10 Fascinating WWE SummerSlam 1988 Facts
5. Rick Rude's Airbrush Design Was Pat Patterson's Idea
One of the more intense feuds of the day pitted arrogant lothario Rick Rude against resolute iceman Jake Roberts. The story began with Rude making a pass at a woman he later found out was Roberts' then-wife Cheryl. An amused Cheryl rejected Rude's advance, and told him who her husband was. This didn't sit well with womanizing heel.
One of the big angles from SummerSlam 1988 took place during Rude's match with Junkyard Dog, in which Rude pulled down his own tights to reveal a second pair underneath. Those particular leggings had the image of Cheryl Roberts airbrushed on the crotch and backside of the tights, which spurred an angry Jake to hit the ring, assaulting Rude in a blind rage.
According to Bruce Prichard, the idea for that airbrush design came from Pat Patterson, and what a masterstroke it was. The stunt only added to Rude's chauvinist pig image, making him contemptible enough for the audience to root for Roberts to deliver serious comeuppance.