SummerSlam 2002 May Predict Response to Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns
By Josh Raibick
Credit: WWE.com
What Happened Next?
Following his main event loss, The Rock would spend five months away from WWE before returning and transitioning to a heel character known by fans as “Hollywood Rock”. For Lesnar this would be the big launching point of his WWE career as it would lead to an incredible feud with The Undertaker, and eventually an interesting rivalry with Kurt Angle.
So what does a SummerSlam from sixteen years ago have in common with this year’s rendition of the event? Let’s not forget that in one night The Rock went from being beloved by millions to just being the guy that was leaving for Hollywood.
The WWE Universe also knows how the “smart crowds” like New York have zero tolerance for superstars who are leaving the company. WrestleMania XX with Goldberg and Lesnar is one example, as is SummerSlam 2002. If the fans were willing to turn their back on The Rock on that night, what will they do to now WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar — even against Roman Reigns?
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What is even more fascinating is it was a New York (Long Island) crowd that cheered Lesnar at this very event in the moment where a lot of fans believe that Lesnar arrived as a household name. Now with an expected fight with Daniel Cormier in the early part of 2019 in the UFC, it might be a New York (Brooklyn) crowd that gives The Beast a cold sendoff from WWE for the time being.