Pro Wrestling Love vol. 19: Best of WWE 2002-2004 (Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio)

Hey Yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies,

Thank you to my Dad for supporting my pro wrestling fandom from taking me to pro wrestling matches starting in 1998 and always discussing pro wrestling with me even though he is not a fan. This is especially pertinent because one of the matches (Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio) that makes this list I was in attendance for thanks to my Dad taking me. How lucky am I to say I have seen Eddie vs Rey live in my lifetime! Thank you Dad!

Pro Wrestling Love vol. 18:

The Best of WWE 2002-2004

Objective:  Break up the Greatest Match Ever Project (hosted at gwe.freeforums.project.net) into more manageable chunks to help me build my Top 100 List for the project.

Motivation: Contribute to the discussion around these matches to enrich my own understanding of pro wrestling and give a fresh perspective for old matches and even hopefully discover great pro wrestling matches that have been hidden by the sands of time.

Subject: This nineteenth volume of Pro Wrestling Love is the beginning of the Top 12 countdown of the best matches to take place in WWE between 2002-2004. This is a transitionary era between the Attitude Era and the John Cena Era that begins in 2005. I define the Attitude Era as ending in 2001 because that is the last year Austin & Rock were full-time roster members and that was the end of WCW. The year 2005 sees the new generation of John Cena, Batista and Randy Orton take center stage. So what were the hallmarks of this transitionary era I would say three things: 2002 sees the WWF change its name to WWE, this is peak Triple H Reign of Boredom and the WCW midcard (Benoit, Guerrero, & Mysterio) contribute many of the great matches. You can revisit past Pro Wrestling Love Volumes at ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com. You can check out the full version of these reviews in ProWrestlingOnly.com by going to the forums and finding the folders associated with the date of the match.

Contact Info: @superstarsleeze on Twitter, Instagram & ProWrestlingOnly.com.

Peaks Steph!

Honorable Mentions

The Rock vs Hollywood Hogan – Wrestlemania XVIII

The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin – Wrestlemania XIX

Two amazing larger than life, Clash of the Titans Wrestlemania epics. The first is a great example of how over Hulk Hogan is and always will be. It was 2002 but you wouldn’t know that from the Toronto crowd that was treating him like it was 1987. Rock vs Hogan is worth alone from just the crowd reactions, but match itself is legitimately great and is one of Hogan’s best match. The second match turned out to Stone Cold’s retirement match and it is a Greatest Hits collection of The Rock vs Stone Cold rivalry.

Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio – Summerslam 2002

Chris Benoit vs Rey Mysterio – Smackdown 10/3/02

WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs Rey Mysterio – Smackdown 12/11/03

It pains me that none of these matches made my top 12, but I wanted to make sure they all got a shoutout. The first is generally revered is one of the greatest PPV openers of all time and it was a hell of a way for Rey Mysterio to make his WWE debut. I am generally not a huge Angle fan, but him & Rey have freaky chemistry with each other. The other two matches showcase why Rey Mysterio is considered the King of the TV match. I would have to go back and watch years and years of TV to truly make sure I have seen every great Rey Mysterio match because he is so insanely consistent. These are two that really stood out to me. It is interesting that Benoit vs Rey was never really a featured match in WCW or WWE, but they did square off once during the Smackdown Six Era and they did not disappoint. Brock vs Rey seems like a total mis-match, clash of styles, but leave to two of the best wrestlers of all time to make it work and gel perfectly.

#12. WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio – Smackdown 3/18/04

Up until 2016, this was probably the greatest match I had ever seen live. Thank you Dad for taking me! 

This was the Smackdown right after Wrestlemania XX and they had a gauntlet match the night of to determine who would face Eddie for the title. My brother always remembers this episode as the show where the APA broke up and the next week Bradshaw would debut the JBL character. Anyways, this match was a doozy in real time, but having grown up, I was only 14 when I saw this, I think actually even appreciate it more now. Eddie was over huge as a babyface at the time, but he works full heel here. It is great. Rey shows him up a little at the beginning. This is some really great chain wrestling and interesting takedowns but it is Eddie who has to powder. Eddie targets the bad shoulder of Mysterio who injured during the gauntlet. Eddie's arm work was great throughout the match. Intense. He was definitely channeling 1997 Eddie. I loved that Hammerlock/Gory Special combo. Mysterio was not just selling like a million bucks, he was also timing his hope spots perfectly. I still remember that top rope Asai Moonsault like yesterday. How cool was that! Throughout the match he was always coming up with interesting counters that made you believe there was hope. I loved the symmetry of each missing their finish. Eddie crashes & burns on Frogsplash and Rey gets up to dropkick Eddie into position for the 619. BANG! But when goes to drop the dime, he seatdrops the mat. Eddie gets the Hell out of Dodge with a La Magistral Cradle. Underrated match that has been forgotten about, but something I will never forget. I got to see Eddie vs Rey live how lucky am I! 

#11. Chris Benoit & Kurt Angle vs Edge & Rey Mysterio – No Mercy 2002

Here is an early 00s classic that I have never seen before. The Survivor Series Triple Threat made a DVD, but did not seem to get as much love as this did at the time. I will say this had a double hot finish stretch that in a very weak year for the wrestling world (guess I have not seen any ROH, but this is a weak Japan year) makes this a match of the year contender. I love the Angle & Mysterio interaction early and definitely need to rewatch their Summerslam match. Angle is great as the cocky jock and the look on Rey's face when he realizes he needs to stomp on Angle's foot to break the waistlock is priceless. Mysterio was great at showing up Angle with speed and Angle was bumping and stooging for him so well. Benoit and Edge was fine. Credit where credit is due, Edge actually worked a nice, tight heel in peril based on Benoit's ribs and laid in his stuff well. They did a good job playing off some Angle interference with Benoit selling the ribs on the first one, which led to Angle getting speared off the apron, but on the third go around Angle caused enough damage to get Benoit out of there. Edge is not particularly good at any one facet of wrestling, but in his defense he is not particularly bad at anything (I guess emotion is his greatest weakness). It is annoying that with Rey right there we get an extended FIP with Edge. I forgot about Angle's lame chinlock/bodyscissors. Angle and Benoit throwing Edge was fun. I know a lot of people don't like the rolling Germans, but I always dug them. Edge could have done more in the way of hope spots. The superplex is the transition of the heat segment and Little Rock does not give a fuck.

REY IS IN!!! The crowd is awake. Rey is rockin n rollin. Didn't love the set up for the leg drop while Benoit was dangling, but it was pretty sweet. Benoit counters the wheel barrow by splating Rey and then going for the Crossface. That is perfect counterwrestling. Edge saves and Rey looks 619, but Benoit counters looking for shoulderbreaker and Edge hits a nifty missile dropkick. That should have been his finisher! Zack Ryder is crying somewhere. Angle overuses that pop-up belly to belly, but when timed right in a match, it is the perfect interjection and this was one of those moments. That sets up the Rey FIP. Double Face in peril, shades of AWA! Rey is so much better at selling than Edge. Loved Angle and Benoit throwing him around. Up until this point, I would say I watched a great match and the finish stretch does a great job to kick up a notch. I can see why action-oriented fans dig this match. Edge is a decent hot tag. He has lame offense, but at least he showed some energy. Credit where it is due, he did hit one of his best spear ever on Benoit during this run. Rey was great double teaming with Edge and giving this run a bit more pep. Edge goes for the cover sees Benoit diving headbutt and lets Angle take it. I have always liked that spot in all its variations. Though nobody ever loses to the diving headbutt and nothing changes here.In the spot of the match, Benoit has Edge in the Crippler Crossface and Rey hits an awesome 619 to break it up. I popped huge for that. Edge throws Rey Rey onto Benoit, before the usual Angle Anglelock reversalfest ends with Angle on top.

The Rey stuff was really awesome. He had really good chemistry with both Angle and Benoit. Edge was alright. I thought the finish stretch was hot. Needed more of a story hook to kick it into next gear for me. Still a very entertaining bout, even if a little overrated.

#10. Triple H vs Shawn Michaels – Summerslam 2002

There may be no two more polarizing wrestlers in WWE than Shawn Michaels and HHH. It is almost entirely due to their "real life" personas (or what we know them to be from second hand accounts). I am not going to pick a dog in the race, but analyzing their matches always evokes a lot of emotion and passion. WWE pushes these two as two of the all-time great pro wrestlers in the ring. They are uttered in the same breath as Flair unlike Austin and Rock, who are usually associated with Hogan as great superstars as the WWE dictates. When HBK/HHH entered the ring for Shawn Michaels' first match in four years, it was a mere formality that this could become a part of WWE canon as one of the all-time classics. They would have had to put on a stinker the caliber of their Hell in a Cell match (I have never seen it, but it sounds atrocious) for this not go down as one of the premiere matches in company history. For hardened wrestling fans, this match is considered to be no good and vastly overrated. Where do I lie? I am closer to the WWE camp and I think this does belong best matches of WWE in 2000s, but in the greater scope of pro wrestling this can not compete.

I will say I felt a lot more emotion for Kobashi's comeback match in 2007 than I did for Michaels' comeback here. I watched the Kobashi match last year and to me that was just one of most emotional matches I have ever seen. Maybe it is because I knew Michaels would eventually make a full recovery or that I have seen this before, but it did not hit me as hard this time. The beginning shine was perfectly acceptable. It was not great, but not bad. Michaels was brutally betrayed by his friend so I would have liked to seen more anger, but overall he was pressing the advantage proving to fans that he has his trademark mobility by hitting a dive over the top to the outside. HHH was fine bumping around for him. This felt like a really good standard opening to a character-driven face vs heel match, not a blood feud. It was important to me that Shawn stay on top and suffocate HHH at the very least. Loved the teased Sweet Chin Music into a backbreaker. That was straight money. HBK did a great job selling the back. HHH worked over the back like a champ. This was an incredibly strong heat segment, maybe the greatest HHH's career. The backbreaker on the chair was fucking awesome. I loved the set ups for Michaels' hope spot like using Earl and getting the sledge hammer to give time for HBk to recuperate. The low blow and Sweet Chin Music into the chair was perfect, perfect one-two combo to get Shawn back on top. After taking such a hellacious beating, he needed two quick bombs to make this even remotely credible and those were perfect. Ok, so now onto the controversy.

The kip up. Yes after the awesome heat segment, he kipped up. For the rest of the match did not really sell the back (he did after a couple dives). It did not kill the match for me. I can understand the issue. There is no hard and fast rule about this at the end of the day. Sometimes, it is just going to bother certain people more than others. I still think it is a great match just not an excellent, classic one. Mostly because Shawn actually delivers one of his best comebacks of all time. Marty was usually the hot tag in the Rockers and Shawn's greatest weakness in his career was probably credible offense. I thought he was laying in some really great rights here and was really tearing into HHH. HHH tapped a gusher (one of his best qualities) and sold really well. The match did get a bit long in the tooth. For instance, I don't think he needed to dive off turnbuckle onto the table and dive off the ladder. The dive to the table got a huge pop and is a great spot. That was sufficient. Also, it get a little back-y n forth-y towards the end, but not as bad as some of the modern matches. They did a great job with the finish in relation to the rest of the match teasing each finish before HBk got the jackknife win.

Yes, the match was wrestled as more of a championship bloodbath than a blood feud match. Yes, Michaels did not sell the back down the stretch. Yes, it was a bit too long. I think the match accomplished more important objectives. if this was truly a one-off, Shawn Michaels would be able to go out on his own terms unlike Wrestlemania XIV where the amount of pain he was in affected his performance. If it was not and was to lead to something more, it proved Shawn Michaels of 2002 was every bit the Shawn Michaels of 1997 and he had not lost a step. He gave one of the best comebacks of his career and I think it was much more important he looked credible on offense in this match. HHH gave him more of the beginning and end because this was Shawn's match. I know they felt the need to put Shawn in gimmick matches to hide any shortcomings he may have had upon comeback, but I think it was the wrong move as coming right out of the gate with a bloodbath is tough. I think for the match they wrestled the jacknife cover was fine because it showed Michaels had just enough to win, but left it open for rematches. It fit the theme of championship bloodbath. HHH attacking the back with the sledgehammer was a perfect post-match beatdown and particularly gruesome. Call me crazy, I liked this one. Currently my WWE 2002 match of the year, but that should change shortly.

#9. World Heavyweight Champion Triple H vs Shawn Michaels vs Chris Benoit

Wrestlemania XX

I think with triple threat matches you basically have to resign yourself from trying to have a story-based match and just commit to having a balls to the wall, action-packed affair. Instead of fighting against having a third person, you embrace it by just going all out and making sure there is never one dull moment. There really shouldnt be because basically everybody gets a built in breather. I will say HHH was the MVP of this match. After a terrible, terrible 2003 (aside from the last match of the year), he was the total lynchpin of this match. Everything flowed through him and he did an admirable job. As the lone heel in the match, he spent the most time in the match basically having one one on matches with each opponent. I loved the escalation of this match and the feeling of competitive struggle to do all you can to win the match. Benoit and Michaels really brought out the best in each other and even though HHH did a great job I would have liked to seen more of them (definitely check out their RAW 5/3/04 match if you havent). The escalation of the finisher teases from the outset was the perfect way to set the tone that everyone meant business. They had some fun triple threat spots like the HHH ramming Benoit into the apron and then baseball slide into Benoit, HHH whipping HBK bad shoulder into Benoit's tree of woe and the awesome suplex throw of Benoit through the table. Until, I wrote all that I did not notice how much HBK/HHH worked together. I think it was a very subtle nod that this was Benoit's night not Shawn's by making Benoit the ultimate babyface. In New York, which historically never really liked Shawn, Benoit was way more over. Benoit having to earn his diving headbutt was great escalation. Shawn hitting a German was the best heel heat of the match. I think that was one thing the match did lack was stronger heelishness from HHH, who kept up with both guys but could have done more to raise the crowd's ire. I think more hijinx would have been a boon to this match. Shawn is the king of the bladejob. This may be his greatest one ever for speed, secrecy and amount of blood. HHH tapped a nice gusher himself. The pop for the Sharpshooter was awesome and Michaels hit a pitch perfect superkick to break it up. I would have liked to seen Michaels eliminated in more grand fashion than being thrown over the top rope. The Crippler Crossface sequence with HHH was just as fresh in my memory as it was in 2004. 

I stopped it before the celebration with Eddie. Too damn depressing. Watching this match emotionally cold, there actually was not much emotion in the match to even get you behind Benoit. You had to be invested in the Benoit character beforehand to be invested because the match was so focused on action.

They did a great job with the escalation in this match. The suplex of Benoit on the table was a great red herrig to play into the idea he was an afterthought in the HBK/HHH show and that was going to be blown off only for him to return and win. I think this is another early 00s match that is hurt by not having a stronger heel presence even though HHH played ring general well. Would have liked more hijinx. As an action-packed main event spotfest, this is tough to beat.

#8. WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton vs Cactus Jack 

Backlash 2004 Street Fight

Never seen this one before, but remember it getting raved about even from those that hated Orton though they pinned it all on Foley for carrying it. This was a pretty awesome violent spectacle. This is just great old school booking putting the young pretty boy against the maniacal sadist to prove his mettle to all the fans that he is a man. The crowd was clearly cheering for Foley and Orton is a great obnoxious douche tool, but this match was clearly crafted to get Orton over as a babyface, which within four months he would be the babyface World Champion (way too soon, one of the more boneheaded decisions). Pretty much the whole match was wrestled with Orton taking heat and building sympathy for him against the crazed lunatic. Foley comes out swinging that crazed barbed wire wrapped baseball bat and Orton learns quickly if he does not fight back that he will be killed. This is Foley's domain and he weathers the three brutal trash can shots to keep moving forward. Orton blades and there is something about the blood flowing on his very young, smooth face that is very disturbing. You really garner a lot of sympathy for him. Jack is playing to the crowd, but in a lot of ways he feels like the Cactus of the early WCW shows that is just absolute violent psycho. Foley is looking svelte and I don't think I have seen his normally huge ass so skinny. He is moving well. Foley takes two of his patented back of the head cracking against the steel bumps that always sick and shows Orton is willing to fight fire with fire. Foley is the horror movie monster that keeps coming back.

The most famous part of the match is the Orton thumbtacks spot on the failed RKO. It was pretty nasty finally seeing it. I remember this earning him a ton of street cred, which was clearly the point of this match was to build him into the next big face. Orton trying to get the hell out of Dodge plays more to his heel tendencies and natural inclination to abandon the mission.  Cactus's false finishes are Cactus Elbow from the ramp and the Double Arm DDT in the ring. The crowd bit hard on both. I really liked the RKO out the Mandible Claw and thought that should have been the finish. The RKO onto Barbie was fine but the point of diminishing returns had been reached.

This was great old school booking proving Orton was not just another pretty face that he could some serious punishment and earn the fan's respect. Jack was awesome and had a real old school performance in him. Orton needed to prove that only could take the punishment but he could dish out and I think one big run of offense would have helped. The one-sided ultimately was counter-productive and hurt the match, but still one of the better matches of the era.

#7. WWE Champion Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar – Summerslam 2003

I remember marking out huge for this match when I watched it back in 2003 with my family and cousins. I have not watched it since. Totally did not expect it to live up to the memory. Who am I to doubt Brock Fucking Lesnar??? Excellent match. Totally tops the match from Mania.

First off this is heel Brock. Remember this angle like it was yesterday. They do the friendship angle but then Angle beats Brock for the title. This leads to the heel turn. I am a sucker for the heels trap the babyface in the cage and loved it when Vince and Brock did it. Then Brock's path of rage. My brother still brings up the absolute mauling of Zack Gowen. He will tell you that is his favorite match of all time. Just beautiful violence. Brock was in such a zone at this point.

This to me is the more natural pairing than Mania with Brock playing heel. Great layout and execution. Angle is able to use some really nice tricked out amateur stuff to get Brock down, but the story is Brock is too powerful to contain. We see a front trip which is pretty rare in pro wrestling. When Angle tries to meet Lesnar head on in a collar elbow tie up, he gets THROWN DOWN! So Angle angers the young hot head by flipping him off and then a series of quick armdrags. LESNAR IS PISSED!!! He throws a hissy fit on the outside throwing shit around. I love it! Such passion! He grabs the championship and is going to walk out. Angle attacks him from behind and Lesnar takes a wicked somersault on the floor and the way he throws himself into every bump is so impressive! This is all a ploy though once on the outside he can start to use his power and brawl so Angle goes to the knee. Love it. Back inside, Angle pops off a nice suplex, but is finally caught in a press slam and Lesnars THROWS HIM FROM THE RING TO THE FLOOR!!! SICK BUMP! GREAT TRANSITION!!!

Lesnar is so much more at home in these dominant heat segments than fiery comebacks. His cutoffs all focused around the ribs are explosive and great. WIsh Angle would have been more creative with his hope spots. But that tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Brock was great. Brock charges into the corner and hits his shoulder. Great selling by Brock for a while after that! Angle was great too with some really hard-hitting shoulder tackles to the bad shoulder, something rare from Kurt that made the match feel unique. I liked Brock's spinebuster as a cutoff, but his bum shoulder cost him the chance to make a quick cover. Again the shoulder cost him to hesitate during the F-5 leading to a Tornado DDT. Really good stuff here by Brock to lead to logical transitions. Angle Slam only gets two and the Angle Lock leads to ref getting knocked. Angle locks it in again. BROCK TAPS! No ref! Vinny Mac cracks Angle in the back with a chair.

Awesome friggin selling by Brock on the F-5 hitting it on one leg! Incredible! Angle kicks out! It felt pretty dramatic with Vince exhorting Brock on and Brock in so much pain. Brock goes for second, logically, but Angle pops into an Anglelock. I think this was the biggest flaw of the match was that quick pop up by Angle into Angle Lock. He loves it for the suddenness and surprise but it hurts the credibility of match. Still Lesnar's selling was great, loved him going to each side of the ring to grab the rope but only to pulled back to the center. Such a great spot! Before ultimately succumbing to the pain!

I don't get the booking of the winner/loser at all, but I don't let that affect my opinion of the narrative. Angle used his speed and technique and then veteran experience to get under Brock's skin. Brock played some mind games back and ultimately his raw power won him control after a awesome transition. Heat segment was strong, a little sluggish with body scissors and Angle could have spiced up his hope spots. The finish run was awesome and every tempered its nearfall. Thought Vince added some good drama. My big complaint is that Angle popped up on Angle Lock. Brock's selling was so perfect in this match. Excellent match.