10 Must-See Matches From WWE SmackDown 2002

10. Rey Mysterio Vs. Kurt Angle - September 12, 2002

The opening contest of SummerSlam 2002 saw Kurt Angle defeat Rey Mysterio in a brilliant bout that instantly elevated the master of the 619. On the September 12 episode of SmackDown, the rivals waged war in a bout that may very well have surpassed its predecessor.

From breathtaking counters and reversals to exciting near-falls, fans in Minneapolis' Target Center sat on the edge of their seats waiting to see if the masked man could overcome the Olympic gold medalist. Despite another spirited performance, Mysterio ultimately fell to an Angle Slam off the top rope.

The match was a preview of what was to come from the two competitors. Over the next three months, they would make up one-third of the so-called SmackDown Six, a portion of the roster that would be responsible for delivering weekly, pay-per-view quality bouts under the direction of head writer Paul Heyman.

This is hardly the last time the future Hall of Famers will appear on this countdown.