SummerSlam ’98

(All screen captures are the property of World Wrestling Entertainment)

SummerSlam

August 30, 1998

Madison Square Garden

New York City, New York

News & Notes: After Fully Loaded, Austin refused to apologize for mistrusting Taker. The Undertaker acted fishy. Taker disguised himself as his brother again. He even swapped places with Kane during a blackout and attacked Vince and Mankind. Vince stirred the pot. He still believed Taker and Kane were in cahoots. Taker assured Austin he was safe until SummerSlam. They shared a beer and had successful title defenses against The Outlaws and Rock & Owen. Then they held a Four Corners Match for the tag belts. It was Taker & Austin vs. Kane & Mankind vs. Rock & D’Lo vs. The Outlaws. Kane & Mankind regained their tag gold. The contest ended when Kane pinned Taker after one chokeslam. Taker seemed unfazed a moment later. It confused Austin. What was Taker playing at? Did he lose on purpose? I’ll explain what happened next in the main event’s notes.

In other news, the Brawl for All concluded. Bart Gunn silenced JR by knocking out Dr. Death. Meanwhile, The Godfather expanded his character. He’s a pimp. Godfather tried to get out of his fight by offering Scorpio his hoes. It didn’t work, but Kama advanced. Next, Godfather pulled the same stunt with Vader in a non-Brawl for All bout. Vader took the offer, but Bart Gunn knocked Vader out. He wanted to send Godfather a message for the next round. It worked. Gunn defeated Godfather to enter the finals. It was Bart vs. Bradshaw. Gunn won by KO. He’s your Brawl for All champion! Now let’s see what the WWF does with him afterward!

Also, the LOD 2000 storyline took the turn for the worse I mentioned. Hawk showed up to RAW in no condition to perform. He passed out during a fight. Hawk apologized the following week and promised to do better. However, they canceled LOD vs. Southern Justice because Hawk got wasted again. Southern Justice attacked Animal in anger, so Droz rescued him. Next, Animal received a Euro title shot. An inebriated Hawk thought it was a tag bout. He interrupted and ruined the action. It led to The Nation beating up the LOD. Finally, LOD 2000 faced Too Much. Hawk wouldn’t remove his helmet. Then he fell off the top rope when performing a move. They turned Hawk’s real substance abuse issues into a storyline! WCW does the same with Hall, but I’ll discuss that in WCW reviews.

I have two final notes. First, the former Vampire Warrior debuted in the WWF as Gangrel. He enters the arena through a ring of fire. Gangrel drinks blood from a goblet and spits it into the air. He even had a run-in with Edge. That leads to something, but I’ll discuss it another time. The second note is about a new show. The WWF debuted Sunday Night Heat. It serves as a pre-show on PPV days.

Epic music brings us the opening video. After all the lies, we have the truth! There is no more conspiracy. Taker and Kane combined to create the most destructive force in the WWF! Austin knew it all along. He’ll burn Taker’s ass because Stone Cold said so! Taker threatened to take what is rightfully his. How can Austin turn back the challenge of two monsters? Will he meet his destiny? Vince believes so. With Kane by his side, Taker will once again be WWF champion! (The video cuts off early on the network. They removed the part with “Highway to Hell” in it.)

Fireworks explode over the cool gates of Hell entrance. JR welcomes everyone to a hot summer night in New York City. He calls this the 10^th annual SummerSlam. (It’s the 10^th anniversary. The WWF never figured out the difference.) There are four titles on the line. But nothing is bigger than Austin vs. The Undertaker. Will Austin fight off Kane? Lawler predicts a great night. He can’t wait to see Vince’s smile when Taker dethrones Austin. Then Ross mentions Austin’s actions on Heat. He destroyed a hearse with a sledgehammer. The King labels Austin as desperate.

Val Venis arrives ahead of his European title opportunity. He says hello to the ladies. Lawler thinks New York only has women of the night. Venis says he arrived in the big apple. He came, he saw, and he came again! After this joke, D’Lo Brown enters the arena. Chimel announces him from Helsinki, Finland. JR says Brown resided in Portugal last week. Lawler claims D’Lo represents all of Europe. Then JR accuses Brown of reinforcing his chest protector!

European Title Match: D’Lo Brown (c) vs. Val Venis

Notes: Yamaguchi-san’s surprise for Venis was a shocking threat. He vowed to castrate Val. Then Yamaguchi demonstrated this by hacking a large salami with a samurai sword. He yelled, “I choppy choppy your pee-pee!” Venis teamed with Taka to fight Kaientai, but it was a swerve! Mrs. Yamaguchi is Taka’s sister. Taka attacked Val and joined Kaientai! They dragged Venis backstage and strung him up. Yamaguchi-san swung his sword, but the lights went out. The next week Venis said shrinkage saved his Little Valbowski. John Bobbitt turned out the lights and rescued Val. However, Venis dumped Mrs. Yamaguchi. She wasn’t worth the drama! Meanwhile, D’Lo Brown retained his European title by the skin of his teeth. Interference and the antics of an inebriated Hawk protected Brown’s championship reign. But Brown lost to Vader by count-out. Vader grew tired of the chest protector nonsense. He removed it and splashed poor D’Lo on the floor.

The Match: They lock up for clean breaks and slap hands. D’Lo and Val trade strikes, but the chest protector absorbs Val’s forearms. Then Brown hits an avalanche attack and whips Venis into the corners. Val answers with a Russian Leg Sweep and a drop toe hold, so D’Lo regroups. Venis slingshots Brown into the ring, blocks some moves, and nails a spinebuster. It leads to more strike exchanges until Venis performs an exploder suplex. D’Lo scores a slam, a leg drop, and a leg lariat. Venis tries his own slam, but he fails. D’Lo capitalizes with takedowns and a Cloverleaf, but he releases the hold. Next, Brown climbs and misses a diving senton. Val continues with punches, knees, elbows, and a backdrop. He then dives at Brown. D’Lo surprises him with a Sky High, but it only gets a two!

They keep fighting on the top rope and knocking each other down. Venis catches a diving D’Lo for a powerslam and lands a butterfly suplex. Then Venis does the Money Shot. Brown raises his knees! He grabs Venis for a powerbomb and drops him on his head! D’Lo resets and does the running powerbomb. (He should have stopped using it before the Droz incident.) With Val down, Brown tries the Lo Down. It misses, so Venis removes D’Lo’s chest protector and puts it on himself. The reinforced Venis attempts a Money Shot, but the ref stops him. He crotches Venis by mistake. Val recovers, but he argues with the ref and shoves him. Then D’Lo retrieves his chest protector as the ref disqualifies Venis.

Thoughts: Most of it was satisfying action. They built toward a strong climax. Then it had a premature finish. (Oh, god. What am I saying!? I’m sorry.) My point is, it was a good match, but it had a disappointing ending. The crowd enjoyed it until the DQ. It fits D’Lo’s storyline of clinging onto his title. But this is a PPV, not TV.

Winner: D’Lo Brown (by DQ) (15:24)

D’Lo collects his belt and leaves. But a disgruntled Val kicks the ref and slams him. Then Venis nails the Money Shot on the official. He yells at him and does a hip swivel in the ref’s face. JR calls it a costly Money Shot for Val.

Anything can happen in the WWF. It already has tonight. Stone Cold destroyed a hearse on Heat. Cole discusses the incident while Mankind surveys the damage. They don’t know if Taker or Kane was inside. Mankind says it was him. What will Jo Jo Miller say about this? The hearse was Mankind’s special SummerSlam ride. He planned to stuff Kane into it. This is good news for the Brisco Brothers Body Shop, but not for Mankind. A frustrated Mankind threatens to use the sledgehammer on someone. It worries JR.

Next, they cut to Kaientai’s entrance. On the live PPV, The Insane Clown Posse performed The Oddities’ theme. They removed it from the network. (Oh, no!) Kaientai mock The Oddities’ dancing, so The Oddities return the mockery. JR doesn’t realize this. He takes pity on Golga’s dancing abilities. Meanwhile, Lawler says Kaientai’s combined weight wouldn’t equal The Oddities.

Handicap Match: The Oddities (w/ Luna & The I.C.P.) vs. Kaientai (w/ Yamaguchi-san)

Notes: I already explained Kaientai’s antics, so let me talk about The Oddities. They dumped the Jackyl and added Sable to their entourage. The change came with a new fun-loving demeanor. The group serenaded Sable upon her introduction to the crew. Sable’s involvement drew the attention of Mero and Jackie. Luna fought Jacqueline. Sable gave Luna Jackie’s bikini contest trophy after the bout. An angry Jackie broke the trophy over Sable’s back, so The Oddities came to her rescue. They also jumped Mero for payback. Kurrgan then wrestled Mero on Sable’s behalf. Later, The Oddities faced Southern Justice. (Who didn’t? Southern Justice met almost everybody on this card over the last month!) During the action, Golga showed that shots to his head don’t affect him. However, the contest ended in a DQ when Luna scuffled with Canterbury & Knight.

The Match: Taka rams Golga’s head into the corner. It’s ineffective. Golga shows this by smacking his own head against the turnbuckle. Then Golga hands out headbutts and steals Yamaguchi’s shoe. He takes a deep whiff and fills the shoe with water! Kurrgan is next. He mocks Funaki and chases Yamaguchi-san. The Oddities and Kaientai play tug-of-war with Yamaguchi’s body. Afterward, Giant Silva enters the fray. Kaientai jumps him until he throws them aside. Silva piles them in the corner for a rump smash.

Kaientai takes control when Golga returns. They prevent an Earthquake Splash and hit a double-team slam. Four flying splashes and running dropkicks follow this. Golga answers with a clothesline to all four men! Everyone misses more splashes, so Golga commando rolls to a tag. Kurrgan cleans house with forearms, a big boot, and a side slam. Kaientai blocks a chokeslam, so Silva joins the melee. Yamaguchi-san tries to stop him. Luna slams the manager. It allows Kurrgan and Silva to do stereo double chokeslams. Golga covers Kaientai for a three.

Thoughts: It was a collection of comedy spots and Kaientai’s usual antics. They got a mild reaction at first, but the fans lost interest by the finish. It earned The Oddities a payday, but it wasn’t good. This was a terrible use of Kaientai. I’m still unsure why Val Venis never had any PPV bouts with them. That entire feud played out on TV instead.

Winners: The Oddities (10:10)

Jeff Jarrett walks to the ring with Southern Justice. Double J carries a guitar with writing on it. It says, “Don’t piss me off!” During the entrance, they show clips of Jarrett & Co. shaving Finkel’s hair and mustache on Heat. After the replay, Sgt. Slaughter ejects Southern Justice. Next, X-Pac’s music plays. There’s a delay before Pac arrives with Howard Finkel in tow! The Fink wears a DX shirt and does crotch chops with X-Pac. (They’re almost as bad as Tyson’s.) Lawler mocks him while JR shames Jarrett for what he did to Finkel. Then X-Pac and Howard have two words for Jarrett. The Fink tells him to suck it!

Hair vs. Hair Match: X-Pac (w/ Howard Finkel) vs. Jeff Jarrett

Notes: Jarrett fired Tennessee Lee. Lee’s ineptitude cost Jarrett matches until Jeff had enough. It led to a change in attitude for Double J. Now he smashes guitars over people’s heads and cuts their hair. Droz was his first victim. Then Southern Justice fought Triple H & X-Pac. A wild Jarrett appeared and gave X-Pac a low blow. He ran before Pac recovered. Jarrett and Southern Justice did it a second time during a DX/Nation melee. They clipped part of X-Pac’s hair. Pac got his revenge. When Jarrett wrestled Droz, Pac interfered and took some of Double J’s locks. Jeff answered with a guitar to X-Pac’s head during X-Pac vs. Gangrel. On Heat, Jarrett sent Pac a message. He and Southern Justice attacked Howard Finkel. They shaved Fink’s hair and mustache!

The Match: They exchange strikes until X-Pac sends Jeff to the floor. Pac nails a triangle jump crossbody and they fight at the apron. Jarrett misses a sunset flip, but he dropkicks Pac to the outside. There, Jeff crotches X-Pac on the post. Jarrett continues with a powerslam and a corner clothesline. X-Pac returns with a tornado DDT and kicks and punches in the corner. Next, they trade sleeper holds until Jarrett dumps X-Pac on the ropes. Jarrett also evades Pac’s attacks and whips him into the corners. With Pac down, Jeff uses a Figure Four. He prevents a reversal, but X-Pac gets a rope break.

When Jeff tries the hold again, Pac shoves him into the turnbuckles. He follows with strikes and a Bronco Buster. Jarrett fires back with a flying crossbody and a hurricanrana. X-Pac turns the latter into a powerbomb. Then X-Pac goes for another Bronco Buster. Jeff boots him in the crotch, so Finkel complains to the ref. Jeff decks Howard and eats a kick. It allows Pac to land an X-Factor, but he only earns a two! This draws out Southern Justice. One distracts the ref while the other wields a guitar. Pac steals the weapon and smashes it over Jarrett behind the distracted ref. It gains a victory.

Thoughts: It was solid action and good drama. They built the pace well. My only minor gripe is the finish was a little silly. The ref was two feet away from the guitar shot. Did he not hear it? Other than that, it was great.

Winner: X-Pac (11:11)

The Outlaws, The Headbangers, and Droz fend off Southern Justice. It prevents Jarrett’s escape. They place him on a chair while X-Pac grabs the clippers. The shears don’t work on Jarrett’s wet hair. It takes awhile. Jarrett yells at Mike Chioda. He tells him about the guitar shot, but Mike says he didn’t see it. Then X-Pac calls the clippers shit. He switches to scissors. They throw the hair into the air and place it on everyone’s bald heads. We see Method Man in the crowd. He enjoys the display. Eventually, someone realizes this is too long. Southern Justice pulls Jarrett to safety with an incomplete haircut.

Meanwhile, Dok Hendrix is in the MSG theater. He stands in front of Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den. It’s a rounded chain-link cage with a walkway. Later, Owen will fight Shamrock inside it. Hendrix thinks it will injure both men.

Cole interviews The Rock. People say Rocky controlled Triple H lately, but did he push him too far? They show a clip from Heat. The Rock injured Hunter’s knee with the IC belt. He must feel pretty good. What are The Rock’s thoughts? Rocky says he’s thinking about slapping the yellow off Cole’s teeth. Then Rocky guaran-damn-tees he’ll beat that one-legged jabroni. How can Helmsley climb a ladder? The Rock is the people’s champ and their choice. He’s also the best damn Intercontinental champion there ever was. The comment ends his promo, so Rock sends it back to the jabronis at ringside.

Marc Mero and Jacqueline arrive for the Mixed Tag Match. JR and Lawler speculate about Sable’s mystery partner while they recap the feud. Sable arrives alone, so Lawler offers his services. He isn’t Elmo, but she can tickle him any time! Sable doesn’t choose Jerry. She introduces her real partner. Edge’s music plays and he climbs out of the stands. Sable shares a smile with him. It annoys Lawler. When Edge poses on the turnbuckles, Mero bails to the floor.

Mixed Tag Team Match: Edge & Sable vs. Marc Mero & Jacqueline

Notes: Vince declared Jacqueline the winner of the bikini contest by DQ. Then he told Sable she was replaceable, so she better not be an ungrateful bitch! Sable flipped McMahon off and removed her top for the crowd. The aforementioned trophy shenanigans led to a war of words. Sable claimed she could beat Jackie in anything. Jackie chose arm wrestling. When she couldn’t win, Jackie broke the trophy over Sable’s back. Sable called Jackie out for a fight, but Jacqueline wasn’t falling for the trap! She challenged Sable to a Mixed Tag at the PPV instead. Then during Kurrgan vs. Mero, Jackie choked out Sable. Finally, HBK interviewed Sable on Heat. He asked for the identity of her partner. Sable wouldn’t tell, but she promised it wasn’t an Oddity. As you saw, it’s Edge. He attacked multiple wrestlers over the past month.

The Match: Edge and Mero trade strikes and takedowns until Jackie enters. Sable screams for a tag and gets it, so Jackie retreats. Edge and Mero return and Edge nails a flapjack. But Jacqueline trips, slaps, and chokes Edge! It leads to a Mero TKO. Edge counters into a DDT. Then we see Sable vs. Jackie. Sable takes her to the mat, slaps her, and kicks her in the corner. Jackie lures her into a chase. Mero blocks Sable’s path, so she kicks him in the junk! Jackie prevents a Sable Bomb on Marc, but Sable gives Jackie the TKO. Marc breaks the pin by pulling Sable outside. Marc and Jackie double-team her until they have a miscommunication.

Then Edge tags and lands a tope onto Mero! He also whips Marc into the steps. Jackie jumps on Edge, so Edge puts her on his knee and spanks her! When he returns to the ring, Edge does a flying crossbody and a hangman’s neckbreaker to Mero. Jackie places Marc’s foot on the ropes. Edge brings her to the apron. He rolls up Mero after he collides with Jacqueline. Marc answers with a Samoan Drop and climbs the turnbuckles. They fight on the ropes and Mero slips. This allows Sable to give Mero a Super Frankensteiner! A desperate Jackie does a flying splash and hits Mero by accident! Next, Edge whips them into each other and Jackie falls on Marc’s crotch. Edge capitalizes with a Downward Spiral on Mero. He then grabs Sable and plants her on Marc with a wheelbarrow slam. Sable covers for a three.

Thoughts: It was another fun mixed tag. This wasn’t as good as the Mania one, but I enjoyed it. They showcased Edge well. It had some entertaining spots. Plus, I liked the finish. Edge came up with it. It was a clever way to get both of them involved in the ending. However, poor Mero has fallen as far as he can. It’s time to end this feud for his sake.

Winners: Edge & Sable (8:26)

Mankind had time to think. Taker said Kane isn’t there tonight, so will Mankind fight alone or forfeit? Mankind says he lost his car, his partner, and his sledgehammer. Maybe he should forfeit! Cole tells him the fans want their money’s worth. A sarcastic Foley suggests Cole team with him. Or Mankind could play in traffic! Vince enters the scene and calms Mankind. He then manipulates him. Vince says this is MSG. He reminds Mick of his history with the building. If Mankind defends the tag titles by himself, he’ll be in the MSG hall of fame! Vince guarantees it! McMahon even provides Mankind with weapons. A delighted Mankind says he has thirteen words for The Outlaws. How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? (I love this.)

Controversy paved the Highway to Hell for Owen and Shamrock. Owen went off the deep end. Shamrock lost his cool. Then Dan Severn became Owen’s personal trainer. Shamrock and Hart tried to injure each other. To make matters worse, Owen and Severn teamed to choke out Ken! It led to a challenge. Shamrock invited Owen to fight in his Lion’s Den. He better bring two body bags. One is for Owen. The other is for Severn.

We head to the MSG theater for this bout. The referee stands on the walkway above the rounded Lion’s Den cage. Severn offers Owen some last-minute advice. The fans drown him out with nugget chants. Then Shamrock appears to a great reaction. JR tells us Ken named this match after his MMA training school. When the competitors enter, they chain the door shut.

Lion’s Den Match: Ken Shamrock vs. Owen Hart (w/ Dan Severn)

Notes: After the Dungeon Match, a confident Owen issued an open challenge. Jason Sensation answered, but Severn prevented Owen from beating the poor comedian. Owen fought Dan instead. Shamrock interrupted them, so Severn used a guillotine choke on Ken. Blackman stopped it. Next, Severn and Ken cost each other chances at the Euro title. Blackman played the peacemaker. The following week, Ken took Owen out of a tag bout with an anklelock. It led to Ken vs. Owen vs. Severn. But it became a handicap contest. Owen and Severn put Shamrock in a chokehold. Ken almost attacked Blackman in a blind rage. Afterward, Dan taught Owen the guillotine choke. Hart practiced it on The Headbangers. Then Severn and Shamrock wrestled, but Owen choked out Shamrock! When Blackman appeared again, the enraged Shamrock suplexed him. It caused a brawl between Ken and Steve.

The Match: They ram each other into the wall and trade holds. Then they exchange strikes until Ken rips Owen’s shirt. He chokes Hart with it and does a snapmare. After more choking, Shamrock springboards off the wall for a forearm. Owen answers by running Ken into the support beam. Hart even nails an enziguri, a hotshot, and a backbreaker. Shamrock backdrops out of a piledriver, but Owen gives him a wheel kick. Next, Ken blocks a Sharpshooter and turns a hurricanrana into a powerbomb. He then lands a springboard back elbow. But Hart returns with a powerslam, a belly-to-belly, and a Sharpshooter. Shamrock climbs the wall to break the submission. Afterward, Ken counters into a tornado DDT and throws kicks. Owen grabs a guillotine choke, but Ken walks up the wall and flips out of it. He takes Hart down for the anklelock. Severn leaves in disgust as Owen taps out.

Thoughts: As I said before, I’m a sucker for unique aesthetics in wrestling. I enjoyed this. They made good use of the cage. It had some innovative spots. Plus, it was hard-hitting. They found clever ways to make this feud interesting. Also, the smaller theater made for a louder crowd. It helped.

Winner: Ken Shamrock (9:15)

Cole interviews Austin. Stone Cold has his new customized smoking skull belt. Cole says The Undertaker declared he is there alone tonight. Austin says it may or may not be true. He doesn’t care. Austin respects Taker, but he’ll cheap shot him to death if he has to. Nothing and no one will take the belt from him. That’s the bottom line, and it’s all he has to say! Austin shoves Cole and leaves.

Mankind arrives for his tag title defense alone. Lawler says McMahon could talk a fish out of water. He convinced Mankind to defend the gold by himself. Kane isn’t there! The King says Mankind is no rocket scientist. JR calls it Mankind’s greatest challenge. But Kane’s absence doesn’t surprise him. He had a brutal Hell in a Cell against Mankind on Monday. Then Ross claims Vince doesn’t care about Mick. He wants to see someone get beat up. Vince threw Mankind to the wolves. Speaking of, The Outlaws arrive with a dumpster. Road Dogg says they will kick ass old school style. Mankind greets them with a silver tray to the head.

Falls Count Anywhere Match for the Tag Team Titles: The New Age Outlaws vs. Mankind (c)

Notes: The Outlaws faced Kane & Mankind before they regained their gold. Kane & Mankind won, despite The Outlaws’ use of chairs. Then The Outlaws competed in the Four Corners bout for the tag titles. But Kane & Mankind scored the victory. However, Kane and Mankind’s team fell apart. Mankind suffered for Kane’s deceit. He called out Taker and got what appeared to be Kane. It was Taker in disguise again. When Taker and Kane revealed their union, they gave Mankind a spike Tombstone. Mankind refused to go to the hospital. He challenged Kane to Hell in a Cell instead. Mankind used chairs and tacks to fight off Kane and Taker, but Kane pinned him after a Tombstone on a chair. Meanwhile, The Outlaws dealt with inner turmoil within DX. Road Dogg wrestled a match with no shoes because X-Pac pissed in his boots. (I’ll explain the DX issues in a moment.)

The Match: Mankind and Gunn have a chair duel. (Someone watched Heat Wave.) Dogg grabs Mick’s chair and The Outlaws double-team him. They use cookie sheets and sandwich Mankind’s head. Dogg even smacks Foley with a metal bowl. Mankind answers with a backdrop over the ropes on Gunn. He follows with a sheet-assisted running knee to Road Dogg. Next, Mankind nails a swinging neckbreaker on Billy and gets a two. He tries a Cactus Elbow, but Dogg stops it. The Outlaws sweep Mick into the side of the dumpster. They introduce a table next and it almost backfires. But The Outlaws land a suplex/neckbreaker combo. They also give Mankind a powerbomb on chairs! Dogg’s nonchalant cover only gets a two. (They play The Outlaws music for a second.) However, Dogg & Gunn end it with a spike piledriver on the belt.

Thoughts: It was short and explosive. They made Mankind look like a valiant fighter. The action wasn’t much, but I like the story and character building. This is fine. It did what it needed to do. They’re creating sympathy for Mankind. It will continue for the following months.

Winners: The New Age Outlaws (New Champions) (5:17)

Road Dogg says to cut their music. He introduces himself and Gunn as the new tag team champions. The fans chant with their shtick. Then Gunn yells at Mankind. He tells him and everyone else to never say they can beat The Outlaws. They’re going to put Mankind in the trash where he belongs! The Outlaws drag him to the dumpster and place Mick inside. They close the lids, but Kane emerges from within! He has Mankind’s sledgehammer. Kane slams it down into Mankind’s body. The Outlaws retreat before they’re next. JR freaks out and damns Kane for his actions. Kane closes the dumpster and pushes it backstage.

Next, Chris Warren and the DX band do a live rendition of DX’s theme. (It’s bad. Did they do a sound check?) Triple H even joins Chris to yell D-Generation X. Then he lifts Warren onto his shoulders. After the song, the band kicks over the drums. The Rock and Mark Henry arrive next. Rocky poses on the ladder with his belt. When they enter the ring, Henry flicks his tongue at Chyna. It disgusts JR.

Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title: Triple H (w/ Chyna) vs. The Rock (c) (w/ Mark Henry)

Notes: Hunter, X-Pac, and Rocky wrestled for the IC title. The Rock won because Pac and Triple H argued. Then Helmsley and X-Pac had a #1 Contender bout. Trips succeeded with Chyna’s help, so a salty X-Pac shoved him. Everyone thought DX was splitting up, but that’s what McMahon wanted. The only split the fans saw was DX’s butt cracks! They didn’t solve their in-fighting. But The Rock might have unified them with his actions. Rocky attacked Hunter with a ladder during a brawl. So Helmsley suggested a Ladder Match. Next, The Nation blocked DX in their locker room with a forklift and cornered Chyna. The Rock made Mark Henry kiss her against her will. HBK stopped them with a chair. A furious Helmsley sought a brawl with Maivia. Finally, The Nation did an in-ring promo on Heat. DX interrupted, but The Rock injured Triple H’s knee with the IC belt.

The Match: They trade strikes, block each other’s finishers, and fight outside. Rock and Hunter head to the entrance and scuffle over the ladder. Rocky reverses Helmsley into it and enters the ring. When The Rock climbs, Triple H stops him with a flying axehandle. Hunter uses the ladder as a weapon, but Helmsley hurts his knee. The Rock pounces on the injury. He uses a combination of the ladder, a chair, and the barricade to do damage to the leg. Maivia even rams the knee into the post. But Helmsley knocks Rocky off the ladder. They head outside and prop the ladder against the barricade. Rock catapults Hunter into it and he falls against the announce table. The action spills back to the entryway. Rock counters a Pedigree into a backdrop on the ladder. The Rock returns to the ring where Henry provides a second ladder.

Chyna then tussles with Mark when he interferes. Meanwhile, Rock climbs again. Hunter sends him to the floor when he topples the ladder. Next, Helmsley baseball slides the ladder into Rock’s face and busts him open. But Rocky scores a DDT and they knock each other off the ladder. Chyna gives Triple H a chair. He smacks the ladder into Rock’s face. The Rock answers with a slam on the ladder and The People’s Elbow! Rocky even catches a jumping Helmsley with a Rock Bottom. Maivia climbs once more, but Hunter pulls him down by the tights. It opens the door for a Pedigree. A worried Mark Henry throws powder in Helmsley’s eyes. The blinded Hunter climbs anyway and trades punches with The Rock. Chyna buys Hunter some time by giving Rocky a low blow. He falls, so Hunter reaches up and grabs the belt!

Thoughts: It wasn’t the best ladder match, but it’s still great. They didn’t do any innovative spots, but it didn’t need it. It had good drama and an ebb and flow. I liked the storytelling with Hunter’s leg. Some of the chair and ladder work had a good intensity. Plus, the fans reacted well. In fact, many of them cheered The Rock. A face turn is coming soon.

Winner: Triple H (New Champion) (25:58)

Hunter poses on the ladder with his belt. DX joins him to celebrate while a bloody Rock lies in the ring. The ref checks on him. JR praises both men’s efforts. Then we see exclusive footage of the aftermath. The Rock limps backstage. You hear Bruce Prichard and Pat Patterson looking for The Undertaker. Rocky enters a locker room and tells Tom Prichard to leave. Rock admits he lost, but he’s the only people’s champ. He’ll get his payback in due time, and it will be a bitch.

Now it’s time for the main event. Taker claimed Kane won’t get involved. Lawler doesn’t believe it, but JR hopes it’s true. The Undertaker enters by himself. Ross says he’s wearing his game face. Then Austin arrives. They filled the entrance with a glass partition. This one has a cartoon skeleton dressed as Stone Cold. The glass shatters, and Austin enters the arena. JR claims no WWF champion ever got such a reaction in MSG. He challenges the fans to prove him wrong. When Stone Cold enters the ring, he berates The Undertaker. Taker stares at him in silence.

WWF Title Match: Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) vs. The Undertaker

Notes: Taker promised to keep Austin safe from everyone except himself. He claimed Austin had one foot in the grave. This led to a confrontation. Kane interrupted. On the next RAW, Austin drank and drive a hearse to the arena. He called Taker out. Someone in Taker’s robe and Kane’s mask appeared! Was it Taker in disguise? Steve attacked and threw him into the hearse, but he found the real Taker in the driver’s seat! Then Taker and Kane revealed they were in cahoots! Bearer begged Kane to deny it. Kane turned his back while Taker beat Bearer up. Later, Austin joined the Kane/Mankind encounter through a hole in the ring. Taker tried in vain to break through the cell. Meanwhile, Kane and Taker’s union thrilled McMahon. Vince offered a handshake but received a chokeslam! Taker didn’t need Vince. Finally, Austin used a sledgehammer to destroy Taker’s hearse on Heat.

The Match: They trade strikes and arm wringers. Then Austin uses some surprising mat wrestling. When they reach their feet, Taker ducks. Austin kicks him and Taker stands up, but he clips Austin’s head! (It concussed Stone Cold.) Next, Taker reverses a suplex and turns a Thesz Press into a hotshot. Austin answers with attacks to Taker’s leg. He also counters Old School with an arm drag. Kane arrives when Austin keeps targeting Taker’s knee. Taker tells him to leave. Afterward, Taker and Austin fight at the apron. Taker chokeslams Steve back inside! They’re slow to rise. When they do, the fight spills outside and they brawl in the crowd. Taker backdrops Steve on the concrete! When they return, Taker avoids a Stunner and they scuffle outside again.

Taker clears the Spanish table and places Austin on it. Then he climbs the turnbuckles and does a guillotine leg drop all the way to the table! Taker rolls Austin inside, but he only gets a two! Austin recovers and trades strikes until both men go down to a double clothesline. Stone Cold rises first and scores a Thesz Press. It leads to a botched Stunner. They play it off as a counter and Taker lands a chokeslam. He tries the Tombstone. Austin slips out, but Taker blocks a Stunner. He then gives Steve a Russian Leg Sweep. Taker continues with Old School. As he leaps, Austin nails a low blow. A Stunner follows for the victory.

Thoughts: This match disappointed Austin, but he should give it more credit. It’s better than people say. I’m not calling it great. It’s one of the weaker main events for Austin. But I didn’t dislike it. They did the best they could after Austin got concussed. It had enough bells, whistles, and high spots to make up for it. Plus, the ending opens the door for a continued feud.

Winner: Steve Austin (20:52)

Taker grabs the belt from the ref. Lawler thinks he’s going to bash Stone Cold. They stare at each other, but Taker hands the title to Steve. He nods at him and leaves. JR says Taker kept his word. Kane wasn’t involved, but Taker couldn’t avoid the Stunner. As JR says this, Kane joins Taker in the aisle. Taker and Kane stare at Austin as he celebrates. They leave as the show ends.

The Good:

• The ladder match was great.

• X-Pac/Jarrett was solid.

• The Lion’s Den Match was unique.

• Mankind’s promo.

The Bad:

• The Oddities match.

• The finish of Venis/Brown.

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to The Rock. He was great in the Ladder Match. Plus, it’s fun seeing the fans change their opinion of him. His charisma and skills won them over.

Final Thoughts:

This was the first PPV since Mania that was almost perfect. Only The Oddities bout was bad. Everything else ranged from good to great. So far, the big five events have delivered in 1998. The In Your House cards hit and miss, but the big shows are fine. This was also the best SummerSlam in some time.

Thank you for reading. My next review is WCW’s Fall Brawl ’98. Look for my review.