| List of years in professional wrestling |
|---|
2002 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world ofprofessional wrestling.
These promotions held notable events in 2002.
| Promotion Name | Abbreviation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All Japan Pro Wrestling | AJPW | |
| Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre | CMLL | |
| Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling | FMW | |
| Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide | AAA | The "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-Wrestling | NJPW | |
| Ring of Honor | ROH | |
| World Wrestling All-Stars | WWA | |
| World Wrestling Council | WWC | |
| World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment | WWF/E | In March, the WWF divided its roster into two storyline divisions,Raw andSmackDown!, referred to asbrands, where wrestlers exclusively performed on their respective weekly television programs. The WWF was then renamed to WWE in May due to a dispute with theWorld Wildlife Fund over the "WWF" initialism. |
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2–14 | AJPW | Giant Baba Memorial Cup | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | N/A | |
| January 4 | NJPW | Wrestling World | Tokyo, Japan | Jun Akiyama (c) defeatedYuji Nagata in a Singles match for theGHC Heavyweight Championship | |
| January 6 | FMW | FMW PPV | Tokyo, Japan | Kintaro Kanemura vs.Kodo Fuyuki in a Singles match | |
| January 20 | WWF | Royal Rumble | Atlanta, Georgia | Triple H won by last eliminatingKurt Angle in a 30-manRoyal Rumble match for anUndisputed WWF Championship match atWrestleMania X8[1] | |
| (c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 4 | FMW | FMW PPV | Tokyo, Japan | Kodo Fuyuki andThe Sandman vs.Sabu andTetsuhiro Kuroda in a tag team match | |
| February 17 | WWF | No Way Out | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Chris Jericho (c) defeatedStone Cold Steve Austin in a Singles match for theUndisputed WWF Championship[2] | |
| February 24 | WWA | The Revolution | Las Vegas, Nevada | Jeff Jarrett (c) defeatedBrian Christopher in a Singles match for theWWA World Heavyweight Championship | |
| (c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 17 | AAA | Rey de Reyes | Zapopan,Jalisco,Mexico | Canek defeatedPirata Morgan,Cibernético andOctagón in a Rey de Reyes 2002 Final elimination match | |
| March 17 | WWF | WrestleMania X8 | Toronto, Ontario | Triple H defeatedChris Jericho (c) in a Singles match for theUndisputed WWF Championship[3] | |
| March 22 | CMLL | International Gran Prix | Mexico City, Mexico | Blue Panther,Dr. Wagner Jr., andFuerza Guerrera (c) defeatedLos Guerreros del Infierno (Rey Bucanero,Tarzan Boy andÚltimo Guerrero) in a Best two-out-of-three falls six-man tag team match for theCMLL World Trios Championship | |
| (c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 12 | CMLL | 46. Aniversario de Arena México | Mexico City, Mexico | Dr. Wagner Jr.,Giganté Silva andShocker defeatedEl Puma Inoue,Gigante Singh andShibata in a Six-man "Lucha Libre rules" tag team match | |
| April 13 | WWA | The Eruption | Melbourne, Australia | Scott Steiner defeatedNathan Jones (c) by submission in a Singles match for theWWA World Heavyweight Championship withSid Vicious as special outside enforcer | |
| April 21 | WWF: | Backlash | Kansas City, Missouri | Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeatedTriple H (c) in a Singles match for theUndisputed WWF Championship[4] | First WWF PPV under the firstbrand 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) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 4 | WWF: | Insurrextion | London, England | Triple H defeatedThe Undertaker in a Singles match | First Raw-exclusive PPV under the firstbrand 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 theWorld Wildlife Fund over the "WWF" initialism. |
| May 19 | WWE: | Judgement Day | Nashville, Tennessee | The Undertaker defeatedHollywood Hulk Hogan (c) in a Singles match for theUndisputed WWE Championship | First 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) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 8 | N/A | First Annual Big Dick Dudley Memorial Show | Franklin Square, New York | Balls Mahoney (c) defeatedSteve Corino in a Singles match for the USA Pro Heavyweight Championship | |
| June 23 | WWE: | King of the Ring | Columbus, Ohio | The Undertaker (c) defeatedTriple H in a Singles match for theUndisputed WWE Championship | |
| (c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 5 | AAA | Triplemanía X | Madero,Mexico | Octagón defeatedPentagón (withMàscara Maligna) | |
| July 21 | WWE: | Vengeance | Detroit, Michigan | The Rock defeatedKurt Angle andThe Undertaker (c) in aTriple Threat match for theUndisputed WWE Championship | |
| (c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 3–11 | NJPW | G1 Climax | Tokyo | Masahiro Chono defeatedYoshihiro Takayama in a G1 Climax tournament final | |
| August 10 | WWE: | WWE Global Warning Tour: Melbourne | Melbourne | The Rock (c) defeatedTriple H andBrock Lesnar in a Triple Threat match for theUndisputed WWE Championship[5][6] | First SmackDown-exclusive event under the firstbrand split. |
| August 25 | WWE: | SummerSlam | Uniondale,New York | Brock Lesnar defeatedThe Rock (c) in a Singles match forUndisputed WWE Championship | |
| (c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 13 | CMLL | CMLL 69th Anniversary Show | Mexico City, Mexico | Tarzan Boy defeatedNegro Casas in a Best two-out-of-three fallsLucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match | |
| September 14 | WWC | WWC 29th Aniversario | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs andJerry Sags) (XWF Tag Team Champions) defeatedLos Reggaetones in a tag team match | |
| September 16 | AAA | Verano de Escándalo | Naucalpan,Mexico | El Dandy lost toElectroshock,El Zorro, andPerro Aguayo Jr. in an Elimination match Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match | |
| September 22 | WWE: | Unforgiven | Los Angeles, California | Brock Lesnar (c) vs.The Undertaker in a Singles match for theWWE Championship ended in a double-disqualification[7] | |
| (c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 5 | ROH | Glory By Honor | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Christopher Daniels vs.Doug Williams in a singles match | |
| October 20 | WWE: | No Mercy | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Brock Lesnar (c) defeatedThe Undertaker in aHell in a Cell match for theWWE Championship | |
| October 26 | WWE: | Rebellion | Manchester, England | Brock Lesnar (c) andPaul Heyman defeatedEdge in aHandicap match for theWWE Championship[8] | |
| (c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 4 November 5 | WWE | Super Tuesday | Boston, Massachusetts Manchester, New Hampshire | Triple H,Chris Jericho,Christian, and3-Minute Warning (Rosey andJamal) defeatedRob Van Dam,Kane,Booker T,Bubba Ray Dudley andJeff Hardy in a ten-man tag team match | |
| November 15 | AAA | Guerra de Titanes (2002) | Veracruz,Mexico | El Alebrije,Máscara Sagráda,La Parka andOctagón defeatedAbismo Negro,Cibernético, the Monsther and Leatherface in an Eight-man "Atómicos" tag team match | |
| November 17 | WWE | Survivor Series | New York, New York | Shawn Michaels defeatedTriple H (c),Chris Jericho,Kane,Booker T, andRob Van Dam in anElimination Chamber match for theWorld Heavyweight Championship[9] | |
| (c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |||||
| Date | Promotion(s) | Event | Location | Main Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 6 | WWA | The Retribution | Glasgow, Scotland | Lex Luger defeatedSting in a Singles match for the vacantWWA World Heavyweight Championship | |
| December 13 | CMLL | Sin Piedad | Mexico City, Mexico | Vampiro Canadiense defeatedRey Bucanero in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuesta hair vs. hair match | |
| December 15 | WWE | Armageddon | Sunrise, Florida | Triple H defeatedShawn Michaels (c) 2–1 in aThree Stages of Hell match for theWorld Heavyweight Championship[10] | |
| December 28 | ROH | Final Battle | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Bryan 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) | |||||
| Accomplishment | Winner | Date won | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rey de Reyes | Canek | March 17 |
| Accomplishment | Winner | Date won | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Grand Prix 2002 | Nanae Takahashi | July 9 | |
| Tag League The Best 2002 | Kayo Noumi andMomoe Nakanishi | December 23 |
| Accomplishment | Winner | Date won | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Baba Cup | Mitsuya Nagai | January 14 |
| Accomplishment | Winner | Date won | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROH Championship Tournament | Low Ki | July 27 | |
| ROH Tag Team Championship Tournament | The Prophecy (Christopher Daniels andDonovan Morgan) | September 21 |
| Accomplishment | Winner | Date won | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Rumble | Triple H | January 20 | Last eliminatedKurt Angle to win anUndisputed WWF Championship match atWrestleMania X8, which he subsequently won fromChris Jericho. |
| Undisputed WWF Championship #1 Contender's Tournament | Stone Cold Steve Austin | February 17 | DefeatedKurt Angle in the tournament final to win a match for theUndisputed WWF Championship atNo Way Out, but was unsuccessful in winning the title. |
| King of the Ring | Brock Lesnar | June 23 | DefeatedRob Van Dam in the tournament final to win and be crowned King of the Ring as well as earn aWWE Undisputed Championship match atSummerSlam, which he subsequently won fromThe Rock. |
| WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament | Kurt Angle andChris Benoit | October 20 | DefeatedEdge andRey Mysterio in the tournament final to become the inauguralWWE Tag Team Champions. |
| Inductee |
|---|
| Martin Burns |
| Jack Curley |
| Kenta Kobashi |
| Wahoo McDaniel |
| Manami Toyota |
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Wrestler of the Year | Kurt Angle |
| Most Outstanding | Kurt Angle |
| Tag Team of the Year | Los Guerreros (Eddie Guerrero andChavo Guerrero) |
| Most Improved | Brock Lesnar |
| Best on Interviews | Kurt Angle |
| Incoming champion –Kazuyuki Fujita | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 4 | Vacated | Wrestling World | ||
| February 16 | Tadao Yasuda | Fighting Spirit | ||
| April 5 | Yuji Nagata | Toukon Special | ||
| Incoming champions –BATT(Keiji Mutoh andTaiyo Kea) | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2 | Vacated | N/A | ||
| March 24 | Hiroshi Tanahashi andYutaka Yoshie | Hyper Battle | ||
| Incoming champion –Kendo Kashin | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 1 | Vacated | N/A | ||
| February 16 | Minoru Tanaka | Fighting Spirit | ||
| July 19 | Koji Kanemoto | Summer Fight Series | ||
| Incoming champions –Gedo andJado | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2 | Jushin Thunder Liger andMinoru Tanaka | Toukon Memorial Day | ||
| August 29 | Tsuyoshi Kikuchi andYoshinobu Kanemaru | Cross Road | ||
Following the introduction of thebrand 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.
Incoming champion –Chris Jericho | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 17 | Triple H | WrestleMania X8 | ||
| April 21 | Hollywood Hulk Hogan | Backlash | ||
The title was renamed to Undisputed WWE Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was then renamed to WWE Undisputed Championship. | ||||
| May 19 | The Undertaker | Judgment Day | ||
| July 21 | The Rock | Vengeance | Triple threat match, also involvingKurt Angle. | |
| August 25 | Brock Lesnar | SummerSlam | ||
The title became exclusive to theSmackDown! brand afterBrock Lesnar signed an exclusive deal to only appear for SmackDown!. TheWorld Heavyweight Championship was then created for theRaw brand. The title was renamed to WWE Championship as it was no longer "undisputed". | ||||
| November 17 | Big Show | Survivor Series | ||
| December 15 | Kurt Angle | Armageddon | ||
(Title created) | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2 | Triple H | Monday Night Raw | Awarded the title byRaw General ManagerEric Bischoff as Triple H was originally the number one contender for theWWE Undisputed Championship, which became exclusive toSmackDown! and dropped the "Undisputed" moniker. | |
| November 17 | Shawn Michaels | Survivor Series | First-everElimination Chamber match, also involvingChris Jericho,Booker T,Rob Van Dam, andKane. | |
| December 15 | Triple H | Armageddon | Three Stages of Hell match. | |
Incoming champion –Edge | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 20 | William Regal | Royal Rumble | ||
| March 17 | Rob Van Dam | WrestleMania X8 | ||
The title became exclusive to theRaw brand following the2002 WWF draft lottery whenRob Van Dam was drafted to Raw. | ||||
| April 21 | Eddie Guerrero | Backlash | ||
The title was renamed to WWE Intercontinental Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). | ||||
| May 27 | Rob Van Dam | Monday Night Raw | Ladder match | |
| July 29 | Chris Benoit | Monday Night Raw | ||
The title became exclusive to theSmackDown! brand due toChris Benoit transferring to SmackDown!. | ||||
| August 25 | Rob Van Dam | SummerSlam | ||
The title became exclusive to theRaw brand due toRob Van Dam being a member of the Raw roster. | ||||
| September 16 | Chris Jericho | Monday Night Raw | ||
| September 30 | Kane | Monday Night Raw | ||
| October 20 | Triple H | No Mercy | Title for titleunification match, in which Triple H also defended theWorld Heavyweight Championship. | |
| Deactivated | Unified with theWorld Heavyweight Championship. | |||
Incoming champion –X-Pac | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 8 | Retired | N/A | The title retired | |
Incoming champion –Tajiri | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The title became exclusive to theSmackDown! brand following the2002 WWF draft lottery whenTajiri was drafted to SmackDown!. | ||||
| April 2 (aired April 4) | Billy Kidman | SmackDown! | ||
| April 21 | Tajiri | Backlash | ||
The title was renamed to WWE Cruiserweight Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). | ||||
| May 14 (aired May 16) | The Hurricane | SmackDown! | Triple threat match, also involvingBilly Kidman. | |
| June 23 | Jamie Noble | King of the Ring | ||
| November 17 | Billy Kidman | Survivor Series | ||
Incoming champion –Trish Stratus | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 4 | Jazz | Monday Night Raw | ||
The title was renamed to WWE Women's Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). | ||||
| May 13 | Trish Stratus | Monday Night Raw | Hardcoremixed tag team match where bothJazz's title andSteven Richards'WWE Hardcore Championship were on the line. Stratus teamed withBubba Ray Dudley and defeated Jazz and Richards. | |
| June 23 | Molly Holly | King of the Ring | ||
| September 22 | Trish Stratus | Unforgiven | ||
The title became exclusive to theRaw brand. | ||||
| November 17 | Victoria | Survivor Series | Hardcore match | |
Incoming champion –Christian | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 29 (aired January 31) | Diamond Dallas Page | SmackDown! | ||
| March 19 (aired March 21) | William Regal | SmackDown! | ||
The title became exclusive to theRaw brand following the2002 WWF draft lottery whenWilliam Regal was drafted to Raw. | ||||
| April 8 | Spike Dudley | Monday Night Raw | ||
The title was renamed to WWE European Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). | ||||
| May 6 | William Regal | Monday Night Raw | ||
| July 8 | Jeff Hardy | Monday Night Raw | ||
| July 22 | Rob Van Dam | Monday Night Raw | Title for titleunification match, in which Van Dam also defended theWWE Intercontinental Championship. | |
| Retired | Unified with theWWE Intercontinental Championship. | |||
Incoming champions –The Dudley Boyz(Bubba Ray andD-Von Dudley) | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 7 | Spike Dudley andTazz | Monday Night Raw | Hardcore match | |
| February 19 (aired February 21) | Billy and Chuck | SmackDown! | ||
The titles became exclusive to theSmackDown! brand following the2002 WWF draft lottery whenBilly and Chuck were drafted to SmackDown!. The titles were renamed to WWE Tag Team Championship on May 5 when the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). | ||||
| May 19 | Rico andRikishi | Judgment Day | ||
| June 4 (aired June 6) | Billy and Chuck | SmackDown! | Tag team elimination match. | |
| July 2 (aired July 4) | Edge andHollywood Hulk Hogan | SmackDown! | ||
| July 21 | The Un-Americans (Christian andLance Storm) | Vengeance | ||
The titles became exclusive to theRaw brand due toThe Un-Americans being members of the Raw roster. The titles were renamed to World Tag Team Championship. | ||||
| September 23 | Hurri-Kane (The Hurricane andKane) | Monday Night Raw | ||
| October 14 | Christian andChris Jericho | Monday Night Raw | On October 20, theWWE Tag Team Championship was established for theSmackDown! brand. | |
| December 15 | Booker T andGoldust | Armageddon | Four-way tag team elimination match, also involvingThe Dudley Boyz andWilliam Regal andLance Storm. | |
(Title created) | ||||
| Date | Winner | Event/Show | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 20 | Kurt Angle andChris Benoit | No Mercy | DefeatedEdge andRey Mysterio in thetournament final to become the inaugural champions. | |
| November 5 (aired November 7) | Edge andRey Mysterio | SmackDown! | Two out of three falls match. | |
| November 17 | Los Guerreros (Eddie andChavo Guerrero Jr.) | Survivor Series | Three-way tag team elimination match, also involvingKurt Angle andChris Benoit. | |
