It was 1998 and the WWE was in full-on transition mode, ushering in and solidifying the next wave of superstars. The talent who would go on to pass the torch to guys like Brock Lesnar, John Cena, and Randy Orton were peppered throughout the top of the SummerSlam card. The main event featured The Undertaker taking on Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WWF Championship (more precisely, the smoking skull edition) but, ultimately, one match stole the show: The Rock versus Triple H in a ladder match for the Intercontinental Title. Triple H and The Rock had been feuding for months by this point, which included the memorable skit in which Triple H became The Crock for a Nation of Domination parody segment on RAW. When The Rock introduced a ladder into their weekly televised brawls, Triple H raised the stakes, challenging him to a ladder match for the Intercontinental Title at SummerSlam in Madison Square Garden. Here are 8 observations of said matchup that helped put both guys truly on the map and propel a couple of storied careers in the process...
8. Character Stage
Both superstars were at the point of finding their characters. The 26-year-old Rocks was almost spot on to the man he would become known for in wrestling, while a DXd out Triple H with long tights was still being referred to as Helmsley by Jim Ross. At 29 years of age, he was edging towards the main event and transitioning towards becoming The Game. Just two years prior, The Rock had made his WWE debut as Rocky Maivia in the same arena, Madison Square Garden, at Survivor Series. Fans hated the gimmick so much, they essentially created the Peoples Champion by allowing The Rock to stop seeking their approval and become a cocky, exaggerated version of his real-life self. Triple H was peaking at the Intercontinental Title level after a brief stutter to his career in 1996 following the infamous curtain call incident, which took place at, you guessed it, none other than Madison Square Garden. It really felt like both guys had come a long way since their endeavors in the World's Most Famous Arena in 96.