From body slams to broken hearts, SummerSlam has always been WWE’s midsummer proving ground. Since 1988, this annual event has delivered unforgettable moments, classic matches, and storyline shifts that have redefined careers. At Back Sports Page, we’re diving deep into every SummerSlam in history—breaking down the main events, spotlighting the must-watch bouts, skipping the filler, and analyzing the aftermath that shaped the future. Whether it’s legends colliding, titles changing hands, or unexpected swerves, this series captures it all. Welcome to the ultimate retrospective on The Biggest Party of the Summer.
Venue: Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
Date: August 27, 2000
Attendance: 17,002
MAIN EVENT:
The Rock (WWF Champion) vs. Triple H vs. Kurt Angle (WWF Championship – Triple Threat Match)
This wasn’t just a title match—it was a soap opera. The Rock came in as the face of the company, defending against Triple H and a rapidly rising Kurt Angle. But the real drama was the love triangle between Triple H, Angle, and Stephanie McMahon, which took center stage throughout the summer.
Early in the match, Angle suffered a legitimate concussion after being dropped awkwardly through a table. He was taken out briefly but returned to continue the match—adding real-life tension to a hot storyline. The Rock capitalized on the chaos, pinning Triple H to retain his title, but the personal tensions overshadowed the victory.
Why it Mattered:
This was Angle’s arrival as a main-eventer, even in defeat. His chemistry with both Triple H and Stephanie created one of the year’s most compelling storylines. The Rock retained, but the story going forward was clear: Kurt Angle was on his way to the top.
WHAT TO WATCH:
1. TLC I – Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match)
A revolutionary match that redefined tag team wrestling and the very concept of hardcore spectacle. Death-defying spots, unrelenting pace, and all six men putting their bodies on the line for the sake of greatness. Edge and Christian retained, but everyone walked out as legends.
2. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit (2-out-of-3 Falls Match)
Technical excellence from two of the best. This match was hard-hitting, methodical, and packed with reversals and submissions. Benoit won 2-1, keeping their feud alive in one of the best pure wrestling matches of the night.
3. Shane McMahon vs. Steve Blackman (Hardcore Championship)
This wasn’t supposed to be a highlight, but it absolutely was. Shane took one of the craziest bumps in SummerSlam history—falling backward off the stage from over 40 feet high. A wild, crowd-pleasing brawl that lived up to the Hardcore title’s legacy.
WHAT TO SKIP:
Tazz vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler
This feud had potential but fizzled. Tazz’s aura was already diminished, and the match was more about Lawler’s jokes than Tazz’s toughness. At under four minutes, it was more segment than match.
The Kat vs. Terri (Stinkface Match)
This “match” had no place on the card from an in-ring standpoint. A product of the era’s obsession with sexualized content, it was a major step backward for women’s wrestling.
AFTERMATH:
SummerSlam 2000 showcased the Attitude Era at its most extreme—and most chaotic. TLC I would set the bar for innovation in tag team wrestling, while the Rock continued his run as a charismatic megastar. Kurt Angle, despite not winning, emerged as a top-tier talent who would soon carry the torch himself.
Triple H and Stephanie’s storylines remained central to WWF programming, but the company’s depth was now undeniable. Between the Hardys, Dudleys, Edge & Christian, Benoit, Jericho, and Angle, a new generation had fully arrived—and they weren’t waiting for permission to steal the show.
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