25 Greatest Matches In WWE SummerSlam History
3. John Cena Versus Daniel Bryan, SummerSlam 2013
Daniel Bryan spent the first half of 2013 becoming the most popular wrestler in WWE, so when John Cena, who had been allowed to pick his SummerSlam opponent, selected him, fans were elated. That didn't mean Bryan was going to take it easy on Cena, though. Leading up to the match, the two got in each other's faces, leading to some heated exchanges.
The intensity continued into the match, where Bryan used his technical expertise to counter Cena's offense. With the crowd rabid, Bryan started firing kicks at the WWE Champion. Cena attempted a Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Bryan caught the champion with another kick. Bryan escaped a pair of Attitude Adjustments, reversing the second into a Yes Lock.
Cena powered up to his feet, but Bryan shifted into a guillotine. Cena escaped and finally hit the AA, but Bryan kicked out, then hit a superplex and a diving headbutt. Cena blocked a top rope hurricanrana and locked in the STF, but this time, it was Bryan who escaped.
Frustrated, both men traded slaps, but Bryan hit several kicks, then debuted his Running Knee finisher to pin Cena and win the title.
Unfortunately, a Money in the Bank cash-in by Randy Orton left Bryan's title reign short lived, but the match and the victory made him a cornerstone of WWE.