Unforgiven (2002): Difference between revisions
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{{short description|World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event}} |
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{{Infobox Wrestling event |
{{Infobox Wrestling event |
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|name = Unforgiven |
|name = Unforgiven |
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|image = Unforgiven 2002.jpg |
|image = Unforgiven 2002.jpg |
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|alt = |
|alt = |
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|caption = Promotional poster featuring [[Brock Lesnar]] |
|caption = Promotional poster featuring [[Brock Lesnar]] |
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|tagline = The Next Big Thing has |
|tagline = The Next Big Thing has arrived |
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|theme = "[[xXx (soundtrack)|Adrenaline]]" by [[Gavin Rossdale]]<ref name="Unforgiven02">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/results/|title=Unforgiven 2002 results|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=2007-09-16}}</ref> |
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|promotion = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |
|promotion = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |
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|brand = [[WWE |
|brand = [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]<br />[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] |
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|sponsor = [[Castrol|Castrol GTX]] |
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|date = September 22, 2002 |
|date = September 22, 2002 |
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|venue = [[Staples Center]] |
|venue = [[Staples Center]] |
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|city = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]] |
|city = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]] |
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|attendance = 16,000<ref name="PWH"/> |
|attendance = 16,000<ref name="PWH"/> |
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|buyrate = 300,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/resources/wwe-pay-per-view-buys-wwf-ppv-buyrate/|title=WWE Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)|date=March 25, 2020|work=Wrestlenomics|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> |
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|lastevent = [[SummerSlam (2002)]] |
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|lastevent = [[SummerSlam (2002)|SummerSlam]] |
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|nextevent = [[No Mercy (2002)|No Mercy]] |
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|event = [[WWE Unforgiven|Unforgiven]] |
|event = [[WWE Unforgiven|Unforgiven]] |
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|lastevent2 = [[Unforgiven (2001)]] |
|lastevent2 = [[Unforgiven (2001)|2001]] |
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|nextevent2 = [[Unforgiven (2003)]] |
|nextevent2 = [[Unforgiven (2003)|2003]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Unforgiven |
The 2002 '''Unforgiven''' was the fifth annual [[WWE Unforgiven|Unforgiven]] [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|event]] produced by [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand divisions]]. The event took place on September 22, 2002, at [[Staples Center]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. It was the first Unforgiven held under the WWE name, after the promotion was renamed from World Wrestling Federation (WWF) to WWE earlier that year in May, as well as the first Unforgiven held during the first brand extension that began in March. |
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Eight professional wrestling matches were scheduled for the event—which featured a [[Card (sports)#Supercard|supercard]], a scheduling of more than one main bout. The main event from the SmackDown! brand featured [[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]] [[Brock Lesnar]] fighting [[The Undertaker]] to retain the title after both men were disqualified. After the match, The Undertaker continued to attack Lesnar, throwing him through the wall of a set. |
Eight professional wrestling matches were scheduled for the event—which featured a [[Card (sports)#Supercard|supercard]], a scheduling of more than one main bout. The main event from the SmackDown! brand featured [[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]] [[Brock Lesnar]] fighting [[The Undertaker]] to retain the title after both men were disqualified. After the match, The Undertaker continued to attack Lesnar, throwing him through the wall of a set. The main event from the Raw brand featured [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Triple H]] defeating [[Rob Van Dam]] to retain the title. Four matches were featured on the [[Card (sports)#Undercard|undercard]]. The first was a singles match where [[Chris Benoit]] defeated [[Kurt Angle]]. The next was between [[Trish Stratus]] and [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Champion]] [[Nora Greenwald|Molly Holly]], where Stratus won and captured the title. The third was a singles match between [[Eddie Guerrero]] and [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]], in which Guerrero won. The final featured undercard match had [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWE Intercontinental Champion]] [[Chris Jericho]] defeating [[Ric Flair]] to retain the title. |
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==Production== |
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===Background=== |
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{{see also|Professional wrestling}} |
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[[File:Staples_Center_2012.jpg|thumb|The event was held at the [[Staples Center]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].]] |
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⚫ | The event featured nine [[Mock combat|professional wrestling matches]], with outcomes predetermined by WWE script writers. The matches featured wrestlers portraying their [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|characters]] in planned storylines that took place before, during and after the event. All wrestlers were from one of the WWE's brands--[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]] or [[WWE Raw|Raw]]—the two [[WWE Brand Extension|storyline divisions]] in which WWE assigned its employees. |
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[[WWE Unforgiven|Unforgiven]] was first held by [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) as the [[Unforgiven: In Your House|21st In Your House]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) in April 1998. Following the discontinuation of the [[In Your House]] series in February 1999, Unforgiven branched off as its own PPV in September that year, becoming WWE's annual September PPV.<ref name=WWF9099Book>{{cite book | first=Graham | last=Cawthon | title=The History of Professional Wrestling|volume=2: WWF 1990–1999 | publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | year= 2013 | asin=B00RWUNSRS}}</ref> The 2002 event was the fifth event in the Unforgiven chronology and took place on September 22 at [[Staples Center]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].<ref name=2002event>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/venue/|title=STAPLES Center - Los Angeles|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=December 6, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/results/|title=Unfogiven 2002 Results|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=December 6, 2008}}</ref> It was also the first held under the WWE name, as the promotion was renamed from World Wrestling Federation (WWF) to WWE in May.<ref name=GetFOut>{{cite web|title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment|work=[[WWE]]|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|access-date=August 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119180317/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|archive-date=January 19, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> It was also the first Unforgiven held during the first [[WWE brand extension|brand extension]] that was introduced in March, a storyline subdivision in which the promotion divided its roster into two separate brands, [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]], where wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform.<ref name="BrandExtensionPressRelease">{{cite press release|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp|title=WWE Entertainment To Make RAW and SMACKDOWN Distinct Television Brands|work=[[WWE]]|date=March 27, 2002|access-date=April 5, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417115226/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp |archive-date=April 17, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> The 2002 event in turn featured wrestlers from both brands.<ref name=2002event/> |
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===Storylines=== |
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⚫ | The main [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] heading into Unforgiven on the SmackDown! [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]] was between [[Mark Callaway|The Undertaker]] and [[Brock Lesnar]], with the two feuding over the [[WWE Championship]]. On the August 29 episode of ''SmackDown!'', as Lesnar became |
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⚫ | The event featured nine [[Mock combat|professional wrestling matches]], with outcomes predetermined by WWE script writers. The matches featured wrestlers portraying their [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|characters]] in planned storylines that took place before, during and after the event. All wrestlers were from one of the WWE's brands--[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]] or [[WWE Raw|Raw]]—the two [[WWE Brand Extension|storyline divisions]] in which WWE assigned its employees.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|work=HowStuffWorks|date=January 13, 2006|publisher=[[Discovery Communications]]|access-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Live & Televised Entertainment|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=March 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218142749/https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref> |
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⚫ | The main [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] heading into Unforgiven on the SmackDown! [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]] was between [[Mark Callaway|The Undertaker]] and [[Brock Lesnar]], with the two feuding over the [[WWE Championship]]. On the August 29 episode of ''SmackDown!'', as Lesnar became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand, [[Stephanie McMahon]] made a single elimination series of matches to declare the number one contender for the championship. [[Kurt Angle]] and [[Chris Benoit]] made it to the final, but McMahon put The Undertaker in the match, which he then won. On the September 5 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Lesnar and The Undertaker confronted each other. On the September 12 episode of ''SmackDown!'', during The Undertaker's match with [[Matt Hardy]], Lesnar threatened The Undertaker's wife, Sara, and attacked The Undertaker when he tried to save her. On the September 19 episode of ''SmackDown!'', The Undertaker tried to attack Lesnar, but was stopped by Lesnar's security. |
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⚫ | The main feud heading into Unforgiven on the Raw brand was between [[Triple H]] and [[Rob Van Dam]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]]. On September 2, Triple H was awarded the newly created World Heavyweight Championship by [[Eric Bischoff]], and retained it against [[Ric Flair]]. |
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⚫ | The main feud heading into Unforgiven on the Raw brand was between [[Triple H]] and [[Rob Van Dam]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]. On the September 2 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H was awarded the newly created World Heavyweight Championship by [[Eric Bischoff]], and retained it against [[Ric Flair]]. Later that night however, Van Dam and Flair defeated Triple H and [[Chris Jericho]] in a [[tag team match]], when Van Dam pinned Triple H. On the September 9 episode of ''Raw'', Van Dam defeated Jericho, [[Jeff Hardy]], and [[Big Show]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|fatal four-way elimination match]] to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. On the September 16 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H cost Van Dam his [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] against Jericho and in retaliation, Van Dam attacked Triple H during a title match with Hardy. |
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⚫ | Another main feud on SmackDown was between |
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⚫ | Another main feud on the SmackDown! brand was between SmackDown! General Manager, [[Stephanie McMahon]] and Raw General Manager [[Eric Bischoff]]. It all started when [[Billy and Chuck]] had a commitment ceremony on the September 12 episode of ''SmackDown!''. The priest of the ceremony was later to be revealed as Bischoff in disguise. He had Billy and Chuck attacked by [[3 Minute Warning]], setting up a tag team match scheduled for Unforgiven. If 3 Minute Warning won, Stephanie would be forced to participate in "Hot Lesbian Action" with two other women. Had Billy and Chuck won, Bischoff would have had to kiss Stephanie's buttocks. |
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Another feud on the Raw brand was between [[Molly Holly]] and [[Trish Stratus]] for the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Championship]]. Four months prior, Holly and Stratus began a feud which lead to a Women's Championship match between the two at [[King of the Ring (2002)|King of the Ring]] in which Holly defeated Stratus to win the title. On the June 24 episode of ''Raw'', Holly proclaimed that she had bought dignity and respect back to the Women's Championship by not being a "tramp who sleeps her way to the top" referring to Stratus. On the July 15 episode of ''Raw'', Holly successfully defended her title against Stratus. On the September 2 episode of ''Raw'', Stratus and [[Bubba Ray Dudley]] defeated [[Chris Nowinski]] and Holly in a [[mixed tag team match]]. |
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==Event== |
==Event== |
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{| class=wikitable style="font-size:90%; margin: 0.5em 0 0.5em 1em; float: right; clear: right;" |
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⚫ | |||
|+ '''Other on-screen personnel''' |
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!|Role: |
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!|Name: |
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|- |
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|rowspan=4|English [[Sports commentators|commentators]] |
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|[[Jim Ross]] {{small|(Raw)}} |
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|[[Jerry Lawler]] {{small|(Raw)}} |
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|[[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |
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|- |
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|[[Tazz]] {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |
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|- |
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|rowspan=2|Spanish commentators |
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|[[Carlos Cabrera]] |
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|- |
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|[[Hugo Savinovich]] |
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|- |
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|rowspan=2|[[Interviewers]] |
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|[[Jonathan Coachman]] |
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|- |
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|[[Lilian Garcia]] |
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|- |
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|rowspan=2|[[Ring announcer]]s |
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|[[Howard Finkel]] {{small|(Raw)}} |
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|- |
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|[[Tony Chimel]] {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |
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|- |
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|rowspan=8|[[Referee (professional wrestling)|Referees]] |
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|[[Charles Robinson (referee)|Charles Robinson]] |
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|- |
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|[[Mike Chioda]] |
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|- |
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|[[Nick Patrick (referee)|Nick Patrick]] |
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|- |
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|[[Jack Doan]] |
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|- |
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|[[Earl Hebner]] |
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|- |
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|Chad Patton |
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|- |
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|[[Brian Hebner]] |
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|- |
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|[[Jim Korderas]] |
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|- |
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|rowspan=2|General Managers |
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|[[Eric Bischoff]] {{small|(Raw)}} |
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|[[Stephanie McMahon]] {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |
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|} |
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⚫ | |||
=== Preliminary matches === |
=== Preliminary matches === |
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The first match was between [[The Un-Americans]] ([[Lance Storm]], [[Christian (wrestler)|Christian]], [[William Regal]] and [[Test (wrestler)|Test]]) and [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], [[Goldust]], [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] and [[Mark LoMonaco|Bubba Ray Dudley]]. After a brawl between the teams occurred Storm performed a Superkick on Kane for a near-fall. Storm attempted a second Superkick on Kane but Kane countered the move and pinned Storm after a Chokeslam to win the match. |
The first match was between [[The Un-Americans]] ([[Lance Storm]], [[Christian (wrestler)|Christian]], [[William Regal]] and [[Test (wrestler)|Test]]) and [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], [[Goldust]], [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] and [[Mark LoMonaco|Bubba Ray Dudley]]. After a brawl between the teams occurred Storm performed a Superkick on Kane for a near-fall. Storm attempted a second Superkick on Kane but Kane countered the move and pinned Storm after a Chokeslam to win the match. |
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The second match was for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] between [[Chris Jericho]] and [[Ric Flair]]. During the match, Flair targeted Jericho's left leg. Jericho missed a Lionsault on Flair, which further injured Jericho's left leg. Whilst a trainer distracted the referee, Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho on Flair. Flair submitted, resulting in Jericho retaining the title. |
The second match was for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] between [[Chris Jericho]] and [[Ric Flair]]. During the match, Flair targeted Jericho's left leg. Jericho missed a Lionsault on Flair, which further injured Jericho's left leg. Whilst a trainer distracted the referee, Jericho revealed that he was faking his injury and applied the Walls of Jericho on Flair. Flair submitted, resulting in Jericho retaining the title. |
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The third match was between [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Eddie Guerrero]]. Edge performed an Edgecution on Guerrero but Guerrero placed his foot on the bottom rope to void the pinfall. Guerrero exposed a Turnbuckle, which Edge later collided with. Guerrero pinned Edge after a Sunset Flip Powerbomb to win the match. |
The third match was between [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Eddie Guerrero]]. Edge performed an Edgecution on Guerrero but Guerrero placed his foot on the bottom rope to void the pinfall. Guerrero exposed a Turnbuckle, which Edge later collided with. Guerrero pinned Edge after a Sunset Flip Powerbomb to win the match. |
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The fourth match was between [[Billy and Chuck]] and [[3-Minute Warning]] ([[Rosey (wrestler)|Rosey]] and [[Umaga (wrestler)|Jamal]]) (with [[Rico Constantino|Rico]]). Jamal attempted to perform a Pop Up Samoan Drop on Gunn but Gunn countered the move into a Fameasser on Jamal. Rico distracted Gunn, leading to Gunn confronting Rico. Jamal pinned Gunn after a Pop Up Samoan Drop to win the match. |
The fourth match was between [[Billy and Chuck]] and [[3-Minute Warning]] ([[Rosey (wrestler)|Rosey]] and [[Umaga (wrestler)|Jamal]]) (with [[Rico Constantino|Rico]]). Jamal attempted to perform a Pop Up Samoan Drop on Gunn but Gunn countered the move into a Fameasser on Jamal. Rico distracted Gunn, leading to Gunn confronting Rico. Jamal pinned Gunn after a Pop Up Samoan Drop to win the match. After the match, due to the stipulation, [[Stephanie McMahon]] came out to the ring and had to perform "hot lesbian action" with 2 other [[Lesbian|lesbians]]. After this, [[Eric Bischoff]] brought out another woman named 'Hildegaard' and told her to make out with Stephanie, however Stephanie did it voluntarily; the woman would then reveal herself to be [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]] in a costume, and would superkick Bischoff. Stephanie and Rikishi then celebrated in the ring. |
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⚫ | The fifth match was for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] between [[Triple H]] and [[Rob Van Dam]]. After a back-and-forth match, Triple H knocked the referee down. Triple H attempted a Pedigree on Van Dam but Van Dam countered the move and performed a Five Star Frog Splash on Triple H. After Van Dam checked on the referee, Triple H performed a Low Blow on Van Dam. Triple H attempted to hit Van Dam with a sledgehammer but Van Dam performed a Spinning Heel Kick on Triple H. Ric Flair interfered, retrieving the sledgehammer. Flair appeared to hit Triple H with the sledgehammer but Flair hit Van Dam with the sledgehammer, turning Flair heel. Triple H pinned Van Dam after a Pedigree to win the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/rawmainevent/|title=Triple H vs. Rob Van Dam for the World Heavyweight Championship|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | The fifth match was for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] between [[Triple H]] and [[Rob Van Dam]]. After a back-and-forth match, Triple H knocked the referee down. Triple H attempted a Pedigree on Van Dam but Van Dam countered the move and performed a Five Star Frog Splash on Triple H. After Van Dam checked on the referee, Triple H performed a Low Blow on Van Dam. Triple H attempted to hit Van Dam with a sledgehammer but Van Dam performed a Spinning Heel Kick on Triple H. Ric Flair interfered, retrieving the sledgehammer. Flair appeared to hit Triple H with the sledgehammer but Flair hit Van Dam with the sledgehammer, turning Flair heel. Triple H pinned Van Dam after a Pedigree to win the match. |
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The sixth match was for the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Championship]] between [[Molly Holly]] and [[Trish Stratus]]. Stratus pinned Molly after a Stratusfaction to win the match and the title. |
The sixth match was for the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Championship]] between [[Molly Holly]] and [[Trish Stratus]]. Stratus pinned Molly after a Stratusfaction to win the match and the title. |
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The seventh match was between [[Kurt Angle]] and [[Chris Benoit]]. Benoit performed a Diving Headbutt on Angle for a near-fall. Benoit applied the Crippler Crossface on Angle but Angle countered the hold into an Ankle Lock on Benoit. Benoit countered the hold into the Crippler Crossface but Angle again countered the hold into an Ankle Lock on Benoit, with Benoit touching the ropes to force Angle to break the hold. As Angle applied the Crippler Crossface on Benoit, Benoit attempted to touch the ropes but Angle pushed the ropes away. After the referee argued with Angle, Benoit pinned Angle using the ropes for leverage to win the match. |
The seventh match was between [[Kurt Angle]] and [[Chris Benoit]]. Benoit performed a Diving Headbutt on Angle for a near-fall. Benoit applied the Crippler Crossface on Angle but Angle countered the hold into an Ankle Lock on Benoit. Benoit countered the hold into the Crippler Crossface but Angle again countered the hold into an Ankle Lock on Benoit, with Benoit touching the ropes to force Angle to break the hold. As Angle applied the Crippler Crossface on Benoit, Benoit attempted to touch the ropes but Angle pushed the ropes away. After the referee argued with Angle, Benoit pinned Angle using the ropes for leverage to win the match. |
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⚫ | |||
The main event was for the [[WWE Championship]] between [[Brock Lesnar]] (with [[Paul Heyman]]) and [[The Undertaker]]. During the match, the referee was distracted, allowing Lesnar to hit Undertaker with the title belt, which caused Undertaker to bleed. After Lesnar collided with the referee, who was knocked down, Undertaker performed a Chokeslam on Lesnar. [[Matt Hardy]] attempted to interfere but Undertaker performed a Last Ride on Hardy. Lesnar pushed Undertaker, causing Undertaker to knock the referee down, and attempted to hit Undertaker with a chair but Undertaker performed a Big Boot into the chair, causing the chair to hit Lesnar, and hit Lesnar with the chair, causing Lesnar to bleed. After Lesnar attacked the referee, the referee ruled the match a double disqualification. After the match, Undertaker threw Lesnar through the stage set. |
The main event was for the [[WWE Championship]] between [[Brock Lesnar]] (with [[Paul Heyman]]) and [[The Undertaker]]. During the match, the referee was distracted, allowing Lesnar to hit The Undertaker with the title belt, which caused The Undertaker to bleed. After Lesnar collided with the referee, who was knocked down, The Undertaker performed a Chokeslam on Lesnar. [[Matt Hardy]] attempted to interfere but The Undertaker performed a Last Ride on Hardy. Lesnar pushed The Undertaker, causing The Undertaker to knock the referee down, and attempted to hit The Undertaker with a chair but The Undertaker performed a Big Boot into the chair, causing the chair to hit Lesnar, and hit Lesnar with the chair, causing Lesnar to bleed. After Lesnar attacked the referee, the referee ruled the match a double disqualification. After the match, The Undertaker threw Lesnar through the stage set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/sdmainevent/|title=Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker for the WWE Championship|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]| access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> |
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==Aftermath== |
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While the 2002 Unforgiven had featured wrestlers from both Raw and SmackDown!, the [[Unforgiven (2003)|2003 event]] was held exclusively for the Raw brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/09/22/199555.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713235834/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/09/22/199555.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 13, 2012|title=Unforgiven: Goldberg wins Gold|access-date=2008-02-22|first=Jason|last=Clevett|date=2003-09-22|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=Slam! Sports}}</ref> |
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==Results== |
==Results== |
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{{Pro Wrestling results table |
{{Pro Wrestling results table |
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|times = <ref name="PWH">{{cite web|url=http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/unforgiven.html#2002|title=Unforgiven 2002| |
|times = <ref name="PWH">{{cite web|url=http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/unforgiven.html#2002|title=Unforgiven 2002|access-date=April 22, 2012|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> |
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| |
|note1 = heat |
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|match1 = [[Rey Mysterio]] defeated [[ |
|match1 = [[Rey Mysterio]] defeated [[Chavo Guerrero]] |
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|stip1 = [[ |
|stip1 = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] |
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|time1 = 08:58 |
|time1 = 08:58 |
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|match2 = [[ |
|match2 = [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], [[Goldust]], [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] and [[Bubba Ray Dudley]] defeated [[The Un-Americans]] ([[Lance Storm]], [[Christian Cage|Christian]], [[William Regal]] and [[Test (wrestler)|Test]]) |
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|stip2 = [[ |
|stip2 = [[Eight-man tag team match]] |
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|time2 = |
|time2 = 09:59 |
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|match3 = [[Chris Jericho]] (c) defeated [[Ric Flair]] by [[ |
|match3 = [[Chris Jericho]] (c) defeated [[Ric Flair]] by [[Submission (professional wrestling)|submission]] |
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|stip3 = Singles match for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] |
|stip3 = Singles match for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] |
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|time3 = 06:16 |
|time3 = 06:16 |
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Line 70: | Line 131: | ||
|stip4 = Singles match |
|stip4 = Singles match |
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|time4 = 11:55 |
|time4 = 11:55 |
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|match5 = [[3-Minute Warning]] ([[ |
|match5 = [[3-Minute Warning]] ([[Rosey (wrestler)|Rosey]] and [[Umaga (wrestler)|Jamal]]) (with [[Rico Constantino|Rico]]) defeated [[Billy and Chuck]] |
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|stip5 = [[Tag team match]] |
|stip5 = [[Tag team match]] |
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|time5 = 06:38 |
|time5 = 06:38 |
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|match6 = [[Triple H]] (c) defeated [[Rob Van Dam]] |
|match6 = [[Triple H]] (c) defeated [[Rob Van Dam]] |
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|stip6 = Singles match for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] |
|stip6 = Singles match for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] |
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|time6 = 18:17 |
|time6 = 18:17 |
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|match7 = [[Trish Stratus]] defeated [[Molly Holly]] (c) |
|match7 = [[Trish Stratus]] defeated [[Molly Holly]] (c) |
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Line 82: | Line 143: | ||
|stip8 = Singles match |
|stip8 = Singles match |
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|time8 = 13:55 |
|time8 = 13:55 |
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|match9 = [[Brock Lesnar]] (c) (with [[Paul Heyman]]) vs. [[The Undertaker]] ended in a [[ |
|match9 = [[Brock Lesnar]] (c) (with [[Paul Heyman]]) vs. [[The Undertaker]] ended in a [[Disqualification (professional wrestling)|double disqualification]] |
||
|stip9 = Singles match for the [[WWE Championship]] |
|stip9 = Singles match for the [[WWE Championship]] |
||
|time9 = 20:27 |
|time9 = 20:27 |
||
}} |
}} |
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==See also== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist |
{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[ |
*[https://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/ Official website] |
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{{2002 WWF/WWE pay-per-view events}} |
{{2002 WWF/WWE pay-per-view events}} |
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{{WWEPPV|Unforgiven}} |
{{WWEPPV|Unforgiven}} |
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[[Category:2002 in |
[[Category:2002 in Los Angeles]] |
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[[Category:Professional wrestling in Los Angeles]] |
[[Category:Professional wrestling in Los Angeles]] |
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[[Category:WWE Unforgiven|2002]] |
[[Category:WWE Unforgiven|2002]] |
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[[Category:Events in Los Angeles]] |
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[[Category:September 2002 events in the United States]] |
Latest revision as of 15:00, 3 October 2024
Unforgiven | |||
---|---|---|---|
Promotion | World Wrestling Entertainment | ||
Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown! | ||
Date | September 22, 2002 | ||
City | Los Angeles, California | ||
Venue | Staples Center | ||
Attendance | 16,000[1] | ||
Buy rate | 300,000[2] | ||
Tagline(s) | The Next Big Thing has arrived | ||
Pay-per-view chronology | |||
| |||
Unforgiven chronology | |||
|
The 2002 Unforgiven was the fifth annual Unforgiven professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown! brand divisions. The event took place on September 22, 2002, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. It was the first Unforgiven held under the WWE name, after the promotion was renamed from World Wrestling Federation (WWF) to WWE earlier that year in May, as well as the first Unforgiven held during the first brand extension that began in March.
Eight professional wrestling matches were scheduled for the event—which featured a supercard, a scheduling of more than one main bout. The main event from the SmackDown! brand featured WWE Champion Brock Lesnar fighting The Undertaker to retain the title after both men were disqualified. After the match, The Undertaker continued to attack Lesnar, throwing him through the wall of a set. The main event from the Raw brand featured World Heavyweight Champion Triple H defeating Rob Van Dam to retain the title. Four matches were featured on the undercard. The first was a singles match where Chris Benoit defeated Kurt Angle. The next was between Trish Stratus and WWE Women's Champion Molly Holly, where Stratus won and captured the title. The third was a singles match between Eddie Guerrero and Edge, in which Guerrero won. The final featured undercard match had WWE Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho defeating Ric Flair to retain the title.
Production
[edit]Background
[edit]Unforgiven was first held by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as the 21st In Your House pay-per-view (PPV) in April 1998. Following the discontinuation of the In Your House series in February 1999, Unforgiven branched off as its own PPV in September that year, becoming WWE's annual September PPV.[3] The 2002 event was the fifth event in the Unforgiven chronology and took place on September 22 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.[4][5] It was also the first held under the WWE name, as the promotion was renamed from World Wrestling Federation (WWF) to WWE in May.[6] It was also the first Unforgiven held during the first brand extension that was introduced in March, a storyline subdivision in which the promotion divided its roster into two separate brands, Raw and SmackDown!, where wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform.[7] The 2002 event in turn featured wrestlers from both brands.[4]
Storylines
[edit]The event featured nine professional wrestling matches, with outcomes predetermined by WWE script writers. The matches featured wrestlers portraying their characters in planned storylines that took place before, during and after the event. All wrestlers were from one of the WWE's brands--SmackDown! or Raw—the two storyline divisions in which WWE assigned its employees.[8][9]
The main feud heading into Unforgiven on the SmackDown! brand was between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar, with the two feuding over the WWE Championship. On the August 29 episode of SmackDown!, as Lesnar became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand, Stephanie McMahon made a single elimination series of matches to declare the number one contender for the championship. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit made it to the final, but McMahon put The Undertaker in the match, which he then won. On the September 5 episode of SmackDown!, Lesnar and The Undertaker confronted each other. On the September 12 episode of SmackDown!, during The Undertaker's match with Matt Hardy, Lesnar threatened The Undertaker's wife, Sara, and attacked The Undertaker when he tried to save her. On the September 19 episode of SmackDown!, The Undertaker tried to attack Lesnar, but was stopped by Lesnar's security.
The main feud heading into Unforgiven on the Raw brand was between Triple H and Rob Van Dam for the World Heavyweight Championship. On the September 2 episode of Raw, Triple H was awarded the newly created World Heavyweight Championship by Eric Bischoff, and retained it against Ric Flair. Later that night however, Van Dam and Flair defeated Triple H and Chris Jericho in a tag team match, when Van Dam pinned Triple H. On the September 9 episode of Raw, Van Dam defeated Jericho, Jeff Hardy, and Big Show in a fatal four-way elimination match to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. On the September 16 episode of Raw, Triple H cost Van Dam his WWE Intercontinental Championship against Jericho and in retaliation, Van Dam attacked Triple H during a title match with Hardy.
Another main feud on the SmackDown! brand was between SmackDown! General Manager, Stephanie McMahon and Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff. It all started when Billy and Chuck had a commitment ceremony on the September 12 episode of SmackDown!. The priest of the ceremony was later to be revealed as Bischoff in disguise. He had Billy and Chuck attacked by 3 Minute Warning, setting up a tag team match scheduled for Unforgiven. If 3 Minute Warning won, Stephanie would be forced to participate in "Hot Lesbian Action" with two other women. Had Billy and Chuck won, Bischoff would have had to kiss Stephanie's buttocks.
Another feud on the Raw brand was between Molly Holly and Trish Stratus for the WWE Women's Championship. Four months prior, Holly and Stratus began a feud which lead to a Women's Championship match between the two at King of the Ring in which Holly defeated Stratus to win the title. On the June 24 episode of Raw, Holly proclaimed that she had bought dignity and respect back to the Women's Championship by not being a "tramp who sleeps her way to the top" referring to Stratus. On the July 15 episode of Raw, Holly successfully defended her title against Stratus. On the September 2 episode of Raw, Stratus and Bubba Ray Dudley defeated Chris Nowinski and Holly in a mixed tag team match.
Event
[edit]Role: | Name: |
---|---|
English commentators | Jim Ross (Raw) |
Jerry Lawler (Raw) | |
Michael Cole (SmackDown!) | |
Tazz (SmackDown!) | |
Spanish commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
Hugo Savinovich | |
Interviewers | Jonathan Coachman |
Lilian Garcia | |
Ring announcers | Howard Finkel (Raw) |
Tony Chimel (SmackDown!) | |
Referees | Charles Robinson |
Mike Chioda | |
Nick Patrick | |
Jack Doan | |
Earl Hebner | |
Chad Patton | |
Brian Hebner | |
Jim Korderas | |
General Managers | Eric Bischoff (Raw) |
Stephanie McMahon (SmackDown!) |
Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, a dark match took place in which Rey Mysterio defeated Chavo Guerrero.
Preliminary matches
[edit]The first match was between The Un-Americans (Lance Storm, Christian, William Regal and Test) and Kane, Goldust, Booker T and Bubba Ray Dudley. After a brawl between the teams occurred Storm performed a Superkick on Kane for a near-fall. Storm attempted a second Superkick on Kane but Kane countered the move and pinned Storm after a Chokeslam to win the match.
The second match was for the WWE Intercontinental Championship between Chris Jericho and Ric Flair. During the match, Flair targeted Jericho's left leg. Jericho missed a Lionsault on Flair, which further injured Jericho's left leg. Whilst a trainer distracted the referee, Jericho revealed that he was faking his injury and applied the Walls of Jericho on Flair. Flair submitted, resulting in Jericho retaining the title.
The third match was between Edge and Eddie Guerrero. Edge performed an Edgecution on Guerrero but Guerrero placed his foot on the bottom rope to void the pinfall. Guerrero exposed a Turnbuckle, which Edge later collided with. Guerrero pinned Edge after a Sunset Flip Powerbomb to win the match.
The fourth match was between Billy and Chuck and 3-Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) (with Rico). Jamal attempted to perform a Pop Up Samoan Drop on Gunn but Gunn countered the move into a Fameasser on Jamal. Rico distracted Gunn, leading to Gunn confronting Rico. Jamal pinned Gunn after a Pop Up Samoan Drop to win the match. After the match, due to the stipulation, Stephanie McMahon came out to the ring and had to perform "hot lesbian action" with 2 other lesbians. After this, Eric Bischoff brought out another woman named 'Hildegaard' and told her to make out with Stephanie, however Stephanie did it voluntarily; the woman would then reveal herself to be Rikishi in a costume, and would superkick Bischoff. Stephanie and Rikishi then celebrated in the ring.
The fifth match was for the World Heavyweight Championship between Triple H and Rob Van Dam. After a back-and-forth match, Triple H knocked the referee down. Triple H attempted a Pedigree on Van Dam but Van Dam countered the move and performed a Five Star Frog Splash on Triple H. After Van Dam checked on the referee, Triple H performed a Low Blow on Van Dam. Triple H attempted to hit Van Dam with a sledgehammer but Van Dam performed a Spinning Heel Kick on Triple H. Ric Flair interfered, retrieving the sledgehammer. Flair appeared to hit Triple H with the sledgehammer but Flair hit Van Dam with the sledgehammer, turning Flair heel. Triple H pinned Van Dam after a Pedigree to win the match.[10]
The sixth match was for the WWE Women's Championship between Molly Holly and Trish Stratus. Stratus pinned Molly after a Stratusfaction to win the match and the title.
The seventh match was between Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. Benoit performed a Diving Headbutt on Angle for a near-fall. Benoit applied the Crippler Crossface on Angle but Angle countered the hold into an Ankle Lock on Benoit. Benoit countered the hold into the Crippler Crossface but Angle again countered the hold into an Ankle Lock on Benoit, with Benoit touching the ropes to force Angle to break the hold. As Angle applied the Crippler Crossface on Benoit, Benoit attempted to touch the ropes but Angle pushed the ropes away. After the referee argued with Angle, Benoit pinned Angle using the ropes for leverage to win the match.
Main event match
[edit]The main event was for the WWE Championship between Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) and The Undertaker. During the match, the referee was distracted, allowing Lesnar to hit The Undertaker with the title belt, which caused The Undertaker to bleed. After Lesnar collided with the referee, who was knocked down, The Undertaker performed a Chokeslam on Lesnar. Matt Hardy attempted to interfere but The Undertaker performed a Last Ride on Hardy. Lesnar pushed The Undertaker, causing The Undertaker to knock the referee down, and attempted to hit The Undertaker with a chair but The Undertaker performed a Big Boot into the chair, causing the chair to hit Lesnar, and hit Lesnar with the chair, causing Lesnar to bleed. After Lesnar attacked the referee, the referee ruled the match a double disqualification. After the match, The Undertaker threw Lesnar through the stage set.[11]
Aftermath
[edit]While the 2002 Unforgiven had featured wrestlers from both Raw and SmackDown!, the 2003 event was held exclusively for the Raw brand.[12]
Results
[edit]No. | Results | Stipulations | Times[1] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1H | Rey Mysterio defeated Chavo Guerrero | Singles match | 08:58 | ||||
2 | Kane, Goldust, Booker T and Bubba Ray Dudley defeated The Un-Americans (Lance Storm, Christian, William Regal and Test) | Eight-man tag team match | 09:59 | ||||
3 | Chris Jericho (c) defeated Ric Flair by submission | Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | 06:16 | ||||
4 | Eddie Guerrero defeated Edge | Singles match | 11:55 | ||||
5 | 3-Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) (with Rico) defeated Billy and Chuck | Tag team match | 06:38 | ||||
6 | Triple H (c) defeated Rob Van Dam | Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship | 18:17 | ||||
7 | Trish Stratus defeated Molly Holly (c) | Singles match for the WWE Women's Championship | 05:46 | ||||
8 | Chris Benoit defeated Kurt Angle | Singles match | 13:55 | ||||
9 | Brock Lesnar (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. The Undertaker ended in a double disqualification | Singles match for the WWE Championship | 20:27 | ||||
|
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Unforgiven 2002". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
- ^ "WWE Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)". Wrestlenomics. March 25, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Cawthon, Graham (2013). The History of Professional Wrestling. Vol. 2: WWF 1990–1999. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ASIN B00RWUNSRS.
- ^ a b "STAPLES Center - Los Angeles". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ "Unfogiven 2002 Results". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
- ^ "WWE Entertainment To Make RAW and SMACKDOWN Distinct Television Brands". WWE (Press release). March 27, 2002. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ "Triple H vs. Rob Van Dam for the World Heavyweight Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-12-06.
- ^ "Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker for the WWE Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-12-06.
- ^ Clevett, Jason (2003-09-22). "Unforgiven: Goldberg wins Gold". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
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