7 Huge WWE SummerSlam Missed Opportunities
5. Christian’s Feel-Good Moment Is Squandered
At SummerSlam 2013, nestled under the titanic Bryan/Cena and Lesnar/Punk main events was a rather good match for the World Heavyweight Championship between Alberto Del Rio and challenger Christian. In the hype for the match, WWE emphasized how Christian might not have many chances left at becoming world champion again, and that he was going to take every opportunity like it was his last. Del Rio ultimately defeated Christian via submission, and after a series of injuries, he was medically forced into retirement in 2014, seemingly for good.
WWE absolutely should have had Christian win the title from Del Rio. First of all, it would have redeemed him after his first world title wins were thanks to interference and chickensh*t shenanigans. Secondly, given that the Authority angle started the night of SummerSlam with Triple H and Stephanie taking their aggression out on unconventional superstar Daniel Bryan, Christian would have been a perfect complement to that, as the company brass always looked him over in favor of his more physically impressive colleagues, despite his clear charisma and in-ring ability. Instead, Del Rio had a filler feud with Rob Van Dam before dropping the belt to Cena at Hell in a Cell.
It’s a shame Christian never got a proper final feel-good run, as it would have made his retirement a less bitter pill to swallow.