What If? Summerslam 1996

[darthobiwan]

Now we get to 1996.

Should Savio get a win over Owen?

Should Gunns, Bodydunnas, or New Rockers win tag belts here (new poll if chosen)?

Does Bulldog get to tame the Psycho One?

Does Wildman beat the Bizzare One?

Does the Snake get the better of the King

Does Undertaker get the better of Mankind (and possibly Paul Bearer stays with Deadman)?

Should Vader have ended the boyhood dream early?

[darthobiwan]

All 3 matches that results will change are chosen (with 1 a unanimous vote). However we must choose which team will win tag team titles in a new poll.

[darthobiwan]

We are LIVE from Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio for Summerslam 1996! We have 7 matches on the main card tonight, including 2 title matches and a boiler room brawl.

Opening match is Savio Vega vs Owen Hart (with Clarence Mason). Owen, who has had a cast on his arm for months now, uses it to knock out Savio, then beats him by submission. After the match Justin Hawk Bradshaw, who has had issues with Savio lately, attacks him.

*Second match is a 4-team elimination match, with Smokin Gunns (with Sunny), defending against Body Dunnas, Godwinns (with Hillbilly Jim), and New Rockers. Marty Jannetty gives Billy Gunn an inadvertent assist with he trips Zip, allowing Billy to get a rollup pin and Bodydunnas ad gone! After a few more minutes of action, Phineas looks to attempt to pin Billy with a slap drop, but Bart interrupts with a double-ax handle and Billy scored another pinfall and Godwinns are gone! So it comes down to Smokin Gunns and New Rockers. Rockers seem to have the speed factor and get Bart worn down a bit, while Gunns do play it dirty and take advantage of 5 counts from refs to double team and do chokeholds. Billy looks to go 3 for 3 by nailing Leif with a famasser (not sure what it was called before this), However before he can go for the pin, Sunny randomly jumps onto the apron to "celebrate" with Billy. However she then slaps him in the face! Meanwhile Marty runs to other side of the ring to knock Bart into turnbuckle outside thr ring, therefore stunning him. Leif then recovers enough to do an inside cradle on the bewildered Billy for a 3 count! New Rockers have won Tag Team titles!!! AND this version of Rockers officially accomplish something classic Rockers NEVER did (win WWF tag belts)!
After the match, Sunny kisses both Marty and Leif on their cheeks and raises their hands after the referee hands them the tag belts.

Third match is Sycho Sid vs Davey Boy Smith. Sid pins Davey after a powerbomb.

Fourth match is Marc Mero (with Sable) vs Goldust (with Marlena). Mero hits an impressive shooting star press, but referee was distracted by Marlena to count the fall. Goldust regains the advantage and pins Mero after a curtain call.

*Fifth match is Jake Roberts vs Jerry Lawler (Snake vs King). Jerry taunts Jake several times bg mocking drinking bottles. Newly signed wwf star Mark Henry sits at ringside doing commentary for this match, and Jerry mocks him too several times by pretending to bench press. Jerry gains an advantage by hitting an elbow drop, and Jake is mostly beaten. Jerry then unwisely does not cover him and crawls to side of ring by announcers and taunts Henry some more. During this time, the referee is attending to Jake as he gets to his feet, then Mark has had enough and slaps the King right in the mouth. This leaves him easy pickings for Jake to grab him and deliver a DDT to the King! Jake pins him for a 3 count! Jake Roberts has beaten the King!!!
After the Jake unties the bag and let's Revealations out, who crawls onto Jerry for about 10 seconds, which causes Jerry to run to the back and the crowd pops! Mark Henry then congrats Jake by raising his hand.

Next is the Boiler Room Brawl. Undertaker walks in and looks around for Mankind for a few minutes, then Mankind sneaks behind Undertaker hitting him with a 2x4. They brawl for about 10 minutes in the boiler room and eventually spill their way of into the hallway and then out to the arena itself. Paul Bearer is awaiting in the ring with the urn. Undertaker is able to knock Mankind onto exposed concerte outside the ring, allowing the Deadman to get in the ring and kneel before Paul asking for the urn. However Paul turns his back to Undertaker, with the Deadman starting to demand he pass the urn to him. Paul still refuses, which at this point Mankind has recovered and attacks Undertaker. Paul turns around and laughs, then with Undertaker on his knees again he hits Undertaker in the head with the urn! Deadman is out, as Paul Bearer hands Mankind the urn as Mankind wins, but more importantly Pauk Bearer has betrayed Undertaker! Paul walks to the back with Mankind, as druids come out and carry the unconscious Undertaker to the back.

*Main Event is for WWF title, as Shawn Michaels (with Jose Lothario) vs Vader (with Jim Cornette). Vader uses to powerful offense against Shawn, while HBK does fast and flying moves against him. At one point the actions spills to outside the ring, and Vader pressslams Shawn onto the guardrail. Vader gets back into the ring and referee counts out Shawn at 10. However Jim Cornette gets on mic and demands the match to get restarted, since no title changes hands on countout. Shawn agrees and match continues. At one point Jim tries hitting Shawn with his tennis racket, but Shawn blocks it and grabs the racket and hits Jim in the butt with it. Then Shawn hits Vader with the racket right in front of referee, causing a DQ. However again no title change, so Jim demands another restart. They fight again for a few minutes, then Davey Boy Smith starts running out. Davey and Jim tie up the referee as Shawn superkicks Vader and tries to pin him. However Owen Hart also runs out and with referee distracted he jumps off top rope and nails Shawn in back of his head with cast. This weakens him enough that Vader pulls him to a corner and delivers a vaderbomb. Referee turns back around as Vader pins Shawn! Vader is NEW WWF champion!!!
After the match Vader celebrates with the gold with Jim, Davey, and Owen, as Shawn looks on disappointed.

[darthobiwan]

Fantasy booking until Summerslam 1997...

Next night on Raw New Rockers come out with Sunny, who is now sporting matching colorful outfit and tassels with them (as a rocker chick). Sunny says she goes with the winners and tired of all the "losers" like Gunns, Bodydunnas, and Godwins. This also makes it the 4th straight team as champions Sunny has "managed".
Vader, Jim Cornette, Owen Harr, and Davey Smith come out with wwf title and mention how Vader is the Man now and Shawn Michaels is yesterday's news. Shawn and Jose come out and Shawn demands a rematch. Jim agrees for a rematch, on the condition that if Shawn does not win title, he can never again challenge for wwf title as long as Vader was champion. Shawn agrees, but with a condition of his own, that Jose gets to face Cornette at next ppv too. They all agree.

September In Your House ppv
New Rockers beat Smokin Gunns to stay tag team champions.
IC title tournament (I believe this was to crown champion after Ahmed Johnson was injuried): Marc Mero pins Faarooq after interference from Sunny backfires (she leaves Faarooq shortly after this). Mero is IC champion!
Wwf title match: Shawn Michaels wins by DQ when Davey and Owen run in and attack Shawn (Vader stays champion).

October In Your House ppv
Marc Mero pins Goldust to stay IC champion.
Undertaker beats Mankind in a buried alive match. Afterwards Executioner attacks Undertaker and assists Paul Bearer with burying him. Lightning strikes grave and Undertaker's hand appears, showing he will return.
Sjd & Shawn Michaels beat Vader & Owen Hart when Sid pins Owen after a powerbomb.


Survivor Series ppv
Bret Hart makes his return after being gone since Wrestlemania 12 and happens to be on same team as Shawn Michaels. Bret gets 2 eliminations (we'll say he makes Owen tap to sharpershooter, while pinning Steve Austin after a fun exchange. It comes down to Bret and Shawn on their team vs Davey Boy Smith. At one point Shawn runs into ring while the other 2 try getting to their feet, and Davey moves out of way and Shawn superkicks Bret(was it a mistake or on purpose?)! Davey pins Bret. An irate Bret is now yelling at Shawn for "screwing him". The 2 get into a shoving match, then Davey takes advantage of situation and Rolls up Shawn for a 3 count (Davey Boy is sole survivor). Bret and Shawn then brawl to the back.
Undertaker pins Mankind after tombstone. After the match Executioner runs out to attack Undertaker, which is enough for Paul Bearer to run away unharmed.
Wwf title match: Vader and Sid have 15 minute brawl, which spills to outside and both men get counted out.

December In Your House ppv
Undertaker pins Executioner after a tombstone.
Jake Roberts pins Crush after a DDT.
No Holds Barred match for wwf title: After interference from Jim Cornette, Davey Boy, and Owen, Vader pins Sid after vaderbomb and retains wwf title.

Leading up to Royal Rumble.
Hhh becomes top contender for IC title.
Owen and Davey get to challenge for Tag belts.
Stone Cold gets to challenge for wwf title.

Royal Rumble ppv
Hhh pins Marc Mero after pedigree to win IC belt!
Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith beat New Rockers and win tag team titles!
Vader vs Stone Cold Steve Austin goes to a double DQ when Austin uses a chair and Vader uses Cornette tennis racket.
Rumble match: Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart brawl a bit during the match and eliminate each other. Finals come down to Mankind (25) and Undertaker (30). Undertaker eliminated Mankind after a chokeslam and wins 1997 Royal Rumble!

Leading up to February ppv.
Bret Hart & Shawn Michaels have several brawls which interrupt several Monday Night Raw shows. This leads to them agreeing to a NO Holds Barred match at ppv, with loser must leave WWF!

February In Your House ppv.
Duane Johnson (making his wwf debut here) pins Crush after a "Rock bottom".
Undertaker & Sid beat Vader & Mankind when Undertaker pins Mankind after a tombstone.
No Holds Barred match: Bret Hart gets Shawn Michaels trapped in his sharpshooter. Referee Earl Hebner calls for the bell even though it appeared that Shawn did not give up. Vince Mcmahon, who also happened to be at ringside, whispers to Bret to "get out".
Bret Hart celebrates as he walks out. Shawn Michaels stands up yells at Vince, seems to throw a hissy fit, and storms off to the back. In this version, Vince get "fet up" with Shawn's antics and "fires him" (he possibly ends up in WCW later this year).

Leading up to Wrestlemania 13.
Bret Hart brags about sending Shawn Michaels "out of wwf". Stone Cold comes out to challenge Bret, which leads to submission match being made and Ken Shamrock (now coming to wwf) to be special referee.
Undertaker & Vader start their rivalry setting up title match.
Jake Roberts challenges HHH for "1 more shot at glory" for ic title.

Wrestlemania 13.
Duane Johnson pins Fatu (not using Sultan gimmick) After "Rock bottom".
Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith beat Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon to stay tag team champions.
Jake Roberts pins HHH after a DDT to win IC belt!
Mankind takes out Sid with a mandible claw.
Bret Hart busts open Stone Cold Steve Austin and traps him in the sharpshooter. Austin refuses to quit and passes out, causing Ken Shamrock to stop the match and Bret wins.
Same results with Shamrock pulling off Bret and Austin becoming face.
Undertaker pins Vader after vaderbomb to win WWF title!

April In Your House ppv.
Stone Cold pins Faarooq after a stunner.
Jake Roberts pins Crush after DDT to retain IC title.
Undertaker pins Mankind after a tombstone to retain WWF title. After the match Undertaker "finally " gets hands on Paul Bearer, tombstones HIM, and throws a fireball into his face.

May In Your House ppv.
Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith beat Godwins to stay tag team champions.
Ken Shamrock (making in ring wwf debut) makes Vader tap out to ankle lock.
Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin battle to a NO contest when Hart Foundation (Bret, Davey, Owen, Jim Neidhart, and Brian Pillman).

King of the Ring ppv.
Tournament finals: HHH pins Duane Johnson after pedigree to become King!
Mankind (who had recently turned face around this time) beats Crush with mandible claw.
Undertaker pins Faarooq after tombstone to stay wwf champion.

July ppv.
Duane Johnson turns heel to join Nation and assist Faarooq with beating Ahmed Johnson.
6 man tag main event: Bret, Owen, and Davey Boy beat Undertaker, Steve Austin, & Mankind when Owen rolls up Austin for a 3 count.

Leading up to Summerslam.
Bret Hart gets to challenge Undertaker for wwf title.
Austin & Mankind team up to beat Owen & Davey for Tag team titles on Raw! Sunmerslam matches to happen are Austin vs Owen and Mankind vs Davey.
New Rockers split up, this time with Leif Cassiedy turning face against Marty (kinda reverse from Shawn in 1992).

Featured Summerslam 1997 matches include...
Marty Jannetty vs Leif Cassidey (soon to be known as Al Snow).
Ken Shamrock vs HHH.
IC title match: Jake Roberts vs Duane Johnson (soon to be Rock).
Mankind vs Davey Boy Smith.
Steve Austin vs Owen Hart.
Wwf title match: Undertaker vs Bret Hart.

[darthobiwan]

Title changes/opening match/Main event changes.

Opening match: 3 in 9 (33%).
Wwf/E title: 6 in 6 (100%).
IC title: 4 in 8 (50%).
Tag Team titles: 2 in 6 (33%).
Other titles not defended at least 5 times
Women's titles: 1 in 2 (50%).
(Million $): 1 in 1 (100%).
Main Event: 7 in 9 (78%).





*Breakdown of wrestler match changes. The parentheses will show the breakdown of changing in matches favor or against.


*5 or more changes
Ultimate Warrior: 5 (1 in 5).

*4 or less changes
Bret Hart: 4 (1 in 4).
Shawn Michaels: 4 (1 in 4).
Hulk Hogan: 3 (0 in 3).
Ted Dibiase: 3 (3 in 3).
Andre The Giant: 2 (2 in 2).
Rick Rude: 2 (2 in 2).
Jim Neidhart: 2 (1 in 2).
Smash: 2 (1 in 2).
Jacques Rougeaus/Mountie: 2 (1 in 2).
Big Boss Man: 2 (1 in 2).
Randy Savage: 2 (0 in 2).
IRS: 2 (1 in 2).
Raymond Rougeaus: 1 (0 in 1).
Davey Boy Smith: 1 (1 in 1).
Dynamite Kid: 1 (1 in 1).
Honky Tonk Man: 1 (1 in 1).
Arn Anderson: 1 (0 in 1).
Tully Blanchard: 1 (0 in 1).
Akeem: 1 (1 in 1).
Ax: 1 (0 in 1).
Earthquake: 1 (1 in 1).
Crush: 1 (1 in 1).
Virgil: 1 (0 in 1).
Gen. Adnan: 1 (1 in 1).
Col. Mustafa/Iron Sheik: 1 (1 in 1).
Rick Martel: 1 (0 in 1).
Hawk: 1 (0 in 1).
Animal: 1 (0 in 1).
Lex Luger: 1 (1 in 1).
Yokozuna: 1 (0 in 1).
123 Kid/Xpac: 1 (1 in 1).
Mr. Perfect: 1 (1 in 1).
FAKE Undertaker/Brian Lee: 1 (1 in 1).
Undertaker: 1 (0 in 1).
Owen Hart: 1 (1 in 1).
Bull Nakano: 1 (1 in 1).
Alundra Blayze: 1 (0 in 1).
Mabel: 1 (1 in 1).
Diesel: 1 (0 in 1).
Razor Ramon: 1 (1 in 1).
Kane/Isaac Yankem: 1 (1 in 1).
Vader: 1 (1 in 1).
Jake Roberts: 1 (1 in 1).
Jerry Lawler: 1 (0 in 1).
Marty Jannetty: 1 (1 in 1).
Al Snow/Leif Cassiedy: 1 (1 in 1).
Billy Gunn: 1 (0 in 1).
Bart Gunn: 1 (0 in 1).

Wwf title change Streak extends to 6 now. Bret and Shawn both have 4 changes apiece and right under Warrior.