10 WWE SummerSlam Main Events That Changed

SummerSlam 1999

What was the main event? Steve Austin vs. Triple H vs. Mankind

What was it going to be? Steve Austin vs. Triple H / Steve Austin vs. Chyna / Steve Austin vs. Mankind

Why did it change? It’s complicated. The plan was always for Steve Austin to defend the WWF Championship against Triple H at the show but the WWF booked a roundabout way of getting to it thanks to Vince Russo’s trademark swerves.

Several contenders matches on Raw meant that at one point the advertised SummerSlam main event was Austin defending against Chyna!

Shenanigans ensued that eventually led to the match becoming a three-way with Austin, Mankind and Triple H, refereed by Governor of Minnesota and WWF legend Jesse Ventura.

The presence of Ventura is what led to Mankind getting added to the match. The original plan was for Trips to beat Austin but Ventura did not want to raise the hand of a heel. Mankind was put in the bout to win the title, get his hand raised by the Governor and then do the job to Triple H on Raw the next night.

Rumours persist – denied by all – that the real reason Mankind was inserted was because Austin refused to put Triple H over due to previous issues between them. After all, Austin could have won the match then lost to Triple H on Raw the next night . . .

• changes
• SummerSlam
• Jon Moxley
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