Every SummerSlam In The 2000s, Ranked From Worst To Best
SummerSlam was mainly a hit for WWE in the 2000s as they transitioned from the Attitude Era, Ruthless Aggression Era, and ultimately the PG Era. Since its inception in 1988, SummerSlam has been a mainstay on the WWE calendar in their traditional August spot. It was the final event of the "Big Four" shows to be added and The Biggest Party of The Summer is arguably the second biggest of them all. Nonetheless, SummerSlam was exceptional in the 2000s with two stars cementing their legacies and boasted records as the youngest World Champions in WWE history.
Despite SummerSlam being a huge success in the 2000s, there were some SummerSlams that completely missed the mark. There are huge expectations for SummerSlam to deliver every year and rightfully so. Most rivalries from WrestleMania spill over to SummerSlam where they culminate. Several marquee matches tore the house down with others being duds and other memorable moments happened at SummerSlam in this decade.
10 2007
SummerSlam 2007 was massively underwhelming despite featuring eight matches on the card. It's mostly remembered for Rey Mysterio and Triple H returning from long-standing injuries which forced them to miss WrestleMania 23. Mysterio beat Chavo Guerrero, and The Game put King Booker away in a bitterly disappointing match.
Nonetheless, it was a successful night for champions as every champion who walked in with their titles, walked out as champion. The Great Khali's World Heavyweight Title match with Batista was atrocious, and John Cena retained the WWE Championship in the main event against Randy Orton in a mediocre bout.
9 2005
The 2005 iteration of SummerSlam had the potential to be something great, but it completely missed the mark. The marquee main event between Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels failed to live up to the hype with HBK overselling excessively.
Chris Benoit embarrassed Orlando Jordan in just 21 seconds to capture the United States Title in the opening match. Edge and Matt Hardy's brawl should have been better, but it was a short encounter. Furthermore, there were a couple of rematches from WrestleMania 21 with Randy Orton beating Undertaker and Rey Mysterio overcoming Eddie Guerrero in a ladder match to retain the custody of his son Dominik. Batista and John Cena continued their respective World Title runs by beating JBL and Chris Jericho respectively.
8 2006
SummerSlam 2006 was the first SummerSlam to not feature The Undertaker in a match since 1991. However, despite a lot of firepower on the card, it was a mediocre SummerSlam. King Booker's World Heavyweight Championship match with Batista was a borefest that resulted in Booker retaining by DQ.
Hulk Hogan competed in his final match in a WWE ring and he defeated Randy Orton which was questionable. DX reunited and beat The McMahons, with the latter's scheming plan breaking down. Mick Foley and Ric Flair stole the show in a brutal "I Quit" match, and Edge retained the WWE Championship against his bitter rival John Cena in the main event.
7 2008
One of the most mouthwatering matches at SummerSlam 2008 featured John Cena and Batista going toe-to-toe. They knocked it out of the park although Big Match John sustained an injury in the match. Of course, Edge and The Undertaker's Hell in a Cell match was the bout that captivated the audience.
Moreover, the two World Title matches were nothing special. CM Punk retained the World Heavyweight Championship against JBL, and Triple H slew The Great Khali in a dreadful encounter. Glamarella escaped with the Intercontinental and Women's Titles at the expense of Kofi Kingston and Mickie James. Another memorable moment of SummerSlam 2008 was Chris Jericho accidentally punching Shawn Michaels' wife in the mouth.
6 2004
SummerSlam 2004 was emulating the Olympic Games with a summertime game feel to the show. There were some bright moments to the card but others completely missed the mark. Kane vs. Matt Hardy and Booker T battling with John Cena in their first match in the best of five series was underwhelming.
JBL retained the WWE Title in a hard-hitting match with The Undertaker after The Phenom got disqualified. Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle had another remarkable bout, and Triple H facing off with Eugene was average. However, Edge got booed in his hometown of Toronto in his successful Intercontinental Title defense, and Randy Orton made history as the youngest World Heavyweight Champion at the age of 24.
5 2003
SummerSlam 2003 was a strong pay-per-view with the two World Title matches stealing the show. Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar battled for 20 minutes in a war of attrition with The Olympic Gold Medalist retaining the gold with Lesnar tapping out to the Angle Lock.
Goldberg tore through the field with ease in the Elimination Chamber match for Triple H's World Heavyweight Title. The Cerebral Assassin was far from 100% fit, but he did little to retain his title. Kane and Rob Van Dam had an underrated No Disqualification match, and Eddie Guerrero kept a stranglehold on the United States Title in an exciting Fatal-4-way match. Shane McMahon defeated Eric Bischoff in a Falls Count Anywhere match with The Coach turning heel.
4 2009
The 2009 iteration of SummerSlam was jam-packed with several marquee matches living up to the billing. However, the best two matches of the night were the opening bout that saw Dolph Ziggler retain the Intercontinental Championship against Rey Mysterio. In the main event, CM Punk recaptured the World Heavyweight Championship in an enthralling TLC match against the fan's favorite Jeff Hardy.
Ultimately, Randy Orton and John Cena's WWE Title match had too many stoppages which hampered this match. Christian retained the ECW Championship against William Regal in a matter of seconds, and another marquee result was DX overcoming Legacy.
3 2001
The Invasion storyline had its ups and downs but SummerSlam 2001 was arguably the pick of the bunch when it comes down to pay-per-views during this angle. Edge dethroned Lance Storm for the Intercontinental Championship in an outstanding show opener.
X-Pac battled Tajiri in a brilliant match that saw X-Pac leave the show as the Light Heavyweight and WCW Cruiserweight Champion. The Brothers of Destruction followed suit when they powered their way past DDP and Kanyon to hold the WCW and WWE Tag Team Titles simultaneously. Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy knocked it out of the park in a ladder match for the Hardcore Title, and The Rock beat Booker T for the WCW Championship in the main event. Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kurt Angle had a five-star epic over the WWE Championship with Angle looking like an unstoppable force.
2 2000
SummerSlam2000 was jam-packed with the first-ever Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match taking place. Edge and Christian retained the WWE Tag Team Titles against The Dudley Boyz and The Hardy Boyz in the undisputed match of the night.
Shane McMahon fell 50 feet off the stage and Steve Blackman recaptured the Hardcore Championship. The Rock, Triple H, and Kurt Angle had an entertaining triple threat WWE Title match with Rock clinging onto his title. Chyna captured the Intercontinental Title, and Undertaker and Kane battled in a poor match for their standards.
1 2002
From top to bottom, SummerSlam 2002 may go down in history as the greatest SummerSlam of all time. The number of marquee matches on the show was second to none. Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio tore the house down in an exceptional opening match, Edge and Eddie Guerrero's chemistry together was brilliant. Ric Flair and Chris Jericho's battle was great.
Rob Van Dam ensured the Intercontinental Championship returned to Raw after he beat Chris Benoit in a barnburner of a match. Shawn Michaels returned to in-ring action for the first time in four years and there was no ring rust as he beat Triple H in an instant classic. However, Brock Lesnar made history as the youngest WWE Champion at aged 25 when he stunned The Rock in the main event.
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