8 WWE SummerSlam Main Events That Topped WrestleMania

by Jamie Kennedy

1. The Undertaker Vs. Bret Hart (1997)

Undertaker Bret Hart HBK
WWE.com

Much like Hogan vs. The Rock five years later, a mega-match between Bret Hart and Steve Austin deserved to headline at WrestleMania 13. It didn't, all because the WWF felt preserving the importance of the WWF Title by putting The Undertaker vs. Sycho Sid on in that slot would be the best idea (just like they would again in 2002 with Chris Jericho and Triple H).

'Taker had a hard time dragging anything more than a passable match out of Sid. Slow and dull compared to the blood-soaked theatre of Austin vs. Hart, the title bout was a poor way to close out the biggest show of the year. At SummerSlam, Undertaker had the chance to redeem himself by working with Bret, and even Shawn Michaels came along for the ride as special ref.

The underlying melodrama of Hart vs. Michaels didn't take away from the match - it only enhanced things. Better, The Undertaker was able to restore his credibility as WWF Champion following the boring 'Mania main event and SummerSlam ended with a historic fifth (and final) WWF Title reign for the Hitman.

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Do you agree that these SummerSlam main events were better than 'Mania headliners from the same year? Let us know down in the comments section below!

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Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.