Unforgettable Moments: The Strangest Events in SummerSlam History
SummerSlam, WWE’s second-biggest event, has witnessed epic matches and memorable moments throughout its three decades of history. However, it has also hosted some of the most peculiar and surprising episodes in the history of professional wrestling. Below, we explore some of those moments that left an indelible mark.2016: Chris Jericho and Brock Lesnar, a Face-to-Face Encounter
SummerSlam 2016 promised to be a high-caliber event, but the night was marked by disappointments. The match between Finn Bálor and Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship was marred by the public’s reaction to the design of the belt. The main event, with Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, culminated in a violent and confusing ending. After an eleven-minute match, Lesnar hit Orton, causing a wound above his eye. The match ended with a referee stoppage. Confusion increased when Shane McMahon confronted Lesnar. Backstage, Chris Jericho, known for his confrontations with larger wrestlers, challenged Lesnar. The incident became a topic of conversation outside the world of WWE.“We had a little altercation, to put it mildly,” Jericho commented on the podcast “You’re Welcome! With Chael Sonnen”. “When you see a friend in a pool of blood, whether it’s real or not, it’s real blood, you know? He suffered a real concussion.”
Chris Jericho
1993: The “Lex Express” Tours America
After Hulk Hogan’s defeat to Yokozuna, WWE was looking for its next star. Lex Luger was chosen and promoted with a patriotic display. Luger performed a bodyslam on Yokozuna and earned a title shot at SummerSlam. WWE created the “Lex Express”, a bus tour to generate excitement. Luger visited several cities, but the SummerSlam main event did not meet expectations. Luger won by count-out, but Yokozuna retained the title. Despite the celebration, the “Lex Express” and the main event were considered a failure.1991: The Mountie Spends the Night in Jail
WWE has had characters based on professions. The Mountie and Big Boss Man starred in a rivalry that culminated at SummerSlam 1991. The loser of the match had to spend a night in a New York jail. The Mountie lost and was arrested, experiencing a humiliating night behind bars.1991: Ultimate Warrior Demands Money from Vince McMahon
In the 90s, Ultimate Warrior was considered Hulk Hogan’s successor. Before SummerSlam 1991, Warrior threatened not to show up unless he was paid $550,000. McMahon gave in to his demands, but later suspended Warrior.Warrior left the company and his career in WWE declined.“You’ve become a legend in your own mind; you’re entitled to your opinion. However, you are not entitled to express your feelings by breaching and threatening to breach your contract,” read part of the letter.
Vince McMahon
