2. The Prologue of the Tribal Chief (SummerSlam 2020)
Heading into WrestleMania 36, Roman Reigns was scheduled for a blockbuster match against Goldberg for the Universal Championship. However, due to his health concerns during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reigns opted to step away from television for five months.
During his absence, the Universal Championship picture turned into a monstrous feud between Braun Strowman and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt. The two clashed at SummerSlam in a hard-hitting Falls Count Anywhere bout.
After the chaotic contest ended with Wyatt becoming champion, Roman Reigns, wearing a black shirt labeled “Wreck Everyone & Leave”, made a shocking return to lay out Wyatt with a devastating Spear. Reigns then turned his sights on Strowman outside the ring, leveling him with multiple steel chair shots to the back.
Reigns then returned to the ring, laying out Wyatt with another Spear before holding the championship high above his head, standing dominant over both broken competitors.
1. The Crowning Moment That Was Quickly Ruined (SummerSlam 2013)
While many talk about “The Summer of Punk” in 2011, Daniel Bryan had his own version in 2013. Driven by Bryan’s red-hot momentum and wild popularity, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was forced to give him a WWE Championship match against John Cena.
McMahon publicly criticized Bryan, calling him a “small-time wrestler” who didn’t fit the look or mold of a true corporate champion. To ensure a fair fight, McMahon selected Triple H to serve as the special guest referee for the matchup.
In the aftermath of an incredibly fast-paced contest that saw Bryan pull off a massive upset victory over Cena to become WWE Champion, a tearful Bryan celebrated as confetti fell. In a show of sportsmanship, Cena shook Bryan’s hand and embraced him.
Following that moment, Triple H raised Bryan’s arm, seemingly validating him as a top star in the company. But just as the celebration reached its peak, the music of Randy Orton, who had recently won the Money in the Bank ladder match, echoed throughout the arena.
Orton made his way down the ramp, paused at ringside to look at Bryan, and then began walking back, seemingly opting against a cash-in. But just as Bryan went back to celebrating, Triple H suddenly spun him around, kicked him in the gut, and delivered a devastating Pedigree.
A smirking Orton walked back into the ring, handed the briefcase to Triple H, and covered Bryan for the pinfall as Triple H counted to three to crown Orton as the new champion. This betrayal was not only shocking, but it marked the official beginning of The Authority.
The only remaining question is whether we will see a similar game-changing moment in just 10 days, amidst growing speculation that SummerSlam could be the night Cody Rhodes turns heel. A legendary heel turn requires the perfect stage, and SummerSlam has proven to be the ultimate battleground for betrayal. All eyes are on Rhodes to see if the “American Nightmare” might just become everyone else’s.
