Title: SummerSlam 1992
Producer: WWE
Running Time: 210 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Number Of Discs: 1
Studio: Fremantle Home Entertainment
Released: August 29 2022
(Thanks to Fetch Publicity for arranging this review.)
This is our DVD review for WWE SummerSlam 1992 30th Anniversary Edition. And it’s the latest DVD review for our site. So, let’s see what we think of SummerSlam 1992!
Background
This Monday marks 30 years to the day of WWF SummerSlam 1992 taking over Wembley Stadium in London, England. The card instantly gained legendary status, and its legacy has stood the test of time. Not least due to the main event (more on that shortly), but also the grandeur surrounding the occasion. Since then, the WWF/WWE has visited the UK many times. And there are significant moments from the past three decades, including AJ Styles’ second WWE Title win in 2017. However, there still hasn’t been another large-scale PPV/PLE in the UK … until now.
On Saturday, September 2, WWE holds Clash At The Castle at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. It’s going to be an unforgettable night, especially if Drew McIntyre becomes the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. In the meantime, though, British fans are harking back to that famous night in the old Wembley. And that’s what this DVD celebrates, as we relive the most famous wrestling show ever held in Great Britain.
SummerSlam 1992 Dark Matches
Normally, the non-televised stuff barely gets a mention. Yet it’s a quirk of the card that four bouts were held in Wembley but not shown on PPV. Even stranger, one of them DID appear on the US broadcast, but not the UK version. If it sounds strange, that’s because it was and is. Mind you, the VHS (it was 1992, remember) did include all eleven matches. And for the sake of prosperity, they’re all here as well, along with the official countdown preview for the card.
Those matches are as follows: Hacksaw Jim Duggan & The Bushwhackers vs. The Mountie & The Nasty Boys; El Matador vs. Papa Shango; Tatanka vs. The Berzerker; and Crush vs. Repo Man. In all honesty, none of the four matches are particularly memorable, though the six-man tag is fun. It’s also amusing to see former Demolition teammates clash with very different characters. Nevertheless, this DVD couldn’t be as comprehensive if these matches weren’t included, so it’s great that they’re here.
Under Card
As for what DID make the original broadcast, there’s plenty of intrigue to be found. We see The Legion Of Doom battle Money Inc. in the LOD’s last WWF match until 1997. Nailz vs. Virgil helps to prepare the ex-convict for a later showdown against The Big Boss Man. Meanwhile, Shawn Michaels and Rick Martel have a rare heel vs. heel bout for the affections of Sensational Sherri. This is a weird presentation, though memorable at the same time. (By the way, I haven’t mentioned that the Wembley setting is absolutely stunning and adds a layer of significance to the event. Especially since the original Wembley no longer stands, and so this brings back plenty of fond memories.)
The Natural Disasters meet The Beverly Brothers in an average Tag Team Championship match. Much better is Macho Man Randy Savage vs. The Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Championship. The story about where Mr. Perfect and Ric Flair stand gets confusing at times, but the match as a whole is excellent. Finally, The Undertaker faces Kamala, which is really a teaser for their Coffin clash at Survivor Series. Taker has one of his first legendary entrances here as he arrives at the stadium on a hearse. That covers everything … oh wait, there’s one other match.
SummerSlam 1992 Main Event
Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog is arguably the most famous SummerSlam match of all-time. Though it’s for the Intercontinental Championship, it was the absolute main event for UK fans. The action itself is phenomenal, especially by 1992 standards when few fans cared about work rate. When you consider the real-life back story to the contest, the match becomes even more memorable, and even more special. And of course, Bulldog triumphs in his home country to a massive ovation before the family celebrates amidst fireworks. As entertaining as the other matches are, this main event is almost the sole reason for the card’s nostalgic legacy.
Funnily enough, Bret would benefit the most by becoming WWF Champion just over a month later. In contrast, Bulldog was fired by the WWF before the next PPV even came around. And it’s also fascinating to consider that, originally, this show was set to emanate from Washington, D.C. Consequently, the card would have been very different, with Bulldog slated to face Repo Man in a lower-card bout. But fate would take a different path, and the end result is an unforgettable show in London, England.
SummerSlam 1992 Summary
Despite the absence of Hulk Hogan, this card is basically my childhood in the form of one presentation. As a wrestling show, it’s a very enjoyable card, but as a spectacle, few WrestleManias can even top this. And when you consider the upcoming Clash At The Castle, it’s vital to rewatch this card again on DVD. Here’s hoping that we get memories in Cardiff to match or even surpass those from August 29 1992. But even if we don’t, I highly recommend that you get this fantastic throwback to the Golden Age.
