Pulse Wrestling Exclusive: WWE Transaction History – 2002

2002 Transactions

03.29.02: Hardcore Title comes to RAW when RAW’s Raven beats SD’s Maven for the belt on the final “mixed-brand” Smackdown before the brand extension takes hold.

04.01.02: First WWF RAW after Brand Extension.
04.01.02: Eddie Guerrero debuts on RAW.
04.01.02: Stone Cold (with Debra) joins the RAW Roster

04.04.02: First WWF SD after Brand Extension

04.06.02: First WWF Jakked after Brand Extension (show belongs to SD)
04.06.02: The Godfather joins the SD Roster
04.06.02: Chavo Guerrero joins the SD Roster
04.06.02: Hugh Morrus joins the SD Roster
04.06.02: Chris Leary, Jakked announcer, makes what is apparently his final on-air appearance (not including voiceovers), replaced by Al Snow the following week. He leaves the company shortly thereafter.

04.07.02: First WWF HEAT after Brand Extension (show belongs to RAW)

04.21.02: HHH loses the WWF Undisputed Championship to Hulk Hogan. Due to stipulation set by Vince, and since he wasn’t originally drafted, HHH is now a member of the SD roster.
04.21.02: SD’s Hulk Hogan can appear on both shows, due to winning Undisputed Championship.

04.22.02: HHH shows up on RAW, despite being a SD Superstar.
04.22.02: Referee Charles Robinson is added to RAW.

04.25.02: Randy Orton joins the SD Roster
04.25.02: The Undertaker shows up on SD, despite being a RAW Superstar

05.05.02: Bossman wrestles last match vs. D-Lo Brown on RAW’s HEAT. Sent down to OVW after an appearance on UK’s version of HEAT (05.19, loss to Spike Dudley).

05.06.02: WWF changes name to WWE starting with this edition of RAW

05.09.02: Dave Batista joins the SD Roster (as Deacon Batista).

05.12.02: Mr. Perfect makes his last appearance on RAW in a match vs. Matt Hardy before being fired by WWE (not kayfabe).

05.13.02: Scott Hall is fired by RAW owner and new member of the nWo Ric Flair. He is last seen on TV in an nWo video package on the 05.12.03 HEAT.
05.13.02: Trish Stratus wins Women’s Championship allowing Trish to appear on both shows.
05.13.02: Jazz becomes a member of the RAW roster by losing her Women’s Championship, due to a stipulation set since she was not a part of the original draft.

05.19.02: Undertaker beats Hulk Hogan for Undisputed Title at Judgment Day PPV and is therefore allowed to appear on both shows. Hogan returns to the SD roster.

05.25.02: WWE Velocity replaces Jakked/Metal (show belongs to SD).
05.25.02: WWE Confidential replaces Excess.
05.25.02: WWE Bottom Line is added as RAW’s syndicated recap show this week.
05.25.02: WWE Afterburn is added as SD’s syndicated recap show this week.
05.25.02: Mean Gene Okerland returns to WWE as the host of WWE Confidential.

05.27.02: Chris Benoit shows up on RAW, even though he is a SD superstar, due to getting permission from Flair to come out in front of his home crowd. It is explained on the 05.30.02 SD that Vince can’t control what Benoit does because he is still injured, and therefore not on the active roster.

05.30.02: Dawn Marie debuts on SD as Vince’s paralegal.

06.03.02: Shawn Michaels debuts on RAW as part of the nWo.

06.06.02: Nidia debuts on SD as Hurricane’s ex girlfriend.
06.06.02: Jamie Noble debuts on SD as Nidia’s boyfriend.
06.06.02: Linda Miles debuts on SD, getting a match on the 06.08.02 Velocity with Jackie at ringside.
06.06.02: Jackie Gayda debuts on SD, in a segment where she says she’ll be in Linda’s corner on the 06.08.02 Velocity.

06.10.02: Vince McMahon shows up on RAW, even though he’s the SD owner, because “he created the show and can come out any time he wants.” He reams out Austin for going AWOL, then beats RAW owner Ric Flair (with help from Brock Lesnar) for 100% ownership of WWE. [At this point, Vince’s appearances will not be mentioned, since he is officially on both rosters.]
06.10.02: Chris Nowinski debuts on RAW, helping William Regal retain the European Title vs. Bradshaw.

06.15.02: Moolah appears on Velocity to plug her book.
06.15.02: Mae Young appears on Velocity to plug Moolah’s book.

06.17.02: Steve Austin has officially left the company, as announced by Vince McMahon on RAW.
06.17.02: Ric Flair signs a contract to be a wrestler on RAW.
06.17.02: Jackie Gayda appears on RAW, says she didn’t sign with SD and wants to be a RAW superstar. Vince obliges if she enters the Divas Undressed competition the next week.
06.17.02: The Rock appears on RAW, even though he’s a SD superstar, to cut a promo on Austin and announce he’ll be at King of the Ring.

06.22.02: Rob Conway debuts on SD’s Velocity in a match vs. Randy Orton.

06.23.02: Molly Holly beats Trish Stratus for the Women’s Title, allowing her to appear on both shows. Trish rejoins the RAW roster.

06.23.02: RAW’s Rob Van Dam defeats SD’s Chris Jericho to advance in the King of the Ring Tournament at the PPV.
06.23.02: RAW’s Brock Lesnar defeats SD’s Test to advance in the King of the Ring Tournament at the PPV.

06.24.02: Raven loses a match banning him from RAW (but allowing him to appear on RAW’s HEAT).
06.24.02: Linda Miles appears on RAW to face Jackie Gayda in a tag team match. At this point, Linda and Jackie are officially on the RAW roster.

06.27.02: John Cena debuts on SD, answering an open challenge from Kurt Angle.

06.30.02: Sean O’Haire debuts on RAW’s HEAT with a win over Justin Credible.
06.30.02: Johnny “The Bull” Stamboli debuts on RAW’s HEAT with a DQ loss vs. Tommy Dreamer.

07.01.02: Chris Benoit officially becomes a part of RAW, per Vince, making his debut match tagging with Eddie vs. Bubba and Spike.

07.07.02: Victoria debuts on RAW’s HEAT vs. Trish. She later appears on RAW as Molly’s friend. Her history as a “Ho” valet of Godfather is never mentioned.

07.13.02: Shannon Moore debuts on SD’s Velocity vs. Tajiri.

07.15.02: Eric Bischoff debuts as the RAW General Manager.
07.15.02: Johnny “The Bull” Stamboli debuts on RAW, signed by Bischoff, and momentarily winning the Hardcore Title.

07.18.02: On SD, Vince announces that all superstars are allowed to negotiate with either brand’s GM.

07.18.02: Stephanie McMahon debuts as the SD General Manager.
07.18.02: Bischoff appears on SD to try to steal SD talent away.

07.20.02: Nick Dinsmore debuts on SD’s Velocity vs. Albert.

07.21.02: HHH signs with RAW on the Vengeance PPV during the open contract period.
07.21.02: The Rock wins the Undisputed Title at Vengeance, and therefore can appear on both brands. The Undertaker rejoins the RAW roster.

07.22.02: Rhyno makes an appearance on RAW, but remains a free agent since he is still injured.
07.22.02: RVD beats Jeff Hardy to merge the IC and European titles.
07.22.02: Rosey debuts on RAW, as part of Three Minute Warning.
07.22.02: Jamal debuts on RAW, as part of Three Minute Warning.
07.22.02: Stephanie appears in the parking lot on RAW, as Heyman and Lesnar drive off in her limo to end the show.

07.25.02: Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman debut on SD, signed away from RAW by Stephanie.
07.25.02: Stephanie hires Stacy as her assistant after Stacy claims to have been “let go” by Vince the prior week.
07.25.02: Rey Mysterio, Jr. debuts on SD.
07.25.02: Bischoff appears in the parking lot on SD to steal talent to bring to RAW.

07.27.02: Mike Awesome debuts on SD’s Velocity in a match vs. Tajiri.

07.29.02: Test jumps to RAW with the UnAmericans, wooed by Bischoff during the open contract period.
07.29.02: Lance Storm jumps to RAW with the UnAmericans, wooed by Bischoff during the open contract period.
07.29.02: Christian jumps to RAW with the UnAmericans, wooed by Bischoff during the open contract period.
07.29.02: The WWE Tag Team Titles jump to RAW when the UnAmericans sign with Bischoff. They are eventually re-named the ‘World Tag Team’ Titles, and include lineage of both the WWF/E and WCW championships.
07.29.02: Chris Jericho debuts on RAW, wooed by Bischoff during the open contract period.
07.29.02: Mae Young appears on RAW to promote Moolah’s book.
07.29.02: Moolah appears on RAW to promote her book.

08.01.02: Eric Bischoff appears on SD to gloat to Stephanie that he’s already stolen five superstars to Stephanie’s one.
08.01.02: Eddie Guerrero jumps to SD in a match vs. Edge and the Rock, wooed by Stephanie during the open contract period.
08.01.02: Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Champion) jumps to SD in a match vs. Edge and the Rock, wooed by Stephanie during the open contract period.
08.01.02: Intercontinental Title is brought to SD when Chris Benoit jumps.

08.04.02: Shelton Benjamin debuts on RAW’s HEAT with a win vs. Justin Credible.

08.05.02: Sgt. Slaughter appears on RAW in his first match since the draft, vs. Test.
08.05.02: MiniDust debuts on RAW.

08.08.02: Bischoff appears on SD in a backstage segment showing Stacy’s his mole, as Stacy hands him a contract.
08.10.02: Bull Buchanan debuts on SD’s Velocity in a win over Mike Awesome. He eventually appears on SD as “B Squared.”

08.12.02: Brock Lesnar appears on RAW in the audience to taunt the Rock.
08.12.02: Paul Heyman appears on RAW in the audience to taunt the Rock.
08.12.02: Mini-Dust is injured by 3MW in his final appearance on RAW.
08.12.02: Stacy Keibler debuts on RAW, wooed by Bischoff during the open contract period, stealing a contract that allows RVD to face Benoit for the IC Title at SummerSlam.
08.12.02: Howard Finkle replaces Lillian Garcia as RAW ring announcer, after causing her to get beat up by 3MW on the 08.05.02 episode.

08.15.02: Matt Hardy, Version One, debuts on SD, wooed by Stephanie during the open contract period, after he turned on Jeff on that week’s RAW because Bischoff gave him a chance at an IC title shot in a match vs. RVD instead of Matt.

08.19.02: Lesnar appears on RAW in the audience to taunt the Rock.
08.19.02: Heyman appears on RAW in the audience to taunt the Rock.

08.23.02: RAW’s X-Pac is fired by WWE (not kayfabe). He is the last recognized Light Heavyweight Champion, and the belt ‘ which hadn’t been mentioned since before the original draft ‘ is retired with his departure.

08.24.02: Lita (injured early in the brand split) debuts as the one-week-only color commentator on SD’s Velocity, during the open contract period. .

08.25.02: RAW’s RVD faces SD’s Chris Benoit in a RAW vs. SD match at SumerSlam.
08.25.02: Intercontinental Title is brought to RAW after RAW’s RVD beats SD’s Chris Benoit at SummerSlam.
08.25.02: Brock beats the Rock at SummerSlam for the Undisputed Title, allowing him to appear on both brands. The Rock rejoins the SD roster.

08.26.02: RVD beats Tommy Dreamer to merge the Hardcore and IC Titles.
08.26.02: Jimmy Snuka appears on RAW to get inducted into the Hall of Fame, then gets beat up by 3MW.
08.26.02: Kane returns to RAW from injury after speculation he would jump to SD during the open contract period.
08.26.02: Lillian Garcia becomes RAW ring announcer after beating Howard Finkle in a Tuxedo/Evening Gown match.
08.26.02: Brock Lesnar jumps to SD, making the WWE Undisputed Title a disputed one, when Stephanie signs him to an exclusive contract.
08.26.02: Paul Heyman jumps to SD with Brock Lesnar.
08.26.02: Stephanie appears on RAW to rub Brock Lesnar’s signing in Bischoff’s face.

08.29.02: Undertaker debuts on SD with a win over Angle and Benoit to become #1 Contender for the WWE Title, being wooed by Stephanie during the open contract period.

09.02.02: World Heavyweight Championship is brought to RAW, as Eric Bischoff awards the famous “big gold belt” (last seen when HHH defeated Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho at WrestleMania XVIII) to #1 contender HHH, who then defends the belt successfully vs. Ric Flair.

09.05.02: Crash Holly debuts on SD after announcing his intentions on the 09.02.02 RAW, wooed by Stephanie during the open contract period, in order to compete in the Cruiserweight division.

09.09.02: Two lesbians debut on RAW for HLA ;)

09.12.02: Bischoff (disguised as a justice of the peace) appears on SD to crash Chuck and Billy’s commitment ceremony.
09.12.02: Rosey appears on SD to crash Chuck and Billy’s commitment ceremony.
09.12.02: Jamal appears on SD to crash Chuck and Billy’s commitment ceremony.
09.12.02: Sara debuts on SD in a backstage segment with the Undertaker.

09.16.02: Rico debuts on RAW, wooed by Bischoff during the open contract period.
09.16.02: Stephanie (disguised as a member of the International Organization of Women), appears on RAW to take out Bischoff, Rosie and Jamal and run through the crowd.
09.16.02: Billy Gunn appears on RAW to take out Bischoff, Rosie and Jamal and run through the crowd.
09.16.02: Chuck Palumbo appears on RAW to take out Bischoff, Rosie and Jamal and run through the crowd.

09.19.02: Bischoff appears on SD via satellite to promote Chuck/Billy vs. 3MW match at Unforgiven.
09.19.02: Jason Roberts debuts as a ring announcer on SD.

09.22.02: RAW vs. SD match at Unforgiven, with 3MW beating Chuck & Billy, Stephanie doing HLA, and Rikishi beating up Bischoff.
09.22.02: Trish beats Molly for the Women’s Title, therefore being allowed to appear on both brands. Molly returns to the RAW roster.

09.23.02: Bischoff announces that Vince McMahon has declared all contracts frozen, ending the open contract period that began on 07.18.02.
09.23.02: Randy Orton debuts on RAW, jumping brands before the contracts were frozen, and introduced by JR, with a win over Stevie Richards.
09.23.02: The Hurricane debuts on RAW, jumping brands before the contracts were frozen, joining Kane to beat the UnAmericans for the Tag Team Titles.

09.26.02: The Women’s Title becomes exclusive to RAW, announced by Stephanie on a phone call to make sure all contracts are in order.

09.27.02: SD’s Mike Awesome fired from WWE (not kayfabe). His last match was on the 09.07.02 Velocity, a loss to Funaki.

09.28.02: Doug Basham debuts on SD’s Velocity in a match vs. Shannon Moore.

09.29.02: RAW’s Shawn “Planet” Stasiak is fired by WWE (not kayfabe) after a loss to D-Lo Brown on HEAT.

09.30.02: Lita appears on RAW, scolded by Eric Bischoff for saying SD was the better show in an interview on WWE.com. She becomes color commentator on HEAT as of 10.06.02. She hadn’t appeared on WWE TV except for a one-time gig as Velocity color commentator before the open contract period ended, so it’s assumed she signed with RAW since then.

10.03.02: Al Wilson debuts on SD, introduced backstage by daughter Torrie.

10.07.02: Al Snow debuts on RAW, having signed a contract with Bischoff before they were frozen.
10.07.02: SD’s Godfather appears on RAW during the “It’s Legal in Nevada” match at RAW Roulette.

10.10.02: Tracey appears on SD as a woman Undertaker may have had an affair with.

10.13.02: Mark Jindrak debuts on RAW’s HEAT with a win over Justin Credible.

10.14.02: Pat Patterson appears on RAW to discuss the IC Title’s history.

10.20.02: Tracey makes her last appearance, at the No Mercy PPV.
10.20.02: RAW’s Kane and SD’s Undertaker talk backstage at the No Mercy PPV.
10.20.02: RAW’s Big Show has a conversation with SD’s Stephanie backstage at No Mercy PPV, then Show manhandles Bischoff.
10.20.02: The WWE Tag Titles are created, exclusive to SD, when Benoit and Angle win a tournament to decide the first champs.
10.20.02: HHH beats Kane to combine the World and Intercontinental Titles.

10.21.02: Big Show traded to SD. On 10.28.02, Bischoff announces that he received several SD superstars for the Big Show, to be named at a later date.

10.31.02: Mae Young appears on SD for a Halloween party.
10.31.02: Moolah appears on SD for a Halloween party.
10.31.02: Brother Love appears on SD for a Halloween party.
10.31.02: Bischoff appears on SD in a Vince McMahon mask, tells Steph that he will sign Steiner, and kisses her.

11.04.02: Ivory debuts on RAW as part of the Big Show trade.
11.04.02: Maven debuts on RAW as part of the Big Show trade.
11.04.02: Batista debuts on RAW, signed during the open contract period. Ads announcing his arrival on RAW have been running since 10.13.02.

11.17.02: Big Show thanks Bischoff for the trade backstage at the Survivor Series PPV.
11.17.02: D-Von helps Bubba/Spike/Jeff beat Rico/3MW with a run-in at the Survivor Series PPV.
11.17.02: Scott Steiner debuts at the Survivor Series PPV, beating up Chris Nowinski and Matt Hardy.

11.18.02: D-Von debuts on RAW, as part of the Big Show trade, despite his last appearance on SD being the 11.16 episode of Velocity, after the trade was announced.
11.18.02: Scott Steiner appears on RAW as a free agent.
11.18.02: Val Venus debuts on RAW, as the final part of the Big Show trade (as announced on the 11.25.02 RAW), and is shown signing paperwork with Bischoff backstage that will make him “Chief of Staff Sean Morley” as of 11.25.02.

11.24.02: SD’s Diamond Dallas Page fired from WWE (not kayfabe).
11.24.02: SD’s Perry Saturn fired from WWE (not kayfabe).

11.28.02: Ernest “The Cat” Miller debuts on SD as a substitute color commentator. He becomes color commentator on Velocity on 12.14.02, and makes occasional appearances as a backstage interviewer and later a wrestler on SD.
11.28.02: Scott Steiner appears on SD as a free agent.
11.28.02: Moolah appears on SD to face WWE Champion Big Show in a short match.

11.30.02: Redd Dog debuts on SD’s Velocity in a loss to Rikishi. He eventually debuts on SD on 01.16.03.

12.02.02: Scott Steiner appears on RAW as a free agent.
12.02.02: Stephanie appears in the parking lot at RAW to woo Steiner.

12.05.02: SD’s Godfather is fired from WWE (not kayfabe).

12.07.02: Paul London appears on SD’s Velocity in a loss vs. John Cena.

12.12.02: Nunzio (first mentioned by Noble on 11.21) debuts on SD as Jamie Noble’s cousin, running in during a Crash DQ win over Noble.
12.12.02: Steiner appears on SD as a free agent, to announce he’s going to RAW.
12.12.02: Josh Matthews debuts on SD as an interviewer. He becomes play by play man on Velocity and host of AfterBurn starting this week, as well as an occasional ring announcer.

12.14.02: Marc Loyd jumps to RAW from SD, becoming host of RAW’s Bottom Line and an occasional interviewer on RAW programming.

12.16.02: Scott Steiner debuts on RAW, having signed as a free agent with Eric Bischoff.

12.23.02: JR and Jerry Lawler make their first wrestling appearances on RAW since the draft.

12.26.02: Charlie Haas debuts on SD as part of Team Angle, brought to SD by agent Paul Heyman.
12.26.02: Shelton Benjamin debuts on SD as part of Team Angle, brought to SD by agent Paul Heyman. Benjamin was last seen on RAW’s HEAT on 09.15, before the contracts were frozen, so it is safe to assume he’s been a free agent since then.

12.29.02: Raven beats Tommy Dreamer allowing him to return to RAW.

>>Read More: Pulse Wrestling’s Exclusive WWE Transaction History<<