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The biggest party of the summer in the WWE has been SummerSlam for 30 years and the event has resulted in countless memorable moments in the annals of WWE history.
SummerSlam has been one of the big four pay-per-views in the WWE since its inception back in 1988 and while it’s argued whether or not it is the second biggest pay-per-view of the year in the WWE behind WrestleMania, the event has provided some of the biggest moments in WWE history.
With a history that dates back 30 years, which moments are the best in SummerSlam history? Let’s take a look at the 10 greatest moments in WWE SummerSlam history.
10. AJ Styles Beats John Cena: August 21, 2016
Many wondered if AJ Styles, consistently one of the best pro wrestlers in the world for many years, would ever make his way to the WWE. But at the Royal Rumble 2016, The Phenomenal One made his debut and the rest, as they say, is history.
Styles immediately made an impact and would eventually turn heel on John Cena, setting up a feud that fans had dreamed about for a long time. The two had a stellar match at Money In The Bank 2016 with Styles getting the win, albeit a controversial one that just seemed like the typical and only way Cena could lose at that point.
However, a rematch would take place at SummerSlam 2016 between The Phenomenal One and Big Match John and this match would completely outshine the Money In The Bank encounter. The two would pull out all the stops in what is considered one of, if not the, the best match on the main roster in the WWE in 2016.
It went back and forth for over 20 minutes with both men on the brink of victory. But it was Styles who had the last laugh when he hit Cena with a phenomenal forearm to get the clean win over Cena. This was a huge moment, especially for Styles who would go on to win the WWE Championship later in the year. This match propelled Styles into what he has become.
Big Match John rarely lost clean at this point, so seeing The Phenomenal One pin him clean in the middle of the ring in a great match resonates in the annals of SummerSlam history.