WWE SummerSlam 1988
WWE SummerSlam was the first annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event. It was produced by the World Wrestling Federation and took place on August 29, 1988 in Madison Square Garden, located in New York, New York. The PPV was created to help the company compete against rival promotion World Championship Wrestling. It was one of the first four annual pay-per-view events produced by the WWF. The main match of the preliminary bouts was the WWF Intercontinental Championship match between The Ultimate Warrior and the reigning champion The Honky Tonk Man. The Ultimate Warrior won the match in approximately thirty seconds to end the longest Intercontinental Championship reign. The main event was a match pitting The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) against their long-time rivals, The Mega Bucks (Ted DiBiase and André the Giant). Hogan and Savage won the match after Miss Elizabeth distracted the special guest referee by removing her skirt to reveal a bikini bottom.
Insights
Plot Summary
The inaugural SummerSlam event, held at Madison Square Garden, featured a legendary tag team match between Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage against Ted DiBiase and André the Giant. The event also showcased other exciting bouts, establishing itself as one of WWE's major annual events. It marked a significant moment in professional wrestling history, drawing a massive audience and setting the stage for future interpromotional rivalries.
Critical Reception
SummerSlam 1988 is widely regarded as a foundational event in WWE's history, successfully launching a major pay-per-view alongside WrestleMania. Critics and fans at the time lauded the main event, the energy of the live crowd, and the overall presentation, cementing its place as a memorable night in professional wrestling.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for establishing a new major annual event for WWE.
- The main event tag team match between Hogan/Savage and DiBiase/Andre was a significant draw.
- The energetic atmosphere of Madison Square Garden contributed to the show's success.
Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the historical significance of the first SummerSlam and the star power of the main event participants. Fans recall the excitement and the establishment of a new premier event.
Fun Fact
The main event tag team match was billed as 'The Mega Powers' (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) vs. 'The Million Dollar Couple' (Ted DiBiase and André the Giant). André the Giant was famously managed by Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, who was often referred to as being in 'the hospital' to avoid acknowledging his client's opponents.
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