The best triple threat in WWE history? WWE Vengeance 2002 | WON Flashback
July 21 2002 was the date of the WWE Vengeance 2002 PPV event, and while the company was going through a downtrend (after the massive success of early 2001), Vengeance had a triple threat match for the ages.
The Rock vs Kurt Angle vs The Undertaker at Vengeance 2002 would get a ****1/2 from our own Dave Meltzer in the Observer Newsletter. You can find Dave’s review of the match from the July 29, 2002 Observer Newsletter below (which you can read in full with a subscription).
Dave Meltzer on The Rock vs Kurt Angle vs The Undertaker at WWE Vengeance 2002 | WON Flashback
Here is what Dave had to say about the match:
“The main event was one of those classic matches that make shows almost by themselves. While Kurt Angle was the star in the match where Rock become the first seven-time world champion in company history, the performances of all involved, as well as the announcing, shouldn’t go unnoticed. Some complained about the finish, where Rock used the rock bottom on Angle, rather than Undertaker, the defending champ. In two weeks, we should have a better idea.
It would have been preferable for Rock to beat the champ for the title, unless they are saving a Rock vs. Undertaker match for television where Rock beats him as well with Undertaker having the excuse of never having really lost the belt. If they aren’t going in that direction, it was just easy way out booking.
“Rock won the WWE title over Undertaker by pinning Kurt Angle in 19:35. A hell of a well booked and well worked match. They did several spots where one guy would be injured, so the other two could just work with each other rather than coordinate among three, which is more difficult. Angle was a new ring outfit. With the bald head, he looks like a new guy but luckily wrestles like the same old guy. Undertaker was injured first. Good choice and Rock and Angle tore the place up like old times. Rock walks right in and doesn’t miss a beat. Angle suplexed rock all over the place. Started using each others’ moves. Rock choke slammed Taker. Rock used the ankle lock on Angle. Angle used the rock bottom on Rock. Taker used the Angle slam on Angle. But nobody else used the last ride. Rock did the people’s elbow on Undertaker. Angle was taken outside the juiced. Tons more near falls.
“Angle laid out Undertaker with a chair and Rock with an Angle slam. He tried to pin each, but they both kicked out. Rock used a sharpshooter on Angle but Taker saved. Undertaker used the Last Ride on Rock, but Angle saved. Angle used a very sloppy triangle. Undertaker tried to break it with a power bomb, but Angle got the triangle back on. The triangle still isn’t over. Rock saved. From this point the guys did their own finishers on each other, ankle lock on Undertaker, Rock bottom on Undertaker and Angle slam on Undertaker. As Angle was celebrating pulling off the big move, Rock used the rock bottom to get the three as Undertaker was just late on the save, which was a nice touch. ****1/2“
Jake is the Head of Audience at F4WOnline, having previously worked as a Combat Sports, Gaming and Pro Wrestling writer, successful Editor in Chief and Sports Coordinator. He has more than ten years of experience covering mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, football and gaming across a number of publications, starting at SEScoops in 2012.
He previously also worked for PROGRESS Wrestling as Head of Media as well as working on the social channels of the company.