31 Years Of WWE SummerSlam Mistakes

21. SummerSlam '97 - Owen's Botch

SummerSlam 97 Mistake
WWE

An unintentional mistake for sure, but a mistake nonetheless. And a pretty major one at that.

We all know the story here. Austin, his star soaring following his WrestleMania 13 face turn, was all set to capture Owen Hart's Intercontinental Title as part of his slow-build to the main-event, with an added kicker that the loser had to pucker up to their conquerors' bum. Nothing makes the taste of success sweeter than having your bottom moistened by a beaten foe.

Unfortunately, though Austin won the match, he was to be denied the celebratory buttock-sucking. About quarter-of-an hour in, the 'King of Harts' hoisted the 'Rattlesnake' up for a piledriver - then legal - only to drop his opponent's head flat into the mat. The impact broke Austin's neck instantly.

The stricken 'Stone Cold' was temporarily paralysed as a panicked Owen stalled while grasping for a solution. Eventually - and miraculously - Austin recovered just enough to catch Owen in a sneaky school-boy and claim the win. It was a fortunate end, and with some irony, the mistake would ultimately catapult Austin's career into the stratosphere, when he forced out the ring and onto the mic.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.