10 Times WWE Missed Opportunities To Create Lasting Main Event Superstars

4. Vader Vs. Shawn Michaels (SummerSlam '96)

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WWE

If Luger failing to win the title at SummerSlam '93 was the epitome of a babyface's career destruction, Vader at SummerSlam '96 was the heel inverse.

Since debuting at the 1996 Royal Rumble, Vader seemed destined to win the WWF Championship and at SummerSlam, he was supposed to dethrone WWF Champion Shawn Michaels. That is until Shawn successfully lobbied to have the finish changed; Michaels left Cleveland's Gund Arena with the title, eventually pinning Vader after a moonsault.

During the match, an out of character Michaels displayed his legitimate frustrations with Vader, making the Mastodon look foolish. This did nothing to help Vader's gimmick as a big, nasty heel and his upcoming title run went from being delayed 'til Survivor Series to being cancelled altogether. The belt was instead transferred to Sycho Sid. Vader couldn't regain the heat and momentum he lost at SummerSlam, and his career suffered tremendously.

Vader went from the number one heel in the company to being booked to call himself a "fat piece of sh*t" on WWF Pay-Per-View a little over a year later.

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Contributor

A former stuntman for Paramount Pictures, Matt enjoys sports, water skiing, driving fast, the beach, professional wrestling, technology, and scotch. At the same time, whenever possible. Having attended many famous (and infamous) shows including WrestleMania XV, In Your House: Mind Games, and the 1995 King of the Ring, Matt has been a lifelong professional sports and wrestling fan. Matt's been mentioned in numerous wrestling podcasts including the Steve Austin Show: Unleashed, Talk Is Jericho, and Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard. As a former countywide performer, Matt has been referred to as Mr. 300 for his amazing accomplishments in the world of amateur bowling. He is also the only man on record to have pitched back-to-back no hitters in the Veterans Stadium Wiffle Ball League of 2003.