SummerSlam 2002

WWE SummerSlam 2002

(All screen captures are the property of World Wrestling Entertainment)

SummerSlam

August 25, 2002

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Uniondale, New York

News & Notes: I have many extra storylines to discuss. A lot happened after Vengeance. First, Bischoff found a method to motivate the talent. You have three minutes to entertain him, or he will unleash his new goons on you. They are Jamal and Rosey, and he calls them the 3-Minute Warning. Bischoff sent them after Moolah, Mae, and even the Fink and Lilian Garcia. And speaking of those two, Fink has been feuding with Lilian over the ring announcer’s job. Trish came to Lilian’s defense. She slapped Howard and shoved him into a mud pit. Meanwhile, Kane is on his way back from injury. Vignettes and random pyro have hyped his return and startled unsuspecting wrestlers. Then, we witnessed a re-debut of sorts. Victoria entered the women’s division, and Molly took her under her wing. While this happened, Nowinski planned to woo Molly and take her virginity.

Next, Matt Hardy displayed a startling change in attitude. He betrayed Jeff out of jealousy and defected to Smackdown. Matt joined forces with the Hurricane and Shannon Moore, but they seemed reluctant to play along. He promised Smackdown would witness Matt Hardy Version One, but what that meant was still unclear. In other news, Bischoff retired the Hardcore title with one last battle royal. Dreamer won to become the final champion. As for other champions, Noble continued his rivalry with Kidman over the Cruiserweight belt. Torrie got pulled into the mess. Elsewhere, Raven made Heat his personal playground and started a feud with D’Lo. Also, Batista had enough of D-Von’s crap and walked away from him. And finally, Billy, Chuck, and Rico clashed with Hurricane, Moore, and Hardcore Holly. It led to Holly shaving part of Rico’s hair.

The opening of WWE SummerSlam 2002

The PPV: There is no opening video. I couldn’t find any evidence there ever was one. The only difference I noticed was the network removed a reference to Footlocker sponsoring the event. Fireworks explode while Michael Cole welcomes everyone to a hot August night in the northeast. He calls this the most anticipated SummerSlam in history. Cole also says he and Tazz will call the Smackdown matches. JR and Lawler will handle the RAW encounters. While Cole and Tazz discuss the card, Kurt Angle arrives in what looks like a candy striper singlet. He’s here to face Rey Mysterio, who doesn’t appear at the entrance when his music plays. Kurt waits for him, but Rey sneaks onto the apron and performs a springboard headscissors to begin the action.

Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio

Storyline: Mysterio debuted and defeated Chavo. Then Rey and Cena saved Edge from the Un-Americans, and Rey dove off the cage onto Christian. Meanwhile, Lesnar helped Angle defeat Mark Henry, but Angle didn’t want his help. Lesnar only did it to mess with Kurt’s head. He told Angle he wasn’t Smackdown’s #1 guy anymore. When Kurt left the arena to blow off some steam, Bischoff tried to convince Steph this meant Angle defected to RAW. This wasn’t the case. Angle returned. Later, Angle fought Hogan for the right to face Lesnar, but Hogan won. Once that was over, Angle teamed with Benoit and Guerrero vs. Mysterio, Edge, and Cena, and Rey pinned Angle! Kurt called it a fluke and made fun of Rey for his size, so Mysterio challenged Kurt. After accepting, Angle faced Kidman to send a message to Rey, but Rey caused Kurt to get counted out.

The Match: Rey flusters Angle with another headscissors, a monkey flip, and a drop toe hold into the corner. However, Kurt answers with an anklelock, avoids a 619, and pulls Mysterio to the floor. After ramming Rey into the apron, Kurt rolls him inside. Rey fights back, but Kurt turns a wheelbarrow move into a German suplex. Now Angle focuses on Rey’s back while fending off pin attempts. He uses backbreakers and holds. Rey responds with a jawbreaker and a sunset flip, but Angle blocks it and lands a belly-to-belly.

Afterward, Angle drops the straps and looks for an Angle Slam. Rey counters it with an arm drag and sends Kurt outside, but the ref prevents Mysterio’s dive. Mysterio says screw it and dives over the ref for a somersault plancha! A springboard leg drop follows, but Angle reverses a springboard victory roll into an anklelock. It doesn’t last because Rey escapes and hits the 619 and West Coast Pop. They only earn two before Rey and Angle fight on the top rope. Rey tries a Frankensteiner, but Angle stops it and grabs an anklelock for the submission.

Thoughts: This was great. It was an exciting opener with a hot crowd. You know they had them in the palm of their hand when a somersault plancha got a holy shit chant. My only gripe is I wanted this to go longer.

Winner: Kurt Angle (9:20)

Stephanie finds Eric Bischoff in her office - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Stephanie walks backstage with a production assistant and talks about Rey vs. Angle. She sends the man to find Bischoff to tell him to top that, but Stephanie discovers Bischoff is waiting in her office. When she asks why Eric is there, he greets her and says it’s a pleasure. Stephanie asks him whose pleasure it is because it isn’t hers. Bischoff says it’s always his. He also claims this is the only GM office, so they must share. Steph says this is fine. She will enjoy watching his face while Smackdown reigns supreme. As they sit in front of a TV, Bischoff tells Stephanie to take notes.

Meanwhile, JR and Lawler take over commentary for the following match. Lawler seems to think this is Smackdown, so JR corrects him. This is SummerSlam.

Chris Jericho vs. Ric Flair - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Ric Flair vs. Chris Jericho

Storyline: Jericho got his match with Edge in a cage, but Edge defeated him and left Jericho in tears. To get over this devastating loss, Jericho defected to RAW. Ric Flair had faced the Rock in a non-title bout and planned an announcement afterward, but Jericho jumped him to make his RAW debut. He said the only announcement that mattered was RAW is Jericho! Jericho claimed Bischoff was a genius who recognized the difference between a superstar and a has-been like Flair. Later, Jericho wrestled RVD, but Flair cost him the win. This led to Jericho and Big Show vs. Flair and Bubba Ray. Jericho made Bubba submit, but Flair pantsed Jericho to embarrass him. Jericho retaliated by busting Flair open with a trash can. Unfortunately for Jericho, a bloody Flair ruined a live performance by Fozzy and destroyed their equipment.

The Match: They start with shoving, taunting, and takedowns until Jericho scores a backdrop and a back suplex. Ric recovers and sends Jericho over the ropes, but Chris skins the cat. Then he cuts off Flair’s rally with an eye poke before whipping Ric into an awkward Flair Flip. Now Jericho knocks Flair outside. He drops Flair on the barricade and nails a flying axehandle. Back inside, Jericho distracts the ref by messing with the turnbuckle pad and chokes Flair with his wrist tape.

Next, Jericho fends off a comeback and lands a suplex. However, Ric slams Jericho off the top rope when he climbs. A series of counters and pin attempts follow, and Jericho misses a Lionsault. This dazes Jericho, so Flair tries to do the Walls, but Jericho turns it into a Figure Four! Ric gets a rope break, but he also taps. Jericho thinks he won and argues with Charles Robinson. When Jericho returns to the attack, he crashes on the ropes on a missed body guillotine. The ensuing scuffle clips the ref, so Flair throws a low blow and puts Jericho in a Figure Four for the submission.

Thoughts: This was good, but not great. They had nice intensity and told a decent story, but the action was messy. With that said, I liked the finish, so I still found this enjoyable. On a side note, Jericho mentioned a heartwarming backstory about this in his book. Flair was having a crisis of confidence around this time, so Jericho motivated him. He insisted on having Flair beat him with the Figure Four.

Winner: Ric Flair (10:22)

Paul Heyman talks to Brock Lesnar backstage - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Meanwhile, Lesnar warms up backstage while Heyman watches a commercial for a best of Hulk Hogan video. He says they are releasing this because Hogan’s career is dead at the hands of Brock Lesnar. Now Brock has to do the same thing to the Rock’s title reign. He has to murder it because the Rock is different. The Rock is the Brahma Bull and the People’s Champ, but Lesnar is in his head. They already have half the battle won. The Rock feels like the challenger and underdog, which drives him. He’ll come with everything he has, so Brock must take advantage of this. Heyman tells Brock to hit him hard and end it early. He will leave as the Undisputed champion because the next big thing arrives tonight!

Eddie Guerrero vs. Edge - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero

Storyline: After Bischoff signed Jericho, Stephanie answered with two signings. She brought Benoit and Guerrero to Smackdown, but Eddie had some business to attend to on the way out of RAW. He challenged the Rock because his daughters idolized Rocky, which infuriated Guerrero. They had a great encounter, but the Rock won. However, Benoit and Guerrero faced Edge and the Rock, and Benoit made the Rock tap. Meanwhile, Benoit and Guerrero attacked Cena, so Edge rescued him. As a result, Edge, Mysterio, & Cena fought Eddie, Benoit, and Angle, and Rey defeated Angle. Later, Eddie and Chavo teamed against Edge and Mysterio. Edge saved Rey from an attack by Angle and speared all his opponents. These actions resulted in Benoit and Guerrero jumping Edge backstage, so Edge demanded a fight. The challenge gave us Edge & Rock vs. Eddie & Benoit, and Edge pinned Eddie after a spear.

The Match: They start with mat wrestling until Eddie gives Edge a reverse hotshot. Then Edge answers with a monkey flip and ties Eddie in the ropes for a spear. When Edge misses another, he lands outside on his shoulder. Eddie targets the injury with armbreakers and holds. This continues until Edge scores a powerslam and a backdrop. He also does a facebuster and a flying crossbody to the floor. Fighting on the top rope follows, which ends with a super sit-out gourdbuster by Edge. This only earns two, and Eddie dropkicks a spear attempt before seeking a Frog Splash. Edge raises his knees and nails an Edgecution, which only gets two! Now Eddie counters a second one into a northern lights. He even hits a Frog Splash onto Edge’s hurt shoulder, but it isn’t enough. Finally, Edge pulls Eddie down from a springboard and finishes it with a spear.

Thoughts: This was fine, but they never fully had the crowd on their side. It contained decent action. I liked Eddie’s work on Edge’s arm, but it didn’t click with the audience. Worse yet, Edge stopped selling the damage for the closing minutes. I wanted to love this, but I couldn’t.

Winner: Edge (11:47)

Next, they show a commercial about the WWE not having an off-season or any contractual issues other sports have. They did this because of a rumored baseball strike. This is Vince’s subtle reminder that there isn’t a union in wrestling.

Coach interviews the Un-Americans - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Now, Coach interviews the Un-Americans. He says they must defend their tag titles against Booker T and Goldust. Christian says they can’t wait to expose Booker and Goldust as American shams. The only problem is they have to do it on Long Island. Coach asks what he means by that, but Storm answers. Lance says they wrestle in cities across the country, and this crowd typifies the American audience. They are lazy, unappreciative, unresponsive, and spoiled. Christian thinks they will sit on their hands while he and Lance perform at a world-class level. They are like all greedy Americans who want more, so Christian promises to give them more of the Un-Americans as champions.

The Un-Americans vs. Booker T and Goldust - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Tag Team Title Match: The Un-Americans (Christian & Lance Storm) (c) vs. Booker T & Goldust

Storyline: Bischoff signed the Un-Americans to RAW, but they antagonized Hogan, Rock, and Edge on their way out of Smackdown. Once they arrived on RAW, the Un-Americans carried an upside-down American flag to taunt American fans. Meanwhile, Booker T feuded with Benoit and Eddie over a shot at the Intercontinental championship, but Benoit and Guerrero used an exposed turnbuckle to thwart Booker’s plans. Since that failed, Goldust suggested Booker face Lance Storm for a tag title match. He did this and won, so Booker and Goldust earned their opportunity. Then they teamed with Rock and Undertaker against the Un-Americans, but the Un-Americans cheated to win twice. In other news, Goldust accused Mike Myers of stealing the Goldmember idea from him, so Goldust introduced his own mini-me. The little guy wouldn’t stop humping people’s legs, so Bischoff sent 3-Minute Warning after him.

The Match: Goldust and Booker take control with a rear view and a powerslam by Goldust, and a side slam by Booker. This ends when Christian gives Goldust a cheap shot, and Storm sends him over the ropes. They jump Goldust outside the ring and use more ref distractions for choking and double-teaming. Next, Christian grounds Goldust with a facelock. Goldust powers his way to a tag, but Nick Patrick doesn’t see it.

Now the attack on Goldust continues. Storm even pulls Booker off the apron and leads a chase to prevent a tag. The ref deals with Booker, so Storm and Christian attempt a Conchairto on Goldust. It fails, and Booker finally tags after a double down. He cleans house before hitting Christian with a missile dropkick and a flapjack. Then Storm wipes out Patrick with a missed wheel kick. While Nick is down, Booker hits a scissors kick on Storm and Christian at the same time! A Spinaroonie follows, and Booker does the sidekick to Christian. Unfortunately for Booker, Test jumps out of the crowd. He floors Booker with a big boot and Christian covers for the three.

Thoughts: This was good. They kept it simple and structured it perfectly. Plus, the finish gave this feud a reason to continue, which it does. They also got a great reaction, especially Booker. This run with Goldust offered him a chance to shine.

Winners: The Un-Americans (9:37)

Jamie Noble and Nidia are at the World - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Meanwhile, Noble and Nidia are at the World. They are holding a contest to find someone to make out with Nidia. Noble tells Nidia to pick a slab of New York strip steak to devour. She chooses the guy on the right, so Noble tells the loser better luck next time. Then Nidia pulls the winner onto a couch and kisses him while Noble cheers her on. He tells her to do her usual trick with the tongue. Back at the arena, Bischoff and Stephanie watch this. Bischoff thinks Nidia would make a good addition to RAW. He says she knows her place in the business. Stephanie agrees. Her place is on top, like all the women. Bischoff says RAW will be on top when RVD brings the Intercontinental title back home.

RVD vs. Chris Benoit - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Intercontinental Title Match: Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Benoit (c)

Storyline: RVD defeated Jeff Hardy in a Ladder Match to unify the Intercontinental and European Titles, so say goodbye to the Euro belt. However, Benoit beat Booker for an IC championship shot and cheated to become the new champ! Then Stephanie signed Benoit to Smackdown. RVD still had a rematch clause, so Bischoff wanted him to return the gold to RAW. Stephanie attempted to negate this, but Bischoff used Stacy Keibler as a mole in Steph’s office to steal the document from Dawn Marie. Meanwhile, Big Show thought he deserved the opportunity, so he tried to hurt Rob. Bischoff sent 3-Minute Warning after Show to stop him. Back on Smackdown, Benoit made the Rock tap when Lesnar distracted the Rock. Steph warned Benoit not to destroy her SummerSlam main event by injuring the Rock, but she booked Benoit & Eddie vs. Rock & Edge. Edge pinned Eddie for the win.

The Match: RVD uses kicks and a springboard crossbody, but Benoit answers with a backbreaker and suplexes. Then Benoit fends off pin attempts and raises his knees when RVD does a split-legged moonsault. Next, Benoit misses the flying headbutt but secures a Crossface after evading the Five Star. Benoit also shoves RVD onto the barricade. This injures RVD’s shoulder, so Benoit wears him down with the post, a shoulderbreaker, and holds. RVD does reversals and takedowns, but Benoit avoids a cartwheel moonsault. Now Benoit grabs the Crossface twice and performs rolling northern lights suplexes. Once RVD breaks free, he locks Benoit in the Crossface! It doesn’t gain a submission, but RVD scores kicks and Rolling Thunder. Unfortunately, RVD hurts his shoulder, so Benoit places him on the top rope for a back superplex. RVD reverses it in mid-air, which puts Benoit down for a Five Star and the three.

Thoughts: This was great. It was hard-hitting and had some nice moves and counters. The only gripe is the finish was abrupt. They didn’t build it as well as they could have, but it didn’t ruin this.

Winner: RVD (New Champion) (16:30)

Eric Bischoff taunts Stephanie backstage - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Eric taunts Stephanie about the loss, but he stumbles over his words. Bischoff says this proves you should never say never. Stephanie can watch the Intercontinental title on RAW now. When Stephanie hears this, she smiles and laughs before leaving the room. JR says, “What the hell was that about?”

The Undertaker vs. Test - WWE SummerSlam 2002

The Undertaker vs. Test

Storyline: A pissed-off Undertaker attacked Nowinski for being in his way after Vengeance, so Bischoff made him wrestle Chris. After the bout, the Un-Americans jumped Taker because they wanted to make an impact on their first night on RAW. They gave Taker a Conchairto and waved the upside-down American flag over his body. Afterward, Test claimed they humbled the Undertaker. These actions angered Sgt. Slaughter. He challenged Test to a fight, but the Un-Americans beat him up. Later, Taker came after them with a chain. The Un-Americans ran, but Taker stole a cop’s motorcycle to go after them. This didn’t stop Test from interrupting Taker’s promo the next week. He rode a motorcycle to the ring and swiped Taker’s mic to disrespect him. As a result, Taker teamed with Booker and Goldust against the Un-Americans, and Christian used the tag belt to pin Goldust.

The Match: Taker surprises everyone by doing a leapfrog after some headlocks and shoulder blocks. Then he tries Old School, but Test pushes the ref into the ropes to crotch him. This leads to brawling outside, and Test sends Taker into the steps. Back inside, Test attacks Taker in the corner and wears him down with clotheslines and an armbar. Once Taker breaks free, he scores a DDT, Old School, and Snake Eyes. He also attempts a big boot. It misses, so Test looks for a pumphandle powerslam. Taker escapes and avoids Test’s big boot before hitting a chokeslam, but it only earns two!

Now Taker goes for the Last Ride, but Storm and Christian interfere. Taker fends them off with chokeslams only to eat a big boot from Test. When this gets two, Test fetches a chair. The referee grabs it, so Test shoves him down. This allows Taker to boot the chair into Test’s face and nail a Tombstone for the victory.

Thoughts: This was okay. It started and finished hot. The middle dragged slightly, but they brought it around in the end. This was what it needed to be, and they kept it the right length, so it was fine.

Winner: The Undertaker (8:18)

Afterward, Taker enters the crowd and gets a fan’s American flag. He poses with it in the ring before leaving on his motorcycle.

Now it’s time for an unsanctioned street fight between Shawn Michaels and Triple H. Shawn wears his street clothes, including a t-shirt with a bible verse. Triple H is in his regular gear, but he did the most heelish thing imaginable. Hunter shaved off his facial hair.

Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H, Street Fight - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Unsanctioned Street Fight: Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H

Storyline: Bischoff wanted Shawn to be Triple H’s manager, but Shawn found this insulting and threatened to quit. Hunter convinced him to stay with the idea of a DX reunion. However, Hunter attacked Shawn and gave him the Pedigree. He said he did it because Shawn’s ego got in the way. Later, someone jumped Shawn in the parking lot and smashed his head into a car window. Hunter feigned innocence and questioned others, but Shawn had security footage of Hunter doing it. Shawn challenged him, so Hunter vowed to cripple Shawn if he went through with it. He said he was never Shawn’s friend. Hunter only used him to get to the top. Then Hunter made Shawn sign a hold harmless agreement to get his match. Bischoff refused to sanction it, but Hunter said it would happen no matter what. Finally, Shawn and Hunter brawled after Hunter fought the Rock.

The Match: Shawn throws his t-shirt at Hunter and attacks him. He does a slingshot crossbody, rams Hunter into the post, and decks him with a trash can and lid. This continues until Shawn misses Sweet Chin Music, and Hunter goes after Shawn’s bad back. He uses backbreakers and a chair. Plus, Hunter bloodies Shawn with a DDT onto the chair. Now Triple H whips Shawn with his belt and widens the cut with the buckle. He even grabs the sledgehammer, but Hebner stops him. Since that doesn’t work, Hunter locks him in an ab stretch with leverage, and Earl has enough. He grows sick of Hunter’s crap and gets in his face. This doesn’t stop Hunter from giving Shawn a backbreaker and a side slam on the chair. He tries a Pedigree afterward, but Shawn throws a low blow.

Hunter is up first with the chair, but Shawn superkicks it into Hunter’s face and busts him open! This provides Shawn with a burst of adrenaline. He kips up and wields the chair, the belt, and the trash can. Shawn even hits Hunter with Hugo Savinovich’s shoe! A bulldog on the steps follows before Shawn fetches a ladder! He smacks Hunter with it and catapults him into it. Eventually, Hunter baseball slides it into Shawn, but Shawn fires back with a superplex. Triple H brings the ring steps in next, but Shawn gives him a drop toe hold and sends him outside. This time, he puts Hunter on a table and breaks it with a flying splash! Back inside, Shawn performs a flying elbow off the ladder and tunes up the band. Hunter catches the kick and seeks a Pedigree, but Shawn turns it into a jackknife pin for three!

Thoughts: I loved this. Everyone involved worked together to make this memorable. It had good intensity and performances and great commentary. This was a more story-focused bout, but it also contained excellent action, so it was a perfect mix of both. On a side note, it’s nice to see Shawn back. He intended this to be a one-off, but this will jump-start a second run that is arguably better than his first one.

Winner: Shawn Michaels (27:20)

Earl Hebner raises Shawn’s hand, so Shawn kisses him on the cheek. However, Triple H attacks Shawn from behind. He whacks Shawn in the back with the sledgehammer twice and leaves him lying. JR can’t believe what he sees. He says that son of a bitch will rot in hell for this. Triple H walks away with a smile while the EMTs rush to the ring and put Shawn on a stretcher. They place a neck brace on him and wheel him out of the arena.

Howard Finkel has something to say - WWE SummerSlam 2002

While they clean up, the Fink has something to say. He tells everyone this is the first time he has called a PPV from this arena since WrestleMania 2. He says this is a little something called commitment. Baseball might go on strike, but the fans will always have the Fink! When Howard says this, Trish Stratus confronts him. Fink reminds Trish about what she did. He says being in an arena full of Long Island skanks doesn’t give her the right to interrupt him. Trish apologizes. She says she sat backstage and listened to him, and she realized he had a sexy voice. Trish says she has a surprise. Fink makes a bad innuendo about puppies and wieners before Trish hugs him, but it’s a distraction. Lilian sneaks in. She slaps Howard and gives him a low blow. Then, Trish and Lilian leave together.

Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock - WWE SummerSlam 2002

Undisputed Title Match: Brock Lesnar (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. The Rock (c)

Storyline: Bischoff might have gotten Triple H, but Stephanie one-upped him by bringing Lesnar to Smackdown. Brock immediately caused trouble. He intervened in Angle’s business and attacked Hogan. Then Hogan won the right to wrestle Brock and convinced him to put his title shot on the line. However, Brock bloodied Hogan and made him pass out in a bear hug. Afterward, he claimed he ended Hogan’s career and wore Hogan’s t-shirt to mock him. Plus, Brock played mind games. He showed up in the front row during the Rock’s segments on RAW and sent photos of a bloody Hogan to the Rock. Lesnar even cost the Rock a match against Benoit and interfered in Triple H vs. the Rock. Later, Heyman called Lesnar a bigger attraction than the Rock and promised a confrontation. It was a distraction so Benoit and Guerrero could jump the Rock.

The Match: The Rock sprints into the fight, but Lesnar gives him backbreakers and suplexes. Unfortunately, Heyman interferes multiple times, which allows Brock to drop the Rock on the barricade and land more suplexes. He focuses on Rock’s ribs and nails a powerslam. Then Brock crashes into the corner on a missed charge, and the Rock scores a back suplex. This leads to stereo kip-ups before Rock performs clotheslines and a DDT. Now, the Rock keeps going for the Sharpshooter and gets it, but Heyman distracts him. When the Rock goes after Paul, he drops a chair in the ring. Lesnar uses it on the Rock’s ribs as the ref deals with Heyman.

Lesnar grabs a bear hug. He turns it into a back suplex when the Rock fights and hooks a grounded bear hug. Once the Rock escapes, Heyman occupies the ref again. This time, the Rock throws a low blow. It results in brawling outside. The Rock clears the Spanish table and catapults Brock into the post. While Brock is down, Rock plants Heyman on the announcer’s table with a Rock Bottom. Back inside, Rock hits a Rock Bottom, but it only gets two! Lesnar answers with a Brock Bottom, which earns two! Next, the Rock floors Lesnar with a spinebuster and looks for a People’s Elbow. Brock clotheslines him and tries an F5. The Rock avoids it, but Lesnar counters a Rock Bottom into the F5 for the three.

Thoughts: This was good fun. The hot crowd helped, but this also contained solid action. It was competitive, but Lesnar still seemed dominant. As for the fans’ reaction, they turned on the Rock because of his frequent trips to Hollywood. They grew tired of him leaving and returning, so they latched onto Brock and booed Rocky throughout this contest. It clearly bothered him, but it fuels a great heel run in the future.

Winner: Brock Lesnar (New Champion) (16:01)

While Lesnar celebrates with the belt, Cole says he is the youngest champion in WWE’s history. Lesnar climbed the mountain in only five short months. The next big thing is here!

The Good:

  • Rock vs. Lesnar

  • HBK vs. Triple H

  • RVD vs. Benoit

  • Angle vs. Mysterio

  • The tag title match

The Bad:

  • I can’t think of anything.

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to Shawn Michaels. His amazing comeback performance stole the show.

Final Thoughts:

This was an outstanding PPV. Even the stuff I found slightly disappointing was still good. There wasn’t a bad match on the card, and some were great. I recommend this show.

Thank you for reading. My next review is Unforgiven 2002. Look for it next Sunday!

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I write a blog where I chronologically review all pre-network PPVs from the WWF/WWE, WCW, & ECW.

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