5 Things To Watch On WWE Network This Week

by Jamie Kennedy

1. SummerSlam 1997

Bret Hart Owen Hart British Bulldog SummerSlam 1997
WWE.com

Next week, WWE will present the 31st SummerSlam. Back in 1997, they were preparing for the 10th, and planned to capitalise on the furore surrounding Bret Hart's recent heel turn in the United States. This is a sweet snapshot of that weird time in the promotion as they balanced between family friendly "New Generation" and bold new "Attitude".

There are some hot matches on there.

Hart vs. The Undertaker (complete with Shawn Michaels' stunning performance as special guest referee) is the most enjoyable. It's also one of the best matches they'd ever have together, and way more fun than their slightly anaemic match at Royal Rumble 1996.

Then, there's the infamous botched Piledriver from Owen Hart that changed Steve Austin's career forever, and Triple H vs. Mankind in a hard-hitting Steel Cage effort. This is a reminder of when WWE got it right at SummerSlam, vindicating that "biggest party of the summer" branding.

It's well-worth looking back on.

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What have you been watching on the Network recently? Let the world know, and recommend some things, down in the comments section below!

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Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.