14 Best WWE Title Changes At SummerSlam

By Scott Carlson / August 19, 2016

When SummerSlam first entered our homes 28 years ago, wrestling pay-per-views were still in their toddler phase. WrestleMania IV had just taken place a few months earlier, and the first Survivor Series occurred the previous Thanksgiving. But the (then) WWF knew even back then that one of the biggest draws for a major PPV was to give fans a significant title change, as the first SummerSlam produced one of the most memorable title changes (more on that later).

SummerSlam is often billed as “The Biggest Party of the Summer”, and Sunday night’s 29th instalment will probably ensure it continues to live up to that billing. With six title matches on the 11-match card, it’s likely we’ll have a couple new champions to add to the more than 30 new champs that have been crowned at SummerSlams gone by.

Throughout SummerSlam’s history, some of these matches have been truly memorable affairs – the sight of the new champ hoisting the title high is a visual that sticks with fans for years afterwards.

These selections are not based solely (or even mainly) on match quality, but also how important said title change was going forward. Did it create a new star? Did it cause a major shift in future storylines? These are the title changes that matter, the ones whose reverberations are felt well after the match ended and the PPV ceased transmission.

Let’s take a look at some of the most significant title changes in WWE SummerSlam history…

14. Million Dollar Championship (1991): Ted DiBiase (c) Vs. Virgil

While the Million Dollar Championship wasn’t an officially sanctioned WWF title, it still was defended from time to time and was even stolen once. When Virgil finally had enough of Ted DiBiase’s abuse and finally stood up for himself, it led to a SummerSlam showdown for DiBiase’s prized possession.

The match itself was pretty pedestrian compared to others (including another title change on the same 1991 card), but the crowd reaction throughout was off the charts. People bought into the entire angle and were firmly behind Virgil, making his victory and capturing of the belt a really special moment.

Honourable mentions go to 1989’s Intercontinental Championship match between champ “Ravishing” Rick Rude and The Ultimate Warrior, and 1997’s IC scuffle between Owen Hart and Steve Austin, which is more infamous for how it altered Austin’s career trajectory than for being a great title change.