SummerSlam (2013)

SummerSlam
SummerSlam
	Promotional poster featuring various WWE wrestlers
Promotion	WWE
Date	August 18, 2013
City	Los Angeles, California
Venue	Staples Center
Attendance	17,739
Buy rate	296,900
Pay-per-view chronology
←Previous; Money in the Bank	Next→; Night of Champions
SummerSlamchronology
←Previous; 2012	Next→; 2014

The 2013SummerSlamwas the 26th annualSummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view(PPV)eventproduced byWWE.It took place on August 18, 2013, atStaples CenterinLos Angeles,Californiafor the fifth consecutive year. The event's card consisted of nine matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show.

In the main event,Daniel BryandefeatedJohn Cenato become the newWWE Champion,withTriple Hacting asspecial guest referee,only to be attacked by Triple H and lose it minutes later toRandy Orton,who cashed in theMoney in the Bank contract.In other prominent matches,Alberto Del RiodefeatedChristianto retain theWorld Heavyweight ChampionshipandBrock LesnardefeatedCM Punkin aNo Disqualification match.

The event received 296,900 buys, down fromprevious year's eventof 358,000.

Production

Background

The event was held at theStaples CenterinLos Angeles, California.

SummerSlamis an annualpay-per-view(PPV) produced every August byWWEsince 1988. Dubbed "The Biggest Party of the Summer",^[3]it is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along withWrestleMania,Royal Rumble,andSurvivor Series,referred to as the "Big Four".^[4]It has since been considered WWE's second biggest event of the year behind WrestleMania.^[5]^[6]> The 2013 event was the 26th SummerSlam and was scheduled to be held on August 18, 2013, atStaples CenterinLos Angeles,Californiafor the fifth consecutive year.^[7]

Storylines

The event comprised nine matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayedheroes,villains,orless distinguishable charactersin scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers,^[8]^[9]while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television programs,RawandSmackDown.

Daniel Bryanbecame theWWE Championafter defeatingJohn Cena.

On the July 15 episode ofRaw,newRaw General Manager Brad Maddoxannounced thatWWE Champion John Cenacould choose his own Summerslam opponent. Later that night, after taking an informal poll of the live audience, he choseDaniel Bryan.In the weeks before SummerSlam,Vince McMahonwould berate Daniel Bryan by trying to make him shave his beard, putting him into a gauntlet match against his former friendKane.On the August 12 episode ofRaw,Maddox served as special guest referee in a match with Bryan facingWade Barrett.After making a quick count to let Barrett win the match, Maddox offered his services as the guest referee for the Cena vs. Bryan match at the PPV whenTriple Hinterceded, and announced he'd serve as referee instead (punctuated by aPedigreeto Maddox).

AfterAJ Leeretained herDivas ChampionshipagainstKaitlynat Money in the Bank and later costDolph Zigglerhis attempt at winning the World Heavyweight Championship, Ziggler broke up with AJ the next night onRaw,causing her to distract Ziggler in his non-title rematch against Del Rio and leavingBig E Langstonto attack him. On the July 29 episode ofRaw,Kaitlyn defeated AJ in a non-title match to stay in contention for the Divas Championship, but four days later onSmackDown,AJ defeated Kaitlyn to retain the championship afterLaylainterfered and protected AJ. A week later onSmackDown,The Miz(the host of SummerSlam) announced that Kaitlyn and Ziggler would face AJ and Langston in a mixed tag team match at the PPV.

AtPayback,CM PunkdefeatedChris Jerichoin his return in his hometown. The next night onRaw,he challengedWorld Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rioto a match, turning face. He won by countout, but a returningBrock Lesnarattacked him. Over the next few weeks, tension rose between Punk andPaul Heyman,who cost Punk theWWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder MatchatMoney in the Bank.The next night onRaw,Lesnar again attacked Punk. The next week, Punk challenged Lesnar to a match at Summerslam. Heyman accepted on Lesnar's behalf.^[10]During the SummerSlam kickoff show, Heyman announced that both Lesnar and Punk had agreed to make the match no disqualification.

On the July 19 episode ofSmackDown,Randy OrtondefeatedWorld Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rioin a non-title match. However, on the July 29Raw,Christianalso defeated Del Rio in a non-title match. To determine the next challenger for Del Rio's championship, newSmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrerodecided to make atriple threat matchbetween Christian, Orton, and the returningRob Van Dam.The match ended with Christian reversing Orton's attempt of an RKO into a backslide pin, winning the match and becoming the new #1 contender for the title before being attacked by Del Rio. On the August 9 episode ofSmackDown,Christian defeated Del Rio in another non-title match.

At theMoney in the Bankpay-per-view on July 14,Damien Sandowwon theMoney in the Bank briefcasefor a future World Heavyweight Championship shot, betraying his former tag team partnerCody Rhodesin the process. Rhodes attacked Sandow after the latter's loss to Christian the following night onRaw.On the July 26 episode ofSmackDown,while Sandow was facing Randy Orton in a singles match, Rhodes took his briefcase, causing Sandow to lose the match and search for it. Rhodes threw it into theGulf of Mexico,and Sandow was unable to retrieve it because he couldn't swim. It was announced on the August 5Rawthat Rhodes would face Sandow at SummerSlam. Four days later onSmackDown,Sandow debuted his new, brown Money in the Bank briefcase with a new World Heavyweight Championship contract. Later on, after Christian defeated Del Rio in a non-title match, Sandow attempted to cash in his contract, but his effort was thwarted by Rhodes.

On the July 8 episode ofRaw,afterKanedefeated Christian,The Wyatt Family(Bray Wyatt,Luke Harper,andErick Rowan) attacked Kane, removing him from competing at the Money in the Bank ladder match for the WWE Championship contract. The Wyatt Family attacked Kane again three weeks later onRaw,after losing to Daniel Bryan. A week later onRaw,after Harper and Rowan defeated Tons of Funk (Brodus ClayandTensai), Kane announced that he would face Bray Wyatt in a Ring of Fire match at SummerSlam.

On the August 12 episode ofRaw,as a result of their feud stemming from starring onTotal Divas,NatalyachallengedBrie Bellato a match at the pay-per-view, which she accepted by slapping Natalya's face. Natalya also announced thatThe Funkadactyls(NaomiandCameron) will be in her corner becauseEva Mariehas aligned herself withThe Bella Twins(Brie andNikki Bella).

Also on the August 12 episode ofRaw,Rob Van Dam won a 20-manbattle royal(lastly eliminatingMark Henry) to challengeDean Ambrosefor theUnited States Championshipat the SummerSlam Kickoff Show, one hour before the pay-per-view broadcast.

Event

**Other on-screen personnel**
Role:	Name:
EnglishCommentators	Michael Cole
	Jerry Lawler
	John "Bradshaw" Layfield
Spanish Commentators	Carlos Cabrera
Spanish Commentators	Marcelo Rodriguez
Backstageinterviewer	Tony Dawson
Ring announcers	Lilian Garcia
Ring announcers	Justin Roberts
Referees	Charles Robinson
	Mike Chioda
	John Cone
	Rod Zapata
	Chad Patton
	Triple H(Bryan vs. Cena)
Pre-show panel	Josh Mathews
	Booker T
	Shawn Michaels
	Vickie Guerrero

Pre-show

During the SummerSlam Kickoff pre-show, Dean Ambrose defended the United States Championship against Rob Van Dam. The match was streamed live on WWE.com, the WWE app, and various social sites. In the end, Van Dam executed a Five Star Frog Splash on Ambrose, butRoman Reignsinterfered and attacked Van Dam with a Spear, meaning Van Dam won by disqualification.^[1]

Preliminary matches

The show opened with The Miz welcoming to SummerSlam, with JoJo singing the national anthem after the opening pyro.

The first match pitted Kane against Bray Wyatt in a Ring of Fire match. Following three chokeslams, Kane gestured for a Tombstone Piledriver, but Luke Harper and Erick Rowan overcame the flames using an asbestos blanket and were able to attack Kane, who was attempting to fight them off. Wyatt executed Sister Abigail on Kane for the win. Following the match, Wyatt retreated to his rocking chair and watched Harper and Rowan use two sets of steel steps to smash Kane's skull.^[1]

The next match was between Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. In the end, Rhodes performed the Cross Rhodes to win the match.^[1]

In the third match, Alberto Del Rio faced Christian for the World Heavyweight Championship. Del Rio immediately began targeting Christian's shoulder. The match ended when Christian performed a Spear on Del Rio but his injured shoulder prevented him from covering Del Rio. Del Rio forced Christian to submit to the Cross Armbreaker to retain the title. After the match, Del Rio declared himself (in both English and Spanish) a true role model for the WWE Universe.^[1]

In the fourth match, Natalya faced Brie Bella. WhenEva Marieand Nikki Bella tried to intervene, Cameron and Naomi stepped in on Natalya's behalf, attacking Eva and Nikki. After an Alabama Slam, Natalya forced Brie to submit to the Sharpshooter to win the match.^[1]

Main event matches

In the fifth match, Brock Lesnar faced CM Punk in a no-disqualification match. After some 25 minutes of back and forth fighting involving chair shots, submission holds, aerial maneuvers and outside brawling, Punk executed the Go to Sleep on Lesnar butPaul Heymanbroke up the pinfall. Moments later, Punk applied the Anaconda Vice on Lesnar but Heyman interfered. Punk punched Heyman and applied the Anaconda Vise on Heyman but Lesnar broke the hold by hitting Punk with a chair. Lesnar executed an F-5 onto a chair for the victory. Following the match, the crowd loudly chanted Punk's name as he limped back up the ramp.^[1]

In the next match, Dolph Ziggler and Kaitlyn fought Big E Langston and Divas Champion AJ Lee. In the end, Kaitlyn executed a Spear on AJ outside the ring. Big E executed a Clothesline on Ziggler for a near-fall. Ziggler executed a Zig-Zag on Big E for the victory.^[1]

In the main event, John Cena defended the WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan, with Triple H as the Special Guest Referee. The match was extremely back and forth between the two. After Bryan hit the Yes kicks, Cena got back the upper hand and went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Bryan countered and kicked him. Cena got Bryan down again and this time hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena went for an Attitude Adjustment but Bryan countered. Bryan hit a missile dropkick for a nearfall. Later on, Bryan locked Cena into an STF but Cena got out, only to get suplexed numerous times before being put in the Yes! lock. Cena escaped the hold and hit the Attitude Adjustment for a two-count. Bryan hit a flying head-butt on Cena for a near-fall, and when he dived to the outside of the ring, Cena countered and regained control. Cena locked Bryan into the STF, but Bryan countered it into the Yes! lock, but Cena reached the ropes. The two continued to go back and forth with a series of moves that culminated after Bryan hit Cena with a kick to the head, followed by a running knee on Cena to win his first WWE Championship. As Bryan celebrated, Cena shook Bryan's hand and offered him advice. Cena shook Triple H's hand before departing. The match would later be named Match of the Year byPro Wrestling Illustrated.^[1]

During the ensuing celebration, Randy Ortonappeared with his Money in the Bank contract, walking to ringside and raising the briefcase. Bryan challenged Orton to enter the ring, but Orton turned around and started back up the runway before stopping partway up. Bryan began celebrating again, leading more "Yes!" chants, at which point Orton turned back to face the ring again. Locking eyes with Orton, Triple H turned Bryan to face him, kicked him low and hit Bryan with a Pedigree, turning heel for the first time since 2006. Orton cashed in the contract and pinned Bryan to win the title.^[1]

Aftermath

This was the last SummerSlam to feature the World Heavyweight Championship, as the title was unified with the WWE Championship at December'sTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairsevent, with the latter being renamed to WWE World Heavyweight Championship.^[11]

Triple HandStephanie McMahoncreatedThe Authority.

On the August 19 episode onRaw,John Cena addressed the audience, informing them he was temporally leaving WWE due to a triceps surgery. He returned at theHell in a Cellpay-per-view against Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship. The same day,The Shield(Roman Reigns,Seth Rollins,and Dean Ambrose) and Randy Orton formed an alliance with the WWE COO Triple H andStephanie McMahon,The Authority,which was created to stop Daniel Bryan from regaining the WWE Championship. The storyline between Bryan and The Authority culminated atWrestleMania XXX,where Bryan defeated Triple H to be added in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship main event, thus making it a triple threat match, which Bryan won. The Authority angle would continue, feuding with anyone they felt like, much to the outrage of the fans untilWrestleMania 32,where it finally disbanded for good.

Del Rio's former ring announcerRicardo Rodriguezbegan working with Rob Van Dam. On the September 13 episode ofSmackDown,he was defeated by Del Rio and was assaulted by him afterwards. Van Dam challenged Del Rio twice for the World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions and Battleground, both in losing efforts.

After SummerSlam, AJ Lee ended her partnership with Big E and atNight of Champions,she faced Natalya, Naomi and Brie Bella for the Divas Championship in a fatal four-way match. During at that time, Lee started a feud with the cast ofE!'s TV seriesTotal Divasby cutting aworked shoot promocriticizing them.

CM Punk continued to feud withPaul Heymanafter his loss to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam by defeating the Intercontinental ChampionCurtis Axelon the August 26 episode ofRaw.

On the September 2 episode ofRaw,Big Showfought Daniel Bryan and attempted to exit the ring before Stephanie McMahon told him to return and knock out Bryan. That same night, Cody Rhodes was fired after losing to Randy Orton. Then, on the September 9 episode, Rhodes' brotherGoldustreturned in an attempt to earn his brother's job back, but failed to do so. The Authority then invited Cody Rhodes' and Goldust's fatherDusty RhodesonRaw,but after an argument Stephanie McMahon ordered Big Show to knockout the American Dream. AtBattleground,Cody Rhodes and Goldust got their jobs back after defeating The Shield's Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns and on the October 14 episode ofRaw,they defeated Rollins and Reigns to win theWWE Tag Team Championshipin a No Disqualification match due to interference by Big Show, who knocked out all three members of The Shield.