SummerSlam 2002 May Predict Response to Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns

Photo Source: WWE.com

How the Match Unfolded

Every superstar hopes for the main event, but in this case Lesnar and Rock had to follow an incredible performance by Triple H and Shawn Michaels in a street fight.  Despite how compelling Triple H vs. Michaels was, the top championship usually was slotted for the main event during this time period in history.

Lesnar was the first to come to the ring, and The Beast maintained his composure.  The Rock meanwhile entered to a loud reaction, but the champion was not as composed, as The Brahma Bull would set his championship down at the top of the ramp and make a beeline for the ring and his challenger.

The early part of the match was mainly Lesnar in control, and just as any momentum started to go The Rock’s way, Paul Heyman would be there at ringside to distract The People’s Champion.  Around the middle of the match it became clear that the crowd was split, bringing memories from earlier that year at WWE WrestleMania 18.

The Rock started building momentum, and it was as if the more offense The Rock got in, the more the crowd cheered for Lesnar.  At one point the fans started to chant “let’s go Lesnar” while The Rock applied the Sharpshooter in the center of the ring.

Eventually, The Rock would set his sights on Lesnar’s advocate Paul Heyman, who was a thorn in the Undisputed Champion’s side for most of the match.  A Rock Bottom through the table would silence Lesnar’s manager.

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After the table spot, both men ended up back in the ring and exchanging Rock Bottoms.  Neither man was able to put the other superstar away.

An attempted People’s Elbow would be intercepted by Lesnar with a vicious clothesline.  After a few counter attempts between both men, it would be Lesnar that would get The Rock on his shoulders and deliver an F-5 for the victory.

In what seemed impossible a month prior, the New York crowd would erupt in cheers as Lesnar the superstar who was depicted as the villain would become the WWE Undisputed Champion.