| SummerSlam | |||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Promotional poster featuring various WWE wrestlers | |||
| Promotion | World Wrestling Entertainment | ||
| Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown ECW | ||
| Date | August 23, 2009 | ||
| City | Los Angeles,California | ||
| Venue | Staples Center | ||
| Attendance | 17,129[1] | ||
| Buy rate | 369,000[1] | ||
| Tagline | The Biggest Event of the Summer | ||
| Pay-per-view chronology | |||
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| SummerSlam chronology | |||
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The 2009SummerSlam was aprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view (PPV)event produced byWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was the 22nd annualSummerSlam and took place on August 23, 2009, atStaples Center inLos Angeles,California, marking the first of six consecutive SummerSlam events to take place at the arena. The event featured wrestlers from the promotion'sRaw,SmackDown, andECWbrand divisions, in turn marking the last SummerSlam to include the ECW brand.
Eight matches were contested on the event'scard. Themain events of the evening includedCM Punk defeatingJeff Hardy in aTables, Ladders, and Chairs match to win theWorld Heavyweight Championship for a third time,Randy Orton retaining theWWE Championship againstJohn Cena after the match was restarted multiple times,Christian retaining theECW Championship againstWilliam Regal, andD-Generation X'sTriple H andShawn Michaels defeatingThe Legacy'sCody Rhodes andTed DiBiase. Also on the show,WWE Intercontinental ChampionRey Mysterio defeatedDolph Ziggler andChris Jericho andThe Big Show defended theUnified WWE Tag Team Championship againstCryme Tyme. The event received 369,000 buys, down from theSummerSlam 2008 figure of 477,000 buys.
SummerSlam is an annualpay-per-view (PPV) produced every August byWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) since 1988. Dubbed "The Biggest Party of the Summer",[2] it is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along withWrestleMania,Royal Rumble, andSurvivor Series, referred to as the "Big Four".[3] It has since become considered WWE's second biggest event of the year behind WrestleMania.[4][5] The 2009 event was the 22nd event in the SummerSlam chronology and was scheduled to be held on August 23, 2009, atStaples Center inLos Angeles,California. It featured wrestlers from theRaw,SmackDown, andECWbrands.[6][7]
Tickets for SummerSlam went on sale starting February 13, 2009.[8] The first teaser trailer for the event was shown at WWE'sExtreme Rules event.[9] The trailer included the event's officialtheme song, "You Gotta Move" byAerosmith.[9] As part of the promotion for the event, WWE heldSummerSlam Axxess, afan convention similar toWrestleMania's fan convention,WrestleMania Axxess, at Nokia Plaza inL.A. Live from August 22 to August 23.[10] According to video game publisherTHQ, further details of the latest installment of theirWWE SmackDown series,WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, would also be revealed at the event.[11]
Theprofessional wrestling matches at SummerSlam included professional wrestlers performing as characters inscripted events predetermined by the hostingpromotion, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).[12][13] Storylines between the characters were produced on WWE's weekly television showsRaw,SmackDown, andECW with the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands—storyline divisions in which WWE assigned its employees to different programs.[14]
On the July 27 episode ofRaw, the show's guest host andstorylinematchmaker,Shaquille O'Neal, revealed thatRandy Orton would defend theWWE Championship against the winner of aBeat the Clock challenge, which was determined by who of the five competitors could defeat their opponent in the fastest time:Mark Henry,Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP),Triple H,Jack Swagger, orJohn Cena. Henry set the pace by defeatingCarlito in 6:49, while MVP, Triple H, and Swagger failed to defeat their opponents. Cena beat Henry's time by defeatingThe Miz, and become Orton's opponent at SummerSlam.[15]
The mainrivalry from the SmackDown brand heading into SummerSlam was betweenJeff Hardy andCM Punk in their continuing conflict over theWorld Heavyweight Championship. Animosity stemmed fromExtreme Rules when Punk invoked the guaranteed title match he earned by winning theMoney in the Bank ladder match against Hardy and defeated him for the World Heavyweight title.[16] The two faced off at the next two pay-per-view events,The Bash andNight of Champions, with Hardy winning the latter match to regain the title.[17][18] This also saw a number of conflicts between the two over their respective philosophies in life; Punk islegitimatelystraight edge, which promotes a drug-free lifestyle, while Hardy, who has had a number of indiscretions with drugs throughout his career, was at odds with the way Punk reprimanded the fans for their potential addictions.[19] Following two assaults on Hardy,SmackDown General Manager,Theodore Long, scheduled aTables, Ladders, and Chairs match between the two for SummerSlam.[20][21]
The ECW brand was represented at the show withChristian defending theECW Championship againstWilliam Regal. On the August 11 episode of the program, Christian was a guest on the talk show segment,The Abraham Washington Show, during which Regal was revealed the number one contender.[22][23]
On the July 27 episode ofRaw, theUnified WWE Tag Team ChampionsChris Jericho andThe Big Show got into a heated confrontation with Shaquille O'Neal. After the two refused to get into a fight with him, O'Neal scheduled the champions to fightCryme Tyme in atag team match later that night with O'Neal acting as the match's ringside enforcer; the champions weredisqualified, making their opponents angry.[15] On the July 31 episode ofSmackDown, Cryme Tyme defeatedThe Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd andDavid Hart Smith) to become Jericho and Big Show's opponents for SummerSlam.[24]
WWE Intercontinental ChampionRey Mysterio Jr. had been the target ofDolph Ziggler since July.[25] The two met at Night of Champions, only to see Mysterio retain the title.[18] Ziggler regained his contender status on the August 7 episode ofSmackDown by defeatingR-Truth,Mike Knox, andFinlay in afatal four-way.[21]
Stemming from his previous rivalry with Randy Orton, Triple H started to target Orton'sLegacy associates,Ted DiBiase Jr. andCody Rhodes. Triple H failed to win a Beat the Clock challenge to face Orton in a match with Rhodes when DiBiase distracted him for sufficient time.[15] After losing ahandicap match against the two the following week, Triple H stated that he was going to get a partner, hinting throughout the show that he intended to reformD-Generation X withShawn Michaels.[26] A week later, it was revealed that Triple H had convinced Michaels, who was working as a chef at a corporate cafeteria, to quit his job and return at SummerSlam to face DiBiase and Rhodes in a tag team match.[27]
At The Bash,The Great Khali was assaulted with a steel chair byKane in his match with Dolph Ziggler.[28] The following weeks saw both men interfere in each other's matches with Kane running away from his adversary any time Khali made his way to gain a measure of revenge.[20][29][30] On the August 7 episode ofSmackDown, Kane attacked Khali from behind before kidnapping Khali's translator, Ranjin Singh. The following week, it was revealed that Kane was holding Singh hostage in a backstage room atRexall Place inEdmonton, Alberta, interrogating and abusing him, before Khali found him, leading to Kane beating down on Khali.[31] The following week, a match between the two was scheduled for SummerSlam.
After Jack Swagger was moved to the Raw brand, he had a verbal confrontation with Montel Vontavious Porter, which led to MVP challenging the former to a fight, which was declined by Swagger on the grounds of his unwillingness to "fight criminals", referring to MVP's previous incarceration.[32][33][34] The coming weeks saw Swagger and MVP interfere in each other's business before MVP challenged Swagger on the August 17 episode ofRaw.[35] After Swagger got himself disqualified, another match was scheduled for SummerSlam.[36]
| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| EnglishCommentators | Michael Cole(Raw) |
| Jerry Lawler(Raw) | |
| Todd Grisham(SmackDown) | |
| Jim Ross(SmackDown) | |
| Josh Mathews(ECW) | |
| Matt Striker(ECW) | |
| Spanish Commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
| Hugo Savinovich | |
| Backstage interviewer | Josh Mathews |
| Ring announcers | Lilian Garcia(Raw) |
| Justin Roberts(SmackDown) | |
| Tony Chimel(ECW) | |
| Referees | Charles Robinson |
| Mike Chioda | |
| John Cone | |
| Chad Patton | |
| Scott Armstrong | |
| Jack Doan | |
| Justin King | |
| Aaron Mahoney |
Prior to SummerSlam airing live onpay-per-view, the company'sfemale wrestlers, known asdivas, fought in abattle royal, withChavo Guerrero as the guest referee.Beth Phoenix won the match by simultaneously eliminatingEve Torres andKelly Kelly with Guerrero's help.[37]
The show began airing withRey Mysterio defending theWWE Intercontinental Championship againstDolph Ziggler. The match was contested at a fast pace, with Mysterio gaining executing amoonsault before the match descended out of the ring, where Mysterio executed ahurricanrana. As the match returned to the ring, Mysterio attempted anaerial attack, but Ziggler countered with aturnbuckle powerbomb. Mysterio attempted a619, but Ziggler countered with aleg drop bulldog. As the match continued, Mysterio executed the 619 and attempted aspringboardsplash, but Ziggler avoided the move. Ziggler climbed to the top rope with Mysterio and attempted an attack, but Mysterio countered with afrankensteiner to retain the title.[1]
Next,Jack Swagger facedMVP. Swagger applied variousholds and attempted aSwagger Bomb on MVP, but MVP countered the move. MVP executed abig boot on Swagger, who was cornered, and thePlaymaker for the win.[1]
JeriShow (Chris Jericho andThe Big Show) defended theUnified WWE Tag Team Championship againstCryme Tyme (JTG andShad Gaspard). After JTG gained advantage over Jericho, Jericho tagged in Big Show, dominating JTG. JTG tagged in Gaspard, who wasspeared by The Big Show. Jericho applied theWalls of Jericho on JTG, who tried to reach the ropes, but Big Show executed aKO Punch on him, allowing Jericho to pin JTG to retain the titles.[1]
Next,Kane facedThe Great Khali. The two fought until Kane pursuedRanjin Singh. Kane performed adropkick to Khali's knee and executed arunning DDT for the victory.[1]
D-Generation X (Triple H andShawn Michaels) facedThe Legacy (Cody Rhodes andTed Dibiase) in Michaels' first match sinceWrestleMania 25. The match started with Triple H fighting DiBiase and Rhodes. When Michaels tagged in, Rhodes left the ring to avoidSweet Chin Music. After Legacy gained the advantage, Rhodes attempted adiving elbow drop, but Michaels countered the move. Michaels attempted a diving elbow drop, but Rhodes countered and executedCross Rhodes on Michaels. Triple H broke up the pin and executed thePedigree on Rhodes, leading to DiBiase executingDream Street on Triple H. As DiBiase and Triple H fought outside the ring, Michaels executed Sweet Chin Music on Rhodes to win the match.[1]
Next,Christian defended theECW Championship againstWilliam Regal, accompanied byEzekiel Jackson andVladimir Kozlov. As Regal was removing his coat, Christian executed theKillswitch to retain the title. After the match, Jackson and Kozlov attacked Christian, with Jackson executingThe Book of Ezekiel and Kozlov executing theIron Curtain on Christian and Regal applied theRegal Stretch on Christian.[1]
Randy Orton defended theWWE Championship againstJohn Cena. The match started with neither man gaining the advantage until Orton executed anelevated DDT on Cena. As Orton attempted apunt, Cena fought back. Cena attempted anAttitude Adjustment, but Orton countered and wasdisqualified for shoving the referee.Vince McMahon restarted the match with the stipulation that if Orton was disqualified, he would lose the title. As the match progressed, Orton intentionally got himselfcounted out but McMahon restarted the match again this time if Orton got Counted out or disqualified, he will lose the title. Orton pinned Cena using the ropes for leverage, but a second referee ran down to the ring and convinced the original referee to restart the match. Cena applied theSTF, but a person from the crowd (later revealed asBrett DiBiase) assaulted the referee. After the person was removed from the ring, Orton executed anRKO to retain the title.[1]
The main event was the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for theWorld Heavyweight Championship betweenJeff Hardy andCM Punk. Punk tried to climb a ladder, but Hardy stopped him. Hardy set up a chair in front of Punk and attempted aleg lariat, but Punk countered and dropped Hardy onto the chair. Punk executed asuicide dive on Hardy and Punk then attempted another chair shot on Hardy but Hardy countered. Punk tried to run Hardy into the steel steps but Hardy reversed Punk, which Punk jumped on the top step to avoid collision and tried to jump onto Hardy, but Hardy hit Punk with a chair while Punk was in mid-air. Hardy placed Punk on a table and dove off the top rope but Punk avoided Hardy, knocking Hardy through the table. Punk tried to climb a ladder but Hardy stopped him with asunset flip powerbomb. Hardy tried to climb the ladder, but Punk stopped him. Punk executed asuperplex onto a ladder on Hardy. Punk attempted aGTS, but Hardy countered and threw Punk through a table. Hardy tried to climb the ladder but Punk leapt off the top rope and stopped him. Hardy executed aSwanton Bomb off a ladder on Punk through a broadcast table. Back in the ring, Punk and Hardy climbed the ladder and fought until Punk knocked Hardy off the ladder and retrieved the title belt to win the match. As he was celebrating, the lights briefly went out andThe Undertaker appeared, performing achokeslam on Punk as the event ended.[1]
SummerSlam 2009 was well received. The opening match between Rey Mysterio and Dolph Ziggler was praised, with James Caldwell ofPro Wrestling Torch declaring it "awesome" andDave Meltzer calling it a "really strong" match.[38][39] The match between DX and The Legacy also received praise with Caldwell describing it as "WWE's best tag team match of the year".[38] The main event TLC match between Punk and Hardy was universally praised. Caldwell concluded that the "drama was great, Punk was great, Hardy was great", and rated the match as 4 and a quarter stars, while Meltzer praised it as a "great match" and touted the moment when Hardy performed the Swanton Bomb on Punk from the top of the ladder as "spectacular".[38] John Canton ofTJR Wrestling gave positive response to the event giving particular praise to the tag team match between DX and The Legacy and the TLC match between Punk and Hardy, the latter of which he rated 4.5 stars out of 5, calling it "outstanding". He named the event the best WWE pay-per-view event of 2009.[1]
All the writers criticized the WWE Championship match, however, with Caldwell saying that "WWE over-booked the crap out of this match".[38] The shortness of the ECW Championship match was also criticized, with Caldwell remarking that it was "another ridiculous ECW Title match on WWE PPV".[38] Aldren queried the decision to make it so short, saying that Christian and Regal "could have had one of the best matches on the show", a sentiment echoed by Meltzer.[39] Meltzer also criticized the match between Khali and Kane, with Aldren remarking that the crowd "was dead" and Meltzer calling it "pretty bad".[39] Caldwell said that it was a "bad match with a decent finish", as the match "lowered the bar" early enough that the "finish was intriguing".[38]
The event received 369,000 buys, which was a decrease from theSummerSlam 2008, the previous year's event, which received a figure of 477,000 buys.[1]
On the followingRaw,Vince McMahon gave John Cena one more chance to challenge Randy Orton for the WWE Championship atWWE Breaking Point. Since Orton had tried to retain the title by getting himself disqualified or counted out, the match was made an"I Quit" match, which also was in line with the pay per view'ssubmission match concept. In response toBrett DiBiase's actions, McMahon also decreed that if anyone tried to interfere in the match on Orton's behalf, Orton would be stripped of the championship automatically.[40]
On the August 27 episode ofWWE Superstars, Dolph Ziggler, Mike Knox, and Finlay competed in atriple threat match with the winner advancing to challenge Rey Mysterio for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Breaking Point; Ziggler won the match, making it his third consecutive month challenging for the title.[41] The match was changed on the September 4 episode ofSmackDown after John Morrison won the title from Mysterio (Mysterio was legitimately suspended for violating the company'swellness policy, forcing him todrop the title).[42]
On the August 28 episode ofSmackDown, Punk defended the World Heavyweight Championship in aSteel Cage match with astipulation that the loser of the match would leave the company. Punk ultimately won the match, leading to the departure of Hardy from the WWE. The Undertaker was chosen as Punk's opponent for Breaking Point.[43]
After SummerSlam, The Legacy continued their antagonizing of D-Generation X; asubmissions count anywhere match between the two teams was scheduled for Breaking Point.[44]
The Great Khali pursued Kane after SummerSlam, while Kane avoided him.[45] A match with legal use ofSingapore canes between the two was scheduled for Breaking Point.[42]
This was the last SummerSlam to feature ECW, as well as the ECW Championship, as the brand was disbanded in February 2010, deactivating the championship with it.[46]