Customer Reviews

WWE Backlash 2002

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

WWE Backlash 2002
April 16,2002
Kansas City,Missouri

WWE Title
Triple H vs Hulk Hogan 7/10

Undertaker vs Stone Cold
Ric Flair Ref 10/10

WWE Tag Team Titles
Billy & Chuck vs Maven & Al Snow7/10

WWE Intercontinental Title
Rob Van Dam vs Eddie Gurrero9/10

Edge vs Kurt Angle10/10

Brock Lesnar vs Jeff Hardy9/10

Bradshaw vs Scott Hall 1/10

WWE Womens Title
Jazz vs Trish Stratus 1/10

WWE Crusierweight Title
Billy Kidman vs. Tajiri 10/10

Backlash was the first WWF PPV after the start of the RAW/SmackDown brand split and you can see why this one wasn't done well as it was just absolutely horrible with alot of dull matches with an occassional standout but not enough to get you through this 3 hour show.

Crusierweight Champion Billy Kidman vs. Tajiri - This was the right way to start off the show off as these two gave you a good crusierweight match that was filled with wrestling & some high flyin'.

Bradshaw vs. Scott Hall - The APA reunited in this match was Faarooq was in the corner to counteract X-Pac in Hall's corner. This was just a drawn out brawl between the two that really got dull & dry most of the time.

Womens Champion Jazz vs. Trish Stratus - Molly Holly beat down Trish before the match so it was mostly just Jazz finishing Trish off while Trish sold the beating. Not a good womens match.

Brock Lesnar vs. Jeff Hardy - Hardy was nothing more than a body for Brock to abuse & beat down to the point where he was knocked out & the referee stopped the match. This could have been saved for RAW...not a PPV.

Edge vs. Kurt Angle - This was the beginning of a great series of matches between the two. Edge had singles matches before but none of them before showcased how Edge could wrestle a main event callibur style of match until this one. This was the match of the night for me only to be topped by each match afterwards in the spring of 2002.

Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam vs. Eddie Guerrero - The battle of the frog splashes here. This was better than their Judgment Day encounter but this performance was topped by their RAW ladder match. These two meshed well with their arial & mat based styles. This was the second best match of the night.

Stone Cold vs. Undertaker with special referee: Ric Flair - Honestly, this match was a long & boring 30 min. encounter. Unlike their previous matches where they had some wrestling, brawling, and just absolute crazyness throughout the match...they just tried to straight up wrestle for half an hour & it just came off as boring & flat. Not even the "Flair" factor saved this match for me.

WWF Tag Team Champions Billy & Chuck vs. Al Snow & Maven - This match was boring as well...SmackDown was heavily lacking tag teams at this time but yet drafted the tag team champions to that show.

WWE Champion Triple H vs. Hollywood Hogan - This began Hogan's last WWE title run as Triple H made Hogan look like a million bucks in the ring. The finish started to get a little too screwy but overall, the match was good.
(Also available on Hogan's Anthology)

In the end, there were only two matches worth paying for (Edge/Angle & RVD/Guerrero) but their best encounters are on other DVD's more worth your buck. This is a PPV that I would skip off as this PPV overall was medicore.

Backlash 2002 was the fallout from Wrestlemania X8. Overall it was a decent event. First of all, Billy Kidman and Tajiri showed the world why the cruiserweight division is the hottest thing in wrestling today as Tajiri tries to regain his title. Scott Hall makes his last WWE P.P.V. appearance as he takes on Bradshaw. Jazz defends her Women's Title in a rematch with Canadian hottie Trish Stratus. "The Next BIG Thing" Brock Lesnar debuts on P.P.V. against Jeff Hardy. Edge goes one on one with Kurt Angle in a definite match of the year candidate. Eddie Guerrero challenges Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Title in another classic bout. In a #1 contender match, Stone Cold Steve Austin takes on the Undertaker. Ric Flair serves as the special guest referee. Teacher and student, Al Snow and Maven challenge Billy & Chuck for the Tag Team Titles. In the main event, Triple H defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Hollywood Hulk Hogan. As far as DVD extras are concerned, there are some great backstage interviews with the wrestlers after they competed in their matches. There is also hihglights from the Sunday Night Heat broadcast that was on the air just before the P.P.V. Included is one bonus match which was a handicap match pitting the Big Show against Steven Richards and Justin Credible. With over three hours of action, WWE Backlash 2002 is worth adding to your DVD collection.

In my opinion, this was one of the last good PPVs the WWE put on. The card is solid top to bottom, with 3 very good matches and a main event that was very entertainer and climatic.

I attended this show and was very impressed with it from where I sat. Watching the DVD just confirmed my opinion of Backlash 2002. I could of gave this show 4 stars but will stick with 3 and give it a strong recommendation.

-Kidman v. Tajiri
This was by far the best match on the show. Tajiri really showed how talented he is and really gives flashes of his ECW days.

-Edge v. Kurt Angle
This match started their classic feud that ended with Kurt Angle getting the Baron Von Raschke treatment. Both guys really worked their tails off in this contest - Edge really stepped up to the plate with the former world champion.

-Eddie Guerrero v. Rob Van Dam
Another solid match with Guerrero returning to the WWE and eventually setting up his run as WWE champ. As much as I like Van Dam he's not as good as Guerrero, and it kind of shows in this bout.

-Hulk Hogan v. HHH
This match was really good live - the heat Hogan got in an old NWA town was very surprising but cool. HHH is very intense in this match and tries to keep Hogan focused on business inside the ring. Also, compare how HUGE HHH was then and how smaller he is now...

There are not alot of extras on this disc, but the package about Brock Lesnar's debut is cool.

I was in attendance at this show and I couldn't believe I spent my money on this! Three good matches do not make a good PPV.

1. Tajiri def. Billy Kidman 4.5/5
Excellent opener that really had the crowd warmed up. Another example of how good cruiserweights can be.

2. Scott Hall def. Bradshaw 0.5/5
Any momentum the show had from the opener was lost with this snoozer. Should have been an early sign to McMahon that NOBODY cares about Bradshaw.

3. Jazz def. Trish Stratus 2.5/5
Decent women's match with Trish selling a pre-match back injury at the hands of Molly Holly.

4. Brock Lesnar def. Jeff Hardy 2.5/5
The Next Big Thing's PPV debut did what it set out to accomplish, make Lesnar look dominating. Some guy sitting behind me actually thought Hardy had a chance of winning. WOW!

5. Kurt Angle def. Edge 5/5
This was easily the best match of the night and ended up as one of the best of 2002. The back and forth action, false finishes, and hot crowd made this a forgotten classic.

6. Eddie Guerrero def. Rob Van Dam 4/5
Another great match. These two men are true in ring artists, but I feel they could have done more.

7. Undertaker def. Stone Cold Steve Austin Ref. Ric Flair 0/5
This was the worst match I had ever seen in person in my life! Slow pace, dead crowd and a predictable finish. This match isn't worth wasting your time to watch.

8. Billy & Chuck def. Al Snow & Maven 1.5/5
This match had no purpose on PPV to begin with. Match did not deliver anything.

9. Hollywood Hulk Hogan def. Triple H 1.5/5
For a PPV main event this was a dud. Hogan gets yet another run with the belt while more deserving performers get pushed aside.

Buy this DVD for Tajiri/Kidman, Guerrero/RVD, and the classic Angle/Edge match. The rest of this show deserves to be forgotten.

Match #1: Billy Kidman vs. Tajiri (Cruiserweight Title Match)
This was a very good cruiserweight match with lots of good moves performed by both men. Tajiri won the match after he sprayed his opponent in the eyes with red mist, allowing him to get the 1-2-3. **** Great opener.

Match #2: Bradshaw vs. Scott Hall
X-Pac interfered, causing Faarooq to chase after him. Hall then took advantage of the distraction and rolled up Bradshaw for the win. * Poor match.

Match #3: Jazz vs. Trish (Women's Championship Match)
Molly Holly attacked Trish before the match, which gave Jazz an advantage. Jazz retained her title in the end, following the STF submission move. **1/2

Match #4: Jeff Hardy vs. Brock Lesnar
The closing moments of the match were when Lesnar hit the F-5 on Jeff, plus three power-bombs. Brock did not pin his opponent, but he destroyed Jeff enough to make the referee call for the bell and stop the match. Brock Lesnar was successful in his WWE in-ring debut. **1/4

Match #5: Kurt Angle vs. Edge
This was probably the best match on the card. Angle was able to score with the Angle Slam and the Ankle Lock, but Edge survived the moves. A frustrated Kurt Angle went outside and grabbed a steel chair. He aimed to hit his opponent in the face with it, but accidently hit himself instead! Edge took advantage of it and went for his Spear. Angle countered the move and hit another Angle Slam for the 1-2-3! This match was considered as one of my favourite matches of all-time. ****3/4

Match #6: Rob Van Dam vs. Eddie Guerrero (Intercontinental Title Match)
Latino Heat had returned a few weeks before the PPV and he seemed to have a problem with RVD. There were lots of high-flying moves performed by the two men in the bout and in the end it was Guerrero who hit his version of the Frog Splash on his opponent for the 3-count. ***3/4

Match #7: The Undertaker vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
This match was for the No. 1 Contender slot, with Ric Flair as the Special Referee. It went back and forth many times and Ric Flair called it right down the middle. Austin picked up a steel chair to use on the Undertaker, but the American Badass saw it coming and kicked the chair right back into the face of his opponent. Undertaker got the cover on Stone Cold who then had his foot on the bottom rope. Ric Flair apparently did not see Austin's foot on the rope so he counted the 1-2-3 normally. The Undertaker was the winner of the match, although he should not have been. * Slow, boring and dissapointing match.

Match #8: Billy & Chuck vs. Al Snow & Maven (Tag Team Title Match)
Rico interfered, causing Al Snow to run after him. The illegal man Chuck ran in from out of nowhere and super-kicked Maven in the face, allowing Billy to cover the rookie for the win. **3/4 Average match.

Match #9: Triple H vs. Hulk Hogan (Undisputed Championship Match)
The Hulkster hit the Leg Drop, but Chris Jericho broke up the referee's count and punched him out. Then he hit Hogan in the face with a steel chair and got the referee back in the ring, but HHH did not want any help and he knocked Jericho over the top rope. The Game soon scored with the Pedigree on his opponent, but then the Undertaker ran down to break up the count! The DeadMan knocked down Triple H with the steel chair and put Hogan on top of teh Game! Hogan did not want any help either, so he knocked the Undertaker over the top rope, scored with another Leg Drop on Triple H and got the 1-2-3! The Hulkster had won the WWF Championship! After the match Hogan and Triple H shook hands and a show of respect. The show ended with Hollywood Hulk Hogan celebrating with his newly-won WWF Championship! *3/4 Another match which was dissapointing and slow.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
> Five exclusive interviews
> Big Show v Justin Credible & Steven Richards
> The Dudley Boyz reunion
> Brock Lesnar's impact

Overall, an average PPV with a couple of good matches and plenty of DVD Extras. Not a must-have, but if you have a spare twenty dollars and you don't expect much, then, by all means, buy it.

Final Score: (/10) 5.5

Along with, Survivor Series, Summerslam, Judgement DAY, and No Way Out this was the ppv of 2002. Great matches.

1. Tajiri vs. Kidman-10/10
2. Hall vs. Bradshaw-2/10
3. Woemsns title-4/10
4. Brock vs. Jeff-8/10
5. Edge vs. Kurt-10/10
6. RVD vs. Eddie-9/10
7. Undertaker vs. Austin-9/10
8. Tag Titles-7/10
9. Hulk vs. HHH-9.5/10

This ppv you'll either HATE, or you'll LOVE it. As much of a hit or miss as you can get.... Little something for everyone, good moments, forgettable moments.. but decent nonetheless..

OUT OF 5 STARS

WWE Cruserweight Championship
Tajiri v. Billy Kidman **1/2
Good, solid match. Nothing outstanding. Lots of high flying and flips and dips that come with the smaller guys. Nothing too great, but very solid no less.

Bradshaw v. Scott Hall **1/2
I'm kinda dumbfounded as to how Bradshaw ended up being the nWo cop, but then again, that's the WWE for ya. Horrible booking for this match but all things considered, these two put on the best show they could given the circumstances. Nothing great here, but again, a passable match.

WWE Women's Championship
Jazz (c) v. Trish **1/2
Actually a pretty decent match! By far the suprise of this DVD. Both use their fulll moveset and do actually look decent in the ring. As far as women's wrestling is concerned, this is a good showing.

Brock Lesnar v. Jeff Hardy **
Good match for Brock to showcase his stuff. Absolutely DESTROYS Hardy. Hardy does a good job of selling as well. Nothing wow. By all means a squash match. But that was it's purpose. Brock was mighty impressive.

Edge v. Kurt Angle ***
An outstanding match! Very good spots and both really look solid here. Match of the night so far.

WWE Intercontinental Championship
Rob Van Dam (c) v. Eddie Guererro ****
Another outstanding match, and this time, IS the match of the night. Eddie's first match back and it's a great show!

#1 Contenders Match Ric Flair Special Guest Referee
Stone Cold Steve Austin v. The Undertaker ***
Good match, but I think these two can do better. The screwjob ending kinda hurt it too... Again, Solid, but nothing eye popping.

WWE Undisputed Championship Match
Triple H (c) v. Hollywood Hulk Hogan ***
As far as actual action in the match, it's slow and plodding. Hogan just isn't main event material anymore, but nonetheless, the match is full of emotion and there's great psychology between the two. I enjoyed it just for the drama, but the action itself isn't anything to get excited about.

Overall this is a decent ppv. The matches are either very emotional or very good in the ring. Only the intercontinental title match really combined both. Worth a buy if you're a big Hogan fan, but other then that i'd go with a solid rental. If you want a decent watch on a friday night, it's worth picking up for a rental. I'd save the big money on this though..

i was there very close to ringside i even got on camera with my sign in the main event saying "battle of the biceps" and thank you jerry lawler for pointing out my sign in the commentaty
the dvd i feel does not deserve 5 stars because they censored what really hapened there and should have showed it the way it really happened , musics were altered for the dvd like undertakers Edge 's ric flairs , and the NWO's. i can only ask why why sell out to censorship show stuff how it really happened

This ppv was at all one of the worst ppv in my life the only good one was the womens on The main event was not at all what i expected it to be it was a as bad as the first match the rvd eddie match was also a good one all in all this is not a good ppv