PWTorch.com - WWE PPV FLASHBACK: Rock captures WWE Title at Vengeance 13 yrs. ago, sets up Rock-Brock at Summerslam 2002

Torch Flashbacks
WWE PPV FLASHBACK: Rock captures WWE Title at Vengeance 13 yrs. ago, sets up Rock-Brock at Summerslam 2002

Jul 21, 2015 - 12:45:21 AM

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO BOOKMARK US & VISIT US DAILY

WWE Vengeance PPV Flashback
July 21, 2002
Detroit, Mich.
Report by Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

- The Rock captured the WWE/F Title for sixth time. At the Vengeance PPV, Rock pinned Kurt Angle in a three-way match also involving champ The Undertaker. According to the rules of the match, Rock won the title by being the first to score the pin, regardless of whether he pinned Taker or Angle.

By giving Rock another championship reign - his sixth - WWE is able to feature Rock on all of their programs, not just Smackdown and Heat. With the departure of Steve Austin and sagging TV ratings, house show attendance, and buyrates, star power can help. Rock holding the WWE Title again sends a message to fans that Rock isn't just a movie star, he's still a main WWE wrestler.

The downside of his reign is that because fans are widely aware that his next movie begins shooting in September he will likely lose the title at Summerslam to Brock Lesnar (which did happen). Nevertheless, Rock vs. Brock is probably the most marketable match WWE has at this point. Why not take advantage of Rock when you have him, even if his movie dates makes his title losses a bit more predictable?

Vengeance Results

Michael Cole and Tazz introduced the event.

(1) Spike Dudley & Bubba Ray Dudley beat Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero in a tables match at 15:01 in a tables elimination match. Bubba eliminated Benoit to win. Solid opener. (**)

Johnathan Coachman interviewed Eric Bischoff backstage. When Bischoff saw Triple H, he chased after him. Bischoff was upset that Triple H was headed into Steph's locker room. He said he was giving her a chance to give him her pitch to remain on Smackdown.

(2) Jamie Noble (w/Nidia) beat Billy Kidman at 7:27 to retain the Cruiserweight Title. Okay, but not what cruiserweight matches need to be. (**)

Kurt Angle was promo'ing his main event when Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar interrupted. They exchanged a few words regarding the possibility of Lesnar facing Angle for the WWE Title as S-Slam.

(3) Jeff Hardy pinned William Regal to retain the European Title. A short mix of styles match. (*1/2)

Ric Flair congratulated Hardy for his win. Hulk Hogan then approached Flair and they chatted about current events, including Bischoff. Flair predicted Bischoff will either try to own Raw or destroy it.

(4) John Cena pinned Chris Jericho at 6:04. Jericho carried Cena well. Well done. (**)

Bischoff stood outside Steph's locker room door waiting for Triple H to walk out. A man then walked up to the door. Bischoff asked who he was. He said he was there to deliver paperwork. Bischoff was upset, thinking that mean Triple H was signing with Steph.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler replaced Cole & Tazz on commentary. They showed RVD stretching backstage, and elsewhere Lesnar warming up.

(5) Rob Van Dam beat Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) via DQ at 9:39. Good match that allowed each wrestler enough time to get off their signature spots and played to each wrestlers' strengths. Heyman caused the DQ when it looked like Brock was about to lose. (***)

Stephanie walked out of the locker room with no expression on her face. Bischoff read that to mean things didn't go well. Steph told Bischoff he signed. Triple H walked out and Bischoff yelled at him. Triple H interrupted and said he signed divorce papers, not a Smackdown contract.

(6) Booker T pinned Big Show at 5:50 in a no-DQ, no countout match. Typical sloppy Big Show match. Booker crashed Show through a ringside table with a scissors kick. The finish was appropriate - clean pin. Good energy from Booker. (*)

Triple H walked to the ring to reveal which show he was going to sign with. Both Steph and Bischoff came out, too. Bischoff told Triple H he has been making Hollywood connections the last two years so if he signs with Raw, he could get him huge movie deals. Steph told Triple H that Bischoff is the same guy who wrote him off during his early wrestling days. Triple H revealed he was signing with Steph because he'd rather side with a devil he knows well. Shawn Michaels's music interrupted and he came out. He convinced Triple H to join him on the show they built together - Raw. Triple H told Steph "suck it," and the crowd chanted "DX." Bischoff bragged to Steph that he had testicles. She slapped him to the mat.

(7) Lance Storm & Christian beat Hulk Hogan & Edge to capture the WWE Tag Team Titles at 9:48 after Chris Jericho interfered. (**)

Bischoff chatted with Angle. Elsewhere Steph said Bischoff won a battle, but she'd win the war by ripping the heart out of Raw.

(8) Rock beat Undertaker and Kurt Angle to capture the WWE Title when he pinned Angle at 19:47. They did each other's signature moves early. The middle was slow. The ending had great near falls. Rock surprised Angle with a Rock Bottom to win. (***1/2)

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]