{"id":164976,"date":"2026-07-26T23:22:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T03:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=164976"},"modified":"2026-07-26T23:22:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T03:22:40","slug":"5-hidden-wwe-summerslam-gems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/07\/26\/5-hidden-wwe-summerslam-gems\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Hidden Gems You Need to Watch from WWE SummerSlam"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Biggest Party of the Summer is only a few days away. WWE SummerSlam was the third major PLE<\/a> created by WWE, and it has become the second biggest show on the calendar. After WrestleMania, SummerSlam has been produced like a huge deal, often showcasing the biggest matches in WWE history. The number of classic moments that have taken place at SummerSlam only rivals WrestleMania in its number.<\/p>\n

The eyes of the wrestling world hyperfocus when SummerSlam comes around, but for all its history, there are a few great matches that have snuck under the radar. For all the hype and mainstream attention that the Biggest Party of the Summer gets, there have been certain matches that everyone forgets about. These matches have gone the way of Homer Simpson and backed themselves into the hedge. It\u2019s time that these SummerSlam hidden gems get their spotlight.<\/p>\n

Seth Rollins v Dominik Mysterio (Street Fight; WWE SummerSlam 2020) <\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

The issues between the Mysterios and Seth Rollins were a highlight of pandemic-era WWE. Rollins was a thorn in the father and son’s side for months, stooping to every level possible to get over, even going so far as to attempt to eviscerate Rey Mysterio’s eye. When it became too much, the younger Mysterio challenged Seth Rollins to a Street Fight at SummerSlam.<\/p>\n

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This was Dominik Mysterio’s first WWE match, and he showed a maturity that shouldn\u2019t have been there. He had the training to be successful, but his grasp of storytelling in the WWE was impressive. Of course, Seth Rollins\u2019s talent hid some of the failings, of which there were few.<\/p>\n

This Street Fight was a spirited battle between two men who downright hated one another. Dominik Mysterio was wise beyond his years, and Seth Rollins was his usual fantastic self. The match had great spots, a compelling story bookending a debut for the ages.<\/p>\n

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1-2-3 Kid v Hakushi (SummerSlam 1995) <\/strong><\/h2>\n

SummerSlam 1995 was not exactly a PLE that would blow anyone out of the water. The much hyped ladder match between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels was the marquee match, but there was one other that flew below everyone\u2019s radar. An opening match between the 1-2-3 Kid and Hakushi that no one remembers but that everyone should rewatch.<\/p>\n

This match represented the incredible talent of Hakushi and the Kid. There was a speed and crispness to everything that they did in the ring. Many of the moves that were showcased were not a normal place for that generation. There was still a reliance on big man matches in the main event, and this match showed such a sharp contrast to that. The excitement of the crowd was evident, and both men bumped their butts off, selling every high spot they could. This is a must-watch for anyone who is a fan of hidden gems.<\/p>\n

Ric Flair v Mick Foley (I Quit Match; SummerSlam 2006) <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ric Flair and Mick Foley presented an interesting case study for WWE. The two men didn\u2019t cross paths often, and judging from comments made by Ric Flair, there was a reason for that. The Nature Boy had referred to Mick Foley as nothing more than a stuntman,<\/a> and this sparked a personal feud that blurred the lines between fiction and reality. It was a brief program, but one that got very intense, producing a short but brutal I Quit Match at SummerSlam.<\/p>\n

The real-life animosity between these two men was felt with every move. Flair had no issue adapting to Foley\u2019s hardcore style, as thumb tacks and barbed wire bats were used liberally. Both men bladed, dumping tons of blood all over the ring. The wrestling was dispensed with, and this match resembled a car crash that began to get uncomfortable near the end.<\/p>\n

Foley\u2019s friendship with Melina was exploited by Flair, even going so far as to threaten her physical harm, causing Mick Foley to quit the match. From bell to bell, this was a hidden gem of a match that featured two WWE legends.<\/p>\n

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The Steiner Brothers v The Heavenly Bodies (SummerSlam 1993) <\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The New Generation tag team ranks were at their lowest in 1993. It wasn’t given the television time that the Golden Era had enjoyed, and the number of great teams was few and far between. Luckily, a few teams snuck in, and when given the opportunity, these teams created something special.<\/p>\n

The Steiners<\/a> and Heavenly Bodies were hidden on the SummerSlam 1993 card. Even with the tag straps on the line, there was no backstory to build upon nor animosity to exploit. The Steiners were the hometown favorites, so the crowd reaction was there.<\/p>\n

The audience was rewarded with an incredibly tight tag team match. The double- team moves were creative, and it was a well-booked match, seeing several hot tags. It was a great back-and-forth contest that gave the audience what they wanted, a hometown victory.<\/p>\n

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Alberto Del Rio v Christian (World Heavyweight Championship Match; SummerSlam 2013) <\/strong><\/h2>\n