| Date: September 22, 2002
| Venue: Staples Centre | City: Los Angeles, California
| Attendance: 16, 000 | Buyrate: 300, 000

| tweet me: @BastionBlogger

The Next Big Thing has arrived. Brock Lesnar walks into his first pay per view as WWE Champion, defending it against The Undertaker (in front of the smallest buyrate of the year). The Undertaker was a surprise entrant in a gauntlet series through Smackdown a few weeks after he defected from Raw to Smackdown. Also involved in the series were Edge, Eddie Guerrero and Rikishi but it came down to Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle and The Undertaker and it was The Undertaker who won the match. Since then, the rivalry between Lesnar and Undertaker has got personal as Paul Heyman keeps making reference to Undertakers pregnant wife and how Brock Lesnar could leave Undertaker unable to look after his unborn child. Matt Hardy is somebody else that has jumped from Raw to Smackdown, turning heel in the process and has aligned himself with Lesnar and Heyman, even attacking The Undertaker on occasion.

On Raw a few weeks ago Eric Bischoff made a number one contenders match for the WWE title between The Undertaker and Triple H. Triple H won the match but Stephanie McMahon had singed Brock Lesnar exclusively to Smackdown (setting up the gauntlet series). With no WWE Champion on Raw anymore, Eric Bischoff unveiled the World Heavyweight Championship and awarded it to Triple H. Triple H was the last holder of the belt and also the “number one contender” so Bischoff felt that he had already earned it. A fatal four way number one contenders match was then made between Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho, Rob Van Dam and The Big Show with the winner challenging Triple H at Unforgiven and it was Van Dam that won the match. Triple H would go on to cost Van Dam his Intercontinental Championship in a match against Chris Jericho and Jericho would challenge Ric Flair to a re-match, this time for the IC title at Unforgiven.

Billy and Chuck were due to get married in the ring on Smackdown a couple of weeks ago thanks to the heavy planning of Rico. When it came to the ceremony, Billy and Chuck revealed that they weren’t really gay and this publicity stunt had gone too far. But the Priest then revealed himself to be Eric Bischoff and from nowhere out came 3 Minute Warning and with the help of Rico they beat down Billy and Chuck. Bischoff then made the challenge to Stephanie for an inter-promotion match pitting 3 Minute Warning against Billy and Chuck and should Billy and Chuck win then Bischoff will kiss Stephanies arse. But if 3 Minute Warning win then Stephanie McMahon has to participate in some hot lesbian action. Stephanie would accept the challenge for Unforgiven. A Women’s title match is also expected tonight as Molly Holly defends against the woman she beat for the belt, Trish Stratus. The two have been involved in various tag team matches against each other, usually mixed tag matches with no woman getting the clear advantage.

Also from the Raw side, The Un-Americans have gone from strength to strength as William Regal has joined the ranks. The four of them have found enemies in Booker T, Goldust, Bradshaw and the returning Kane. The Un-Americans have managed to injure Bradshaw but in his place is Bubba Ray Dudley and Booker T has challenged Regal, Test, Christian and Lance Storm to a 4 on 4 contest. From the Smackdown side of things the rivalry has continued between Edge and Eddie Guerrero with Guerrero beating Edge in the gauntlet series. The two have also been in tag team matches with Eddie teaming up with his nephew Chavo and Edge teaming with Rikishi. Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle will also go one on one tonight as the two finalists of the gauntlet series meet once more. The two have an on-going rivalry over who is the better technical wrestler and both have found themselves on the wrong end of a stink face in recent weeks.

Before the PPV, Rey Mysterio defeated Chavo Guerrero on Heat.

A video package kicks us off with a female voiceover building up the Triple H/Rob Van Dam and Undertaker/Brock Lesnar matches. Jim Ross then welcomes us to Unforgiven 2002, he’s joined by Jerry Lawler for the Raw matches. Michael Cole and Tazz will call the Smackdown matches.

Booker T, Goldust, Kane & Bubba Ray Dudley vs. The Un-Americans (William Regal, Lance Storm, Christian & Test)

As you can see, William Regal is the newest member of the Un-Americans. Bubba Ray Dudley fills in for the injured Bradshaw. Kane is the only man to have wrestled on all 5 Unforgiven PPVs, he has lost in 3 of his previous 4 matches and won in one match, his only tag team match. Goldust kicks off the match against Christian. Christian has wrestled in 3 Unforgiven PPVs before, he’s lost in tag team action at two of them but beat his brother Edge last year. Goldust gets the first knock down and the first near fall of the night. Christian tags in Lance Storm and Goldust tags in Bubba Ray. Bubba Ray and Goldust hit duelling forearms reminiscent of Dusty Rhodes. Storm wrestled at last years Unforgiven in a losing effort. Bubba Ray has won once at Unforgiven before and lost twice. He flapjacks Storm for a near fall.

Bubba Ray tags Goldust back in but Goldust is a victim of double teaming. Storm tags in Test who is making his Unforgiven debut. Goldust tags in Booker T who hits Test with a big flying forearm. Booker then takes out everyone and gives Test a big kick for a two count. Booker was in action last year at Unforgiven in a losing effort. Test tags in Regal who is also making his Unforgiven debut. Bubba Ray and Booker T then hit the flying headbutt to Regals crotch. Booker T gets a table from under the ring but gets it baseball slid into his face. In the ring Test lays into Booker T with some big elbows and right hands. He knocks Booker down with a clothesline for a near fall. Plenty of quick tags from the Un-Americans as Christian tags in and applies a reverse chinlock to Booker T. Booker gets out of it but gets hit with a knee for a two count.

Booker hits  sunset flip out of nowhere for a near fall. He then hits a spinebuster and both men go down. Christian tags in Storm and Booker tags in Kane for the first time in this match! Kane lays into everyone, hitting clotheslines and uppercuts. Kane hasn’t been in PPV action since Wrestlemania where he lost to Kurt Angle. All hell breaks loose and all 8 men are in the ring. Kane hits Regal with a big boot but Test hits Kane with his pumphandle slam. Booker hits Test with his scissors kick and then gives us the spin-a-roonie! Christian attacks him from behind and hits him with the Unprettier but in comes Kane. Christian hits Kane with a low blow and Storm gets a near fall. Bubba Ray then hits the Bubba Bomb on Christian. Goldust sets Christian up for shattered dreams and he nails it! Test hits Goldust with the running boot but Kane comes in off the top and takes Kane down.

Kane chokeslams Lance Storm  and then knocks Regal down before pinning Storm and getting the 3! A quick way to kick off Unforgiven but it’s a win for “Team America” none the less!

Rating: 6.5/10

Stephanie McMahon is backstage with Billy and Chuck giving them a pep talk. Chuck says that tonight Eric Bischoff will be kissing her butt.

Chris Jericho (c) vs. Ric Flair – Intercontinental Championship Match

This is the second time these two have met on pay per view. It’s a re-match from Summerslam where Flair beat Jericho, making him tap out to the figure four. This is Jericho’s fourth Unforgiven appearance, he lost to X Pac in 1999, beat X Pac in 2000 and lost to Rob Van Dam in 2001. Flair slaps Jericho in the early going but he gets knocked down by Jericho. Jericho is looking for his first pay per view victory since No Way Out back in February. Flair hits some of his trademark chops and then goes for the figure four but Jericho knocks him out of the ring. These two men were in the match 2 slot at Summerslam as well. Jericho hits Flair with some chops on the outside of the ring before the two men get back in the ring, Jericho hitting a dropkick from the top rope for the first near fall of the match.

Jericho chokes Flair on the middle rope and lays into the former real world champion with right hands before locking on an abdominal stretch. Flair gets out of it with a hiptoss and fights Jericho back with chops. Flair then throws Jericho all the way out of the ring and then into the steps. Back in the ring and Flair hits a knee drop and then goes to the middle rope and drops another knee for a near fall. Jericho hits a reverse elbow and goes for the Lionsault but Flair rolls out the way and Jericho lands on his feet. Jericho doesn’t land well though and he’s hurt his knee. Flair doesn’t seem to believe him whilst Jericho cowers in pain. The referee then calls for a trainer and as Flair turns his back, Jericho attacks him and applies the Walls of Jericho! Flair taps out and this one is over! Jericho wins the match and retains his Intercontinental Championship, his first win on PPV since February!

Rating: 5.75/10

Eric Bischoff is backstage with 3 Minute Warning, giving them a motivational speech. He brings in Rico to work their corner. Rico knows Billy and Chuck inside/out. Eric and Rico laugh maniacally.

Shaquille O’Neil is ringside as Michael Cole and Tazz get set to call Smackdowns matches.

Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero

This is a rematch from Summerslam in which Edge beat Guerrero. Edge has lost at the last 3 Unforgiven PPVs. Guerrero has won in his previous bout at Unforgiven, beating Rikishi back in 2000. Guerrero takes to the outside with Edge chasing him. Oldest trick in the book as Guerrero lays in the boots. Edge hits a big back body drop and a flapjack. Eddie hits some weak looking forearms but Edge takes him down with a slam for a two count. Edge hits a suplex for another near fall. Guerrero hits a tornado DDT and lays in the boots and then applies a brutal looking chinlock that I’ve never seen before. Edge gets out of it but Eddie hits him with a side suplex for a two count. Eddie then locks on a front face lock. Edge gets out of it again but Eddie knocks him right back down with a reverse elbow.

Eddie taunts Edge now daring Edge to hit him and dancing around. Guerrero has so much charisma. Edge hits him with a right hand knocking him down to the canvas. Both men get up to their feet and Edge attempts a splash in the corner but Guerrero gets out of the way. Eddie chokes Edge on he bottom rope, constantly targeting Edge’s head after he suffered a concussion a week ago. Edge comes back with a neckbreaker but both men go down. Edge gets up and hits an atomic drop and a faceplant for a two count. Eddie gets back into it with a jawbreaker as a “let’s go Eddie” chant breaks out. Guerrero attempts his springboard hurricanrana but Edge reverses it into a sit out powerbomb for a two count. Edge drops Eddie on the top turnbuckle and then attempts the spear but Eddie gets out of the way.

Edge turns around and hits Guerrero with the Edge-o-cution but Eddie gets his foot on the rope when Edge hooks the leg. Edge goes up top but Eddie gets out of the way of the missile dropkick. Eddie then takes off the top turnbuckle and attempts to throw Edge into it but Edge reverses it. Edge then pops Eddie on the top rope but Guerrero smashes Edge’s head into the top turnbuckle and sunset flips him for the three count! He was holding the tights but Eddie Guerrero wins the match, beating Edge and getting revenge for Summerslam.

Rating: 6.75/10

Triple H is backstage and walks into the Raw locker room where the likes of Rob Van Dam and Ric Flair are getting changed. Triple H tells Van Dam that he’s too calm and it’s because he has no passion. Triple H then points at Flair and says that he used to have desire but not anymore. Van Dam says he would rather associate himself with Flair then Triple H.

There’s a video package next for Billy and Chuck against 3 Minute Warning.

Billy & Chuck (Billy Gunn & Chuck Palumbo) vs. 3 Minute Warning (Rosey & Jamal)

This is a first official match for Rosey and Jamal tonight, they’re joined by Rico. Billy Gunn has won both of his previous matches at Unforgiven, both of these were tag team matches with Road Dogg, once against The Legion Of Doom and once against Edge and Christian. If 3 Minute Warning lose this then Eric Bischoff will have to kiss Stephanie McMahon’s ass and if Billy and Chuck lose then Stephanie will have to participate in some hot lesbian action. Billy and Chuck rush the ring, Billy and Jamal battle to the outside whilst Chuck and Rosey go at it in the ring. Rico gets involved right off the bat, kicking Chuck in the face. Rosey hits Palumbo with some big right hands before tagging out to Jamal. Plenty of double teaming from Rosey and Jamal in the early going. Jamal scores the first near fall of the match before tagging Rosey back in.

Rosey hits Chuck with a slam for a two count and then applies a vice grip of sorts to the face. Rosey hits Chuck with a headbutt and then tags in Jamal where both men hit Chuck with a double headbutt for a two count. A “Rico’s gay” chant breaks out, Cole says he deserves it. Rosey hits a slam and then cheap shots Billy Gunn. Rosey goes up to the middle rope and attempts a moonsault but Chuck gets out of the way! Rosey and Chuck both make tags and Billy takes down both men with dropkicks and clotheslines. Billy then knocks their heads together but it makes no odds. Rosey and Jamal headbutt Billy and then Jamal goes up top but Chuck throws him down to the canvas. Rosey then hits a full nelson slam on Billy then in comes Chuck but Jamal superkicks him down.

Billy hits the Fame-asser on Jamal and then in comes Rico so Billy hits him with a clothesline. Rosey then throws Billy into Jamal who hits a huge Samoan drop on the former Intercontinental Champion. Jamal pins Billy and gets the 3! Rosey and Jamal win on their debut tonight.

Rating: 5/10

Eric Bischoff is celebrating backstage with some lesbians. Coach asks him which one wants to go out and perform HLA with Stephanie. They all break into a HLA chant.

There’s a video package next for Triple H and Rob Van Dam.

Triple H vs. Rob Van Dam – World Heavyweight Championship Match

This is a first one on one meeting between these two men on pay per view. Triple H has wrestled three times at Unforgiven before and he’s won every single one of those matches. Van Dam beat Jericho at last years event. RVD is also the first man to have wrestled on every pay per view so far in 2002 and this is PPV number 10. Van Dam takes Triple H down a couple of times in the early going with chain wrestling. Triple H has a new clean shaved look these days. Triple H shoves Van Dam who replies with a slap to the face. Triple H knocks Van Dam down with a shoulder block but Van Dam hits an arm drag and a headlock takeover. Triple H has been using a sleeper as a finisher recently, will we see that tonight? Somebody throws Van Dam a bottle of water and RVD mimics Triple H with it, spitting it high into the air!

Van Dam hits a hiptoss and once again takes The Game down with a side headlock. Van Dam hits a leg sweep and a near fall and once again takes Helmsley down with a side headlock. Triple H gets out of it and Van Dam hits a spinning heel kick sending Triple H to the outside. RVD then takes a run and flips over the top at Triple H who steps out of the way. Triple H gets back in the ring and is happy for the referee to count him out. Van Dam just about gets back in the ring although looked as though he should’ve been counted out. Triple H Irish whips Van Dam into the ring steps making sure to break the count every so often. Back in the ring and Triple H gets a near fall before laying into Van Dam with big right hands. Triple H slingshots Van Dam into the middle rope and covers him for another near fall.

Triple H attempts a suplex but Van Dam nips down and rolls up the champion for a two count. Triple H is first up and hits a neckbreaker for a near fall of his own. Helmsley then throws Van Dam outside the ring again and tries to smash him into the announce table but Van Dam reverses it and smashes Triple H into the announce table. Back in the ring and Triple H hits a high knee for a two count. Triple H goes up to the top and mocks Van Dam but RVD is up and throws Triple H across the ring. Helmsley manages to lock a sleeper on from nowhere, the move Triple H has been using a lot for victory recently but Van Dam gets out of it and shoves Triple H into the corner. RVD hits a spinning heel kick and both men are down. The two men get to their feet and slug it out and Van Dam hits a couple of spinning heel kicks and a standing moonsault for a two count.

Van Dam monkey flips Triple H across the ring and then hits a springboard kick and rolling thunder which gets him another two count. Triple H heads to the outside but Van Dam flies over on top of The Game. He rolls Hunter back in the ring and then comes off the top with a kick before rolling him up for a two count. Triple H hits a high knee that look like it meant to hit the referee who was out of position. Triple H comes off the ropes and attempts a clothesline which Van Dam ducks and this time Triple H hits Earl Hebner, knocking him out the ring. Van Dam hits Triple H with a spinning heel kick but there is no referee to make the count. Triple H tries for a Pedigree but Van Dam slips down and slingshots him into the top turnbuckle before going up top and hitting Triple H with the 5 star frog splash! But still no referee to make the count.

Rob Van Dam checks on the referee but Triple H hits his challenger with a low blow. Triple H then rolls out the ring and grabs his sledgehammer from under the ring. He gets back in the ring but Van Dam kicks the sledgehammer right back in Triple H’s face. Ric Flair then runs out from the back! He grabs the sledgehammer and teases hitting Triple H with it but instead turns round and smashes it into Rob Van Dam! Triple H then hits Van Dam with the Pedigree, Flair rolls the referee back into the ring and he counts the 3! Flair celebrates with Triple H after the bell.

Rating: 7/10

Billy Kidman and D-lo Brown are backstage discussing what they’ve just seen. Some celebrity from the young and restless appears and D-lo gives it a plug. Dawn Marie then says that he’s with her.

Molly Holly (c) vs. Trish Stratus – Women’s Championship Match

This is the second PPV singles match between these two ladies, Molly previously beat Trish at King Of The Ring back in June. It’s an Unforgiven debut for both women. Only Chyna has fought more PPV matches than Trish Stratus. Molly takes Trish down in the early going and applies a wrist lock. Trish reverses it into a hammerlock but Molly takes her down with a firemans carry. Molly gets a near fall as does Trish. Trish hits a dropkick and a neckbreaker for a two count. Molly takes Trish down with a right hand. Molly hits a suplex for a two count and then smashes Trish’s face into the canvas before throwing her out of the ring. On the outside Molly then throws Trish into the ringsteps and barricade.

There have been a few botches in this one which are spoiling a decent enough match here. Back in the ring and Molly chokes Trish with her own arms. Trish gets out of it throwing Molly across the ring but the champion quickly hits a dropkick to keep Stratus down. Trish rolls Molly up a couple of times but only for two counts. Molly then drop toe holds Trish on the bottom rope. Trish hits a bulldog but only for a two count. Molly tries for a clothesline but Trish ducks and hits her with the chick kick for a two count. Molly goes to the top rope but Trish crotches her and tries for her hurricanrana which Molly blocks and ties Trish up in the ropes. Molly pulls back on Trish’s arms  and then hits her with a handspring backside which gets her a 2 count.

Trish hits a bulldog out of nowhere and pins Molly for the three! That came out of nowhere but Trish becomes a three time Women’s Champion tonight! Not the best but better than average. The Coach interviews Trish after the match and she says that she loves it.

Rating: 5.25/10

Eric Bischoff is backstage with Rico, Rosey, Jamal and a bunch of lesbians. Rico asks if they can leave with the lesbians and Bischoff grants him permission.

There’s a video package next for Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit.

Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit

This is the 6th PPV match between these two men. Kurt has won 3 of the first 5 whilst Benoit has won 2. Benoit needs a win tonight to even out the series. Kurt Angle beat Stone Cold Steve Austin at last years event but lost the year before against Triple H. Benoit also lost in 2000 but was injured last year. There should be plenty of wrestling in this one. The two battle to the outside and then back in. Kurt takes Benoit down in the ring but the two men roll around until Benoit gets Angle in the crossface but Kurt gets to the ropes. Kurt takes Benoit down again and this time Angle locks on the ankle lock but Benoit gets to the ropes. Angle knocks Benoit down with a shoulder charge and there’s more wrestling from the two men who exchange pinfalls.

Kurt goes for a clothesline and Benoit once again goes for the Crossface but can’t quite get it locked in. Kurt throws Benoit of the ring and then follows him out to lay into him on the outside. Kurt drops Benoit on the barricade and then rolls him back into the ring. Kurt hits a backbreaker for a near fall and then locks a leg grapevine on Benoit. Benoit gets out of it and hits a kick but Angle ground him with a knee to the middle section. Kurt hits an Irish whip but misses with the shoulder charge. Benoit then runs Angles shoulder into the opposite ring post. Benoit hits a side suplex for a two count. Kurt hits a belly to belly suplex throwing Benoit across the ring. Benoit hits two German suplexes and goes for a third but Kurt reverses the hold and hits two of his own. Benoit switches the hold, not allowing Kurt to hit a third before hitting two of his own. Kurt reverses the hold himself and hits three more German suplexes much to the enjoyment of the crowd.

Kurt pulls down the straps which means business and goes for the Angle slam but Benoit nips down and hits a huge German suplex flipping Angle nearly 360 degrees. Benoit goes to the top but Angle runs up with him and hits a belly to belly suplex from the top for a two count. Kurt then locks on the ankle lock but Benoit gets out of it and hits a big shoulderbreaker. Chris then heads to the top, motioning for the headbutt, which he hits! Benoit pins Angle but Kurt kicks out. Benoit then locks on the crippler crossface but Angle grabs his ankle and applies an ankle lock! Benoit breaks his hold and Angle locks on the ankle lock properly! But Benoit reverses it and applies the crossface again! Kurt gets out of it again and once again locks on the ankle lock but Benoit gets to the rope. Angle pulls Benoit back to the middle of the ring and locks on the crippler crossface! Benoit rolls out of it and pins Kurt Angle with his feet on the ropes and gets the 3! Chris Benoit wins the match and beats Angle with his feet on the ropes! They’ve now beaten each other 3 times each on pay per view!

Rating: 8/10

Mark whatshisface is backstage with Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman. Heyman says that this battle has always been personal. Lesnar says that he has no remorse.

Eric Bischoff is out next accompanied by two lesbians. Bischoff is excited and asks the two lesbians to give a sneak preview before changing his mind. Bischoff introduces Stephanie who comes out looking confident. The lesbians take off their tops, Stephanie’s jacket and then give her a full body massage. Bischoff then puts a stop to it and sends the girls away. Wanting to humiliate Stephanie even more, Eric pulls out the fattest, most ugly lesbian he could find. A huge ropey looking woman walks out from the back. Stephanie and the woman get into  big kiss until the lesbian kicks Bischoff in the face and reveals herself to be Rikishi! Rikishi gives Bischoff a big stink face and celebrates with Stephanie.

There’s a video package next for Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker.

Brock Lesnar (c) vs. The Undertaker – WWE Championship Match

This is a first time meeting between these two men on pay per view. Undertaker has won twice and lost once at Unforgiven before. Undertaker doesn’t come out on his bike as usual. The two men square up as the bell rings and Undertaker shoves Lesnar across the ring. The two men take it in turns to shove the other across the ring. This match certainly has a big fight feel. Undertaker shoves Lesnar all the way out of the ring. Back in the ring and Undertaker hits a hiptoss before clotheslining Brock out of the ring. Lesnar gets frustrated, kicking the ring steps as Heyman tries to calm him down. Back in the ring and Undertaker hits an armdrag but Lesnar gets back into it with a knee to the middle section before getting caught with a boot and a big clothesline for the first near fall of the match.

Undertaker spins the arm and heads to the top before hitting old school. Heyman gets up on the apron and Undertaker boots him right back off but it’s enough distraction for Lesnar to charge Undertaker into the corner. Lesnar wraps Undertaker around the ring post and then lays into him shoulder first in the corner. Lesnar has a great PPV record so far having won 5 of his 7 matches. He hits a big powerslam on Undertaker for a two count. Undertaker, like Rob Van Dam, has wrestled on all 10 PPVs so far in 2002. This is Undertakers 97th PPV match. Lesnar applies a bear hug to Undertaker who refuses to submit. Undertaker gets out of it with big right hands but Lesnar takes him right back down with another bear hug. Undertaker gets out of it by throwing Lesnar out of the ring.

Undertaker hits some big right hands to the middle section of the champion. One of which sends Lesnar to the outside of the ring. There are a few boo’s from the crowd, I don’t think they like the constant knocking to the outside. Undertaker steps outside the ring and throws Lesnar into the barricade. But with Heyman distracting the referee, Lesnar grabs his WWE title and smashes it into the face of The Undertaker. Undertaker is bleeding from the face now and Brock shoves him into the ring and pins him but only for a two count. Undertaker hits a couple of big splashes in the corner and sets up for a chokeslam but Lesnar battles out only to be hit with a big boot for a near fall. Undertaker hits Lesnar with snake eyes and then a running boot for a two count.

Undertaker throws Lesnar into the corner but crushes the referee as he does. Undertaker then hits a chokeslam but the referee isn’t there to make the count. Matt Hardy then runs out to attack Undertaker but Undertaker hits him with a last ride. Undertaker then turns around into a spinebuster from Lesnar. Lesnar pins him and the referee slowly counts to 2. Both men get up and Undertaker hits a DDT for a two count. Undertaker goes for the Tombstone but Lesnar slips down the back and shoves Undertaker into the referee before taking the dead man down with a clothesline. With the referee down, Paul Heyman hands Lesnar a chair. Lesnar swings it but Undertaker boots him in the face. Undertaker then smashes the chair into Lesnars face! He hits him a second time which knocks Brock out of the ring. Undertaker exits the ring and punches Heyman over the barricade.

The challenger then steps back into the ring as the referee regains consciousness. Undertaker rolls Lesnar back into the ring having bust him open and hits him with some right hands, a big boot and a legdrop. Undertaker makes the cover but Brock kicks out. Undertaker motions for the last ride but Brock back body drops him and lifts him up for the F5 but Undertaker counters, landing on his feet. Undertaker and Lesnar lay into one another in the corner and the referee gets between them. Lesnar chokes the referee and Undertaker splashes them in the corner, knocking both of them down. The referee then calls for the bell and Undertaker and Lesnar continue to slug it out. It looks as though this one ends in a draw! The fans are not happy. Lots of boo’s and bullshit chants! Lesnar leaves with the title though! Undertaker and Lesnar battle up the entrance way and Undertaker throws Lesnar through the set!

Rating: 7.25/10

And that was Unforgiven 2002. It wasn’t as good as Summerslam but I think a lot of that being down to how hot the opening match was at Summerslam and everything else just followed. The opening match was decent enough tonight, it was a fun 8 man tag match featuring a lot of talent. I actually expected the Un-Americans to win as to show their unity but it was their opponents that got the “W”. Booker T has been getting a lot of wins as of late, it’s definitely worth keeping your eye on him over the next couple of months. Much like Summerslam, Chris Jericho and Ric Flair followed the first match but this time the Intercontinental Championship was on the line. Jericho won by cheating, beating the dirtiest player in the game in the dirtiest possible way. I think this is the end of the this feud, especially with Ric Flairs heel turn later on in the night. This match wasn’t quite as good as their previous encounter.

The third match at Summerslam was between Edge and Eddie Guerrero and the third match at Unforgiven was too. Eddie Guerrero won this one after Edge’s win at Summerslam so there has to be a rubber match at No Mercy if you ask me. I think the feud needs to go into the next gear as it is starting to fall a bit flat. Again, this match wasn’t quite as good as their match at Summerslam. Billy and Chuck were up next against 3 Minute Warning. I liked this because it’s two proper tag teams. It was the debut of 3 Minute Warning and they have a lot of athleticism. It won’t be long until they are holding the tag team titles. The HLA later on in the show turned out to be a bit of a farce but it was good fun none the less. Maybe Rikishi will get involved with his family members, Rosey and Jamal?

I was slightly surprised by the placement of the World Heavyweight Championship. It was 5th on the bill and gave Triple H a big win in his first title defence. It was the right result and the story to the match was a lot better than I thought it would be. Triple H is doing good work as a heel at the moment and he’s now driven Ric Flair to join him by the look of it. This could be an interesting partnership and gives Triple H some fodder as a heel champion often needs. There’s plenty of competition for the World Championship on Raw with the likes of Van Dam, Kane, Booker T, Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho and maybe even Shawn Michaels if he returns. Trish Stratus then beat Molly Holly in a bit of a surprise. It was Molly’s first PPV defence of her title but Trish is solid enough as champion. With Jazz still injured and Ivory on Smackdown/Tough Enough it makes you wonder where else they can go with the belt at the moment besides Trish and Molly.

Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle put on the expected classic match as usual. These two just have such good chemistry. It was a nice story again with Benoit and Angle both fighting over who was the better technical wrestler but the match being decided by cheating. This feud could continue but I can’t wait to see the likes of Lesnar vs. Benoit and Lesnar vs. Angle. Speaking of Lesnar, his feud with Undertaker is far from over. The two men battled to a double disqualification much to the disdain of the crowd but the ending was pretty cool with Undertaker throwing Lesnar through the set. Expect this feud to continue into No Mercy with some sort of gimmick. Lots of shady endings tonight with Jericho feigning injury, Guerrero holding the tights, Rico getting involved in the tag team match, Ric Flair costing Rob Van Dam, Benoit using the ropes and the draw that closed the show. 5 heel wins and all of none of them clean. Overall a decent show, not the best or one I would go back and watch but it wasn’t terrible.

Overall Rating: 64.37/100 (ranked 25th out of 142) 

Match Of The Night: Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit
Worst Match Of The Night: Billy & Chuck vs. 3 Minute Warning
Surprise Of The Night: Trish wins the Women’s Championship
Worst Booking Of The Night: All the dirty finishes
Superstar Of The Night: Triple H
Unforgiven 2002 Will Be Remembered For: HLA? And the beginning of the Triple H and Flair partnership