WWE: SummerSlam 2002

SUMMERSLAM 2002 is an interesting time capsule to revisit. The WWE had a rough spring season in 2002, but their summer season catapulted their programming back to greatness. Until the WWE chooses to release a SUMMERSLAM anthology, everybody should check this out.(1) Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio---This was when Mysterio had debuted a month ago, and was giving Angle one hell of a bad time. On this night, the two rivals gave an energizing match that had the Long Island crowd (and me) going nuts. Mysterio took some nasty suplexes and slams, but also delivered some high-risk moves to kept the match exciting. Angle was flat-outn vicious when grappling with the cruiserweight. Of all the matches scheduled for this PPV, WWE couldn't have picked a better opener."8.0 out of 10"(2) Chris Jericho vs. Ric Flair---Get used to chops, because you're going to see and hear them A LOT. Jericho is a superb athlete who always gives a good show on his end of a match. Flair is hit-or-miss with me, but back in 2002, he could still perform quite well. I guess you have to take Flair's matches with a grain of salt (like Hulk Hogan). Overall, an average match that wasn't too long, running at nearly 10 minutes."6.0 out of 10"(3) Eddie Guerrero vs. Edge---This match didn't need storylines to make it a good showcase, but I don't think they quite delivered on this PPV. These two would have a better showing at UNFORGIVEN, & eventually a classic match on SmackDown a few weeks later. But the problem with this one is that Guerrero focused on Edge's arm for way too long, which slowed things down to an unforgiving slow pace. There was still some some slams exchanged between the two opponents, and I don't think either Edge or Guerrero gave each other much time to protect their falls. But in the end, this was a sign of better things to come."6.5 out of 10"(4) Tag Team ChampionshipsChristian & Lance Storm (champions) vs. Booker T & Goldust---Think of every Tag Team Match cliche you can think of, and this match probably had it. Seriously, other than Goldust's unorthodox style of wrestling, there was not one ounce of originality in this title bout. The bad guys used corner double-teams that irritated frustrated more than entertained...the illegal good guy rushed in instead of letting the referee do his job...the same guy was tagged in, but the referee didn't see it, and forced the wounded good guy to compete even more...THE LIST GOES EVER ON! Now, because the match wasn't too long --- and because Booker T and Goldust were very good here --- I wasn't too upset. But change the faces, and we've all seen this match before somewhere in our lives."6.0 out of 10"(5) Intercontinental ChampionshipChris Benoit (champion) vs. Rob Van Dam---Benoit won the title from RVD, and then defected from RAW to SMACKDOWN. Now both men were under enormous pressure to bring the gold back their TV shows. This one had classic written all over it, but it's not the kind of classic you're expecting. If you're hoping for a fast-paced, hard-hitting, action-packed showdown between two ECW veterans...think again. If you're willing to see Benoit and RVD in a slower, more technical and submission-style matchup...you're in for a treat. I can't tell if the crowd was just bored, or if they were politely engaged in the strategic contest --- I really can't tell. Benoit really impressed me with his creative submissions and stiff suplexes; I wish RVD got a tad more offense in, but then again, this wasn't his usual style. I really enjoyed this one after a couple viewings, but some fans won't like seeing RVD with a grounded kind of performance."8.0 out of 10" (If you compiled an average of scores for this contest, you'd probably get a "7.0")(6) Test vs. The Undertaker---I feel this match was totally pointless, but still good. The Undertaker finally became a good guy again, and took the fight to the cocky Un-American. Test is a quick and strong athlete, who was sadly underappreciated during his time with WWE. These two have done better in other matches, but when this match picked up, it got going. Long two-counts, interference from Christian and Lance Storm, and a fast-paced finish held this one together."6.5 out of 10"(7) Unsanctioned MatchShawn Michaels vs. Triple H---Man, this Street Fight got pretty brutal and unforgiving. Backs were cracked on weapons, faces were busted open and shed blood, and bodies were damn sure broken after this one. But what kept this one from greatness (as most have praised it to be) was that there wasn't much of an 'exchange.' In other words, Michaels and HHH didn't have back-and-forth action. Instead, they had periods one got to dominate the other for a few minutes, and then vice versa. Where were the reversals, the counters, or instinctive punches? Then again, this was advertised as a "Fight", nothing more. Street Fights like these bring out the sadist in each of us, and we love it!"8.5 out of 10"(8) Undisputed WWE ChampionshipBrock Lesnar vs. The Rock (champion)---The hype and the training led up to what Michael Cole called "The most anticipated main event in SummerSlam history." I couldn't agree more. These guys worked hard to prepare for this stellar final contest. Lesnar and The Rock gave a spectacular battle of wits, speed, strength, and endurance. Even Paul Heyman's role in the match was very well-done. Add a wild, intense Long Island crowd to the mix (they loved every minute of this one), and you've just witnessed the best main event in SUMMERSLAM history."9.0 out of 10"Now, the overall PPV is good, but the Bonus Features bring this DVD up a grade. The commercial footage is entertaining, the Shawn Michaels interview clips are nice, the Hogan/Lesnar match from SmackDown is a welcome addition, the post-match interviews are excellent, and the training footage of The Rock and Brock Lesnar is amazing. This is one of WWE's best DVDs as far as Extras go.Overall, my personal favorite SUMMERSLAM, and one of WWE's best DVDs.

This is by far the best PPV of 2002. Eventhough 2002 gave us the first ever elimination chamber at Survivor Series. SummerSlam takes the cake. There is not a singe match on this DVD that is not worth watching. Great DVD for all wrestling fans to have in their collection.Sunday, August 25, 2002Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt AngleWhat a great opener!! These two can really go. Fast paced action. Counter after counter. This match could have went both ways very easily. Kurt Angle is one of the greatest pure wrestlers of all time. Rey Mysterio was so great at this time. This match was magic and worth every min.4.5 StarsRic Flair vs. Chris JerichoAnother great match. A great follow up after the Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio match. Ric Flair can still go people... Chris Jericho is one of the best in the squared circle. These two went back and forth also.. This was another match where you had no idea who was going to win..4.5 starsEdge vs. Eddie Guerrero (R.I.P.)Who doesn't love Eddie. Once again another great match that followed two great openers. Edge and Eddie work together like magic and stick like glue. This match was so eye opening and very very fast paced. Edge and Eddie had so many pinfalls in this match to wear you didnt know who was going to win. So far 3 out of 3 in the first 3 matches on this PPV.4.5 StarsWWE Tag Team Championship / Lance Storm & Christian (The Un-Americans) vs. Booker T & GoldustNow this is the only match on the card that didnt live up to the other matches on the card. I guess cause it was a tag match. Tag matches are normally good when all the wrestlers involved have great chemistry. I can say that the Un-Americans in Christian and Storm really sold their role in this match. Booker T & Goldust did everything they could do to keep this match exciting. I can say that this is the worst match on the card. Plus Test came out and interfered in the match.. Waste of time.3 StarsIntercontinental Championship / Chris Beniot vs. RVDThis was one of RVD's greatest matches in WWE in my opinion and with a work acholic wrestler in Beniot made this match awesome. Once again.. Pinfall after pinfall made this match very unpredictable. (Get the pattern) Hold after hold really made this a great match.4 StarsNote: At this time in wrestling there was only this Intercontinental Championship between both brands Smackdown and RAW. Which means that if you were a smackdown wrestler a RAW wrestler would have to wait for a PPV to challenge you for a title shot. In this match Chris Beniot represented Smackdown and RVD represented RAW.Undertaker vs. TestNow we all know that Test is not PPV material. Just cause the Undertaker is involed it is a must see. Anything the Undertaker does is worth watching. This was one of the only perdictable endings on the card. The was great b/c of Undertaker. Test at this time was apart of the Un-Americans. So when taker won this match he went in the crowd and pulled a USA flag from a fan and brought it to the ring spreading it high in the sky. Showing USA pride. Great ending.4 StarsNon-Sanctioned Match / Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels**THE VERY BEST MATCH ON THE CARD AND OF THIER FUED** These two put on a classic match. Shawn Michaels came out of retirement to face Triple H who at this time was at the top of his game. Shawn had not wrestled a single match in 4 YEARS. We all know the *Showstoppa* and he brought his A game this night. This match was great. Triple H went after the injured back the entire match. At one point when we thought that HBK had no more to offer he kept on coming and kept on getting back up... Move after devestaing move HBK's heart kept pumping. These two tore the area down. HBK won this great match. The ending is very hard to witness. If you are a HBK fan I would turn away. But if you love the Game then this is for you. Triple H delievered the most horrirific sledge hammer shot to Shawn Michaels right in his injured spine. Great match for the ages.5 StarsWWE Undisputed Championship / The Rock vs Brock LesnerHere comes the pain!!! The Rock is not a great wrestler, put in the ring with a great wrestler The Rock shines. The Rock really knows how to sell the beating. He will be labeled as one of the best besides Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels. This match was really interesting. Brock Lesner on a hot streak after Killing Hulkamania on Smackdown he was ready for the Rock. This match went back and forth and surprisingly enough.. Brock Lesner wins this match and becoming at that time the youngest WWE Champion in wrestling history. (Randy Orton is the wrestler that broke Brock's record)5 StarsI loved this PPV. I enjoyed this because all these matches had the suspense, the wrestling, and the best match ups. There was not a single flaw on this DVD nor PPV. The bonus footage on this DVD was ok also not to mention.

Truly the best Summerslam of all time :).This edition of WWE Summerslam 2002 for me brings back so many good memories, including the first time watching Shawn Michaels wrestle.Shawn Michaels squared off against Triple H in a brutal and bloody non-sanctioned street fight, which really stole the show for me. I have to admit that I was amazed at what both superstars can put together and this match had everything from your basic mat wrestling, to the brutality of steel chairs, steel steps, tables and a huge ladder.Another match that really stood out was the main event between Brock Lesnar and The Rock for the WWE Undisputed Championship. The Rock got booed throughout the match due to finishing up with the WWE to make movies, so I understood why the fans were going for Brock. I have to admit though that this match was a real powerhouse of a main event and both superstars worked hard to get this match spot on.Literally the whole pay-per-view was amazing including other great matches:Rob Van Dam VS Chris Benoit for the WWE Intercontinental ChampionshipEdge vs Eddie GuerreroKurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio & MoreHINT: Buy it on DVD or watch it on the WWE Network for those who are subscribed to it.

First off I'd like to say that I totally loved this Summerslam from start to finish, nearly every match had something special.WWE Summerslam 2002 Match Ratings:1. Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio 4/52. Chris Jericho vs Ric Flair 3/53. Edge vs Eddie Guererro 4/54. Booker T & Goldust vs Lance Storm & Christian(WWE World Tag Team Championship) 3/55. RVD vs Chris Benoit (WWE Intercontinental Championship) 4/56. Undertaker vs Test 3/57. Shawn Michaels vs Triple H (Non Sanctioned Match) 5/58. Brock Lesnar w Paul Heyman vs The Rock (WWE Undisputed Championship) 4/5Match Favourite:Shawn Michaels vs Triple H (Non Sanctioned Match)Worst Match: N/A

Great ppv definitely recommend Summerslam 2002 from start to finish the matches are most watch especially Shawn Michaels returning after four year absence from back injuries battling his former best friend Triple H in a non sanctioned match and also the Undertaker battles Test for respect of America as test as disrespected the USA. And then in the main event it was the match that changed the face of the WWE as The Rock Defends his WWE Undisputed championship against on a tear next big thing Brock Lesnar. It is a great show

When I watched this event on the goggle box, it became one of my instant favourites. So, I decided to order it from here, and see if it holds up. Well, let's have a look at the matches.Rey Mysterio vs Kurt Angle.Great opener here. Mysterio brings his A-game to his first WWE PPV, and Angle is his usual masterful self. Fast paced, with lots of very crisp, convincing wrestling. 4/5.Ric Flair vs Chris Jericho.This match seems to have met to a mixed reaction on here. I'm not sure why, as it was a good match. Jericho, despite having a Barry Horowitz-esque win/loss record since this year's No Way Out has put on good match after good match. Whilst Flair, despite being past his best, also had a good year in terms of match quality. 3/5.Edge vs Eddie Guerrero.This was shaping up to be a very good match. However, the ending, which pretty much ignored all of the carefully executed psychology of the match, takes away from the encounter. 3/5.Booker T & Goldust vs Christian & Lance Storm.This was a decent match for the tag titles. Nothing great, yet perfectly functional match. 3/5.Chris Benoit vs Rob Van Dam.Going into this PPV, I firmly believed this would be the show stealer. After the first time of viewing, I was decidedly underwhelmed. Eleven years on, I still feel the same way. Don't get me wrong, it was a well-wrestled match, I just don't think it was as great as it maybe could have been. 3/5.Undertaker vs Test.This was a good big man matchup. The wrestling and storytelling was good. 3/5.Shawn Michaels vs Triple H.Going back to 2002, I was a bit worried about this match. Sure, it was potentially great, but I had doubts about Michaels. I thought he would be plagued with ring rust, and unable to hold his end of the match. I needn't have worried, Michaels didn't miss a beat here, and both men were outstanding. Michaels would probably go on to have better "wrestling" matches with the likes of Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle, but the drama, storytelling and psychology were off the charts here. Classic match. 5/5.The Rock vs Brock Lesnar.And here is our WWE title match. This was a very well booked and well wrestled match. It was strange to hear the hostile reaction to The Rock, as the brutal heel Lesnar was cheered from the rooftops. 4/5.Well, with one five-star quality match, two very good matches and nothing even approaching mediocre, it's safe to say that this event more than holds up over time. If you follow up on my strong recommendation, I would advise you check out the Lesnar/Hogan match in the DVD extras before watching the full event, as it really conveys the message that Brock is a heartless and fearsome monster of a man, which should add to your enjoyment of the main event.

I bought this for my grandson for his birthday, he loved it. I was worried it wouldn't come in time as I left it till the last minute to order, but it arrived just before his birthday. Thanks for the prompt delivery.