Top 10 SummerSlams : Number 5 – SummerSlam 1998

SummerSlam 1998 X-Pac shaves off Jeff Jarrett’s hair

As we count down the hours for this year’s edition of SummerSlam, we go back in time to 1998 on our way to find the top 10 SummerSlams in WWE history.

Today we get down to number 5, and what an event the WWF rolled out with! It had one of the best build ups to any main event, as I can still remember watching it as a kid, and being mesmerized by just the buildup to the Austin – Undertaker match up! It also included a phenomenal ladder match that arguably catapulted two youngsters as the future of the business. The event took place at the mecca of sports entertainment, Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Without further ado, let us look at the events which unfolded that night.

 

Under card:

D’ Lo Brown defeated Van Venis by DQ to retain the WWF European championship

This was at a point when the WWF were looking to push D’ Lo and Venis as the future of the company. Looking back at it now, it is almost hard to believe. Venis was way over with the fans, and so was D’ Lo.

D’ Lo took control of the match in the early going, but Val came back when D’ Lo missed a senton. A good powerslam by Venis got him only two count, as the crowd was buzzing. D’ Lo got back into the match by countering the money shot, as crowd chanted for D’ Lo. I love NY fans, anyway, Val ripped off the chest protector of D’ Lo and put it on himself to hit his finisher, but got crotched to the top turnbuckle because of the referee.

Venis took his frustrations out on the ref and threw him out to get disqualified. He hit the money shot on the ref post match. That was a solid opener, and the crowd was really into it. Two years later, none of the two mattered in the WWF. Sad.

Rating: ** ½

The Oddities (Kurrgan, Golga and Giant Silva with Luna Vachon and The Insane Clown Posse) defeated Kaientai (Taka Michinoku, Dick Togo, Mens Teioh and Sho Funaki with Yamaguchi-san)

I will always remember the theme song of the Oddities; wonder who came up with this idea. Anyway, this was basically a comedy match between the two factions. Kurrgan and Golga dominated their opponents and Golga finished it off with a huge splash for the three count. That wasn’t a classic by any means, but it was fun while it lasted.

Rating: ¼ *

X-Pac (with Howard Finkel) defeated Jeff Jarrett (with Southern Justice (Mark Canterbury and Dennis Knight)) in a Hair vs Hair match

This was a Hair vs Hair match between X – Pac and Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett shaved Finkel’s hair during Heat, so The Fink was on X – Pac’s side. Good back and forth action between the two competitors, with Pac dominating for the most part.

The end came when Pac hit Double J with his guitar after failing to pin him with a Facebuster, picking up the victory. Post match, The Headbangers came down to help Pac and The Fink shave Double J. That was a solid PPV match between two good performers. It’s a shame that Double J was out of the WWF soon and Pac didn’t go anywhere.

Rating: *** ¼