[7/26] TSC Watch Party @ 9pm EST --- Summerslam 2002

[Mantis Toboggan M.D.]

i think an argument could be made that this was one of the most important match of HBK's career

everybody was watching to see if he could still go like

He says this was the only match in his career where he got the benefit of the doubt on if he could deliver in the ring. I think this may have been the best performance of his entire career given how great he was that match and how long it had been and how bad his back injury was. I think this and the chamber at the survivor series were the most hyped I’ve ever been for any two matches. I find it laughable that they ran this exact angle with Enzo and big last year and expected a similar response from the crowd.

 

[DaylitoJames]

I forgot but was this match originally just supposed to be a one and done match for HBK or was it always planned for him to return full time?

 

[Broad Street Bully]

Aight im in the crib. Time stamp?

 

[milkshakespeare]

Aight im in the crib. Time stamp?

I'm at an hour 45

 

[JerseyBoy23]

I forgot but was this match originally just supposed to be a one and done match for HBK or was it always planned for him to return full time?

He claims it was suppose to be one and done

 

[JerseyBoy23]

It never made sense to me for unsanctioned matches to take place inside the ring.

 

[2CT]

It's weird seeing the Triple H character crying about a women's PPV when he's been such a dikk in kayfabe for 2 decades.

Trips growing soft in his old age

 

[Theolodius_Black]

Trips backbreaker though

 

[DaylitoJames]

These backbreakers got HBK like

 

[Mantis Toboggan M.D.]

I forgot but was this match originally just supposed to be a one and done match for HBK or was it always planned for him to return full time?

Pretty sure a one and done. Spinal fusion surgery is no joke. He missed what should’ve been his absolute peak and the peak of the industry. He didn’t wrestle on anything close to a regular basis until the late spring, maybe summer of 2003. He wrestled I think 6 total matches from this through WM19 including his 2 minute appearance in the royal rumble match. He wasn’t happy with his WM14 match. I think he had to knock down a fistful of painkillers just to get through the match, and was still noticeably in pain. He hardly left his feet for anything at all. Pretty sure he just wanted to at least turn in one good to great match so he could retire at peace. Even this match is starting mostly with Shawn on his feet and not taking any real chances. Strikes, axe handles, and the sort to play it safe.

 

[DaylitoJames]

Trips growing soft in his old age

 

[JerseyBoy23]

Low key HBK never wanting the belt enabled the Triple H reign of terror in 2003.

 

[Mantis Toboggan M.D.]

Low key HBK never wanting the belt enabled the Triple H reign of terror in 2003.

Booker or Goldberg should have ended it. Wrestlemania was the first good time for him to lose it and the second was summerslam. I’d have loved for him to get a 4-6 month run with the belt, but it should have gone to someone else who was new in 2003.

 

[2CT]

It never made sense to me for unsanctioned matches to take place inside the ring.

it doesn't make sense for them to have entrances n shyt either

it should take place backstage with one wrestler running up on the other wrestler with a ref

 

[Theolodius_Black]

Stahp with the belt:Stahp: