It’s time now to unveil my top 50 matches of 2002, but first here are the matches that just missed the cut:
 
Honorable Mentions:
 
1. William Regal vs. Rob Van Dam (WrestleMania X8)
2. Kane vs. Kurt Angle (WrestleMania X8)
3. Billy Kidman vs. Tajiri (Backlash)
4. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rob Van Dam (Insurrextion)
5. Edge and “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan vs. Lance Storm and Christian (Vengeance)
6. The Un-Americans vs. Booker T and Goldust (Summerslam)
7. Brock Lesnar vs. the Undertaker (Unforgiven)
8. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. Los Guerreros (10/17 Smackdown)
9. Jamie Noble vs. Billy Kidman (Survivor Series)
10. Los Guerreros vs. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit (11/28 Smackdown)
 
And now here are my top 50 matches of 2002:
 
50. Trish Stratus vs. Victoria (Survivor Series)
 
This special Hardcore match sees these two women go all out and destroy each other as Victoria ends Stratus’ reign and becomes the dominant force of the Divas
 
49. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (6/3 RAW)
 
In what would end up being Austin’s last WWE match until 2003, he and Flair have a solid match which Austin wins and forces Flair to be his servant though we never get the resolution
 
48. Rob Van Dam vs. Eddie Guerrero (Backlash)
 
This big IC Title match is a solid match as Eddie impresses in his return after being gone for a year and he leaves as IC Champion in what many could call a shocker
 
47. Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Jericho (King of the Ring)
 
The first semifinal match of the KOTR is a solid match between two veterans even though it felt like it should’ve been better, and RVD gets the clean win to advance to the finals
 
46. Edge vs. Chris Jericho (Global Warning Tour)
 
One of the better feuds on Smackdown comes to an end here in Australia as Edge gets the last word over Jericho and sends him packing to RAW
 
45. The Undertaker vs. Test (Summerslam)
 
This battle of big men at Summerslam is a very solid match as Test takes Taker to the limit thanks to some assistance from his Un-American partners, but Taker stands tall at the end with Old Glory
 
44. AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn (Eruption)
 
The finals for the International Cruiserweight Championship is a solid match as Styles gets the upset win over Lynn and becomes the first champion in WWA history
 
43. Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero (Unforgiven)
 
This big rematch from Summerslam is a solid match though it is a slight step down from their previous match, and Eddie gets his win back over Edge thanks to the exposed buckle
 
42. “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle (King of the Ring)
 
This low-key dream match is a pretty solid match as Angle accomplishes the unthinkable and makes Hogan tap out to win the match
 
41. The Rock vs. Kurt Angle (7/18 Smackdown)
 
In what would be one of his last TV matches of the year, Rock and Angle have another solid match that ends when the Undertaker gets involved though Angle is the last one standing between the three
 
40. Edge vs. Kurt Angle (Backlash)
 
In what would be one of Smackdown’s best feuds of the year, these two men put on a solid match as Edge takes Angle to the limit though Angle makes Edge tap out to win
 
39. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle (10/24 Smackdown)
 
Just days after becoming the first WWE Tag Team Champions, these two men put on a solid match that sees the Guerreros get involved and help Benoit get the win
 
38. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (Armageddon)
 
In a rematch from Summerslam, these two men put on a solid, if somewhat unspectacular 2-out-of-3 falls match that sees these two men destroy each other and Triple H regains the World Title
 
37. Chris Jericho vs. Triple H (WrestleMania X8)
 
The main event of this WM is a pretty solid match as Triple H completes his comeback from the torn quad and overcomes Stephanie’s interference to defeat Jericho and become the Undisputed Champion
 
36. Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman vs. Edge (Rebellion)
 
This big handicap match that is the main event of this UK-specific PPV is a pretty fun match as Edge takes Lesnar to the limit, but Lesnar gets another successful title defense no thanks to Heyman
 
35. Triple H vs. “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan (Backlash)
 
This huge main event of Backlash sees these two men put on a solid power match despite interference from Chris Jericho and the Undertaker, and Hogan gets the shocking win to become champion for the 6th time
 
34. The Rock vs. the Undertaker (No Way Out)
 
In the first of the triple main event of this show, these two men have perhaps their best match together as Vince McMahon and Ric Flair get involved and Rock escapes with the win
 
33. The Rock vs. Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar (Global Warning Tour)
 
The main event of this special show from Australia sees these three men in a really fun match as Lesnar looks strong though Rock does leave as champion by pinning Triple H
 
32. AJ Styles vs. “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels vs. Low Ki vs. Tony Mamaluke vs. Shark Boy vs. Nova (The Revolution)
 
This showcase of the Cruiserweight division is a really fun opener to this show as all 6 men get some shine and Nova gets the surprise win over the upstart Styles
 
31. The Rock and Edge vs. Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero (8/1 Smackdown)
 
This huge main event is a very solid match as Benoit and Eddie become the latest Superstars to jump from RAW to Smackdown and they get the win over Rock and Edge
 
30. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. Los Guerreros (Rebellion)
 
This big tag title match from this UK-exclusive PPV is a very solid match as Los Guerreros do everything they can, but Angle and Benoit retain the titles despite their ongoing issues
 
29. Psicosis vs. Juventud Guerrera vs. Eddie Guerrero (The Revolution)
 
This big triple threat match for the International Cruiserweight Title is a fun match between these three luchadores who bring their chemistry from WCW to WWA and Eddie wins the title
 
28. Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero (Armageddon)
 
This battle between former friends is a solid wrestling match as Chavo tries to help his uncle late in the match, but Benoit manages to get the win to go into 2003 on a high note
 
27. Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle (9/26 Smackdown)
 
This big triple threat match featuring three of the Smackdown Six is a really fun match as Mysterio gets the shocking win while Benoit and Angle continue their feud
 
26. Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero (Summerslam)
 
One of the best feuds for Smackdown in 2002 really kicks off here as these two men put on a really good match with Edge getting the win despite his injured shoulder
 
25. Edge vs. Chris Jericho (7/25 Smackdown)
 
For the second time this year, Edge ends a feud inside a steel cage as he and Jericho beat the hell out of each other with Edge getting the win and Jericho would jump to RAW the next week
 
24. The Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy (7/1 RAW)
 
This big ladder match for the Undisputed Title is a great match as Jeff comes inches away from realizing his dream, but Taker manages to escape with the title though he shows Jeff respect after the match
 
23. Edge vs. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero (12/5 Smackdown)
 
This big 4-Way to determine the Number One Contender is a great match as Edge nearly overcomes the odds after being attacked by A-Train, but Angle gets the win to earn the shot at Armageddon
 
22. Devon Storm vs. Sabu (The Revolution)
 
This pretty interesting matchup is a surprisingly fun matchup as Storm gets the biggest win of his career only for Sabu to destroy him after the match to continue this feud
 
21. Chris Jericho vs. the Rock (Royal Rumble)
 
After being one of the better feuds towards the end of 2001, these two men face off one more time for the Undisputed Title as Jericho steals the win over Rock thanks to using the ropes
 
20. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair vs. Vince McMahon (Royal Rumble)
 
This big Street Fight between the co-owners is a really fun match as Vince does his best to humiliate Flair in front of his family, but Flair reaches down deep in his first match in many years and forces Vince to tap
 
19. Edge vs. Kurt Angle (5/30 Smackdown)
 
This big feud during the spring comes to an end here in the steel cage as Edge gets the win over Angle with an assist from Hulk Hogan and continues his climb up the ladder
 
18. Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero (9/26 Smackdown)
 
After trading wins on PPVs, this feud comes to an end here in this No-DQ match as both men beat the hell out of each other and Edge gets the win though the crowd gives Eddie a standing ovation after the match
 
17. Devon Storm vs. Sabu (Eruption)
 
This big rematch inside the Steel Cage is a great brawl as Storm once again takes Sabu to the limit, but Sabu gets his win back after throwing a fireball in Storm’s face
 
16. Royal Rumble match (Royal Rumble)
 
This year’s edition ends up being one of the most star-studded in history which featured big returns like Mr. Perfect and in the end, Triple H gets the win in his first match since his quad injury to earn the title shot at WM
 
15. Chris Benoit vs. Rob Van Dam (Summerslam)
 
This big Interbrand match for the IC Title is a great match as both men take each other to the limit and RVD gets the win over Benoit to bring the IC Title back to RAW
 
14. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair vs. the Undertaker (WrestleMania X8)
 
This big No-DQ match between two legends is a great match as Flair proves that he is still the Nature Boy yet despite a great run-in by Arn Anderson, Taker gets the win and goes to 10-0 at WM
 
13. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rob Van Dam (5/27 RAW)
 
This big ladder match for the IC Title is a great match as both men destroy each other with the ladders despite a run-in by a rowdy fan, and RVD finally gets his revenge over Eddie and becomes a 2-time IC Champion
 
12. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle (Unforgiven)
 
After having one of the best feuds of 2001, these two men run it back here as they face each other to prove who the better wrestler is and Benoit steals the win by using the ropes though this would just be the beginning for these two
 
11. Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle (Summerslam)
 
This big opener from Summerslam is a fantastic match as Mysterio shows off his skills and takes Angle to the limit, but Angle manages to get the win by making Mysterio tap out to kick off what would be a great show
 
10. Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio (11/7 Smackdown)
 
This big rematch from No Mercy is a great 2-out-of-3 falls match that ends up going four falls and in the end, Edge and Mysterio get the win over Angle and Benoit to become the tag champions
 
9. Kane vs. Chris Jericho and Christian vs. the Dudleys vs. Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy (10/7 RAW)
 
This big TLC match for the World Tag Titles is a fantastic match as all four teams go all out and destroy each other, but Kane is able to get the win despite being by himself and retains the titles on his own
 
8. Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. Los Guerreros (Survivor Series)
 
After dominating the fall with many great tag matches, the Smackdown Six face off here in this elimination match with Los Guerreros getting the win and leaving MSG with the tag titles
 
7. The Undertaker vs. the Rock vs. Kurt Angle (Vengeance)
 
This huge Triple Threat match for the Undisputed Title is a fantastic match loaded with star power and Rock gets the win by pinning Angle to become Undisputed Champion
 
6. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Booker T vs. Kane (Survivor Series)
 
The first-ever Elimination Chamber match is an excellent match as all 6 men beat the hell out of each other with Triple H suffering a crushed trachea in the process, and Michaels escapes the carnage and becomes World Champion for the first time since 1998
 
5. The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar (Summerslam)
 
This huge Undisputed Championship match is a great match as these men have great chemistry with Rock putting Lesnar over in the end and Lesnar becomes the youngest Undisputed Champion in history
 
4. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (Summerslam)
 
After being out of the ring since WrestleMania XIV, Michaels makes his return against his former friend Triple H in an excellent Unsanctioned match and Michaels gets the win though Triple H is the last one standing thanks to a sledgehammer
 
3. Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit (No Mercy)
 
The finals to crown the first-ever WWE Tag Team Champions is a tag team clinic as both teams put on an excellent match and Angle and Benoit becomes the champions despite their ongoing issues
 
2. Brock Lesnar vs. the Undertaker (No Mercy)
 
This rematch from Unforgiven inside Hell in a Cell is a fantastic bloodbath as both men beat the hell out of each other with Taker nearly bleeding to death, but Lesnar manages to get the win and retain the Undisputed Title
 
And now, the Number One Match of 2002:
 
1. The Rock vs. “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania X8)
 
In what was billed as a battle between icons, these two men put on a spectacle of a match as they have the Toronto crowd in the palm of their hands and Rock gets the biggest win of his career though Hogan leaves the Skydome a hero
 
That concludes the Top 50 matches of 2002, see you in 200