The last SummerSlam that truly felt like a huge deal was 2002. Ever since then, they can call it a big show all they want, it's not. Brock Lesnar and Triple H should bring back that big time feel a little bit, but I don't know if they can fully make it feel like #2, given that Brock has already wrestled and lost, and Triple H lost his last match too (as he should've, don't get me wrong). SummerSlam should've really been his first match with John Cena, Triple H at Survivor Series, he competes in the Royal Rumble and tears everyone in half, only to be ganged up on by the rest of the participants, then he faces Taker at WrestleMania and loses and that's it for him.
The Royal Rumble is waning in prestige, since the last 5 Rumble winners have either lost or had 18 second wins, but I still consider it a lot bigger than SummerSlam. Admittedly, the Royal Rumble is my favourite match of the year, so maybe I'm putting more stock in it than it's worth, but it's the first stop on the Road to WrestleMania, and a Royal Rumble win cements you in the history books. SummerSlam is not WrestleMania mini, like they want you to think it is.