Steve-a-mania Reviews: Survivor Series 2002

– The Sixteenth annual Survivor Series takes place In the World’s most famous arena Madison Square Garden. The major attraction of the event is the first ever Elimination Chamber as well as only being Shawn Michaels’ second match following his return. It’s only one of two Survivor Series events to not feature any Classic Survivor Series matches, the first being 1998.

November 17, 2002

Attendance: 17, 930

Jeff Hardy, Spike Dudley & Bubba Ray Dudley vs. 3 Minute Warning & Rico- 6 Man Tag Team Tables Elimination

– Dudleyz featuring Jeff Hardy go straight on the attack of 3 Minute Warning and Rico. Managing to overwhelm them and throw the larger opponents (minus Rico) out of the ring. Bubba wastes little time in calling for the tables in the ring. With a table set in the corner, Rosey charges at Spike but Spike quickly moves and Rosey crashes through the table. Not counting as an elimination.

-Spike Dudley attempts the Dudley Dog, 3 Minute Warning are able to catch him and hit a reverse flap jack through the table. The 3 on 2 attack that follows proves effective with the trio cutting off Bubba and Jeff at every opportunity. Shifting the momentum of the match. On the outside Bubba and Jeff double team Rosey and Bubba sets him on a table, Jeff Hardy goes high risk and hit’s a Swanton Bomb off the balcony sending Rosey through the table!

-Jamal sets up a table on the outside and puts Jeff Hardy on it. In an attempt to match the high risk style he goes to the top rope and leaps hitting an impressive splash to the outside squashing Jeff through the table. Jamal sets up another table and sets Bubba in the corner and looks to hit a hurracanrana but Bubba reverses into a power bombs through the table!

-3 Minute Warning don’t adhere to the rules and start a 3 on 1 attack on Bubba Ray. Bubba attempts a fight back but it’s not enough. As 3 Minute Warning look to finish this one off with setting a table up. D-von comes running down to the ring in full camouflage to a big pop! Disposing of Jamal and Rosey, Bubba and D-von finish off Rico with a 3D!14:22

-a pretty exciting start to the show and it did what it needed to do. The return of D-Von to Raw was great too. Even though he had only been on Smackdown he got a good reaction, which shows how effective the brand split was at one time. There was a few botches, mainly from Jeff but nothing to go crazy over.

Winners: Bubba Dudley, Spike Dudley & Jeff Hardy
Rating: **½

– Stacy Kiebler is at Times Square New York to introduce Saliva to perform the theme for Survivor Series. And to report that Test would love to be there but is on a PR tour and he would love nothing more than to be surrounded by testicles. The song they perform is Always, which I can remember absolutely loving at the time, not so much now.

Jamie Noble vs. Billy Kidman- WWE Cruiserweight

-The story going into this match is that Jamie Noble is on a losing streak as of late, with a few of the losses being to Billy Kidman. They lock up with each other and Billy Kidman goes for a quick cover but Noble kicks out quickly. The momentum of the match changed quickly back and forth between the two, where they begin to push the tempo to the limit. Enzirguri from Billy Kidman, he sets up for the Shooting Star Press. Nidia tries to inject herself into the match but is kicked off by Kidman. The distraction seems enough as Noble gets to his feet and attempts to take Kidman off the top rope. Kidman lays some shots into Noble knocking him back down. Kidman hit’s the Shooting Star Press and covers 1…2…3. 7:29

-Typical type of Cruiserweight match at this time. I mean that in a good way though that it was a very exciting and competitive match which could have gone either way with some convincing false finishes. They managed to pack a lot of action into the 7 minutes that they had which was all the more impressive.

Winner: Billy Kidman becomes new Cruiserweight champion
Rating **¾

– In the locker room Kurt Angle is watching the monitor. He has a disgusted look on his face and proclaims to Benoit that if Billy ‘freakin’ Kidman can win the Cruiserweight title then they can regain the Tag Team titles. Just as long as Benoit stays out of the team captains way. Benoit is none too pleased with that comment and asks him angrily to repeat it. Angle says he isn’t falling for that because they are amigo’s, bosom buddies and friends to the end. Benoit holds out his hand for a handshake. Angle looks disgusted again and says that partners don’t shake hands, partners gotta hug.

– Victoria is backstage talking to a mirror and claims the mirror called Trish prettier than her and smashes the mirror.

Trish Stratus vs. Victoria- WWE Women’s title

-Straight off the bat Victoria goes for an attack on Trish and chokes her with her own ring jacket. She grabs a broom and swings it but Trish ducks out of the way. Victoria still on the attack chokes Trish with the broom handle. Throughout the match Victoria and Trish really do beat the crap out of each other with various weapons and both take some pretty cringe worthy bumps and weapon shots. The weapons they used throughout could be deemed as sexist that they would be used like a broom and an ironing board which they couldn’t do a lot with to be honest.

-Victoria grabs a mirror from underneath the ring and slides it into the ring, on the outside Victoria grabs a fire extinguisher and Trish grabs her by the hair trying to pull her up to the apron. Victoria sprays it in her face, back in the ring Victoria hit’s a snap suplex and covers 1…2…3. 7:01

-Pretty good match and was impressive how far they went with the use of weapons. The ending was a bit of a let down with it just ending with a snap suplex. It didn’t fit into what it looked like they was trying to achieve within the structure of the match. It was still enjoyable though.

Winner: Victoria wins the Women’s title
Rating: **½

– Eric Bischoff is being interviewed by The Coach as he talks about the Elimination Chamber. Big Show interrupts him though and says that Bischoff made a big mistake by trading him over to Smackdown.

-Brock Lesnar is warming up backstage. A nervous Paul Heyman stands by clinging to the WWE Championship with words of doubt on whether Lesnar can win. Although he does promises that his client will walk out as WWE Champion.

Brock Lesnar vs. The Big Show- WWE Championship

-I thought the build up to this match was actually pretty good. I do remember at the time really looking forward to how it played out. With it being a case of can Brock Lesnar F-5 the Big Show? And Big Show being fairly dominant in the weeks leading up to the PPV.

– Brock Lesnar gets right in the face of Big Show showing no signs of fear. Big Show shows his dominance by throwing Brock Lesnar across the ring. On the outside Big Show picks Brock Lesnar up like a Cruiserweight and drives him rib first into the ring post. In the ring Big Show reverses an Irish Whip, Big Show charges in the corner but Lesnar moves and he hit’s a German Suplex.

– Brock Lesnar starts to dominate The Big Show now with hitting an array of suplexes. Which the crowd are really into and obviously impressed by. A clothesline is ducked and the referee is down, Lesnar though hits another belly to belly suplex on Big Show. Paul Heyman throws in a chair. Lesnar hits Big Show across the head with a brutal chair shot and then gets him up for the F-5.

-A new referee runs down to the ring, Lesnar has the cover but Heyman pulls out the referee! Brock Lesnar with a look of disbelief and anger on his face. He chases Heyman around the ring leading him back in the ring. Big Show is waiting and hits him in the mid section with the chair and then hit’s a choke slam and makes the cover 1…2…3! 4:19

– They wasn’t given a lot of time, the obvious nudge the new referee did to Paul Heyman was really irritating. The build up suggested that Lesnar could not lift the Big Show, but very early on he managed that and they blew their load on that build up. With more time I felt it could have been a much better and well structured match. The match wasn’t bad, it was more a case of the potential it had which I felt didn’t pay off.

Winner: Big Show becomes new WWE Champion
Rating: *¾

Edge & Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit vs. Los Guerrero’s- WWE Tag Team

– Chris Benoit starts in with Rey Mysterio, trying to prevent Mysterio from using his high flying offence but proves to be unsuccessful. After taking down Benoit, Rey goes for Angle on the apron. Which wasted enough time for Benoit to go on the attack of Rey and Benoit makes the tag to Angle.

– Angle tries to boss Rey around the ring but gets a drop toe hold in the corner. Rey tags in Edge and is too much for Angle knocking him down various times and Angle makes the tag to a reluctant Chavo Guerrero. Los Guerrero’s fall victim to Rey Mysterio’s speed despite best efforts to dominate. Eddie gets the monkey flip and stumbles around the ring tagging Kurt Angle in. Angle reverses an Irish Whip and charges after Mysterio in the corner, but Mysterio folds up in the corner and sends Angle into the ring post.

– It turns into Edge and Rey Mysterio against Angle & Benoit for the time being as Guerrero’s being smart showing no intent on getting in there. With some quick tags going between the teams and neither team able to find a way to be dominant for too long. Angle and Benoit look the stronger with some near falls but unable to get the job done. After Angle gets a heel kick to the chin, deciding enough is enough and goes to tag in Eddie who quickly bolts from the ring apron.

– Edge reverses an Irish Whip attempt and hit’s a belly to belly suplex. Edge goes for a spear but gets a drop toe hold and Angle locks in the ankle lock as Benoit gets the cross face in. Rey Mysterio breaks up the Ankle lock with a West Coast Pop and kicks Benoit forcing the hold to be broken. Chavo pulls Angle out of the ring, and Rey Mysterio dives out of the ring taking them out.

– Eddie Guerrero finally puts himself into the match but will probably wish he hadn’t with getting an Ankle lock whilst at the same time Edge is getting the cross face. Chavo gets into the ring with the Tag title belt in hand and he hits Benoit with it. Angle then goes after Chavo knocking him down, Chavo throws the title to Kurt Angle. Benoit finds Angle with belt in hand in a its not what it looks like situation. A shoving contest between the two begins. It’s broken up when Rey Mysterio drop kicks Benoit crashing into Angle sending him to the outside.

-Edge goes for an Edgecution. Benoit ducks a clothesline attempt, Edge bounces to the ropes and hit’s a spear and makes the cover 1…2…3! Another shoving contest persists by Angle and Benoit. Chavo falls victim to this lover’s tiff when Benoit hit’s a back suplex trying to match him Angle hits an Angle Slam on Edge. they argue to the back.

-Eddie Guerrero being at this point the true ultimate opportunist goes for the cover on Edge 1…2… Kick out! Los Guerrero’s keep Edge grounded and dominate him by using frequent tags and team work making sure he cannot get the tag. Edge eventually gets the tag to Rey when he ducks a double clothesline attempt and reverses into a double flap jack.

-Eddie Guerrero is sitting atop of the turnbuckle when Edge lifts up Rey as he hit’s a perfect hurracanrana on Eddie. Rey Mysterio has Eddie set up for the 619 and he hits it. Going to finish the job with a West Coast Pop, he springboards himself onto the top rope but is hit with the title by Chavo. Rey crashes down to the canvas. Edge baseball slides Chavo knocking him down, Eddie locks in the Lasso from El Paso. Mysterio holds on for as long as he can but is forced to submit. 19:25

-Really great match. the exchanges between the teams of Angle & Benoit vs. Edge & Rey was as exciting as always.Guerrero’s brought their own personality and psychology to the match which added a new and interesting dynamic to it. A few mistakes were made in the match. The mistakes didn’t hinder the quality for me though as Smackdown further proves to have an awesome tag team division.

Winners: Los Guerrero’s win WWE Tag Team titles
Rating: ****¼

– Christopher Nowinski comes down to the ring and he insults New Yorkers by being street smart but that doesn’t translate to general intelligence. He goes on to say they are dumb. As well as remarking that the Yankee’s bought all their World Series wins, he must have read cheap heat 101.

– Matt Hardy comes to the ring and he calls out Nowinski on his comments to the happiness of the New Yorkers but that is short lived. He says they aren’t stupid but are losers. After some back and forth bickering over what New Yorkers really are. They settle on stupid losers or as Matt calls them “lupid”

– Scott Steiner’s music hits which gets a big pop from the crowd. Not in the mood for talking he takes Nowinski down with a clothesline and hit’s a belly to belly suplex on Matt Hardy. Nowinski is up but not for long as he gets a T-Bone suplex and Matt gets another belly to belly suplex. Steiner then picks up Matt Hardy and gorilla press slams him out of the ring onto Nowinski. It seemed kind of pointless except in an effort to get Steiner on the card in some capacity, and Matt Hardy Version 1 was always awesome to see. So there can’t be too many complaints on that.

-Triple H cuts a really good promo backstage. He sums up Elimination Chamber the best way I think I have heard with the line of “I’ve got a first class ticket to hell and I just want to know who’s coming with me”. Said not in the over confident manner that Triple H was going with at this time but in a Solemn tone.

Triple H vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Booker T vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Rob Van Dam- Elimination Chamber for the WWE World-Heavyweight Title

– Triple H and RVD start in the ring and the other four guys go in separate pods and every 5 minutes a pod is opened.

-RVD dominates the early going of the match with using his high flying style to cut off Triple H at every opportunity. As well as using the steel floor on the outside and the chains linked up that surround the ring. RVD trying to find new ways to use the structure to his advantage he climbs on the pod that Jericho is in but Jericho pulls one leg through. Triple H see’s the chance to gain advantage but RVD fights him knocking him down to the steel flooring.

-RVD over and over again throws Triple H into the chains on the side and Triple H collapses through the middle ropes. The count down is on, Chris Jericho is in! he goes straight for RVD but gets a heel kick for his troubles. Triple H finally gets some offence in now that Jericho’s inclusion is in his favour.

-RVD tries to fight back but the advantage is too much for him the countdown is on again which may prove to be his salvation. Here comes Booker T! he knocks down Jericho and Triple H with some kicks. Booker T hit’s a scissors kick on Triple H. Before he can make the cover he is knocked down by Jericho. RVD feeling froggy gets on one of the pods, he barely hits it but looks like he blew his knee out. Booker T hit’s a missile drop kick from the top rope and covers 1..2…3, RVD is eliminated.

-Jericho hit’s a bulldog on an unsuspecting Booker T and looks to follow up with a Lion Sault but Booker T moves. Jericho lands on his feet but gets a spine buster. The count is on again, 5 seconds elapses and in comes Kane! Making his impact felt immediately by knocking all three down. On the outside he tosses Chris Jericho through the “bullet proof” glass. Back in the ring Booker T sets up for a Scissors Kick. Jericho sneaks in a low blow sending Booker T into the open hand of Kane. He hit’s a choke slam and Chris Jericho hit’s the Lion Sault and covers 1…2…3 Booker T is done!

-With Triple H’s absence noted. Jericho and Kane go at it, Jericho forms a feeble attempt of escape and gets a face full of steel courtesy of Kane. Triple H is on the top rope and makes his absence worthwhile by getting thrown off by Kane. 5 seconds of the countdown elapses, which could only be one thing and the fans know it. Shawn Michaels is in! Huge pop for the show stopper. Straight away he hit’s a back body drop on Chris Jericho, but is cut short as Kane hit’s a brutal clothesline.

-Kane shows his dominance by hitting a choke slam on Shawn Michaels. Triple H is up and he walks into a choke slam too and whilst their cooking he gives Jericho a choke slam too! Kane sets up bitter rival Triple H for a tombstone. Triple H manages to escape and shoves him off into the path of a Sweet Chin Music! Jericho is there again though and hits another Lion Sault and covers 1…2…3! Kane is out of there!

-The match reverts back to when Jericho first entered with a double team. Except this time HBK is the victim of it. Michaels is able to form a comeback by reversing an attempt by Jericho to send him into the chains and sends Jericho into them instead. Michaels fights off both guys now. A pile driver attempt proves to be the demise of his comeback for now as he gets the back body drop on the steel floor.

-Back in the ring Triple H and Shawn Michaels go at it. Michaels ducks a clothesline and hit’s a forearm smash. He does the kip up to the glee of the fans but is silenced by Jericho hitting the bulldog. Jericho hits another Lion Sault and covers 1…2…kick out! Jericho is in disbelief. The odds have turned fairly even now with Triple H’s lying on the floor routine going full force again. Shawn Michaels hit’s the moon sault on a standing Chris Jericho, leading into a cover 1…2…kick out!

-Chris Jericho has a cover on Shawn Michaels when the once healthy coalition of Triple H and Jericho is spoilt as Triple H pulls Jericho off the cover. Jericho is none too pleased with this which leads to back and forth punches the two go at it which has Triple H hitting a face buster. Jericho is able to counter a pedigree attempt into Walls of Jericho. The ropes look to be a million miles away for Triple H and the end could be near for him. Out of nowhere though Shawn Michaels hit’s the super kick! He makes the cover 1…2…3! Jericho is done!

-Triple H is finally doing something now as Shawn Michaels and Triple H go back and forth with each other. The advantage swaying either way. Shawn Michaels gets a back body drop to the steel floor. Shawn Michaels sets Triple H up for the Pedigree. Its reversed and he catapults Shawn Michaels through the “bullet proof” glass.

-Triple H leads Shawn Michaels into the ring to try and finish him off. Shawn Michaels claws his way back to his feet via Triple H’s tights but showing no remorse Triple H levels him with some hard punches. HBK tries to mount a comeback but is cut off with Triple H hitting a face buster.

-Shawn Michaels despite the punishment he has taken has found some way into the match and taking a page out of RVD’s book he climbs on top of the pod. He perfectly hit’s the elbow drop. Back up to his feet he starts tuning up the band. Triple H though cancels the band and grabs HBK’s foot and hit’s a Pedigree! Triple H covers 1…2…kick out! Triple H in absolute disbelief tries to put him down with another Pedigree. Shawn Michaels hit’s the back body drop though and then no band needed he hit’s the super kick! Quickly covering Triple H 1…2…3! 39:20

-I think the message of the match and its devastation was well executed. They used the surroundings they had. It did drag on in places and there was some repeated spots and sequences in there too. Triple H had issues with everyone in this match but that wasn’t played up, in the match or in commentary. Once it got down to the final two though, the quality of the match improved a great deal. Shawn Michaels’ victory also gave it a good pay off with an inspiring and amazing moment to close the show.

Winner: Shawn Michaels wins the World-Heavyweight title
Rating: ***½

The 411: Really good event that had nothing embarrassing and insulting, it had title changes, heel turns, a great tag team match and an interesting new match that has proved to have longevity in WWE. Topped off with Shawn Michaels winning the big one which is truly an inspirational and amazing moment, Survivor Series 2002 really impressed and it’s not hard to see why its still held with high acclaim event now.

Final Score:  8.0   [ Very Good ]