One MIND-BLOWING Secret For Every WWE SummerSlam

13. 2013 | You’ve Done It Now

the shield tag champions
WWE.com

WWE phased down the Undertaker at his request in the 2010s. He was broken-down after a remarkable 23 years of service by 2013. To put into perspective how impressive that was, the WWF marketed ‘Taker’s longevity as a huge deal by promoting his ‘Decade of Destruction’ in the Attitude Era. Then, he casually repeated the feat. And then some.

Around this time, the Dead Man would disappear from TV every time he dragged himself through yet another incredible WrestleMania match. In 2013, WWE actually did some forward-thinking, in that ‘Taker was written off when he was brutalised by the Shield on SmackDown. Per the June 12, 2013 issue of the Figure Four Weekly newsletter, this angle was booked to set up the Shield Vs. the Brothers of Destruction at SummerSlam. That would have ruled. (Yes, Kane was involved, but he was only really bad in straight singles matches, and the Shield worked wonders with him in their TLC 2012 debut match). The Shield also needed the match. The group was losing momentum; in a bleak indictment of WWE’s raft of titles, the group were never less over than when they had picked up United States and Tag Team gold. 

As it happens, only one Shield member ended up wrestling on a show that a banged-up ‘Taker could not make: Dean Ambrose, who lost via disqualification to Rob Van Dam in an awkward styles clash of a dark match. 

Additionally, WWE discussed Mark Henry Vs. Big E in a potential big feller torch-pass. It didn’t happen. WWE wasn’t keen on actually putting new guys all the way over in 2013. Or 2014. Or 2015. Or 2016. Or…

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!