Welcome to the fourth installment of Tybo Talks 2002. This month we are talking Backlash.
With the ease of access to pretty much all of WWE’s back catalog on the WWE Network I thought it would be cool to change it up a bit and do some classic reviews (with a twist). So, where better to start than 2002. The plan is to review every PPV of the year, while watching all Raw and Smackdown episodes in between.
Let’s get the stats out the way first, Backlash 2002 took place on April 21st, in Kansas City, Missouri.
FunFact: This was the first PPV event since the first ever brand extension pitting Raw vs. Smackdown in the ratings, although these changes wont go into effect until next weeks Raw.
This was also the first WWE event that was held in the Kemper Arena since ‘Over the Edge’ in 1999 when Owen Hart unfortunately passed away.
Now before I go any further, I’m not really going to explain the matches move for move. No one needs that, the PPV is on the WWE Network. This is going to be my thoughts on the booking and general thoughts about the matches and the events as a whole.
The PPV opens with a great vignette about the Hogan vs. Triple H match, with Triple H saying that a part of his childhood is going to die tonight. This was a great year for WWE video packages, the last few PPV’s vignettes have been some of the best.
Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman (c) vs Tajiri (with Torrie Wilson)
Tajiri has recently turned heel, but they have kept him with Torrie who is probably one of the most over divas in the company. I always thought this was strange but looking back the heat that instantly put on Tajiri was great for a new heel, that coupled with making him the ‘over controlling boyfriend’ made the fans very angry, very fast.
FunFact: Tajiri might be Torrie’s (on screen) boyfriend, but Billy Kidman actually went onto marry Torrie in real life.
The match was a pretty solid one, Kidman was always good in the ring, and it’s possible that his Shooting Star Press is one of the best. In the end Tajiri’s red mist was the deciding factor. Winner (and new) Cruiserweight Champion – Tajiri
Backstage – Since the brand split broke up some pretty big tag teams we see a APA reunion before the next match.
Scott Hall (with X-Pac) vs. Bradshaw
Considering NWO was meant to be this huge poison or cancer to take over the WWE, two months later they are looking a little lack-luster with just Hall and X-Pac. I don’t even think Pac coming to the ring in Kane’s mask can save them at this point. This match is happening because NWO trashed the APA office the night of the draft, terrible reason for a PPV match but there have been worse reasons.
This is a match between two tough dudes with hard hitting, power moves. I think the main issue with this match is that it’s hard to see Bradshaw as a singles competitor at this point in his career. After some back and forth outside with Pac and Faarooq, Hall hits the low blow. Winner – Scott Hall
FunFact: This would mark the last WWE PPV match for Scott Hall, as he would be released shortly after. Partly due to ‘The Plane Ride from Hell’ (throw it in your google-machine)
Backstage – Vince bursts into Flair’s office, this is a standard McMahon heel promo about the wrestlers on Raw not respecting Flair and they will turn on him.
Women’s Championship: Jazz (c) vs Trish Status
It’s no shock how over Trish is right now but WWE are really trying to get her over. Before the match, Molly Holly (who is now wholesome and pure) comes to the ring and attacks Trish. This means that when Jazz comes out for the match the crowd are pulling for Trish even more than usual.
This is an aggressive match for the era, Jazz and Trish have been having some good matches the last few months and this is no different. Winner – Jazz
Jeff Hardy vs. Brock Lesnar
This is Lesnar’s first official match, I always thought it was strange to have it against Jeff Hardy but looking back it makes perfect sense. Jeff is basically manhandled the whole match, but he makes every move look devastating with his own rag-doll style of taking a bump.
Watching the debut months of Lesnar’s career it’s interesting to see that the dynamic between Lesnar and Heyman has not changed in 15+ years. All you need to know from this match is that Lesnar was (and still is) an absolute beast. The match is stopped in the end after a triple power-bomb to Hardy. Winner – Brock Lesnar
Edge vs Kurt Angle
Edge is coming off a great feud with Regal for the Intercontinental Championship, and Angle is coming off a feud with Triple H for the WWE Championship, so this feud is great for Edge. The reason this match happened is the old classic, Angle thinks he can beat anyone, Edge beats him, it’s that simple.
This is one of those feuds that is almost forgotten just how good it was, it wasn’t for a championship, and it wasn’t the main event, it was just a great upper mid-card feud. The chemistry between the two is great, and the build-up has one of my favorite Kurt Angle segments, with Edge giving Angle pictures of them both together with ‘I suck’ and ‘I have no testicles’ on the back.
Jokes aside this was a solid match between two (now) Hall of Famers, this match was far better than both of their Wrestlemania matches, especially Angle vs. Kane. The end comes with a very dominant win from Angle with two Angle Slams. Match of the night at this point in the show. Winner – Kurt Angle {Match of the Night}
Chris Jericho comes to the ring and basically cuts a heel promo. Makes a good point that 30 days before he headlined Wrestlemania and now he hasn’t even got a match. I’m not sure to this day why that happened, possible injury?
Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam (C) vs Eddie Guerrero
On paper this match is great, its Frog-splash vs Frog-splash. High-flyer vs High-flyer, and it does not disappoint. Eddie had just come back and it seems like he was basically just given a shot at the championship, not complaining just would have liked a better build.
FunFact: WWE would make you believe Guerrero was injured, but in actuality he was released in May of 2001 after driving under the influence. Eddie cleaned up and worked the Indy scene, (including the first Ring of Honor show, and even feud with a young CM Punk for the IWA Mid-South Championship) before he got the call to come back.
This match has a lot of spots from both guys, very minimal rest-bite and transition between moves. Me writing about all the flips, jumps, dives, bumps and float-overs will not do them justice, so I suggest you check out the match its self. After a great back and forth between these two its Guerrero who comes out on top. Winner (and new) Champion – Eddie Guerrero
Number One Contenders Match: (with Ric Flair as Special Referee) – Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Undertaker
I miss that back in the day a number one contenders match used to be a PPV worthy match, its rare these days that you even have a number one contenders match. This was taken one step further as both Austin and Undertaker had to qualify for this match. Austin beat Scott Hall and Undertaker beat RVD. Why is Flair the referee? Well, there is still bad blood between ‘Taker and Flair since Wrestlemania X8 and every time Austin and Flair are in the ring Flair eats a Stone Cold Stunner, so he made himself the referee.
Before I get into this match, there is no doubt these two are legends and they show it in this match… most of the time. This is a very slow, methodical match with a lot of mind games in the beginning from Austin. My issue with this match is that it goes from one extreme to the other, one minute it’s very slow, the next it’s aggressive and they are brawling outside. Then half way through NWO’s Hall and Pac come out but do nothing, they just stand there and you forget they are there. Then Flair gets knocked out with one move and this prevents Austin getting the win, which has always annoyed me as Flair has had some brutal matches but is KO’d with one move?
If that wasn’t enough the match clearly goes on far too long as they are trying to get the finish right and couldn’t. As I have said both guys are legends and are amazing in the ring, but for some reason they were not on the same page at all in this one. The (I would go so far to say, shambles) ends with Undertaker getting the pin on Austin, but Austin’s foot was on the rope and Flair couldn’t see it because of the position he was in. Austin won’t be happy on Raw. Winner – The Undertaker
Backstage – Coach shows Flair the footage of Austin’s foot on the rope when he counted the three, Flair’s response? ‘Ahh Shit!’
Tag Team Championship: Billy & Chuck (C) vs Maven & Al Snow
I understand that Maven and Snow are close because of Tough Enough and they make a good team but Billy & Chuck have been beating some pretty big tag teams of late and this seems a bit of a down grade to me.
This match was pretty good though, and surprisingly some great tag team moves from Maven and Snow, but in the end Billy & Chuck continue their great run of late and retain the Tag Championships… with some help from Rico. Winners – Billy & Chuck
FunFact: Rico was signed to a WWE contract after just 12 matches
Undisputed Championship – Triple H (c) vs Hollywood Hulk Hogan
This is Hulk Hogan’s first WWE Championship match since 1993, and I swear the crowd pop for him when he comes out, you wouldn’t think it was nine years later. It’s no shock that WWE turned him face so soon. Hogan got this match basically because of The Rock. The Rock came out on Smackdown and cut a promo putting Hogan over, why he wouldn’t put himself over I have no idea? With that and Vince getting to pick the first Number One Contender after the draft, here we are with Triple H vs. Hogan.
Firstly, let me come straight out and say this match is not as good as Hogan vs. The Rock at Mania but that match was like lightening in a bottle because of the crowd reaction. As with his match at Wrestlemania X8 when Rock carried the match, Triple H does the same here. The match starts at Hogan’s pace nothing too shocking or strenuous, there is a point where Triple H chop-block’s Hogan’s (braced) knee, and the crowd completely turn on Hunter. Triple H works the match as a heel after this, showing how important it is to read the crowd in a match like this.
This is where it all starts to come undone and get messy. Jericho comes out to cost Hogan the win, so Triple H knocks him out, then out comes Undertaker with a chair and knocks out Triple H. Hogan is pissed off because he wanted a fair fight but hits the Leg-drop and gets the pin. There was no real need for the double interference and it really takes away from a good match. Either way 18 years after his first WWE Championship Win Hulk Hogan is on top again. Winner (and new) Champion – Hulk Hogan
Overall: The PPV after Mania is usually a pretty solid one, and this had its moments. The main event was good, even if the ending was a messy and complete overkill. That being said, Hogan winning the WWE Championship is always a good childhood moment and although there are ‘dirt sheets’ who would of hated this, its hard not to get wrapped up in a somewhat monumental win for the era.
The event was miss-mashed to say the least, some strange match bookings hurt this PPV a lot. The match of the night was easily Edge vs. Angle. Which is a little shocking when you look at the card on paper, but there was something special about the chemistry between both guys that honestly no one else on the PPV came close to.
Although I didn’t feel the need for all the interference, the fallout from the main event did make me want to watch both Raw and Smackdown as there was involvement from both brands, so I guess the logic can’t be argued.
2002 PPV Ranking
- Wrestlemania X8 – 4.5 / 5
- Royal Rumble – 3.5 / 5
- No Way Out – 3 / 5
- Backlash – 2.5 / 5
Make sure you follow me on twitter @TyboTalks and check back next month for Tybo Talks 2002 – Judgement Day.
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