25 Greatest WWE SummerSlam Matches EVER
14. Ravishing Rick Rude Vs The Ultimate Warrior (SummerSlam 1989)
Before Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage redefined what could be achieved in an Ultimate Warrior match, Ravishing Rick Rude was the gold standard for quality contests with the maniacal superstar.
The opening sequence saw a rerun of the typical Warrior brutality, with Ravishing Rick selling majestically for the powerhouse assault. Rude withstood the abuse just enough attack his opponent's lower back and slow the pace down to something resembling an actual wrestling match. Though degradation of a body part rarely came into Warrior's work, Rude's onslaught with a camel clutch added to the tension and gave the challenger ample time to rest and recuperate for the big finale.
Genuinely (and perhaps unexpectedly) in control, Rude got arrogant. Allowing himself to be distracted by Rowdy Roddy Piper, he took one final massive bump off a Warrior german suplex. before being decimated with the usual finishing flurry in the aftermath. Never had Warrior worked so hard for a title that commanded such commitment.