10 Best WWE Intercontinental Title Matches Ever
4. The Rock Vs Triple H (SummerSlam '98)
Erasing memories of the legendary Ladder Match that had taken place in the very same arena four years earlier, Triple H and The Rock expertly used their Madison Square Garden masterpiece to announce their intentions to dominate the future of the industry.
In defeat, 'The Great One' couldn't have looked more poised to break out as the biggest threat to Stone Cold Steve Austin's throne atop the company and industry at large. Ultra-charismatic and becoming too cool to be crucified by the audience that once despised him, Rock was at least a d*ck enough to make Hunter's climactic grasp for the strap a cathartic moment for the D-Generation-X leader.
Meshing magnificently as they had before and would many many times in the future, the pair leathered one another with the ladder in an Attitude Era upgrade of the Michaels/Razor ruckus. Rock was particularly devilish at points, relishing the suffering of Helmsley as the DXer fought to end the oppressive reign The Nation Of Domination had largely commanded over his crew of toe-rags in major matches over the summer. His title win may have ostensibly been for the degenerate quintet - but Rock and Hunter were both huge victors on the night.