Hall of Fame to serve hard time

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I was happy to see earlier today that the WWE is inducting the Big Bossman into the Hall of Fame this year.  He was one of the best big men in the business.  He captured everyone's attention as Big Bubba Rogers, defending the honor of Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express.  

Bossman vs. Hogan
Courtesy: WWE

Bubba quickly stepped out of that role and became an established star when he pinned the One Man Gang for the UWF Heavyweight title.  Eventually he'd make to the land of big men, the WWF, and take on a new persona as the Big Bossman.  He prison guard from Cobb County, Georgia almost immediately took aim at Hulk Hogan.  The cage match between the two on Saturday Night's Main Event in 1989 proved to me that Bossman had truly earned his stripes.

Bossman vs. Mr. Perfect
Courtesy: WWE

A face turn a year later and a significant amount of weight loss made Bossman even better in the ring.  He was quicker and more agile and still as aggressive as ever.  Feuds with Ted DiBiase, Mr. Perfect and The Mountie are a few of my favorite from that era.  He very nearly walked out of WrestleMania VII with the Intercontinental Championship.

Hardcore Champion
Courtesy: WWE

But all good things must come to an end and Bossman went back to WCW, under several different gimmicks.  I was happy to see him return to WWF a few years later as an updated version of the Big Bossman.  He and Ken Shamrock won the tag team titles and Bossman held the Hardcore Championship too. But let's not speak of the Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania XIV or the Kennel from Hell match.  

In 1998 I had a chance to interview Ray Traylor (along with Bobby Heenan) who had just left the nWo in WCW.  He's in character for it and it's very brief, but I appreciate the chance to have met him.  May he rest in peace.

SummerSlam: A to Z: Owen Hart

So close to the gold...
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Although he's been gone for more than 15 years, Owen Hart's history with SummerSlam is rich.  He was a part of one of the best main events in the history of the summertime tradition when he wrestled his older brother Bret in a cage match in 1994.  That match was for the WWF championship and came on the heels of Owen being crowned the King of the Ring.  If that match happened when there were two different brands, I have no doubt Owen would have won the championship.  He was so talented and is missed to this day.

Owen vs. Austin
Courtesy: WWE

The SummerSlam Owen has become infamous for is the event in 1997.  He was defending the Intercontinental title against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.  Near the end of the match Owen messed up a reverse piledriver, causing the Rattlesnake's head to hit the mat and jamming his neck.  The move took a lot out of Austin and it's clear that Owen helps in the closing moments, essentially pinning himself to lose the title.  The move changed Austin's career forever and I think it's safe to say shortened his time in the ring significantly.  It was clearly an accident and as I fan of both men I never held any ill will toward Owen.  

In the Lion's Den against Shamrock
Courtesy: WWE

Owen only won one of his four SummerSlam encounters.  The victory came in 1996 against Savio Vega.  The two had spent the summer feuding and I watched the two at a house show in St. Louis a couple months earlier.  Savio won that match.  And in his final SummerSlam in 1998 he battled Ken Shamrock in the previously blogged about Lion's Den match.  His won-loss record wasn't as nearly as impressive as the work he did inside the ring.  Win or lose Owen will always be remembered as one of the all-time greats.  May he continue to rest in peace.

SummerSlam: A to Z: Lion's Den Matches

Owen Hart vs. Ken Shamrock
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The Attitude Era in the WWF saw an uptick in hardcore style matches.  Besides the Hardcore championship fans were introduced to Hell in a Cell and on a lesser scale Lion's Den matches.  The company was cashing in on the popularity of UFC and SummerSlam '98 and '99 former champion Ken Shamrock stepped into the den.

At SummerSlam '98 it was Owen Hart on the other side of the den against Shamrock.  Owen had another MMA competitor and champion turned wrestler Dan "The Beast" Severn in his corner.  I don't remember Shamrock and Severn ever actually having a match in the WWF, this may have been the closet the two MMA stars came to doing battle.  Shamrock not surprisingly won the match with Owen.  

Battling Steve Blackman
Courtesy: WWE

A year later it was Steve Blackman's turn to step inside cage.  This time around though the combatants were allowed to bring a weapon into the ring.  Shamrock ended up knocking out Blackman with a kendo stick to win the match.

Ref's eye view
Courtesy: WWE

On TV the Lion's Den matches came off just fine, but I would imagine seeing it at the arena would be difficult if you weren't seated right near that area.  Neither match lasted terribly long, so I guess that would make up for the lack of not being able to see.