Hogan champ again at BackLash
By JOHN POWELL --
SLAM! Wrestling
Hulk-A-Mania is running wild. Well, "running" is a bit too strong a word.
Limping is more like it. In one of the most sluggish matches in World
Wrestling Federation history, Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated champion Triple
H to become the WWF World Heavyweight Champion at last night's BackLash
pay-per-view.
In an humiliating display that brought an otherwise stellar BackLash card
to a grinding halt, Triple H slammed himself into reverse for the whole 22
minute-plus snorefest resorting to rest holds and low-impact maneuvers to
carry Hogan through the length of the match. Triple H played the heel role
slapping Hogan in the face early on and cheating on occasion to gain the
advantage. Unlike the love-in Hogan received at last month's WrestleMania
show in Toronto, the crowd in the Kemper Area was pretty much dead
resembling more of the crowd you'd find at your local library rather than
at a live WWF event.
Triple H and Hogan had to rely on a series of run-ins to inject any kind of
momentum into their sure-fire-cure-for-insomnia bout. Just as Hogan was
about to put Triple H away with his scintillating Leg Drop, Chris Jericho
interfered hitting him with a steel chair from outside the ring. Triple H
took exception to this (even though he had been employing all sorts of
underhanded tactics) and clotheslined Jericho out of the ring. Dropping
Hogan with a Pedigree, Triple H had his assured pinfall broken up by The
Undertaker who took out the ref and Triple H with a steel chair. Obviously,
Taker would rather face Hogan than Triple H for the belt. Replaying what
Triple H had done a few minutes ago, Hogan brawled with Taker clotheslining
him out of the ring. Another breath-taking Leg Drop by Hogan nabbed him the
three count and the WWF World Heavyweight Title.
A bloody Triple H shook hands with Hogan after huffing and puffing for
minutes on end while staring into The Hulkster's face as if he was
constipated or something. For the record, Hogan's World Heavyweight Title
reigns in WCW and the WWF are now equal at six a piece.
In the other just as terminally boring main event of the evening, The
Undertaker defeated "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to claim the coveted Number
One Contender's spot in an encounter that overstayed its welcome to the
point of becomming a farce. The match concluded in controversial fashion
with The Undertaker pinning Austin who had his foot on the bottom rope.
Austin Stunnered Taker to gain some measure of revenge as Ric Flair was
shown video footage in the backstage area of the three count being slapped
even though Austin had placed his leg draped over the bottom rope. "Oh,
s--t!," said Flair after seeing his apparent mistake. Strange thing about
this one is that the nWo came to ringside but never became involved in the
slightest. Weird.
The next WWF pay-per-view is Judgment Day on May 19th.
WWF BackLash 2002 Results
Tajiri (challenger) versus Kidman (champion) (WWF Cruiserwight
Championship)
An incredible adrenaline rush with Tajiri and Kidman bringing down the
house with a high octane encounter. Upon being scooped up for a Powerbomb,
Tajiri spits red mist into Kidman's peepers and rolls him up for the
victory.
Winner: ...and new WWF Cruiserwight Champion...Tajiri at 9 minutes
and 5 seconds.
Match Rating: 9 / 10.
Bradshaw and Faarooq reunite backstage. Bradshaw is concerned that the
nWo will have him outnumbered. Faarooq assures Bradshaw that he has his back.
Scott Hall versus Bradshaw
A lot of punching and kicking going on with Faarooq acting as the
equalizer outside the ring punking out Hall and X-Pac. Hall pins Bradshaw
with a haymaker to the crotch. I thought Chyna had a patent on that
finishing move. Oh, well.
Winner: Scott Hall at 6 minutes and 2 seconds.
Match Rating: 3 / 10.
Vince McMahon pays a visit to Flair. McMahon says that now Flair knows
what it is like to be an owner and to have a bunch of ungrateful employees
to manage. Flair tells Vince that he will never be like him...ever.
Trish Stratus (challenger) versus Jazz (champion) (WWF Women's World
Heavyweight Title Match)
Molly decides to come to the ring and berate Stratus for being
"trashy". Molly beats on Trish hitting her with a weak microphone shot to
the head then splits the scene. Jazz, doing her impression of Xena,
dominates Trish and makes her submit to a crossface maneuver.
Winner: ... and still WWF Women's World Heavyweight Champion...Jazz
at 3 minutes and 43 seconds..
Match Rating: 1 / 10.
Brock Lesnar versus Jeff Hardy
Not much to praise in this one. Another mugging by Lesnar who even
kicked out of Jeff's Swanton Bomb. Jeff tried to even the odds with a steel
chair but Lesnar delivered the Spinning Face Buster. Lesnar was going to
pin Hardy but Heyman instructed him to inflict more pain. Lesnar bounced
Hardy off the mat with several powerbombs before official Teddy Long called
the match.
Winner: Brock Lesnar at 5 minutes and 10 seconds.
Match Rating: 3 / 10.
Edge Versus Kurt Angle
I am still catching my breath after this Match Of The Year candidate.
Phenomenal effort went into the execution and planning. Angle tries to
label Edge with a steel chair. Angle misses. The chair bounces right off
the top rope and back into his face. Edge's Spear is met with a boot to the
chops. One Angle Slam later and it is lights out for Edge.
Winner: Kurt Angle at 13 minutes and 27 seconds.
Match Rating: 10 / 10.
Chris Jericho holds court in the middle of the ring. One month ago he
was in the main event of WrestleMania. At BackLash, he isn't even wrestling
on the card. It is a crime. It is an insult. It is the lowest day in
Jericho's career. Still, on his worst day, Jericho thinks he is better off
than anyone in the crowd.
Cut to Tazz in the money pit known as WWF New York. Some fans share
their views on the main event.
The Undertaker takes a moment to check on Ric Flair in his office.
Taker waves his finger in Flair's face then leaves.
Eddie Guerrero (challenger) versus RVD (champion) (WWF
Intercontinental Title Match)
Another Match Of The Year candidate with RVD and Guerrero pulling out
all the stops in a wicked bout. Guerrero brings the title belt into the
ring. RVD kicks it away from him. With the ref in Dreamland, Guerrero
neckbreakers RVD on the belt and lands his Five Star Frog Splash to strip
him of the title.
Winner: ...and new WWF Intercontinental Champion....Eddie Guerrero
at 11 minutes and 47 seconds..
Match Rating: 8 / 10.
The Undertaker versus Steve Austin (Number One Contender's
Match)
Winner: The Undertaker at 27 minutes and 1 second.
Match Rating: 3 / 10.
Maven, Al Snow (challengers) versus Billy, Chuck (champions) (WWF World Tag Team Title Match)
Rico distracts Snow. Chuck kicks Maven in the head. Billy scores the pin.
Winners: ...and still WWF World Tag Team Champions...Billy and Chuck at 5 minutes and 58 seconds.
Match Rating: 3 / 10.
Hollywood Hulk Hogan (challenger) versus Triple H (champion) (WWF
World Heavyweight Title Match)
Winner: ...and the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion...Hollywood
Hulk Hogan at 22 minutes and 4 seconds.
Match Rating: 1 / 10.
Total Event Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Overall Event Rating: 8 / 10.
