25 Greatest Matches In WWE SummerSlam History

Stone Cold Steve Austin betrayed his fans when he aligned himself with Vince McMahon at WrestleMania X-Seven, but he turned his back on the entire WWE when he joined the WCW/ECW Alliance at Invasion. Kurt Angle, who had previously sided with McMahon and Austin, became a de facto babyface, and one of WWE's leaders in its war with the Alliance.

Angle challenged WWE Champion Austin to a title match at SummerSlam, and "The Rattlesnake" accepted. Angle attacked Austin before the champion could reach the ring, which soon led to a brawl on the floor. Back in the ring, Austin started working Angle's leg, but Angle retaliated with a series of German suplexes.

Austin blocked the ensuing Angle Slam, hit a suplex, and then got a Stunner, but Angle kicked out before three. Another Stunner sent Angle outside, where Austin threw him into the ringpost, causing him to bleed heavily.

They brawled on the outside, with Angle locking Austin in the Ankle Lock. Austin escaped and got in the ring, but Angle reapplied the hold. Austin escaped the ring, but Angle nailed him with a belly-to-belly suplex on the floor, then a moonsault in the ring. 

A frustrated Austin applied a Cobra Clutch, then hit another Stunner, but Angle kicked out again. After that, a furious Austin began attacking referees, forcing a DQ and saving his title. It was a disappointing ending to the bout, but the 22 minutes of pure chaos were unforgettable.