10 Fascinating WWE SummerSlam 1988 Facts

8. The Theme Song Later Became More Well-Known As The Royal Rumble Theme

Nothing beats classic WWE pay-per-view themes. There's a certain magic in Jim Johnston's blend of rhythm guitars, synthesizers, and brass instruments that would herald the classic four pay-per-views. The theme song for the 1988 SummerSlam is quite recognizable to fans of the era, an infectiously-upbeat bit of trop-rock ripped right out of the John Tesh playbook. Sure beats the overwrought, hook-laden garbage they pick for theme songs today.

The theme song in question would only accompany SummerSlam for the 1988 and 1989 editions, before being replaced by a heavier, more intense rock-piece that sadly does not seem to exist in clear and complete form. However, that original SummerSlam theme would be reborn as the theme for the Royal Rumble, in particular the 1991 through 1994 events.

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Justin has been a wrestling fan since 1989, and has been writing about it since 2009. Since 2014, Justin has been a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine. Justin also writes for History of Wrestling, and is a contributing author to James Dixon's Titan series.