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Home >> Wrestlemania >> WrestleMania X8 
| Wrestlemania: | WrestleMania X8 | | Location: | SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario | | Date: | 03/17/2002 |
WrestleMania X8 was the eighteenth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event from the World Wrestling Federation. It took place at the SkyDome (now known as the Rogers Centre) in Toronto, Ontario on March 17, 2002.
The themes for this event were Tear Away by Drowning Pool and Superstar by Saliva.
Match results
Sunday Night HEAT Match: Mr. Perfect, Lance Storm and Test vs. Albert, Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty (w/Jacqueline as special guest referee)
Rikishi pinned Mr. Perfect for the win after he hit a Banzai Drop on him.
For the WWF Intercontinental Championship: William Regal (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
Regal tried to hit the brass knucks early, but Van Dam kicked them out of his hand. Van Dam tried for the Five-Star Frog Splash but missed and the match continued. Later Regal picked up the knucks again after knocking RVD out of the ring, but RVD kicked them away again and got the Frog Splash for the pin. Rob Van Dam became the new WWF Intercontinental Champion.
* Backstage, Lillian Garcia interviewed Christian over his upcoming match against Diamond Dallas Page. Christian denounced his hometown Toronto and announced he currently resides in Florida.
For the WWF European Championship: Diamond Dallas Page (c) vs. Christian
Prior to this match, he said that it was his dream to wrestle at WrestleMania, despite wrestling at all of the major WCW pay-per-view events and being WCW World Champion. DDP got the win with the Diamond Cutter. DDP retained the WWF European Championship.
* Jonathan Coachman interviewed The Rock on his match against Hulk Hogan. Mocking Hogans demandments, Rock made Coach say his prayers before asking Whatcha gonna do when The Rock runs wild on you?
Hardcore Match for the WWF Hardcore Championship: Maven (c) vs. Goldust
Goldust had the upper hand, pulling a golden shovel from underneath the ring and throttling Maven with it. While Goldust was on the outside, however, Spike Dudley ran to the ring and covered the prone Maven for the pin under 24/7 rules. He didnt have time to celebrate, though, as Crash Holly ran down to the ring and chased Spike out through the crowd. Spike Dudley became the new WWF Hardcore Champion.
* After the scheduled match, the battle for the Hardcore belt continued backstage between Spike and Hardcore Holly. At one point, Al Snow (with referee Teddy Long) drove a golf cart into the fray, missing Holly and Spike and plowing into some cardboard boxes. Then, from out of nowhere, The Hurricane flew in and covered Spike for the title. The Hurricane became the new WWF Hardcore Champion.
Kurt Angle vs. Kane
Angle clocked Kane with the ring bell before the match started, getting things going early. Angle attempted Kanes own flying clothesline but Kane countered with a clothesline of his own. Kane hit a chokeslam but Angle was too close to the ropes. Angle hit the Angle Slam shortly thereafter for a two-count, then locked Kane in the Ankle Lock. Kane would not submit, kicking out of the move several times. Finally, frustrated that his signature moves and a subsequent belly-to-belly suplex off the top rope could not defeat Kane, rolled him up using the ropes for leverage for the pin.
* The Hurricane, fleeing from possible challengers for the Hardcore title, ends up in the ladies locker room, and uses the opportunity to spy on some of the Godfathers Hos. He is soon discovered, however, and the Godfather chases Hurricane away.
No Disqualification Match: The Undertaker vs. Ric Flair
The Nature Boy went after Taker early, however Taker soon got the upper hand by smashing Flair into the ring post on the outside. Taker savagely beat Flair for several minutes thereafter, culminating in a top-rope superplex. Taker went for the pin and would probably have gotten it, but pulled Flair off the mat after a two count. The match continued and Flair was eventually able to snare Taker in the figure-four leglock. Taker, however, countered it by pulling Flair off the mat by the throat and hitting a chokeslam. After only getting a two-count, Taker knocked out the referee in frustration, and Arn Anderson used the opportunity to hit the ring and nail Taker with a spinebuster. Taker recovered, putting Anderson in the Dragon Sleeper, than fending off Flair with a big boot when he tried to make the save. Taker then got the pin with the Tombstone. Takers WrestleMania record improves to 10-0. Following the match, Undertaker clotheslines the referee into unconsciousness.
Edge vs. Booker T
The backstory to this match involved a Japanese endorsement deal and Booker wearing glasses to look smart. Edge kicked out of Booker Ts Scissors Kick and nailed Booker T with the spear. Edge followed it up with the Edgecution and gets the win.
* Backstage, Jonathan Coachman is asking The Hurricane some questions about the Hardcore Title when Mighty Molly sneaks up from behind and clobbers her Hurri-sensei with a frying pan. Referee in tow, Molly gets the pin to become the new WWF Hardcore Champion.
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Scott Hall (w/Kevin Nash)
Much interference by Kevin Nash; the match is virtually a handicap match, with Nash knocking out two referees, until Nash is finally ejected. Hall hits Austin with the Stunner for a two-count, but Stone Cold retaliates with two quick Stunners of his own for the win.
Four Corners Elimination Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship: Billy and Chuck (Billy and Chuck) (c) vs. The APA (Faarooq and Bradshaw) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) vs. The Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy)
The APA was eliminated first when D-Von Dudley pinned Bradshaw following the Dudley Death Drop. Matt Hardy pinned Bubba Ray a few minutes later after the Swanton Bomb from Jeff. Hardy. Billy and Chuck got the win when Chuck pinned Jeff after Billy Gunn hit him with one of the title belts. Billy and Chuck retained the WWF Tag Team Championship.
* Backstage, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall plan to put their frustrations on The Rock but their fellow nWo member Hulk Hogan refuses their help. Mighty Molly slinked around backstage looking out for possible challengers, when a door she was about to walk past suddenly slammed and hit her in the face. Christian peeked out from behind the door with a referee, then made the pin to become the new WWF Hardcore Champion.
Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock
Hogan was supposed to be the heel in this match, having run down an ambulance containing The Rock with a semi truck a few weeks previous. However, the fans turned on Rock and cheered for Hogan to win. Every time Hogan touched The Rock, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers; likewise, any offense by Rocky was met by a chorus of boos. Alas, The Rock put a hurting on the Hulkster. The Rock slapped on the Sharpshooter. Hogan tapped out but the ref was down and unable to acknowledge the submission (Hogan has only been defeated via submission once throughout his career as of March 2002). The Rock let go of the hold and tried to revive the ref, but Hogan gave him a low blow. Hogan got The Rock in his own Rock Bottom. Hogan covered but only got a two-count. The Rock gave Hogan a Rock Bottom of his own but Hogan kicked out. Hogan hulked up and got the Leg drop but The Rock kicked out. The Rock finally got the pin with two more Rock Bottoms followed by the Peoples Elbow, which turned The Rock into a face in the eyes of the SkyDome crowd once more. After the match, Hogan offered his hand to the victorious Rock, and the Rock took it to the cheers of the fans. As Rocky was leaving, Nash and Hall chided Hogan for his conciliatory attitude and started to attack him, but Rocky made the save and then as a sign of respect, The Rock stopped Hulk from leaving the ring and asked him to pose for the crowd.
Triple Threat Match for the WWF Womens Championship: Jazz (c) vs. Trish Stratus vs. Lita
The hometown girl, Trish, was very much favored in the match, and came down to the ring in skintight maple leaf tights. The end of the match saw Jazz throwing Trish out of the ring, then hit a vicious fisherman buster on Lita to retain her title.
* Christian, celebrating his win, was about to get into a cab and leave SkyDome when Maven cradled him from behind, winning the WWF Hardcore Championship back. Maven then escaped in Christians cab.
For the WWF Undisputed Championship: Chris Jericho (c) (w/Stephanie McMahon) vs. Triple H
Triple H had returned from a serious quadricep injury in January 2002 to win the 2002 Royal Rumble, but was still working the injury angle, coming to the ring with the leg bandaged. Jericho and Stephanie exploited HHHs injury, hitting him there numerous times, until Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho. HHH reached the ropes, and then gave Stephanie the Pedigree after she tried to interfere. Y2J hit HHH with a chair, but HHH would not be denied, hitting Jericho with the Pedigree to recapture the Title and complete his comeback. Triple H became the new WWF Undisputed Champion.
Trivia
- This was Hulk Hogans first WrestleMania in 9 years and his 10th appearance.
- This was Ric Flairs first WrestleMania event in 10 years, and 2nd appearance.
- This was Kevin Nashs first WrestleMania in 6 years and his 4th appearance.
- This was Scott Halls first WrestleMania in 7 years and his 4th appearance.
- WrestleMania X8 broke WrestleMania VIs attendance record which took place at the same stadium.
- This would be the last WrestleMania to use the WWF initials and logo as the World Wrestling Federation would change to World Wrestling Entertainment as a way of avoiding the constant court battles with the World Wildlife Fund which now makes full use of the initials WWF.
- This is the only WrestleMania to feature the WWF Undisputed Championship. Conversely, it is the last WrestleMania before the WWE Brand Extension.
- This is the second WrestleMania event to be held at the Toronto SkyDome (the first being WrestleMania VI). Ironically, both events featured Hulk Hogan, and both times he was the fan favorite (though at X8, it was unplanned), he lost his match, and he befriended his opponent after the match ended. Hulk Hogans match also made him the only wrestler to compete at both Toronto WrestleManias.
- This is the last WrestleMania appearances of Kevin Nash and Scott Hall to date.
- For the second year in a row, William Regal opened WrestleMania with an Intercontinental Championship match and he lost both.
- The Undertaker defeated Ric Flair at WrestleMania X8, taking his undefeated WrestleMania record to 10-0. The Tombstone that Ric Flair took actually proved to be real, in which lead to Flair suffering minor headaches. Ric Flairs taking on the Tombstone, however was voted as one of the best takings in WWE, followed by The Rocks takings on the Stone Cold Stunner.
- The fan that Ric Flair attacked during the angle leading to the match as well as the video package before the match is actually Paul London.
- The Legendary Arn Anderson made his second Wrestlemania appearance here, interfiering in the Flair/Taker contest, attacking Undertaker and saving his best friend Ric Flair. This was a throwback to the legendary Four Horsemen stable of the 1980s NWA, led by Ric Flair containing Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard.
- WrestleMania X8 was the second WrestleMania at the SkyDome for Edge and Diamond Dallas Page; Edge was in attendance at WrestleMania VI, and Page drove the car that brought the Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine to their match at that same WrestleMania.
- The first three matches in this WrestleMania were for the Intercontinental, European, and Hardcore Titles. To this date, this was the last time any of these belts were defended at WrestleMania since they were all deactivated later in the year. The IC Title, however, was brought back in 2003 two months after WrestleMania XIX. Even though the Intercontinental Champion has participated in matches at WrestleMania XX and 21, the title was not on the line. (Randy Orton in WM XX participated in a Handicap 3-on-2 Match and Shelton Benjamin in WM 21 was in the Money In the Bank Ladder Match)
- Both Drowning Pool and Saliva attended the event. As well as performing their respective themes for WrestleMania X8, Tear Away and Superstar, Saliva also performed Turn the Tables for the Dudley Boyz entrance and Drowning Pool performed their rendition of The Game for Triple Hs entrance.
- WrestleMania X8 was held on Tests birthday.
- This was the first WrestleMania that Hulk Hogan wrestled as a heel. All the other times he participated as a babyface.
- This was the only WrestleMania that used a combination of Roman and Arabic numerals in its title.
- This was the first time Edge Won via Pinfall.
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