honestly, watch this match and try to block the idiotic fans out and you’ll experience one of the most underappreciated world championship matches ever.
2. Christian vs Randy Orton – No Disqualification Match for the World Heavyweight Championship (Summerslam 2011)
Speaking of criminally underappreciated world championship matches at Summerslam, we now get the undisputed king of this category: Christian vs Randy Orton from 2011. Concluding their all time great rivalry, which mostly revolved around dick kicks and begging towards the end, both men go hell for leather in this No DQ match. There’s plenty of standard violent spots as well as an all time classic RKO from Orton as he surprises Christian when he goes for a second rope diving move into an RKO on the steel steps. Whilst Christian deserves a decent world championship run, we can’t deny how fun and chaotic this match and rivalry were. Definitely worth tracking down if you’ve got the spare time.
1. Eddie Guerrero vs Edge (Summerslam 2002)
And topping our list of the most underrated Summerslam matches ever is….. Eddie Guerrero vs Edge from Summerslam 2002. Now this is controversial as nearly everyone agrees about how underrated this match is but how could we not mention it? Similarly to Kurt Angle vs Eddie Guerrero, this is an absolute sprint of a match between two men not yet in their prime and peak within the company. The story was simple: Eddie was repeatedly targeting Edge’s shoulder and even pulled out a cheeky dropkick counter to the softest spear in wrestling history.
However, Edge more than hits back, but only after Guerrero hits a wince inducing frog splash to Edge’s shoulder. Edge eventually powers up, hits an Edgecution and a spear to put down Latino Heat in a really fun ten minute mid card match. Considering the careers both men went on to have, this match is essential viewing to see how they started out.
