10 Most Brutal SummerSlam Moments Of All Time
WWE's flagship summer event isn't all sunshine and joy...
Despite the upbeat ad campaigns and typically colourful aesthetic, SummerSlam is not a particularly lighthearted part of the WWE calendar. Over the course of the event's history, it has been just as likely a sight of blood, brutality and extreme violence as any other time of year - perhaps even more so, given the marquee matches and elevated stakes associated with the PPV.
These moments take a variety of forms, from nasty bumps to bloody showdowns, and even a slightly more comedic moment or two (which still seem painful for those involved, rest assured). The usual suspects are here, from Mankind to Lesnar, but look out for one or two less likely faces - particularly a certain Jim Ross!
Of course, most of these moments are from before the PG Era, but that's not to say there aren't a couple of more recent incidents present - including one from last year's event, which you'll almost certainly be able to guess if you witnessed it.
Let's indulge our bloodthirsty sides as we look ahead to this year's SummerSlam. It may seem unlikely in today's kid-friendly WWE landscape, but we could potentially see a moment worth of making this list...
10. Mankind Jumps From The Cage - 1997
Big fans of Mick Foley will know the story of his admiration for Jimmy Snuka. The future hardcore legend was in attendance as a child, watching his hero leap from the top of a steel cage in Madison Square Graden - a moment he has since cited as a major inspiration for his professional wrestling career.
However, even if you were aware of this story prior to his cage match with Hunter Hearst Helmsley at SummerSlam 1997, you might still have been surprised to see Foley take flight with a terrifying elbow drop. Although no stranger to danger, he was far more synonymous with weapon shots and general sadism, as opposed to stomach-churning high spots. This was, remember, before his infamous plummet at King of the Ring 1998.
Nevertheless, Foley - in his Mankind persona - eschewed a straightforward escape victory to first crush Triple H with the (admittedly clumsy) move, landing with a wince-inducing thud in the process. The match may have not been the best in terms of overall quality, but it at least contained a memorable moment to open SummerSlam 1997 with a bang.