April 21, 2002 – Kansas City, Missouri (Kemper Arena)
Announcers: Jim Ross & Jerry “the King” Lawler
[ Backlash 2002 Image Gallery ]
WWE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Tajiri w/Torrie Wilson defeated Billy Kidman to win the WWE Cruiserweight title: Torrie Wilson was dressed in her customary geisha outfit. Late in the match, Kidman hoisted Tajiri to his shoulders. Tajiri spewed red mist into the champion’s face! Tajiri got the pinfall and became the new Cruiserweight Champion!
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Michael Cole & Tajiri: Michael Cole asked for an interview. He only got a stream of angry Japanese from the new champion. Tajiri hurried off with Torrie.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Farooq & Bradshaw: Farooq found Bradshaw and the two caught up on things since being split up by the draft. Scott Hall’s entrance music hit and Bradshaw ran off for his match.
SINGLES MATCH
Scott Hall w/X-Pac defeated Bradshaw: Bradshaw brought out Farooq to even the score! X-Pac tried to distract Bradshaw, but Farooq rammed X-Pac into the ring post! Scott Hall rolled up Bradshaw to win!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Vince McMahon & Ric Flair: Vince McMahon walked into Ric Flair’s office and said he thinks he’s starting to like the RAW owner’s style. No matter what an owner does for his employees, it would never be enough. Vince stated how distrustful of owners employees are. Vince said that Flair was either a fool or brilliant for putting Austin and Undertaker in a No. 1 contender’s match. Vince said he was starting to understand Flair. Flair said he could never understand Vince. Flair said that he would never become like Vince McMahon.
WWE WOMENS TITLE MATCH
Jazz defeated Trish Stratus by submission to retain the WWE Women’s title: Instead of seeing Jazz coming down the entrance ramp, out strolled Molly Holly. Molly said that the people didn’t want to see their champion strut around looking trashy, they wanted someone pure and wholesome, like herself. With that, Molly attacked Trish as Jazz began walking to the ring. Late in the match, Jazz grabbed Trish and put her in a Boston Crab. Trish managed to reach the ropes. Jazz dragged her back to the center and locked on a crossface. Trish was unable to slither away and had to tap out!
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Marc Loyd & Jazz: Marc Loyd asked Jazz about Molly Holly’s interference. Jazz simply scowled and strolled up the entrance ramp.
SINGLES MATCH
Brock Lesnar defeated Jeff Hardy w/Lita: Brock inflicted tons of pain on Jeff with his brute strength. With Brock on the ground Jeff hit a Swanton-bomb but Brock threw him off like rag! Frustrated, Jeff grabbed a steel chair but was disarmed upon re-entering the ring. Brock picked Jeff up and whirled him into a spinning face buster. Referee Teddy Long stopped the match after a crushing powerbomb! Lita could only stare angrily while Heyman and Lesnar celebrated in the ring. Medical personnel attended to Jeff.
SINGLES MATCH
Kurt Angle defeated Edge: Edge climbed to the top turnbuckle and nailed Angle with a crossbody. Edge went to the top rope again and struck Angle with a dropkick. But still, Angle wouldn’t stay down for the pin. Soon after, Angle blocked a neckbreaker and hit the Angle Slam! Edge kicked out, but found himself caught in the ankle lock! He screamed in pain, but reversed and wound up on top of Angle, who kicked out. Angle stormed out of the ring and grabbed a steel chair. Angle swung at Edge and wound up with the steel planted on his own head! Edge tried to capitolize with a spear, but met a boot to the face. Following an Angle Slam, the Olympic Hero pinned Edge for the win.
IN THE RING
Chris Jericho: Y2J made an unexpected trip to the ring. Y2J entered the ring and said that 30 days ago he headlined WrestleMania. But there he stood at Backlash without a match. Y2J said he was nothing more than a common spectator. Y2J said that that was unacceptable to him. Y2J said, that he was still better than anyone in the Federation. Y2J mocked Hulk Hogan. Y2J said that all the Hulkamaniacs would be very disappointed. He promised that Hogan would not win the title that night. If Jericho couldn’t get a match, he would just leave. His music hit and he began walking up the ramp.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Ric Flair: Ric Flair donned a ref’s uniform and readied for the Austin vs. Undertaker match. The Undertaker walked in and eyeballed Flair. Taker left after shaking a finger in Flair’s face, but not saying a word.
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH
Eddie Guerrero defeated Rob Van Dam to win the WWE Intercontinental title: RVD started the match with a spinning heel kick that flattened Eddie. He continued to control the pace of the match with his unorthodox fighting style. Eddie fought back and tried to suplex RVD, but RVD landed in a pinfall attempt. Eddie kicked out and the action continued. Outside the ring, RVD slung Guerrero over the ringside barrier. RVD launched a guillotine kick from the ring apron. A bit later, Guerrero signaled for the Frog Splash and climbed the top rope. RVD kicked RVD in the head! Guerrero then smashed RVD hard to he mat with a sunset flip from the second rope. RVD struck back with a spinning heel kick to the face soon after. Guerrero grabbed the IC title from ringside, but RVD kicked it out of his arms. The referee got knocked down.. Guerrero hit a neckbreaker on RVD onto the title belt. Guerrero followed with his Frog Splash and became the new champion!
#1 CONTENDERS MATCH
The Undertaker defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin: Ric Flair strutted down the entrance ramp to serve as the referee. Austin tried to goad Taker into some Indian-style wrestling. When Taker reached for his hand, the Rattlesnake flipped him the bird! Later, Austin smashed Taker’s head into the announce table several times. Suddenly the nWo began walking down the entrance ramp. X-Pac was wearing Kane’s mask. Taker attacked Austin’s left knee. Austin tried for the Stunner, but Taker blocked. Flair tended to Austin while Taker removed a turnbuckle cover. But the plan backfired as Austin Irish-whipped Taker into steel turnbuckle. Austin pushed Taker into Flair, putting the referee down while Taker took a Stunner! The crowd counted to 10 while Austin covered up Taker. Flair was unable to make the count. That allowed Taker to chokeslam Austin. Flair could only count to two before Austin kicked out of the pin attempt! Taker grabbed a steel chair, but Flair took it away and Austin hit a low blow on Taker. Austin scored a spinebuster, but Taker kicked out. Austin went for another Stunner, but Taker pushed him away. The Rattlesnake collided with Flair! With the referee down, Taker hit Austin with the steel chair and covered his opponent. Flair struggled over but only counted to two before Austin broke the pin attempt. Austin picked up the steel chair after stomping Taker in the corner. Taker kicked it into Austin’s face! Taker covered Austin, whose foot on the rope! Flair counted the 1-2-3!! The Undertaker became the No. 1 contender for the Undisputed Championship! Austin managed to get a little payback in by giving Taker a Stunner after the match.
INTERVIEW
The Coach & Ric Flair: Ric Flair told Coach he didn’t see Austin’s foot on the rope. Coach showed Flair the replay and Flair swore at missing the scene.
WWE TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
Billy & Chuck w/Rico defeated Maven & Al Snow: Rico tried to help out, but his spinning heel kick took down Billy. Maven caught Chuck with a crossbody but couldn’t get the pin. But it wouldn’t be enough as Chuck kicked Maven square on the jaw. Billy covered Maven for the win!
WWE UNDISPUTED TITLE MATCH
Hulk Hogan defeated Triple H to win the WWE Undisputed title: Late in the match, Triple H put Hogan in a sleeper hold. The Hulkster used all his energy to get out of it. He hit Triple H with a boot to the face and followed with a leg drop! Hogan covered Triple H, but the referee was busy fending off Chris Jericho. Y2J shoved the referee down then clocked Hogan in the skull with the chair! Triple H came over and planted a facebuster on Y2J, forcing him from the ring! Hogan got back up and took down The Game with a boot once again, but Triple H got up and subdued Hogan and landed a Pedigree! The referee came over to make the count. The Undertaker raced down and clocked the referee! Undertaker then smashed The Game with the steel chair! Hogan got to his feet and punched Taker out of the ring. The Hulkster bounced off the ropes, hit Triple H with the leg drop, then covered HHH to WIN THE MATCH!!! The Hulkster captured his sixth WWF Championship! After a short celebration, a bloody Triple H faced Hogan with a menacing look. Finally, The Game extended his right hand and congratulated Hogan on the win. The Game then turned toward the entrance ramp and directed his hatred toward the locker room. Hogan celebrated with his new championship as Backlash drew to a close!