7 surprise replacement opponents in Championship matches in WWE

Chris Benoit and CM Punk
Chris Benoit and CM Punk

#5. Razor Ramon replaces Sycho Sid to recreate one of WWE's most iconic matches at SummerSlam 1995

Summerslam (1995)
Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon

WWE has had many iconic ladder matches over the years, but similar to Hell in a Cell, it's hard to look past the first one that happened. Interestingly enough, both involved Shawn Michaels, so it's no coincidence that they were so good.

At WrestleMania X, Shawn Michaels faced Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship in WWE's first-ever ladder match. Razor Ramon was victorious in what is now considered an all-time classic. What often falls under the radar, however, is the rematch they had with the same stipulation over 16 months later.

While Shawn Michaels was originally supposed to face Sycho Sid at SummerSlam 1995, he was abruptly replaced by Razor Ramon. Although the match didn't have too much of a build to it, there was hardly any requirement, and it turned out to be the most highly-anticipated match in a rather underwhelming card (headlined by Diesel vs Mabel for the WWE Championship).

Shawn Michaels would get his retribution, defeating Razor Ramon in a 25-minute instant classic to retain the Intercontinental Championship.

As a fun fact on the side, SummerSlam 1995 was also Triple H's WWE PPV debut. He defeated Bob Holly in the second match of the night.

Quick Links