SummerSlam Recall, Match #1: CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar, SummerSlam 2013

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Here on SummerSlam Recall, I will be ranking my top 20 favorite matches in WWE SummerSlam history. A new installment will be posted every day leading up to SummerSlam 2016, culminating with my No. 1 favorite match on Saturday, August 20th. Each article will offer an in-depth look at each match and an analysis of why it is among my favorites.​

It all comes down to this, folks! Though I feel that anyone who has followed me closely over the past several years would have seen this selection coming from a mile away, and my favorite SummerSlam match of all-time is none other than CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar from 2013's installment. I loved SummerSlam 2008. I loved SummerSlam 2011. Hell, I was even at SummerSlam last year! But I think 2013's event takes the cake as the best SummerSlam in the last ten years, and arguably among the best ever.

​Punk returned from a two month sabbatical at Payback 2013, and despite seemingly undergoing a change in character and starting to embrace the audience again, he still had his advocate, the vindictive Paul Heyman in his corner that night. That didn't last long, however, as he cut ties with Heyman the next night on Raw, telling him that although he didn't want him by his side during his matches anymore, he would always be a "Paul Heyman Guy." Of course, Heyman didn't take too kindly to that, ordering Brock Lesnar to lay waste to Punk later that night.

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I always questioned why Heyman's clients CM Punk and Brock Lesnar had never been onscreen together before, and now I knew. When they crossed paths for the first time ever on that evening, it was a monumental moment, instantly building intrigue for their likely SummerSlam match. And WWE was wise to keep them apart until then. Sure, they could have blown off the bout at Money in the Bank, but WWE instead dragged out the story throughout the summer by having Heyman officially betray Punk at the event and cost him the coveted contract.

From that point forward, The Best in the World was hell-bent on not only beating The Beast Incarnate, but getting his hands on Heyman as well. He came close on a few occasions leading into SummerSlam, but Lesnar and even Heyman's other ally Curtis Axel thwarted him every time. Once Punk vs. Lesnar was confirmed for the card, it officially became one of the most star-studded in the event's illustrious history, and the No Disqualification stipulation that was tacked on the night of the show only added to my excitement.

Anyone who watched Lesnar at the height of his first run with the company over a decade ago is aware of how exceptional of a wrestler he was and still can be at times. But since returning in 2012, he has adjusted his in-ring style a bit to reflect his time spent in the octagon in UFC, which is why he and Punk gelled so well when they clashed at SummerSlam 2013. Punk had a bit of a background in mixed martial arts as well, and his skillset was on full display during this dream match.

Dean Ambrose recently called out Brock Lesnar for being "lazy" on the Stone Cold Podcast, but I have to disagree with his assessment of the four-time WWE world champion. Lesnar could have very well been taking it easy at WrestleMania 32 because he didn't want to risk getting injured before stepping back inside the octagon, but moreover, this match with Punk was pure proof that he had it within him to have an instant classic and a guaranteed Match of the Year candidate.

When I relived this breathtaking bout this past week, it struck me just how much offense Punk scored over Lesnar, and how he was on the verge of victory at several points after connecting with the GTS on Lesnar and locking in the Anaconda Vise. It was really refreshing to be honest. And The Voice of the Voiceless would have slayed The Beast, too, had it not been for Heyman getting involved and distracting Punk from the task at hand, allowing Lesnar to retaliate with several steel chair shots and one emphatic F5 for the win.


SEE ALSO: "SummerSlam Recall, Match #2: The Undertaker vs. Edge, SummerSlam 2008"