10 things you didn't know about WWE SummerSlam

SummerSlam without a doubt is one of those pay-per-views that determine how successful Vince McMahon’s promotion has been over the year. Over the past 27 years, that tradition hasn’t changed and as each year passed, the company only tried to make the show better and better. In its rich history, SummerSlam has given rise to many legend and some memorable matches. When one regular fans looks at the history of the pay-per-view they might only see these two factors but there are certain interesting facts that always miss the eye. So now that we looked at the facts and stats from the pay-per-view, here is a look at some of the lesser detailed ones that is sure to raise one eyebrow or another.

#10 A \'Dark Knight\' star headlined SummerSlam

Almost everyone would be aware of the Dark Knight trilogy that Christopher Nolan directed.

It was a revolutionary piece of series which redefined the way we saw Batman and one thing that most of the wrestling fans arent aware of is that one of the actors in the second movie in the series actually main evented SummerSlam.

Tom Lister, who played a short yet integral part in the movie, was a professional wrestler alongside being in the films. In order to promote his movie No Holds Barred (which was financed by WWE), Lister joined WWE and was named Zeus.

He was pushed as a monster heel and went on to main event SummerSlam in a tag team match in which he had Randy Savage as his partner, and their opponents, none other than Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake. Speaking of Brutus Beefcake

#9 Brutus Beefcake pulled out of two Intercontinental Title Matches

Brutus Beefcake was one of the glorified midcarders in the WWE who had occasional main event spotlight. He had a good career mostly thanks to his good real life friend Hulk Hogan but when it came to SummerSlam, he didn’t have the same luck.

He was booked for a match with Honky Tonk Man in 1988 for the Intercontinental championship after a yearlong feud but could make it due to a kayfabe injury. This opened the door for Ultimate Warrior who ended the champions reign in just seconds.

Just two years later, Brutus was given another shot at SummerSlam for the same title this time against Mr. Perfect, and guess what happened. He got really injured, an injury that kept him out for three years.

Texas Tornado who replaced him went on to win the title just like Warrior meaning that Brutus is a charm for everyone seeking an intercontinental title reign.

#8 Jeff Hardy and Booker T wouldnt love to remember SummerSlam

Though the results of a wrestling match are scripted, it is considered to have one of the most random streaks without a win at one particular pay-per-view.

This is the situation with Jeff Hardy and Booker T. These are two names that have had a hall of fame worthy career in the professional wrestling business but when it comes to SummerSlam, both Jeff and Booker has horrible night mares.

They had five separate occasions to have a win at the pay-per-view and managed to fail in every opportunity. Hardy apparently has the possibility of reversing this record but as far as Booker is concerned, his streak looks set to remain intact.

#7 Los Angeles has held the most number of SummerSlam

The City of angles is one of the best tourist attractions in the United States and something that boosts the resume of Los Angeles is SummerSlam.

After starting out in the Madison Square Garden, SummerSlam has travelled to many arenas but the Staples Centre in Los Angeles has been lucky enough to hold the pay-per-view five times in a row. Starting out in 2009, the summer’s big party has been exclusive to the Staples Center ever since.

This year also the fans will be filling the arena on August 17 to see the sixth consecutive show under the same roof.

New Jersey is second to the Staples Center when it comes to hosting SummerSlam with three separate occasions to its name.

#6 The first match in SummerSlam history ended in a time limit draw

They say that the first impression is always the best impression and to deliver this WWE literally went to the limit.

The first ever SummerSlam match had was a tag team bout between two of the outstanding teams of that time, The British Bulldogs and The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers.

The two teams didn’t disappoint as well when they delivered a solid match. However, the match didn’t end in a decisive way as the teams went beyond the 20 minute time limit.

The British Bulldogs looked set to win the match after the Dynamite Kid delivered a head-butt to his opponent but thanks to a distraction from the other half of Rougeau Brothers, the first match in SummerSlam ended in a time limit draw.

#5 Jesse Ventura main evented SummerSlam on two occasions as a referee

Another film star who is essential to complete the list is Jesse Ventura. Known for his role in the action thriller, Predator, Ventura was also a professional wrestler for some time before entering politics.

He had a solid in ring career in the WWE but when it comes to SummerSlam, his memories would rooted around his referring skills.

Ventura refereed the SummerSlam main event in two separate occasions with the first coming in 1988 where the Mega Bucks faced off against Mega Powers and made some controversial decisions to aid the Mega Bucks.

It took him eleven years for Ventura to return to SummerSlam main event and when he did it was a blockbuster match between Triple H, Stone Cold and Mick Foley.

#4 The no face punch stipulation

Professional wrestling has played host to some of the weirdest stipulations. And at the 1992 edition of SummerSlam, things got weirder when two superstars in a match were not allowed to punch eachother in their face.

Shawn Michaels and Rick Martel were unwilling to put their good looks in jeopardy with blows to the faces and agreed not to punch eachother on their face.

It captured the curiosity of the fans because of the lack of dedication that these two had to their profession.

However, the stipulation didn’t last long as the rivalry grew hotter after the initial minutes making each superstar pound his opponent in the face and everywhere else.

#3 Hulk Hogan has never lost at SummerSlam

Undertaker didn’t have the luxury of going out undefeated at WrestleMania after Brock Lesnar did the unthinkable this year. Taker had a two decade long run in the pay-per-view but couldn’t carry it all the way to end of his career.

Hulk Hogan however is a different case. If it is WrestleMania for Taker, then for Hogan, the stage was SummerSlam.

Hogan is undefeated in the six matches that he has had at the pay-per-view over the span of 17 years. He debuted alongside Randy Savage in 1988 to face the Mega Bucks and had his last match against Shawn Michaels in 2005.

Ultimate Warrior is another superstar who isn’t undefeated in the pay-per-view but wrestled one less match than the Hulkster.

#2 The First ever TLC match was at SummerSlam

There aren’t many gimmick matches in the WWE that could reach the level of excitement that TLC matches would reach. It is an urban legend that the match was made its debut in WrestleMania however; it is SummerSlam that deserve the recognition.

Back in 2000, when Mick Foley was the WWE Commissioner, he sanctioned the Tables Ladders and Chairs match for SummerSlam.

And the participants: The Hardys, Dudley boys and the team of Edge and Christian.

The three teams went on to set the bar so high that every match who followed tried to replicate the success that this triple threat tag team bout had. The protagonists had similar matches in the future but it was SummerSlam which initiated the fire.

#1 Highest Attendance for SummerSlam did not come in United States

If you thought that all the record attendance for WWE comes from the United states, well it would be a good time to clear the history.

England might be known for being a football crazy nation who sees Wembly as a sacred ground. However on August 29, 1992, it was this legendary football ground that played host to the biggest SummerSlam that WWE has seen till now in terms of attendance.

A crowd of 80,355 turned up to see the a SummerSlam show that had names like Randy Savage, Bret Hart, British Bulldog, Ultimate Warrior and a debuting Undertaker.

The attendance record is still intact till now and there it is rather surprising to know that WWE isn’t trying to replicate the formula of holding pay-per-view abroad.