Flashback Reviews WWF SummerSlam 1992

So at WrestleMania VIII Hulk Hogan wrestled what was kind of billed as his retirement match. And well it did hold for a while Hogan wouldn’t return to WWF TV until WretleMania season the next year. That left booking for SummerSlam a fairly open slate. And the truth is they really didn’t know what they were doing until right around show time. Famously the show is held in Wembley Stadium so you would think they would have planned that well in advance. Nope the plan was hold the show in the US except when Vince saw decreasing box office returns in the US with big gates overseas he made the call to move it to the UK. As a result to air in the usual time slot in the US the show had to be pre-tapped on a Saturday. This marks the only time this has ever happened with one of the major US PPV’s. Now just to note from what I understand the UK and US broadcasts had different matches aired. I’m reviewing the WWE Network version which is the US broadcast.

Now move to the UK also changed booking plans. Originally Bret Hart was set to drop the Intercontinental Championship to Shawn Michales in the first official Ladder Match. However with the show moved Bret instead got plans changed to instead drop it to Davey Boy Smith his brother in law who is from the UK. This would also mark the only time the IC title has main evented over a WWF championship. The match between Hart and Smith is classic but does the rest of the card live up? Was it worthy of the huge UK gate?

We open with a bit of unintended comedy. As quick graphic has Vince tell us SummerSlam is brought to you by IcoPro. IcoPro was a supplement line that Vince launched alongside the World Bodybuilding Federation. And like the WBF it flopped sells were never strong and really it’s legacy is the countless shorts of IcoPro banners all over WWF footage from this era. The actual open has shots of the fans outside the Stadium. Two fans depate rather Mr. Perfect will be in Macho Man’s corner or The Ultimate Warrior’s. Than we get a young fan strangely saying the British Bulldog would win rather he wants to or not. Which just seems strange to say. We than get a horn section playing as we see shots from around England. It’s a fairly generic open. I get the point was supposed to about getting over the are in England. Still it would have been better to do the usual intro they do. Especially given how you have the story of Bulldog returning home by having to face family and the fact two of the most popular in the stars facing off for the world championship.

Vince hypes up the fact 80,000 are there. And oh my god this crowd shot is so impressive even all these years later. By this point the boom of the 80’s had already cooled off in the US. But overseas they were still really hot for the WWF especially with it being fairly rare for overseas events. Vince is with Bobby Heenan. The Brian puts on a crown. Vince asks him what he’s doing and Bobby declares himself Sir Bobby King of England Vince says Henry the Eighth would be rolling in his grave and calls Bobby a royal pain. He than uses this to debate which corner Mr. Perfect will be in. Bobby just goes Wooo. This banter with Heenan and McMahon doesn’t have the same chemistry that Moonson had with Ventura or Heenan. Or Ventura had with Vince. I do like Heenan’s little Woo. It sends a message that end of the day Perfect is with Flair.

Money Inc. Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and IRS with Jimmy Hart vs. The Legion of Doom Animal and Hawk with Paul Ellering and Rocco- Back in February after Hawk had failed a drug test Money Inc. had taken the tag titles at a house show. The story line being Hart had swapped out The Natural Disasters for them. This was originally going to be a title match until the Natural Disasters beat Money Inc. So really its just a grudge match. Rocco is one of the most infamously stupid ideas WWF ever had he was a ventriloquist dummy that they claimed was the inspiration for LOD. Hennan says when the Bank of England needs a credit line they come to Money Inc. To get some heat IRS grabs a microphone and says if the British Tax Cheats paid there fair share they wouldn’t put the burden on the on the Royal Family. LOD enters on Motorcycles again it’s a cool sight the holds up. I should really mention the way Vince talks about Rocco it comes off like Vince thinks he’ a real person. DiBiase starts for his team and Hawk for his. Hawk starts a LOD chant. Lock up and DiBiase with a kick and some chops before ramming Hawk in turn buckle.

Hawk reverses a whip but DiBiase bails out. The Million Dollar Man is to worried about Hawk allowing Animal to nail him from behind and toss him back in the ring. Hawk with a big clothesline sends DiBiase over the top to the floor. On the floor Animals clotheslines DiBiase as well. DiBiase back in the finally tags to IRS. Animal tags in. Lock up and a knee to the gut by IRS and than he rams Animal in the buckle. Irwin tries a whip but Hawk reveres it and and sends him into the corner hard. IRS tries to escape but Animal grabs the ties and than hits a big press slam and covers for one as DiBiase runs in. Animal works the arm and tags Hawk. Down across the arm by Hawk. IRS to the eyes and gets a sleeper on Hawk. Hawks starts to fade. Heenan and Vince keep saying it’s not a choke its a sleeper. Ah the Pre MMA days of wrestling. Arm up twice and of course Hawk wakes up and back IRS into the corner to get the break. Corner clothesline off a whip by Hawk. Diving clotheline off the top by IRS ducks. Hawk to the floor. IRS draws in Animal distracting the referee allowing DiBiase to slam Hawk on the floor. In all the chaos DiBiase comes in only to tag right back out. Money Inc double team Hawk in the corner. Elbows by IRS. Cover by IRS one and two before Hawk kicks out Strong. Tag to DiBiase and he sends Hawk headfirst into the buckle. IRS back in and gets another sleeper. Strange interference spot. IRS has the sleeper on the ground and we see DiBiase using his foot to “Keep” IRS’ foot up closer. I’m not really sure what that would even do a choke hold. Animal in distracting the ref allowing a no tag switch by Money Inc. Animal does it again and same heel move by IRS. Finally a legal tag by Money Inc. and DiBiase with stomp and knee drop.

DiBiase tries to ram Hawk in the corner head first again. Hawk blocks it. IRS tags in and cuts off the LOD. Punches by IRS. Hawks ducks a clothesline. Than we get what I think is botched double clothesline. The two hit and IRS goes down and Hawk kind of stumbles before he falls down. It could be Hawk tried to “Protect” his image so he wanted to stumble around first implying it was super strong blow. Or sadly it could be he forget he was supposed to go down. Tag to DiBiase who comes in stomping Hawk. Vince points out IRS was holding Hawk’s foot to prevent the tag. Again Hawk I think is out of it as he comes really close to his corner and Animal has to jump in to prevent a tag and not wrecked the planed finish. IRS even jumps in Suddenly to get Hawk away. IRS uses the tag rope to choke Hawk behind the referee’s back. Front facelock by DiBbiase. Hawks picks up The Million Dollar man up and gets closer to Animal. Tag to but the referee doesn’t see it. IRS with another no tag exchange. Double clothesline and both IRS and Hawk are down. Tag to Dibiase and tag to Animal. House of Fire time by Animal with a flying shoulder for DiBiase and than drop kick for IRS. Animal ducks a double clothesline and hits one of his own on the heels. Hawk in and all for men brawl. Atomic drop by Animal sends IRS to the floor. LOD looks for the dooms day device. Hart distracts the referee allowing IRS to hit a dropkick on Animal. Ok that confuses. I mean ref had been letting all four men brawl. You would think Hart would distract allowing some type of illegal blow. Hawk. Jumps off the rope so he can punch IRS. IRS on the apron now and Dibise is whipped into him. Power slam by Animal for the win.

Well that match was a leg down. I’ve seen much worse but given the talent level involved it should have been much better. I think part of the issue is the fact the tag titles aren’t on the line. The other big issue is well Hawk. As I mentioned early he had failed a drug test earlier in the year and he hadn’t stopped using. He had taken a test that he knew would come back positive. He also hatted the Rocco gimmick. Animal,DiBiase, and Routundo have all confirmed he was in no state to work the match. And the match is set up poorly you have Money Inc. trading places every five seconds and the referee keeps holding Animal back. The finish is a mess and like I saw it feels like Hawk forget key spots. The hot live crowds helps but it can’t take it over the top. This was the last dance for LOD in WWE for years. Hawk didn’t show up to the flight home. Animal got hurt trying to finish out the teams dates and was out for years. Hawk bounced around WCW, ECW, and New Japan.

Backstage Mean Gene is with Ric Flair. Gene says Flair is disgruntled feeling he should be the number one contender to the WWF championship. Flair says its not him alone but many others that upsets that on the back stage and bright light he’s not getting a chance to regain the title. Oakerland asks why Flair is in his robe and wrestling attire. Flair says its known he always stays ready Gene talks about how Flair and Perfect have involved in the controversy about the main event since it was announced. He asks Flair which corner will Perfect be in? Flair stays silent. Oakerland demands to know Perfect’s whereabouts. Flair says “He’s in the dressing room where else.” Oakerland asks which dressing room. Flair replies the winner of course before wooing. Its an ok promo pushing the idea that one of the faces in the title match can’t be trusted.

Sean Money is with Virgil. Mooney calls Nailz the cruelest man we have ever seen in the WWF. Virgil says he saw what Nailz did to The Big Bossman. He tries to act real tough talking about surviving the streets but than ruins it saying he’ to legit to quit. Its just a bland promo.

Nailz vs. Virgil- Nailz has the nightstick he had stolen from the Bossman. Nailz chokes Virgil and will break on four than do it again. Rights by Virgil. Clothesline by Virgil but Nailz stays up. Dropkick can’t get the convict down. Nailz back to choking. Nails attacks the eyes. Virgil goes for a sunset flip can’t get it over. School boy by Virgil gets one. Nails back to choking. Virgil tossed to the floor. Virgil rammed into the apron head first and again. Back into the ring and Virgil tries with punches but no effect. Clothesline by Nailz sends Virgil down. Choke hold by Nailz. Heenan says its a sleeper. The ref calls off the match when Virgil passes out. Nailz has the nightstick and attacks Virgil and than chokes him again. The match sucked it was nothing but a punch of choke and no selling. It was all about keeping Nailz strong for his feud with Bossman. Kevin Wacholz the man played Nailz was extremely upset by his payday for SummerSlam at TV taping later in the year he confronted Vince in his office and actually physically attacked him. This led to him being fired and numerous lawsuits between the two sides. Wacholz claimed Vince had tried to sexually assault him and even later tesifed at the infamous steroid trail.

Lord Alfred Hayes is backstage and knocking on the Macho Man’s dressing room door. Hayes says he’s been investigating Mr. Perfect’s location. He says he can’t confirm where Perfect is but he say’s the Macho Man’s dressing room has been locked for some time and no one is answering. Feels like a waste of a segment.

Mean Gene is with Sherri Martel. Gene plugs that Shawn Michales vs. Rick “The Model” Martel is up next. We get footage of Michales getting Martel DQ’ed from an IC title match by attacking Bret Hart. We than get footage of Martel coming out during a Michales match and flirting with Sherri. Finally footage of Sherri coming out to watch Martel wrestle during a later match. Gene talks about Sherri be behind the stipulation neither man can hit the other in the face. Sherri talks about how handsome both men are. Gene asks where she stands? She says “With her man” before we hear Shawn yell lets go. It’s an Ok promo. Sherri was great at stuff like this sly and not being clear what she really had planned.

Rick The Model Martel vs. Shawn Michales with Sherri Martel- With Shawn’s IC title win pushed back this led to the company putting together. The story being Martel wanted Sherri to leave Shawn for him. It’s a little award given both men are heels and neither was hinting at going face. I should mention the “no hitting” stuff is not an actual stipulation just what Sherri wants. At the start Shawn invites Martel to him him. Headlock by Martel. Shawn tries to shove off but Martel uses the hair. Leap frogs by Michaels. Michaels under the legs of The Model and hits a dropkick. Michales starts to talk to Sherries and Martel nails from behind and than stomp him. Knees to the midsection by Martel. The Model attempt to hit a twisting crossbody off the second rope but Michales ducks. Arm wringers by Michaels. Snatch of the hair by Michales as he wants Martel to hit him in the face. Martel decides turn about is fair play and does it Shawn. Martel sends Michales over the top hard. Sherri checks on Michales. Rick Martel leads Sherri away and hugs her to make her feel better since she’s so worried and than nails Michaels. Back to the ring and a high back body drop by Martel and than stomps. Michales ducks a clothesline and gets a Oklahoma roll and gets the tights. The referee sees it and won’t count.

Martel reveres and also has the tights and now Shawn reveres. Exchange of blows to the body. Michaels sidekick to the body For those unaware at this stage he had yet turned the superkick into a finisher instead it was just another move for him. Michales with punches to the body. Martel whips Michales into the corner and charges. HBK gets his foot up. Cover and the referee sees he’s got the feet on the ropes School boy by Martel again hold the tights and Michales kick at two. Both men are getting angry and shove each other. Slap to the face by Michales, Martel returns the favor. Sherri up on the apron screaming No. Both men act like they are about to let the punches Fly and Sherri faints. Shawn tires to check on her but than knocks her off the apron. Martel shoves Michaels away and starts to do CPR. Michales shoves Martel away and than punches him in the face. The two men brawl up the aisle. Sherrie wakes up and than faint again seeing them punch. The referees has counted both men out. This match is pretty fun. There is some decent comedy to it and I like both men wrestled as heel instead of one working as the face for the night.

Post match Michales tries to carry Sherrie to the back only for Martel to attack him again. Michales drops Sherri who than Martel tries to carry back. Michales hits Martel and Sherrie is dropped again. Michaels picks Sherrie up as officials escort Martel off. Martel return holding bucket and her pours water on Sherri. Michaels chases Martel off. Sherri is now up screaming no. This part goes on to long. I get the joke was supposed to be Sherri was faking it to get them to stop only leading to the two morons to fights over being her hero. But cutting some of it out would have helped.

Sean Mooney is with the Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart. Knobbs and Saggs are making funny of what happened to Sherri. Mooney brings up the tag title match. Saggs is upset they aren’t getting a title shot after beating Macho Man in the Ultimate Warrior. Knobbs asks Jimmy Hart if they have a title shot coming. Jimmy mumbles something about Money Inc until suddenly declaring of course you’ll get one. Ok segment. This is planting the seeds for Nasty Boys face turn as again Hart will betray one of his teams to get Money Inc. a title shot.

WWF World Tag Team Championship The Natural Disasters Earthquake and Typhoon (c) vs. The Beverly Brothers Blake and Beau with The Genius- There is not really much of a storyline here. Even Heenan admits the Beverly's have lucked into this title shot. Really it was the real feud with Money Inc was on delay with them facing LOD. Pre match we the usual poem from The Genius. The Beverlys jump the champions as they are trying to hand the belts to Howard Finkle The Disasters turn the tide and wind up sandwiching the Beaverlys. Finally the ref has control and we got Typhoon and Blake in the ring. Back elbow than a slam by Typhoon. Blake rolls out of the way to avoid a leg drop. Blake tries a body slam and can’t get the big man up at first. He finally does only for the weight to be to much and he falls over in a pinning predicament. Beau makes the save. Earthquake in and he goes after Beau. Beau to the floor and Typhoon splashes Blake in the corner than he hold him for Quake. Blake moves and Earthquake takes out his own partner. Double team by the Brothers. Blake slams Beau onto for a pin. Typhoon tosses him off with ease. Tag to Blake who hits a splash off the second rope that gets two. Tag to Beau. Double team leap frog splash by The Beverly Brothers.

Earthquake keeps trying to get in allowing for extending double teams and no tag changes by the challengers. Beau holds Typhoon so Blake can hit an ax handle off the second rope. Stomps by Beau. Blake uses the tag rope to choke Typhoon. Beau uses stomps and than tag back in Blake another double team double Ax. Blake with a running headbutt get two. Front facelock but Typhoon starts to power towards his corner. Tag to Earthquake but Beau has the ref’s attention so it won’t count. A third double team ax. Chokes using the ropes by the Brothers. Logic really falls apart here as both Beavelys are in the ring for a double team well longer than even the slowest five count could take. Even Vice calls it out. Double clothesline by Typhoon but Blake cuts off the tag. Crossbody attempt but Typhoon catches him. Earthquake again in and this time with no real reason. This allows Beau to hit a missile dropkick putting his brother on top. Typhoon kicks out at two. No selling by Typhoon. Blake with a running face buster and both men are down. Beau has run over and gets Earthquake to chase him. Genesis hands the metal scroll to Blake who nails Typhoon. Referee doesn’t see the pin. Earthquake in and hits a running elbow on Blake. Both legal men are down. Beau tags in. Tag to Earthquake. House of fire time as Earthquake nails and than hip tosses Beau followed by a belly to belly suplex. Shoulder in the gut by Earthquake. Blake in for a double team. Earthquake is to big and takes them out with a shoulder

Typhoon in and toess Blake out. Double team whip splash by the Disaster. Slam by Earthquake and than the Earthquake Splash for the win Post match The Genesis is upset about something. The Disaster throw him over the top rope. This match was really boring. It really feels like someone got lazy and just redid the sports from LOD and Money Inc. It just doesn’t come off well.

Oh no Mean Gene are with The Bushwhackers. We get lame jokes about the Bushwhackers not knowing about London. And some joke about them going to the palace. Than a joke about them using the toilet. The Bushwhackers were never funny and this was just a giant waste of time. Vice throws to Lord Alfred Hayes. His Lordship is outside the Warrior’s dressing room. Hayes claims he believes Mr. Perfect is inside and he is going to breach his code of ethics and just go in. As Hayes opens the door a hand suddenly pushes it back closed. Maybe next time you should not announce you are going to do it on TV because you know Warrior might be watching. Alfred Hayes says that doesn’t mean Perfect is in there but it was shockingly rude. Alfred’s reaction is funny but it’s still just an overall bland segment.

Repo Man vs. Crush- The Former members of Demolition battle here. Of course they never acknowledge Repo’s past as Smash and best I can recall they didn’t bring up Crush’s past either treating his new fan faveroite gimmick as a brand new person debuting in the WWF. Both McMahon and Heenan talk about how big Crush. Repo attacks Crush as he’s entering the cage. Crush no sells the blows. Crush picks Repo up and does over head presses with him before dropping him. The Repo Man to the floor and Crush follows him out and whips him out with a clothesline. Back in the ring Crush with kicks and punches. Crush catches Repo on a cross body and than lays on the ropes to keep striking at him. One handed back breaker by Crush. Repo Man goes to the eyes. Belly to back suplex by Repo Man. Crush right back up and hits a belly to belly suplex. Back break again by Crush and he climb to the top rope and misses the knee drop. Repo with a few shots that Crush shakes off. Repo Man back to the eyes. Back body drop attempt by Crush but he sets soon. Repo drives Crush face to the canvas. One and two and Crush presses him off. That is the like the third guy on this show do that spot. I get it’s big man move but come on guys mix it up a little. Repo to the top ropes and Crush catches him for a power slam. Cranium Crush vice hold for the win by Crush. This was all about Crush over as a new fan friendly powerhouse. And the match does that. No big botches and Repo sells well.

After clamming Crush uses IcoPro Vince sends it backstage to Gene Oakerland. Gene says we just seconds away from the WWF Championship match who finding whose corner Mr. Perfect is in. We than get a recap of the history. We see Savage and Warrior getting in each others face. We than see Perfect and Flair in the ring taunting Savage and jumping him with Warrior making the save. A later video where Flair says Savage was trying to cut a deal with Perfect. And later Perfect telling Savage telling Savage, Oakerland, and the fans that a bidding war is on for his services. Than when Warrior and Savage teamed up to face the Nasty Boys with clear tension between them. And things blowing up when Knobbbs caused Warrior to knock Savage off the apron. Than Perfect and Flair jumping the Warrior. While the Nasty Boys double team on Savage. Gene says each man is totally convinced the other man is working with Perfect. The idea here is pretty good two faces both having reason to think the other is going heel. The problem is in execution. With Flair still being with Perfect it feels like a giant set up. Instead they should have had Flair “fire” Perfect or have Flair accuse Perfect of jumping ship.

At ringside Vince tell Bobby take off that crown again. McMahon says no one has seen Mr. Perfect yet. He also accuses Bobby of knowing already. Earlier on the show they had done some things with Heenan getting “Information” in his headset for this does make sense. Bobby claims he would tell McMahon if he knew. Bobby again claims Flair and Perfect wouldn’t put him in that position. Again it’s decent play between the two. For his entrance Warrior comes out alone and Bobby declares that means Savage must of coughed up enough money. When Savage comes out alone Vince is confused. Bobby says something is up.

WWF World Heavyweight Championship Macho Man Randy Savage (c) v. The Ultimate Warrior- Savage had won the WWF championship back at WrestleMania and Warrior had been named number one contender. The two did have history as Savage cost The Warrior the title in 91 and than Warrior beat him in retirement. But really the focus of the story line was the idea of who Perfect would side with. The bell rings before either man had taken off there jacket and they have a face off. Savage looks around for Perfect. Warrior I think says “did you sell out?” Savage offers Warrior his hand and the Warrior accepts it but than won’t great it leading to a shoving match. Both men stall playing to the crowd acting like they are about to go nuts. Lock up and Savage gives a clean break on the ropes. Lock up and Warrior shoves Savage down. Knee by Savage than a clothesline take Warrior down. Clothesline to the back of the by Savage and a pin. Warrior presses Savage off him. Savage to the top for his double Ax, Warrior catches him in the stomach. Atomic drop by the Warrior than inverted atomic drop. Vince for some reason calls the inverted drop a reverse piledriver. Clothes lien by Warrior gets two. Series of shoulder blocks by Warrior who than misses an elbow drop. Savage with punches to the face and than gets a chin lock him. Warrior breaks it but dropping down rocking the jaw. Facebuster by Warrior for two. Savage whipped into the corner and than east some hard right hands. Irish whip by Warrior and than kicks. Savage drops down selling the attacks. Short arm clothesline by The Warrior gets two. We get a fairly clear botch. At this time the Warrior had taken to wearing a singlet that would often but Air Brushed with Muscles and logo on it. Savage grabs onto it and the spot is supposed to be he throws Warrior into the corner. Except is a bit of position and doesn’t even hit the ropes. So Savage has to do it again. Its to bad because it’s actually a good idea for the story of the match. Both mean are being aggressive to win the belt. Clothesline by Savage sends Warrior over the top to the floor.

Savage throws the Warrior back in for a pinfall that gets two. Again I like that idea. Savage is being aggressive but he is also still a face so he didn’t really try to hurt Warrior. Macho Man off the top for his double AX. Warrior no sells. Again by Savage and that take Warrior down. Pinfall only gets two. Off the top again for a crossbody. Warrior catches him and walks around before hitting back breaker that gets two. Irish whip by the Warrior to put Savage in the buckle and than a huge haymaker knock Savage down. More whips by Warrior planting Savage hard in the corner. Bear hug by Warrior and than he drops him get a cover for another two count. Side slam by the Warrior. Savage with a small package when Warrior goes for a slam that gets two. Warrior goes for a back body drop and Savage turns it into a neckbreak. Savage still hurt can’t follow up right away. The Macho Man with that spot where he hangs a guy on the ropes as he jumps over. Savage crawls back in and gets two. Savage holds his back. Savage is to hurt to get a suplex. Warrior hits Savage in the back. Vertical suplex by the Warrior gets two. Warrior goes for a running clothesline. Savage drops and Warrior falls to the floor.

Savage off the top with a double as Warrior just manages to stand back up. Warrior gets knocked off the platform the ring is on. Heenan says Savage could just let the Warrior get counted out. But Savage goes to get him. Heenan says that’s a mistake. Savage sends Warrior into the steps and throws him into the ring post. Back in the ring Savage covers and Warrior kicks at two. Mr. Perfect and Ric Flair start to come out. Back in the ring Savage goes for a piledriver Warrior turns it into a back drop. Savage turns that into a sloppy sunset flip. Clothesline by the Warrior for two. Body slam by Warrior. McMahon and Heenan debate which man sold out. Warrior goes for the running splash but Savage get the knees up. Warrior is hurting and Savage covers. The Ultimate Warrior kicks at two. Double clothesline and both men are down. Perfect and Flair and standing in the middle not in either man’s corner. Warrior manages to fall on Savage for two. Savage than gets Warrior on the mat for a two count. Savage back up and goes to hit the ropes. Perfect trips Savage. Vince declares Now we know and than he can’t believe it. Savage is yelling at Perfect and Flair. Warrior is back up and lays out Savage with a right hand. Warrior picks up Savage with a two handed choke and drops him hard. Ref bump as Warrior goes to whip Savage and than suddenly changes direction. Body slam by Warrior. The Warrior climbs to the top rope. Double ax by Warrior but no referee to count. Finally the ref is up and Savage kicks at two.

Warrior argues with the referee. Savage is up and hits a knee into the challengers back. Another ref bump. Piledriver by Savage. As Macho Man goes to get the referee who is out on the floor, Perfect gets in the ring and is trying to wake up Warrior. Perfect holds Warrior and Flair nails him with brass knuckles. Heenan says it’ a set up since all Perfect did to Savage was trip him. Body slam by Savage. The Champion to the top rope for the elbow drop. Referee is still out of it. Savage grabs the tights but Warrior kicks at two. Warrior starts to shake as he comes to. Savage keeps nailing with no effect. Warrior with his big power up spot and starts the clothesline series. Flying shoulder by Warrior. Press slam by the Warrior. Running splash attempt and Flair nails Warrior in the back with a chair. Savage starts looking around at Perfect and Flair and even asks the referee what happened. Savage kicks at Perfect. The referee is dealing with Perfect. Savage is confused but he sets for the elbow drop. Savage suddenly goes after Flair. And I’m not really sure what the spot was but it looks messed up. I think it was supposed to be Savage would attack but Flair would move causing Savage to hurt himself. But the way Flair turns it looks also like he was trying to hit Savage with the chair. Savage rolls to the aisle way holding his knee. The referee counts Savage out. This match is pretty good but it become a mess at the end with all the added stuff with Perfect and Flair. I like that they waited to start getting really dirty until the match got going. But once Perfect gets out there it becomes to much about him.

Post match Perfect and Flair attack Savage. Perfect drives Savages leg into the ground. Flair with the figure four on the injured Savage. In the ring the Warrior tries to stand but keeps falling over. Vince pleads for someone to stop this as Bobby screams for them to break it. Flair has a chair but Warrior manages to finally get up and takes the chair. Warrior chases the heels off. Savage is back in the ring holding his leg in great pain. Warrior returns to the ring as we get the official announcement that Warrior wins on the countout and Savage retains the title. Warrior takes the WWF belt. Heenan predicts Warrior is about take Savages head off. Warrior helps Savage up and gives him the belt. The post match attack was meant to set up for Savage dropping the belt back to floor at a TV taping. The company had wanted Warrior to turn heel to keep his feud with Savage going. But Warrior refused shortly after that he failed a drug test and disappeared from WWF TV forever aka 1996.

Oakerland is with Perfect and Flair. Oakerland yells there was no deal. Perfect says the deal was with him and Flair. Flair says it should have been him getting the shot. Flair calls this plan B. Oakerland calls this a sham. Flair tells Savage the belt is coming back to him. I’m always confused by this promo. Are they trying to say one of the faces backed out of the plan A. I mean that wold make sense depending on if WWE planned Warrior heel turn for later. Or are they trying to say Plan A was Flair getting the shot at SummerSlam.

Vince gives the “official” attendance numbers. Howard Finkle introduces Dr. Harvey Wippleman who than yells at Fink. As part of a lame feud between the two that dragged on and on and on. I mean why have a manager feud with a ring announcer?

Kamala with Kim Chee and Dr. Havey Wippleman vs. The Undertaker with Paul Bearer- So with The Undertaker having turned face the thought process became they had to bring in giant heels to be a real threat to him. So thus Kamala was brought back. Undertaker makes his entrance riding on the back of a hearse. Kamala tries a sneak attack early on but Undertaker sees it coming and hits punches and than chokes the Uganda Giant. Kamala reveres a whip but misses the corner splash. Thrust to the throat than the top rope walk into a big club by Undertaker. Kim Chee tries to distract but it doesn’t work. Taker back on the top rope. Wippleman shakes the ropes and Undertaker falls off. Clothesline by Kamala sends The Undertaker to the floor. Taker gets a hold of Kim Chee and Wippleman. Kamala nails Undertaker form behind. Series of strikes by Kamala and than he sends The Deadman into the steps. Back into the ring. Back chops by Kamala. Taker ducks the clotheslines and hits a choke slam. Flying lariat by The Undertaker. Taker goes for the the tombstone. Kim Chee in and nails Undertaker with his “helmet.” Taker takes out Kim Chee. Kamala with a kick to the gut. Splashes by Kamala in the corner than a body slam followed by a splash as it announced Undertaker wins on DQ. Splash off the second ropes by Kamala. Now Kamala is on the top rope and another splash. Undertaker suddenly gets up and Kamala backs away in fear. This match sucked. It was the most basic slow moves. It was clearly all about setting up for the first casket match at Survior Series so they just threw away the SummerSlam match. Sadly the mindset of “Only big guys can be a threat to him” has put Undertaker in some real dudes throughout his career.

Sean Mooney with Davey Boy. Mooney talks about the pressure and says the match has torn the family apart. Davey admit there I pressure but he didn’t make the match Jack Tunney did. The Bulldog talks about fighting hard for two years to become the number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship. Smith says that once the bell rings its like he’s never even met Bret. He just hopes the families can reunite when it’ over. Mooney talks about the pressure of having to wrestle in front of 80,000 of his countrymen. The Bulldog says that’ not pressure that is a dream. And his second dream is being the next IC champion. It’s an ok promo. I like the message of it being that Davey doesn’t hold anything against Bret but this is his big chance and he’s got to take advantage of it.

Oakerland is with Bret Hart. Gene agrees there is a great deal of pressure but says the pressure is different for the champion. Gene says Davey has to pin Bret or make him submit and than asks Bret about the family pressure. Hart says he’s proven he works real well under pressure. Bret says Smith saying “He’s never met me” irks him. Bret brings up he was the one that introduced Davey to Diana. And reminds The Bulldog that he’s the one that wanted to challenge for the title and the family tension is on him. Hart says the Bulldog wanted the big fight well he’s got it. Bret says the Bulldog’s big dream is about to become a nightmare. Its an above average Bret Hart promo. He comes off a bit of a heel. Which I think is a smart move. Even with Bret’s large fan base the UK fans were going to side with The British Bulldog.

The Fink introduces the Amoral Highlanders a bagpipe band. They start to play. Heenan start to make jocks. Rowdy Roddy Piper is introduced. Piper takes a bag pipe and starts to play. Vince says the song is Scotland the brave. The problem is well Scotland the Brave is also Piper’s entrance theme. So for me is just sounds like Piper is playing his theme. Its a good little moment that gives the show some local flavor.

Sean Mooney is now in the crowd with Diana Hart-Smith. Mooney says she is feeling the tension more than anyone else is the crowd. He talks about how this must be hard for her. She says it has been and how Davey and Bret have always been really competitive. She says that has helped them become two of the best in the world and calls this the biggest match of there life. She admits she scared they will destroy each other and starts to ramble. Mooney sees this is happening and moves on asking who she thinks will win. She says she doesn’t care she simply loves both men but says the family means more to her. Mooney again has to step and get her to not ramble. She tries to compare watching the match to being on the front line of a war. Again Mooney has step in and toss to the intros. Its a bad promo. Now to be fair she wasn’t a wrestle. I get what she is trying do but she never pulls it off.

WWF Intercontinental Championship Bret Hitman Hart (c) vs. The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith- Well as was already explained the story line is they are brother’s in law. Bulldog had been named number one contender. As I stated earlier Bret was set to drop the title anyway so he asked plans be modified as he saw chance to drop the belt to Smith in the UK as a huge moment. And Bret being Bret wanted to have the best possible match he could have. So like I said Bret was known to do he sat down with Smith and planned out a long detailed match. Than Davey Boy started to party Jim Neidhart so when they got to in the ring Davey told Bret he had no idea what they had planned. So now Bret had to walk through a match and modify the match as it became Davey couldn’t do some of the stuff they planned. And to make it worse Davey didn’t protect Bret on a few spots.

Smith comes out with future boxing world champion Lennox Lewis. As was Bret’s costume he folds up the belt and kisses his belt before handing out a pair of shades to young fan. The two men circle each other and than get face to face. Bret lightly shoves Smith back and than Smith shoves him. More circeling and than a lock up. Smith powers Hart off him. Another lock and headlock by Davey Boy. Bret shoves him off. Drop down by Bret than a leap frog. Smith comes back and his a shoulder block that sends Bret Hart to the floor. Hitman back in the ring gets a head lock takeover. Head scissor by Smith and escape by Hart. Another headlock takeover by Bret and he holds it. Back to the feet and The Bulldog shoves him off. Davey Boy goes for a press slam but Hart with a roll up gets two. Small package by Hart gets two than back to the head lock takeover. Smith escapes gets a hammerlock on the mat and drives some knees to Hart’s back. The champion back to his feet and hits an elbow to get free and now he works the arm. Smith flips into a reversal and gets the take down. Bret whips him off and goes for a thez press but Smith catches him and catapults him into a corner hard. Arm work again by Smith he he even lifts Bret into the air and brings him down hard. Smith ducks a clothesline and has a crucifix for two. Back to the arm lock by The British Bulldog. Body Slam by Bret but Smith doesn’t let the hold go and winds up in control. Bret gets free with a whip and lands a hard knee to the midsection. Stomp to the midsection by Hart than a leg drop. Chin lock by Bret Hart. Smith tries to elbow free. But Hart just lands a big elbow to the jaw.

Elbow drop by The Hitman. Inverted atomic drop by Hart and again calls it a reverse piledriver. Smith goes for another crucifix but Hart falls back slamming. Chin lock again by Bret. They get free and on a criss cross Davey uses his legs to send Bret flying. Standing headbutt by Bulldog. Smith charges into the corner but Bret gets his foot up. Running bulldog on the British Bulldog. Bret Hart climbs to the top rope. The Bulldog slams him off. Smith to the top and misses a flying headbutt. Bret drives the challengers face into the canvas. Go behind on a slam attempt by Smith. The Bulldog tries a roll up but Hart ducks and Smith goes through the ropes. Hart starts to mock the crowd as they boo him. Heenan in a nice moment asks why the fans are booing a good and legal move. I do really like how this match has been playing out. Lots of good counter wrestling showing the two men know each other really well. And I do like Hart being a bit of a heel. He’s not going so strong it’s a turn but he’s very accepting that the fans aren’t with him on this night. Bulldog is slow to get back into the ring. Hart slingshots over the top and winds up hitting kind neck breaker move. I have to wonder if Smith was a bit out of position. We get a shot of Dinah looking very concerned. Bret picks up Davey Boy up and rams him back first into the ring post. Back in the ring. Hard whip by Hart and Smith grabs his back. Side Russian leg sweep for a count of two by Hart. Uppercuts the Hart but Smith won’t go down. Dropkick by Hart and finally the Bulldog goes down. Back body drop sends Smith flying. Cover the champion only gets two. Hart gets a chin lock.

Short suplex by Hart and again Smith kicks out at two. We actually hear Smith yell no as he kicks out. Which is small thing I like. It just adds to the idea he’s being forced to dig deep. Hart goes for another uppercut. This time though Smith grabs the arm uses a backslide that gets two. Really nice spot as the idea is Smith got the timing down. Back breaker by Hart and he follows up with his second rope elbow drop but still only gets two. Hard right hand to the head by The Hitman. Hart yanks the hair to gets mini slam. Fans boo and Hart just gives them a lock. Snap takeover into a chin lock by Hart. Smith gets free. Hart with punches and Smith goes for a hay maker that Bret ducks and lock in a sleeper when Bulldog is off balance. Davey Boy Smith drops do his knees and crawls to the ropes. I like given how we saw the usual drops the hand twice third time power free escape in the earlier match. Than we get a strange moment. Hart won’t break the hold the idea being he’s being ultra aggressive. Except the problem is the ref count to four he than taps Bret on the shoulder and counts again. I don’t know if Bret messed up the count or what but its just awkward even with Bret being more aggressive. I mean your left wonder why the referee won’t disqualify Bret. Bret with a whip and goes back to the sleeper. We get a picture in picture with Diana looking really concerned. One thing I hate about modern WWE is how they often over cut to non wrestler to show there reaction instead you know the match . Here it feels WWF has it down really well. Using picture and picture or waiting until Bret or Davey Boy are doing more setting up instead of the actual move. Referee starts to check the arm. And this time Smith power up and has Bret on his back. The Bulldog tries to break the hold by ramming Bret into the corner. It works for a second but Hart grabs the hold again.

Smith does the ram into the corner again. Ok now I have to wonder if maybe the all the sleeper work and even the strange no break spot was Bret needing extra time to explain the rest of the match. Exchange of punches. Smith with a rip goes for a press slam and he’s off balance and drop Bret real hard on the ropes. Running clothesline by The Bulldog and he gets two on a cover. Press slam by Bulldog for two. Delayed vertical suplex by Smith get two. Bret with that spot from every single Bret Hart match when he goes running as hard and fast as he can into the corner. The Bulldog covers and gets two. Davey Boy calls for the running power slam and he hits it. Hart kicks at two. Heenan says Smith can’t beat Bret Hart if the slam didn’t do it. Bret is on the apron, Davey goes to suplex him in but Bret escapes and hits a German suplex for two. Bret for a suplex and Davey blocks. Front suplex by Davey Boy onto the top turn buckle. I remember Bret saying on his first WWE DVD that was one of the times Davey didn’t protect and it really took the wind from him.

Superplex by Davey Boy and he rolls on for the pin. One and two just as Bret rolls his shoulder up. Davey ducks a clothesline. Double clothesline and both are down. Bret starts to tie up Davey’s legs and rolls over and gets the sharp shooter. A great change up on Bret’s usual finisher and there is huge pop as he gets it. Bulldog fights to the ropes and gets the ropes. Again we cut over to Dinah and see her cheering on as the hold is broken. Bret goes for a sunset flip but Davey goes forward and he’s got the shoulders down 1 2 3. And New! What an amazing match. Easily one of the best singles matches Bulldog ever had. And a match that many felt made Bret’s career. He showed he was able to main event but also carry someone who wasn’t in the right state of mind. And I really do like that Bret heeled it up a bit adding to the match over all. There was some great counters.

The crowd goes nuts as the pin happens. Davey clutches the belt as Bret gets up very slowly. Bret appears to be in shock and angry. Davey is emotional and extends his hand to help Bret up. Bret won’t take it and starts to leave. Huge boo. Finally Bret comes back and hugs his Brother In Law and raises his hand. Bulldog’s theme. Dinah comes in and hugs both men. We end with a shot of the family embracing. Vince calls it the great SummerSlam ever. Even the handful of botches and strange spots don’t take away from the drama. Defiantly helped by the crowd.

Shawn Michales once said about his ladder match with Scott Hall that he knew he had made his career even in losing match. I have feeling Bret must feel the same way about this match. Why I’m not the biggest Bret Hart fan this match is a all time great and frankly is on the short list for greatest IC title matches ever. Davey dropped the IC belt to Shawn Michales in October before departing for WCW for while. Bret that November claimed his first WWF Championship. Beginning a five year run as the companies real top guy title or not.

This show is just fun. The World and IC title matches are both great. Doing in the UK with such a live crowd gave this show an energy we may not have seen if it taken place in America. I can’t say there is a truly bad match on the show just a few that could have been better. It’s on the Network and I suggest checking it out.