From body slams to broken hearts, SummerSlam has always been WWE’s midsummer proving ground. Since 1988, this annual event has delivered unforgettable moments, classic matches, and storyline shifts that have redefined careers. At Back Sports Page, we’re diving deep into every SummerSlam in history—breaking down the main events, spotlighting the must-watch bouts, skipping the filler, and analyzing the aftermath that shaped the future. Whether it’s legends colliding, titles changing hands, or unexpected swerves, this series captures it all. Welcome to the ultimate retrospective on The Biggest Party of the Summer.
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Date: August 18, 2013
Attendance: 17,739
MAIN EVENT:
John Cena (WWE Champion) vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship)
Special Guest Referee: Triple H
This wasn’t just a title match—it was a cultural statement. Daniel Bryan, propelled by organic crowd support, was hand-picked by Cena to challenge for the WWE Championship. The crowd was firmly behind Bryan, and Cena—wrestling with a serious elbow injury—stepped aside to let the moment happen.
The match was outstanding. Bryan’s technical excellence met Cena’s big-match style in a bout that thrilled from bell to bell. Bryan won clean, hitting a running knee and scoring the biggest victory of his career. Fireworks exploded. The crowd erupted. Bryan’s era had begun…
…until Triple H hit him with a Pedigree and Randy Orton cashed in Money in the Bank to steal the title in mere seconds.
Why it Mattered:
The “Yes Movement” had its heart ripped out, and the Authority angle was born. Bryan’s struggle became the centerpiece of WWE’s most emotionally resonant storyline in years—culminating seven months later at WrestleMania XXX.
WHAT TO WATCH:
1. CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar (No Disqualification Match)
An absolute war. Punk brought the fight to Lesnar like few ever had. The psychology was rich—Punk playing the scrappy technician and Lesnar the brute destroyer. Heyman’s involvement only added to the chaos. In the end, Lesnar won with an F-5 on a chair, but both men walked out elevated. Arguably the best match of 2013.
2. Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena
Not just a great wrestling match—an iconic moment. Bryan’s victory was pure catharsis. Even with the post-match betrayal, the match stands as one of the greatest main events in SummerSlam history.
3. Cody Rhodes vs. Damien Sandow
A satisfying midcard grudge match with real stakes. After Sandow turned on Cody to win Money in the Bank, the former allies delivered a crisp and passionate fight. Rhodes got the win, and the crowd loved it.
WHAT TO SKIP:
Natalya vs. Brie Bella
Not a bad match, but more an extension of the Total Divas storyline than anything of long-term importance. It lacked stakes, and the division was still in a holding pattern before the true women’s revolution would ignite.
Kane vs. Bray Wyatt (Ring of Fire Match)
Wyatt’s in-ring debut under the new cult leader gimmick. While the entrance and atmosphere were excellent, the match itself was slow, with the flames being more of a hindrance than a thrill. The post-match beatdown was effective, but the match is skippable.
AFTERMATH:
SummerSlam 2013 reshaped WWE’s landscape. Bryan’s betrayal by Triple H and Orton launched a company-defining storyline. Lesnar’s brutal performance continued to build his mystique heading into his eventual takedown of The Streak. Punk, despite losing, proved he was still elite.
The crowd reactions, storyline stakes, and pure in-ring quality made this arguably the best SummerSlam of the 2010s—and a pivotal moment in the rise of modern WWE’s fan-driven narratives.
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