The WORST Moment From EVERY WWE SummerSlam

7. Double Countout Hurts ‘KofiMania’ (2019)

WWE SummerSlam Kofi Kingston Randy Orton
WWE.com

Kofi Kingston was never supposed to reach the mountaintop and become WWE Champion in 2019, but he defied the odds to launch 'KofiMania' by beating Daniel Bryan at 'Mania 35. The entire wrestling world melted in unison. They recognised Kingston's passion, and they were happy that he'd been able to bite back against a bungled 2008-2009 push by forming New Day then seizing the moment a decade or so later.

At SummerSlam, Kingston vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Title deserved better than the lame double countout finish it got. If nothing else, this was clear evidence that Vince McMahon just didn’t see Kofi as a long-term main eventer. He’d eventually drop the belt to Brock Lesnar during the first SmackDown on FOX not long after this, which put a bad taste in the mouths of millions.

It wasn't that Lesnar was a poor choice to supplant Kingston - it's that he ended a reign spotlighted for much of the year without breaking a sweat. It was back to tags and the midcard for 'KofiMania'. He'd have to perhaps win a 'KofiRumble' if he wanted another crack at the main event pack, and that was never realistically going to be the case.

Fans in Toronto for SummerSlam jeered the weak double countout result, and rightfully so. They'd waited a long time to see this rematch between old rivals, and this was what WWE's power brokers thought was best for one of the bigger pay-per-views of 2019?!

Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid booking from Vince and gang.

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.