10 Times WWE SummerSlam Was Better Than WrestleMania
5. SummerSlam 2002
In the 'Icon Vs Icon' match between The Rock and Hulk Hogan WrestleMania X8 somewhat unexpectedly produced one of the greatest spectacles in company history. In August 2002, WWE unexpectedly produced one of the greatest shows in company history.
SummerSlam rose from the dying embers of a wretched period for the company to highlight what they could still do really, really well. The booking was on a downward slide, but the in-ring hadn't been as good in years.
A returning Shawn Michaels gave Triple H a match that briefly made Hunter 'The Game' again, Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio's electrifying opener was a futuristic sprint, and The Rock's emphatic putting over of Brock Lesnar was just another example of 'The Great One's fantastic selflessness. 'The Next Big Thing' coming good on his promise at this exact moment was vital, and his clean-as-a-sheet F5 win couldn't have come against a better victim.
Rock's torch-passing was too good for the company at large, but then so was the man himself. He was more than half out of the door when he absorbed the defeat, but knew there was enough of him left to give 'The Beast Incarnate' this almighty lift.