10 Biggest WWE Summerslam Controversies

5. Steve Austin Won’t Put Triple H Over

Chris Jericho Brock Lesnar Randy Orton Paul Heyman WWE SummerSlam 2016
WWE.com

When: SummerSlam 1999

What Happened: Eek!

It's important to point out that this wasn't 100% 'Stone Cold'. Vince McMahon called the shots in the WWF, and he agreed with his top star that future son-in-law Triple H wasn't quite ready to beat the meal ticket at SummerSlam 1999; Bruce Prichard has discussed that before on his pod.

However, it is true that Austin didn't think Hunter should be bagging the WWF's top prize on the August '99 pay-per-view. That's why Mick Foley, as Mankind, took the belt on that show then dropped it to Trips 24 hours later on Raw. He was a buffer between Austin and 'The Game'.

This is rather controversial in retrospect, because Triple H obviously went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. The fact he was deemed unworthy to win the WWF Title at SummerSlam is mind-boggling stuff today, not least because Hunter and Austin proceeded to work extensively afterwards.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.