'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 The Rock vs. Triple H - Summerslam 1998
When you're talking about WWF throughout 1998, there's not a lot you can say against the overall quality of the action or booking decisions. When their backs were against the wall and they needed to launch a fightback against a powerful rival, the WWF managed to consistently pull a phenomenal match, card and/or feud out of their hats.
Summerslam 1998 is the perfect example of this, most notably due to the sheer quality of its Intercontinental Championship match between The Rock and Triple H.
While Austin and McMahon were busy fighting it out in the main event scene, the mid-card division was bulging with talent and there were a number of guys ready to take that next step.
Triple H and The Rock were two of those individuals and their feud during this year was a real launching pad to bigger and better things for them both. Triple H had D-Generation X, The Rock had the Nation of Domination, and they just couldn't help but make magic between them.
This match was also an example of how good the WWF used to be in terms of manoeuvring guys around the different divisions. The Rock was clearly ready to enter the main event scene and go after Austin's championship, whereas Triple H needed the mid-card, IC title spot to help solidify his future status. Therefore having the DX leader go over here helped the company put some of its pieces in place for the years to come.
Whether or not this match stole the show is an interesting discussion topic. They had to contend with Austin and Undertaker in the main event over the WWF Championship, but I doubt too many people would put up an argument against anyone who thought this match did end up stealing the show.
If your main four PPVs of the year are about building and solidifying new stars, and if the IC title is ultimately about giving the rub to a younger, fresher talent destined for great things down the road, then this is very much the epitome of what a Summerslam IC title match is supposed to be.
