The 17th edition of SummerSlam in 2004 presented a lot of opportunities for some big-name stars to showcase their skills. SummerSlam 2004 emanated at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It marked the first time that SummerSlam was held in Canada and the first time in a decade that it was held outside the United States. The crowd in Toronto is known as "Bizarro World" as they boo the babyfaces, and cheer for the heels.
As expected not every match is going to be a five-star epic as some wrestlers are not given enough time to put on an instant classic. There were eight matches on the card along with the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Title, and Intercontinental Championship being defended. History was made in the main event as the youngest-ever World Champion in WWE's history was crowned at the age of 24.
8 Kane Vs. Matt Hardy
The love triangle between Kane, Lita, and Matt Hardy was one of the most unique ones in WWE history. The Big Red Machine and Hardy settled the score in a "Till Death Do Us Part" match with the winner going on to marry Lita. There was a caveat as Lita was already pregnant with Kane's child.
Hardy was carrying an injury heading into this bout which certainly hampered his performance. Both are remarkable workers but it was a drab affair. Hardy was on the front foot for large portions of the match and he nailed Kane with his patented Twist of Fate on the outside. Kane had a refusal to stay down, and Hardy clocked Kane in the head with a ferocious ring bell shot. Ultimately, Kane recovered and prevailed with a thunderous Chokeslam off the top rope with Kane having a sick maniacal laugh and Lita running backstage.
7 Booker T Vs. John Cena
Booker T and best of five series matches go hand in hand. Unfortunately, his one with John Cena failed to click which was bitterly disappointing considering they had a decent rivalry together. Big Match John made his SummerSlam debut against Booker in a best of five series match for Booker's WWE United States Championship.
Booker had a vast amount of experience compared to Cena, who was still finding his mojo. It's a shame that this match failed to live up to the billing but Cena got off to a winning start in his SummerSlam career with an Attitude Adjustment to go 1-0 up in their series.
6 The Dudleys Vs. Rey Mysterio, Billy Kidman & Paul London
The opening match at SummerSlam 2004 was a six-man tag team match to get the show off to a positive start. Spike Dudley was the reigning Cruiserweight Champion and he was "The Boss" of his brothers Bubba Ray and D-Von, who were his partners. They collided with Rey Mysterio, and the WWE Tag Team Champions Billy Kidman and Paul London.
It wasn't the greatest opening match in SummerSlam history but it was a decent contest. Mysterio executed the 619 on Spike and Kidman followed it up with the Shooting Star Press. However, D-Von was alert, and he removed Kidman out of the ring. He sidestepped Mysterio's attempt at a splash who crashed and burned on the barricade. D-Von leveled London with a clothesline, and The Dudleys nailed Kidman with a 3D which allowed Spike to pick up the scraps.
5 Triple H Vs. Eugene
Triple H had marquee matches at SummerSlam from 1998-2003, and to face off with Eugene in 2004 was a massive downgrade. Surprisingly, this was a competitive match although it went on for 14 minutes too long.
Eugene was not in The Game's league and no one believed that he had a legitimate chance to beat Triple H. Moreover, Eugene utilized the Rock Bottom, Stone Cold Stunner, and Triple H's own Pedigree but he could not keep him down. Nevertheless, the dastardly heel Triple H put Eugene out of his misery when he executed the Pedigree as Eugene took his eye off the ball when William Regal nailed Ric Flair with a pair of brass knuckles.
4 John Bradshaw Layfield Vs. The Undertaker
The newly-minted WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield had a tough assignment as he defended the WWE Championship against The Undertaker. It was Undertaker's first shot at the WWE Title since he returned at WrestleMania XX in his legendary "Deadman" gimmick. Nonetheless, JBL had his Chief of Staff Orlando Jordan in his corner, and Layfield expertly worked on Undertaker's shoulder and leg throughout.
Undertaker retaliated with his own offense but fans were clearly bored throughout this slugfest. The match almost lasted 20 minutes which did neither man any favors. The referee was knocked down in this titular bout but he got up in time to disqualify Undertaker as he clocked JBL in the head with the WWE Championship title belt.
3 Edge Vs. Batista Vs. Chris Jericho
The Intercontinental Championship had changed hands the last six times it was defended at SummerSlam between 1997-2002 so the omens were not looking good for reigning champion Edge. Edge put the gold on the line in a superb triple threat match against Batista and fellow Canadian, Chris Jericho.
Edge was the hometown hero but surprisingly he received a chorus of boos throughout the bout. Moreover, Batista was still not the finished article by any means but he was dominant in the match. Jericho received a better reception than Edge but it was evident that Edge's heel turn was on the cards. Nonetheless, Edge retained the title after he laid out Y2J with the Spear.
2 Kurt Angle Vs. Eddie Guerrero
The feud between Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero spilled over into the summer with Angle desperate to avenge his loss to Guerrero at WrestleMania XX. Angle didn't come to ringside alone as Luther Reigns was in his corner.
Keeping in the theme of Toronto being "Bizarro World", the fans were cheering for Angle who was the heel. Just like their WrestleMania encounter, Guerrero unlaced his boot which worked in his favor as Angle failed to win the WWE Title because of that. Angle didn't fall for the trick this time and he kicked out of Guerrero's Frog Splash. This was another technical masterclass between the two former WWE Champions and Angle forced Guerrero to tap out to the Angle Lock as the pain became unbearable.
1 Chris Benoit Vs. Randy Orton
For the second consecutive year, Randy Orton headlined SummerSlam in a World Heavyweight Championship match. The Legend Killer had a tough test ahead of him as he was looking to unseat Chris Benoit as World Heavyweight Champion and make history in the process.
Orton and Benoit's chemistry together was brilliant, and it was an excellent main event to close out the show. Orton looked right at home in the World Title picture and he pushed Benoit all the way. The Rabid Wolverine tried to force Orton to tap out to the Crossface but Benoit countered it and planted him with an RKO. The Legend Killer prevailed and made history as the youngest World Heavyweight Champion at the age of 2004, and 17 years later that record remains intact.