WWF Summerslam was a 2001 professional wrestling event put on by the World Wrestling Federation. It was the 16th annual Summerslam event, the 8th event of 2001, and the 140th event overall in the alternate WWF timeline. Emanating from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, the main event was a WWF title match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kurt Angle. Other matches on the card included an Intercontinental Title match between Rikishi and Edge, a singles match between Chris Jericho and the Big Show and a Tables Match for the Tag Team Titles between The Brothers of Destruction and The Dudley Boys.
Prelude[]
After Vengeance, which saw The Syndicate lose both the tag team titles and the Intercontinental Title (and them barely hang on to the WWF Title), Steve Austin's paranoia finally boiled over as he viciously attacked Kurt Angle, leaving him bloody and broken on the following night's episode of Raw. This was further noted when Big Show turned heel, joining the group and chokeslamming Angle through a table on Smackdown. Angle challenged Austin for a title match at Summerslam, something which newly reinstalled Commissioner William Regal was unwilling to grant. However Regal's grip on power was tenuous after Shane McMahon returned to the WWF full time, with Vince leaving Shane in charge so that he could "enjoy some time away" (most likely with his personal assistant Dawn Marie, with whom he had been carrying on a not-so-secret affair.) Shane did a 180 on the direction of the WWF, granting Angle his title match much to the chagrin of the Texas Rattlesnake. Complicating matters as well was the imminent return of the Rock, who was scheduled to make an appearance at Summerslam, though no one knew exactly where.
Chris Jericho had seemingly defeated Austin in their title match at Vengeance, only for the match to be restarted by then Commissioner Big Show under somewhat dubious circumstances. His real intentions became known quickly though, when Big Show knocked out Jericho with a KO punch, officially turning heel and joining The Syndicate in the process. This led to Jericho challenging the Giant to a match at Summerslam, which most gave Jericho little chance of winning given the definitive size difference between the two.
Unfortunately, Chris Benoit suffered a near career-ending neck injury shortly after winning the Intercontinental Title at Vengeance, one that would put him on the shelf for over a year. Thus the title was vacated and a one night tournament was held on Smackdown, which was won by Rikishi. However Rikishi's challenge for Summerslam came from inside the Syndicate, when Edge won a 10 man battle royal on Raw to crown a new #1 contender to the IC Title. Edge & Christian were ordered by Commissioner Regal to give up the title shot or "face the consequences". When Edge refused, both men were drummed out of the Syndicate. Christian seemingly took this in stride, standing by Edge's side despite the tension between the two. When Shane McMahon officially took over, Edge's match with Rikishi was officially sanctioned, with the IC Title on the line.
The Brothers of Destruction defeated The Syndicate at Vengeance to capture their second tag team title reign, but almost immediately faced a challenge from their ongoing rivals, The Dudley Boys. The Dudleys had defeated Kane & The Undertaker in something of an upset at King of the Ring, essentially placing them as the default #1 contenders going into Summerslam. Due to the increased tension between the two teams, the match was also made a Dudley's specialty, a Tables Match, in which the only way to win was to put both of your opponents through a table.
After their 15 minute time limit draw, Matt and Jeff Hardy seemingly had put their differences aside and agreed to work together as a team once again, setting their sights on a new tandem of Rocky Romero & Ricky Reyes, aka the Havana Pitbulls.
Event[]
Coming Soon...
Results[]
| No. | Results | Stipulations | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Show | Tazz d. Test w/Stacy Keibler by Pinfall | Singles Match | 9:00 |
| 1 | The Havana Pitbulls [Rocky Romero & Ricky Reyes] d. The Hardy Boyz [Matt & Jeff Hardy] by Pinfall | Tag Team Match | 12:00 |
| 2 | Rob Van Dam w/Paul Heyman (c) d. Goldust by Pinfall | Singles Match for the WWF Television Title | 9:12 |
| 3 | Jazz (c) w/Mark Henry d. Lita, Molly Holly, Trish Stratus, Jacqueline & Cheerleader Melissa | Six Pack Challenge for the WWF Women's Title | 14:06 |
| 4 | The APA [Bradshaw & Faarooq] d. The Ballard Brothers [Shane & Shannon Ballard] by Knockout | Bar Room Brawl | 9:59 |
| 5 | The Hurricane d. Dean Malenko (c) by Disqualification | Singles Match for the WWF Lightheavyweight Title | 8:10 |
| 6 | Edge d. Rikishi (c) by Pinfall | Singles Match for the WWF Intercontinental Title | 14:30 |
| 7 | The Brothers of Destruction [Kane & The Undertaker] (c) d. The Dudley Boys [Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley] | Tables Match for the WWF Tag Team Titles | 12:00 |
| 8 | Chris Jericho d. The Big Show by Pinfall | Singles Match | 10:56 |
| 9 | Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) d. Kurt Angle by Disqualification | Singles Match for the WWF Championship | 20:03 |
Aftermath[]
The Rock's arrival and attacking Austin, causing a dq in the world title match, would be a herald of the Great One's heel turn the following year, as he returned to a more egotistical character inspired by his Hollywood persona. It would also lead to a triple threat match for the WWF title at Armageddon involving The Rock, Austin & Angle. The Dudley Boys would defeat Kane & The Undertaker on Smackdown to gain a final shot at the titles, this time in a stipulation chosen by the champions, which would be a Steel Cage Match. Christian's betrayal of Edge following his IC Title victory would lead to a lengthy feud between the two throughout the fall. The same would not happen for Matt & Jeff Hardy. While Matt's heel turn was solidified, Jeff's continued drug use caused him to be sent to rehab and eventually would lead to his release from the company for the time being.