WWF/E's Raw, Smackdown & PPV's 2002

[Crippler]

WWE Smackdown 12/19/2002
Tampa, Florida

WWE Champion: Kurt Angle
WWE Tag Team Champions: Los Guerrero's
WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Billy Kidman

The file is only an hour long, so I probably have missed some things hopefully it wasn't huge.

We join it in progress and Cena with B2 comes out, and Cena cuts a rap with the highlight being "The Buccaneers are queers and he'll rather cheer the Patriots"

Chuck Palumbo vs. John Cena (w/ B2)
Cena debuts the Jean shots, OH SHIT! This was like 2 minutes and it was a pretty much Chuck sucking early on but a cheap B2 shot on the outside allowed Cena to beat on Chuck for a while, Cena wins when Chuck goes up top and hits a ross-body, but Cena rolls through and grabs the tights for the pin. Post-Match: Rikishi comes out and attacks B2 and Cena. Rikishi gets a chair and swings at Cena, but Cena ducks out of the way. He then takes out B2 and Backs It Up onto Cena, then hits Double Chin Music but B2 pulls Cena away from the Banzai Drop. *1/4

They replay the footage of what happened between Torrie & Dawn Marie. Torrie is in her house waiting to do an interview with Smackdown about the happenings in room 357. Torrie says that she is not ashamed because she proved that she loves her father and that she is willing to do anything for him. She says that dawn is a manipulative wench and that she is ashamed of her father because he broke her heart, and no one has any idea how much that hurts. As far as being a sexual predator, she will admit she is a very sexual person, and as far as being a predator, Dawn Marie will find out exactly what kind of predator she is. Dawn and Al come out and Dawn gets on the mic, and says that Torrie is a sexual predator and a jealous nymphomaniac. She says that everyone should know that her relationship with Al Wilson is a truly sacred. She says that she and Al would never lay to each other and the respect each other. Torrie listens as Dawn talks about how she and Al love each other and that she can look into Al's eyes and know he's never seen a more beautiful woman. Dawn then invites Torrie and all the Smackdown! Viewers to tune in to Smackdown! In two weeks, and says that Dawn Marie & Al Wilson will be married. Torrie says that she's come to the conclusion that Dawn & Al deserve each other.

Mattitude.com entrance says Matt has wrestled in 44 states. Matt Hardy comes out with Shannon Moore, and Matt Hardy pulls a mic out of his pants and says he can't fight Brock because something got in his eye, so Moore will take his place. Shannon is afraid but is thrown in the ring. Brock garbs him and tosses him across the ring.

Brock Lesnar vs. Shannon Moore (w/ Matt Hardy)
Moore tries to fight Lesnar but is suplexed over the top rope. Matt rolls Moore in the ring. Lesnar hits the F-5 and covers for the win. Post-Match: Matt yells at Shannon while Lesnar begins to walk up the ramp and sees Matt in the ring. Lesnar grabs Matt and nails an F-5 on him as well.

Backstage, Kurt is shown watching the Brock match and looks impressed. Stephanie asks to talk to him. Angle says he can't wait for the match with Brock.

Stephanie says Kurt needs to cut the crap, and go out to the ring and set the record straight and clear everything up. Kurt plays dumb like he doesn't know what she is talking about. Stephanie says she has known him for a long time and can't believe he won't say something. She says she will if he doesn't, but finally says he'll go out and do it.

Kurt Angle comes down to the ring, and he gets on the mic. He says he must level with everyone, ever since he entered the WWE he has been a man of three I's and integrity is one of them. If it were up to him, he would face Brock Lesnar & Chris Benoit in the same night. He has a lot on his plate, anyone who represents himself has a fool for a client, which is why he hired a management team to look out for his best interests and be in charge on contract negotiations. Kurt introduces the head of his management team, Paul FUCKIN'Heyman! They hug in the ring. And Heyman says that the people can't say they were surprised by this, would he actually lets Lesnar come close to the title again. Heyman says they were in it since a week before Armageddon. He was so willing to jump at the opportunity to screw Brock again, and they played Brock & Stephanie like a couple of violins. Heyman says that as his first act as Angle's new agent, is to tell us that the Brock Lesnar title match is postponed indefinitely because Angle wants to peruse other challengers, anyone but Brock Lesnar. Suddenly the Big Show music plays and he comes out and is PISSED! Show yells at Heyman, and asks what the hell is wrong with him. Paul represented him and Kurt Angle at the same time at Armageddon? Heyman tries to explain himself, he says that he dumped Brock Lesnar for him, and he isn't dumping Show for Kurt Angle. Heyman says they have amazing leverage now with a 7 foot tall giant and an Olympic gold medallist. And he's going to demand that Kurt Angle face Big Show next week. Kurt looks worried. Heyman says that as long as Angle or Show is the champ, the Lesnar isn't the champion and they are still in power.

Backstage, Ernest the Cat is interviewing Edge. And Edge says that he's going to kick A-Train's ass tonight after he attacked Mysterio and the attacked him. Edge says A-Train has some debts to pay, and edge is here to collect.

Edge vs. A-Train
A-Train attacks first going after Edge's injured knee, and it looks really good all the way until Edge starts to so some spotty sell it during his comeback. The match ends when A-Train goes for the Baldo Bomb but Edge fights out with a dropkick. A-Train then misses a clothesline and Edge gets a rebound spear for the win. **1/4

Backstage, Josh says he can't imagine Brock's state of mind. Brock comes out of the door and says, that his state of mind is a good question.

Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle (w/ Paul Heyman)
This got 10 minutes and it's the usual goodness, but the reason I put it above some of their other matches is Benoit worked face while Angle worked heel. Which was so good to see, both men bumping around like gods and Benoits' selling of the punishment done to his neck and head was great. And that somehow made the comeback even better, Angle throws Benoit outside the ring where Heyman nails Benoit upside the head with the WWE Championship but that only gets a two. The finishing stretch was great, so Angle chops at Benoit then rakes his eyes. Only for Benoit to run right into a German suplex from Angle. He then goes for an Angle slam but Benoit counters and takes Angle down with a suplex. Benoit gets back up and hits a back body drop followed by two German suplex, but as he goes for the third Angle counters and locks in the ankle lock. Benoit fight out and nails another 4 German's. Benoit chases Angle around the ring and nails three more suplexes. He gets on the top rope and nails the head butt, then locks in the cross face but Big Show comes out and chokeslams Benoit for a DQ. Brock runs down the ramp, belly to belly suplexes the Big Show, and then one for Angle. He picks Heyman up for the F5 but Angle chop-blocks his knee, and hits the Angle Slam followed by a chokeslam. Big Show, Kurt Angle & Paul Heyman raise their hands and taunts Lesnar to end the show. ***1/4

 

[Crippler]

WWE Raw 12/23/2002
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H
WWE World Tag Team Champions: Booker T & Goldust
WWE Women's Champion: Victoria

Rob Van Dam & Kane vs. Three Minute Warning (w/ Rico)
It looks like RVD/Kane got new that they will be teaming for a while as they have some cool double team moves here. The heat-segment on RVD was fun but it usually is when he's getting beaten on by big guys he just seems to die more and it looks great. Kane didn't even get a hot-tag as Rosey tries to knock Kane off the apron but it only pisses him off. Kane climbs the top rope and hits a flying clothesline and the match begins to breakdown with chaos everywhere, anyway the match would end when Kane clotheslines Rosey out of the ring, then chokeslams Jamal, which allows RVD to head up the top rope and hit a Five Star frog splash for the win. Post-Match: Rico yells at Rosey & Jamal, he slaps both of them in anger. Oddly, Rosey and Jamal start grabbing at each other, until they see Rico still yelling at them, screaming that that is the anger they must wrestle with. **

Backstage, Chief Morley & Eric Bischoff are talking and Morley says that he's heard Triple H is going to call out Scott Steiner tonight. Spike Dudley comes into the office, and asks if they actually didn't see Storm use the brass knuckles on his brothers, and now they're not even getting a rematch. Morely suggests Spike show this administration some respect that, Bischoff he's in a match with Batista tonight that if any Dudley interferes, they will all be suspended.

Earlier today, D'Lo who is dressed STRAIGHT THUGED OUT! They should of put him with Cena instead of B2 asks Stacy for her to do with his career what she did with Test's and be his marketing manager. He introduces his new catchphrase "Down with the Brown." She says she's got her hands full with Testicles right now, but she'd think about it.

D'Lo Brown vs. Test (w/ Stacy Keibler)
D'Lo now wrestles in jeans This was awful, they do some stuff for like 30 seconds and D'Lo gets out of the ring and starts yelling that he needs Stacy. Test goes after him, but D'Lo smashes him into the ring post, he throws him into the ring and pins with his feet on the ropes and the ref sees the feet. D'Lo screams for him to continue counting, but the ref says he will DQ Brown if he keeps yelling. D'Lo forcefully shoves the ref to the ground, forcing the DQ. D'Lo then goes after Stacy, but is chased off by Test.

Back from the commercial, and Bischoff and the Chief come out put over the Royal Rumble and the Raw Main Event of Triple H vs. Scott Steiner for the World Heavyweight championship. Plus, 15 Raw Superstars and 15 Smackdown Superstars will compete in the Rumble match, with the winner getting a shot at his brands Title at WrestleMania. Bischoff & Morely walk over to where Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler are sitting. Bischoff says there is another problem that must be addressed tonight. He shows video of what happened during the break. We get an F-View camera of King and JR talking about Bischoff's choice of JR joining the Kiss My Ass club for Raw Retro. Bischoff reminds JR that he has Tony Shovonie's number on speed dial! and tells Lawler that Jesse Ventura will be available soon Bischoff says that he has the right to fire both of them, but he has a better idea. With that in mind, we will see a brand new tag team tonight. Jerry Lawler will be one-half of the team, and since he and JR are such good friends, why not have JR be his partner? And if they don't team up tonight, they're both fired.

The Hurricane vs. Chris Nowinski
FUCK OFF!

Backstage, Coach asks Triple H about what happened last week and Triple H takes offense to Coach implying he backed down from Scott Steiner. He is not afraid of Steiner. If Steiner were here right now, he'd slap him across the head, and there's not a thing Scott could do about it. So tonight, he's going to the ring, and he'll call Scott Steiner out. Then we'll see who's afraid.

Spike Dudley vs. Batista (w/ Ric Flair)
Spike bumps huge and Batista kill him.

Backstage, Bischoff and Morley are laughing about Spike being "taken care of" Morely says that JR & The King will learn a lesson they will never forget, Regal and Storm burst in, asking to be the ones to fight JR and Lawler since they are the only undefeated tag team on Raw. Bischoff says that's a good idea, since there's nothing he'd rather see than a pair of brass knuckles colliding with the double chin of a certain Oklahoman tonight.

F-View camera is in the women's locker room, and we see the divas in their Santa's Little Helpers outfits, stretching.

Santa's Little Helper Match: Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler & Jacqueline vs. Victoria, Ivory & Molly Holly
Yeah so this happen.

Backstage, Coach interviews Scott Steiner. Coach asks Scott Steiner about what Triple H said earlier. Last week, he says, Triple H backed down from him because he is who he says he is. He really is a genetic freak, and really has the largest arms in the world. Tonight, he's going to give Triple H more reasons to be scared.

Goldust searches for Booker, but finds Jericho instead. Jericho says that Goldust is still the weak link on his team. Goldust says Jericho looked weak when Shawn Michaels hit him with Sweet Chin Music. Jericho says Booker won the Tag Titles, not Goldust. Last week when he had a chance to shine, Christian pinned him. Jericho states that Goldust is a failure at everything he does; he's a failure as a wrestler, a husband, and a father. He's a failure as a human being. And tonight, he's going to fail again.

WWE World Tag Team Championship: Chris Jericho & Christian vs. Goldust & Booker T
This was beautiful, and shockingly I've never seen this match before. All four guys were on and they realized this was their opportunity to make up for the busted rope incident from No Mercy. The early portion of the match saw a lot of really good back-and-forth action but the champs would, get the better of the exchanges and Christian and Jericho were bumping machines for everything. Goldust's has his best performance to date here as both face in peril and hot tag. At one point Goldust takes Jericho into the corner and gets the 10 Punch, but Christian pushes him away and Jericho hits a dropkick from the top and they begin to take over with the formula that works. Cut-off the tags and cutting the ring in half, using any advantage and cheap tactic to stay in control. Goldust eventually fights out of the corner and hit a neckbreaker and gets the Hot-tag to Booker who sidekicks Jericho and backdrops Christian. Spinebuster to Christian for a two count chops by Booker, but Jericho clubs him down from behind. Christian & Jericho then go for a double-team, but Booker fights out and smashes their heads into each other, then hits a double jumping calf kick. Goldust takes Jericho out of the ring as Booker hits a Spinaroonie and the scissors kick on Christian for the three count, but Christian had his foot on the ropes. So the ref restarts the match. AWESOME! False-finish and Booker argues the refs call as we go to break. Jericho in control of Booker when we return Jericho punches away, but Booker explodes with a spinning heel kick. Tag to Goldust, but the ref was distracted, so he forces Goldust from the ring, allowing Christian and Jericho to beat down on Booker. AWESOME! They continue to beat on Booker for a couple of minutes Booker charges and hits elbow but comes right back with a flapjack which leads to Goldust getting the hot-tag and that rules, and the match begins to breakdown with all 4 men just going at it. The match would eventually end when Goldust sets Jericho for the Curtain Call, but Jericho flips over and applies the Walls of Jericho. Goldust crawls towards the ropes, but Jericho pulls him back to the center. But Booker makes the save before Goldust can tap and kicks Jericho in the head. He then hits Jericho with a Jumping calf kick and tosses Christian from the ring, but then Jericho tosses him out of the ring. Jericho rolls up Goldust with his feet on the ropes but that only gets a two and he then Bulldogs Goldust but the Lionsault misses and Goldust rolls him up with the tights for the win. **** - ****1/4

Backstage, Kane has he bag and is just walking through the corridors when RVD congratulates him on their victory earlier tonight. Kane says it was cool. RVD asks if Kane is going to stay with his parents at Christmas. Kane says that as a child, he was kept in the basement where he tortured squirrels with razorblades RVD gives Kane a Christmas gift, "Hungry, Hungry Hippos." Kane says he doesn't like Christmas and he doesn't like games. He gives the game back and walks off.

Triple H & Ric Flair walk to the ring and Flair tells Triple H that Steiner is a loose cannon and urges him to wait for Rumble. Triple H says he understands everyone's concern, but he isn't afraid of Scott Steiner. Right now, he's going to call Steiner out.

Triple H & Ric Flair come down to the ring. And Triple H says he's said it before, but since these Oklahoma's aren't quite thinkers, he'll say it again: he is The Game, the best in the business, and he is not afraid of Scott Steiner. Let's think about it. Why would Scott use last week to call him out? Could it have something to do with the fact that Triple H wasn't 100%? That not 24 hours earlier, he was in a three-fall match with Shawn Michaels. He had no time to rest or recover, so Scott Steiner decides that is the time to call him out. If he was 100%, Scott Steiner isn't even in his league. So tonight, since he's feeling pretty good, if Steiner is man enough to come out, he's more than welcome. Steiner's music hits and he comes to the ring. He immediately goes nose-to-nose with Triple H, and Triple H tells him to hold on. They've both signed on to fight at the Royal Rumble for the Heavyweight Title where they stand to make a lot of money. He's not going to give up any of that money by fighting on free TV. But he does have a proposition. Steiner may think he's the man, but to be the man, you gotta beat the man. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Steiner takes the mic from Triple H's hands, saying these people didn't come to see Triple H talk. They're here to see Scott Steiner whoop his ass. Last week, Triple H wasn't 100%, but now he's feeling good enough to go man-to-man with Freakzilla? Well then stop wasting time talking about it and let's do it right now. Triple H goes to take the mic from Steiner, but he refuses to let go, forcing Triple H to have to get his own mic He says that if that's true, Steiner will have to prove it in a match... an arm-wrestling match. He calls on the crew to bring the table down, which they do. He says Steiner has pretty big guns, but they don't compare to his. Steiner is built for show, while Trips is built to go. Steiner says Triple H is going to be embarrassed. Steiner sits down and lays his arm out, Triple H takes off his jacket and sits down. They lock up and the match begins. Neither man seems to be making headway, until Triple H starts taking Steiner down slowly. All of a sudden, Steiner stops shaking and smiles at Triple H. He quickly reverses the motion and wins the match. Triple H calls for a left arm match, which Steiner quickly wins three in a row. Triple H leaves the ring, holding his arm. Steiner says this one went out to all his freaks in Oklahoma. Big Poppa Pump is your hook-up, and the next World Heavyweight Champion. Holla if you hear him.

William Regal & Lance Storm vs. Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler
This should not of gotten 6 minutes, they wasted time for the first four and the match would end when Regal puts on the knuckles, but Lawler ducks and hits punches of his own. Snapmare takedown and mounted punches by Lawler, who sets for the piledriver, but Regal low blows him. JR sees everyone down and the brass knuckles in the ring. He tags himself in and puts on the knuckles, but Storm takes him down from behind. Regal and Storm begin to kick on him, when the Dudleyz hit the ring and give a 3D to Storm, Regal stumbles up to his feet and JR punches with the knuckles and covers while the ref crawls into the ring and counts the 1-2-3. *3/4

 

[Crippler]

WWE Smackdown 12/26/2002
Tulsa, Oklahoma

WWE Champion: Kurt Angle
WWE Tag Team Champions: Los Guerrero's
WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Billy Kidman

Stephanie McMahon comes down to the ring and gets on the mic. Apparently she is here to tell us of a scuffle between Lesnar and Angle after Smackdown went off the air last week. She tells us that the Championship match can't happen tonight because of what Lesnar did. Angle cannot compete until at least the Royal Rumble, later on we will see the footage of Lesnar's attack. Suddenly the Big Show's music hits and he comes down to the ring, Steph sarcastically thanks Big Show for interrupting her and asks where Heyman is? Big Show explains that Paul Heyman hasn't arrived yet. Steph asks why he couldn't wait. He said he didn't feel like waiting, since Angle can't compete until Rumble, he inquires why she didn't name him the number one contender at Rumble. She says that if he doesn't want to be suspended, he needs to back off of her. She said Heyman named him number one contender, not her, and Heyman does not run Smackdown, so Show must compete in a number one contender match against Chris Benoit. Big Show tells Stephanie that Chris Benoit isn't even in his league and called Benoit the toothless wonder and made some height jokes. Chris Benoit then comes down to the ring and grabs Steph's mic and gets up into Show's face, and says that Show has no idea what he is capable of. Benoit says that the only thing stopping him from breaking Show's neck is their match tonight. Big Show says "He is a giant, and Benoit obviously isn't" Benoit will have to take him down to his size to beat him and Show just doesn't see that happening. Benoit nails Show with a low blow dropping him to his knees.

Bill DeMott vs. Crash Holly
Bill continues his unimpressive squash win streak.

Backstage, Dawn Marie and All talk about their upcoming wedding. Then they exchange gifts. Al says he bought some Viagra. Then he opens her present its a video camera, to make movies of all their 'adventures' together. Dawn says they can tape their entire honeymoon and watch it over and over and over.

Mattitude.com entrance says Matt was MVP in the No Mercy 1999 Ladder Match & Matt always sticks to his new year’s resolutions. Matt gets on the mic and says he has come here to talk about a problem destroying Smackdown, Brock Lesnar. Matt says he has footage of Lesnar ruining Smackdown. They run the clip of Brock destroying Matt and Shannon Moore with F-5's Matt says the important thing is that Shannon didn't quit and he is here tonight, and he should be proud that Brock may have beat him but he didn't break him. Matt then challenges Brock Lesnar to a match next week on Smackdown and tells Brock to bring everything because Mattitude is going to a whole new level, then he beats on Shannon Moore. YES!

Kurt Angle & Heyman arrive at the arena, and Kurt has a big cast on his leg and is on crutches.

WWE Tag Team Championships: Edge & Billy Kidman vs. Los Guerrero's
Very good tag match here, Kidman and Chavo start off the match and the team of Edge and Billy seem to get the better of the Guerrero's with Billy owning Chavo, and Edge owning Eddie. At one point Eddie locks in the Lasso from El Paso and Kidman breaks it up. Edge nails a spear and covers Eddie but Chavo breaks up the count. Chavo throws Eddie out of the ring and grabs their belts and leave. The ref announces that if The Guerrero's don't get back to the ring then they also lose their tag belts. The ref starts to count, as we go to a commercial. The Guerrero's begin to take over on Edge and its AWESOME! The best Edge performance since him and Rey were tagging. Kidman nails a shooting star press on Chavo and covers, but Eddie pulls the ref out. The bell rings. The ref announces that the match will restart as a no DQ match, since the Guerrero’s are trying to get DQ’ed. SWERVE! Kidman knocks Chavo and Eddie of the Apron and attempts a shooting star press but Eddie knocks him down. Chavo brings the belts in; Edge grabs it and knocks out Chavo. Kidman covers Chavo but Eddie breaks it up, and knocks Edge out of the ring. This allows A-Train run down to ringside and gives Edge a backbreaker. Chavo holds Kidman by the ankle as he tries to crawl away, and Eddie hits a frog splash for the win. ***

They show the footage from what happen when Smackdown went off the air last week. Kurt Angle, Big Show & Paul Heyman were beating up Brock Lesnar. Heyman taunts him while Angle continues, Brock finally fight out with a burst of strength. Lesnar kicks Angle into the corner and chokes him with his foot. Lesnar catches Show in the top rope and nails Big Show with a few chair shots and goes after Angle, Brock jumps out of the ring and f-5's Angle right into the ring post. Angle screams about his knee. Brock starts up the ramp after Heyman as the trainers come out to help; Brock goes back to Angle and drops his knee on the guard rail and leaves.

Back from a commercial and Heyman is already in the ring and has a mic. He says that he and Kurt were planning to keep their business relationship private. He blamed Angle's injury on Stephanie and taking away Show's title shot and allowing Brock to get away with attacking Angle. He then introduces the WWE Champion, Kurt Angle, who comes out in a cast on crutches. Angle gets the mic and says he doesn't know how long Paul Heyman lasted with a remorseless animal like Brock. That it may be impressive that Brock won his championship in the first year, and YES! Brock is an NCAA Champion, and won the WWE title in his first year. But he did it with Heyman. Angle said he has done all that Brock has on his own, plus he is an Olympic Gold Medalist. Brock is a jealous and that Brock is crazy for attacking him since all he did was get an agent. He says that Michael Jordan has an agent but you don't see Kobe Bryant attacking him Kurt says that Brock knows he is not the Champion he is, and that's why he injured him. But he is STILL STANDING and he WILL defend the title at Royal Rumble but against Benoit or Show, not him... ever! And if Brock gets in his face again, he will take him down like the punk he is. Heyman then introduced what he called a contingency plan, "Team Angle" Angle's music hits and to guys in wrestling outfits like Angle's. Heyman says that Angle is now the captain of his own team "Team Angle" Heyman introduces the first guy, Charlie Haas, who will be crafted in Angle's own image. Heyman introduces the other guy, Brock Lesnar's former roommate at Minnesota, and they only man to every pin him, Shelton Benjamin. Kurt shakes the hands of Haas & Benjamin and looks pretty happy, and says that this is a great Christmas present these guys have respect unlike Lesnar. Angle says that just like they learned in college, wrestling is a game of human chess "CHECKMATE"

Rikishi vs. B2 (w/ John Cena)
Cena raps before the match; it was his worse one so far. I didn't watch the match for obvious reasons.

SMACKDOWN #1 ANNOUNCER Funaki interviews Torrie Wilson, he asks Torrie about her father marrying Dawn Marie next week on Smackdown. Torrie says she can't believe that Al is still going through with this and thought her father would come to his senses by now. Funaki asks her to comment about her saying that Al broke her heart, but Al comes up and says he is angry with her it's always been Torrie! Torrie! Torrie! But what about HIM? OH SHIT! Al says that a strong father-daughter relationship runs on a two-way street and that next week he is going to marry Dawn and within a week after that they will plan a family. Al then says that he hopes the child won't be a disgrace like Torrie was. I LOVE THIS GUY!

[video=dailymotion;x125c6u]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x125c6u_12-26-02-smackdown-eddie-chavo-cena-with-b2-promo_fun#.UexvXY3VDoJ[/video]​

Josh Mathews interviews Chris Benoit, Benoit says that tonight he will beat Show for the number one contender and at Rumble he will beat Angle for the championship, the championship he has worked so hard for, and sacrificed for and if there is one thing in life that he believes, it's that he's better than Angle.

Backstage, Kurt gives Big Show a pep talk in the locker room he says he wishes he could go out there with him, but at least he will be there in person. He would much rather face a real champion at the Rumble.

#1 Contender's Match: Chris Benoit vs. The Big Show (w/ Paul Heyman)
This is why I love Benoit so much as he bumps huge and just dies with every blow or move show would deliver, he really makes Show's slow methodical offense look 10 times more violent than it actually is. They work the story with "the-big guy vs. the-small guy" and have the side story being Benoit cannot lock in the Crossface so he has no chance of winning, and even knocking down Show was too hard to do so it must be wearing Benoit down. At one point in the match Benoit delivers a German suplex to Show and goes up to the top rope and nails the headbutt which only gets a two count. Benoit sends Show into the exposed turnbuckle, and chops Show a few times but Show No-sells and attempts a chokeslam but Benoit counters into a roll-up for the win and to a nice pop. Post-Match: Show attempts another chokeslam, but Benoit counters with the cross face. But Team Angle run out and assaults Benoit. They hit the AWESOME! Powerbomb/Springboard Reverse Bulldog combo and Haas Haas locks in the Haas of Pain for a while while Shelton stomps away at his head. He would then releases which allows Big Show to Chokeslams him. Team Angle grabs Benoit and drags him out to the ramp. Angle comes down and taunts Benoit saying Benoit doesn't stand a chance. Big Show kicks Benoit in the face once more knocking him out, Angle plants his crutch right into Benoit's neck. Paul Heyman, The Big Show, Team Angle and the WWE Champions Kurt Angle pose over him to end the final show of 2002. ***

 

[Crippler]

No Mercy 2002 - Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship: The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) ****3/4
No Mercy 2002 - WWE Tag Team Championships (Tournament Finals): Chris Benoit & Kurt Angle vs. Edge & Rey Mysterio ****3/4
SummerSlam 2002 - Unsanctioned Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H ****3/4
Unforgiven 2002 - Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit ****1/2
Smackdown 08/01/2002 - Edge and The Rock vs. Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit ****1/4
Smackdown 09/26/2002 - No Disqualification Match: Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero ****1/4
Smackdown 11/07/2002 - Two out of Three falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championships: Chris Benoit & Kurt Angle vs. Edge & Rey Mysterio ****1/4
Raw 05/27/2002 - Ladder Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam vs. Eddie Guerrero ****1/4
Raw 12/23/2002 - WWE World Tag Team Championship: Chris Jericho & Christian vs. Goldust & Booker T **** - ****1/4
Armageddon 2002 - Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero ****
Unforgiven 2002 - Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero ****
Smackdown 05/30/2002 - Steel Cage Match: Kurt Angle vs. Edge ****
Vengeance 2002 - WWE Undisputed Championship: The Undertaker vs. The Rock vs. Kurt Angle ****
Backlash 2002 - Edge vs. Kurt Angle ****
Smackdown 10/17/2002 - Tag Team Title Tournament (Semi-Finals): Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero ****
SummerSlam 2002 - WWE Undisputed Champion: The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar (w/ Paul Heyman) ****
Smackdown 11/14/2002 - Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio ****
Judgment Day 2002 - Hair vs. Hair Match: Edge vs. Kurt Angle ***3/4
Smackdown 08/15/2002 - The Rock vs. Chris Benoit ***3/4
Smackdown 10/03/2002 - Chris Benoit vs. Rey Mysterio ***3/4
Smackdown 08/22/2002 - Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit vs. The Rock and Edge ***1/2 - ***3/4
Smackdown 11/28/2002 - WWE Tag Team Championships: Los Guerrero's vs. Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit ***1/2 - ***3/4
Smackdown 08/08/2002 - Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, and Eddie Guerrero vs. John Cena, Edge, and Rey Mysterio ***1/2 - ***3/4
SummerSlam 2002 - WWE Intercontinental Champion: Chris Benoit vs. Rob Van Dam ***3/4
Royal Rumble 2002 - WWF Undisputed Championship: The Rock vs. Chris Jericho ***3/4
SummerSlam 2002 - Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero ***1/2
Raw 07/29/2002 - WWE Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Benoit ***1/2
SummerSlam 2002 - Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio ***1/2
Survivor Series 2002 - WWE Championship: The Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) ***1/2
Smackdown 09/26/2002 - Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio ***1/2
Smackdown 12/12/2002 - WWE Tag Team Championships: Los Guerrero’s vs. Chris Benoit and Billy Kidman ***1/2
Raw 07/01/2002 - Ladder Match for the WWE Undisputed Championship: The Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy ***1/2
Unforgiven 2002 - WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) vs. The Undertaker ***1/2
Survivor Series 2002 - Elimination Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships: Edge & Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit vs. Los Guerrero’s (Eddie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero) ***1/2
WrestleMania 18 - The Rock vs. “Hollywood†Hulk Hogan ***1/2
Smackdown 07/25/2002 - Steel Cage Match: Chris Jericho vs. Edge ***1/2
Vengeance 2002 - WWE Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam vs. Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) ***1/2
Raw 07/15/2002 - Elimination Match: Jeff Hardy, Spike Dudley & Bubba Dudley vs. Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero & William Regal ***1/2
Survivor Series 2002 - Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Triple H (w/Ric Flair) vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho vs. Booker T vs. Kane vs. Rob Van Dam ***1/2
Raw 01/28/2002 – Kurt Angle vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin ***1/2
Raw 08/12/2002 - The Rock, The Undertaker, Booker T & Goldust vs. The Un-Americans & Triple H ***1/2
Smackdown 10/24/2002 - #1 Contender's Match: Edge & Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero ***1/2
Raw 10/07/2002 - TLC IV for the World Tag Team Championships: Kane & Hurricane vs. Rob Van Dam & Jeff Hardy vs. Bubba Ray Dudley & Spike Dudley vs. Chris Jericho & Christian ***1/2
Smackdown 09/12/2002 - Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio ***1/4 - ***1/2
WrestleMania 18 - WWF Undisputed Championship: Chris Jericho (w/ Stephanie McMahon) vs. Triple H ***1/4 - ***1/2
Backlash 2002 - WWF Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam vs. Eddie Guerrero ***1/4
Judgment Day 2002 - Intercontinental Championship: Eddie Guerrero vs. Rob Van Dam ***1/4
Smackdown 10/31/2002 - Chris Benoit vs. Edge ***1/4
Smackdown 11/21/2002 - Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero ***1/4
Smackdown 01/03/2002 - Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle ***1/4
Smackdown 10/24/2002 - Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle ***1/4
Smackdown 10/03/2002 - Kurt Angle vs. Edge ***1/4
Vengeance 2002 - Tables match: Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero vs. Bubba Ray Dudley and Spike Dudley ***1/4
Smackdown 08/01/2002 - Rey Mysterio vs. Tajiri ***1/4
Smackdown 12/19/2002 - Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle (w/ Paul Heyman) ***1/4
No Mercy 2002 - WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Jamie Noble (w/Nidia) vs. Tajiri ***1/4
Backlash 2002 - Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. Tajiri (w/Torrie Wilson) ***1/4
Velocity 05/25/02 - Billy Kidman vs. Tajiri ***1/4
No Mercy 2002 - WWE World Tag Team Champions: Chris Jericho & Christian vs. Booker T & Goldust ***1/4
Raw 12/02/2002 - WWE World Tag Team Championship: Goldust & Booker T vs. Christian & Chris Jericho ***1/4
Smackdown 08/29/2002 - #1 Contender's Match: The Undertaker vs. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle ***1/4
Armageddon 2002 - Elimination Match for the WWE World Tag Team Championships: Chris Jericho & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Booker T & Goldust vs. William Regal & Lance Storm ***1/4
WrestleMania 18 - NoDQ: Ric Flair vs. The Undertaker ***1/4
Raw 06/03/2002 - Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Ric Flair ***1/4
Smackdown 01/03/2002 - The Rock & Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Jericho & Test ***1/4
Raw 06/24/2002 - WWE Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam vs. Brock Lesnar (w/ Paul Heyman) *** - ***1/4
Smackdown 09/19/2002 - Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle vs. Billy and Chuck *** - ***1/4
Smackdown 10/31/2002 - Rey Mysterio vs. Brock Lesnar ***
Smackdown 12/26/2002 - #1 Contender's Match: Chris Benoit vs. The Big Show (w/ Paul Heyman) ***
Raw 02/25/2002 WWF Undisputed Championship: Chris Jericho (w/ Stephanie McMahon) vs. Kurt
Angle ***
Smackdown 08/29/2002 - Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero ***
Smackdown05/11/2002 - Chris Jericho vs. Edge ***
Smackdown 08/22/2002 - Kurt Angle vs. Billy Kidman ***
Smackdown 12/26/2002 - WWE Tag Team Championships: Edge & Billy Kidman vs. Los Guerrero's ***
WrestleMania 18 - Kurt Angle vs. Kane ***
Raw 07/01/2002 - Bubba Ray Dudley & Spike Dudley vs. Eddie Guerrero & Chris Benoit ***
Velocity 07/06/2002 - Billy Kidman vs. Tajiri ***
Smackdown 10/31/2002 - Matt Hardy vs. Tajiri ***
Raw 03/04/2002 - Rob Van Dam vs. Lance Storm ***
Raw 04/08/2002 - The Undertaker vs. Rob Van Dam ***
Raw 08/26/2002 - Unification Match: WWE Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam vs. WWE Hardcore Champion Tommy Dreamer ***
SummerSlam 2002 - WWE Tag Team Champions: The Un-Americans (Lance Storm and Christian) vs. Booker T and Goldust ***
Smackdown 12/05/2002 - #1 Contender's Elimination Match: Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero vs. Edge ***
Raw 07/01/2002 - Ric Flair vs. Brock Lesnar (w/ Paul Heyman) ***
Raw 10/14/2002 - WWE World Tag Team Championship: Kane & The Hurricane vs. Chris Jericho & Christian ***
No Way Out 2002 - WWF Undisputed World Championship: Chris Jericho vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin ***
Raw 04/29/2002 - WWF Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Hardy vs. Eddie Guerrero ***
Raw 08/05/2002 - Chris Jericho vs. Rob Van Dam ***
Smackdown 08/08/2002 - Kurt Angle vs. John Cena ***
Smackdown 09/05/2002 - Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero vs. Edge, Rikishi and The Undertaker ***
Smackdown 10/31/2002 - Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero ***
Raw 02/18/2002 - #1 Contender's Match - Triple H vs. Kurt Angle ***
Raw 04/15/2002 - William Regal & Eddie Guerrero vs. Spike Dudley & Rob Van Dam ***
Raw 06/03/2002 - Eddie Guerrero & Brock Lesnar vs. Rob Van Dam & Bubba Ray Dudley ***
Smackdown 09/12/2002 - Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero vs. Edge and John Cena ***
Raw 01/21/2002 - WWF Intercontinental Championship: William Regal vs. Edge ***
Royal Rumble 2002 - WWF Intercontinental Championship: William Regal vs. Edge ***
King of the Ring 2002 - King of the Ring Semi-Finals: Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Jericho ***
Raw 12/09/2002 - Booker T & Goldust vs. William Regal & Lance Storm ***
Smackdown 04/25/2002 - #1 Contender's Match: Triple H vs. Chris Jericho ***
Survivor Series 2002 - 6 Man Elimination Table Tag Match: Bubba Dudley, Spike Dudley and Jeff Hardy vs. Three-Minute Warning and Rico ***
Smackdown 11/21/2002 - Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero **3/4 - ***
Raw 03/04/2002 - Steel Cage Match: Kurt Angle vs. Triple H **3/4 - ***
Judgment Day 2002 - Hell in a Cell: Triple H vs. Chris Jericho **3/4 - ***
Raw 09/02/2002 - Chris Jericho & Triple H vs. Rob Van Dam & Ric Flair **3/4 - ***
Smackdown 08/15/2002 - Chavo Guerrero and Eddie Guerrero vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio **3/4
Raw 07/22/2002 - Chris Benoit vs. Booker T **3/4
Smackdown 10/24/2002 - WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Jamie Noble (w/ Nidia) vs. Tajiri **3/4
Smackdown 08/29/2002 - Rey Mysterio vs. Rico **3/4
Smackdown 11/07/2002 - Brock Lesnar vs. Eddie Guerrero (w/ Chavo Guerrero) **3/4
Raw 07/08/2002 - Chris Benoit (w/ Eddie Guerrero) vs. Bubba Ray Dudley (w/ Spike Dudley) **3/4
Raw 07/22/2002 - Eddie Guerrero vs. The Rock **3/4
Smackdown 11/21/2002 - Rey Mysterio vs. Jamie Noble (w/ Nidia) **3/4
Smackdown 06/20/2002 - The Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle **3/4
Smackdown 04/04/2002 - The Rock vs. Chris Jericho **3/4
Smackdown 01/24/2002 - The Rock vs. Kurt Angle **3/4
King of the Ring 2002 - Eddie Guerrero vs. Ric Flair **3/4
Smackdown 07/04/2002 - WWE Undisputed Championship: Kurt Angle vs. The Undertaker **3/4
Smackdown 09/05/2002 - Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Randy Orton **3/4
Smackdown 09/19/2002 - Brock Lesnar (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. John Cena **3/4
Smackdown 11/21/2002 - WWE Championship: Edge vs. The Big Show (w/ Paul Heyman) **3/4
Smackdown 09/19/2002 - Matt Hardy vs. The Hurricane **3/4
Smackdown 01/03/2002 - Rob Van Dam & Edge vs. Chris Jericho & Kurt Angle **3/4
Smackdown 05/16/2002 - Triple H & Edge vs. Chris Jericho & Kurt Angle **3/4
Raw 07/29/2002 - Booker T vs. Eddie Guerrero **3/4
Smackdown 06/27/2002 - Kurt Angle vs. John Cena **3/4
Smackdown 05/09/2002 - Reverend D-Von vs. Triple H **3/4
Raw 09/09/2002 - WWE Tag Team Championship: The Un-Americans vs. Kane & Bradshaw **3/4
Vengeance 2002 - WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Jamie Noble (w/Nidia) vs. Billy Kidman **3/4
Raw 06/10/2002 - KOTR Qualifying Match: Rob Van Dam vs. Eddie Guerrero **3/4
Smackdown 07/18/2002 - The Rock vs. Kurt Angle **3/4
Smackdown 11/14/2002 - Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle **3/4
Raw 07/29/2002 - The Rock vs. Ric Flair **3/4
Smackdown 07/11/2002 - The Undertaker and John Cena vs. Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho **3/4
Smackdown 05/02/2002 - Kurt Angle & Lance Storm vs. Edge & Val Venis **3/4
Raw 09/02/2002 - WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Ric Flair vs. Triple H **3/4
Smackdown 12/12/2002 - A-Train & The Big Show (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Edge & Kurt Angle **3/4
Raw 09/09/2002 - Triple H vs. Spike Dudley **3/4
Survivor Series 2002 - WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. Jamie Noble (w/Nidia) **3/4
Raw 11/25/2002 WWE Women's Championship: Trish Stratus vs. Victoria **3/4
King of the Ring 2002 - Cruiserweight Championship: The Hurricane vs. Jamie Noble (w/Nidia) **1/2 - **3/4
Velocity 07/06/2002 - WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Jamie Knoble (w/ Nidia) vs. The Hurricane **1/2 - **3/4
Smackdown 05/30/2002 - The Hurricane & Billy Kidman vs. Tajiri & Chavo Guerrero **1/2 - **3/4
Smackdown 04/18/2002 - Billy Kidman & The Hurricane vs. Chavo Guerrero & Tajiri (w/ Torrie Wilson) **1/2 - **3/4

 

[Keith]

Good job JF!

Really like the build for that Benoit/Angle feud and think it was a good way of getting Benjamin and Haas some exposure and Kurt some great heat. Also made Benoit's struggle the more compelling.

Enjoyed the Bischoff and Morney combo but it was too short lived.

Actually liked some of the HHH/Steiner segments partly because the freak didn't have to do much talking. Shame about their horrible matches.

Kidman and London formed one of the most underrated teams of the last ten years IMO.

Keep it up, hope you do another year.

 

[Crippler]

I liked the idea of Bischoff/Morney, but I hate Morney so much so anyone not him I would of liked it more. If I remember correctly the HHH/Steiner build-up is just straight up hilarious with HHH having all these athlete competisions and Scotty trollin' him.

As for 2003, I plan on watching it sometime in the future but first I have this new project thread starting soon "Random Pack of Wrestling (man I need a better name)" So i will be reviewing feuds like Eddie/Rey 2005, all the Cena/Punk matches and maybe all title wins by .... wrestler before I get around to 2003. But I'm just too burnt out as I watch 2000-2002 wothout a break.

I just want to thank all those who read this thread.

 

[Nate]

This was definitely an impressive thread, and definitely fair and unbiased match evaluations to boot. If I may ask, do you have the shows all pre-recorded or did you download them all?

 

[Crippler]

This was definitely an impressive thread, and definitely fair and unbiased match evaluations to boot. If I may ask, do you have the shows all pre-recorded or did you download them all?

I downloaded them all.

 

[SBS]

I too wanted to say thank you for this thread. It really brought back some fond, and not so fond memories for me and I loved the detail you put into every show. When 2003 does show up you better believe I'll be reading it. Great work my man.