It's Sunday, August 18th, 1996. Tin Cup topples Jack in the box office, while Macarena mania is still just getting started in the billboard charts. In the world of the WWF however, it's that time of the year again for the annual Summertime extravaganza, Summerslam. Emanating from the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio to an attendance of 17,000. Down slightly from the 18.062 from 1995's showing. 157,000 PPV buys, down heavily from the 205,000 from last year as well. So, what's been going on since International Incident?
After Camp Cornette scored a victory over the team of Ahmed, Sid and Shawn Michaels at International Incident, Vader became the number one contender for the WWF Title. Over the past few weeks, Vader continued his reign of terror. First getting a win against Marc Mero, then laying out Shawn Michaels on the Go-Home Raw. Vader has been a near-unstoppable force since coming into the company in January. Can he keep that momentum going as we enter this championship match?
There was also a Bikini Beach Blastoff, which featured midcarders around a pool and a pile of sand. Culminating in a ripoff of Caddyshack with the ol' candy bar in the pool gag as we see T.L. Hopper having a snack on the chocolate log. This is the height of comedy in 1996, folks. But when you consider the crap they put on the show now, maybe some things truly never change.
With Lawler working in the ring tonight, it's Vince, Mr. Perfect and J.R at the table as we kick the show off proper with Owen Hart facing Savio Vega. Owen who, of course, still has his cast on his left arm. Good crowd reaction for Owen as we stall early on. Savio grabs the "bad arm" and tries to hit it on the buckle, but Owen avoids. Savio jumps over Owen and finally starts to bash the arm around the ring, then goes into an armbar. Owen escapes and goes for an elbow drop, but Savio avoids. We cut to backstage as we see Jim Cornette hyping up Vader. Back in the ring, Savio stays in contro, working the arm. Cover, but only a two.
Still toss and the buckle and a roll up by Savio only gets two, but Owen then launches Savio shoulder-first into the post. He goes right into wearing down the newly injured body part. Armbar takedown and a cover only gets two for Owen. He then returns into the shoulder pressure. He wraps Savio's arm in the ropes and pummels on it, before giving a cheap slap to the face. Savio fights back, but Owen keeps on him.
As Savio begins to fight back, we see Clarence Mason at the entrance way watching on. Owen recovers with an enziguri as Clarence cheers on. Cover, but only a two. Cradle for two. Owen then tries to use the ropes on a cver, but still just a two. Roll up by Savio, but still two. Owen recovers with a spinning heel kick and a cover, but only gets a two. Owen throws Savio to the corner and charges, only to eat a kick to the face.
Savio hits some clotheslines and corner punches. Slam and a cover, but only a two. Sidewalk slam and another near fall. Owen recovers with a neckbreaker and goes up top to land a dropkick. Cover, still only two. Owen goes up again, but Savio kicks him, crotching Owen on the ropes and hitting a back suplex that knockes both men out. Owen pulls off the ast and nails Savio with it. Despite Savio being laid out, Owen still gets the win with a sharpshooter. A really dull opener that did pick up a bit by the end. A bit too much focus on joint manipulation early and way too much focus on near falls by the end. A shame since I love Owen and Savio can have a good match when he tries.
Post-match, Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw and Uncle Zebekiah scream at commentary before cheap shotting the already injured Savio Vega.
Todd Pettengill is in the boiler room that we'll see Undertaker and Mankind in later tonight. He tells us that it's very dark and ominous. He runs into Mankind who quotes that it's "there's no place like home". He licks the pipes and says that as much as he loves every square inch within these hallowed halls, it's time to leave because destiny awaits the other sides. He tells Undertaker to not enter because what awaits him is a fate worse than death, and a possible force of events that could alter all of mankind.
Up next is a four team elimination tag match for the WWF Tag Team Titles. The Godwins taking on The New Rockers, The Body Donnas and the WWF Tag Champs The Smoking Gunns. Skip is wearing a neckbrace as he enters the ring. Henry Godwinn and Billy Gunn start things off. Henry is in control early with a big shoulder block. He follows up with a hiptoss and a few rights. Followed up by a wheelbarrow slam. Billy falls into Zip, forcing the tag. Henry tags Phineas. Headlock into a shoulder block spot. Sunny plays to the crowd, who Billy tells to shut up.
Another headlock into a criss cross and a random tag to the Gunns. Somehow this means that Billy has to wrestle Bart, which doesn't fully make sense since it's an elimination tag match and if you pin your partner, you're eliminated too. Godwinns and the Donnas refrain from taking the tag as well until Bart makes the tag in. Another headlock into a shoulder block. Even WCW matches aren't this excessive. Marty trips Zip as Billy covers for the three. Henry comes in as Leif gets a cheap shot in and tags in. Clothesline to Henry and some elbows. Tag to Marty as the New Rockers wail on him.
Marty gets whipped to the corner, but gets a boot in and a clothesline. Heavy snapmare and an elbow. Tag to Leif as they continue to double team. Tag to Billy as both heel teams continue to wear down Henry. He sets Henry on the ropes as Marty goes for a clothesline, but Henry dodges, causing Marty to hit Billy. Sidewalk slam to Billy. Cover, but the Rockers hit a double elbow, again accidentally hitting Billy.
Leif becomes legal as more miscommunications leads to a slop drop on Marty. Cover and the three. Bart comes in and works Henry. He throws Henry to the corner, but eats a boot and a massive clothesline. Henry tries a hot tag, but Bart keeps him down. Tag to Billy who jaw jacks Henry some more. Back to Bart who pummels Henry in the corner. Henry gets an inverted atomic drop, but Bart keeps on him. Tag to Billy who continues to beat Henry down. He whips Henry in the corner and goes for a splash, but gets caught in a slam. Henry finally tags Phineas who house of fires on both men. He goes for a slop drop while Hillbilly Jim teases slopping Sunny. The distraction allows Bart to ax handle Phineas. Cover and the three as the Gunns retain.
Pretty dull match to be honest. Basic in-ring stuff for the majority. I did like the fun bit with both Gunns being tagged, and the stuff with the Rockers was good. But other than that, very little energy and way too much reliance on face in peril work. Could have been better, but Skip was injured.
Post-match, Sunny grabs the mic and mocks the crowd. She says that her generous gift for the crowd is a giant photo of Sunny that rolls off the ceiling.
Speaking of the Godwinns and the Gunns, they had a race earlier in the weekend over who could make it to the Gund Arena first. Godwinns by bus and Gunns by horse and buggy. Lawler was at the Indians game, and WWF superstars helped painting over grafitti, including newcomer Mark Henry.
Up next, it's The British Bulldog taking on Sycho Sid. Dok interviews Sid and says that it came to him that people were screaming for Sid. They wanted the man back and the man is here to stay. Great crowd reaction for Sid. Headlock and shoulder block spot is innefective as Sid no-sells the shoulders and lands a big clothesline and a body slam. Bulldog retreats as Sid plays to the crowd who are hot for Sid. Headlock from Sid keeps the pressure on. He takes down Bulldog and keeps the pressure on until Bulldog escapes. Sid immediately hits a slam and covers.
Bulldog goes for the suplex and gets him up as yet again we see Clarence Mason at ringside. While Sid locks in a chinlock, you can hear someome that might be Kevin Dunn trying to talk to Vince on the set. Sid breaks free, but Bulldog clotheslines Sid out of the ring. Sid gets back on the apron, but Bulldog nails another clothesline. Bulldog then throws Sid gut-first into the ropes and covers for two. Back into the chinlock. Sid breaks free and hits some chops and a splash to the corner. He goes for a second, but Bulldog escapes. He sets Sid up and lands a running powerslam.
Jim Cornette shows up and argues with Clarence Mason, distracting Bulldog. He goes for a second powerslam, but Sid lands a massive chokeslam. A powerbomb follows as the crowd is insane for Sid. Cover and the three in a bland match. Bulldog tried to get something decent out of Sid, but it didn't really do much to make this an exciting affair. Regardless, Sid is red hot.
Up next, it's Goldust taking on Wildman Marc Mero. On Superstars the past weekend, Mankind has been referring to Sable as "mommy", but Mero doesn't understand any of that. He's more focused on making Goldust a falling star. Goldust takes Mero to the corner and slaps him, angering the wildman. Headlock, but no shoulder block for Goldust as Mero instead gets an arm drag and sends him in retreat to the corner. Loud "f*****t" chants from the crowd, so Cleveland is as classy as you'd expect. Mero applies an armbar for a while as Marlena watches on from the director's chair. He continues a hammerlock, eventually throwing Goldust to the corner, then reapplies. Goldust escapes and manages to back drop Mero to the outside.
Goldust hammers on Mero on the apron, then hammers the back, sending Mero colliding into the barricade. He then drops him throat first. He brings Mero back in and lands a clothesline. Cover, but only a two. Crowd is excited as Mankind emerges from the entrance way, again stalking Sable. He screams that "I'm gonna hurt him for you, mommy!" then runs off to the boiler room once more. Back in the ring, Mero escapes a chinlock, but Goldust comes right back with a knee to the midsection. Cover, but still only a two count.
Mero starts to fight back, getting an inverted atomic drop and following with punches and a back body drop. Irish whip and a boot followed by a high knee lift. Mero lands some corner punches until Goldust grabs him and both men tumble over the ropes (possible hurricanrana botch). He hits a bad mood over the ropes that does look great however. He brings Goldust in and hits a slingshot leg drop.
He slams Goldust and sets him up as he goes up top. Marlena distracts the ref as Mero lands a perfect shooting star press. Cover as the referee finally recovers, but Goldust kicks out. Goldust gets caught in a powerslam. Cover, but only two. Goldust throws Mero into the corner and goes for a curtain call, landing it and covering for the three. A slow match in places, but both men still put in a good effort with Mero impressing with the shooting star press (dubbed the wild thing). Crowd's horribleness kinda soured, but they thankfully weren't as bad as it went on. Post-match, Goldust stalks Sable and grabs her for a kiss, only for Mero to get in more shots on Goldust, crotching him on the ropes and hitting a dropkick to send him in retreat.
We get a recap on the injury from Ahmed Johnson, including footage of his kidney surgery. We also get the recap of Monsoon relinquishing the title. Starting on the next Raw is an eight-man Intercontinental championship tournament culminating on the September 6th Raw.
Todd Pettengill is in the ring to interview Sunny and Faarooq. He yells that Monsoon should give him the IC title. The tournament runs through him. If Ahmed was the best they got, he sees a lot of Sunny days. Sunny says that Faarooq is her special little modern day gladiator. Ahmed stood in his way, and look what happened. She tells Monsoon to have that tournament, but Faarooq will be the next Intercontinental champ.
We get introduced to "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry. We saw Henry post-Wrestlemania, but this is his first in-ring appearance as a fully signed superstar. He joins commentary as we get to our next match. Jerry "The King" Lawler taking on Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Lawler comes to the ring with something in his bag. He also pulls out a Baltimore Ravens jersey and pennant to really stick it to the Cleveland crowd.
He mocks the Cleveland crowd as he continues his prop comedy. Lots of sports references as he digs the crowd some more. He reaches into his pockets and pulls out bottles of Jim Beam. He says that Jake's wife is in the audience and she's real ugly, but Jake says "nothin' that a light switch and a six-pack won't fix". He chides into Mark Henry some more, mentioning that Mark didn't win any medals at the olympics. If Mark won a gold medal, he'd just have it bronzed.
Jake makes it to the ring, but Lawler isn't done with the tirade yet as he finally reaches into his bag. A gigantic champagne bottle.
Jake, in return, pulls out Revelations and ties Lawler up with his snake. Lawler panics and runs up the entranceway. Referee Harvey Whippleman forces Jake to place his snake back in the bag as Lawler returns to the ring, annoyed by the "Burger King" chants. Instead he grabs a microphone and offers him the Jim Beam to no luck. The mic is dead so he just gives that up. Jake goes after Lawler, ramming him into the steps. He finally brings Lawler back and gets a boot to the lower extremities. Lawler rolls out, but Jake slams him on the floor and then throws him to the ring post.
Lawler grabs a drink from the crowd and splashes it over the face of Jake. He then ties Jake to the ropes and grabs one of the liquor bottles. Jake recovers and tries a DDT, but Lawler back drops him. Jake gets back up with some punches and the shortarm clothesline. Loud DDT chants as Jake goes for a DDT, but Lawler grabs Harvey and causes a distraction. Lawler jabs Jake with a bottle to the throat and covers him for the three. A fun little gimmick match, nothing to really be angry about. Lawler continuing to win despite his cheating ways continues to be a great gimmick.
Lawler keeps on Jake, saying that he needs another dring. He then pops the bottle and pours the Jim Beam down his throat. He finishes one bottle and goes for a second serving. Mark Henry takes off the headset and grans the bottle from Lawler. He chases Lawler up the entrance way. He then goes to Jake's aid, helping him up the entrance way.
Up next, it's Mankind taking on Undertaker in the boiler room brawl. The rules of this match: Both men will start in the boiler room to fight. Eventually the winner must emerge out of the boiler room, head to the ring and grab the urn. Paul Bearer heads to the ring with the urn as Taker is inside the boiler room hunting for Mankind. Mankind sneaks behind him with a piece of metal piping and strikes him in the back. He chokes Taker until Taker grabs a metal trash can lid and bashes him with it. He takes the piping from Mankind and strikes him in the back. Not even much focus on commentary as we just hear a lot of grunting and squealing.
Mankind regains control, beating down on Taker some more and choking him. He throws Taker into the side of a boiler as the video feed dies out momentarily. He throws Taker into another pipe, then grabs a full trash can and smashes it over him a couple times. Taker recovers with some pipes, smashing the can that Mankind uses as a shield. Mankind recovers by spraying Taker in the face with hot boiler steam. He tries again with the can, but Taker recovers and clotheslines him. He follows that up with a 2X4 shot.
Mankind grabs a giant piece of pipe and crotches Taker a few times. He throws Taker into the shutter and follows with a running knee. He sets Taker up and climbs a ladder, landing an elbow drop. He grabs another piece of wood and breaks it over the back of Taker. Taker grabs Mankind and drags him as the feed starts dying out again. Eventually it returns as Mankind climbs up a ladder, only for Taker to grab it and send Mankind crashing into a box and some pipes. Taker throws Mankind into some glass as he closes in on the exit. Mankind grabs a chain and bashes it over the knee of Taker, then starts to climb out. Taker grabs the foot and lands an uppercut to the head. Taker is about to get to the door, but Mankind slams him into it. Taker pulls out a fire extinguisher and blows it over Mankind's face and finally exits.
But mankind manages to grab him in time and slam him back in. Taker tries to choke him, but Mankind bashes him with the door and crawls away. He tries to barricade the door with some debris, but Taker makes it through. Now both men are brawling in the hallway as the midcard cheers them on including Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Mankind throws a shelf on Taker, then grabs a giant vat of hot coffee, throwing it over Taker (Taker shielding so he doesn't get fully covered with scalding liquid). Mankind is the first to get into the arena as he grabs another 2x4 to nail Taker, but Taker hits a clothesline and breaks the 2X4 over the back of Mankind. They continue to brawl down the entrance way. Mankind grabs a TV, but Taker stops him from using it as a weapon. Mankind recovers and throws Taker to the steps. He then exposes the concrete floor and sets up for a piledriver, connecting. He goes into the ring, but Taker grabs him and knocks him to the floor. Taker then goes to Paul Bearer and kneels for the urn.
BUT OH NO! Paul Bearer refuses to give Taker the urn, allowing Mankind to lock in the mandible claw. Paul laughs in the corner as Taker is being choked out. Mankind kneels for hte urn, but Taker sits up. Mankind reapplies the claw. He then allows Paul to get some cheap shots in. Taker crawls to Paul Bearer, but Paul responds by smashing the urn over Taker's head. He hands the urn to Mankind and the march is finally over.
I'm mixed on this match. I found most of the boiler room stuff to be pretty boring. Maybe the lack of actual commentary just made the grunting and brawling feel a lot less exciting than it should have been. Not that Mankind didn't try at least, near killing himself in the process. I actually enjoyed the match more when they left the boiler room as they brawled in the hallway and all of the stuff involving Paul Bearer's heel turn, which I think should have started with the smash over the head with the urn. It would have been a better shock moment than Bearer just turning away. Regardless, it was fine. Maybe my interest in hardcore stuff has died out in recent years, but this did what it set out to do.
Post-match, after Mankind and Paul Bearer leave, the lights go out and the music of the druids plays. Hooded druids make their way to the ring. They pick up the body of Undertaker and carry him out of the ring.
Main event up next. It's Vader Time as Vader challenges Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship. Vader gets in some body blows and then lands a big clothesline. Shawn grabs the boot of Vader and lands a dropkick and some kicks to the face. Vader tries to block, but Shawn keeps him grounded with more punches. Vader tries to grab Shawn, but Shawn goes behind. Vader grabs him and goes to throw him, but Shawn uses the momentum to send Vader over the ropes. He hits a baseball slide and a big plancha over the ropes. He gets in between Vader and Cornette and brings Vader back in, landing an ax handle off the top.
Shawn gets in a big hurricanrana. He goes up the shoulders and sends Vaders out the ring again, skinning the cat in the process. He goes over the ropes again, but Vader catches him and hits a powerbomb to the floor. Vader then grabs Shawn and dumps him back into the ring. More body blows follow as well as a nice suplex. He throws Shawn into the corner which leads to some patented HBK rope flips, sending Shawn over the ropes yet again. He brings Shawn back in and hits a back body drop. He tries a back suplex, but Shawn tries to fight back. He nails some punches, but gets a thumb to the eye for his troubles.
Shawn avoids a splash in the corner, but eats a clothesline nonetheless. Shawn tries to come back with a skin the cat, but Vader catches him and throws him yet again to the mat. He follows with a lock, keeping Shawn grounded. Shawn recovers and breaks free, kneeing Vader in the gut. But the clothesline attempts don't take Vader down so Shawn slides under. This proves hazardous as Vader tries to jump, only for Shawn to knee him in the groin and finally nail the clothesline. Shawn calls for the elbow...
but instead jumps down and stomps at Vader, noticeably yelling "MOVE! MOVE!". Vader clearly out of place for the spot and Shawn's not happy. With that, the Vader push is already in jeopardy. Shawn cross bodies Vader over the ropes. Shawn swats away a cameraman, still frustrated. Vader then throws Shawn to the apron, then drops him throat-first into the barricade. Vader wins by count out and already I'm getting Summerslam 1993 nightmares because Vader technically doesn't win the title by count out. Jim Cornette grabs the mic and says he doesn't want it like that. They came here to win the title. If Shawn has any guts, they'll restart the match.
The match continues and Vader immediately attacks Shawn on the outside. He then goes after Jose Lothario, allowing Jim Cornette to whack Shawn with the tennis racket. Vader brings Shawn back in and hits a corner splash and a belly to belly. Cover, but Shawn kicks out at two. He goes for another powerbomb, but Shawn punches him down. Flying forearm and the nip up. Shawn goes up for the elbow and hits it this time with no issues. He calls sweet chin music, but Cornette gets incolved. He throws the racket into the ring as Shawn whacks Vader with it causing a DQ. Which means that this match will get restarted again. This is like the Malenko/Benoit match if it was a total mess.
So yeah, Cornette tells them to restart and they restart. Shawn tries a roll up, but Vader sits out, only for Shawn to escape. Shawn goes up and hits another elbow drop. He tuns up the band and hits a sweet chin music. Cover, but Vader kicks out at a very close two. Vader throws Shawn into the referee and hits another powerbomb. Cover, but no referee. Another ref comes in and counts, but Shawn kicks out. Vader sets Shawn in the corner and goes for the Vader Bomb, but he stalls. Cornette tells him to moonsault instead and he obliges. Shawn escapes in time as Vader crashes to the mat. Shawn hits a moonsault of his own and covers for the three to retain.
So, this match wasn't all that bad. Blown spot aside, it was for the majority a half hour of action with very little focus on rest holds and joint manipulation. A lot of big spots early to get you excited and a lot of brawling and power moves. I don't even mind the double restart as it played well into both men wanting a definitive victory and not ending on a cheap count out or disqualification. Saves us from having a Luger level ending. But we have to talk about Shawn breaking character to kick Vader for blowing the spot. I've heard reports (as well as from Cornette himself) that Shawn had been pretty pissed with Vader for a lot of the hair pulling in the match and even threatened Vader by saying he'll try to get him fired. It wouldn't be the first time the Kliq drove someone out. It just goes to show the continued unprofessional behavior that Shawn exuded in this era. It also means that the Vader push is reaching its end. He'll still be around and still be prominent, but any dreams of him touching the WWF title are now extremely lofty.
And that's Summerslam 1996. Not a particularly strong show in-ring, but I will say an eventful one nonetheless. A lot of basic ringwork with the early matches without as much excitement and energy. Hot crowd in Cleveland though, even if they sucked in the Goldust match. Owen and Savio was by the book, as was Bulldog and Sid. I do like this rift that is happening with Camp Cornette and Clarence Mason being the cause of it. The elimination tag match was kind of bland, but I enjoyed the output of the New Rockers. Jake and Lawler was fun with King's dickery reaching meteoric heights. Goldust and Mero wasn't amazing, but Marc's shooting star press was beautiful. Undertaker and Mankind bored in the boiler room, but things got more intriguing out of it, culminating in a great shocker heel turn with Paul Bearer. And the main with Shawn and Vader was a mess, but a fun mess nonetheless. Overall, while not one of the best Summerslams I've covered, it's definitely a solid medium show and a good middle area place for the WWF right now. Summerslam 1996 gets a B-.
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