2002 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.
List of notable promotions These promotions held notable events in 2002. Promotion NameAbbreviationNotesAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWCMLLFrontier Martial-Arts WrestlingFMWLucha Libre AAA WorldwideAAAThe "AAA" abbreviation has been used since the mid-1990s and had previously stood for the promotion's original name Asistencia Asesoría y Administración.New Japan Pro-WrestlingNJPWRing of HonorROHWorld Wrestling All-StarsWWAWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCWWF/EIn March, the WWF divided its roster into two storyline divisions, Raw and SmackDown!, referred to as brands, where wrestlers exclusively performed on their respective weekly television programs. The WWF was then renamed to WWE in May due to a dispute with the World Wildlife Fund over the "WWF" initialism.
Calendar of notable shows January DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event January 2–14 AJPW Giant Baba Memorial Cup Philadelphia, Pennsylvania N/AJanuary 4 NJPWWrestling WorldTokyo, JapanJun Akiyama (c) defeated Yuji Nagata in a Singles match for the GHC Heavyweight ChampionshipJanuary 6 FMWFMW PPVTokyo, JapanKintaro Kanemura vs. Kodo Fuyuki in a Singles matchJanuary 20 WWFRoyal RumbleAtlanta, GeorgiaTriple H won by last eliminating Kurt Angle in a 30-man Royal Rumble match for an Undisputed WWF Championship match at WrestleMania X8(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
February DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventFebruary 4 FMWFMW PPVTokyo, JapanKodo Fuyuki and The Sandman vs. Sabu and Tetsuhiro Kuroda in a tag team matchFebruary 17 WWFNo Way OutMilwaukee, WisconsinChris Jericho (c) defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin in a Singles match for the Undisputed WWF ChampionshipFebruary 24 WWAThe RevolutionLas Vegas, NevadaJeff Jarrett (c) defeated Brian Christopher in a Singles match for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
March DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventMarch 17 AAARey de ReyesZapopan, Jalisco, MexicoCanek defeated Pirata Morgan, Cibernético and Octagón in a Rey de Reyes 2002 Final elimination matchMarch 17 WWFWrestleMania X8Toronto, OntarioTriple H defeated Chris Jericho (c) in a Singles match for the Undisputed WWF ChampionshipMarch 22 CMLLInternational Gran PrixMexico City, MexicoBlue Panther, Dr. Wagner Jr., and Fuerza Guerrera (c) defeated Los Guerreros del Infierno (Rey Bucanero, Tarzan Boy and Último Guerrero) in a Best two-out-of-three falls six-man tag team match for the CMLL World Trios Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
April DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventNotesApril 12 CMLL46. Aniversario de Arena MéxicoMexico City, MexicoDr. Wagner Jr., Giganté Silva and Shocker defeated El Puma Inoue, Gigante Singh and Shibata in a Six-man "Lucha Libre rules" tag team matchApril 13 WWAThe EruptionMelbourne, AustraliaScott Steiner defeated Nathan Jones (c) by submission in a Singles match for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship with Sid Vicious as special outside enforcerApril 21 WWF:BacklashKansas City, MissouriHollywood Hulk Hogan defeated Triple H (c) in a Singles match for the Undisputed WWF ChampionshipFirst WWF PPV under the first brand split, in which the promotion split its roster between the Raw and SmackDown! brands, represented by the shows of the same name.(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
May DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventNotesMay 4 WWF:InsurrextionLondon, EnglandTriple H defeated The Undertaker in a Singles matchFirst Raw-exclusive PPV under the first brand split.Final event under the WWF name as the company was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) the following day due to a dispute with the World Wildlife Fund over the "WWF" initialism.May 19 WWE:Judgement DayNashville, TennesseeThe Undertaker defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan (c) in a Singles match for the Undisputed WWE ChampionshipFirst event under the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) name, following the company being renamed from WWF to WWE on May 5.(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
June DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJune 8 N/AFirst Annual Big Dick Dudley Memorial ShowFranklin Square, New YorkBalls Mahoney (c) defeated Steve Corino in a Singles match for the USA Pro Heavyweight ChampionshipJune 23 WWE:King of the RingColumbus, OhioThe Undertaker (c) defeated Triple H in a Singles match for the Undisputed WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
July DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJuly 5 AAATriplemanía XMadero, MexicoOctagón defeated Pentagón (with Màscara Maligna)July 21 WWE:VengeanceDetroit, MichiganThe Rock defeated Kurt Angle and The Undertaker (c) in a Triple Threat match for the Undisputed WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
August DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventNotesAugust 3–11NJPWG1 ClimaxTokyoMasahiro Chono defeated Yoshihiro Takayama in a G1 Climax tournament finalAugust 10WWE:WWE Global Warning Tour: MelbourneMelbourneThe Rock (c) defeated Triple H and Brock Lesnar in a Triple Threat match for the Undisputed WWE ChampionshipFirst SmackDown-exclusive event under the first brand split.August 25 WWE:SummerSlamUniondale, New YorkBrock Lesnar defeated The Rock (c) in a Singles match for Undisputed WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
September DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventSeptember 13 CMLLCMLL 69th Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoTarzan Boy defeated Negro Casas in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair matchSeptember 14 WWCWWC 29th AniversarioBayamón, Puerto RicoThe Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) (XWF Tag Team Champions) defeated Los Reggaetones in a tag team matchSeptember 16 AAAVerano de EscándaloNaucalpan, MexicoEl Dandy lost to Electroshock, El Zorro, and Perro Aguayo Jr. in an Elimination match Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair matchSeptember 22 WWE:UnforgivenLos Angeles, CaliforniaBrock Lesnar (c) vs. The Undertaker in a Singles match for the WWE Championship ended in a double-disqualification(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
October DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventOctober 5 ROHGlory By HonorPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaChristopher Daniels vs. Doug Williams in a singles matchOctober 20 WWE:No MercyNorth Little Rock, ArkansasBrock Lesnar (c) defeated The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match for the WWE ChampionshipOctober 26 WWE:RebellionManchester, EnglandBrock Lesnar (c) and Paul Heyman defeated Edge in a Handicap match for the WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
November DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventNovember 4November 5WWESuper TuesdayBoston, MassachusettsManchester, New HampshireTriple H, Chris Jericho, Christian, and 3-Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) defeated Rob Van Dam, Kane, Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley and Jeff Hardy in a ten-man tag team matchNovember 15 AAAGuerra de Titanes (2002)Veracruz, MexicoEl Alebrije, Máscara Sagráda, La Parka and Octagón defeated Abismo Negro, Cibernético, the Monsther and Leatherface in an Eight-man "Atómicos" tag team matchNovember 17 WWESurvivor SeriesNew York, New YorkShawn Michaels defeated Triple H (c), Chris Jericho, Kane, Booker T, and Rob Van Dam in an Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
December DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventDecember 6 WWAThe RetributionGlasgow, ScotlandLex Luger defeated Sting in a Singles match for the vacant WWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 13 CMLLSin PiedadMexico City, MexicoVampiro Canadiense defeated Rey Bucanero in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuesta hair vs. hair matchDecember 15 WWEArmageddonSunrise, FloridaTriple H defeated Shawn Michaels (c) 2–1 in a Three Stages of Hell match for the World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 28 ROHFinal BattlePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaBryan Danielson vs. Low Ki vs. Samoa Joe vs. Steve Corino in a four-way match for the Number One Contender's Trophy(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
Accomplishments and tournaments AAA AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRey de ReyesCanekMarch 17
AJW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesJapan Grand Prix 2002Nanae TakahashiJuly 9Tag League The Best 2002Kayo Noumi and Momoe NakanishiDecember 23
AJPW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesGiant Baba CupMitsuya NagaiJanuary 14
Ring of Honor AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesROH Championship TournamentLow KiJuly 27ROH Tag Team Championship TournamentThe Prophecy (Christopher Daniels and Donovan Morgan)September 21
WWF/E AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRoyal RumbleTriple HJanuary 20Last eliminated Kurt Angle to win an Undisputed WWF Championship match at WrestleMania X8, which he subsequently won from Chris Jericho.Undisputed WWF Championship #1 Contender's TournamentStone Cold Steve AustinFebruary 17Defeated Kurt Angle in the tournament final to win a match for the Undisputed WWF Championship at No Way Out, but was unsuccessful in winning the title.King of the RingBrock LesnarJune 23Defeated Rob Van Dam in the tournament final to win and be crowned King of the Ring as well as earn a WWE Undisputed Championship match at SummerSlam, which he subsequently won from The Rock.WWE Tag Team Championship TournamentKurt Angle and Chris BenoitOctober 20Defeated Edge and Rey Mysterio in the tournament final to become the inaugural WWE Tag Team Champions.
Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated
CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearBrock LesnarPWI Tag Team of the YearBilly and ChuckPWI Match of the YearThe Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania X8)PWI Feud of the YearEric Bischoff vs. Stephanie McMahonPWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearRob Van DamPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearChris JerichoPWI Comeback of the YearHollywood Hulk HoganPWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearBrock LesnarPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearEddie GuerreroPWI Rookie of the YearMavenPWI Woman of the YearTrish StratusPWI Lifetime AchievementJim Ross
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
InducteeMartin BurnsJack CurleyKenta KobashiWahoo McDanielManami Toyota
Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearKurt AngleMost OutstandingKurt AngleTag Team of the YearLos Guerreros(Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero)Most ImprovedBrock LesnarBest on InterviewsKurt Angle
Title changes
NJPW Incoming champion – Kazuyuki FujitaDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 4VacatedWrestling WorldFebruary 16Tadao YasudaFighting SpiritApril 5Yuji NagataToukon Special
Incoming champions – BATT DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 2VacatedN/AMarch 24Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yutaka YoshieHyper Battle
Incoming champion – Kendo KashinDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 1VacatedN/AFebruary 16Minoru TanakaFighting Spirit July 19Koji KanemotoSummer Fight Series
Incoming champions – Gedo and JadoDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 2Jushin Thunder Liger and Minoru TanakaToukon Memorial DayAugust 29Tsuyoshi Kikuchi and Yoshinobu KanemaruCross Road
WWF/E – Raw – SmackDown
Following the introduction of the brand extension in March, titles became exclusive to a brand. Only the promotion's original world championship and women's championship were non-exclusive until later in the year.
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 17Triple HWrestleMania X8April 21Hollywood Hulk HoganBacklashMay 19The UndertakerJudgment DayJuly 21The RockVengeanceTriple threat match, also involving Kurt Angle.August 25Brock LesnarSummerSlamNovember 17Big ShowSurvivor SeriesDecember 15Kurt AngleArmageddon