10 Times WWE Let Everyone Down At SummerSlam

5. Vader Falls To Shawn Michaels (1996)

CM Punk, Kevin Nash SummerSlam 2011
WWE.com

Vader is one of the most misused wrestlers in WWE history.

Widely regarded as one of the best gaijins to ever compete in Japan, he found tremendous success in NJPW throughout the '80s and '90s, and was able to replicate this in WCW, where he became an immediate World Heavyweight Title contender shortly after going full-time in 1992.

He was one of wrestling's greatest monster heels, but WWE never knew how to book him. Debuting in the 1996 Royal Rumble, Vader feuded with Yokozuna at first, then set his sights on WWE Champion Shawn Michaels. It started with a simple attack, escalated with Vader pinning 'HBK' in a tag match at In Your House 9, and culminated in a big SummerSlam singles bout, with Michaels' belt on the line.

This would've been the ideal moment to have Vader go over and cement him as WWE's unquestionable top dog. WWE, however, had different plans. 'The Mastodon' initially won via count out, then picked up another 'victory' via disqualification when Michaels used Jim Cornette's tennis racket.

The farce continued with a third restart, and Shawn pinned his opponent cleanly this time, effectively ending his chances of becoming a top guy.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.