Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City
Date: August 26, 1991
Attendance: 20,000
MAIN EVENT:
Hulk Hogan & The Ultimate Warrior vs. Sgt. Slaughter, Col. Mustafa & General Adnan (Handicap Tag Match – “Match Made in Hell”)
Special Referee: Sid Justice
In the wake of WrestleMania VII’s patriotic main event, the WWF doubled down on Americana with a heated handicap match pitting top babyfaces Hogan and Warrior against the remnants of the “anti-American” alliance led by Slaughter. This was billed as the “Match Made in Hell,” and though it wasn’t a classic in terms of in-ring quality, it was heavy on spectacle and symbolism.
Hogan and Warrior overcame the odds, though the spotlight tilted back toward Hogan by the finish, with Warrior disappearing quickly post-match. (Rumors of backstage disputes and Warrior’s sudden suspension shortly after played a role in this abrupt departure.)
Why it Mattered:
This was the end of the road for Slaughter’s main event run and the official curtain call for the Warrior-Hogan pairing. It also introduced Sid Justice into the main-event mix, planting seeds for future angles that would carry into 1992.
WHAT TO WATCH:
1. Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. Mr. Perfect (Intercontinental Championship)
A masterpiece. Despite a serious back injury, Mr. Perfect delivered one of the best performances of his career, and Bret Hart was officially born as a singles star. The pacing, psychology, and clean finish make this one of SummerSlam’s all-time best matches.
2. The Legion of Doom vs. The Nasty Boys (Street Fight – Tag Team Titles)
Short, chaotic, and loud. LOD became the first team to win the AWA, NWA, and WWF tag titles, and the crowd’s reaction made this a high-octane highlight.
3. The Wedding of Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth (“Match Made in Heaven”)
Not a match, but a major storyline moment. After years of drama and heartache, the on-screen wedding between Savage and Elizabeth offered a fairy-tale finish—though it would quickly turn tragic with the post-reception attack from Jake Roberts and The Undertaker in the weeks that followed.
WHAT TO SKIP:
IRS vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine
Technically fine but unmemorable. A basic showcase for the debuting IRS that felt like filler between hotter programs.
Natural Disasters vs. The Bushwhackers
Mostly comedy, with very little substance. Earthquake and Typhoon deserved a more serious challenge.
AFTERMATH:
SummerSlam 1991 acted as a hinge point. Bret Hart stepped into the Intercontinental spotlight while the Warrior exited abruptly. Savage and Elizabeth’s storybook wedding gave fans emotional closure before chaos returned to their lives. Hogan remained the top dog, but Sid Justice’s involvement hinted at what was coming in 1992.
With a mix of real-life tension and brilliant in-ring moments—particularly the Hart-Perfect classic—SummerSlam ’91 remains one of the most remembered and emotionally loaded events of the era.b
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