The 1995 SummerSlam was the eighth annual
SummerSlam
SummerSlam is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event, produced annually since 1988 by WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. Dubbed "The Biggest Party of the Summer", it is considered WWE's se ...
professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring or ...
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view (PPV) is a type of pay television or webcast service that enables a viewer to pay to watch individual events via private telecast.
Events can be purchased through a multichannel television platform using their electronic program g ...
(PPV)
event produced by the
World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and va ...
(WWF, now WWE). It took place on August 27, 1995, at the
Pittsburgh Civic Arena in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsyl ...
. A total of nine matches were contested at the event.
The
main event
In sports, a card lists the matches taking place in a title match combat-sport event. Cards include a main event match and the undercard listing the rest of the matches. The undercard may be divided into a midcard and a lower card, according to ...
that was for the
WWF Championship
The WWE Championship is a world heavyweight championship created and promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE, representing the Raw brand division. It is one of two world titles on WWE's main roster, alongside SmackDow ...
competed between
Diesel
Diesel may refer to:
* Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression
* Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines
* Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine ...
and
King Mabel
Nelson Frazier Jr. (February 14, 1971 – February 18, 2014) was an American professional wrestling, professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the WWE, World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/WWE) in the 19 ...
. Diesel retained the championship,
pinning Mabel after performing a
clothesline off the second rope. There were three matches on the
undercard
In sports, a card lists the matches taking place in a title match combat-sport event. Cards include a main event match and the undercard listing the rest of the matches. The undercard may be divided into a midcard and a lower card, according to t ...
that had more build-up than other matches:
The Undertaker
Mark William Calaway (born March 24, 1965), better known by the ring name The Undertaker, is an American retired professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Calaway spent the vast majorit ...
defeated
Kama
''Kama'' (Sanskrit ) means "desire, wish, longing" in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh literature.Monier Williamsकाम, kāmaMonier-Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary, pp 271, see 3rd column Kama often connotes sensual pleasure, se ...
in a
Casket match;
Bret Hart
Bret Hart (born July 2, 1957) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE under a legend's contract. A member of the Hart wrestling family and a second-generation wrestler, he has an amateur wrestling back ...
defeated
Isaac Yankem by
disqualification after Yankem and
Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler (born November 29, 1949), better known as Jerry "The King" Lawler, is an American color commentator and professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, although he has not performed as a full-time commentator since Ap ...
attacked Hart while Hart was in the "
hangman" position. The third match on the undercard that had significant build-up was
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965), better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE as Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative. Widely regarded as one ...
versus
Razor Ramon in a feud for the
WWF Intercontinental Championship
The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American promotion WWE, currently defended on the SmackDown brand division. It is one of two secondary championships for WWE's main ros ...
. The two faced off in a
Ladder match
A ladder match is a type of match in professional wrestling, most commonly one in which an item (usually a title belt) is hung above the ring, and the winner is the contestant who climbs a ladder and retrieves the item. The ladder itself becom ...
, with Michaels retaining the title.
The pay-per-view received a 0.9 buyrate, equivalent to approximately 205,000 buys in 1995 (1.0 equated to roughly 230,000 homes in the domestic market that year). Although this was up on the buyrate for the
In Your House 2 pay-per-view which took place the previous month, the buyrate was down on the
1994 SummerSlam event, which received a 1.3 buyrate.
Summerslam 1995 was the last WWF PPV before the
Monday Night Wars
The Monday Night Wars or Monday Night War was an era of mainstream televised American professional wrestling, from September 4, 1995 to March 26, 2001, in which the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF, now WWE) '' Monday Night Raw'' (later ''Raw ...
era of September 4, 1995, to March 26, 2001, during which WWF's ''
Raw'' and
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. (WCW) was an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Ted Turner in 1988, after Turner Broadcasting System, through a subsidiary named Universal Wrestling Corporation, purchased the assets of Natio ...
's ''
Nitro'' competed for ratings in a weekly Monday night time slot, which is now widely seen as the "golden age" of pro-wrestling.
Production
Background
SummerSlam
SummerSlam is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event, produced annually since 1988 by WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. Dubbed "The Biggest Party of the Summer", it is considered WWE's se ...
is an annual
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view (PPV) is a type of pay television or webcast service that enables a viewer to pay to watch individual events via private telecast.
Events can be purchased through a multichannel television platform using their electronic program g ...
(PPV), produced every summer by the
World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and va ...
(WWF, now WWE) since 1988. Dubbed "The Biggest Party of the Summer," it is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along with
WrestleMania
WrestleMania is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event held annually between mid-March and mid-April by WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. Since premiering in 1985, 37 editions followed, ...
,
Royal Rumble
The Royal Rumble is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event, produced annually since 1988 by WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. It is named after the Royal Rumble match, a modified battle r ...
, and
Survivor Series
Survivor Series is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event, produced annually since 1987 by WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. Held in November generally the week of Thanksgiving, it is the s ...
, and was considered one of the "Big Five" PPVs, along with
King of the Ring
King of the Ring was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and WWE Network event produced by WWE, a Connecticut-based professional wrestling promotion. The PPV event was held annually in June and was established in 1993 when the promotio ...
. It has since become considered WWF's second biggest event of the year behind WrestleMania. The 1995 event was the eighth event in the SummerSlam chronology and the first to take place on a Sunday as the previous seven events aired on a Monday. It was scheduled to be held on August 27, 1995, at the
Pittsburgh Civic Arena in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsyl ...
.
Storylines
The most prominent feud
A feud , referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, clan war, gang war, or private war, is a long-running argument or fight, often between social groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one pa ...
heading into the event was between WWF Champion Diesel
Diesel may refer to:
* Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression
* Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines
* Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine ...
and King of the Ring
King of the Ring was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and WWE Network event produced by WWE, a Connecticut-based professional wrestling promotion. The PPV event was held annually in June and was established in 1993 when the promotio ...
, King Mabel
Nelson Frazier Jr. (February 14, 1971 – February 18, 2014) was an American professional wrestling, professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the WWE, World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/WWE) in the 19 ...
(accompanied by his manager
Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. It is the art and science of managing resources of the business.
Management includes the activities ...
and tag team partner, Sir Mo). King Mabel earned his title by winning the King of the Ring tournament. During Diesel's Lumberjack match
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...
with Sycho Sid at In Your House 2, King Mabel (who was one of the lumberjacks) intervened, tossing Diesel into the ring steps. Despite Mabel's interference, Diesel kept the title, pinning Sid after a big boot
Strikes are offensive moves in professional wrestling, that can sometimes be used to set up an opponent for a hold or for a throw. There are a wide variety of strikes in pro wrestling, and many are known by several different names. Professional wre ...
. On the August 7 episode of ''Monday Night Raw
''WWE Raw'', also known as ''Monday Night Raw'' or simply ''Raw'', is an American professional wrestling television program produced by WWE that currently airs live every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network in the United States. The show f ...
'', Diesel faced Sir Mo. Mabel appeared at ringside, distracting Diesel. Moments later, Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965), better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE as Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative. Widely regarded as one ...
came ringside to support Diesel. After Diesel won the match, Mabel attacked him with a clothesline and a leg drop
A leg drop or legdrop refers to an attack used in professional wrestling in which an attacking wrestler will jump and land his leg across a fallen opponent's chest, throat, face or head or in some cases, the groin/lower-abdominal area.
The mov ...
. Mabel then attacked Michaels. On the last ''Raw'' before SummerSlam, commentator Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy McMahon (; born August 24, 1945) is an American media proprietor and retired professional wrestling promoter, executive, and performer. From 1982 to 2022, he served as the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of WWE, the ...
interviewed
An interview is a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers.Merriam Webster DictionaryInterview Dictionary definition, Retrieved February 16, 2016 In common parlance, the word "interview" r ...
Diesel about his SummerSlam title defense. Halfway through the interview, Davey Boy Smith
David Smith (27 November 1962 – 18 May 2002) was an English professional wrestler. Born in Golborne, Lancashire, Smith is best known for his appearances in the United States with the World Wrestling Federation under the ring names Davey Bo ...
appeared and suggested he and Diesel team for a match against Men on a Mission (Mabel and Mo). During the match, Smith turned on Diesel and sided with Men on a Mission, leading to a three-on-one assault of the champion.
The feud between The Undertaker
Mark William Calaway (born March 24, 1965), better known by the ring name The Undertaker, is an American retired professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Calaway spent the vast majorit ...
and Kama
''Kama'' (Sanskrit ) means "desire, wish, longing" in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh literature.Monier Williamsकाम, kāmaMonier-Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary, pp 271, see 3rd column Kama often connotes sensual pleasure, se ...
(a member of Ted Dibiase's Million Dollar Corporation
The Million Dollar Corporation was a professional wrestling stable in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from April 1994 to May 1996 and was led and managed by the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. DiBiase had retired from active competition a ...
) began at WrestleMania XI
WrestleMania XI was the 11th annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). It took place on April 2, 1995, at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. A ...
. The Undertaker's manager was Paul Bearer
William Alvin Moody (April 10, 1954 – March 5, 2013) was an American professional wrestling manager and licensed funeral director. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) where he performed under ...
, and Kama's manager was Ted DiBiase
Theodore Marvin DiBiase Sr. (born January 18, 1954) is an American retired professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister and color commentator. He is currently signed to WWE working in their Legends program. DiBiase achieved championship ...
. Undertaker was portrayed as the face
The face is the front of an animal's head that features the eyes, nose and mouth, and through which animals express many of their emotions. The face is crucial for human identity, and damage such as scarring or developmental deformities may aff ...
, and Kama as the heel.[ At WrestleMania XI, during Undertaker's match with ]King Kong Bundy
Christopher Alan Pallies (November 7, 1955 – March 5, 2019) was an American professional wrestler, actor and stand-up comedian, better known by his wrestling gimmick and ring name, King Kong Bundy. Under this gimmick, he portrayed a pugnacious, ...
, Kama ran out to the ring, attacked Bearer, and stole the urn
An urn is a vase, often with a cover, with a typically narrowed neck above a rounded body and a footed pedestal. Describing a vessel as an "urn", as opposed to a vase or other terms, generally reflects its use rather than any particular shape or ...
(an object which, in storylines, gives The Undertaker supernatural power) for DiBiase. Immediately afterward, Kama declared (in an interview with Jim Ross
James William Ross (born January 3, 1952) is an American professional wrestling commentator currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a commentator, analyst, and senior advisor. Ross is best known for a long and distinguished career a ...
) his intention to melt down the urn. The urn was revealed to have become a gold necklace
A necklace is an article of jewellery that is worn around the neck. Necklaces may have been one of the earliest types of adornment worn by humans. They often serve ceremonial, religious, magical, or funerary purposes and are also used as symb ...
, first worn by Kama prior to his match with Scott Taylor on the April 10 episode of ''Raw''. On the April 23 episode of ''Action Zone'', The Undertaker defeated Sycho Sid, another member of The Million Dollar Corporation. On the May 7 episode of ''Wrestling Challenge'', a black wreath
A wreath () is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs, or various materials that is constructed to form a circle .
In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, most commonly as an Advent and C ...
was left at ringside for Kama. Kama attacked the wreath and, after defeating Buck Zumhofe
Eugene Otto "Buck" Zumhofe (born March 21, 1951) is a convicted sex offender and former American professional wrestler better known as "The King of Rock n' Roll" Buck Zumhofe. In 2014, Zumhofe was sentenced to 25 years in prison for criminal sexu ...
, stuffed part of it into Zumhofe's mouth. Another black wreath was left at ringside for Kama on the June 12 ''Raw''. After defeating jobber David Haskins, Kama again attacked the wreath, only to realise it was a mannequin
A mannequin (also called a dummy, lay figure, or dress form) is a doll, often articulated, used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, window dressers and others, especially to display or fit clothing and show off different fabrics and textiles ...
. Both The Undertaker and Kama participated in the 1995 King of the Ring tournament. On the pay-per-view, a black wreath was ringside for the whole of Kama's quarterfinal match with Shawn Michaels, which ended in a draw
Draw, drawing, draws, or drawn may refer to:
Common uses
* Draw (terrain), a terrain feature formed by two parallel ridges or spurs with low ground in between them
* Drawing (manufacturing), a process where metal, glass, or plastic or anythin ...
. Toward the end of The Undertaker's quarterfinal contest with Mabel, Undertaker was thrown into the referee. While the referee was down, Kama interfered by kicking Undertaker in the face. Mabel followed up with a leg drop
A leg drop or legdrop refers to an attack used in professional wrestling in which an attacking wrestler will jump and land his leg across a fallen opponent's chest, throat, face or head or in some cases, the groin/lower-abdominal area.
The mov ...
, pinning Undertaker to win the match. The Undertaker chased Kama backstage after the bout. The two continued to wrestle together in matches at house shows, with the two facing each other in preparation for their SummerSlam bout. Wreaths continued to be left ringside during Kama's matches, and Kama continued to attack them.[ On the August 21, 1995 ''Raw'', (storyline) WWF president ]Gorilla Monsoon
Robert James Marella (June 4, 1937 – October 6, 1999), better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play commentator, and booker.
Monsoon is famous for his run as a villainous super-heavyw ...
announced the match between Undertaker and Kama would be a casket match.[
An ]undercard
In sports, a card lists the matches taking place in a title match combat-sport event. Cards include a main event match and the undercard listing the rest of the matches. The undercard may be divided into a midcard and a lower card, according to t ...
feud involved Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965), better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE as Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative. Widely regarded as one ...
and the WWF Intercontinental Championship
The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American promotion WWE, currently defended on the SmackDown brand division. It is one of two secondary championships for WWE's main ros ...
. Michaels had won the title by pinning Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett (born July 14, 1967) is an American professional wrestler and promoter. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he also serves as Director of Business Development.
Beginning his career in his father ...
at ''In Your House 2''. At that event, Michaels was also a "lumberjack" in the WWF Title match between Diesel and Sycho Sid. He performed a double axe handle off the top rope onto Sid on the outside of the ring, helping Diesel retain the title. A few months prior, Sid had powerbomb
A powerbomb is a professional wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted (usually so that they are sitting on the wrestler's shoulders) and then slammed back-first down to the mat. The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a st ...
ed Michaels three times, after Shawn blamed Sid for costing him the WWF World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania XI sidelining him for six weeks with injuries. On the July 24 ''Raw'', Sid vowed revenge on Michaels. That night, commentator Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler (born November 29, 1949), better known as Jerry "The King" Lawler, is an American color commentator and professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, although he has not performed as a full-time commentator since Ap ...
stated his own desire for a shot at Michaels' title. A match between Sid and Michaels was scheduled for SummerSlam. However, the match was suddenly scrapped soon after. Michaels would now defend the Intercontinental Championship in a ladder match
A ladder match is a type of match in professional wrestling, most commonly one in which an item (usually a title belt) is hung above the ring, and the winner is the contestant who climbs a ladder and retrieves the item. The ladder itself becom ...
against Razor Ramon, despite a lack of any onscreen buildup. On the August 7 ''Raw'', Michaels attempted to attack Lawler, but was restrained by officials.[ Michaels wrestled Lawler on the August 14 ''Raw''. Sid attempted to interfere in the match with a clothesline, but Michaels ducked and hit Sid with a ]superkick
Strikes are offensive moves in professional wrestling, that can sometimes be used to set up an opponent for a hold or for a throw. There are a wide variety of strikes in pro wrestling, and many are known by several different names. Professional w ...
. Sid and Lawler regained the upper hand, and Sid chokeslam
A chokeslam is a type of body slam in professional wrestling, in which a wrestler grasps an opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat. It is common in televised wrestling because it is simple and relatively safe, yet looks power ...
med Michaels. Razor Ramon ran in and assisted Michaels in clearing the ring of his attackers. Michaels and Razor then had a staredown, which led to a brawl. Razor came out on top. Despite being removed from SummerSlam, Sid was granted a future title shot, against whoever would be champion on the September 11 episode of ''Raw''.[
]Bret Hart
Bret Hart (born July 2, 1957) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE under a legend's contract. A member of the Hart wrestling family and a second-generation wrestler, he has an amateur wrestling back ...
had been feuding with Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler (born November 29, 1949), better known as Jerry "The King" Lawler, is an American color commentator and professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, although he has not performed as a full-time commentator since Ap ...
for two years when they met at King of the Ring. Hart won the match and, per the stipulation, Lawler was forced to kiss Hart's feet, despite Hakushi's attempt to stop it.[ The following night on ''Raw'', a vignette aired, showing Lawler visiting his dentist, Isaac Yankem, D.D.S., to have his teeth cleansed of foot smell. Yankem revealed to Lawler he used to be a professional wrestler. This began a storyline of Lawler attempting to avenge his loss to Hart.] Over the following weeks, more vignettes from Yankem's office aired. They showed him treating his patients, while Lawler asked them which wrestlers they liked and disliked. On the July 24 ''Raw'', Hart beat Hakushi. After the bout, Hart assaulted and piledrove Hakushi's manager, Shinja. Yankem and Hart did not have any direct interaction before their SummerSlam match.
The WWF Women's Championship WWF may refer to:
Non-profit organizations
*World Wide Fund for Nature or World Wildlife Fund, a nature conservation group
*World Water Forum, an international forum for water issues
*Working Women's Forum, a training, trade and credit union in In ...
feud started on the April 3 episode of ''Raw''. Moments after winning the title from Bull Nakano
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and professional golfer better known as . She began competing in All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW) as a teenager under the ring name Bull Nakano. As a wrestler she was a villain, who often teamed w ...
, Alundra Blayze
Debrah Ann Miceli (born February 9, 1964), better known as Madusa, is an Italian-born American monster truck driver and former professional wrestler. She is currently working for National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) as a producer. In 2015, she has ...
was attacked by an unknown woman (later introduced as Bertha Faye).[ The attack sidelined Blayze with a broken nose.] Faye, managed by Harvey Whippleman
Bruno Lauer (born October 27, 1965) is an American professional wrestling manager, referee, and occasional wrestler, better known by his ring names, Harvey Wippleman and Downtown Bruno.
Wippleman began his career working in professional wrestlin ...
, had her debut match on the April 24 ''Raw'', squashing La Pantera Serena. Blayze made her ''Raw'' return on May 29, stating she was cleared to wrestle in an interview with Vince McMahon. Faye and Whippleman responded with their own interview on the June 3 ''Superstars of Wrestling''. Their SummerSlam match was announced on the August 7 episode of ''Raw''.[
]
Event
The first match to air was between Hakushi and The 1-2-3 Kid
Sean Michael Waltman (born July 13, 1972) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE under a legends contract. He is best known for his appearances for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) under the ring names 1–2–3 ...
. Hakushi got the early advantage after hitting a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Both wrestlers performed multiple high spots. Late on, The Kid avoided a Diving headbutt, and followed with a series of offensive moves. The Kid attempted to perform his finisher, a spinning crescent kick, but Hakushi countered it into the Nenbutsu Bomb and pinned him.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley
Paul Michael Levesque (born July 27, 1969), better known by the ring name Triple H, is an American business executive, actor, and retired professional wrestler currently serving as the chief content officer for WWE. He is widely regarded as o ...
faced Bob Holly
Robert William Howard (born January 29, 1963) is an American professional wrestler, actor, and former auto racer and wrestling trainer/ host, better known by the ring name Hardcore Holly or Bob Holly. He is best known for his 16-year career wi ...
in the second match. This was Helmsley's WWF pay-per-view wrestling debut.[ Toward the end of the bout, Holly gained the upper hand with a series of ]dropkick
A dropkick is an attacking maneuver in professional wrestling. It is defined as an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with the soles of both feet; this sees the wrestler twist as they jump so that when the feet connec ...
s. He attempted to toss Helmsley into the corner, but Helmsley reversed it, then hit his Pedigree finisher and made the pin .[
A tag team match was next. The Smoking Gunns (]Bart Gunn
Michael Polchlopek (born December 27, 1965) is an American retired professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1993 to 1999 under the ring names Bart Gu ...
and Billy Gunn
Monty Kip Sopp (born November 1, 1963), better known by his ring name Billy Gunn, although he is currently finding renewed popularity under the ring name Daddy Ass, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite W ...
) faced The Blu Brothers (Jacob Blu and Eli Blu), with their manager Uncle Zebekiah
Wayne Maurice Keown (born November 29, 1949) is an American professional wrestling manager, booker and retired professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Dutch Mantel (also spelled Dutch Mantell).
Keown debuted in 1972, as Wayne Cow ...
at ringside. The Blu Brothers held the advantage for the majority of the match, making quick tags to work over Billy. Billy eventually made the hot tag to Bart, who gained the immediate advantage but was booted in the face by Jacob. Bart regained the advantage, pushing Jacob into Eli. The Gunns followed up with their Sidewinder finisher for the pin.
The next match was between Barry Horowitz and Skip of the Bodydonnas (managed by Sunny). Horowitz had defeated Skip in several matches shortly before SummerSlam. This match was both competitor and Sunny's first appearances on a WWF pay-per-view. Horowitz took control early and kept it for much of the match. Multiple illegal interferences from Sunny momentarily gave Skip the upper hand. Eventually, Hakushi came to ringside. He distracted Skip long enough for Horowitz to score a roll up pinfall and win the match.
The following matchup was for the Women's Championship. Bertha Faye (managed by Harvey Whippleman) challenged Alundra Blayze. Momentum went back and forth several times. Eventually Faye was able to powerbomb Blayze and pin her, winning the Women's Championship.
Next was the casket match between Kama (with manager Ted DiBiase) and The Undertaker (with manager Paul Bearer). The Undertaker took the early lead. Kama fought his way out of the casket several times and reversed the momentum with a leaping fist from the top rope. Kama then spent most of the match on the offensive. At one point, the Undertaker clotheslined Kama and both men went over the top rope into the casket and the lid shut but the match continued until a winner was decided. The Undertaker eventually ducked a clotheseline and choke slammed, then Tombstone Pile-driver, and then rolled Kama into the casket, closed the lid, and was declared the winner.
The next match was between Isaac Yankem and Bret "The Hitman" Hart. This was Yankem's (later Kane's) debut and first WWF pay-per-view appearance. Yankem used several power moves to gain an early advantage against Hart. A missed charge to the turnbuckle flipped the momentum into Hart's favor. Yankem was eventually able to catch Hart midair and slam him down upon the top rope. After some time Yankem fell out of the ring. Hart took a running dive on top of him and then slammed his head into the steps. Hart applied the sharpshooter but Yankem was able to grab the ropes to break the hold. Jerry Lawler left his broadcast position to distract Hart, permitting Yankem to get the upper hand and slammed Hart into the stairs. However, Hart was able to throw Yankem from the top rope as he attempted a high risk maneuver. Additional interference from Lawler eventually led to a disqualification for Yankem. However Hart ended with his head twisted in the ropes and Lawler and Yankem pulling on his feet to choke him.
The penultimate match of the night was a ladder match between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental Championship. This was a rematch from their highly rated ladder match at WrestleMania 10. By this point in time Michaels had become a fan favorite, and so this was a rare matchup between two face superstars. In the midst of some back and forth both contenders went for their finishing moves but both times they were avoided. Razor was able to go out and retrieve the ladder but while trying to climb it Michaels was able to kick him off. The match went back and forth with both wrestlers climbing the ladder but being knocked off. Ramon began a strategy of attacking and injuring Michaels' left leg, twisting it in the ladder and dropping his boot and the ladder on it many times. Michaels eventually took the advantage with a suplex off the ladder and then several aerial attacks from the ladder. However when Michaels went for a splash from the very top of the ladder Ramon moved out of the way. Eventually Ramon was able to grab Michaels as he was climbing the ladder and convert it into a Razor's Edge. Razor was unable to capitalize, and when he went for a second Razor's Edge Michaels was able to backtoss him out of the ring. Michaels was then able to climb the ladder and take down the belt, winning the match. Ramon came back in, presented Michaels with the belt, and shook his hand.
The final match was between King Mabel and Big Daddy Cool Diesel for the World Championship Belt. Mabel took the advantage early. At one point Mabel sit-splashed onto Diesel's back, injuring him in reality. Eventually the referee was knocked down. Sir Mo and Mabel then double teamed Diesel. Lex Luger came out from the backstage to help but ended up getting hit by Diesel in the fray and knocked back out. Eventually Luger was able to remove Mo from the match. Diesel was able to win with a rare aerial attack of a clotheseline off the second rope.[
]
Aftermath
The night after SummerSlam was New Fall Season that aired on August 28, 1995 and "Raw on Roof" September 7, 1995 from Titan Towers
Titan Towers is an office building located in Stamford, Connecticut, United States. It serves as a global headquarters for the American professional wrestling promotion, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE). While the interior is not acce ...
following Superstars on September 9 then Raw on September 11
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell Pfohl (born June 2, 1958), better known by the ring name Lex Luger, is an American retired professional wrestler, bodybuilder, and football player. In 2011 he began working with WWE on its wellness policy. He is best known for ...
made his second last appearance on WWF television in the main event (preventing Sir Mo from further interfering and that lead to a six man tag match with Sir Mo, Mabel and Sid in losing fashion to Lex, Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965), better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE as Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative. Widely regarded as one ...
& The Undertaker
Mark William Calaway (born March 24, 1965), better known by the ring name The Undertaker, is an American retired professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Calaway spent the vast majorit ...
that aired on New Fall Season on September 11, 1995 as a Dark Match before the show (and marked the end of The Allied Powers and Lex's final appearance) He rejoined World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. (WCW) was an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Ted Turner in 1988, after Turner Broadcasting System, through a subsidiary named Universal Wrestling Corporation, purchased the assets of Natio ...
the next week.
Diesel defended the WWF Championship against Owen Hart
Owen James Hart (May 7, 1965 – May 23, 1999) was a Canadian-American professional wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and the World Wrest ...
, Yokozuna, and Davey Boy Smith, before losing it to Bret Hart at Survivor Series
Survivor Series is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event, produced annually since 1987 by WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. Held in November generally the week of Thanksgiving, it is the s ...
.
The Undertaker's feud with the Million Dollar Corporation ended, and he began to feud with King Mabel.
Bret Hart continued to feud with Jerry Lawler and Isaac Yankem until the October 16, 1995 episode of ''Monday Night Raw'', where Hart defeated Yankem in a steel cage match.
Results
Other on-screen personnel
References
External links
Official 1995 SummerSlam site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Summerslam 1995
Professional wrestling in Pittsburgh
1995
File:1995 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman from the year prior in "The Trial of the Century" in the United States; The Great Hanshin earthquake strike ...
1995 in Pennsylvania
Events in Pittsburgh
1995 WWF pay-per-view events
August 1995 events in the United States