Stojy watches WWE 2002

[Stojy]

Still planning to finish this at some point in my lifetime...

WWE Velocity
September 28th, 2002
San Diego, California

Match One
Billy Kidman vs. Crash Holly

Our first match saw a respectful start with Kidman and Holly sharing a handshake before the action kicked off. Interestingly enough, there’s some character development in this one from Crash, as he plays a heel role here. He goes from shaking hands at the beginning of the match to attempting Roll Ups with his feet on the ropes during the match. This was nothing to write home about, a below average match, the most noteworthy thing about this match is the result itself. Crash crotches Kidman on the top rope before grabbing him from the turnbuckles and nailing the Crash Landing for the win. For those who don’t know, the Crash Landing is a less smooth version of the Styles Clash. I definitely thought this one was an upset as Kidman was Cruiserweight Champion earlier this year and has still been involved in some decent feuds. Maybe Crash is going to get some form of push. I’m not sure. Match was meh though. *1/2

Match Two
Doug Basham vs. Shannon Moore

As far as I’m aware, this is Basham’s first appearance on the main roster (Velocity counts right?). Luckily I paid attention to the ring announcer here because he has some long ass hair here, so I wouldn’t even have realised it was him. I’m only familiar with his bald look. Anyway, another pretty average match here on this week’s Velocity as Shannon Moore’s hot streak definitely feels like it’s over now. He does get the win here though, taking Basham out with a Twisting Moonsault. The crowd just wasn’t into this one because they didn’t know who Basham was, hurting the atmosphere and the match wasn’t very good either. *1/2

Match Three
John Cena vs. Reverend D’Von

With everything that’s happened this year with Cena’s retirement tour, it kind of feels like a privilege to go back and watch this stuff now. Anyway, Cena of 2002 is not the Cena we’d come to know and love. Bland, babyface Cena doesn’t work here and the match suffered as a result. It felt like as the veteran, D’Von tried hard to carry but this just didn’t quite click. He did drill Cena with a really cool Hanging Neckbreaker off the second rope, which was probably the highlight of this entire episode. Another meh match, with a shock ending as Cena gets a Sunset Flip and manages to hold on for the upset. I get the idea of Cena winning here, but I continue to be saddened by how quickly they dropped the importance of the awesome Reverend D’Von character. Anyway, third match of the night that was below par, probably the same quality as the others on this show. *1/2​

After the match, D’Von is pissed. He interrupts Cena’s celebration and clubs him in the back before hitting the Saving Grace. D’Von then heads to the top rope and nails a Diving Headbutt from the top to leave Cena laying. If this means we get a feud on Velocity that we can sink our teeth in between these two, I’m all for it.

Not a strong episode of Velocity this week unfortunately. Not really any good wrestling which is a shame, although if you’re looking for shock value, I guess some of the results here were potentially unexpected.

 

[Stojy]

WWE Heat
September 29th, 2002
Anaheim, California​

The show started with some in ring promo time from D’Lo Brown. He recapped his commentary journey and talked about how he’s tried to be the best commentator he can be with The Coach through the last four months. He does refer to himself as a play by play commentator though which I thought was kind of funny. D’Lo announces that he’s no longer going to be an announcer. He’ll be wrestling full time, looking to induct people into the Sky High Hall Of Fame. At the commentary desk, The Coach seems shocked. Promo was fine from D’Lo. If this means we get more D’Lo wrestling each week, I’m all for it.

Match One
D’Lo Brown vs. Shawn Stasiak

D’Lo’s last match as a commentator/wrestler. Stasiak has honestly been awful throughout 2002 so far, and it makes me think he was always just awful in general. D’Lo tries hard, but the steaming pile of bad that is Stasiak eliminates any hope this had of being a passable match. After some meh action, D’Lo inducts Stasiak into the Hall Of Fame, hitting the Sky High to get the win. D’Lo needs better opponents because then he’ll put on some quality matches. This was not a quality match. *1/2 ​

After the match, D’Lo goes to the commentary desk, where he’ll sit out the rest of the night with The Coach. Fuck yeah, more D’Lo.

Match Two
Johnny Stamboli vs. Justin Credible

This was another bad match, although unlike the last match where D’Lo is a good wrestler, these two are not. It’s really hard to buy into anything Stamboli is doing at the moment as well. One week he’s a face, the next a heel. There’s no consistency at all, so safe to say I was surprised when he was slapping hands with the fans on his way down the ramp tonight. Thankfully this doesn’t go to long, but it’s very sloppy. Even the ending, they kind of botch a couple of Irish Whips and attempts at Stamboli trying to pull Credible back towards him. Ugly and awkward and then Stamboli hits a non-smooth looking Forget About It for the win. Not good. *1/2

Match Three
Raven vs. Spike Dudley

I expected A LOT better from these two. Instead, this was quite bad, probably the worst match of the night and that’s saying something on a card that includes Stamboli/Credible. I could be judging this more harshly because my expectations were higher but so be it. Not good, and then in the end we get an upset, as Spike manages to hit the Dudley Dog afterwards and get the clean victory. Yucky match from two pros though. * ​

Oh hey, it’s a carbon copy of the Velocity finish, as the heel, Raven gets mad at losing and attacks Spike after the match. Raven hits the Evenflow DDT to leave Spike down to end the show. The commentary team played up the fact nicely that Spike has pinned Raven twice in three weeks now. I can’t help but hope that means we’ll get a feud ender where they try harder, and Raven gets the win. Let’s see.

A poor episode of Heat this week. My boy D’Lo was the sole shining light, and even his match was bad.