10 Greatest Superstars In WWE SummerSlam History
5. CM Punk
CM Punk appeared at every SummerSlam event between 2007 and 2013 and during his run at the event, established himself as one of the elite performers of his generation. The 'Straight Edge Savior' of WWE almost always had a championship around his waist entering the extravaganza or was embattled in one of the most prominent rivalries on the card.
In 2011, he rolled into Los Angeles' Staples Center the hottest star in professional wrestling, fresh off a WWE Championship victory over John Cena in the main event of Money in the Bank. On that night, he would meet Cena in a hotly anticipated rematch.
Along with that first Cena war, there are two matches that truly define Punk's contributions to SummerSlam.
In 2009, Punk challenged Jeff Hardy for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Tables, Ladders & Chairs match. The most despised heel in the sport at the time, he infuriated the fans in LA as he defeated Hardy and captured the gold.
Perhaps no match better reflected his constant battle against the machine than his 2013 match with Brock Lesnar as only interference from Paul Heyman prevented him from beating The Beast Incarnate.
Ironically enough, his run with WWE came to an end in similar fashion, the fighter undone by influences beyond the squared circle.