As sure as my eyes are blue, I enjoy my tradition of viewing every pay-per-view leading up to the current pay-per-view event. Tonight is SummerSlam 2021 and I have re-watched every SummerSlam since 1988. It was both nostalgic and bittersweet. The first ever "party of the summer" took place at Madison Square Garden with 30,000 fans in attendance. The very first match was the Rougeau Brothers verses Dynamite Kid (1958-2018) and Davey Boy Smith (1962-2002) aka, the British Bulldogs, accompanied by their four legged mascot Matilda. Referee Joey Marella (1963-1994) had no choice but to declare the match a draw because of an expired time limit. I can't remember when WWE got rid of time limits but thank goodness they did. Also, I don't know that I necessarily miss the days when wrestlers would come to the ring with a "pet", but it was definitely a staple of the 1980. Remember Coco B. Ware and his parrot Frankie? How about Jake "The Snake" Roberts and his snake Damien?
What's bittersweet about revisiting the moments that defined my childhood was seeing and hearing icons that have since passed away. Gorilla Monsoon (1937-1999) was a phenominal commentator. A former wrestler himself, he would speak like the Audible version of Grey's Anatomy. He was also the best straight man for his future sidekick at the announce table, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (1944-2017). They, in my opinion, were the best commentators ever.
Focusing further on SummerSlam '88, the third match of the evening was Ravishing Rick Rude (1958-1999) squaring up against the Junkyard Dog (1952-1998). Rude is accompanied to the ring by his manager Bobby Heenan. In addition to time limits, WWE has also gotten rid of managers. Gone are the days of Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart, Mr. Fuji (1934-2016), Paul Bearer (1954-2013), Miss Elizabeth (1960-2003), etc.
Before I get to my thoughts and predictions for SummerSlam '21, I just want to highlight the main event of the very first SummerSlam. In 1988, the highlight of the evening saw Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage (1952-2011), aka, the Mega Powers squaring up against the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant (1946-1993), aka, the Mega Bucks. Miss Elizabeth was in the corner of Randy and Hulk, while Bobby Heenan occupied the corner of Ted and Andre. The special referee was Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Who on earth could have ever predicted that the future governor of Minnesota would be calling a match in the world of sports entertainment involving a giant and future hall of famers? The Mega Powers would win the match with the help of Miss Elizabeth who takes off her skirt for a distraction.
It was such a great feeling re-living memories of yesterday. Now the time has come to add to those moments. Here are my predictions for tonight's SummerSlam.
- Roman Reigns (C) v. John Cena (championship): Roman retains. Cena's just stopping by.
- Nikki Cross (C) v. Rhea Ripley v. Charlotte Flair (championship): I don't know
- Goldberg v. Lashley (C) (championship): Lashley retains. Goldberg is just stopping by.
- Bianca Belair (C) v. Sasha Banks (championship): Banks wins.
- Edge v. Seth Rollins: Edge wins.
- Usos (C) v. The Mysterios (championship): Usos retain
- Sheamus (C) v. Damien Priest (championship): Priest wins.
- Drew McIntyre v. Jinder Mahal: I LOVE both men but I'm choosing McIntyre.
- AJ Styles and Omos (C) v. Randy Orton and Matt Riddle (championship): Randy and Matt win
- Alexa Bliss v. Eva Marie: I don't care. Just make it a short match.
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