Top 10 SummerSlams : Number 10 – SummerSlam 1999

Edge and Christian (File Photo)

In this series, I take a look at the top 10 SummerSlams in the history of the WWE. SummerSlam started in 1988, and has since become the second biggest PPV in the calendar year. We’re merely days away from the biggest party of the summer, and hence, I’ve decided to rank the top 10 SummerSlams.

Today, we start with number 10, which happened in 1999. Going into the event, the main event was a triple threat match between the champion, Steve Austin and the two number one contenders, Triple H and Mick Foley. The build up to the match was phenomenal, as Chyna was made the number one contender before Foley and Triple H were named joint number one contenders. Also, the second main match on the card was between the Unholy Alliance (The Undertaker and Big Show) against X – Pac and Kane for the WWF tag team championships. Also, The Rock faced Billy Gunn in a “Kiss my ass” match.

Undercard:

Jeff Jarrett (with Debra) defeated D’ Lo Brown for the WWF Intercontinental championship and the WWF European championship

This was at a point when the two titles meant a lot in the WWF. I remember watching D’ Lo at this point, after he turned face, and he gathered some good reaction from the crowd, while Jarrett didn’t. I only liked Jarrett because of Owen Hart and Debra. Anyway, it was a good opener which saw Mark Henry turning on D’Lo Brown, which enabled Jarrett to pick up the victory.

Rating: ** ½

Tag team turmoil for the number one contender spot

Match 1: Edge and Christian beat the Hardy Boyz

This was the beginning of the now legendary feud between E & C and Hardys. Hardys were a part of the Brood at this point, and put on a solid tag team match with E & C and took control for most of it. E & C came back and picked up the victory after Christian nailed a flying elbow on Matt.

Rating: ** ¾

Match 2: Edge and Christian beat Mideon and Viscera

A sloppy encounter that ended soon (thankfully) when Edge nailed the spear on Mideon for the three count.

Rating: * ½

Match 3: Edge and Christian beat Droz and Prince Albert

This was one of the last matches for Droz before he got paralysed. Edge and Christian were climbing up the ranks as the best tag team in the company, and hence were advancing in the tag team turmoil. Edge connected with the downward spiral for the pinfall victory.

Rating: * ¾

Match 4: The Acolytes beat Edge and Christian

The good run of E & C came to an end when Bradshaw connected with the clothesline from hell to pick up the victory for his team. This would be the beginning of great things for E & C though, who went on to become one of the greatest tag teams of all time.

Rating: * ½

Match 5: The Acolytes beat the Hollys

There was nothing special about this, and the Acolytes picked up the victory after a spine-buster. The crowd didn’t care too much about it either.

Rating: *

It was around this time that Chris Jericho was making his presence felt in the WWF. He interrupted Road Dogg and made fun of him. I loved the cocky Jericho; he was one of the best heels of his time.

Al Snow defeated The Big Bossman for the WWF Hardcore championship

This was yet another run – of – the – mill hardcore match in the WWF. The end saw Road Dogg hit Bossman with his own night stick, and Snow taking advantage of it for the pinfall victory. The match was entertaining, but not something special.

Rating: ** ¼

Ivory defeated Tori for the WWF Women’s championship

This was almost Melina – Alicia Fox all over again. Ivory defeated Tori, although no one cared. Ivory then tried to rip off Tori’s top and Luna made the save.

Rating: * ½

Mid card:

Ken Shamrock defeated ‘The Lethal Weapon’ Steve Blackman in a Lion’s Den Weapons match

Shamrock was one of the top MMA fighters in the world, and this match was about making him look good. Lots of brutal looking shots, and Blackman had the upper hand right till the end when Ken snapped, and thrashed Blackman with a Kendo stick. A good fight none the less.

Rating: ** ½

Test defeated Shane McMahon in a ‘Love her or leave her’ match

As you might have figured by the stipulation, this was about Stephanie. This was the period when Vince McMahon was high on Test, and if rumours are to be believed, Test was being groomed to become the WWF champion. Anyway, the match was very good, with Shane taking bumps like only he can. In the end, Test came back to pick up the victory and celebrated with Stephanie.

Rating: *** ¼

The Unholy Alliance (The Undertaker and Big Show) defeated Kane and X – Pac for the WWF tag team championships

It was a standard tag team match, and it was as if ‘Taker was bumped off the ladder. Undertaker worked hard to make this a good match, and the end saw ‘Taker tombstoning X – Pac for the victory and to win the tag titles. Undertaker is my favourite superstar/wrestler/performer of all time, and he was grossly underused during this period and during 2001.

Rating: ** ½

The Rock defeated Billy Gunn in a “Kiss my a**” match

Billy was being ‘experimented’ with during this period, getting some push to see if he had ‘it’. Sadly, he didn’t. He brought an over – weight lady to the ring and said the loser would kiss her a**. After a good back and forth match, Rock made him pucker up first, and then finished him off with the Rock bottom and People’s elbow.

Rating: ** ¾

Main event:

Mankind defeated Steve Austin and Triple H to become the new WWF Champion with Jesse Ventura as the special guest referee

This was the surprise package, which is a great way to close a PPV. Foley and Austin ganged up on Triple H in the beginning, but Austin nailed Mankind afterwards. A good back and forth bout which also saw Chyna and Shane getting involved, but were thrown out. The end saw Triple H nailing Austin with the Pedigree, but Mick pushed Triple H away and nailed a DDT to pick up the victory and to become the new WWF champion. The crowd was confused for a moment, but popped when it was announced that Foley won the title. The PPV closed with Triple H beating the heck out of Austin’s knees and legs with a chair.

Rating: ****

Over – all rating: *** (Out of 5 stars)

That was an average PPV with a good bout to end the show. There were two matches that got over three stars, and the PPV kind of fell flat, and some of the bouts were stretched out. This was during a period when everything WWF did turned into gold, so people bought this PPV as well. That does it for the first edition of the series, and we’ll count down the days to this year’s SummerSlam with the review of 9 other SummerSlams.