31 Years Of WWE SummerSlam Mistakes

16. SummerSlam '02 - Stars Misaligned

SummerSlam 02 Mistake
WWE

As 2002 progressed, it was becoming clear that The Rock's invincible aura was finally starting to wane. The People's Eyebrow had been raised by the prospect of Hollywood, and 'The Great One' was gradually transitioning back to 'Dwayne Johnson' - a mainstream star who'd outgrown his trunks. And boy did the fans know it.

Growing resentment for The Rock was matched by the parallel surge in popularity for 'Next Big Thing' Brock Lesnar. Though WWE had him earmarked as a devastating heel, fans were enraptured by his combination of preternatural wrestling prowess and extreme physical insuperability.

The two clashed come SummerSlam, though the company grossly misjudged the crowd's affinity. The Long Island fans were in raptures when the up-and-coming Lesnar thwarted their disloyal hero, despite the story the company was desperate to present dictating otherwise.

WWE couldn't ignore the way the tide had turned, and promptly turned their new champion face just a few months later, but the fresh alignment soon erased Lesnar's aura. Perhaps the biggest mistake, then, lied with the fans not towing the line?

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.