From body slams to broken hearts, SummerSlam has always been WWE’s midsummer proving ground. Since 1988, this annual event has delivered unforgettable moments, classic matches, and storyline shifts that have redefined careers. At Back Sports Page, we’re diving deep into every SummerSlam in history—breaking down the main events, spotlighting the must-watch bouts, skipping the filler, and analyzing the aftermath that shaped the future. Whether it’s legends colliding, titles changing hands, or unexpected swerves, this series captures it all. Welcome to the ultimate retrospective on The Biggest Party of the Summer.
Venue: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Date: August 20, 2006
Attendance: 16,168
MAIN EVENT:
Edge (WWE Champion, w/ Lita) vs. John Cena (WWE Championship)
Boston’s own John Cena walked into enemy territory in his hometown as boos rained down from a vocal, divided crowd. Opposite him stood Edge, at the peak of his “Rated-R Superstar” run, holding the WWE Championship with Lita at his side and complete command of the fans’ venom.
The match was personal, fast-paced, and full of interference, but Edge’s desperation to keep the title made it compelling. He used brass knuckles—slipped in by Lita—to knock Cena out and steal a win without getting disqualified. It preserved his reign while setting up a rematch with even higher stakes.
Why it Mattered:
This feud was one of the best of the Ruthless Aggression Era. Edge’s win cemented him as a main event-caliber heel, while Cena’s aura continued to build despite (or because of) his polarizing reactions.
WHAT TO WATCH:
1. D-Generation X (Triple H & Shawn Michaels) vs. The McMahons (Vince & Shane)
Classic over-the-top DX antics combined with a satisfying beatdown of the tyrannical McMahons. Comedy, chaos, and a hot crowd carried this match, with Spirit Squad interference, crotch chops, and one of the better nostalgia-driven performances from HBK and Triple H.
2. Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Orton
A “legend vs. legend killer” bout with high expectations. Hogan, in his last WWE match to date, worked his classic style, while Orton sold big and showed glimpses of the main-eventer he was destined to become. It wasn’t a technical masterpiece, but it had big fight feel and strong crowd investment.
3. Ric Flair vs. Mick Foley (I Quit Match)
Brutal and emotionally draining. This wasn’t a five-star technical match—it was a fight. With barbed wire, thumbtacks, and hard chair shots, it was violent storytelling at its most visceral. Flair’s line—“I will make you bleed!”—echoed the real-life heat between the two, and the finish (Melina throwing in the towel for Foley) kept both men protected.
WHAT TO SKIP:
Batista vs. King Booker (World Heavyweight Championship)
A lackluster match with no chemistry and a flat finish (Booker retained by DQ). The feud never hit its stride, and Batista looked rusty returning from injury. The crowd wasn’t fully into it, and the bout dragged compared to the rest of the card.
Big Show vs. Sabu (ECW Championship – Extreme Rules Match)
On paper, this should’ve delivered more. It had a few big table spots and weapons, but Sabu was overmatched, and the pacing was off. Show won clean, but the match lacked the gritty, violent edge ECW fans wanted.
AFTERMATH:
SummerSlam 2006 symbolized a bridge between generations: Hogan bowed out, Flair and Foley bled for legacy, DX mocked the system, and Edge solidified his reign as the company’s top heel. Cena’s rise didn’t stall—if anything, the hostile reactions added depth to his character. Meanwhile, the ECW revival stumbled despite its branding.
The show delivered big moments and violent drama, but above all, it marked the Ruthless Aggression Era finding its identity—and Edge standing tall at its center.
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