SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 8:55 MIN.
As Monday Night RAW’s main event on November 25, 2002, this championship showdown pitting Van Dam, aka ‘RVD,’ vs. new titleholder Michaels, aka “The Heartbreak Kid,” occurs in Charleston, North Carolina. According to Jim Ross, in the aftermath of Survivor Series 2002, the match is Michaels’ third match back after an extended in-ring hiatus dating back to 1998. Still, it should be noted that Michaels sporadically appeared between 1999-2001 on WWE programming, along with hosting his own Texas Wrestling Academy.
REVIEW:
At first glance, this title bout implies a potential classic in the making. Yet, it’s on free TV, so there’s always the possibility that it could prove disappointing even before hitting the remote’s play button. Their title showdown is actually very good at times. It even hints at Pay-Per-View (PPV) caliber, had it been extended for another ten minutes or so. Still, the match acts more as a momentum builder for Michaels rather than a realistic shot for RVD to win it all. Interference by Triple H only exacerbates this point, leading to a cheap DQ win for Van Dam and a post-match beatdown of “The Heartbreak Kid,” via a steel chair. Overall, viewers end up underwhelmed, as this bout is meant to propel the recent Michaels/Triple H rivalry. RVD, unsurprisingly, is left as the odd man out.
ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
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