SummerSlam main events: ESPN spotlights Cena, Rhodes and classics
ESPN’s countdown to the 39th SummerSlam revisits headliners from Hogan and Savage to Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The SummerSlam main events getting a fresh look before WWE’s 39th edition stretch from Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage’s 1988 super-team showcase to Cody Rhodes’ street-fight revenge over John Cena, according to an ESPN rundown by Sean Coyle and Juliana Daddio.
SummerSlam has been part of WWE’s calendar since 1988. ESPN noted that several famous SummerSlam matches, including Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart in a steel cage in 1994, the first TLC match in 2000, Shawn Michaels’ return against Triple H in 2002 and CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar in 2013, did not close the show.
What are the most memorable SummerSlam main events?
ESPN’s list begins with the original 1988 finale: The Mega Powers, Hulk Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage, against The Mega Bucks, Andre the Giant and Ted DiBiase, with Jesse Ventura as special guest referee. The finish turned on Miss Elizabeth distracting Andre and DiBiase before Hogan hit the leg drop on DiBiase and Savage forced Ventura’s hand down for the count.
The 1992 Wembley Stadium main event gave the British Bulldog a home-country title moment. ESPN described Bulldog beating his brother-in-law Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Championship after countering Hart’s sunset flip and holding him down for the three-count.
Brock Lesnar’s 2002 rocket ride also made the cut. After debuting on WWE’s main roster in March and winning King of the Ring in June, Lesnar defeated The Rock at SummerSlam for the WWE Championship when he reversed a Rock Bottom attempt and landed an F-5.
ESPN also highlighted Edge vs. John Cena in 2006, a main event tied to Edge’s first Money in the Bank cash-in earlier that year. At SummerSlam, Lita helped Edge retain the WWE Championship by passing him brass knuckles, which he used on Cena.
How did Undertaker, Bryan and Reigns shape the list?
The Undertaker vs. Edge in 2008 was identified by ESPN as the first Hell in a Cell match ever held at SummerSlam. Undertaker won after a weapons-heavy match and then sent Edge through the ring as fire erupted.
Daniel Bryan’s 2013 win over John Cena took a sharp turn seconds after the bell. Bryan pinned Cena clean with a running knee, but guest referee Triple H then attacked Bryan, allowing Randy Orton to cash in Money in the Bank and take the WWE Championship.
The 2022 Last Man Standing match between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar brought one of the list’s wildest visuals. ESPN noted Lesnar used a tractor to lift part of the ring, before The Usos helped Reigns bury Lesnar under broken tables and chairs for the win.
Why are the newest Cena and Rhodes matches included?
ESPN included two 2025 closers. CM Punk beat Gunther to win the World Heavyweight Championship, only for Seth Rollins to return with crutches, attack Punk, cash in Money in the Bank and leave as champion in a moment dubbed the “Ruse of the Century.”
The latest entry was Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena on Night 2 of SummerSlam 2025. After Cena won a record 17th world title from Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, Rhodes answered in a street fight, putting Cena through a table with a Cody Cutter and finishing him with Cross Rhodes to regain WWE’s top championship. ESPN added that Brock Lesnar returned afterward, hit Cena with an F-5 and set up a Wrestlepalooza match.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.