WWF Summerslam '92

Can Bret retain the IC title against home country favorite Davey Boy? Will Warrior recapture the WWF title from Savage? In whose corner will Mr. Perfect occupy? Let's find out!

Match 1: The Road Warriors (w/ “Precious” Paul Ellering) versus Money, Inc. (w/ Jimmy Hart)

As Money, Inc. made their entrance, IRS cut a quick promo guaranteeing a heel reaction.
The Road Warriors and Ellering came to the ring via motorcycles.

Riding atop the head lamp was Rocco. Needless to say, but they hated the WWF "marketing tool."

To avoid getting nailed by Hawk, DiBiase sought refuge outside the ring. While there, Animal hammered him.
Upon DiBiase's return, Hawk clotheslined him over the top rope to the platform.
Animal then clotheslined DiBiase on the platform to the delight of the London faithful.
While tags were exchanged on both sides, Animal gave IRS a HARD cross corner whip.
IRS then tried to seek refuge outside the ring, but Animal stopped him by standing on his tie. Ingenious!
When Animal delivered a gorilla press slam, he earned a 1-count.
Hawk tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on IRS.
After IRS hooked a sleeper, Hawk backed him into a corner to escape.
He then gave IRS a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
Upon mounting the top turnbuckle, Hawk leaped but came up empty.
While Animal distracted referee Joey Marella, DiBiase rammed Hawk into the apron and slammed him on the platform. Nefarious!
IRS then delivered a series of elbow drops for 2.
Shortly after, DiBiase tagged in, hit a knee drop, and got another 2.
A false tag occurred thanks to IRS' distraction of Marella.
Next, a double clothesline put both Hawk and IRS down on the mat.
Hot tag Animal.
Upon giving DiBiase a flying shoulder block, Animal dropkicked IRS.
He then double-clotheslined Money, Inc., and all four wrestlers were in the ring.
As Animal gave IRS an atomic drop that sent him over the top rope to the platform, Animal delivered a Hawk-assisted corner clothesline to DiBiase.
The Road Warriors then attempted the Doomsday Device, but IRS returned and dropkicked Animal.
After Animal sent him into IRS, he powerslammed DiBiase.
1-2-3.
The Road Warriors won.

Summary: While it wasn't intended as such, this became somewhat of a retirement match for the Road Warriors because they didn't team together again until 1996. According to Animal, Hawk and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart (perhaps he meant John Nord a.k.a. Berzerker) traveled to Amsterdam rather than returning to the United States. Hmmm...I wonder why.

Backstage, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Nature Boy" Ric Flair who surprisingly doesn't have a match on one of the biggest stages of the year. When Okerlund points out that Flair's wearing his gear, Flair states that he's always ready for action. Whatever you do, PLEASE don't ask him to open that robe. Nonetheless, Okerlund then questions him about Mr. Perfect's circumstances, but Flair won't reveal them. In fact, he dances around the question so well you'd think he's running for office.

From the locker room, Sean Mooney interviews Virgil who cuts a promo on Nailz. He also mentions that he's too legit to quit.

For those unaware, Nailz was portrayed by Kevin Wacholz. For you AWA fans, he also portrayed Kevin Kelly.

Nailz reversed a cross corner whip but ate a clothesline and a dropkick.
Shortly after, he tossed Virgil over the top rope to the platform.
He then joined and rammed Virgil face-first into the apron twice.
As he reversed another cross corner whip, Nailz ate boot on his follow-through.
He then clotheslined Virgil and hooked a chokehold.
When referee Danny Davis called for the bell, Nailz won by submission.

Summary: W-A-S-T-E of time because this guy has ZERO wrestling ability. Get him off my screen NOW!

After the match, Nailz grabs Big Bossman's nightstick and jabs it into Virgil's midsection. Seriously, how does this guy have a job?

Backstage, Lord Alfred Hayes cannot confirm whether or not Mr. Perfect is inside Savage's dressing room. He then promises to locate his whereabouts.

Also backstage, Okerlund interviews "Sensational" Sherri We then revisit Superstars when Michaels interfered costing Martel a chance at the Intercontinental title (aired 7/20, taped 6/1). Afterward, Martel winked at Sherri during Michaels' match against Tony DeVito on Wrestling Challenge (aired 8/9, taped 7/21). During Summerslam Spectacular '92, Sherri came to ringside to observe Martel who acknowledged and enjoyed her presence (aired 8/23, taped 8/11).

Match 3: Shawn Michaels (w/ Sensational Sherri) versus the “Model” Rick Martel

Special stipulation: Neither wrestler can hit the other in the face. I smell a pretty boy matchup.
Martel was dressed for Wimbledon rather than Summerslam.

In the meantime, Sherri brought a mirror to the ring.
Her outfit exposed her butt so Heenan chimed in with "worst case of moths I've ever seen in my life." HA!
After a pair of leap frogs by Michaels, Martel cartwheeled away from a monkey flip.
Michaels then ducked a pair of clotheslines and dropkicked Martel.
As Michaels reversed a cross corner whip, Martel leaped to the second turnbuckle but came up empty on a cross body block.
They then threatened to nail one another in the face while each wrestler pulled hair. Since both wrestlers were heels, it wasn't beneath them to do so.
Upon leapfrogging Michaels, Martel used momentum to send him over the top rope to the platform.
He then joined Michaels on the platform but hugged Sherri instead. Aw.
Back in the ring, Martel backdropped him, but Michaels hooked a roll-up.
When referee Joey Marella caught Michaels' use of the trunks, he refused to count the pinfall.
Martel then reversed the roll-up, hooked the tights, and Marella denied him too. Methinks it was just an excuse for each wrestler to make an ass out of himself.
Regardless, Michaels hit a superkick but only got 2.
Martel then reversed a cross corner whip but ate knee on his follow-through.
As Michaels attempted to pin Martel with his feet on the ropes, Marella quickly caught him.
Martel then rolled up the distracted Michaels for 2.
With Sherri on the apron, both wrestlers slapped one another.
They then threatened to nail one another in the face, and Sherri fainted.
After each wrestler tried to revive her, Michaels nailed Martel in the mush.

They then brawled in the aisle until Marella counted them out.

Summary: Despite the unique stipulation, both wrestlers were protected with that bullshit decision. I'd say this was more sports-entertainment than wrestling.

After the match, Sherri awakens to find both wrestlers fighting but feigns collapsing again. While officials separate the wrestlers, Michaels returns to the ring to retrieve his valet. He then puts Sherri over his shoulder as Vince and Heenan share this hilarious exchange:

Nevertheless, Martel nails Michaels sending both down to the "floor" of the stadium. He then picks up Sherri, but Michaels chases after him. As Michaels hits him, both Martel and Sherri bump to the "floor." While officials chase Martel backstage, Michaels assists Sherri. Martel then returns with a bucket of water and dumps it on Sherri. When both wrestlers run backstage, Sherri wakes up drenched and humiliated.

Back in the red locker room, Mooney interviews the Nasty Boys with Hart. While they mock Sherri, Knobbs and Sags stand in disbelief about not getting their title shot at Summerslam. I have to concur, yet Hart's utter confusion over his allegiance to them as well as Money, Inc. ends the interview.

Match 4 for the WWF tag team titles: The Natural Disasters (champions) versus the Beverly Brothers (w/ the Genius)

For those unaware, the Natural Disasters defeated Money, Inc. on 7/20 for the titles.
During a double cross corner whip, Typhoon clotheslined Blake.
Earthquake then clotheslined Beau, and the Disasters sandwiched the Beverlies consecutively.
Next, they sandwiched them simultaneously as I ponder where the wrestling in the show disappeared.

Typhoon then gave Blake a back elbow followed by a slam.
As Typhoon missed a leg drop, Blake attempted a slam to no avail.
Upon a third attempt, Typhoon fell atop Blake for 2.
He then gave Blake a cross corner whip followed by an avalanche.
When the Disasters attempted another sandwich, Blake escaped causing Earthquake to give Typhoon an avalanche. All this match needs is a tsunami to complete the acts of God compilation.

Beau then hit a Blake-assisted splash on Typhoon for 2. Interestingly, Typhoon's kick-out sent Beau between the ropes to the platform.
As Blake mounted the second turnbuckle, he hit a diving head butt.
He then delivered a leg drop for 2.
After Beau tagged in, the Beverlies gave Typhoon an aided leap frog body guillotine.
Earthquake then distracted referee Mike Chioda while the Beverlies double-teamed Typhoon. SNEAKY!
When Blake delivered a running guillotine, Beau tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Typhoon.
Blake tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered his own boom on Typhoon.
As he gave Typhoon a diving head butt, Blake got 2.
A false tag occurred, and the Beverlies double-teamed Typhoon again.
Shortly after, Blake tagged in, but Typhoon double-clotheslined the Beverlies.
He then reversed an Irish whip, caught Blake during a cross body block, but Beau hit a missile dropkick sending Blake atop Typhoon for 2.
After Beau distracted both Earthquake and Chioda, Blake took Genius' metal scroll and WALLOPED Typhoon. How dastardly!
Blake then made the cover, but Earthquake elbow-dropped him. OUCH!
Hot tag Earthquake.
Upon hip-tossing Beau, Earthquake delivered a belly-to-belly suplex.
The Beverlies then attempted a double-team, but Earthquake double-shoulder-blocked them.
After Typhoon tossed Blake over the top rope to the platform, Earthquake gave Beau a Typhoon-assisted avalanche.
He then hit a powerslam followed by the Earthquake splash. In the process, he knocked Blake off the apron.
1-2-3.
The Natural Disasters retained.

Summary: Without the tag formula, this match would have stunk up Wembley Stadium; however, the Beverlies brought their high-flying and teamwork to make it entertaining. In addition, the London faithful ate it up with a spoon.

After the match, Earthquake brings Genius into the ring and launched him over the top rope to the platform.

Backstage, Okerlund interviews the Bushwhackers. While Okerlund makes a punny joke about Luke, Butch takes royal humor to a new low.

Next, Hayes stands outside Warrior's dressing room and believes Mr. Perfect is behind the door. He then tries to open the door but gets rebuffed. I guess he didn't fulfill his promise after all.

Crush recently returned to the WWF now playing a babyface role.
As he gave Repo Man a military press slam, Crush followed him outside the ring and clotheslined him.
Repo Man then attempted a cross body block, but Crush placed him atop the top turnbuckle and punted him.
When Crush delivered a backbreaker, Repo Man came back with a belly-to-back suplex.
Crush then hooked a belly-to-belly suplex followed by another backbreaker.
Upon mounting the top turnbuckle, Crush missed a knee drop.
He then reversed an Irish whip but got face-planted for 2. To showcase Crush's strength, his kick-out sent Repo Man between the ropes to the platform.
As Repo Man mounted the top turnbuckle, he leaped but ate a powerslam.
Crush then applied the Kona crush and won by submission.

Summary: While the London faithful loved babyface Crush, this was merely a showcase match as his former partner put him over strong.

Backstage, Okerlund hypes the upcoming title match. We then revisit Superstars when Savage and Warrior stood face-to-face until Flair and Perfect emerged. When Perfect mocked him, Savage nailed Flair until Perfect used his belt to choke Savage. Warrior then rescued Savage scattering the heels from the ring (aired 7/25, taped 6/29).

We then revisit Superstars when Flair planted ideas in Warrior's head about Perfect being in Savage's corner (aired 8/8, taped 7/20). On the following episode, Perfect did the same to Savage. (aired 8/15, taped 7/20).

Following that, we revisit Summerslam Spectacular '92 when Flair and Perfect cost Savage and Warrior a victory against the Nasty Boys. During the match, Savage and Warrior did NOT work well together. While Flair and Perfect destroyed Warrior, the Nasty Boys demolished Savage. In addition, Warrior wore a tank top with enhanced abs to disguise his no longer steroid-infused physique.

Match 6 for the WWF title: “Macho Man” Randy Savage (champion) versus Ultimate Warrior

Before the match began, each wrestler intensely shook hands.
While the London faithful chanted "Warr-I-or," Savage put a knee into their hero's midsection and clotheslined him.
He then clotheslined Warrior from behind for a 1-count.
As Savage mounted the top turnbuckle, he leaped but ate a shot to the midsection.
Warrior then delivered an atomic drop followed by an inverted atomic drop.
After he clotheslined Savage, Warrior got 2.
Savage then nailed Warrior, hit a knee drop, and got 2.
To counter a reverse chin lock, Warrior gave Savage a jawbreaker.
He then face-planted Savage for 2.
Upon whipping Savage into the corner, Warrior gave Savage a cross corner whip and unleashed a series of kicks to the delight of the London faithful.
He then hit a short-arm clothesline for another 2.
When Savage used momentum to send him face-first into the top turnbuckle, he clotheslined Warrior over the top rope to the platform.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a double axe handle.
Unfortunately, Warrior no-sold it.

He then mounted the adjacent top turnbuckle, hit another double axe handle, and got 2.
As he mounted the same top turnbuckle, Savage leaped, but Warrior caught him.
Warrior then delivered a backbreaker for 2.
After he gave Savage a series of cross corner whips, Warrior applied a bear hug.
He then tossed Savage down to the mat and got 2.
Upon giving Savage a sidewalk slam, Warrior got another 2.
When Warrior attempted a slam, Savage countered with an inside cradle for 2.
He then gave Warrior a swinging neckbreaker for another 2.
As he guillotined Warrior with the top rope, Savage couldn't get 3.
He then attempted a vertical suplex, but Savage's back gave out.
Next, Warrior delivered his own vertical suplex for 2.
He then attempted a clothesline, but Savage ducked. That sent Warrior over the top rope to the platform.
After Savage mounted the top turnbuckle, he gave Warrior a double axe handle on the platform.
He then rammed Warrior face-first into the steps and made him HIT THE POLE.
Upon tossing Warrior back in, Savage got 2.
Suddenly, Flair and Perfect made their way to ringside.
Savage then attempted a piledriver, but Warrior backdropped him.
On the other hand, Savage held on, hooked a sunset flip, and got another 2.
Warrior then clotheslined Savage for 2.
As he slammed Savage, Warrior ate knees on a splash attempt.
Savage then got 2.
With Perfect in neither wrestler's corner, a double clothesline put both down on the mat.
Warrior then got 2.
When Savage came off the ropes, Perfect tripped him.
Is Perfect in Warrior's corner? Has Warrior turned heel?

Warrior then gave Savage a standing choke followed by a whip that sent him directly into referee Earl Hebner.
With Hebner OUT COLD, Warrior slammed Savage, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a double axe handle.
He only could get 2 as Hebner regained consciousness.
As the London faithful again chanted "Warr-I-or," Savage put a knee into Warrior's back. That sent Hebner between the ropes to the platform.
Savage then piledrove Warrior and checked on Hebner.
Meanwhile, Perfect entered the ring to revive Warrior.
After Perfect double-crossed and hooked Warrior from behind, Flair entered the ring and HAMMERED Warrior with a foreign object. I guess Warrior didn't turn heel.

Since Warrior was OUT COLD, Savage slammed him, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit the big elbow.
Hebner was still dazed and only able to count 2.
When Warrior came back with a series of clotheslines, he hit a flying shoulder block.
He then military-press-dropped Savage, came off the ropes, dodged Perfect's trip, but Flair CREAMED him with a steel chair. Devious!
With Warrior OUT COLD again and Perfect distracting Hebner, Savage mounted the top turnbuckle.
Upon contemplating whether or not to finish off the Warrior, Savage dove at Flair instead.
Flair then caught Savage mid-dive on the knee with the chair. OUCH!
While Savage writhed in pain beyond the platform, Warrior won by countout.

Summary: Definitely not as great as their match at WrestleMania VII, but with Savage's workrate and Warrior's unfathomable use of psychology, it was a good match. Add the drama within the ring, the intense storyline, and Savage's knee injury, and it's a great match. Partly due to Savage's knee injury, he lost the WWF title to Flair three days later in Hershey, PA (aired 9/14, taped 9/1).

After the match, Flair hooks the figure-four leg lock on Savage on the platform. Perfect and Flair then double-team Savage, but Warrior prevents Flair from breaking Savage's leg with a chair. He then chases the heels away with chair in hand. When he returns to the ring, Warrior grabs the WWF title belt, picks Savage up, and hands it to him.

Backstage, Okerlund interviews Flair and Perfect. Flair informs Savage that the "belt is coming back to (him)."

Match 7: Kamala (w/ Harvey Wippleman & Kim Chee) versus Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer)

Wippleman performed the introduction of Kamala much to ring announcer Howard Finkel's chagrin.
Since Undertaker was a full-fledged babyface, he received a grand entrance via the back of a hearse.
Kamala reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
After Undertaker gave Kamala the ropewalk shoulder smash, he made a second attempt.
Wippleman then got up on the apron to distract him so Kamala pulled him down to the mat.
Next, he clotheslined Undertaker over the top rope to the platform.
When Undertaker grabbed both Wippleman and Kim Chee, Kamala delivered a double axe handle.
Back in the ring, Undertaker chokeslammed Kamala and hit a flying clothesline.
He then attempted a slam, but Kim Chee entered the ring to interfere.
As referee Danny Davis called for the bell, Undertaker won by DQ.

After the match, Undertaker sends Kim Chee between the ropes to the platform. Kamala then shoves him into the corner and sandwiches him. Upon slamming Undertaker, Kamala delivers a splash. He then mounts the second turnbuckle and splashes him again. When he mounts the top turnbuckle, Kamala hits a third splash. He then leaves the ring as Undertaker sits up. When Undertaker turns his head toward him, Kamala LOSES HIS DAMN MIND. He then retreats in fear of the phenom.

Back in the red locker room, Mooney interviews Smith who cuts a promo on Bret. When Mooney mentions wrestling in front of 80,000 Brits, Smith doesn't consider it pressure but instead a "dream."

Backstage, Okerlund interviews Bret who dismisses Smith's notion of "not knowing" him because he introduced Smith to his sister. Afterward, he predicts Smith's "dream" will become a "nightmare."

Finkel then introduces the Balmoral Highlanders—a Scottish bagpipe band. As a "special surprise," "Rowdy" Roddy Piper joins the band to play "Scotland the Brave."

Among the London faithful, Mooney interviews Diana who fears for both wrestlers' health. When Mooney asks her for a prediction, she would rather keep the Hart family whole than make one.

Match 8 for the WWF Intercontinental title: Bret “Hitman” Hart (champion) versus the “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith (w/ Diana Hart-Smith)

Accompanying Smith in his entrance, boxer Lennox Lewis carried the Union Jack flag.

After a leap frog by Bret, a shoulder block by Smith sent Bret down to the platform.
Bret then escaped a gorilla press slam attempt and rolled up Smith for 2.
As he hooked an inside cradle, Bret got another 2.
He then attempted a leap frog, but Smith countered with a catapult into the top turnbuckle.
While dueling chants of "Bulldog-Hitman" circulated around Wembley Stadium, Smith hooked a crucifix for 2.
Bret then put a knee into Smith's midsection and hit a leg drop.
Upon giving Smith a back elbow, Bret delivered an inverted atomic drop.
When Smith attempted a second crucifix, Bret countered with a Samoan drop for 2.
Smith then leap-frogged and monkey-flipped Bret.
Upon giving Bret a pair of cross corner whips, Smith ate boot on his follow-through.
Bret then delivered a bulldog, mounted the top turnbuckle, but Smith caught and slammed him down to the mat.
As Smith mounted the top turnbuckle, he missed a diving head butt.
Smith then countered a slam, tried a roll-up, but Bret used momentum to send him to the platform.
Despite not using heel tactics, Bret received jeers from the London faithful.
Bret then hit a plancha, but Smith forgot to catch him. OUCH!
After Bret rammed him back-first into the ring post, he gave Smith a HARD cross corner whip to further injure the back.
Bret then delivered a side Russian leg sweep for 2.
When Bret dropkicked Smith, he followed with a back drop for another 2.
Vince then shilled the Lennox Lewis-Razor Ruddock fight on 10/31.

As Bret suplexed Smith, he couldn't get 3.
He then attempted a European uppercut, but Smith countered with a backslide for 2.
Upon giving Smith a backbreaker, Bret mounted the second turnbuckle and hit an elbow smash for 2.
While more jeers from the London faithful rained down on him, Bret hooked a sleeper.
Smith then made the ropes, but Bret hooked another sleeper.
After Smith countered by sandwiching Bret in the corner, Bret reapplied the sleeper.
Again, Smith sandwiched Bret in the corner to break the hold.
He then reversed an Irish whip and dropped Bret onto the ropes.

Next, he whipped Bret into the corner and hit a series of clotheslines for 2.
He then gorilla-press-slammed Bret for another 2.
As he delivered a delayed vertical suplex, Smith couldn't get 3.
He then gave Bret a cross corner whip resulting in a sternum-first bump for yet another 2.
When he hit the running powerslam, Bret somehow kicked out at 2.
With Bret on the apron, Smith attempted a suplex, but Bret escaped.
He then hooked a German suplex with a bridge for 2.
After Smith blocked a vertical suplex, he crotched Bret atop the top turnbuckle.

He then delivered a top rope superplex but only got 2.
As Bret reversed an Irish whip, a double clothesline put both wrestlers down on the mat.
Flat on his back, Bret hooked the Sharpshooter.
Will Smith submit?
No, he made the ropes.
Smith then reversed an Irish whip, but Bret hooked a sunset flip.
Refusing to go down, Smith fell to his knees and secured Bret's legs.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
The London faithful ERUPTED!

Summary: Superb match where Bret carried Smith for twenty-five minutes and made him look great. There were a few times that Smith didn't hit something solidly, and that botched plancha sticks out like a sore thumb. Even so, this is a spectacular match.

Afterward, Bret tries to leave the ring without shaking Smith's hand, but the London faithful boo him. Smith then convinces him to shake hands and embrace. When Bret raises Smith's hand in victory, Diana enters the ring to share the great moment. Fireworks explode as the show ends.

Conclusion: First of all, let me say that this was an extremely entertaining outdoor wrestling show with a vast and lively audience. Second, the Bret-Smith match is required viewing for all wrestling fans not only because it's great but also it plays into the Hart family turmoil in the WWF throughout the 90s. Third, the soap opera element of the WWF title match made each player act uniquely to create drama.

Since this was the sole US wrestling show at Wembley Stadium, I'd like to offer another memorable performance held there on July 12, 1986: