SummerSlam (2007)

Infobox Wrestling event
name=SummerSlam (2007)


tagline=The Biggest Party of the Summer"cite web|first=Greg|last=Adkins|date=2007-08-27|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/exclusives/summerslam20|title=The party to end all parties|accessdate=2007-10-25|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment]
"The Party is Over
theme="Whine Up" (Kat DeLuna with Elephant Man) [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/news/katdeluna|title="Whine up" to SummerSlam |publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-09-03|last=Medalis|first=Kara A.|date=2007-07-26]
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=Raw
SmackDown!
ECW
date=August 26 2007cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/events/eventdetail/?id=3900062 |title=SummerSlam details|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-09-03]
venue=Continental Airlines Arenacite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/summerslamvenue|title=Hot summer in Jersey|date=2006-12-29|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate= 2007-09-03]
city=East Rutherford, New Jersey
attendance=17,441cite web|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/summer.html#2007|title=SummerSlam 2007 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|accessdate=2007-12-08] cite video|title=SummerSlam 2007|medium=DVD|publisher=WWE Home Video|location=Stamford, Connecticut|year2=2007|id=WWE94600]
lastevent=The Great American Bash (2007)
nextevent=Unforgiven (2007)
event=SummerSlam
lastevent2=SummerSlam (2006)
nextevent2=SummerSlam (2008)

SummerSlam (2007) was the twentieth annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).cite web|title=SummerSlam sellout|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/summerslam07soldout|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=2006-12-30|accessdate=2007-06-10] It took place on August 26 2007 at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey and featured talent from each of WWE's three brands: Raw, SmackDown!, and ECW.cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/08/27/4450221.html|first=Dale|last=Plummer|coauthors=Tylwalk, Nick|title=Returns highlight SummerSlam|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports|date=2007-08-27|accessdate=2007-10-24] Tickets for SummerSlam went on sale December 30 and sold out in forty minutes.

The main feud, a staged rivalry between wrestlers, heading into the event from the Raw brand was between John Cena and Randy Orton. On the July 23 edition of "Raw", Jonathan Coachman announced Orton as the number-one contender to the WWE Championship.cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=2007-07-23|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07232007/articles/cenaincrosshairs|title=The Champ in RKO's Crosshairs|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-12-08] Over the proceeding weeks, Orton provoked Cena by interfering and attacking him during his matches.cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date =2007-07-30|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07302007/articles/ortonmindgames|title=No More Laughing Matters|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-12-15] cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|date=2007-08-18|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/articles/ortoncena|title=Legend Killer strikes on Saturday Night|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-21] From SmackDown!, the predominant feud was between The Great Khali (Dalip Singh Rana) and Batista (Dave Bautista, Jr.). After Khali defeated Batista and Kane (Glen Jacobs) in a Triple Threat match, a match between three wrestlers contested under standard rules,cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|date=2007-07-22|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/matches/408116411/results/|title=The Great Khali wins the big one|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment| accessdate=2008-02-02] Theodore Long booked Khali to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Batista at SummerSlam.cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=2007-08-03|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08032007/articles/khalistandstall|title=Caught in the clutches|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-02-02] The primary feud from ECW was between John Morrison (John Hennigan) and CM Punk (Phil Brooks). By defeating Morrison in a 15 Minutes of Fame match, Punk became the number-one contender to the ECW Championship at SummerSlam.cite web|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|date=2007-08-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/articles/49261561/punkshines|title=Punk gets a golden chance|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-12-15]

The card, or lineup of matches, featured a total of nine contests: six standard one-on-one matches, one Triple Threat match, one impromptu beer drinking contest, and one battle royal involving twelve female wrestlers. Each of the standard one-on-one matches could have been won by one of four ways (pinfall, submission, countout, or disqualification). Likewise, each one-on-one match could have ended in either a draw, where both men are declared the winner, or a no-contest, where neither man is declared the winner. Four of WWE's nine championships were contested for; none were lost as all four were retained. A championship could have been won only via pinfall or submission, but could have been retained via pinfall, submission, countout, disqualification, a draw or no-contest.

The main match on the Raw brand was John Cena versus Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, which Cena won by pinfall after performing an FU (fireman's carry takeover).cite web|first=Bryan| last=Robinson|date=2007-08-26|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/3900088/results/|title=Champ's legend lives on|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-09-03] The predominant match on the SmackDown! brand was between The Great Khali and Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Batista won after Khali intentionally disqualified himself for hitting Batista with a steel chair.cite web|first=Louie| last=Dee|date=2007-08-26|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/39000883/results/|title=Punjabi robbery|publisher= WWE|accessdate=2007-09-03] The primary match on the ECW brand was John Morrison versus CM Punk for the ECW Championship, which Morrison won by pinning Punk while holding the ropes for extra leverage.cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|date=2007-08-26|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/3900088311/results/|title=Enlightened robbery|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-09-03] Featured matches on the undercard included Rey Mysterio (Oscar Gutierrez) versus Chavo Guerrero (Salvadore Guerrero IV) and Triple H (Paul Levesque) versus King Booker (Booker Huffman).cite web|first=Mike|last= McAvennie|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/390008832/results/|title=Mysterio soars in his return|publisher= WWE|accessdate=2007-09-03] cite web|first=Corey|last= Clayton|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/390008831/results/|title=The proper pedigree: Triple H shows Booker who’s king| publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-09-03]

Several of the existing feuds carried on after the event. Notably, CM Punk continued to face John Morrison, defeating him for the ECW Championship the following month on "ECW".cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|title= Commencing a new era of Punk|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/09042007/articles/commencepunkera|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date= 2007-09-04| accessdate=2007-11-21] cite web|title=CM Punk's first ECW Championship reign|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/history/ecwchampionship/20070901punk|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-21] The day after SummerSlam, Orton, as part of the scripted events, interfered in a match between Cena and King Booker and intensified the feud by attacking Cena's father.cite web|title=Cena's father taken to medical facility for tests| first=Bryan|last=Robinson|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08272007/articles/testsforcenasdad|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=2007-08-27|accessdate=2007-11-21] Khali and Batista faced each other at Unforgiven, the following pay-per-view, as part of a Triple Threat match; Batista was victorious in this match and won the World Heavyweight Championship.cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|title=Destined for gold|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/48366501/results1|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=2007-09-17|accessdate=2007-11-21] cite web|title=Batista's first World Heavyweight Championship reign|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/50797501|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-16]

Background

World Wrestling Entertainment had originally planned a storyline between the cast of the "Jackass" TV series and Umaga (Eddie Fatu), with the conclusion in a match at SummerSlam.cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-07-24|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1185301891.shtml|title=Plans to involve 'Jackass' at SummerSlam on August 26 now off - more|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-08] It was scheduled to begin at the previous pay-per-view event, The Great American Bash, but was canceled after the "Jackass" cast dropped out due to the negative media attention surrounding the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide.

The main staged rivalry heading into SummerSlam on the Raw brand was between John Cena and Randy Orton over the WWE Championship. At The Great American Bash, Cena defeated Bobby Lashley (Franklin Lashley) to retain the WWE Championship. [cite news|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/matches/4081164111/results/|title=One WWE Champion, but two champions at heart|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-06|date=2007-07-22] [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-07-22|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1185158905.shtml|title=Great American Bash PPV Results 7/22 San Jose, CA (Cena/Lashley)|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-02-07] The next night on "Raw", one of three main television programs of WWE (along with "SmackDown!" and "ECW"), after a Handicap match involving Cena, Orton came out and executed an jumping cutter on Cena. Shortly thereafter, Executive Assistant Jonathan Coachman announced Orton as the new number-one contender to the WWE Championship. Before that, Orton claimed that he had never faced Cena in a one-on-one WWE Championship match. On the July 30 edition of "Raw", Carlito (Carlos Colón, Jr.) defeated Cena in a non-title match after Orton interfered and distracted Cena. Three weeks later, on the August 18 edition of "Saturday Night's Main Event", Cena faced off against Carlito in another non-title match, which Cena won. After the match, Orton came out and attacked Cena, which led to a jumping cutter from Orton through a steel chair.

The main storyline on the SmackDown! brand was between The Great Khali and Batista over the World Heavyweight Championship. On the July 6 edition of "SmackDown!", Khali issued an open challenge for a match at The Great American Bash, which was accepted by Batista later that night. [cite web|first=Andy|last=McNamara|date=2007-07-06|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/07/07/4321153.html|title=SmackDown: The Great Khali runs wild|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2008-06-07] On "SmackDown!" the following week, the match between Khali and Batista was made official after a contract signing. [cite web|first=Jon|last=Waldman|date=2007-07-13|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/07/14/4338373.html|title=SmackDown: An unlucky day for Cruiserweights|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2008-06-07] That same night, then-World Heavyweight Champion Edge (Adam Copeland), who was scheduled to face Kane (Glen Jacobs) for the title at The Great American Bash, suffered a real injury—a left pectoral muscle tear—after Kane interrupted his Mardi Gras style celebration.cite web|first=Jon|last=Waldman|date=2007-07-13|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/07/21/4356566.html|title=SmackDown: A champion is crowned|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2008-06-07] On the July 20 edition of "SmackDown!", Edge was forced to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship due to the severity of his injury.cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|date=2007-07-20|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07202007/|title=Giant change to Friday nights|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-02-02]

quote|I’m still the rightful champion. My pectoral muscle is hanging on by a single fiber; literally hanging from the bone. Theodore Long comes out and strips me of what I’ve worked for my entire career—from childhood until now. My mood is obviously not great right now. I’m disgusted.

I go out there and put my body through hell. I’ve broken my neck, dislocated my shoulder twice, torn my other peck, my elbows are mush, I have two protruding discs in my lower back. I even got bit by a brown recluse spider that turned into a flesh-eating disease—the list goes on. I still go out there and prove that I am the best.

Why do I still do this? Not for them. I do it for my pride. I don’t give a rat’s ass what the fans think. I never have. That’s not how I operate. I know that fans will be happy with this, and that pisses me off. I’ve come to the realization that our fans never will appreciate me. But they had to live with me as their champion, and when I return and become a four-time World Champion, they’ll have to deal with me again.|Edge commenting on his injury.cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|date=2007-07-17|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07202007/articles/edgerelionquishestitle|title=Edge stripped|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment| accessdate=2008-02-02]

SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long then announced that there would be a 20-man Battle Royal later that night to determine a new World Heavyweight Champion.cite web |first=Louie|last=Dee|date=2007-07-20|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07202007/articles/worldtitle|title=Once, twice, three times a shocker|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-02-02] As part of the scripted events, Khali won the Battle Royal and became the new World Heavyweight Champion by last eliminating Kane and Batista. Khali defeated the two, as part of the storyline, and retained the title at The Great American Bash. [cite web|author=Dale Plummer and Nick Tylwalk|date =2007-07-27|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/08/27/4450221.html|title=Cena still champ after busy Bash|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2008-02-02] Five days later, on "SmackDown!", Batista, as part of the scripted events, interrupted Khali's celebration and challenged him to a match at SummerSlam. [cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|date=2007-07-27|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07272007/articles/partycrashersd|title=Party Crasher|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-02-02] The next week, on the August 3 edition of "SmackDown!", Long announced that Khali would defend his title against Batista at SummerSlam.

The predominant staged rivalry from the ECW brand was between John Morrison (John Hennigan) and CM Punk (Phil Brooks) over the ECW Championship. Morrison, as part of the storyline, won the title at , the pay-per-view two months before SummerSlam, by defeating CM Punk. [cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=2007-06-24|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/40811641113/results/|title=ECW World Title goes A-list |publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-12-15] At the following pay-per-view, The Great American Bash, Morrison defeated Punk, as part of the scripted events, to retain the ECW Championship. [cite web|first=Andrew|last= Rote|title=Morrison enlightens the Straightedge Superstar|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/matches/42789821/results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=2007-07-22|accessdate=2007-11-21] On the July 31 edition of "ECW", Punk defeated Tommy Dreamer (Thomas Laughlin) and Elijah Burke, as part of the scripted events, in a match between the three to earn a 15 Minutes of Fame match with Morrison. [cite web|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|date=2007-07-31|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/punks15minutes|title=Punk a step away from ECW fame|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-12-15] [cite web|first=Andrew|last=Rote|title=A chance for fame|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/07312007|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=2007-07-31|accessdate=2007-11-21] The following week, on "ECW", Punk defeated Morrison, as part of the storyline, by pinfall after executing a GTS (Go To Sleep).cite web|first=Andrew|last=Rote|title=CM Punk breaks on through|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/4791328|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=2007-08-07|accessdate=2007-11-21] As a result of this victory, Punk earned himself a championship match against Morrison at SummerSlam.

One of the primary preliminary matches was a standard one-on-one match between Rey Mysterio (Oscar Gutierrez) and Chavo Guerrero (Salvadore Guerrero IV). Their storyline first began in July 2006 at The Great American Bash. Guerrero, as part of the scripted events, interfered in Mysterio's World Heavyweight Championship match with King Booker (Booker Huffman) by hitting Mysterio with a steel chair. [cite web|first=Brett|last=Hoffman|date=2006-07-23|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2006/matches/258159823/results/|title=Shattered Dreams|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment| accessdate=2007-12-16] As part of the storyline, Guerrero defeated Mysterio the following month at SummerSlam, winning the match after performing a frog splash [cite web|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|date=2006-08-20|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/2006/matches/3171152/results/|title=Chavo claims victory|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment| accessdate=2007-12-16] At No Mercy, the pay-per-view two months after SummerSlam 2006, Mysterio, as part of the scripted events, defeated Guerrero in a match where pinfalls could occur anywhere, pinning him after performing a crossbody off a guard rail. [cite web|first=Brett|last=Hoffman|date=2006-10-08|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2006/matches/3225282/results/|title=Family feud fall out|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate= 2007-12-16] Two weeks later, Guerrero defeated Mysterio in an "I Quit" match as part of the storyline, forcing him to quit after hitting his left knee repeatedly with a steel chair.cite web|first=Noah|last=Starr|date=2006-10-21|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/10202006/articles/reyunderknife|title=Rey under the knife|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate= 2007-12-16] cite web|first=Brett|last=Hoffman|date=2006-10-20|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/10202006/|title=Kingdom saved|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-12-16] During the match, Mysterio suffered a real injury—an ACL and patella tendon tear in his left knee. Ten months later, on the August 3 edition of "SmackDown!", a match between Mysterio and Guerrero was booked for SummerSlam. [cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|date=2007-08-05|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08032007/articles/vickierey|title=A Rey of atonement for Vickie?|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-03-26]

Event

Before the event went live on pay-per-view, World Tag Team Champions Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch defeated Paul London and Brian Kendrick in a dark match.cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|title=Result of Dark Match that took place before SummerSlam tonight in NJ |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1188182303.shtml|publisher=WrestleView|date= 2007-08-26|accessdate=2007-10-31]

Preliminary matches

The first match that aired was between Kane and Finlay. Kane controlled the opening minutes of the match, performing a variety of moves including a scoop slam and a big boot. After some back and forth action, Finlay was able to hit Kane with a shillelagh in the ribs. Kane kicked out of the pin attempt and executed a chokeslam, pinning him afterwards for the win.cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/390008831211/results/|title=Let the Party begin|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-09-03] cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|title=SummerSlam PPV Results - 8/26 - East Rutherford, NJ (Cena/Orton)|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1188182785.shtml|publisher=WrestleView|date=2007-08-26|accessdate=2007-11-16]

Next was a Triple Threat match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship that involved Umaga, Carlito, and Mr. Kennedy. Kennedy attempted to form an alliance with Carlito in the beginning, but Umaga quickly turned the match in his favor. Kennedy and Carlito soon gained the upper hand after Carlito dropkicked Umaga to the outside. Shortly thereafter, Carlito turned on Kennedy and attempted to pin him with a roll-up. After a back and forth match between the three, Umaga regained control and performed a Samoan Spike on Kennedy, which led to Umaga pinning Kennedy for the win and successfully retaining the WWE Intercontinental Championship.cite web|first=Greg|last= Adkins|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/3900088312/results/|title=Double bulldozing... but barely|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-09-03]

The third match was Rey Mysterio versus Chavo Guerrero, which was Mysterio's first match since Guerrero injured his knee in October 2006. Mysterio gained the early advantage when he was able to perform an arm drag and a plancha on Guerrero. Mysterio then performed a low dropkick to Guerrero's left knee, followed by a diving hurricanrana. Towards the end of the match, Guerrero was able to perform a Gory Bomb on Mysterio after Mysterio had missed a crossbody. Mysterio kicked out of the pin attempt and performed a 619 followed by a springboard splash for the pinfall victory.

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/ Official SummerSlam website]