SummerSlam is an annual pay-per-view (PPV) produced every August by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) since 1988.

Dubbed "The Biggest Party of the Summer",[2] it is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along with WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series,[3] and was considered one of the "Big Five" PPVs, along with King of the Ring.

[7] The main feud heading into SummerSlam was between Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and Mankind over the WWF Championship.

Also at Fully Loaded, Triple H defeated The Rock in a Strap match to become the number one contender for the WWF Championship, thanks to the help of Billy Gunn and Chyna.

On the August 9 episode of Raw is War, it was revealed that Minnesota governor as well as fellow WWF legend Jesse "The Body" Ventura would be the special guest referee for the main event at SummerSlam.

Austin returned later that night and hit Triple H with a chair, then put Chyna on top allowing her to win the match and become number one contender.

Shane McMahon stated as owner of the WWF he was booking a match between Mankind and Triple H to determine the undisputed number one contender.

On the July 12 episode of Raw is War, Test wrestled the Posse in a Gauntlet match but it ended in no contest when Shane interfered.

On the August 15 episode of Sunday Night Heat, Shane challenged Test to a "Love her or Leave her" Greenwich Street Fight at SummerSlam.

On the August 30 episode of Raw is War, they defeated Undertaker and Big Show to win the WWF Tag Team Championship.

Vince accepted and stated that Austin would meet the winner of the six pack challenge match for the vacant WWF Championship at Unforgiven.

At Unforgiven, Triple H regained the WWF Championship after winning the six pack challenge match when he pinned Rock after a pedigree and Austin made the count.

As they celebrated their engagement with a kiss, Shane and the Mean Street Posse hit the ring and attacked Test until he was saved by Mankind.

As they shared the news with the fans and with Pat Patterson, Gerald Brsico and Linda McMahon in the ring with them, The Posse who were now with Terri Runnels again interrupted and Shane came out and ended the feud by telling the Posse to leave and gave his blessing for Test and Stephanie's relationship asking Test to always treat Stephanie right.

The Posse responded on the September 13 episode of Raw is War, by rebelling against Shane orders and Joey Abs challenged Test to a match after calling Stephanie a tramp.

On the September 16 episode of SmackDown!, Shane challenged Abs to a match which he won after receiving help from Patterson, Brisco and Shawn Stasiak who was the referee.