SummerSlam 2013 took place on August 18, 2013, at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Please note that next to every wrestler's name, I have put their won-loss record at this event in parenthesis.
- The announcers for this event were Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and JBL.

- During the kickoff show, Paul Heyman announced that the battle between the best and the beast will be a no disqualification match.

Kickoff Show Match for the US Championship: Champion Dean Ambrose (0-0) vs. Rob Van Dam (2-1) - This match was streamed on wwe.com prior to the start of the pay-per-view event. When RVD went to the top rope to deliver the Five-star, the Shield's music hit which signified that Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns were coming to ringside through the crowd. Before they had a chance to interfere, Big Show and Mark Henry came down to ringside. After Dean Ambrose missed an elbow off the top rope, RVD went for the Five-star again but was once again distracted by the Shield. The third time proved to be the charm as he hit the Rolling Thunder and then followed that up with the Five-star from the other side of the ring. However, before he could pin the champion, Roman Reigns entered the ring and gave RVD a spear which caused the referee to call for the bell. Winner: Rob Van Dam via DQ

- The show began with The Miz addressing the crowd in his role as the host of the event. Before Miz could announce the start of the Ring of Fire Match, Fandango and Summer Rae came out dancing before a trailer-themed video to start the event was shown.

- JoJo, one of the cast members of Total Divas, sang The Star Spangled Banner to kick things off. For those that don't know, the newest WWE Diva is the daughter of former Major League Baseball star Jose Offerman.

Ring of Fire Match: Kane (6-4-1) vs. Bray Wyatt (0-0) - The ring was surrounded by a wall of fire which was designed to keep Wyatt family members Luke Harper and Erick Rowan from interfering. After Kane hit a choke slam, he decided to continue to punish his Bray and hit another one. When Kane went for the Tombstone, Harper and Rowan covered the flames with a fire-retardant blanket and entered the ring. The two followers dismantled Kane which allowed Bray to win his debut match. Following the match, Kane's head was place on the bottom-half of the ring steps and the family members smashed the top-half of them into Kane's skull. The Wyatt's then dragged Kane to the back of the arena. Winner: Bray Wyatt

Cody Rhodes (0-1) vs. Damien Sandow (0-0) - Cody has shaved his moustache. Damien's Money in the Bank briefcase is handcuffed to the ring post. Cody was able to hit the Disaster Kick but Damien kicked out at two. Cody then charged Damien but missed. However, that didn't stop Cody from hitting the Cross Rhodes a few seconds later to get the win. [Commentary correction: The announcer's stated twice that if Cody won a world title that he and his father would become the first father/son world champions. That feat has already been accomplished by Fritz and Kerry Von Erich.] Winner: Cody Rhodes

World Heavyweight Championship: Champion Alberto Del Rio (1-2) vs. Christian (3-2) - Alberto entered the ring with a black eye which the announcers attributed to Christian hitting him with the Kill Switch on Friday night. In reality, something happened over the weekend but details are very sketchy at this time. As far as the match goes, Alberto took control of the match and worked over Christian's shoulder after he got caught in the tree of woe. After an exciting sequence of near-falls and momentum shifts, Christian was finally able to hit the spear but it aggravated his hurt shoulder. Alberto applied the Cross Arm Breaker and forced Christian to submit which brought an end to the great match. Winner: Alberto Del Rio

- The Miz interviewed Maria Menounos. Earlier in the day, Maria and Natalya beat Brie Bella and Eva Marie during the SummerSlam Axxes event. The interview was interrupted by Fandango and Summer Rae. This time, Miz and Maria showed up the dancing duo with a tango of their own.

Natalya (0-0) vs. Brie Bella (0-0) - The Funkadactyls were in the corner of Natalya while Nikki Bella and Eva Marie were in the corner of Brie. Natalya was in control of the match until Brie's friends pulled the ring apron from out under the feet of Natalya. The fans were not into this match and started chanting for each of the announcers individually. Natalya recovered and rapped Brien in the Sharpshooter. Brie reversed the move and then things broke down outside the ring. The fans then started chanting "We want Ryder. Woo! Woo! Woo!" Natalya applied the Sharpshooter again to get the victory via submission. Winner: Natalya

- Footage from earlier in the day was shown of Ryback intimidating a person in catering. He poured soup down the man's shirt and over his head before saying "Feed me moron".

No Disqualification Match: Brock Lesnar (2-1) vs. CM Punk (4-3) - Lesnar was escorted to the ring by Paul Heyman. Punk had a brief flurry in the beginning of the match before being man-handled by Lesnar. Punk was finally able to get some sustained momentum when he went Mike Tyson on Lesnar's ear. He was able to get the 2-count after hitting the Macho Man Elbow. He went for the Go to Sleep but Lesnar reversed it into the arm lock which Punk reversed into a triangle choke. Lesnar used his strength to pick up and slam Punk but somehow Punk still kept the move locked in. Lesnar picked him up again and delivered a running power bomb to escape the move. After Lesnar delivered the Three Amigos, he picked up a chair. Before he could smash Punk with it, he was hit with a low blow. Punk took the chair to the top rope and did a Macho Man Elbow with it but once again only got a two count for his efforts. Punk starting hitting Lesnar with the chair but Heyman grabbed it. The distraction allowed Lesnar to pick up Punk for an F5. However, Punk held onto Heyman to avoid the move. Punk then hit the Go to Sleep but Paul Heyman broke up the count. Due to the distraction, Lesnar picked up Punk for the F5 but Punk reversed it into a DDT. Punk then put the Anaconda Vice on Lesnar before Heyman entered the ring with a chair. Punk put Heyman into the Anaconda Vice and forgot about Lesnar. Lesnar then smashed Punk with a few chair shots before delivering the F5 onto a chair to get the win. Winner: Brock Lesnar

Dolph Ziggler (0-2-1) & Kaitlyn (0-0) vs. Big E Langston (0-0) & AJ Lee (0-0) - The rules of this match stipulate that two members of the same sex must be in the ring at the same time. The beginning of the end of this match took place outside of the ring when Kaitlyn gave AJ Lee a Spear. Inside the ring, Big E took his straps down and went to slam Ziggler. However, Ziggler escaped and hit the Zig Zag to get the win for his team. Winners: Dolph Ziggler and Kaitlyn

- The Miz was interrupted for the third time while doing his hosting duties. Fandango went to pronounce his name when Miz punched him in the face and mocked him with the Fandango dance.

WWE Championship Match Featuring Triple H as the Special Guest Referee: Champion John Cena (4-5) vs. Daniel Bryan (2-1) - Cena's first attempt at the Attitude Adjustment ended with Daniel Bryan landing on his feet. Daniel Bryan was able to trap Cena in his own finisher, the STF. Bryan then turned the move into a series of suplexes before locking Cena into a series of submission moves. Out of nowhere, Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment which Daniel Bryan but was only able to get a two count. Daniel Bryan hit Cena with a superplex, was able to stay on the ropes, and then hit a flying headbutt for a two count. After a tussle on top of the ropes, a sequence of moves resulted in Cena applying the STF. Bryan reversed it into the Yes Lock which Cena broke by reaching the ropes. After both men got to their feet after delivering simultaneous flying elbows, the two men starting slapping each other in the face to fire each other up. Daniel Bryan went for a move off the ropes, was caught by Cena and escaped another attempt at the Attitude Adjustment. Bryan got the Yes chants going, hit a running knee, and then pinned Cena to win the belt. Following the match, Cena shook hands with both Daniel Bryan and Triple H. During the celebration, Randy Orton's music hit and he walked to the ring with his Money in the Bank title shot. After ruining, the moment, Orton began walking towards the back before turning around. Triple H then gave Daniel Bryan a Pedigree. Winner: Daniel Bryan

WWE Championship Match Featuring Triple H as the Special Guest Referee: Champion Daniel Bryan (3-1) vs. Randy Orton (5-3) - Orton returned to the ring and pinned Daniel Bryan to win the title without delivering a single move. Winner: Randy Orton

What does this event mean for the future?
After an incredible match for the WWE Championship, the championship picture was turned upside-down when Randy Orton cashed in his Money in the Bank title shot. One has to wonder if Cena or Bryan will get the first crack at the title. Even more interesting, how will Vince and Stephanie McMahon react to Triple H's actions? How is this going to impact the power struggle within the family? I can't wait to watch RAW tomorrow night to find out.

Overall Thoughts
Awesome show with two matches that will be in consideration for my Match of the Year award as well as a very entertaining match for the World Heavyweight Championship. If that wasn't enough, the show featured an incredibly hot crowd that kept the show entertaining during the moments where the in-ring action wasn't. If you ordered this show, you got your money's worth. If you didn't order it, I would recommend ordering the replay of this one.

Match Results

• Ring of Fire Match: Bray Wyatt beat Kane
• Cody Rhodes beat Damien Sandow
• World Heavyweight Championship: Champion Alberto Del Rio beat Christian
• Natalya beat Brie Bella
• No DQ Match: Brock Lesnar beat CM Punk
• Dolph Ziggler and Kaitlyn beat Big E Langston & AJ Lee
• WWE Championship Match Featuring Triple H as the Special Guest Referee: Daniel Bryan beat John Cena to win the title
• WWE Championship Match Featuring Triple H as the Special Guest Referee: Randy Orton beat Daniel Bryan to win the title