JR, Foley, Shane, HBK & More Remember Their SummerSlam Memories

Jim Ross’ latest FOX Sports comments features both himself and other WWE alumni sharing their favorite Summerslam memories. Some highlights are below; you can read the whole thing here.

Jim Ross: “One of my favorite memories of broadcasting this classic actually did not come on television but rather on “Radio WWF” when the late Gorilla Monsoon and I called the 1994 version of SummerSlam, the first event held in the United Center in Chicago, on syndicated radio. Being able to provide the soundtrack with a legend like the Hall of Famer, the “Big Ape” as Bobby “The Brain” Heenan called his dear friend, was a bucket-list experience while bringing a unique “theater of the mind” presentation to the squared circle. I also have fond memories of broadcasting SummerSlam 1996 with Vince McMahon and the late Mr Perfect, Curt Hennig, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the same year as was I in 2007. The show emanated from Cleveland, Ohio and was highlighted by Shawn Michaels vs Vader in the featured bout that was arguably one of the more underrated main events in the 28 years of Summer Slam events which was a testament to 205 pound HBK’s amazing skill set and the athleticism of the near 400 pound former Colorado Buffalo All-American offensive lineman.

Mick Foley (1999 vs HHH and Steve Austin): “My memories of this weekend largely center around me taking batting practice the day before SummerSlam with the Minnesota Twins. I had not swung a bat since Little League and the result of my escapades in the batter’s box sent me into the match more sore than I had ever been going into any match in my career. I never hit one out of the park that day but I did take one to the warning track. I also got a cool, dark blue Twins jersey that had a nice, slimming effect on me. I wore that jersey a lot because few fans, especially in those days hated the Twins. I won my last of three WWE Titles at the ’99 SummerSlam in the Twin Cities but my hands were so sore from the batting cage experience that I couldn’t shake anyone’s hand.”

Shawn Michaels (2002 SummerSlam): “I had been away from the ring for about four years with a back injury and had every intention of the 2002 SummerSlam match vs. HHH being a one-off. I looked at it as an opportunity to have a better ending for the HBK persona after my last match at WrestleMania 14 vs Steve Austin. Hunter and I wanted to start fast to see what I could still do because you never know until you rip off the ‘band aid.’ We tried to practice the match before hand but after I hit the ropes once I said that I can’t do this and can only do it for real. I soon found out that against my friend HHH that I was back in a place that I was meant to be and with a man that I trusted. This match was really amazing considering the circumstances of me being away so long. It was one the best matches of my career and one of which I’m still very proud. Considering it wasn’t a WrestleMania match it likely gets overlooked by some but not by me.”

Eric Bischoff (2002 vs Shane McMahon): “Creative called me and laid out the idea that I would uninvitedly enter the McMahon family home in Greenwich, Connecticut, and essentially force myself on Linda McMahon. This set up the storyline with Shane McMahon who would defend his mother’s honor at the 2002 SummerSlam in Phoenix. Linda was a good sport and Vince McMahon actually produced the segment. For the match, I was not big on practice or rehearsals, which did not particularly set too well with Vince but I figured if I was going to get hurt it might as well be during the live presentation and not in practice. I trusted Shane and appreciated his physical nature but when he set me up on the Spanish announce table and climbed to the top turnbuckle to deliver an elbow on me it looked as if he was a million miles away. He protected me as best that he could but during the match I busted my head open and only realized it when I went home there in Phoenix and discovered blood in my shower, which necessitated a trip to the hospital and a few stitches. Having Steve Austin involved in that match was also very cool …. and physical.”

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