10 Seriously Overlooked WWE SummerSlam Matches
3. Rob Van Dam Vs. Jeff Hardy (2001)
Completely adding to the WWF roster, Rob Van Dam was one of the few members of the WCW/ECW 'Alliance' who fans truly embraced. As exciting an in-ring performer as WWF fans had seen for years, RVD was tailor-made for matches like the one he had with Jeff Hardy at SummerSlam 2001.
The month prior, both had contested a worthwhile Hardcore Match at Invasion. Come SummerSlam, they managed to top themselves by putting on quite the show during a Ladder Match for the WWF Hardcore Title. Van Dam seemed to exist in that division only due to his ECW roots, it was clear he belonged further up the ladder (pun intended).
Hardy and Van Dam were made to battle one another in this kind of situation, and fans responded in kind by reacting favourably to the match. Later bouts over the WWF and WCW World Titles would steal the spotlight, but the truth is that Jeff vs. RVD could have actually headlined SummerSlam, such was the quality on display.
Shortly after this, the WWF realised what they had on their hands with Van Dam, rightly pushing him up the card.