August 12, 1996
Commentators: Vince McMahon and Jim RossHBK Will Rise to the OccasionRaw kicks off with the WWF Champion, Shawn Michaels, making his way out to the ring.HBK: We are less than two weeks away from SummerSlam, where the Heartbreak Kid will put my WWF Title on the line in a ladder match with Scott Hall. And you know, even though it looks like Hall pulled the wool over my eyes with the ladder match stipulation, it also feels eerily familiar. I seem to remember a few years back at WrestleMania Ten, Madison Square Garden, HBK versus Razor Ramon, as he was known back then. A ladder match for the Intercontinental Title. And even though I came out on the wrong end that night, we still made WWF history. And then, almost a year ago to the day, at the same event, SummerSlam, for the same prize, the IC title, in a ladder match, Michaels versus Ramon. And if I remember correctly, I came away with the title in that one. The running theme here is that, win or lose, Shawn Michaels rose to the occasion and gave you a show that no one will forget. So now here we are, SummerSlam 1996, and it’s Michaels versus Hall in another ladder match. The score is one to one, and this is the rubber match. Only this time the prize is a little bit bigger, and that’s the WWF Championship. A title that I have worked my entire career for. Scott Hall, we’ve both been here before. We’ve both been on the big stage, and it doesn’t get any bigger than at SummerSlam. And rest assured, at SummerSlam, just like time after time before, HBK will rise to the occasion, I will climb rung by rung to the top, and I will stake my claim as the best! Now, onto another matter. I’ve heard that WWF President Gorilla Monsoon has an announcement to make regarding the WWF Title match at SummerSlam. Now, I haven’t heard this announcement yet, and I’ll admit I’m getting a little antsy. So whenever Mr. Monsoon is ready, I’m all ears.
(91%)Not So FastAs Michaels is about to leave the ring, Gorilla Monsoon makes his way out.Gorilla: Well Shawn, I wanted to come out here and let you know personally what’s going on. I know it has been said that I have an announcement tonight that affects your match at SummerSlam, and I do. At the end of the night tonight, both you and Scott Hall will be required to come out to this ring and I will make my announcement at that time.
(81%)Yokozuna defeated Tatanka w/Clarence MasonFatu and Kama went at it last week, now it was their partners’ turn. Tatanka got some quick offense in, but Yokozuna’s power looked to be too much to overcome. Yoko had the match in hand when Mason got up on the apron and distracted the referee, and out ran Kama to the ring. Kama tried to get involved in the match, but Yoko avoided the attack and threw Kama to the outside. Yoko then hit Tatanka with a huge belly to belly slam and pinned him for the three. Following the bell, Kama reentered the ring and attacked Yoko from behind. He and Tatanka double teamed the sumo until Fatu sprinted down the aisle and ran the Supreme Machines off before checking on his partner.
(71%)Master of the WorldWe now go to the interview area where Todd Pettnegill is with Jim Cornette and Vader.Todd: I’m standing here with Jim Cornette and the Mastodon, Vader, who in the past few weeks has had his run ins with one Sycho Sid.
Cornette: It’s really quite simple, string bean. The man they call Vader doesn’t take too kindly to people who try to take what is his. In this case, it’s Sycho Sid. First Sid comes in to the WWF claiming to the best the master and ruler of the world. Then he has the audacity to use the powerbomb, a move mastered by Vader, as his signature move. And then two weeks ago he saw fit to stick his nose is Vader’s business by interfering in his match. That was the straw the broke the camel’s back, Sid! You’ve pushed too hard too many times, and now you will have to pay for it. Now you can worry less about the camel because you should be worrying about Vader breaking your back!
Vader: Sycho Sid, you are looking at the master of the powerbomb. You’re looking at the real ruler of the world! You’re looking at the Mastodon, the greatest force in the WWF, Vader! Soon you will learn the true meaning of master. You will know what time it is, and that’s Vader Time!
(90%)Rocky Maivia defeated Mabel with a top rope dropkickThe young rookie was facing his largest opponent yet in Mabel. Mabel controlled the match early on with his size advantage, but Rocky was able to dodge an avalanche in the corner and mount a comeback. Rocky peppered Mabel with right hands and took him to the mat with a swinging DDT. Rocky then went to the top rope and caught Mabel square on the jaw with a dropkick and covered him for the win and slight upset. As Rocky celebrated in the ring, Jeff Jarrett suddenly appeared in the ring. Jarrett spun Rocky around and blasted him over the head with his guitar! Jarrett stood over Rocky’s body and the shards of wood as the crowd booed. What was this about?
Mabel lost overness from the match
Mabel didn’t sell very much, which hurt the match
Rocky Maivia gained overness from this match
(66%)Ahmed Johnson defeated Albert w/Ted Dibiase with the Pearl River PlungeDibiase sent his new behemoth after Ahmed once again, trying to protect his IC champion, Steve Austin. Albert attacked Ahmed at the bell and stayed on him through most of the match. Ahmed got some offense in, but Albert is one of a few men who can match power with Johnson. Albert rattled Ahmed with a flurry of blows and went for a bicycle kick, but Ahmed dodged it and then planted him with a spine buster. This was the turning point of the match, as Ahmed then followed that up with an impressive Pearl River Plunge for the three. Ahmed wasn’t done, however. Ahmed went to the outside and grabbed a steel chair. Johnson slid back in the ring and stared Dibiase right in the eye, and after Albert sat up, blasted him in the face with the chair! Ahmed then hammered Albert in the back with the weapon repeatedly until he was satisfied. Dibiase was livid on the outside, and Ahmed has delivered on his promise to continue his rampage until he gets Austin in the ring.
(79%)Breaking Up is Easy to DoWe now suddenly cut to the locker room area and see British Bulldog and Owen Hart going at it in their locker room! Officials soon rush to the scene trying to break the men up, and Jim Cornette even rushes in and gets between his two clients.
Cornette: What in the world is going on with you two?
Owen: I’ll tell you what’s going on. He’s jealous of me. He’s jealous of me and my abilities and he’s a lousy partner!
Bulldog: I’ve told you a million times that everything that has happened between us was an accident.
Owen: What about watching me get powerbombed last week, huh? Was that an accident? I tell you what. I’ve had enough of this. It’s time to settle this man to man. Since you’re jealous of me, I might as well show the world why. At SummerSlam, you and me in a match one on one!
Bulldog: If that’s they way you want it, fine. You’re on!
Bulldog shoves the officials off of him and then storms out of the locker room as Cornette and others try to calm Owen down.
(84%)Giant Challenge“Wildman” Marc Mero makes his way quickly to the ring and demands a mic.Mero: I’m going to make this short and sweet. I want Diesel to get out here and get out here now.
A few moments pass before Big Daddy Cool appears in the aisle.Mero: Diesel, last week you came out here and said you were bored, that you had beaten everyone there was to beat and that you needed some competition. Well big man, if it’s competition you’re looking for, you don’t need to look any further. Big Daddy, I am the cure for your boredom!
Diesel: Calm down there Tarzan. In case you haven’t noticed, I wrestle in the heavyweight class, not the midget division. In fact, you’re a prime example of what I’m talking about. I’ve come out here and beat you down two weeks in a row! You’re not exactly the competition I was hoping for. But I tell you what, jungle boy. I’m free the night of SummerSlam, and since I don’t want to be too sedentary on account of losing this Herculean body, if you want another ass beating, I can give it to ya in front of the world on pay-per-view. OK with you?
Mero: Now you’re speaking my language. You’re on!
Diesel lost overness from this segment
(78%)Sycho Sid defeated Skip w/Sunny with a powerbombSkip is a talented wrestler, but tonight he was simply overmatched. Sid overpowered the Bodydonna and made quick work of him, hitting a few signature power moves and then finishing him off with a powerbomb for the win. As Sid posed in the ring, Vader hit the ring and attacked Sid from behind. Vader set Sid up and was going to deliver a powerbomb of his own, but Sid was able to power out and back dropped Vader to the mat! Sid was ready for a fight, but Vader rolled out of the ring and backtracked up the aisle as he and Sid talked trash to each other.
(83%)The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer defeated Hunter Hearst-Helmsley with the TombstoneThe crowd was hot for our main event of the evening, and the match lived up to the hype. Hunter started the match trying to stay away from Taker, and used quick attacks to get the Phenom staggered and actually took control of the match in the early goings. The crowd was a bit surprised at how much offense Hunter got in. Taker started to make his comeback, however, and blasted Hunter with a boot to the face and a choke slam. As Taker began to size Hunter up for a Tombstone, Hunter staggered to his feet but then bailed out of the ring. Helmsley looked like he was calling it a night and started backtracking up the aisle. However, the Ultimate Warrior appeared in the aisle behind Hunter! Helmsley kept backing up, but soon bumped into the chiseled chest of Warrior. Hunter turned around and stared with wide eyes at Warrior. Warrior then grabbed Hunter and ran him back to ringside and threw him back in the ring! Hunter got back up and ran straight into the arms of Taker, who hoisted him up and planted him with a Tombstone for the three. As Taker posed in the ring, the lights cut off in the arena. When the lights came back on, Taker still stood in the ring, but a raven was perched on one of the turnbuckles! It appears Raven is trying to play head games with the master of psychology.
(92%)SummerSlam SpecialWWF President Gorilla Monsoon makes his way out to the ring, where Vince McMahon is waiting.Vince: President Monsoon, you said that you had an announcement to make tonight, so the ring is yours, sir.
Gorilla: Thank you. At this time I would like Scott Hall and Shawn Michaels to come to the ring please.
Scott Hall was first out, sauntering to the ring. Next out was HBK, who walked to the ring with a stern look on his face. The two men stared each other down, but stayed on opposite sides of the ring with Gorilla in between.Gorilla: Gentlemen, it is now official that at SummerSlam, you two will meet in a Ladder match for the WWF Championship. However, due to the gravity of this match, and due to the outcome of your last encounter, I have decided to make another stipulation to the match. Due to the physical nature of this match and the fact that the last referee I assigned to your match was knocked out by a punch to the face, I have assigned a special referee to this match. Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels, ladies and gentlemen, the special referee for SummerSlam.
Some very familiar music hits the arena, and then in the entrance appears Bret “Hitman” Hart! Bret Hart is the special referee! Both Hall and HBK look like they are in a bit of shock as Bret poses to the crowd as Raw comes to a close.
Bret Hart lost overness from this segment
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