Not another Invasion diary...

Hello everyone, Mark Garcia Reports here and we are here! It's the biggest party of the summer, WWF Summerslam is this week. We've got the round ups from Raw and Smackdown as the last few matches were announced. And as always, it's my favourite time of the month when we get to hear your predictions.

It was Vince's turn to open the show on Raw, running down some of the match ups, a talking trash about ECW. He was interrupted, as these promos always are, by Shane McMahon. Shane was unhappy that despite Vince constantly complaining about ECW, Shane's biggest headache was the Big Show and demanded the Vince make it right. Vince promised Shane he would broker an arrangement to ensure that WCW had a chance at Summerslam to reclaim the WCW United States Championship. While Shane was initially grateful, Vince then announced that the WCW Tag Team and Cruiserweight Championships would also be defended. Paul Heyman called out Vince, accusing him of pulling the same trick that ECW were trying do accomplish against the WWF. Heyman reminded the McMahon's that ECW was in charge of booking matches on Raw and made a series of matches. This included a number one contenders match for the WWF Intercontinental Title between Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle, as well as an inter-promotional triangle tag team match between all three companies.

Cactus Jack continued to make matches, furious at the suggestion he was simply an accessory to the Rock and Austin storyline. He noted that he beat The Rock clean on Smackdown and would do the same tonight with Austin, while punishing The Rock for his table assault by putting him in a handicap match with half the ECW roster. The Rock would later cut a promo, running down his opponents but had an odd moment with Tazz who told him he didn't agree with the match up.

Austin teamed up with Kaientai to face Cactus Jack, Saturn & Kanyon with Austin getting the victory, pinning Cactus Jack. After the match, Austin shared his beers with Taka and Funaki who got drunk immediately. Tajiri tried to seize an opportunity to attack Taka but took a Stunner for his troubles before Taka delivered a 'Beer Mist' attack to Tajiri.

Shane had further problems later in the night when Booker T and DDP refused to partner with each other in the inter-promotional match, with neither man willing to apologise. Despite the prize on offer, DDP remained true to his word and refused to step into the ring with Booker T on either side, refusing a spot in a battle royal for the WCW Heavyweight Title. Big Show took his spot in the match (which is apparently allowed) but was immediately eliminated by a united WCW roster. Booker T was actually dumped out of the ring by Shawn Stasiak but landed on Big Show's back and allowed to continue. Booker won the match but was attacked by Big Show before DDP came to the ring to save him. The two men celebrated before DDP tossed Booker T out of the ring over the rope, in an attempt to prove that had he been in the match, he would have won. Vince would later say that he had got Big Show to accept Booker T's offer to defend the US Title at Summerslam, but only if Booker put the WCW Heavyweight Title on the line. Shane was not happy but Stacy had a list of conditions that included the Undertaker and Kane defending the WWF Tag Titles in the inter-promotional match later in the night, and a WCW official would referee the match at Summerslam.

The Undertaker and Kane defended the WWF Tag Team titles against Stasiak & Demott of WCW and Albert & Justin Credible from ECW. The Dudley Boyz tried to demand their inclusion but Heyman was firm, sick of wrestlers not following orders. The Undertaker and Kane brought Spike Dudley to the ring as an insurance policy and was made to sit on the ring steps like a naughty child. The Undertaker and Kane won the match before The Dudleyz came out to demand they return Spike. The Undertaker and Kane agreed, before finalising that their match at Summerslam would be a tables match. Undertaker said that instead of ink, they would do something a little more symbolic, and tossed Spike through a table to confirm it.

The Hardy Boyz challenged Lance Storm and Mike to a match after the horrific attack on Edge and Christian on Smackdown and got the victory. Edge and Christian returned to save them from Mike, hitting him again with a Con-Chair-To before challenging Storm, Mike, RVD and Sabu to a match at Summerslam, with The Hardyz by their sides. Meanwhile, Lita challenged Jazz to a leather strap match for the WWF Women's Title.

Ahead of their number one contenders match, Jericho was frosty towards Kurt Angle while Raven was present at the commentary table. The match was a great showcase of back and forth action that saw Jericho get the advantage, locking Angle in the Walls of Jericho. He dodged an attack by Raven but the distraction allowed Angle to get the Ankle Lock on Jericho, who didn't see Raven get involved. Angle got the win, leaving Jericho furious. Raven tried to orchestrate an attack on Angle who got some support from Benoit and Malenko but the numbers were too many until Chris Jericho rushed back down to the ring. In a really cool spot, the new allies each had their signature submission moved locked in on a Flock member, with all four men tapping out.

Before the main event, where The Rock was forced to face Test, Rob Van Dam, Sabu and The Dudley Boyz, Austin offered his support but was rejected. The Rock was dominated in his match, with the numbers proving too many. Cactus Jack made his way to ringside, enjoying the show and encouraging the ECW wrestlers to inflict more damage to The Rock, softening him up before their match at Summerslam. When Tazz joined the ECW wrestlers at ringside, he told them to finish the match, only to eat a Double Arm DDT from Cactus Jack. The shock allowed The Rock to pin Sabu to get the victory. It was chaotic, as The Hardy Boyz, Undertaker and Kane rushed out to chase away the ECW wrestlers, while Austin hit The Rock with a Stunner, with the night ending with him holding the WWF Title aloft.

Over on Smackdown, Tazz opened the show, demanding an explanation as to why Cactus Jack attacked him on Raw. Paul Heyman came out and dropped a bombshell, telling Tazz he hoped that Test would beat him at Summerslam, as he needs to look to the future. The Rock interrupted calling out ECW for allowing Cactus Jack to push his way to the front of the queue while guys like Tazz were ignored. Rock offered to team with Tazz in the main event against an ECW team of Heyman's choosing. Test begged Cactus Jack to team with him in the main event but after The Rock disrespected Austin, Austin offered his services to Cactus Jack. Test was incensed at the rejection.

Lance Storm came to the ring to run down Pittsburgh, as well as Edge, Christian and the Hardy Boyz but was interrupted by Commissioner Regal. It had not gone unnoticed that the WWF European Title was not going to be defended at Summerslam so Regal suggested a match immediately. He chose the hometown boy, Kurt Angle as his opponent. The two men had a great match, which Angle would win only by disqualification after interference by Mike and Rhyno. After the match, the three men brutally beat up Kurt Angle who was Gore'd through the Smackdown set, destroying it. I'm hearing that Smackdown is set to be rebranded after this event so watch this space! Angle would be seen to by EMT's and reveal to Jericho that he was in no condition to wrestle Raven at Summerslam, giving his opportunity to Y2J. Angle would later reveal to not be as hurt as he let on, believing Jericho needed the opportunity more than he did.

Raven was furious with the decision and initially refused to accept the match but a compromise was reached. Chris Jericho would have to face all three members of the Flock in a Gauntlet Match, while the WCW Tag Team match at Summerslam would be a handicap match, including Stevie Richards and the WWF Hardcore Title would be defended as well. Jericho won the gauntlet match and picked the stipulation; a steel cage match, which would keep The Flock away from the ring.

DDP cut a promo where he called out Shane McMahon for his blatant favouritism towards Booker T. He accepted he might not be the face of the company but believed he deserved respect and if the only way he could get that was by beating ECW wrestlers, he was starting tonight. DDP issued an open challenge that was answered by Albert. DDP got the win but saved his own skin, pulling referee Charles Robinson in the way when Albert charged at him in the corner. Shane was angry with DDP for putting his referee in danger. Robinson needed oxygen and would clearly be out of action and when Stacy Keibler offered to step in, Big Show laughed, saying he would squash her too. Shane refused Stacy's offer and eventually relented to Diamond Dallas Page, allowing him to officiate the match between Booker T and Big Show at Summerslam.

Before Edge and Christian faced Sabu and Rob Van Dam, they revealed that their 8 Man Tag Team match at Summerslam will be a ladder match, with the winning team earning the rights and trademarks to 'Team Xtreme' and 'Awesome'. We know all about Edge, Christian and The Hardy Boyz but Sabu, Van Dam and Mike Awesome aren't afraid to get physical either, while Lance Storm will bring a new approach to this kind of match up. I cannot wait!

Ahead of their Tables match at Summerslam, The Dudley Boyz played mindgames with The Undertaker and Kane, leaving a casket outside their dressing room. However, the casket was occupied, with Paul Bearer nailed inside. Elsewhere, Rhyno, Tajiri and Jacqueline defeated Kaientai and Trish, with Jazz and Lita watching at ringside.

In the main event, Austin made it clear to Cactus Jack that his teaming with him was just a way to get his hands on The Rock and they weren't allies. Test made his presence known at ringside, which distracted Tazz but despite his interference, The Rock and Tazz picked up the victory, with The Rock pinning Austin. This means that each man has a pinfall victory over each other in recent weeks. After the match, Cactus Jack and Test punished Austin, hitting him with a barbed wire 2x4. Meanwhile, The Rock and Tazz watched on from the ramp.

Here's this week's match recaps!

13/08/01
Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena (16,500 *SELL OUT*)
Announcers - Jim Ross & Joey Styles
SHOW RATING = B

TV RATING = 4,257,406

13/08/01 (*Aired 15/08/01)

16/08/01

Pittsburgh, PE - Mellon Arena (12,508)

Announcers - Michael Cole & Jerry 'The King' Lawler

SHOW RATING = B

TV RATING = 4,204,181

Winner	Loser	Grade	Title	Match	Finish
Kurt Angle	Lance Storm	B	WWF European	Singles	DQ
Diamond Dallas Page	Albert	D+		Singles	Pinfall
Edge & Christian	Rob Van Dam & Sabu	C		Tag Team	Pinfall
Rhyno, Tajiri & Jackie	Kaientai & Trish	C		Six Person	Pinfall
Chris Jericho	Stevie Richards / Kanyon / Saturn	B-		Gauntlet	Submission
The Rock & Tazz	Steve Austin & Cactus Jack	B+		Tag Team	Pinfall

There were no title changes this week so which is a rarity these days so we can get on with our predictions ahead of Summerslam. Who are you going for? Also, Vince declared that the match on Heat for the WCW Cruiserweight Title will feature a returning WWF Superstar. Seems like Kurt Angle's injury isn't as bad as first thought as he will challenge Rhyno after the attack on Smackdown.

Sandman, Albert, Justin Credible, Tommy Dreamer & Juventud v Shane Helms, Stasiak, Demott & The Thrillers
Kurt Angle v Rhyno
Billy Kidman v Jerry Lynn v ??? (WCW Cruiserweight)
------------------
Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko v The Flock (WCW Tag / WWF Hardcore) [Hardcore Tornado Tag]
Big Show v Booker T (WCW United States / WCW Heavyweight [DDP special guest referee]
The Dudley Boyz v The Undertaker & Kane (WWF Tag Team) [Tables Match]
Lita v Jazz (WWF Women's) [Leather Strap Match]
Tazz v Test [Dumpster Match]
Tajiri v Taka Michinoku (WWF Light Heavyweight) [Lumberjack Match]
Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Mike Awesome & Lance Storm v Edge, Christian & The Hardy Boyz [Ladder Match]
Chris Jericho v Raven (WWF Intercontinental) [Cage Match]
Steve Austin v The Rock v Cactus Jack (WWF World Title) [Falls Count Anywhere]

Also, any ideas who the returning WWF Superstar will be in the WCW Cruiserweight Title match?
What are your predictions? Let me know below!
MGR