Judgment Day 2002 Review

Judgment Day 2002 Review


I don't know why it's taken me so long to review this one, as I was extremely excited when I purchased the DVD a couple of weeks ago. This one is mostly famous for being the first PPV to use the WWE name, and also because it is exceptionally hard to find a copy of the DVD. I just got lucky I guess. So is the show actually any good? Let's find out!




Eddie Guerrero vs Rob Van Dam
IC Title on the line. These guys had a good but slightly disappointing match at the Backlash PPV and it wouldn't be long until they had their classic ladder match on Raw. As usual Eddie was awesome, and RVD kept up with him nicely. Much better than their Backlash match, and a great opener to boot. Great fast-paced action that's going to be hard to follow. ***1/2



Stacy Kiebler vs Trish Stratus
Womens Title on the line. This feud started over a swimsuit contest. Riveting plotline aside, it's strange to see Batista as D-Von's deacon. This reminded me of the Wrestlemania 2000 main event, as there was a Dudley in every corner here. This only lasted a couple of minutes and it was still more entertaining than most divas matches nowadays. This wasn't too bad while it lasted. 3/4*. Still very unmemorable though. After the match, D-Von attacks Bubba to set up a feud I guess.



Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman vs The Hardy Boyz
At the Backlash PPV, Brock destroyed Jeff in a short match, and so the feud continues in the form of this tag match. The feud didn't make the Hardys look too great, but it did help Lesnar to look like a beast. Brock even got some 'Goldberg' chants from the fans, just like Ryback, except that Brock is better than both of those guys put together. Anyway the match never became boring during it's short runtime, and it helped Lesnar to look powerful, so it was a job well done. **



Stone Cold vs Big Show & Ric Flair
This would be Stone Cold's last PPV until No Way Out 2003, after he walked out of Raw because Vince wanted him to job to Brock Lesnar for a King of the Ring match. To be honest if Austin was to put someone over, it should definitely be on PPV. Seems stupid to do it on free TV. This feud is over a draft pick. No wonder Austin didn't like the creative team. I'm not a big fan of handicap matches, but this was a good one and was kept interesting mainly due to Austin's natural charisma, and even Show's offense was never really boring. Good match overall. ***  I still don't get how X-Pac wasn't DQ'd after kicking Show in the face, right in front of the ref.



Edge vs Kurt Angle
The loser of this match would have their head shaved bald. I love this match and it's definitely one of the best singles matches of Edge's career. It's kind of stupid that this feud started with an insulting t-shirt, but since it led to this match, I don't really care. It's quite historical too, as it started the look of Angle that we know today. A classic bout with some great back and forth action and some exciting nearfalls to add to the drama. ****1/4  Angle wouldn't have his head shaved until later on in the night.



Triple H vs Chris Jericho : Hell in a Cell
This wasn't a feud that really warranted a Cell match. The match is mostly remembered for being the bout that ended the career of referee Tim White. When the most memorable part of a match is a ref bump, you know it wasn't a spectacular match. It was a bit too long for my liking, but it did have it's moments, like the finish on top of the Cell. It's still better than most HIAC matches nowadays anyway. ***1/2



Billy & Chuck vs Rico & Rikishi
Tag Titles are on the line, and this is your official cool down match of the evening. Rico was the manager of Billy and Chuck, so I don't really see the point in making him an opponent while he's still their manager. I guess it's meant to be the main attraction of the match. I dread to think of the storyline that came about after this. 1/2*



Undertaker vs Hulk Hogan
Undisputed Title on the line. WWE tried to cash in on Hogan's popularity by making him the Undisputed Champion, but it backfired on them since Hogan was very much passed his prime, and so we get this match to take the Title away from Hogan. I have a feeling that Hogan would have bitched and moaned backstage at having to lose the Title. This wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was still pretty bad. Hogan couldn't even take a chokeslam. *



7/10. If you get this one, stop once the Cell match has finished, because it's pretty bad after that. The Cell match should have been the main event, but I guess the ego of Hogan took over. The IC Title match, the Hair vs Hair and the HIAC matches are worth watching, and even the handicap match is worth a look.