10 Worst SummerSlam Main Events Ever - According To Dave Meltzer

8. SummerSlam 1988 - The Mega Powers Vs The Mega Bucks (**3/4)

Brock Lesnar Randy Orton
WWE

1980s WWE Hulk Hogan formula matches either age like a fine wine or date like badly rotting grapes, depending on the prism they're viewed through. They're safe but stoic. They can drag, but delight. Both elements were at play when his sagging rivalry with Andre The Giant dovetailed into the burgeoning tension rooted deep within 'The Mega Powers'.

Inarguably one of the greatest ever professional wrestlers for how he galvanised crowds behind his plight, 'The Hulkster' brought an epic pathos to virtually every battle, and his tempestuous relationship with Randy Savage only contributed even more drama to SummerSlam's first ever main event.

Hogan and his WWE Champion compadre had repeatedly promised a 'secret weapon' they'd unleash if things looked bleak, and sure enough the pair were left for dead on the arena floor as the match wore on.

At that point, Elizabeth demurely traversed the apron, tearing away her skirt to completely confound both heels and tacitly corrupt referee Jesse 'The Body' Ventura, allowing Hogan and Savage to tie things up quickly with their Elbow/Leg Drop combo.

As with most Hogan/Savage contests at the time, the action peaked in the post-match, with the sight of yet another jealous Randy stare as his partner shared an innocent celebratory hug with Elizabeth.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett