Summer Slam is a major WWE event, and this year it will be held over two nights. Historically, SummerSlam plays a crucial role for WWE, especially as interest tends to wane during the summer months when people spend more time outdoors. The event helps reignite fan enthusiasm and drives momentum into the rest of the year. This was particularly significant in the late 1990s during WWE’s battle with WCW in the Monday Night Wars. The 1998 SummerSlam, held during the early Attitude Era, was a showcase featuring iconic matches like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Undertaker and The Rock vs. Triple H, marking WWE’s resurgence as the premier wrestling promotion globally.
WWE Summerslam 1998 also stood out for its strong midcard performances. The event took place in front of a packed Madison Square Garden. Highlights included Jeff Jarrett losing part of his hair in a match, Edge’s rise as a star, and Owen Hart’s brutal Lion’s Den match against Ken Shamrock. While WWE dominated wrestling in the 80s and early 90s through Hulkamania, the tide turned with Hulk Hogan’s heel turn in WCW in 1996 and the formation of the NWO, making WCW the cooler promotion. WWE struggled partly due to a weaker midcard filled with less impactful characters. However, with the Attitude Era, WWE created an edgier product where even the rising stars received significant attention. SummerSlam 1998 demonstrated this shift, from D’Lo Brown defending the European Championship to engaging storylines like Jeff Jarrett’s hair match and matches that kept the audience invested, despite some uneven bouts.
The Intercontinental Championship feud between Triple H and The Rock solidified both as major stars. After the departures of Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, WWE needed fresh faces to lead the company. The 1998 SummerSlam ladder match between Rock and Triple H is now considered a classic that helped elevate both wrestlers to top-tier status in the Attitude Era. The Rock, known for his charm and catchphrases, and Triple H, with his villainous charisma, captivated the Madison Square Garden crowd, transitioning from upcoming talent to main event contenders.
The Undertaker’s match with Stone Cold Steve Austin further cemented Austin’s place as the face of WWE. After Austin won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 14 by defeating HBK, he needed a worthy rival outside of Vince McMahon. The Undertaker’s nod of respect to Austin following his loss at SummerSlam was a powerful moment, symbolizing a big endorsement from one of wrestling’s most respected legends. This gesture was not just symbolic of a passing of the torch but also solidified the Austin era, proving pivotal for WWE’s future trajectory.
Fan Take: SummerSlam 1998 is a landmark in WWE history because it marked the rise of new superstars who would define the Attitude Era and reshape professional wrestling. For fans, it signifies a turning point where storytelling, character development, and in-ring action combined to create an unforgettable event, setting a high standard for future WWE events.
