Revisiting Classics: SummerSlam 1996

I wanted to go back in time, circa August 18th, 1996. The venue emanated live from Cleveland’s Gund Arena & it was during the era of professional wrestling that hooked my interest in a ” New Generation ” before Attitude transcended the following cultural phenomenon. WWF ( WWE) utilized this tagline ‘ Opposites Attack!!! ” 

Two paramount scenarios advanced WWE’s summer headliner. The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer fought Mankind via an innovative Boiler Room Brawl & world champion Shawn Michaels with Jose Lothario defended against Vader flanked by Jim Cornette.

Broadcasters- Vince McMahon, Mr. Perfect, & Jim Ross.

For me, McMahon felt underrated concerning commentary. JR is a Hall of Famer when discussing the best play-by-play men. Mr. Pefect (Curt Hening) proved tremendous on color. 

Let’s analyze these matchups; I’ll express some perspectives on them. 

Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated Yokozuna: In fairness, they edited it out from the original.

Owen Hart w/ Clarence Mason triumphed versus Savio Vega

You don’t appreciate greatness until it’s gone. Owen consistently wrestled memorable bouts. Savio Vega should be referenced more for his fantastic ability. I thoroughly enjoyed their classic encounter. Hart gained an advantage after employing the cast as his weapon. Clarence Mason entered, and Vega’s head hit Owen’s cast via a top rope superplex. Owen applies the Sharpshooter on Savio for victory. 

Afterward, Justin ” Hawk ” Bradshaw w/ Zeb (Dutch Mantel), known as JBL, attacked Vega. 

Todd Pettengill interviews Mankind from that creepy Boiler Room. 

The Smoking Guns ( Billy & Bart Gunn) w/ Sunny def. The New Rockers (Marty Janetty & Leif Cassidy (Al Snow), The Godwinns-Henry O. & Phineas with Hillbilly Jim & The Bodydonnas ( Skip & Zip) Four-Way Elimination Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Billy Gunn matching up opposite Henry Godwin resulted as visually impressive. Dr. Tom Prichard aligned side-by-side with Chris Candido, making a skilled duo considering the gimmick. Unfortunately, The New Rockers could not mimic previous success. Overall all four teams had a solid affair. Sunny used her looks to assist Bart & Billy in retaining the tag titles.

Video footage shows superstars exploring Cleveland. Jerry ” The King ” Lawler was at the Cleveland baseball team’s practice & attended a game.

Doc Hendrix interviewed Sycho Sid & those promos embodied intensity. Viewers believed in his fierce words.

Sycho Sid def. The British Bulldog

Why fans became quickly enamored with Sid? The menacing size combines with an incredible physique. The larger competitor began dominating Bulldog earlier. Technical Methods by Davey Boy Smith kept his advisory grounded on the mat. Bulldog exhibited magnificent strength as he suplexed Sid. Video presentations highlighted Jim Cornette, who is backstage coaching Vader ahead of his Title opportunity during the contest. Cornette & Clarence Mason argue at ringside, & it cost Bulldog the match.

Next, we see a promotional advertisement for In Your House on PPV.

The interview segment shows Todd Pettengill with ” The Wildman ” Marc Mero alongside Sable. Recent events reveal that Mankind has stalked Sable calling her mommy. Mero addresses Goldust & Marlena playing their bizarre mind games.

Goldust w/ Marlena wins against ( The Wildman) Marc Mero w/ Sable:

Goldust brought elements of theatrics when presenting his unusual character.

Mero still possessed innovative tactics similar to his prior Johnny B. Badd gimmick in WCW, yet he displayed a scientific approach to the opposition & showcased tremendous high-risk strategies. Goldust also personified unreal agility for a wrestler standing 6ft6. The second-generation star reinvented himself but was still so natural in that ring. Marlena distracted Mero & Mankind terrified Sable. Goldust wins by executing the Curtain Call. 

They update everyone regarding Ahmed Johnson’s injury centered around the feud with Farooq. Commissioner Gorilla Monsoon announced that he must vacate the Intercontinental Title with a tournament & it will determine a new Champion.

Pettengill interviews Farooq and Sunny. She guarantees her Gladiator to become the new IC Champion.

Jerry ” The King ” Lawler def. Jake ” The Snake ” Roberts:

The premise for their encounter involved Lawler making fun of Roberts’ alcohol issues. The King demonstrated why he’s a legendary orator and wrestler. Lawler mocked Jake with a bag that had Jim Beam inside. Interesting notes-Harvey Whippleman officiated the match. Mark Henry makes an appearance. Roberts chased Lawler & King received a DDT. Lawler grabbed Whippleman, allowing King to hit Jake in his throat. Lawler won the match. Following this bout, Lawler forced Roberts to drink alcohol. Henry assists Jake & chased away Lawler.

Wrestling legend Bob Backlund is in the crowd on his campaign trail.

The Boiler Room Brawl-Mankind def. The Undertaker

The Undertaker searched for Mankind inside this darkened room. Next, Mankind attacks him up behind. Soon additional weapons became instrumental throughout the battle. Cameras began losing signal at times. What a unique concept, Lots of noteworthy segments. Eventually, both fight back toward the ring. Paul Bearer refuses to assist Undertaker. This betrayal helps Mankind win after Bearer nails Undertaker with the urn and hands it over to Mankind!!!

Post-Match segment; Lights fade as druids take the Undertaker out of the ring. 

Doc Hendrix interviews Vader and Jim Cornette. Cornette’s promos are legendary. He states Vader has already pinned Shawn Michaels before.

WWF World Championship Match (C) Shawn Michaels w/ Jose Lothario vs. Vader w/ Jim Cornette

Camp Cornette’s intimidating monster looked to destroy ” The Heartbreak Kid. ” 

Vader joining Jim Cornette felt right. Shawn Michaels was establishing himself as one of sports entertainment’s most valued performers.

Vader commanded dominance until HBK displayed an innovative offensive game plan that kept his massive challenger guessing and off-balance at certain moments. Despite whatever negativity surrounded the match, it resulted in an unforgettable conflict. There were equally various positives as well. 

Some questioned Michael’s behavior toward Vader regarding the miscommunication during specific match spots. What fans remember are the different restarts. Vader won via count out. Cornette voiced his displeasure on the mic because Vader could not be the Champion based on a count out. Cornette insulted Michaels. Referees help Shawn & he refuses Lothario’s assistance. Vader attacks the Champ, and Cornette nails Michaels in the back with his racket. Vader splashed and belly-to-belly suplexed Michaels, only for him to kick out. Another disqualification makes Cornette provoke HBK. Gorilla Monsoon restarts the match again, and Shawn Michaels retains the title after pinning Vader.

There you have it, my honest review of SummerSlam 1996.

About Author