The 31st annual SummerSlam is set for Sunday on WWE Network. Before Roman Reigns tries to that that Universal Championship title off Brock Lesnar (again), let’s head back in time to remember who won each main event match since the pay-per-view’s 1988 inception.
And before you complain, no, these are not all photos from the specific matches — it’s a rights issue. Give us a break and just enjoy the trip down memory lane.
2018: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship
2017: Brock Lesnar (c) def. Samoa Joe, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman to retain the WWE Universal Championship
2016: Brock Lesnar def. Randy Orton
2015: The Undertaker def. Brock Lesnar
2014: Brock Lesnar def. John Cena (c) to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
2013: Daniel Bryan def. John Cena (c) to win the WWE Championship
2012: Brock Lesnar def. Triple H in a No DQ match
2011: CM Punk (c) def. John Cena (c) to claim* the Undisputed WWE Championship
(*After the match, Alberto Del Rio cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated Punk for the title, ending the event)
2010: Team WWE (John Cena [pictured], Daniel Bryan, Edge, Chris Jericho, Bret Hart, R-Truth and John Morrison) def. The Nexus (Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, David Otunga, Skip Sheffield, Michael Tarver and Darren Young)
2009: CM Punk def. Jeff Hardy (c) in a TLC match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
2008: The Undertaker def. Edge in a Hell in a Cell match
2007: John Cena (c) def. Randy Orton to retain the WWE Championship
2006: Edge (c) def. John Cena to retain the WWE Championship
2005: Hulk Hogan def. Shawn Michaels
2004: Randy Orton def. Chris Benoit (c) to win the World Heavyweight Championship
2003: Triple H (c) def. Chris Jericho, Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton and Goldberg in an Elimination Chamber match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
2002: Brock Lesnar def. The Rock (c) to win the WWE Undisputed Championship
2001: The Rock def. Booker T (c) to win the WCW Championship
2000: The Rock (c) def. Kurt Angle and Triple H in a Triple Threat match to retain the WWF Championship
1999: Mankind def. Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) and Triple H in a Triple Threat match to win the WWF Championship
Special guest referee Jesse Ventura
1998: Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) def. The Undertaker to retain the WWF Championship
1997: Bret Hart def. The Undertaker (c) to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship
Special guest referee Shawn Michaels
1996: Shawn Michaels (c) def. Vader to retain the WWF World Heavyweight Championship
1995: Diesel (c) def. King Mabel to retain the WWF World Heavyweight Championship
1994: The Undertaker def. “The Undertaker”
1993: Lex Luger def. Yokozuna (c) by count out, WWF World Heavyweight Championship does not change hands
1992: The British Bulldog def. Bret Hart (c) to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship
1991: Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior def. Sgt. Slaughter, General Adnan and Colonel Mustafa in a Handicap Elimination match
Special guest referee Sid Justice
1990: The Ultimate Warrior (c) def. Rick Rude in a Steel Cage match to retain the WWF World Heavyweight Championship
1989: Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake def. Randy Savage and Zeus
1988: The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) def. The Mega Bucks (Ted DiBiase and André The Giant)
Special guest referee Jesse Ventura
