10 Classic Wrestling Matches You Didn't Know Bombed

2. Shawn Michaels Vs. Vader - WWF SummerSlam 1996

Elimination Chamber Triple H
WWE.com

More infamous than classic - though its reputation does obscure a few, intoxicating glimpses into a blow-away awesome dynamic in a less politicised alternate universe - it's also fairly common knowledge that 1996 wasn't a great year for WWF business, nor was Shawn Michaels an effective draw as WWF Champion.

But the extent to which SummerSlam 1996 bombed is eye-watering.

Now, the show was held almost immediately after the nWo caught ablaze, and it was thus impossible for fans to care about little else, despite some excellent and creative WWF product.

But 157,000 was an abysmal number for the company's second-biggest signature event. SummerSlam 1996 drew what was then the third-lowest buy rate in company history, behind King Of The Ring 1995 and Survivor Series 1995. Diesel was calculably the worst-performing WWF Champion ever - he headlined those two disasters - but Michaels was not far off, and doesn't attract anywhere near the stigma. His big babyface push, incidentally, drew 50,000 less buys than Diesel's first WWF Title defence between WrestleManias XI and XII, both of which were supported by special attractions in Lawrence Taylor and a returning Ultimate Warrior.

Perhaps Shawn's super-worker status saves his rep somewhat.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!