One Moment WWE Wants You To Forget From Every Year (1985 to 2026)
18. 2009 - SummerSlam SMOKES A Special Edition Of 'The Show Of Shows'
WrestleMania 25 was awful.
WrestleMania 25 - billed incorrectly as the 25th anniversary of the show but set up as a toast to the event's past nonetheless - was so bad that even though it housed what many consider to be the single greatest wrestling match ever, it still conspired to end up as one of the drabbest and most depressing editions of the 'Show Of Shows' in its relatively rich history.
SummerSlam, however, was the polar and wonderful opposite. Despite the 'Biggest Party Of The Summer' branding regularly attached by then, the August event had become as valueless as Survivor Series in terms of "Big Four" prestige during an era where the credibility of everything was heading south. For one magic night, a very dreary era of WWE looked anything but. CM Punk's Tables, Ladders & Chairs World Heavyweight Championship headliner with Jeff Hardy was as grisly as the build promised, with the 'The Charismatic Enigma' hurtling towards the end of his main event singles run as only he could. It's little wonder Punk had such a long list of grievances - this was one of the matches of the year as a payoff to the feud of the year, even though he had to stare down the beginning of the end at a thrilling climax.
The Undertaker's post-match surprise return ruled, as did a long but gratifying bout between a reunited D-Generation X and Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase Jr. It wasn't the only doubles over-delivery - Jeri-Show built on their unlikely momentum with a shockingly strong defence against Cryme Tyme, shoring up an undercard that also featured an opening fizzing with potential and possibility. Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio was having a terrific year too, and shared the wealth with Dolph Ziggler in another exhibition of 'The Show Off's ultimately squandered promise.