Vengeance 2002 Review

Bubba Ray and Spike Dudley vs. Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero in an Elimination Tag Team Tables Match:
Really enjoyable opener, I like the teased table spots throughout the whole match. I’m not the biggest fan of one on one tables matches because it just builds to one table spot, however this one was fun because there were 3 table spots. The Dudley Dog from Spike to Eddie through the table was a cool spot (even though Spike took more of the brunt of the crash). Benoit military pressing Spike through the table to the outside was brutal. The finish was kind of sudden but it had been a pretty lengthy opener as it was so it was fine to end it there. Odd result, however, especially in hindsight considering how big of careers Eddie and Benoit had ahead of them.
Rating: ***

Jamie Noble vs. Billy Kidman for the Cruiserweight Championship:
This was a solid match for what it was. It wasn’t very long but these two have pretty good chemistry together. Noble’s character at this time was great, basically being trailer trash. I really enjoy Noble’s mat work, highly underrated talent. Sick Tiger Bomb from Noble to finish the match. Decent match.
Rating: **1/2

Jeff Hardy vs. William Regal for the European Championship:
This was far too short to be anything. The finish was very random as well. Not a bad 4 minute match by any means but it was a 4 minute match so it really didn’t have a chance to even be decent.
Rating: 3/4*

John Cena vs. Chris Jericho:
Another match that was too short to be anything. Cena made some mistakes that cost him and Jericho controlled a good amount of this. Weird to have two back to back roll-up finishes on PPV. Not bad but nothing to write home about.
Rating: *1/4

Rob Van Dam vs. Brock Lesnar for the Intercontinental Championship:
This was a very enjoyable match as Lesnar our powered RVD but didn’t control the whole match. The moonsault into a powerslam spot was both brutal and awesome. The F-5 into a DDT spot was neat. I docked stars on this due to the DQ finish cutting it off, though it made sense because Lesnar was getting ready to win the Undisputed Championship and didn’t need the IC Title, but also didn’t need to lose to RVD.
Rating: **3/4

Booker T vs. Big Show in a No Disqualification Match:
This wasn’t necessarily the best match, it was just fun. I’m a sucker for a solid No DQ match. The announce table spot was pretty sweet. Booker used the Houston Hangover which is a risky move that I move (a flip legdrop from the top rope). Again, nothing to write home about, just a fun little match.
Rating: **

Edge and Hulk Hogan vs. The Un-Americans for the WWE Tag Team Championship:
This was your basic tag match. Edge gets the beat down for most of it by Storm and Christian until Hogan (who is mega over) gets the hot tag and runs through his spots (Edge did a cool spot to both Storm and Christian before making that hot tag). Hogan is barely mobile and The Un-Americans are selling the crap out of his weak offense. Eventually Christian and Storm took over and Hogan made a hot tag. Two hot tags in one match? Meh. Edge ends up spearing the referee and Test and Jericho interfere to give The Un-Americans the win. Basic match that wasn’t bad but wasn’t all that great.
Rating: *1/4

The Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle vs. The Rock for the Undisputed Championship:
I loved multi-man matches in this era, they were just incredibly entertaining and exciting bell to bell action. This match was chalk full of near falls, especially in the closing moments. Not even just near falls, moments when it was possible that another man would submit. Just a lot of fun and these three worked well together to put on a memorable triple threat. Great main event.
Rating: ****

Overall:
This wasn’t the best wrestling show but it was just an entertaining show overall. The opener and main event were the standout matches and everything in between wasn’t bad but there was nothing outstanding. I enjoyed this show though overall it was rather decent wrestling-wise.

Show rating: 7/10