SummerSlam vs Wrestlemania

[Montana]

I think its safe to say over the past few years SummeSlam is quickly closing the GAP between WM. I mean in terms of Bigtime matchups, great wrestling, and a good all around show. So do you think SummerSlam is equal, if not better than Wrestlemania???? Here are the cards:

Wrestlemania 2008
JBL vs.Fit Finlay

CM Punk , Shelton Benjamin, Carlito, Chris Jericho, Mr. Kennedy, John Morrison, and MVP in a "money in the bank ladder" match.

Batista vs. Umaga

Kane vs. Chavo Guerrero

Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair

Beth Phoenix & Melina vs Ashley & Maria

WWE Title match
Randy Orton vs John Cena vs Triple H

Floyd Mayweather vs. The Big Show

World Title Match
The Undertaker vs. Edge

SummerSlam 2008

MVP vs. Jeff Hardy
Santino Marrella & Beth Phoenix vs. Kofi Kingston & Mickie James

ECW Championship
Matt Hardy vs. Champ Mark Henry

World Championship
CM Punk vs. John Bradshaw Layfield

WWE Champ
Triple H vs.The Great Khali

Batista vs. John Cena

Hell in a Cell
The Undertaker vs Edge

Wrestlemania 2007

Money in the Bank
Mr. Kennedy, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Edge, Randy Orton, Fit Finlay, CM Punk, and Booker T


The Great Khali vs Kane

WWE U.S. Championship
Chris Benoit vs. MVP

World Title.
Undertaker vs.Batista

Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, & Sabu vs. Marcus Cor Von, Elijah Burke, Kevin Thorn, & Matt Striker

Hair vs Hair
Bobby Lashley (with Donald Trump) vs. Umaga (with Vince McMahon) (


WWE Women's Championship
Melina vs. Ashley

WWE Championship
John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels

SummerSlam 2007

Kane vs. Fit Finlay

WWE I-C Champ
Umaga vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Carlito

Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero

Battle Royal
Beth Phoenix, Brooke Adams, Jillian Hall, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Layla El, Maria, Kristal Marshall, Michelle McCool, Melina, Victoria, and Torrie Wilson.


ECW Championship
John Morrison vs. CM Punk

Triple H vs.Booker T

World Championship
Batista vs. The Great Khali

WWE Championship
John Cena vs. Randy Orton


2006 Top WM Matches:

WWE Championship
HHH vs Cena

WOrld Championship
Angle vs Rey vs. Orton

HBK vs. Vince

Edge vs. Mick Foley

2006 SummerSlam Top Matches

WWE CHampionship
Edge vs. Cena

DX vs. Mcmahons

Randy Orton vs Hulk HOgan

Ric Flair vs. Mick Foley



What do you think??? Is it now being a fair comparisons?

 

[LKP]

I agree that summerslam is the second biggest ppv on the year behind Wrestle mania. It has good matches and good wrestling matches, but it will always be the number two show. I find that people tend to return around summerslam also so it has a lot of hype going into it. I think that summerslam like wrestlemanias MITB should have a match of its own. What do you guys think? Maybe a KOTR finals or some sort of tournament final match up? Or a stipulation match just for summerslam.

 

[MikeRaw]

I've always loved Summerslam. At times, I prefer it over Mania. I agree, definately. The gap between the two is not that huge, and main eventing Summerslam is actually a big deal in recent years.

 

[Airfixx]

Spooky....

Over the years I've often been more fond of Summerslam, but I think that's cos a hell of a lot of my old fave matches were at SSlam and I guess the guys I liked seemed to do well there......


Demolition v Hart Foundation SS88
Hart Foundation v Brainbusters SS89
Demolition v Hart Foundation SS90
Bret v Perfect SS91
Bret v Bulldog SS92
Savage v Warrior SS92
Bret v Owen SS94
FFwding ten years.... Benoit v Orton SS04

No doubt there's more.

...And yeah, I do think there's very little seperating the cards these days. IMO WM is more-so seperated by (if we're lucky) more elaborate storylines, production values, celebs and stuff like that.

 

[Moonlight Drive]

It hasn't overtaken 'Mania in any way, no show ever will, but it's definitely moved up past the Royal Rumble in recent years.

 

[Airfixx]

Until the Rumble match itself had title implications it was nowhere near the same level as SSlam. Even then I've always seen SSLam as the second biggest event of the year.

Remembering the difference in era's, the ME tag matches (megapowers/megabucks, Savage&Zues/Hogan&Beefcake, Hogan/Earthquake with corner men, Match made in hell) were a B-I-G deal!

Also Summerlsam 92 was, what, WWE's 2nd biggest ever gate?

 

[LKP]

It was yeah the 2nd biggest gate. Like i said before Summerslam should have its own match up or a final of some sorts to make it more of a gimmick match for that event. Or don't make is so gimmicky just something different for that ppv.

 

[Airfixx]

^^^The general quality of the card does a pretty decent job of seperating it from the so-called 'B' PPVs already IMO. Personally I'd rather see the gimmicks applied to said 'B' PPVs (in the vein of N.O.C., One Night Stand etc.) in an attempt to retain a steady interest throughout the year.

 

[Montana]

It hasn't overtaken 'Mania in any way, no show ever will, but it's definitely moved up past the Royal Rumble in recent years.

Not really overtaking Mania, but just noticing some of the huge matches the past few summerslams. (and years past like Airfixx mentioned)



- Cena vs Orton (First time)
- Cena vs Batista (First time)
- Edge vs Taker (HIAC)
- Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Orton (First time)
- Hulk Hogan vs Shawn Michaels (First Time)


What WM matches have they produced "Bigger" than these matches in recent years??? How far back do we need to go?

Dont get me wrong. WM has BIG matches HBK vs Flair (retirement) Undertaker vs. Batista....but i just see these as "Bigger" matches.


Looking at the trend, and this years mania card...i wouldnt be surprised if SS has a better showing as year as well.

 

[Moonlight Drive]

I see what you mean. I accredit it to the mid-season slump in ratings, as for me personally, my interest peaks at 'Mania and generally trails down until Survivor Series, so the 'E have to have something to pull the fans back in. Plus WWE seems to kick off the big feuds at Wrestlemania rather than have the big culmination there.

Cena vs Orton and Cena vs Batista were huge wastes though. Not because they were at Summerslam, but with the right build-up they could've been incredible, but it was just awful. Cena/Batista started with an accidental punch to the face, hardly the big showstopping feud they could've pulled off. Cena/Orton picked up after SS, but the initial build-up was nothing more than 'you have the belt, I want it'

 

[John]

Summerslam seems to have turned into a summer wrestlemania. And I completely agree Montana, WM has not produced any more higher quality combats than those in recent years. However, Summersam has not over-taken WM in anyway.