10 Greatest WWE SummerSlam PPVs Ever
9. 2001
In SummerSlam 2001, we were treated to one of the most
stacked cards in the PPV’s history, thanks largely to the recent acquisition of
WCW.
The co-main events saw Kurt Angle challenge Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WWE Title, before the Rock and Booker T went one-on-one for the WCW Championship.
Earlier in the evening, a strong undercard had provided us with Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy in a Ladder match for the Hardcore title, as well as two unification bouts; one for the Cruiserweight and Light-Heavyweight belts (X-Pac Vs. Billy Kidman), and another for the WWF and WCW Tag titles (The Brothers of Destruction Vs. DDP & Kanyon).
Safe to say there was no shortage of star-power or high stakes.
I'm reluctant to rank this one any higher, though, as the show’s booking left a lot
to be desired. Basically, WCW were made to look like total chumps (even more so than
usual). Of the eight titles defended at the show, just two went back with the
Alliance. Furthermore, Austin - the faction's leader - had actually lost on
the night, only retaining due to a wussy disqualification.
That wasn’t the way this WCW Invasion story should have been told but, then again, if we were to view the show in isolation, 2001 was a pretty strong showing all told.