PWTorch.com - WWE FLASHBACK: Lesnar vs. Taker PPV match 13 yrs. ago at Staples Center

Torch Flashbacks
WWE FLASHBACK: Lesnar vs. Taker PPV match 13 yrs. ago at Staples Center

Sep 22, 2015 - 2:20:38 AM

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Before there was the current series of Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker matches, there was 2002 when Lesnar and Taker fought to a Double DQ in the main event of Unforgiven in Los Angeles. The finish did not go over well with the Staples Center crowd. 13 years later, WWE brings the current Taker-Lesnar trilogy back to Staples Center at Hell in a Cell on October 25...

WWE Unforgiven PPV Results
September 22, 2002
Los Angeles, Calif. at Staples Center
Originally Published PWTorch Newsletter #724
Report by Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

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A great video montage opened the PPV previewing the main events of the PPV and building up the history of the title belts.

(1) The UnAmericans (Lance Storm & Christian & William Regal & Test) beat Goldust & Booker T & Kane & Bubba Ray Dudley at 9:58. Early on Bubba attempted to lift Storm onto the top turnbuckle and Storm fell backward landing awkwardly almost onto his head. That wasn't supposed to happen. Bubba then put Storm back on the top rope successfully. In the end, after a series of well-executed "chaos," Kane scored the pin on Storm. Slow, steady start and a red hot final couple of minutes executed smoothly by eight pros. [***]

Backstage Stephanie gave Billy & Chuck a pep talk.

(2) Chris Jericho beat Ric Flair at 6:16 to retain the Intercontinental Championship. Ross pointed out Jericho was six years old when Flair won his first world title. In the end, Jericho feigned a knee injury. The ref and Flair called for a trainer to come out. Jericho then snuck up behind Flair, put him in the Lion Tamer, and Flair quickly tapped out. Jericho laughed as Flair sat in the ring, getting beaten by a tactic he might have used 15 years ago in his prime. Lots of chops and signature moves by both wrestlers. Flair looked fine for the limited amount of time the match lasted. Why Jericho couldn't get a cleaner win on Flair is bizarre since Jericho is the one with a money-drawing future and shouldn't have to cheat to sneak past Flair at this point in Flair's career. [**]

Eric Bischoff gave Rosie & Jamal a pep talkâ€¦ They showed Shaq at ringside with his young son who punched him in the face twiceâ€¦

(3) Eddie Guerrero pinned Edge at 11:48. Michael Cole and Tazz took over on commentary for this match. A red hot opening minute, followed by Guerrero working over Edge deliberately until about 8:00 when Edge made his big comeback. Some near falls and good action followed. In the end, Edge went for a top rope move, but Guerrero punched him and gave him a hard top rope sunset flip and with a yank of the tights, he scored the pin. Very good match. [***1/4]

Backstage Triple H said Rob Van Dam doesn't have drive because he's too laid back. He took a shot at Flair, who was hanging out near RVD, saying that Flair once had drive, but he's lost it.

(4) Jamal & Rosie (w/Rico) beat Billy & Chuck at 6:30. Solid tag action ending when, after some four-way action, Rosie hit Billy from behind and then threw him into the arms of Jamal, who Samoan dropped him with a thud and scored the pin. Too short to develop into much of a match. [*3/4]

Bischoff gloated backstage to Johnathan Coachman about the win. Three lesbians chanted "HLA" and begged to be sent to the ring later.

(5) Triple H pinned Rob Van Dam at 18:17 to retain the Raw World Heavyweight Title. Good crowd heat for the opening antics between the two. RVD out-wrestled Hunter in the early minutes. Hunter went to ringside to catch his breath. RVD then had a water bottle thrown to him and he mocked Triple H's water spouting routine. Hunter got even more upset and charged RVD, who again gave him an armdrag followed by a hiptoss and a side headlock. Ross pointed out how RVD was winning with basics rather than dazzling kicks and flips. Not an all-out intense match, but very good action climaxing when RVD signalled for the Five Star Frog Splash. He scored a visual three count on Hunter. RVD jumped to ringside to try to get the ref's attention. Hunter gave RVD a low blow from behind at 16:25. Hunter grabbed his sledge hammer from under the ring. RVD leaped up and kicked the hammer out of Hunter's hands. Flair ran to the ring, grabbed the sledge hammer, and whoo'd behind Hunter. Flair then turned and nailed RVD in the gut with the hammer. Hunter looked shocked, but nevertheless gave RVD the Pedigree and covered him. Flair threw the ref into the ring who then counted the pin. Flair looked at Hunter, told him, "You're the man," and then handed him the gold belt and raised his arm in victory. Hunter smiled and hugged Flair. [***1/2]

(6) Trish Stratus beat Molly Holly at 5:43 to capture the Women's Title. Molly hung Trish upside down in the corner and then hit her with a springboard moonsault elbow at 5:00. Trish surprised Molly with a bulldog out of nowhere for the win. Coachman interviewed Trish at ringside after her title win. She was nearly in tears as she talked about how much she loves moments like this. Nice touch to make the title win seem important. Short, but solid action. [*3/4]

Backstage Jamal, Rosie, and even Rico were enjoying the company of the women Bischoff brought to the show. Bischoff said when in L.A. just mention his name to get anything they wanted.

(7) Chris Benoit beat Kurt Angle at 13:58. Great opening three minutes. Good back and forth offense with rapid-fire counter moves. The crowd was buzzing for the early minutes of the match. Benoit hit his series of German suplexes at 8:30. At 11:00 Angle applied the Anklelock. Benoit kicked out of it by stomping Angle in the face. Benoit went for a slam, but Angle flipped into tombstone position, but then Benoit reversed it and gave Angle a shoulderbreaker. Benoit followed with a top rope headbutt. Benoit applied the Crippler Crossface at 12:00. Angle reversed it into an Anklelock. Benoit reversed it back into a Crossface. Angle then reversed it back into the Ankle lock. All reversals took place within 60 seconds and the crowd was going nuts. Benoit reached the ropes at 12:10. Angle yanked Benoit off the ropes and applied a Crossface himself. Benoit escaped and slipped on top of Angle and put his feet on the ropes for leverage and scored a quick surprise three count. Angle threw a tantrum in the ring at the loss. Great pacing, internal storyline, execution, realism, and crowd heat. About as good as a match under 15 minutes can get. [****1/2]

In a backstage interview, Heyman said things have gotten personal not because of the pregnant wife situation but because Taker is attempting to take his belt from Lesnar, "so we'll get personal with him." Brock said he isn't sorry about what he did to Taker's wife.

(8) Brock Lesnar fought Undertaker to an apparent DDQ to retain the WWE Heavyweight Title at 20:25. The opening few minutes were masterfully laid out, really creating a sense of a big boxing or UFC match. The action during the body of the match was also really well executed most of the time. Brock wore Taker out with some bearhugs. At 12:00 Taker came back with some punches. Matt Hardy ran to the ring to interfere, but Taker gave him a Last Ride for a big pop. Brock then surprised Taker with a spinebuster and scored a near fall. The crowd popped when Taker kicked out. They fought at ringside, where Taker punched Heyman. Back in the ring, Taker set up Brock for his Last Ride, but Brock backdropped out. Brock set up the F5, but Taker escaped and punched him. Brock rammed Taker into the corner and punched away at him. Taker fought back. The ref stepped between them since they were in the ropes. Brock shoved the ref into the corner. Taker put Brock in the corner against the ref and punched away at him. The ref, down on the mat, called for the bell at 20:25. The crowd erupted in boos. Taker and Brock continued to fight. They brawled up the aisle and Taker threw Brock through the "Unforgiven" set as the show went off the air. Horrible finish, but much better than expected match. The finish knocks a half star off the match rating. [***]

- READ MORE: Newsletter Cover Story: Cover Story: Outrage over Brock-Taker finish shouldn't surprise WWE officials - WWE officials undecided on how to end match.

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