Summerslam 1992 was an worldwide spectacle held at historic Wembley Stadium in London, England. Because of the popularity of the WWF in the UK, they saw an opportunity to cash in on this. I believe that it was an extraordinary success due to the build-up in the weeks leading up to the event and the storylines for the two main event matches were keeping people invested in the upcoming pay-per-view. The event actually took place on Saturday August 29, 1992, but it didn't air in the US until Monday August 31. I remember this fondly waiting for school to end so I could watch this.
Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan were doing the commentary on this. As much as I love me some of the Gorilla Monsoon/Heenan dynamic, McMahon and Heenan were great in the back and forth jabs on each other. Heenan would do his smart ass comments and McMahon would answer "Stop it!" Much like Monsoon telling Heenan "Will you stop?" It was a blast hearing the banter between the two.
The Matches:
LOD vs. Money Inc.
The LOD entrance was amazing with them riding motorcycles to the ring. This was also the period where they had their longtime manager, Paul Ellering, was carrying a ventriloquist dummy named Rocco to the ring. Weird times in the early 90s in the WWF. The match was a good back and forth contest with Animal pinning Ted DiBiase with the most textbook powerslam you will ever see.
Virgil vs. Nailz
This was a squash. Nailz' offense was basically choking Virgil the entire match. Virgil, who was near jobber status at this point, put little offense and Nailz won the match by sleeperhold. Nailz then attacked Virgil with Big Boss Man's nightstick, which Nailz took from Boss Man after destroying him on WWF Superstars.
Lord Alfred Hayes was backstage trying to interview Macho Man and the Ultimate Warrior, but was unsuccessful. (Writer's side note: WWE, c'mon now, it's time to put Lord Alfred Hayes in the WWE Hall Of Fame.)
Shawn Michaels vs. Rick Martel
The stipulation of both men not able to hit each other in the face was put in by Sensational Sherri, who took a liking to both men in the weeks leading to the pay-per-view. The highlight has to be Sherri's outfit, where she wore pants that exposed her butt cheeks. The match was basically both men trying to gain Sherri's attention. At one point, both men pulled each other's tights showing crack. Yes, that happened.
Finally, both competitors had enough and broke the stipulation and hit each other in the face. After seeing this, Sherri fainted. Then she came to and fainted again. The two men even fought each other to carry her to the back. Shawn eventually was able to carry Sherri out, until Martel came out with a bucket of water and splashed Sherri. She ran out screaming and humiliated.
Natural Disasters vs. Beverly Brothers
This was an okay match. Don't get how Typhoon is the one who gets beat up and Earthquake is the hot tag. Aren't they the same weight and size? Anyway, nothing really memorable this match. Earthquake wins the match for the Disasters with his splash.
Crush vs. Repo Man
Another Squash! Crush gets over by using his head vice on Repo Man. This was about the time that they started announcing Crush to be from Kona, Hawaii.
Ultimate Warrior vs. Macho Man WWF Championship
At WrestleMania 8, Macho Man won the WWF Championship from Ric Flair in a classic match. Later that evening, the Ultimate Warrior shocked everyone by making his return helping Hulk Hogan fend off Sid Justice and Papa Shango. I get that this event was a big deal, but did Flair deserve a rematch against Macho Man? Yes. Weeks leading up to SummerSlam, Flair and Mr. Perfect would tell Warrior and Savage that Perfect would be in one of the other's corner. The match was long, but it was good. It wasn't a classic like I hoped. Warrior wore that weird singlet during this time which was just ludicrous. Flair and Perfect then entered the fray and tried to play mind games with each competitor. The finish was suspect when Savage jumped off the top rope to execute an axehandle on Flair outside, but Flair used a chair on Savage's leg. Warrior won by countout. In an interview after the match, Flair and Perfect mentioned that they did Plan A, and that Plan B is coming. Plan B would end up being Flair defeating Savage for the title in Hershey, PA days later.
Undertaker vs. Kamala
This wasn't that great. (Come to think of it, most of these matches were subpar.) Undertaker was able to chokeslam Kamala and was attempting to execute a Tombstone piledriver, but Kimchee interfered and caused a DQ. Kamala would repeatedly splash the Undertaker, including one from the top turnbuckle. Undertaker would sit up and make Kamala look scared.
A musical group with bagpipes performed "Scotland The Brave" which McMahon would inform everyone many times. Roddy Piper would appear and join the group.
Sean Mooney (remember him?) interviewed Diana Hart, who looked mortified to be there.
Bret Hart vs. British Bulldog Intercontinental Title
Many consider this the greatest match in SummerSlam history. I will have to agree. The Bulldog's entrance was electric as 80000+ of his fellow countrymen and women popping like no other. He was led to the ring by a little known boxer back then in the U.S. named Lennox Lewis. Bret Hart was the heel in this match due to the location, which would be a precursor for Bret's heel turn in 1997. Before Ziggler/Rollins at Extreme Rules, this was the only time the IC title was the main event on a pay-per-view. This match had everything. You know how every wrestler uses the superplex off the top turnbuckle, this match was the first time I actually saw that. The camera would show Diana Hart in the crowd, conflicted over her brother and husband. The Bulldog used a failed Sunset Flip by using his weight and his arms to hook Bret's legs for the pin. Wembley Stadium was in mass hysteria when the British Bulldog won. Diana would join his victorious husband and defeated brother in show of unity.
All in all, the wrestling was so-so, but the spectacle and pageantry made up for this extravaganza