Voted 2002, wasn't a hard choice even though I love both of these. Also hilarious to me that the posters are so similar and relatively boring compared to a lot of the other SummerSlam posters we've had in this tournament
Anyway as promised though, a short breakdown on my thoughts on both cards since I've watched both fairly recently:
2002
Angle/Mysterio - fucking phenomenal opener, Angle is on top of his game in 2002 and the MVP for the entire WWE at the time for me. Mysterio hot off his debut still and one of the best high flyers in the world at the time gels with Angle great for an awesome way to start the show.
Flair/Jericho - Bit weaker here, but two of the all-time greats who never disappoint. Good submission/dirty heel stuff battle throughout, don't really think Flair should have won though lmao
Edge/Eddie - Another banger from SmackDown from two more members of the SMACKDOWN SIX
Not as good as Angle/Mysterio but still a real good match.
Un-Americans/Booker & Goldust - Underrated tag title match IMO, a lot would call it the weak point of the show but I've never thought so tbh thought it was a very respectable tag title match that doesn't hurt the show whatsoever.
RVD/Benoit - Awesome IC Title Match, gets a ton of time so they get to get all of their shit in. The only complaint is that Angle/Mysterio already had a better technician vs high flyer match previously on this card
Undertaker/Test - My personal weak point of the show, but still a good fuckin' brawl in its own right. Bit of a waste for Taker but with him not really having anything this is still a solid way to get him on the card. American Badass vs Un-American writes itself.
HBK/HHH - EASILY MOTN IMO, just absolutely insane even before you think about it being Shawn's first match back in forever. Then the fact that it almost goes 30 and never lets up the whole time, BRUH. HHH and HBK really didn't have a lot of good matches with each other, but this one is an exception. It'd carry a terrible show, so this combined with the undercard we've seen so far is insane.
Brock/Rock - Almost could be considered a letdown after the last match, but I'm a fan of your title main eventing so I'm not complaining too much. Brock also busted out his best match to-date at this point and Rock sold like a madman for him. In-ring wise it's not ***** of course, but moment of Brock winning with his monster push coming to fruition is a great way to close out the show.
2001
First off I think this is probably peak of the Invasion angle for me, starts to go downhill from here even if you could kind of see it before, but it definitely gets a boost from the Alliance vs WWF theme all night.
Edge/Storm - Really good IC title opener, nothing bad to say about this one. Hot way to start your show, and Edge winning the IC title was a nice moment to set the tone of the WWF burial that follows.
Dudleys & Test/APA & Spike - Really fun 6-man, better than I think most would have expected. Also that Bradshaw clothesline was TOP FUCKING NOTCH
X-Pac/Tajiri - Another really good match, it was fun watching Pac mix it up with Cruisers again during this era especially. Ending was a bit meh but doesn't hurt the match overall.
Jericho/Rhyno - Solid for sure, nothing spectacular but I'd probably compare it to the Flair match from 02 or maybe even Taker/Test from that show. It's a lull but a good one, let everyone catch their breath, advanced a story and was still a solid match in it's own right from two good workers.
RVD/Hardy - A fuckin' mess of a ladder match if we're being honest
but in a way that's what makes it so much fun to watch. Still fucks with it a lot and man they take some brutal bumps. 2002 is missing a ladder match tbh.
Brothers of Destruction/DDP & Kanyon - not good
this is one that really hurts 01 for me. I have a strong dislike of 2001 Undertaker, DDP was buried harder than just about any Invasion guy at first and he deserved better, and this match was just booked terribly too lmao made me feel bad for DDP and he was a stalker
Angle/Austin -
Probably my favorite match of either show, easily the MOTN on this show and I really wish it would have main evented tbh
Booker/Rock - Bit like Rock/Brock where it felt a little out of place just bc of how good the match before it was. I think it's worse in this case bc while it's cool the WCW Title main evented SummerSlam, Angle/Austin was also for a World Title so that excuse doesn't work lol. Made worse by Booker losing when him winning would have been much better (Another reason it shouldn't have main evented bc Book wasn't ever winning in the main event against Rock, unfortunately). Still a good match though, just a shame bc it makes me think of what could have been more.
