WWE SummerSlam 2017: The Biggest Party of the Summer
The WWE throws their first party with SummerSlam.
In late 1988, the WWE threw “The Biggest Party of the Summer.’ In what is still an annual tradition to this very day, SummerSlam was born. Earlier in the year, the WWE would debut the Royal Rumble as well. The two events would act as a bookend for the company’s biggest event, WrestleMania. The inaugural SummerSlam was held at Madison Square Garden.
The debut event would see a gigantic main event as The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) would battle The Mega Bucks (Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant). The main event would be a result of DiBiase buying the WWE Championship leading to the title being vacated. Savage would go on to win the vacant title at Wrestlemania IV and form The Mega Powers with Hulk Hogan. The event would also see The Ultimate Warrior continue his ascent up the ranks by defeating one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions of all time, The Honky Tonk Man.
Everyone Shows Up to the Party
As time would go by, SummerSlam would be the location of many great matches and memories for fans and wrestlers alike. In 1992, SummerSlam would emanate from the illustrious Wembley Arena in London. The night would close with The British Bulldog and Bret Hart. Bulldog and Hart are actually related through marriage via Bulldog and Bret’s sister Diana. The two would go to battle over the Intercontinental Championship in what is considered one of the greatest matches in SummerSlam history. Bret Hart would strike again facing his younger brother Owen in a steel cage at SummerSlam ‘94.
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During the late 90’s, the event would see the stars of the Attitude Era rise to the occasion. In 1998, The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin had a barn burner of a match for the WWE Championship. Triple H and The Rock would battle in a ladder match for the IC title. The ladder match would become a staple of the event. Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon would rematch their career inspiring ladder match from WrestleMania X at SummerSlam ‘95. And following suit The Hardy Boyz, Edge & Christian and The Dudley Boys would rematch their business altering TLC match from WrestleMania 2000 at SummerSlam.
The Summertime Blues
Now SummerSlam doesn’t have a completely stellar history. Like most events, it does have its on and off years. The mid to late 2000’s would see a decline in the event. SummerSlam would feel forgotten due to lackluster events and poor story progressions. Luckily, the WWE has remembered the magnitude of the event.
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With a handful of consecutive years in Los Angeles followed by Brooklyn, the event is alive and well. With the return of the “big fight feel” to the main events, the event gained new life. SummerSlam truly is once again, “The Biggest Party of the Summer.”