The WORST Moment From EVERY WWE SummerSlam
24. Fans Turn On The Rock (Again!) (2002)
The Rock and Hollywood Hogan knew they had to pivot mid-match at WrestleMania X8. Going in, nWo leader Hulk was supposed to be the heel and WWF saviour Rocky was meant to be the babyface, but Toronto was having none of it. Smartly, both guys called things on the fly and gave the live crowd some more nostalgic Hogan magic.
That set a precedent amongst supporters. They knew they could rebel against the formatting and things might change, but those within the company (including Rock himself) didn't think that'd happen when new 'Beast' Brock Lesnar hit the scene in time for SummerSlam 2002.
Sure, people forced change at 'Mania X8, but that was understandable due to Hulk’s comeback. Here, against a new force like Brock, Rocky was fully expected to be 100% baby. Surprisingly, the live audience in New York made that mission impossible, and The Rock did not look happy about it at all.
He visibly scowled at punters and mouthed some abuse as they booed his comebacks vs. Lesnar. Then, those same folks cheered wildly as Brock took the WWE Title from 'The Great One' and sent him spinning back to Hollywood. That'd provide the basis for a memorable Rock heel turn when he returned in 2003, but he didn't want the backlash in '02.
Maybe it says everything for SummerSlam that year when this is considered the "worst moment". It didn't ruin the main event, but it probably kept ol' Dwayne Johnson awake for a few extra hours in a hotel bed someplace. How dare those people reject him. How bloody dare they!