2002 in professional wrestling

2002 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

List of years in professional wrestling

List of notable promotions

These promotions held notable shows in 2002.

Promotion Name Abbreviation Notes
All Japan Pro Wrestling AJPW
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre CMLL
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling FMW
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide AAA The "AAA" abbreviation has been used since the mid-1990s and had previously stood for the promotion's original name Asistencia Asesoría y Administración.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling NJPW
Ring of Honor ROH
World Wrestling All-Stars WWA
World Wrestling Council WWC
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment WWF/E In March, the WWF divided its roster into two storyline divisions, Raw and SmackDown!, referred to as brands, where wrestlers exclusively performed on their respective weekly television programs. The WWF was then renamed to WWE in May due to a dispute with the World Wildlife Fund over the "WWF" initialism.

Calendar of notable shows

January
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
January 2–14 AJPW Giant Baba Memorial Cup Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 4 NJPW Wrestling World Tokyo, Japan
January 6 FMW FMW PPV Tokyo, Japan
January 20 WWF Royal Rumble Atlanta, Georgia [1]

February
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
February 4 FMW FMW PPV Tokyo, Japan
February 17 WWF No Way Out Milwaukee, Wisconsin [2]
February 24 WWA The Revolution Las Vegas, Nevada

March
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
March 17 AAA Rey de Reyes Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
March 17 WWF WrestleMania X8 Toronto, Ontario [3]
March 22 CMLL International Gran Prix Mexico City, Mexico

April
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event Notes
April 12 CMLL 46. Aniversario de Arena México Mexico City, Mexico
April 13 WWA The Eruption Melbourne, Australia
April 21 WWF:
 Backlash Kansas City, Missouri [4] First WWF PPV under the first brand split, in which the promotion split its roster between the Raw and SmackDown! brands, represented by the shows of the same name.

May
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event Notes
May 4 WWF:
 Insurrextion London, England First Raw-exclusive PPV under the first brand split.
Final event under the WWF name as the company was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) the following day due to a dispute with the World Wildlife Fund over the "WWF" initialism.
May 19 WWE:
 Judgement Day Nashville, Tennessee First event under the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) name, following the company being renamed from WWF to WWE on May 5.

June
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
June 8 N/A First Annual Big Dick Dudley Memorial Show Franklin Square, New York
June 23 WWE:
 King of the Ring Columbus, Ohio

July
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
July 5 AAA Triplemanía X Madero, Mexico
July 21 WWE:
 Vengeance Detroit, Michigan

August
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event Notes
August 3–11 NJPW G1 Climax Tokyo
August 10 WWE:
 WWE Global Warning Tour: Melbourne Melbourne [5][6] First SmackDown-exclusive event under the first brand split.
August 25 WWE:
 SummerSlam Uniondale, New York

September
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
September 13 CMLL CMLL 69th Anniversary Show Mexico City, Mexico
September 14 WWC WWC 29th Aniversario Bayamón, Puerto Rico
September 16 AAA Verano de Escándalo Naucalpan, Mexico
September 22 WWE:
 Unforgiven Los Angeles, California [7]

October
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
October 5 ROH Glory By Honor Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 20 WWE:
 No Mercy North Little Rock, Arkansas
October 26 WWE:
 Rebellion Manchester, England [8]

November
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
November 4
November 5		 WWE
 Super Tuesday Boston, Massachusetts
Manchester, New Hampshire
November 15 AAA Guerra de Titanes (2002) Veracruz, Mexico
November 17 WWE
 Survivor Series New York, New York [9]

December
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
December 6 WWA The Retribution Glasgow, Scotland
December 13 CMLL Sin Piedad Mexico City, Mexico
December 15 WWE
 Armageddon Sunrise, Florida [10]
December 28 ROH Final Battle Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Accomplishments and tournaments

AAA
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Rey de Reyes Canek March 17

Ring of Honor
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
ROH Championship Tournament Low Ki July 27
ROH Tag Team Championship Tournament The Prophecy (Christopher Daniels and Donovan Morgan) September 21

WWF/E
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Royal Rumble Triple H January 20 Last eliminated Kurt Angle to win an Undisputed WWF Championship match at WrestleMania X8, which he subsequently won from Chris Jericho.
Undisputed WWF Championship #1 Contender's Tournament Stone Cold Steve Austin February 17 Defeated Kurt Angle in the tournament final to win a match for the Undisputed WWF Championship at No Way Out, but was unsuccessful in winning the title.
King of the Ring Brock Lesnar June 23 Defeated Rob Van Dam in the tournament final to win and be crowned King of the Ring as well as earn a WWE Undisputed Championship match at SummerSlam, which he subsequently won from The Rock.
WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit October 20 Defeated Edge and Rey Mysterio in the tournament final to become the inaugural WWE Tag Team Champions.

Awards and honors

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Main article: List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards
Category Winner
PWI Wrestler of the Year Brock Lesnar
PWI Tag Team of the Year Billy and Chuck
PWI Match of the Year The Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania X8)
PWI Feud of the Year Eric Bischoff vs. Stephanie McMahon
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year Rob Van Dam
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year Chris Jericho
PWI Comeback of the Year Hollywood Hulk Hogan
PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year Brock Lesnar
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Eddie Guerrero
PWI Rookie of the Year Maven
PWI Woman of the Year Trish Stratus
PWI Lifetime Achievement Jim Ross

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Main article: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Inductee
Martin Burns
Jack Curley
Kenta Kobashi
Wahoo McDaniel
Manami Toyota

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
Main article: List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
Category Winner
Wrestler of the Year Kurt Angle
Most Outstanding Kurt Angle
Tag Team of the Year Los Guerreros
(Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero)
Most Improved Brock Lesnar
Best on Interviews Kurt Angle

Title changes

NJPW
IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Kazuyuki Fujita
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 4 Vacated Wrestling World
February 16 Tadao Yasuda Fighting Spirit
April 5 Yuji Nagata Toukon Special
IWGP Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – BATT (Keiji Mutoh and Taiyo Kea)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 2 Vacated N/A
March 24 Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yutaka Yoshie Hyper Battle
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Kendo Kashin
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 1 Vacated N/A
February 16 Minoru Tanaka Fighting Spirit
July 19 Koji Kanemoto Summer Fight Series
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Gedo and Jado
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
May 2 Jushin Thunder Liger and Minoru Tanaka Toukon Memorial Day
August 29 Tsuyoshi Kikuchi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru Cross Road

WWF/E
  – Raw
  – SmackDown

Following the introduction of the brand extension in March, titles became exclusive to a brand. Only the promotion's original world championship and women's championship were non-exclusive until later in the year.

Undisputed WWF Championship
Incoming champion – Chris Jericho
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 17 Triple H WrestleMania X8
April 21 Hollywood Hulk Hogan Backlash
The title was renamed to Undisputed WWE Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
It was then renamed to WWE Undisputed Championship.
May 19 The Undertaker Judgment Day
July 21 The Rock Vengeance Triple threat match, also involving Kurt Angle.
August 25 Brock Lesnar SummerSlam
The title became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand after Brock Lesnar signed an exclusive deal to only appear for SmackDown!.
The World Heavyweight Championship was then created for the Raw brand.
The title was renamed to WWE Championship as it was no longer "undisputed".
November 17 Big Show Survivor Series
December 15 Kurt Angle Armageddon
World Heavyweight Championship
(Title created)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
September 2 Triple H Monday Night Raw Awarded the title by Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff as Triple H was originally the number one contender for the WWE Undisputed Championship, which became exclusive to SmackDown! and dropped the "Undisputed" moniker.
November 17 Shawn Michaels Survivor Series First-ever Elimination Chamber match, also involving Chris Jericho, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Kane.
December 15 Triple H Armageddon Three Stages of Hell match.
WWF Intercontinental Championship
Incoming champion – Edge
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 20 William Regal Royal Rumble
March 17 Rob Van Dam WrestleMania X8
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand following the 2002 WWF draft lottery when Rob Van Dam was drafted to Raw.
April 21 Eddie Guerrero Backlash
The title was renamed to WWE Intercontinental Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
May 27 Rob Van Dam Monday Night Raw Ladder match
July 29 Chris Benoit Monday Night Raw
The title became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand due to Chris Benoit transferring to SmackDown!.
August 25 Rob Van Dam SummerSlam
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Rob Van Dam being a member of the Raw roster.
September 16 Chris Jericho Monday Night Raw
September 30 Kane Monday Night Raw
October 20 Triple H No Mercy Title for title unification match, in which Triple H also defended the World Heavyweight Championship.
Deactivated Unified with the World Heavyweight Championship.
WWF Cruiserweight Championship
Incoming champion – Tajiri
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
The title became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand following the 2002 WWF draft lottery when Tajiri was drafted to SmackDown!.
April 2
(aired April 4)		 Billy Kidman SmackDown!
April 21 Tajiri Backlash
The title was renamed to WWE Cruiserweight Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
May 14
(aired May 16)		 The Hurricane SmackDown! Triple threat match, also involving Billy Kidman.
June 23 Jamie Noble King of the Ring
November 17 Billy Kidman Survivor Series
WWF Women's Championship
Incoming champion – Trish Stratus
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 4 Jazz Monday Night Raw
The title was renamed to WWE Women's Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
May 13 Trish Stratus Monday Night Raw Hardcore mixed tag team match where both Jazz's title and Steven Richards' WWE Hardcore Championship were on the line. Stratus teamed with Bubba Ray Dudley and defeated Jazz and Richards.
June 23 Molly Holly King of the Ring
September 22 Trish Stratus Unforgiven
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand.
November 17 Victoria Survivor Series Hardcore match
WWF European Championship
Incoming champion – Christian
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 29
(aired January 31)		 Diamond Dallas Page SmackDown!
March 19
(aired March 21)		 William Regal SmackDown!
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand following the 2002 WWF draft lottery when William Regal was drafted to Raw.
April 8 Spike Dudley Monday Night Raw
The title was renamed to WWE European Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
May 6 William Regal Monday Night Raw
July 8 Jeff Hardy Monday Night Raw
July 22 Rob Van Dam Monday Night Raw Title for title unification match, in which Van Dam also defended the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Retired Unified with the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
WWF World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 7 Spike Dudley and Tazz Monday Night Raw Hardcore match
February 19
(aired February 21)		 Billy and Chuck SmackDown!
The titles became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand following the 2002 WWF draft lottery when Billy and Chuck were drafted to SmackDown!.
The titles were renamed to WWE Tag Team Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
May 19 Rico and Rikishi Judgment Day
June 4
(aired June 6)		 Billy and Chuck SmackDown! Tag team elimination match.
July 2
(aired July 4)		 Edge and Hollywood Hulk Hogan SmackDown!
July 21 The Un-Americans
(Christian and Lance Storm)		 Vengeance
The titles became exclusive to the Raw brand due to The Un-Americans being members of the Raw roster.
The titles were renamed to World Tag Team Championship.
September 23 Hurri-Kane
(The Hurricane and Kane)		 Monday Night Raw
October 14 Christian and Chris Jericho Monday Night Raw On October 20, the WWE Tag Team Championship was established for the SmackDown! brand.
December 15 Booker T and Goldust Armageddon Four-way tag team elimination match, also involving The Dudley Boyz and William Regal and Lance Storm.
WWE Tag Team Championship
(Title created)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
October 20 Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit No Mercy Defeated Edge and Rey Mysterio in the tournament final to become the inaugural champions.
November 5
(aired November 7)		 Edge and Rey Mysterio SmackDown! Two out of three falls match.
November 17 Los Guerreros
(Eddie and Chavo Guerrero)		 Survivor Series Three-way tag team elimination match, also involving Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit.
WWF Hardcore Championship
Incoming champion – The Undertaker
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 5
(aired February 7)		 Maven SmackDown!
February 26
(aired February 28)		 Goldust SmackDown!
March 11 Al Snow Monday Night Raw
March 12
(aired March 14)		 Maven SmackDown!
March 17 Spike Dudley WrestleMania X8 Pinned Maven during a title defense against Goldust.
The Hurricane Pinned Spike Dudley in the backstage area.
Mighty Molly Pinned The Hurricane in the backstage area.
Christian Pinned Molly Holly in the backstage area.
Maven Pinned Christian in the backstage area.
The title became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand following the 2002 WWF draft lottery when Maven was drafted to SmackDown!.
March 26
(aired March 28)		 Raven SmackDown!
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Raven being a member of the Raw roster.
April 1 Bubba Ray Dudley Monday Night Raw
April 6 William Regal House show
Goldust
Raven
Bubba Ray Dudley
April 7 William Regal House show
Goldust
Raven
Bubba Ray Dudley
April 12 William Regal House show
Spike Dudley
Goldust
Bubba Ray Dudley
April 13 William Regal House show
Spike Dudley
Goldust
Bubba Ray Dudley
April 14 William Regal House show
Spike Dudley
Goldust
Bubba Ray Dudley
April 15 Raven Monday Night Raw
Tommy Dreamer
Steven Richards
Bubba Ray Dudley
April 19 Goldust House show
Raven
Bubba Ray Dudley
April 20 Goldust House show
Raven
Bubba Ray Dudley
April 29 Steven Richards Monday Night Raw Pinned Bubba Ray Dudley during a title defense against Jazz.
May 1 Tommy Dreamer House show
Goldust
Steven Richards
May 2 Shawn Stasiak House show
Justin Credible
Crash Holly
Steven Richards
Shawn Stasiak
Steven Richards
May 3 Crash Holly House show
Steven Richards
May 4 Booker T Insurrextion
Crash Holly
Booker T
Steven Richards
The title was renamed to WWE Hardcore Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
May 6 Bubba Ray Dudley Monday Night Raw
Raven
Justin Credible
Crash Holly
Trish Stratus
Steven Richards
May 25 Tommy Dreamer House show
Raven
Steven Richards
May 26 Tommy Dreamer House show
Raven
Steven Richards
May 27 Terri Monday Night Raw Pinned Steven Richards during an interview.
Steven Richards Immediately pinned Terri to regain the championship.
June 2 Tommy Dreamer House show
Raven
Steven Richards
June 3 Bradshaw Monday Night Raw
June 22 Raven House show
Spike Dudley
Shawn Stasiak
Bradshaw
June 28 Shawn Stasiak House show
Spike Dudley
Steven Richards
Bradshaw
June 29 Shawn Stasiak House show
Spike Dudley
Steven Richards
Bradshaw
June 30 Raven House show
Crash Holly
Stevie Richards
Bradshaw
July 6 Steven Richards House show
Crash Holly
Christopher Nowinski
Bradshaw
July 7 Steven Richards House show
Crash Holly
Christopher Nowinski
Bradshaw
July 12 Justin Credible House show
Spike Dudley
Big Show
Bradshaw
July 13 Justin Credible House show
Shawn Stasiak
Bradshaw
July 14 Justin Credible House show
Shawn Stasiak
Bradshaw
July 15 Johnny Stamboli Monday Night Raw
Bradshaw
July 22 Johnny Stamboli Monday Night Raw
Bradshaw
July 26 Raven House show
Justin Credible
Shawn Stasiak
Bradshaw
July 27 Raven House show
Justin Credible
Shawn Stasiak
Bradshaw
July 28 Raven House show
Justin Credible
Shawn Stasiak
Bradshaw
July 29 Jeff Hardy Monday Night Raw
Johnny Stamboli
Tommy Dreamer
August 3 Bradshaw House show
Tommy Dreamer
August 4 Bradshaw House show
Tommy Dreamer
August 9 Shawn Stasiak House show
Steven Richards
Tommy Dreamer
August 10 Shawn Stasiak House show
Steven Richards
Tommy Dreamer
August 11 Shawn Stasiak House show
Steven Richards
Tommy Dreamer
August 17 Raven House show
Shawn Stasiak
Tommy Dreamer
August 18 Shawn Stasiak House show
Steven Richards
Tommy Dreamer
August 19 Bradshaw Monday Night Raw Hardcore battle royal.
Crash Holly Hardcore battle royal.
Tommy Dreamer Hardcore battle royal. The 24/7 rule was deactivated on August 19.
August 26 Rob Van Dam Monday Night Raw Title for title unification match, in which Van Dam also defended the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Retired Unified with the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

Debuts

Deaths
Davey Boy Smith

See also

References
  1. Wahlers, Dan (2004-01-21). "Royal Rumble history part two". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  2. "No Way Out 2002". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  3. "WrestleMania X8". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  4. "Backlash 2002". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  5. Staff Writers (December 8, 2017). "WWE holding discussions over wrestling Global Warning Tour PPV event at MCG in 2018: report". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  6. Thomas, Joshua (8 December 2017). "WWE reportedly looking to bring Global Warning event to MCG". Sporting News. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  7. "Unforgiven 2002". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  8. "Historical Cards: Rebellion (October 26, 2002. Manchester, England)". PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts. Kappa Publications. p. 157. 2007 Edition.
  9. "Survivor Series 2002 results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  10. "Armageddon 2002 results". Pro Wrestling History. Archived from the original on February 22, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
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