The Greatest Match From Every WWE SummerSlam Ever

When you’re outshining Punk vs. Cena (in the summer of Punk, no less), you must be doing something right, and the second PPV clash between Christian and Orton does just about everything right. Christian was given a well deserved Heavyweight Championship after best friend Edge’s retirement, and while the run itself was disappointing, his clashes with Randy Orton were anything but.

This one is a masterpiece in storytelling. Christian won the gold in cowardly fashion a month prior, but after urging from Edge, had no choice but to prove his mettle against the Viper. The two work a perfectly paced match, playing off their immense chemistry with one another. Finishers are reversed and reversed again as the intensity ramps up. There are innovative weapons spots, including a truly surprising powerslam through a table, and in due course an RKO outta nowhere.

A lengthier championship run was the least Christian deserved, but at least he got to put on matches like this. As for Orton, he may not have better chemistry with any other wrestler. The feud could have gone on a lot longer, but at least it delivered this classic.