8 WWE SummerSlam Main Events That Topped WrestleMania

7. Brock Lesnar Vs. The Rock (2002)

The main event of WrestleMania X8 was not good. Hollywood Hogan vs. The Rock was staring WWE right in the face as a great choice to close out the show, but that traditional need for the lead title match to headline resulted in a dreary Chris Jericho vs. Triple H snorefest. SummerSlam 2002 was a vast improvement.

There was excitement over the idea of Brock Lesnar, the first genuine star WWE had been able to elevate in years, facing The Rock for the Undisputed Title. Fans were abuzz about Brock's animal-like presence, his raw potential, and the mere fact that they were seeing someone new near the top of the card.

All of that, combined with Rocky's willingness to make Lesnar look every bit the monster he needed to be, made SummerSlam '02's headliner more enjoyable than the 'Mania X8 vanity project WWE had dished out several months before.

SummerSlam was progressive, whereas WrestleMania X8 relied on a Triple H return that had already lost steam.