Zachary FenellSummerslam Flashback: Shawn Michaels vs. Vader (1996)
August 5th 2012 22:46
Two weeks from today the WWE presents their biggest party of the summer, Summerslam. Already announced Big Show and John Cena will challenge CM Punk for the WWE Title. This WWE Championship bout parallels the WWE Title match from Summerslam 1996 in that a big man challenges for the gold. 16 years ago the menacing and intimidating Vader looked to win the WWE Title from “HBK” Shawn Michaels.
Vader’s size proved a focal point between the two. Michaels just won the WWE Championship a few months earlier at Wrestlemania XII in the critically acclaimed iron man match against the then title holder Bret Hart. Would the imposing Vader make HBK rue the day he fulfilled his boyhood dream and won the title?
Honestly I didn’t find the in-ring action between Michaels and Vader too compelling. Yet I did enjoy the ending. Vader knocks out HBK on the outside which leads Michaels to get counted out. Vader’s manager Jim Cornette grabs a microphone and requests the match re-start so Vader can win the WWE Title. Triggered by Cornette’s interference Michaels ends up getting DQed. Cornette grabs the microphone again to rinse and repeat.
These two false finishes, plus an unmentioned ref bump, might seem like too much on paper but I felt the individuals involved prevented the match’s ending from appearing too busy. Do you agree or disagree? Voice your thoughts with a comment below!
Vader makes his way to the ring at Summerslam 1996. Photo: PrtSc Image
Vader’s size proved a focal point between the two. Michaels just won the WWE Championship a few months earlier at Wrestlemania XII in the critically acclaimed iron man match against the then title holder Bret Hart. Would the imposing Vader make HBK rue the day he fulfilled his boyhood dream and won the title?
Honestly I didn’t find the in-ring action between Michaels and Vader too compelling. Yet I did enjoy the ending. Vader knocks out HBK on the outside which leads Michaels to get counted out. Vader’s manager Jim Cornette grabs a microphone and requests the match re-start so Vader can win the WWE Title. Triggered by Cornette’s interference Michaels ends up getting DQed. Cornette grabs the microphone again to rinse and repeat.
Jim Cornette played an important role at Summerslam 1996 as Vader's manager. Photo: Wikimedia Commons user Chrysaor
These two false finishes, plus an unmentioned ref bump, might seem like too much on paper but I felt the individuals involved prevented the match’s ending from appearing too busy. Do you agree or disagree? Voice your thoughts with a comment below!
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