10 Career-Making Wrestling Matches
2. Brock Lesnar Vs. The Rock (WWE SummerSlam 2002)
Brock Lesnar was one wrestler WWE definitely viewed as a money-making, sure fire main event star as soon as they signed him. Following a few years honing his craft in Ohio Valley Wrestling, Brock was called up to the main roster and told he was debuting the night after WrestleMania X-8.
Running through everyone in his path, Lesnar had Paul Heyman to do most of his talking for him. It was a match made in heaven, although - much like with most heavy pushes - the newcomer didn't appeal to every fan at first. His King Of The Ring 2002 win wasn't greeted with much fanfare, but his subsequent title shot against The Rock at SummerSlam did.
Crucially, WWE did a wonderful job building up to the bout. Both men were shown undergoing brutal training in order to prepare, which gave the match an instant big fight feel. Better yet, Rock did everything in his power to put Lesnar over come the pay-per-view. Later bouts against The Undertaker would solidify his main event status, but it was The Rock who helped put Brock Lesnar there in the first place.