The Undisputed WWF Championship was only contested once at the Royal Rumble until the inaugural brand split, during which the “Undisputed” title name was dropped. In 2002, the title’s first holder, Chris Jericho, defended it against The Rock, who was a multiple-time WWF Champion. Just weeks earlier, Jericho had unified the belts by defeating both The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at Vengeance Day.
This match marked Jericho’s debut in a main event for WWF and featured a competitive contest against The Rock, who had solidified his status as one of the top faces in the company. Their story began during the “Y2J” era when The Rock interrupted Jericho’s countdown clock on “Raw,” marking Jericho’s official arrival.
The Rock secured his spot as the favorite to win by defeating Booker T, and while some fans fondly recall the height of the “Brahma Bull” era, Jericho noted that he intended his remarks seriously. Throughout the 19-minute match, the audience chanted “Rocky” in support of The Rock.
The match began intensely, with Jericho, portraying the heel, taunting The Rock to “just bring it.” He quickly removed the turnbuckle cover, which played a crucial role later. Jericho executed a Lionsault, which resulted in a near fall that thrilled the crowd. Interference from fellow champions Lance Storm and Christian distracted referee Earl Hebner, causing him to miss Jericho’s tapout while trapped in The Rock’s sharpshooter.
In a pivotal moment, The Rock cleared the Spanish announce table first but found himself on the receiving end of a Rock Bottom after a reversal. The fight spilled outside the ring, and although it seemed Jericho was going to win, a mishap with the referees left the match in chaos. When Hebner was down, heel referee Nick Patrick failed to count Rock’s fall onto Jericho.
Ultimately, Jericho struck The Rock with a low blow and sent him crashing into the exposed turnbuckle. Using the ropes for leverage out of Hebner’s view, he pinned The Rock for the victory. This win often got overshadowed by Triple H’s first Royal Rumble triumph.
Written by Daisy Ruth
Fan Take:
This memorable encounter holds significance for wrestling enthusiasts as it showcases both The Rock and Chris Jericho at pivotal moments in their respective careers. The match not only solidified Jericho’s status but also highlighted the intense rivalries and storytelling that make professional wrestling compelling, reminding fans of the rich history and drama that unfolds in the ring.
