6. Rob Van Dam - WWE Raw (May 20th, 2002)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJDAw2e0AjI Long before the revival of ECW and the gloriousness that was RVDs title victory over John Cena at ECW One Night Stand 2006, Rob Van Dam was a relatively fresh face in WWE circa 2002, with less than a years tenure under his belt in the land McMahon. Meanwhile, newly crowned WWE Undisputed Champion, The Undertaker, was looking to assert his authority as champ; having won the strap from the not-so Immortal Hulk Hogan at Judgement Day the night before. RVD would be his target and the opening segment of the May 20th edition of Raw would see The Undertaker jump Van Dam from behind during the ECW icons walk to the ring. The Deadman proceeded to beat RVD to a bloody pulp before the tables turned and RVD gave Taker a receipt of his own; setting up their one-on-one title match later that night. Picking right up where they left off from their Hardcore Title feud the previous December, the two men engaged in an entertaining yet brief battle, with their conflicting styles meshing well. After just six minutes of action, RVD managed to hit his Rolling Thunder Senton Splash to an unsuspecting Undertaker and, just 24 hours after slaying Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker himself would fall and yet another new WWE Undisputed Champ was crowned. Call your friends and neighbours, screamed a typically emphatic and overzealous Jim Ross on commentary. Van Dam wins! Rob Van Dam is the new WWE Undisputed by God Champion! For anyone who took Mr Ross advice, a solemn redial would have been needed just minutes later, as Takers by God foot was clearly under the ropes during the decisive pin and the match was quickly restarted by then-Raw owner, Ric Flair. RVD would instantly receive a colossal Last Ride Powerbomb for his troubles and a swift three second nap would follow. Do not pass go; do not collect the WWE Title. It was a bittersweet Monday for Mr Monday Night, leaving the The Whole Fn Show to wait another four Fn years before officially getting his hands on WWE Championship gold.
Martyn Grant
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Occasional wrestler, full-time gym rat and lifelong lover of the grapple game. Would probably buy you a shot of Jack at the bar in exchange for witty banter...and preferably more Jack.
@MartynGrant88 for more wrestling-related musings and weight room wisecracks!
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