Wrestling Program Central
Here is a showcase of the event programs for the summer spectacular of the year. I have uploaded two versions of some programs - the newsstand version (with the bar code) and the live event version. Anyone interested in collecting these programs would have no issue finding years 1988 to 1994 (as these are readily on eBay for a reasonable price), though may struggle to find the others.
1988
Event Date: August 29
Event Venue: Madison Square Garden; New York City, New York
Event Attendance:
Click to view inside pages
1989
Event Date: August 28
Event Venue: Meadowlands; East Rutherford, New Jersey
Event Attendance: 20,000; sell out
Click to view inside pages
1990
Event Date: August 27, 1990
Event Venue: Philadelphia Spectrum; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Event Attendance: 19,304; 18,703 paid; sell out
Click to view inside pages
1991
Event Date: August 26
Event Venue: Madison Square Garden; New York City, New York
Event Attendance:
Click to view inside pages
1992
Note: there was a UK-exclusive program sold at the event as pictured.
Event Date: August 29
Event Venue: Wembley Stadium; London, England
Event Attendance: 78,927; 75,000 paid; sell out; announced at 80,355
Click to view inside pages
Click to view inside pages
1993
Event Date: August 30
Event Venue: Palace of Auburn Hills; Auburn Hills, Michigan
Event Attendance: 14,100
Click to view inside pages
1994
Note: interestingly, this is the only PPV where the WWF produced a traditional version and an oversized one. The Undertaker cover is the event version which is in fact larger. I have just adjusted both to be the same size.
Event Date: August 29
Event Venue: United Center; Chicago, Illinois
Event Attendance: 23,000; 19,500 paid; sell out
Click to view inside pages
Click to view inside pages
1995
Event Date: August 27
Event Venue: Pittsburgh Civic Arena; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Event Attendance: 18,062; sell out; 17,000 paid
Click to view inside pages
1996
Note: simply a modified version of the Raw Sept/Oct issue, with the match previews shown on pages either side of the cover, making it unique from the Raw issue which goes straight to the Contents page. Notice there is no bar code and the "Special" notice on the top right corner. My copy is the unfortunate one on the left with the rip; the program's only flaw. I bought it off an eBay seller in Ohio.
Event Date: August 18
Event Venue: Gund Arena; Cleveland, Ohio
Event Attendance: 17,000; 14,926 paid
Click to view inside pages
1997
Note: was a copy of the WWF Program volume 242 with a match sheet. I purchased it from a guy who attended the event. This was verified by another fan who attended the event and said that the program being sold had Ahmed Johnson on the cover.
Event Date: August 3
Event Venue: Continental Airlines Arena; East Rutherford, New Jersey
Event Attendance: 20,213; 17,361 paid; sell out
1998 to 2001
Note: I have not seen any programs during this period though from 1998 to 2000 I assume it was the "$5.00" live event version of the WWF/WWE Magazine with a match sheet. In 2001 I assume it was the WWF live event program.
2002
Note: this was the 2002 WWE live event program with a match sheet.
Event Date: August 25
Event Venue: Nassau Coliseum; Uniondale, New York
Event Attendance: 14,797; sell out
2003
Note: a guy who purchased the program from the event got the WWE 2003 Preview magazine along with a match sheet. This is interesting as this magazine was not sold in newssstands at least from May 2003. Also, this is the latest match sheet that I have ever seen the WWE produce.
Event Date: August 24
Event Venue: America West Arena; Phoenix, Arizona
Event Attendance: 16,113; sell out
2004 to 2008
Note: I have not seen any programs during this period though from 2004 to 2008 I assume it was the WWE live event program with a match sheet.
2009
Event Date: August 23 (matinee)
Event Venue: Staples Center; Los Angeles, California
Event Attendance: 14,116; announced at 17,129; sell out
Click to view inside pages
2010
Event Date: August 15
Event Venue: Staples Center; Los Angeles, California
Event Attendance: 14,178; announced as 17,463; sell out
Click to view inside pages
2011 onwards
Note: I have not seen any programs during this period. I assume it was the generic roster program sold at all house shows. Am unsure whether a match sheet would be included.