In an interesting bit of calendar timing, Summerslam took place on August 27 in 1990, 1995, and 2000.

- Summerslam 1990: Ultimate Warrior defended the WWF Hvt. Title against Rick Rude in the main event. Plus, Kerry Von Erich (as the Texas Tornado) won the Intercontinental Title and Hart Foundation won the WWF Tag Titles. [ 1990 Back-Issue for VIP members HERE ]

- Summerslam 1995: Diesel (Kevin Nash) defended the WWF Title against King Mabel in the main event. But, the semi-main event stole the show when Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) had another epic IC Title ladder match. [ 1995 Back-Issue for VIP members HERE ]

- Summerslam 2000: The Rock defended the WWF Title against Triple H and Kurt Angle in a three-way title main event. [ 2000 Back-Issue for VIP members HERE ]

WWF SUMMERSLAM PPV FLASHBACK
August 27, 2000
Raleigh, N.C.
Report by Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

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After a state of the art intro video which was set to Beethoven's Ninth, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the program with Ross boasting of a $1.1 million gate for the event.

(1) Right to Censor (Steven Richards & Goodfather & Bull Buchanan) defeated Rikishi & Too Cool when Richards pinned Scotty at 5:09. (*1/2)

(2) X-Pac pinned Road Dogg at 4:40. After the match X-Pac tried to reconcile with Dogg, but Dogg kicked him, Pump Handle Slammed him, and gave him the crotch chop in his face. (*1/2)

Eddie Guerrero told Chyna he wanted her to be happy. Chyna said one of them is going to be happy... Elsewhere backstage Trish Stratus gave herself a peptalk about her being more "centerfold" material than Chyna. Val said, "What the hell are you talking about?" He scolded her for not taking the match seriously and warned her to do her part...

(3) Chyna & Eddie Guerrero beat Trish Stratus & Val Venis when Chyna pinned Trish at 7:10 to win the WWF IC Title. Chyna ducked a double clothesline attempt, then when Trish went for a clothesline off the ropes, Chyna no-sold it. Chyna then press slammed Trish and scored the pin to win the IC Title. Guerrero wrapped the IC Title around Chyna's waist and seemed genuinely happy for her rather than envious. (*1/2)

Highlights aired from the Radio WWF broadcast from the previous night at WWF New York including Mick Foley's commentary on Angle kissing Stephanie on Smackdown... Stephanie told the hairdresser Janet backstage that she didn't kiss back, but she admitted Angle is a good kisser...

(4) Jerry Lawler pinned Tazz at 4:30. Tazz yelled at Ross that he was going to choke out Lawler, then he was going to whip Ross's ass. At 4:00 Tazz applied the Tazzmission. Ross broke a bottle over Tazz's head and Lawler scored the win. "Now see how it feels, you son of a bitch," Ross said. Ross said he might be in trouble, but Tazz got what he deserved. Tazz cried, "I've got glass in my eye!" and there was blood on his head. Lawler stood on the announcing table as the crowd cheered. There wasn't much to the wrestling, but it was an entertaining short match. (*1/2)

(5) Steve Blackman pinned Shane McMahon at 10:17 to win the WWF Hardcore Title. Test, Albert, and Shane beat up Blackman in the entry aisle. Shane climbed the scaffolding of the entrance set to escape Blackman. Blackman fought back against Albert and Test and pursued Shane up the scaffolding to the top, which was a legit 50-plus feet above the floor. Blackman began whacking Shane with the kendo stick with one hand. Shane fell backward to the staging below. Blackman looked down at Shane and the crowd cheered. Blackman then dove off the scaffolding with an elbow and scored the pin. Shane didn't move and Blackman sold that he was stunned from the move. Shane was stretchered away. The best match of the undercard in part because there was more substance and layers to it than the other matches, but also because of the big stunt bump. (*3/4)

Backstage Stephanie was freaking out over Shane's bump. Kurt Angle showed up and told her Shane just had the wind knocked out of him. Angle hugged Stephanie to console her. Foley walked out and told Stephanie he'd give her an update on her brother.

(6) Chris Benoit beat Chris Jericho at 13:33 two falls to one. The first real intensity of the night came at the start of this match. Jericho tapped out to the Crippler Crossface at 3:15. As soon as the second fall began (which was immediately after the ref raised Benoit's arm), Benoit went for another Crossface. The urgency and obvious logical strategy gave the match a sense of realism and drama. Ross said Jericho should consider his long-term career and submit again. Jericho, though, managed to reach the ropes. For the next three minutes Benoit stomped away at Jericho. Jericho slipped in a hope spot before Benoit took over again with his multiple German suplex series. At 8:30 Jericho elbowed out of the German suplex position and reversed Benoit into a Walls of Jericho. Benoit reached for the ropes, but couldn't get there so he tapped out at 8:50. The third fall began right away. They struggled over suplex and backslide attempts; Benoit hit the full nelson suplex for a near fall. Ross said whoever won would deserve a title shot. At 13:00 Jericho hit the Lionsault, but then sold that he injured his shoulder on the move so he couldn't pin Benoit. That hinted at a Benoit win coming up shortly. Indeed, Jericho rolled up Benoit, but Benoit rolled through on it and held the ropes for leverage and scored the three count. Good intensity, but the middle fall dragged during Benoit's stomp-fest on Jericho. (***3/4)

They showed Triple H arriving at the arena.

(7) Edge & Christian beat The Dudleys and The Hardys in a TLC match to retain the WWF Tag Team Titles at 14:47. All six wrestlers played into the crowd really well as they executed their established hot spots. Tables and chairs were introduced first, followed at 6:00 by the Dudleys tables. One of the highlights was Jeff leaping off the top of a very tall ladder with a Swanton Dive onto a table, just missing Buh Buh who moved at the last second. At 10:00 Buh Buh climbed the tall ladder to get the tag belts, but Edge & Christian knocked the ladder over and Buh Buh crashed through two tables at ringside. Edge and Christian climbed the ladder, but Lita knocked it over and both Edge and Christian straddled the top rope. Matt climbed the ladder and just as he reached the belt, D-Von knocked over the ladder and Matt fell through two stacked tables. As Lita checked on him, Edge speared her on the floor. D-Von and Jeff climbed the ladder next. They both grabbed onto one of the suspended belts and then kicked over the ladder. They hung from the belts. Jeff kicked D-Von loose and he bumped to the floor. Edge and Christian swung the ladder at Jeff knocking him to the mat feet first. Edge & Christian then climbed the ladder and got the belts to win. An excellent,. innovative, well-constructed, very-well-shot stunt match that is a match of the year candidate. (****1/4)

Triple H demanded an explanation from Stephanie for the kiss on Smackdown. Stephanie said Angle took advantage of her. She said Triple H is the only man in her life.

(8) The Kat (w/Al Snow) beat Terri (w/Saturn) in a stinkface match at 3:05.

Footage aired of Bradshaw and Faarooq bar tending at WWF New York. They stole out of the till and said, "It's about time someone stole from Vince McMahon." Then Bradshaw toasted Vince with a bottle of Jack Daniels.

(9) Undertaker fought Kane to a no contest at 6:20. Kane wore a new outfit that didn't cover his shoulders and revealed more of his physique. Taker met Kane in the aisle. When Taker went for Kane's mask early, Ross said he didn't remember anyone ever going for it. At 2:20 Taker managed to rip a section of Kane's mask off. Taker nailed Kane with stairs at ringside drawing blood from his forehead. At 4:20 Kane fought back with a low blow, but Taker stopped that with a spear. Taker then almost completely took off Kane's mask which got a rise out of the crowd. A minute later Taker got Kane's mask off completely. Kane covered his face with his hair and hand, then retreated toward the back. Taker's music started for no apparent reason. Ross said the match never officially began and there was no opening bell. In fact, there was an opening bell. The finish - or lack of one - hurt the match which otherwise was intense and well-executed. (**)

In Angle's locker room, he dialed a cell phone... In Triple H and Stephanie's locker room, their cell phone rang. Steph picked up and looked nervous as she said, "Hello, Mom." Triple H said he wanted to talk to her. When he said hello, there was no answer on the other end. Triple H told Steph her mom just hung up on him.

Angle entered the ring first. He took the house mic and acknowledged that a lot of people were expecting an apology from him for kissing Stephanie last week. He apologized for not doing it a heck of a lot sooner. He said he is an Olympic gold medalist. He said he didn't win medals from backing down or second guessing himself. He said he gave Steph the type of passion he can never give his wife. Triple H determinedly walked to the ring. He began brawling with Angle, although the match didn't officially start until Rock's entrance. Ross said he heard Triple H told Steph to stay in the locker room. Triple H tossed aside the monitors on the Spanish announcing table and then went for the Pedigree. The table collapsed and Angle landed awkwardly on his face. The timing of the miscue couldn't have been better since that was the point in the match where Angle was supposed to be knocked out anyway. Rock's music then began and he came out.

(10) The Rock pinned Triple H at 20:08 in a three-way match with Kurt Angle to retain the WWF Title. The crowd popped as Rock took early control on Triple H. Rock and Triple H then brawled at ringside as EMTs tended to Angle in the background who was sitting up, but looked completely stunned and out of it. At 2:00, Angle was stretchered out as Triple H looked at him and trash talked him. Triple H chased down Angle's stretcher and rolled it back toward the ring. Rock soon chased down Triple H in the aisle and brawled with him by the entrance set. Rock catapulted Triple H onto the steel entrance set. Rock chopped Triple H between the legs. Meanwhile, Steph came out to check on Angle as he was stretchered away. Steph walked to ringside at 5:30. Triple H told Steph she wasn't supposed to be there, but then decided to have her help him. He told her to get the title belt. She slapped the timekeeper and stole the belt. When she swung it at Rock, Rock ducked and she hit Triple H instead. Rock grabbed Steph, but Triple H hit Rock from behind between the legs. Steph ran to the back per Triple H's orders. The match slowed to a crawl as Rock sold Triple H's shot to his ribs with his sledgehammer. At 12:30 Rock made his comeback with a neckbreaker and a superplex. Backstage Steph begged Angle to return to the ring to help Rock for her sake. Angle said, "I'll do it for you." Both men were on their backs in the ring until Rock slowly crawled over to Triple H and scored a two count. At 15:00 Rock scored another two count. Angle tripped Rock coming off the ropes. Triple H then gave Rock the Pedigree for a two count, but Angle yanked Triple H off of Rock and threw him into the stairs. Angle covered Rock for a very near fall which popped the crowd. Steph looked on as if her world were falling apart. Fans chanted "Rocky, Rocky." At 17:10 Angle scored a near fall on Rock after a belly-to-belly. At 18:10 Triple H climbed onto the ring apron, but Rock whipped Angle into Triple H. Rock then hit the Rock Bottom for a near fall on Angle. Triple H interrupted the count. Triple H asked Steph to get him his hammer. Steph slid it into the ring between Triple H and Angle. Angle kicked Triple H away and grabbed it. Steph entered the ring to get the hammer away from Angle. Triple H went to hit Angle, but Angle ducked and Triple H hit Steph. Angle then nailed Triple H with the sledgehammer. Angle covered Triple H, but Rock interrupted the count. Rock then gave Triple H the People's Elbow for the pin. Rock celebrated his win in the ring. Ross and Lawler wondered if Triple H hit Steph intentionally. It appeared to be inadvertent. A good main event, especially the pre-match Triple H vs. Angle action and the dramatic finishing minutes. The Rock vs. Triple H action had a "rerun" feel to it, and it seemed to be filler until Steph and Angle returned to the match. Angle picked up Steph and shot Triple H a stare before returning to the back. Angle fit in just fine with the two top dogs in this high-pressure slot on the PPV. (****)

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