The Full History

SummerSlam is one of WWE’s biggest shows of the year, only behind WrestleMania and the Royal Rumble. The Biggest Party of the Summer, as the event is often called, has a rich history that began all the way back in 1988, during the Golden Era. This year, SummerSlam will be a two-night attraction for the first time ever, as it’s scheduled to take place in East Rutherford on August 2-3.

READ NEXT: The Great American Bash: The Full History (In WCW And WWE)

In this article, I’ll revisit every single edition of SummerSlam and analyse the match cards, storylines, PPV buyrates (before the WWE Network became a thing) and more, just like I did for Night of Champions and The Great American Bash. There’ve been many great SummerSlams over the years, and there are a few contenders for the greatest ever. And now, without any further ado, enjoy the trip down memory lane!

From dusty fairgrounds and smoky arenas to major pay-per-view events, The Great American Bash has carved out a unique place in wrestling history. First launched in 1985 under the banner of Jim Crockett Promotions, The Bash quickly became WCW’s crown jewel of the summer. Whether it was Dusty Rhodes bleeding buckets, Sting rising to stardom, or Ric Flair styling and profiling his way through title defenses, The Bash delivered classic moments long before WWE ever got its hands on it.

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Attitude Era: Every WWF Championship Match On A Big Five PPV, Decisively Ranked

And when they did? It took on a whole new life – from Ruthless Aggression Era bloodbaths to its surprising NXT revival in recent years. In this article, we’re diving deep into every era, every card, and every chaotic swerve that’s made The Great American Bash a wrestling tradition worth celebrating – whether you lived through it or you’re discovering it for the first time.

WWE’s next PPV (or PLE, if you will) is Night of Champions. The event, not to be confused with Clash of Champions, already has a long history that goes back nearly two decades. This year’s edition will take place on Saturday, June 28, live from the always controversial country of Saudi Arabia. With that said, let me make something clear: this article is NOT about Saudi.

DISCUSSION: Should There Be A WrestleMania In Saudi Arabia?

That’s a topic for another day, perhaps. In this article, I’ll simply look back at each and every edition of WWE Night of Champions, analyse the match cards/storylines and see if they still hold up today. WWE management dropped this PPV in favor of Clash of Champions for a few years, so it’s safe to say they aren’t fully sold on Night of Champions. Are you? Allow me to revive your memory!