Welcome to my second ever DVD review on Inside Pulse. My first DVD review was on ROH Glory by Honor VI Night 2 and can be found here. This evening, I’m putting my new 26 inch Sanyo television to the test as I review a WWE Pay-Per-View that was shown exclusively in the United Kingdom. I got it from Netflix while searching for some decent WWE titles to watch and expand my knowledge on the product I cover on a regular basis. Let me clarify that I don’t do reviews like others do. I’m not much of an analyst; you’ll get play-by-play from me. Matches will be graded as I do for RAW and at the end I’ll have the Report Card and the final grade of the show. So, without further delay…here we go!
WWE Presents: Rebellion 2002
Airdate: October 26th, 2002
LIVE from Manchester, England
The opening video consists of Brock Lesnar’s reign of terror in the WWE and the unlikely alliance of Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit. As always, the WWE delivers with the opening promo.
Pyro starts things off as Michael Cole & Tazz are on commentary. SmackDown General Manager Stephanie McMahon makes her way to the way and receives a good pop from the crowd. The Undertaker isn’t here because he’s with his wife who is expecting at any moment. She pimps Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman v. Edge as our main event tonight and if Edge beats either/or, he will become the new champion. Per the trade agreement that Stephanie has with Eric Bischoff for the Big Show, SmackDown gets for one night only…BOOKER T!
He takes on not just Matt Hardy…but Matt Hardy V.1 and he loves English Muffins! Matt has a microphone and he checks to see if it works. He puts over the fact that he is here and that we don’t need a sucka from RAW. Instead, we need an European dose of Mattitude.
Booker T. v. Matt Hardy, Version 1
The bell sounds and they circle the ring. The fans are behind Booker T. Matt calls for a test of strength and pulls away. He switches hands and pulls back again. V1 taunts are next. Booker T wants a test of strength and he toys with Matt a bit. They grapple in the center and Hardy hits an arm drag to start off. Another grapple and Booker gets a headlock applied. He transitions into a wrist lock and Hardy counters with a headlock of his own. Hardy can’t knock Booker off the first attempt. Hip toss is reverse with a lariat. Another lariat connects and Booker follows with a dropkick that sends Hardy out of the ring. Back inside, Hardy school boys Booker for two! Hardy gloats and Booker jabs him down. Corner to corner we go, Booker gets another jab to the chin. Spin kick is telegraphed by Hardy, who takes a powder. Outside, Booker takes it to Hardy. Back inside, Hardy capitalizes on Booker getting back inside. Hardy reverses a whip and hangs Booker out to dry. Neckbreaker by Hardy gets two. Back to the corner we go and Hardy steps on Booker’s head before choking him at the ropes. Booker gets sent to the corner and he flips Hardy over for two. Both men back up…SIDE EFFECT by Hardy gets two! Hardy locks on a headlock, driving the air from Booker. Booker tries to get back up and he breaks it up. He runs straight into an elbow by Hardy, who drops another on him. Hardy hits a neckbreaker for another two count. Back to the headlock we go and Hardy applies more pressure. Booker tries hard to bet up, but Hardy changes it to a modified surfboard submission move. Booker gets back up and he turns it around, but Hardy turns around and kicks Booker in the midsection. Off the ropes and Hardy gets DRILLED with a spinebuster. Both men are down as the referee counts. Both men are up at 9 and Booker blocks Hardy’s rights with rights of his own. Chops by Booker and Hardy runs the ropes. Forearm smash connects and Booker gets a two count. More chops and Hardy gets sent to the ropes. Spinning heel kick gets two for Booker. Hardy gets sent to the corner and Hardy stops the charge. Hardy goes up top and misses the leg drop. Booker goes on top and hits the missile dropkick…but only gets two! Heel kick connects and Booker goes for the Spin-a-roonie, but Hardy quickly gets up. Twist of Fate is countered to the Bookend…for TWO! Hardy got his leg on the ropes. Hardy counters a whip…TWIST OF FATE CONNECTS! Hardy rolls into a cover and only gets TWO! Another Twist of Fate attempt is countered to the Scissors Kick for three!
Winner: Booker T
Grade: B+
Booker celebrates and grabs a microphone. He says it isn’t over yet. He came to the UK for one reason only…the Spin-a-Roonie.
Backstage, Paul Heyman walks towards Stephanie’s office. He says that there’s a little misunderstanding about tonight’s main event. He complains that it’s not right. He’s an injured man and reminds her that if Edge pins Paul, he wins the title. Stephanie says it’s right and fair. She tells Paul that life isn’t fair. She tells him to get ready. All he has is a $2500 suit, and she says that it’s $2500 down the drain.
A week before, Torrie Wilson catches her father in the shower with Dawn Marie. Then we go to where Dawn explains that she cares about Torrie’s father, but next time she sees him that she will break things off. THEN, she tries to do it, but she tells him that he was the most passionate man she has ever experienced. They make out. Ugh.
This brings us to right now. John Cena (with generic music and generic tights) makes his way to the ring. Dawn Marie wears a seductive pink outfit. Billy Kidman is out and he seems to have a score to settle with Cena. Torrie comes out in a nice blue outfit.
John Cena & Dawn Marie v. Billy Kidman & Torrie Wilson
Torrie tries to attack Dawn, but John plays bodyguard. Cena takes advantage and goes after Kidman. Kidman with a headscissors, but Cena gets sent HARD to the corner. Stalling vertical suplex attempt is halfway done, but Kidman floats over. Dawn tags in and she beats up Kidman, but he tags in Wilson. Torrie spanks Dawn and she sends her to the ropes. Arm drag connects, as does a dropkick for two. At the corner, Dawn rolls up Torrie for two and hits the facebuster for two! To the ropes we go and they do the catfight move to which the referee hops over. The ladies roll over Kidman and while the referee was distracted, Cena bodyslams Torrie. Dawn drops her head on Torrie’s crotch. The DVD skips a bit to Cena and Kidman in the ring. Dawn hits Kidman, who brings her into the match. Spinebuster by Cena on Kidman for two and another DVD skip. Shooting Star Press connects by Kidman and that’s all.
Winners: Billy Kidman & Torrie Wilson
Grade: C+
After the match, Torrie and Billy play a bit of tonsil hockey. Backstage, Edge is interviewed by MC. He says that the ability to be able to pin Heyman can win Edge his first title in his first title opportunity.
There’s a Funaki sighting! And on Pay-Per-View too! He has the microphone and he pimps himself as SmackDown’s #1 announcer. Tonight, he’s SmackDown’s #1 top guy. Enter Crash.
Funaki v. Crash Holly
They circle the ring and they grapple. Fnaki gets a wrist lock, but Holly reverses it to a headscissors. Funaki extends his hand and Crash slaps it away. Crash pulls a Japanese flag bandanna out of his tights and wraps it around his head and goes crazy. Funaki kicks him in the head and beats some sense in him until Crash backpedals and asks for a handshake. Off the corner, Funaki rolls Crash up for two. The action spills outside a bit until Crash drops his elbow on Funaki’s head. Crash assumes control and he flips Funaki over and knees him in the back. To the corner Funaki goes…CROSSBODY by Funaki but Crash rolls through and gets two. Crash applies a headlock, but Funaki gets up. Crash gets kicked in the head and gets pinned for two, but Crash levels Funaki with a lariat. Funaki gets sent hard to the corner and Crash likes him up. Corner splash misses, but Funaki’s bulldog does not. DDT by Funaki connects and he dropkicks Crash’s head for two! Crash pokes the eyes and hits the atomic drop. Charge by Crash and Funaki clotheslines him for two. A series of close falls ensue. Funaki misses the enzugiri, but pins Crash with a reversed rollup.
Winner: Funaki
Grade: C
Backstage Nidia walks around and finds Jamie. They complain about the UK.
Rey Mysterio gets ready.
Tajiri v. Rey Mysterio v. Jamie Noble
Three Way Elimination Match for the Cruiserweight Championship
Mysterio gets knocked off the apron by Noble and Noble dispatches Tajiri. Mysterio back in and he takes out Noble. Corkscrew plancha connects on both men. Noble back in, Mysterio pins for two. Tajiri sends Mysterio to the ropes and they reverse moves – o- plenty and Mysterio takes Noble and Tajiri out for two. Tajiri chops Noble and he gets sent to the ropes and he takes out both Noble and Mysterio. Noble gets hung up in the Tree of Woe and Tajiri’s feet meet the face. Mysterio gets locked into the Taruntla and Noble dropkicks Mysterio. Tajiri lines up for the buzzsaw kick, but he kicks Mysterio, which allows Noble to eliminate Tajiri with the Tiger Bomb.
Mysterio rolls back in the ring and Noble looks for the Tiger Bomb again, but Mysterio flips Noble over for two. Mysterio gets sent to the corner, but he drops Noble onto the second turnbuckle. Noble counters the high risk offense and gets two! Noble sends Mysterio shoulder first to the ring post. While the ref is distracted, Nidia pulls against Mysterio’s shoulder. Noble works on the shoulder and applies a hammerlock on Mysterio. Mysterio tries to roll through, but Noble holds on. He drops the elbow on Mysterio’s back and he stomps away. He continues to work on Mysterio’s arm and he transitions to a key lock. Mysterio gets out of it, but Noble kicks Mysterio’s head off for two! Choke is applied in the corner and he kisses Nidia before stomping away at Rey’s chest. Tiger Suplex gets two and Noble applies a fujiwara armbar. Mysterio’s shoulders fight to stay off the canvas as Noble continues the pressure. Mysterio battles back, but Noble sends Mysterio to the corner. Dropkick to the back of the shoulder and Noble is ready to kill. Rey battles back, but Noble attempts an Electric Chair…DDT REVERSAL BY REY MYSTERIO! Both men are down as the referee counts. They get back up and they brawl a bit. Noble gets flapjacked for his problems. Springboard leg drop gets two for Mysterio. Noble elevates Mysterio out, but he lands on the apron. Shoulder thrust and Mysterio goes off the top for two! Noble gets off a Noble-Bomb for TWO! Mysterio flips Noble over for longer than a three count, but Nidia has the ref distracted. Noble gets drop toe-hold to the bottom rope. 610 attempt, but Nidia trips him up. Tiger Bomb by Noble gets TWO! TWO! Rey gets up, but Noble uses Rey’s momentum to his advantage, grabs onto Nidia and gets the three.
Winner: Jamie Noble
Grade: A-
Post match, Nidia straps on the title, but Mysterio knocks them both silly and hits a double 619.
Backstage, it’s the meeting of the minds as Kurt Angle tries to explain to Chris Benoit that he’s the captain of this team. He plays up the alliance as one between the US and the UK. Chris corrects him as he is CANADIAN! Same difference, says Angle. Angle says that he is the best, so he’s the best. Chris asks who won at Unforgiven and who beat Angle on SmackDown? He did. So he’s the leader. Angle says Chris cheated. Kurt is a comedian. They bicker some more.
Time for some tag team action!
Chuck Palumbo & The Big Valbowski v. Brother D-Von & Ron Simmons
D-Von and Simmons take it to Palumbo for a quick two. Adombinal Stretch gets countered to a Belly-To-Belly and Val comes in D-Von comes in and he gets brutalized for two. Val hits a double underhook suplex and Simmons plants Val. Double team ensues and D-Von is in control. Tag to Simmons and he nails some body shots to Val. Clubbing blows by Simmons and he applies a headlock on Val. He drops his weight south on Val’s back. A third time, and Val hits a low blow! In comes D-Von and Palumbo and he cleans house. Val is back in and they nail a double hip toss on D-Von. Belly to Belly on Simmons, kick to the chin gets two! Val sends Simmons out to the ring. D-Von rolls up Palumbo and grabs the tights for three.
Winners: Brother D-Von & Ron Simmons
Grade: C-
MC interviews Los Guerreros. They seem more interested about their trip to the UK. They talk about countries and the Alamo. They are focused on tonight’s match.
Albert makes his way to the ring, all hair and all sweat. Michael Cole does not know that they do not say Ass in the UK. Albert thinks that the fans believe he is wicked sexy. My stomach says otherwise. He says that he will beat Rikishi tonight and make him kiss his hairy ass.
Albert v. Rikishi
Kiss My Arse Match
The bell sounds and they slowly circle the ring. Rikishi applies a headlock and Albert gets out of it. He can’t take Rikishi down. Albert gets a headlock of his own and Rikishi gets out of it and can’t take Albert down. A clothesline takes Albert down though. Rikishi bends over and Albert runs out of the ring. He comes back in and he calls for a test of strength. Rikishi says no by headbutting Albert but that is not fazed and he headbutts Rikishi down. He lays into Rikishi a bit. The ref checks on Rikishi and Albert takes off the top turnbuckle. Rikishi has Albert in the corner, but Albert sends Rikishi to the exposed turnbuckle. He gets two after a splash. Albert slows things down more with a rope-assisted headlock. The referee drops Rikishi’s arm down twice, the third attempt fails as Rikishi is back up. He gets out of the hold, but Albert throws Rikishi down. Both men look for a clothesline and they both connect. The referee begins to count. They get back up and Rikishi rocks Albert’s world. SAMOAN DROP CONNECTS ON ALBERT. Rikishi hits a DDT for two! Albert ducks a clothesline and hits a bicycle kick for two! Albert backs it up into the exposed turnbuckle. SUPERKICK CONNECTS! Rump Shaker by Rikishi connects for three!
Winner: Rikishi
Grade: C+
Rikishi reminds Albert that this was in fact a Kiss My Arse match. The referee threatens to suspend Rikishi if he doesn’t get into the ring by a ten count. Albert gets back in the ring. He pleads with Rikishi, but it does not work. Low Blow by Rikishi and BALDO BOMB connects. Albert says that Rikishi will kiss his ass. Low blow by Rikishi and he splashes him. Stink face sends this segment home. Rikishi grabs the mic and he can’t leave Manchester without busting a move. He invites Tazz & MC to the ring to bust a move. MC is TOO HAPPY about this opportunity. Tazz calls Tony Chimmel in the ring as well and they put the hats on. They bust the move, so to speak.
Video of Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit being forced to be tag team partners.
Time for the WWE Tag Titles to be decided.
Los Guerreros v. Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit
WWE Tag Team Championships
The bell sounds as the Guerreros hold onto the titles. Angle and Benoit argue as to who’s going to start the bout. Angle decides that he’ll start and so does Eddie. They circle the ring and Eddie tags in Chavo. DVD Skip rears its ugly head and we skip to Angle taking out both Chavo and Eddie. He argues with Chris and Chris tags himself in. HA! Chavo comes in, but tags out to Eddie. They lock up and they trade hammerlocks around. Eddie has Chris in a headlock and he tries to slow the match down a bit. Eddie knocks Chris down. Off the ropes, Chris hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and Chavo gets him some. Chris sends Eddie to the corner hard and Kurt tags in and beats into Eddie a bit. Eddie sends Kurt to the corner and he clotheslines him down. In comes Chavo and he beats into Angle with clubbing blows. GERMAN to Chavo, but Eddie is quickly in. Chris comes in and GERMAN’S Eddie. STEREO GERMANS by both Angle and Benoit. Chavo gets kicked out and Angle focuses on Eddie. Chavo gets brought back in the hard way while Benoit assaults Eddie outside. Angle gets a nearfall as Benoit sends Eddie to the steel post. In comes Chris, who sends Chavo to the ropes. Chris gets a knee up. Chavo battles back and gets a tag to Eddie who goes postal on Chris. Chavo chokes Chris and Angle tries to stop it. Eddie beats into Chris some more before hitting a side suplex on Benoit. Tag to Chavo and he clubs on Chris’ back a bit. Chris battles back with the knifeedge chops and Chavo dishes them out as well. Chavo gets into a Crossface attempt and Eddie hits a suplex onto the padding outside! Back in the ring, Chavo tags in Eddie, who hits a springboard forearm for two! Eddie looks for the Gory Special, but apts to do the Torture Rack submission instead. Benoit rolls up Eddie for two! In comes Chavo and he continues to wear Chris down. Uppercuts by Chavo connect and Chris does a backslide for two. Suplex by Chavo, he knocks Angle off and covers Chris for two. In comes Eddie and he gets flapjacked! POWERBOMB and Chavo prevents Chris from getting over to Angle. In comes Chavo and Chris locks on the Crossface! Angle comes in as Eddie looks for a Frog Splash, but he hits Chavo instead. Angle gets the tag as does Eddie. Angle cleans house and Eddie gets back dropped! GERMAN CONNECTS! Eddie gets a cheap shot, but Kurt Belly-to-Belly’s Angle for two. Benoit Germans whoever he can. FLYING HEADBUTT CONNECTS! Angle covers Eddie, but Chavo saves it. Chavo suplexes Angle and takes Chris out. Eddie covers and gets two. He goes up top. Angle pops up and Eddie hits the Frog Splash. Chris locks on the Crossface and Chavo breaks it up. Eddie pushes Angle into Benoit and the referee. Eddie locks on the Lasso from El Paso, but Angle counters with the Ankle Lock! Chavo belts Angle in the back of head and drags the referee in. Eddie gets two. Chavo goes to the top and Chris sends him flying. Eddie goes to the ropes and Chris hangs him up. ANGLE SLAM CONNECTS AND THAT IS ALL!
Winners: Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit
Grade: A
Angle and Benoit get into a shoving contest. Los Guerreros try to steal the titles, but they were thwarted.
Backstage, Paul Heyman fails to do a push-up. He has the strategy figured out. Brock did the job at No Mercy, but Heyman didn’t do his job tonight. If Edge beats Paul tonight, he’ll be busted in half.
TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT!
Edge v. Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman
Handicap Match for the WWE Championship
The bell sounds and they circle the ring. Edge spooks Heyman out and Lesnar tells him to stay put. They lock up and Brock shoves away. Edge goes for another lock up, but he ducks and Brock puts the breaks on. They jockey for position and Edge sidesteps Lesnar again. Lesnar SLAMS EDGE WITH AUTHORITY! He beats the Hell out of Edge in the corner. Corner-to-corner we go and Edge hits a drop toe hold. Dropkick sends Brock out of the ring. Heyman calms Lesnar down a bit. Brock gets back inside the ring and Edge gets a rollup for one. Another rollup gets two and Brock clubs into Edge. He chokes Edge at the ropes. Edge grabs the ropes and he mocks Brock a bit. Brock sends himself over the top and he busts a tantrum on the steel steps. Edge is tired of waiting and he takes it to the champion. Brock slams Edge’s head off the apron and he clubs his back on the outside. Edge reverses a whip and Edge sends Brock straight to the steel post. Heyman prevents Edge from getting anymore offense and Brock beats into Edge. Edge gets after Brock and he spears Heyman off the apron and he pays for it with a Brock Belly-to-Belly. Brock pulls Edge out of the ring and he rams Edge’s back into the steel post. Lesnar gets two for that exchange. He kicks away at Edge and he nails a backbreaker. Edge is hurting a bit. Edge tries to battle back and he gets swatted away for two on Brock. He clubs away at Edge and he stalks around a bit. Huge blow from behind the neck and he drops his weight, then he contorts Edge’s lower back and legs. Edge gets to the ropes, but Brock continues the pressure. He applies a headlock with his knee pressed to the back as Edge is fading away. Edge keeps his arm up after two and he comes back alive! Edge dives into Brock’s clutches and he goes for the F-5, but Edge rolls up for two. Brock takes him down with authority for two. He applies the Brock Lock on Edge, who tries to reach the ropes. He gets closer and closer, but Brock rolls him up for two! He keeps hold of the Brock Lock and Edge is fading away. The referee checks on Edge and drops the arms down twice. The third time, it stays up. Edge tries to fight it, but gets driven to the corner. DROPKICK TO THE BACK BY EDGE! Edge baseball slides Heyman out of the ring and gets SPINEBUSTERED FOR HIS TROUBLES. Lesnar stalks Edge and he bashes him to the turnbuckle. He thrusts into him and we go corner to corner.   He chokes away at Edge and clubs away. Opposite corner we go and Brock’s shoulder meets steel! Rollup gets two. Brock is back up and Edge can’t take him down. Spinning heel kick does though. Face Plant gets two and Edge sends Lesnar out. Heyman is back in and Edge goes to the top! Double Axe Handle gets a CLOSE TWO by Edge! Edge goes back to the top and he lands on Lesnar on the outside! Back inside the ring, Edge goes on top again. MISSILE DROPKICK CONNECTS AND EDGE GETS A TWO COUNT! Edge GOES BACK TO THE TOP AGAIN! Brock is back up and Edge lands on the referee! F-5 try on Edge is countered into the Edgecution! Edge covers for a five count, but the referee is so damned fragile! Heyman slides in a chair. Lesnar misses the baseball swing like shot and Edge SPEARS BROCK OUT OF HIS BOOTS FOR TWO AND NINE TENTHS! Edge to the top again and he gets hit with the chair to the gut. F-5 connects and that’s all.
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Grade: A
Post match, Lesnar sweats buckets and Heyman remains in the ring. He has an evil look on his face as he has the chair. He chases the referee contingent away. He complains about his ribs hurting. He holds the chair up and Edge makes him hurt some more, kicking the chair into his face. EDGECUTION to Heyman and the crowd is happy.
Show over.
DVD EXTRAS
Torrie Wilson in London
Torrie is interviewed in London. She walks around town showing the sights and sounds of the city. Her interesting thing is a Muslim saying that he’s not like the others and he appreciates America. She then goes shopping and we get a bad shot of a man in a thong.
John Cena in Manchester
And we get a DVD skip again. I complained to Netflix about this and they said that they had limited quantities of this DVD and it’d take a long time to get another one in. So, I don’t get to see this. Like the last one, I probably didn’t miss much
One Night Only: 09.20.1997
Shawn Michaels v. British Bulldog
WWF European Championship
This is my first time seeing this match, so I’m sure I’ll be impressed. Shawn makes his way to the ring as the challenger. The British Bulldog makes his way to the ring. On commentary, we have Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, & Vince McMahon. This match has a sixty minute time limit.
The bell sounds and the British Bulldog hoists the British flag in the air and Shawn takes a walk, pointing at his ass. Inside, Bulldog overpowers Michaels. Michaels taunts some more and they jockey for position. They lock up and Bulldog shoves away again. And again. Another lockup and Michaels goes to the top turnbuckle. Arm drag sends Michaels flying and Bulldog gets a bear hug. Bulldog knocks Michaels over the top and he walks towards the back. He returns to the ring, raking Bulldog’s face. He goes to introduces Bulldog to the turnbuckles, but Bulldog does it again. Suplex into the ring. Bulldog has Michaels into the air and the referee begs him to keep him in the ring! He drops him anyway. Abdominal Stretch is applied as Bulldog has the control. Michaels arm drags his way out of it and he stomps away. He runs and Bulldog throws Michaels out of the ring. Michaels is wobbly as he gets tossed back into the ring. Bulldog arm drags Michaels a couple times and applies a hammerlock. Michaels gets back up, but he gets elevated up and down and Bulldog locks on the arm again. Michaels gets back up and he decks him. He hits a fist and he gets sent to the ropes. Bulldog tries to leap, but Michaels pokes the eyes. Hurrancurana attempt is reversed into a POWERBOMB for two! Bulldog has the shoulder locked on and Michaels reverses. To the ropes, Michaels wraps his body around, but the Bulldog drops south. MEXICAN SURFBOARD IS APPLIED, but the referee counts Bulldog down. Bulldog argues and this allows Michaels to take control.
To the ropes Bulldog goes and he hits a stalling vertical suplex for TWO! Rick Rude makes his way to the ring and this allows Michaels to gain control. Bulldog gets a rollup and Rude flips Bulldog over and Michaels gets two. Rude allows Michaels to knock Bulldog on the outside. Rude sends Bulldog STRAIGHT TO THE RING POST! Michaels on the outside and he beats into Bulldog. The referee is distracted and Rude throws Bulldog against the apron. Michaels snaps Bulldog’s neck off the top rope. Elbow connects on Bulldog and he stomps the face of the British Bulldog. To the ropes Bulldog goes and Michaels locks on a sleeper hold. Bulldog goes down to the mat and both shoulders were on the mat. Bulldog is blue and out! His arm goes down twice, but not the third time. He gets back up and he hits an overhead suplex for TWO! Michaels kicks the face and he is back in control. Bulldog gets whipped into the corner HARD and Michaels sends him to the ropes. Short arm scissors is applied and Bulldog is fading away. Bulldog uses his strength to PICK MICHAELS UP AND HITS THE ELECTRIC CHAIR! Bulldog gets sent to the ropes and they crack heads in the middle of the ring. Out comes Hunter Hearst Helmsey & Chyna. Both men are up and Bulldog hits a back drop. To the corner Michaels goes, up and over. Catapult to the top turnbuckle gets TWO! Bulldog charges and meets the ring post instead. Michaels scoop slams Bulldog and he goes to the top. Elbow drop connects and he goes up top again! Another elbow drop connects and he tunes up the band. Bulldog stays down and Michaels helps him up. Michaels goes for Sweet Chi Music and misses. Rude gets involved and he has the referee distracted. Helmsey tries to interfere, but he’s taken care of. Bulldog has Shawn up, but he slips off the side and Michaels gets SWEET CHIN MUSIC! Helmsey, Chyna, & Rude slam the barricade against the Bulldog’s leg. Helmsey nails the Pedigree on the outside and Michaels takes off the Bulldog’s brace. Figure Four is locked in on the Bulldog and he gets the help. Bulldog tries to turn it over, but Rude stops it. Bulldog is bleeding from the mouth, but he has not tapped out! He’s been in the move for over two minutes now and he’s still not giving up, despite the help Michaels is getting. The referee stops the match and the trash gets thrown in the ring.
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Post match, Michaels & Helmsey talk trash to the Hart Family and applies the Figure Four again. Bulldog’s wife comes in and pulls Michaels off and she deals with Chyna. The Hart Family run in and they clear the ring. Michaels celebrates as trash gets thrown at him.
Grade: A+
The WWE Rebellion 2002 DVD Report Card
Matches
Booker T d. Matt Hardy V.1: B+
Billy Kidman & Torrie Wilson d. John Cena & Dawn Marie: C+
Funaki d. Crash Holly: C
Jamie Noble d. Rey Mysterio & Tajiri: A-
Brother D-Von & Ron Simmons d. Chuck Palumbo & The Big Valbowski: C-
Rikishi d. Albert: C+
Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit d. Los Guerreros: A
Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman d. Edge: A
Extras
Shawn Michaels d. British Bulldog: A+
The FINAL Grade for the WWE Rebellion 2002 DVD: B+
The Inside Pulse
The main card was very decent, with four matches hitting B+ or better. The SmackDown crew was on fire in the United Kingdom and I regret that this wasn’t shown on Pay-Per-View in the United States. This was a top notch card and I honestly believed that Edge was the next man to belong in the top tier talent with his outstanding showing against Brock Lesnar. The extras part of the DVD is pretty much lacking except for the awesome match between Shawn Michaels & The British Bulldog. Sure there was interference on top of interference, but it played perfectly and it showed Shawn as the cocky dick heel by having the insurance policies in Rick Rude, Hunter Hearst Helmsey, and Chyna. The match was executed and the ending was a good touch. This DVD garners a positive recommendation from me.
