The Greatest Match From Every WWE SummerSlam Ever

This is a match very much of its time, a fun, goofy brawl that succeeds mostly on the charisma of its key participants, and that would influence a lot of what would follow as the Attitude Era dawned.

The rules, as J.R somewhat uncertainly assures us, are simple: the two sinister grapplers must meet in the boiler room, and make their way back to the ring where Paul Bearer stands awkwardly with the urn. Whoever can collect the spooky vessel is the winner.

The first phase of the match is a scrappy hardcore affair in what looks like an actual utility room. There are stiff weapons shots with various pipes, and Mankind takes a nasty bump off a ladder in a narrow corridor. When enough damage has been given and taken, they lurch their way to the ring, where in a shocking swerve, Bearer betrays Undertaker, giving the urn and the win to his new charge, Mankind.

It’s an ungainly match that opened the door for gimmick matches, good and bad, to follow down the line, but the verve with which the two men play their parts allows you to take it seriously - no mean feat.