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: Compaq Center, San Jose, California
Date: August 19, 2001
Attendance: 15,293
MAIN EVENT:
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (WWF Champion, representing The Alliance) vs. Kurt Angle (WWF Championship)
In the midst of the Invasion angle, the stakes couldn’t have been higher: WWF’s greatest hero versus its greatest traitor. Kurt Angle had emerged as the patriotic foil to Stone Cold’s heel turn, and the match was a physical, emotionally charged brawl. Angle bled heavily, Austin leaned into his villainy, and the near-falls had the crowd on fire.
The match was excellent—until the finish. A cheap disqualification after multiple referees were taken out and Austin assaulted an official left a sour taste. It protected both men, but fans wanted a decisive ending. Still, Angle’s performance was a career highlight and further proved his main-event chops.
Why it Mattered:
The match was proof that the Invasion angle had potential when focused on the right characters. While the finish was overbooked, it helped build toward Angle’s eventual victory at Unforgiven, giving fans the payoff they craved.
WHAT TO WATCH:
1. The Rock vs. Booker T (WCW Championship)
The Rock’s first match back since filming The Scorpion King, and he picked up right where he left off. Booker held his own in the biggest singles match of his WWF career, but this was about The Rock’s triumphant return. Funny promos, sharp in-ring storytelling, and a satisfying People’s Elbow finish made it a strong semi-main.
2. Edge vs. Lance Storm (Intercontinental Championship)
The perfect opener. Edge was being groomed for bigger things, and Storm was the ideal dance partner—smooth, technical, and a heat magnet with his anti-American gimmick. They set the tone for the night with a crisp, energetic match.
3. Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy (Ladder Match – Hardcore Championship)
The most athletic match of the night. While it lacked the chaotic storytelling of TLC, it showcased RVD’s innovation and Jeff’s daredevil spirit. RVD’s win further solidified him as one of the most exciting stars to come over from ECW.
WHAT TO SKIP:
Tajiri & X-Pac (Light Heavyweight vs. Cruiserweight Title Unification)
Good wrestlers, flat crowd. X-Pac’s character was in a creative rut, and the match never connected emotionally despite decent action.
APA & Spike Dudley vs. Dudley Boyz & Test
Felt like a SmackDown brawl dropped on a major PPV. The crowd was into APA’s intensity, but the match served mostly to kill time during a crowded card.
AFTERMATH:
SummerSlam 2001 was arguably the best bell-to-bell show of the Invasion storyline—but also a showcase of how the larger angle was starting to unravel. Austin’s heel run continued to divide fans, and The Rock’s return reminded the world who the face of the company really was. Meanwhile, Kurt Angle was quietly putting together one of the best years of his career.
Though the Invasion storyline never fully reached its potential, SummerSlam 2001 was a high point—elevating stars, delivering in the ring, and keeping the company’s momentum roaring despite creative misfires.
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