5 Times WWE SummerSlam Left Us Speechless
By Josh Raibick
SummerSlam, WWE.com
As SummerSlam approaches, WWE has us just where they want us.
Following WrestleMania season it seems that fans are always lulled to sleep. That is until something happens that makes the WWE Universe say, “Wait…what?!”
Fans have been speculating whether we could see not just a two man Shield reunion, but a three man Shield reunion. What if Ambrose turns heel instead of giving us the rekindling of a legendary stable that we crave? Could there be a shocking return?
These are all questions that we have to ask, because some of the most shocking moments in the company’s history have happened at SummerSlam. As much fun as it is to speculate, let’s first take a look at five SummerSlam moments that we will never forget.
Credit: WWE.com
5. The Viper Feels the Wrath of the Beast
Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar, this was the story of two men who trained together, yet somehow found a way to stay out of each other’s path. That is until SummerSlam 2016. This was also the first cross promotion match since the draft earlier that same summer.
Randy Orton threw the first shot with his “no enhancement needed” comment as a guest on the Highlight Reel. Orton then threw the second shot as well, when he surprised everyone including Lesnar with an RKO on Raw. Lesnar would get his revenge on Smackdown setting up for a once in a lifetime showdown at SummerSlam.
Even with the added fuel to the fire, this match still had the build of an exhibition between two superior athletes. Lesnar and Orton’s rivalry were closer to Apollo and Drago’s from Rocky IV. The spectacle of SummerSlam was made entertaining by an arrogant legend (Randy Orton), until just like Rocky IV something went horribly wrong. One of the most decorated wrestlers in WWE history was dismantled in the ring by a force that I don’t think anyone was ready for.
As we found out later that the close to the match was a work, it was anyone’s guess at the time if Orton had in fact been hit with an off-script/shoot elbow. The blood that gushed from Orton during that first close up will be an image that will stick with wrestling fans forever.