What happened at SummerSlam 88? (2025)

The inaugural SummerSlam, a pro wrestling PPV event was produced by the WWF (presently WWE). The PPV took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 29, 1988. This event was essential for Vince McMahon's strategy to rival Jim Crockett Promotions, which had acquired prevalence with its Starrcade PPV starting around 1983. Accordingly, McMahon made WrestleMania, which turned into a huge achievement, especially with WrestleMania III in 1987. That was the best wrestling PPV around then. Following this achievement, McMahon presented the Survivor Series crushing Crockett in the ratings war. He then launched the Royal Rumble, which set another appraisal record with 8,000,000 families watching.

Expanding on these successes, McMahon looked to extend WWF's PPV offerings and replace conventional programming with more PPV events. To this end, he introduced SummerSlam in 1988 as another yearly event, positioning it close by Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and Survivor Series. These four occasions became known as the "big four" of WWF's PPV schedule, each assuming a significant part in the organization's extension and predominance in the wrestling media outlet. SummerSlam was intended to be a major summer occasion, complementing the other three and furnishing fans with high-profile wrestling entertainment throughout the summer months.

SummerSlam 1988 Matches

The inaugural SummerSlam had ten pro wrestling matches on the card, including two title bouts and a variety of tag team and singles matches as well. The title matches incorporated the WWF Intercontinental Title and the WWF Tag Team Title.

In a remarkable title defense, The Honky Tonk Man faced an unexpected challenger, who was uncovered to be The Ultimate Warrior for his Intercontinental Title. The Ultimate Warrior beat The Honky Tonk Man in only 31 seconds, finishing his noteworthy 14-month title reign, the longest throughout the history of the Intercontinental Title. In the WWF Tag Team Title match, The Hart Foundation, comprising of Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart, tested the defending champs Demolition, comprised of Ax and Smash. Demolition successfully retained their titles in a 10-minute match.

The occasion likewise highlighted a non-title team match and a few other non-title singles and tag team contests. Among these, Dino Bravo faced 'The Stone' Don Muraco in a rematch from WrestleMania IV, which Bravo won. The occasion displayed a mix of surprise outcomes and extreme rivalries, setting a high standard for future SummerSlam events.

Main Event of SummerSlam 1988

Ted DiBiase and André the Giant (The Super Bucks) and Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage (The Mega Powers) faced each other in the headliner with Jesse Ventura as the special official. The Mega Powers at first acquired the high ground, yet The Super Bucks recaptured control after André's interference. A turbulent fight followed, with Miss Elizabeth diverting The Super Bucks and Ventura by removing her skirt. This permitted Savage to hit DiBiase with the Macho Elbow, trailed by Hogan's leg drop. Despite Ventura's slow count, Savage forced his hand down, getting the triumph for The Mega Powers.

SummerSlam 1988 Results

A. Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker for the WWF Title was the main event of the SummerSlam 1998.

A. Mankind vs. Triple H vs. Steve Austin for the WWE Title was the main event at SummerSlam 1999.

A. Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage (The Mega Powers) beat Ted DiBiase and André the Giant (The Mega Bucks) at SummerSlam 1988.

A. Brett DiBiase attacked the ref at SummerSlam 2009.

A. Owen Hart competed in a Lion's Den match at SummerSlam 1998.