11. The Beast Dismantles John Cena - SummerSlam, August 17
In a year when Brock Lesnar rose to prominence, ending The Undertaker's celebrated undefeated streak and brutalizing Big Show with a steel chair at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, it was only fitting that the Beast Incarnate would meet John Cena in the main event of SummerSlam for the WWE Championship. For the first time in a decade, he would have the opportunity to hold the top prize in the industry and he would make the most of it. Lesnar brutalized Cena, suplexing him 16 times as the fans in Los Angeles watched on in disbelief. Cena got a brief reprieve from the punishment, courtesy of a minute-long comeback, but it was Lesnar who ended Cena's night on a sour note by flattening him with the F5 and taking his title. Never before, at least not as a main event commodity, had Cena been so thoroughly dismantled as he was by Lesnar on that warm August night. Lesnar, who had a monumental year, perhaps his best since 2002, suddenly found himself reigning over WWE as its heavyweight champion, the top dog in a sport he once quit on ten years earlier.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
