View source for Royal Rumble (2002)

{{short description|World Wrestling Federation pay-per-view event}}
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name       = Royal Rumble
|image      = Royal Rumble 2002.jpg
|alt        =
|caption    = Promotional poster featuring a silhouette of [[Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson|The Rock]]
|tagline    = 30 Men, One Match, One W1nner
|promotion  = [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]]
|date       = January 20, 2002<ref name=oww>{{cite web|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble02.html|title=Royal Rumble 2002 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=March 26, 2008}}</ref>
|venue      = [[Philips Arena]]<ref name=oww/>
|city       = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]<ref name=oww/>
|attendance = 16,106<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=9456|title=Royal Rumble history part two|first=Dan|last=Wahlers|date=January 21, 2004|publisher=Wrestling Observer|access-date=March 25, 2008}}</ref>
|buyrate    = 670,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/resources/wwe-pay-per-view-buys-wwf-ppv-buyrate/|title=WWE Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)|date=March 25, 2020|work=Wrestlenomics|access-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref>
|lastevent  = [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]]
|nextevent  = [[No Way Out (2002)|No Way Out]]
|event      = [[Royal Rumble]]
|lastevent2 = [[Royal Rumble (2001)|2001]]
|nextevent2 = [[Royal Rumble (2003)|2003]]
}}
The 2002 '''Royal Rumble''' was the 15th annual [[Royal Rumble]] [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|event]] produced by the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE). It took place on January 20, 2002, at the [[Philips Arena]] in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. It was the final Royal Rumble event produced under the WWF name, as in May, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was also the final Royal Rumble held before the introduction of the first [[WWE brand extension|brand extension]] in March. Six matches were contested at the event. 

As has been customary since 1993, the [[Royal Rumble match]] winner received a world championship match at that year's [[WrestleMania]]. For the 2002 event, the winner received a match for the [[Undisputed WWF Championship]] at [[WrestleMania X8]]—this was the last Royal Rumble until [[Royal Rumble (2014)|2014]] to feature one world championship. The [[main event]] was the 2002 Royal Rumble match, which was won by [[Triple H]], who last eliminated [[Kurt Angle]]. In other prominent matches, [[Chris Jericho]] defeated [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] to retain the Undisputed WWF Championship, [[Ric Flair]] defeated [[Vince McMahon]] in a [[Street Fight match|Street Fight]], and [[William Regal]] defeated [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] to win the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]].

==Production==
===Background===
[[File:State Farm (Phillips) Arena, Atlanta, GA (46558861525).jpg |thumb|The event was held at the [[Philips Arena]] in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].]]
The [[Royal Rumble]] is an annual [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) produced every January by the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE) since 1988. It is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along with [[WrestleMania]], [[SummerSlam]], and [[Survivor Series]], which were dubbed the "Big Four",<ref>Ian Hamilton. ''Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition'' (p. 160)</ref> and was considered one of the "Big Five" PPVs, along with [[King of the Ring]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Sullivan|first=Kevin|author-link=Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|title=The WWE Championship: A Look Back at the Rich History of the WWE Championship|date=November 23, 2010|publisher=[[Gallery Books]]|isbn=9781439193211|page=124|quote=At the time, SummerSlam was one of WWE's "big five" Pay-Per-Views (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, King of the Ring, and Survivor Series were the others), ...}}</ref> It is named after the [[Royal Rumble match]], a modified [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] in which the participants enter at timed intervals instead of all beginning in the ring at the same time. The 2002 event was the 15th event in the Royal Rumble chronology and was scheduled to be held on January 20, 2002, at the [[Philips Arena]] in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]].<ref name=411mania>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31030/411s-WWF-Royal-Rumble-Report-1.20.02.htm|title=411's WWF Royal Rumble Report 1.20.02|date=January 21, 2002|work=[[411Mania]]|access-date=March 25, 2008}}</ref><ref name=slam>{{cite web|url=https://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan21_rumble-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630174936/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan21_rumble-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=Rumble 2002 stumbles Triple H wins WrestleMania spot|first=John|last=Powell|date=January 21, 2002|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=March 25, 2008}}</ref>

The Royal Rumble match generally features 30 wrestlers. Traditionally, the winner of the match earns a [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world championship]] match at that year's WrestleMania.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|title=Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=December 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050714073539/https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|archive-date=July 14, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Waldman|title=Statistical survival – breaking down the Royal Rumble|url=https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|first=Jon|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=December 9, 2007|date=February 2, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019171213/https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|archive-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref> For 2002, the winner earned a match for the [[Undisputed WWF Championship]] at [[WrestleMania X8]], following the unification of the WWF Championship and [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|(WCW) World Championship]] as the Undisputed WWF Championship at [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]] in December 2001.<ref name=411mania/>

=== Storylines ===
The event comprised six matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed [[Face (professional wrestling)|heroes]], [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villains]], or [[Tweener (professional wrestling)|less distinguishable characters]] in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWF's writers, while storylines were produced on WWF's weekly television shows, ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|work=HowStuffWorks|date=January 13, 2006|publisher=[[Discovery Communications]]|access-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Live & Televised Entertainment|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=March 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218142749/https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref>

The main [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] was between [[Chris Jericho]] and [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] for Jericho's [[WWE Championship|Undisputed WWF Championship]]. The feud, which had begun in October 2001 while the two were members of Team WWF during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|InVasion]] and traded the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW Championship]] between them, continued at [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]], when Jericho defeated both The Rock and the reigning WWF Champion [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] to unify the titles.<ref name=wweresults>{{cite web|publisher=[[WWE]]|title=Vengeance 2001 official results|access-date=2007-07-29|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2001/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716153628/https://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2001/results/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=2007-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/vengeance01.html|title=Vengeance 2001 results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=2008-01-30}}</ref> On the following night's episode of ''Raw'', Jericho successfully defended the Undisputed title over Stone Cold Steve Austin in a [[Steel Cage match]] with help from [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]]. During the following two weeks, Jericho had successfully defended the title against the likes of [[Rob Van Dam]], [[Paul Wight|The Big Show]], and [[Kurt Angle]]. The Rock earned a match for the Undisputed WWF Championship at the Royal Rumble on the January 3 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' by defeating Booker T.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31221/The-SmarkDown-Rant---January-3---2002.htm|title=The SmarkDown Rant – January 3 / 2002|first=Scott|last=Keith|date=2002-01-04|publisher=[[411Mania]]|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> On the January 10 episode of ''SmackDown!'', The Rock and Rob Van Dam defeated Jericho and [[Test (wrestler)|Test]] when The Rock made Jericho submit with the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]].<ref name=sd-0110>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30379/411s-WWF-Smackdown-Report-1.10.02.htm|title=411's WWF Smackdown Report 1.10.02|first=Sean|last=McCluskey|date=2002-01-10|publisher=[[411Mania]]|access-date=March 25, 2008}}</ref>

The secondary feud was between the two WWF Co-Owners [[Ric Flair]] and [[Vince McMahon]]. The feud began on the November 19 episode of ''Raw'', when Flair made his return to the WWF and revealed that he had bought [[Shane McMahon|Shane]] and [[Stephanie McMahon|Stephanie]]'s stock to the WWF, which now meant that he and Vince were co-owners the company. On the December 27 episode of ''SmackDown!'', McMahon came to the ring to share his new year's resolutions when he was interrupted by Flair. Flair reminded Vince how he had tried to hire him to come to the WWF when he was under contract with the [[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA]] back in 1988, until Flair eventually left the NWA  (which, at this point, had become [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]]) and came to the WWF in 1991, and how he had won the [[1992 Royal Rumble|1992 Royal Rumble match]] and became [[WWF Champion]]. Flair also brought up his main event match with [["Macho Man" Randy Savage]] at [[WrestleMania VIII]]. Flair then claimed that he looked through all the contracts one of which he pulled out that said "Vince McMahon - Owner/Wrestler" which meant that Flair could officially book Vince to wrestle at the Royal Rumble. McMahon then asked "who's got the balls" to step into the ring with him, before Flair punched Vince in the mouth and announced that the two of them would face each other at the Royal Rumble. The following week, Flair announced that the match would be a [[Hardcore wrestling|Street Fight]], which Vince agreed to. The next four weeks saw Flair and McMahon confronting each other in the build up to their match, including McMahon mocking Flair by putting on a blonde wig and one of Flair's trademak robes, before also assaulting Flair with a lead pipe. During a promo, McMahon stated he "loves destroying lives" and promised to destroy Flair's life at the Royal Rumble.

On the January 7 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', buildup towards the Royal Rumble match started, with [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|"Stone Cold" Steve Austin]] declaring his entry. Later that night, [[Triple H]] officially made his return after missing nearly eight months with a quadriceps injury, and announced that he too would be entering the Royal Rumble match. He was quickly interrupted by Kurt Angle, who then announced his intentions to enter the match, which was to be his first, and mentioned his victory over Triple H at the previous year's [[Royal Rumble (2001)|Royal Rumble]] event, when he was the reigning WWF Champion. Triple H then performed a [[Facebuster#Double underhook facebuster|Pedigree]] on Angle in retaliation.<ref name=raw-0107>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30378/411s-WWF-Raw-Report-1.7.02.htm|title=411's WWF Raw Report 1.7.02|date=2002-01-07|publisher=[[411Mania]]|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> During a match between Austin and Angle on the January 10 episode of ''SmackDown!'', [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], [[Paul Wight|The Big Show]], and Triple H all interfered, leading to a huge brawl. In the end, only Triple H remained standing, until [[The Undertaker]] stared him down from the top of the ramp.<ref name=sd-0110/> On the January 14 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H stated that he wants to win the Undisputed WWF Championship. Austin came out, and they fought until The Undertaker came out, and hit Triple H with a chair, allowing Austin to hit him with the [[Stunner (professional wrestling)|Stone Cold Stunner]]. The Undertaker then hit Austin with the chair.<ref name=raw-0114>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30383/411s-WWF-Raw-Report-14.01.02.htm|title=411's WWF Raw Report 14.01.02|first=Carlos|last=Mahuad|date=2002-01-14|publisher=[[411Mania]]|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> On the January 17 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Austin and Triple H defeated Angle and Booker T. After the match, The Undertaker once again came out, and stared them down.<ref name=sd-0117/>

The feud between [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[William Regal]] continued from Vengeance. On the December 10 episode of ''Raw'', Edge mocked Regal, prompting Regal to nail him from behind with [[brass knuckles]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30360/411s-WWF-Raw-Report-12.10.01.htm|title=411's WWF Raw Report 12.10.01|date=2001-12-10|publisher=[[411Mania]]|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> On the December 13 episode of ''SmackDown!'', William Regal and Kurt Angle faced Edge and Rikishi in a tag match. After the match, Edge hit Regal with a steel chair, before giving Regal an [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Lifting DDT|Edgecution]] onto the chair, legitimately breaking his nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31217/The-SmarKdown-Rant---December-13---2001.htm|title=The SmarKdown Rant – December 13 / 2001|first=Scott|last=Keith|date=2001-12-13|publisher=[[411Mania]]|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> On the January 7 episode of ''Raw'', Regal interfered after Edge's victory over [[Lance Storm]] and hit him with brass knuckles.<ref name=raw-0107/> Regal then challenged Edge to a match for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] at the Royal Rumble, which Edge accepted.<ref name=sd-0110/> On the January 14 episode of ''Raw'', Edge and [[Rob Van Dam]] faced William Regal and [[Test (wrestler)|Test]], where Regal pinned Edge after once again using the brass knuckles.<ref name="raw-0114"/> On the January 17 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Regal defeated Rob Van Dam when he used brass knuckles behind the referee's back. Later on that night, Regal came out during Edge's match with Test, but failed to interfere when Edge nailed him and referee [[Nick Patrick (referee)|Nick Patrick]] with a chair.<ref name=sd-0117>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30384/411s-WWF-Smackdown-Report-1.17.02.htm|title=411's WWF Smackdown Report 1.17.02|first=Sean|last=McCluskey|date=2002-01-17|publisher=[[411Mania]]|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref>

==Event==
===Preliminary matches===
{| class=wikitable style="font-size:90%; margin: 0.5em 0 0.5em 1em; float: right; clear: right;"
|+ '''Other on-screen personnel'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/rr02.html|title=WWF Royal Rumble 2002|publisher=Hoffco, Inc.|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref>
!width=70|Role:
!|Name:
|-
|rowspan=4|Commentator
|[[Jim Ross]]
|-
|[[Jerry Lawler]]
|-
|[[Carlos Cabrera]] {{small|(Spanish)}}
|-
|[[Hugo Savinovich]] {{small|(Spanish)}}
|-
|rowspan=3|Interviewer
|[[Jonathan Coachman]]
|-
|[[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]]
|-
|[[Lilian Garcia]]
|-
|rowspan=1|WWF New York host
|[[Shawn Michaels]]
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Ring announcer]]
|[[Howard Finkel]]
|-
|rowspan=9|[[Referee (professional wrestling)|Referee]]
|[[Mike Chioda]]
|-
|[[Jack Doan]]
|-
|[[Brian Hebner]]
|-
|[[Earl Hebner]]
|-
|[[Jim Korderas]]
|-
|[[Theodore Long]]
|-
|[[Nick Patrick (referee)|Nick Patrick]]
|-
|[[Charles Robinson (referee)|Charles Robinson]]
|-
|[[Tim White (wrestling)|Tim White]]
|-
|}
The show opened with a tag team match between [[Matt Hyson|Spike Dudley]] and [[Tazz]], and the [[Dudley Boyz]] ([[Mark LoMonaco|Bubba Ray Dudley]] and [[Devon Hughes|D-Von Dudley]]) for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]]. The Dudley Boyz dominated Spike in the beginning, with Bubba Ray ripping off Spike's [[Cervical collar|neck brace]]. Spike fought back by performing a [[Cutter (professional wrestling)|Dudley Dog]], but failed to capitalize. The Dudley Boyz then double-teamed Spike while the [[Referee (professional wrestling)|referee]] was preoccupied with Tazz. Tazz eventually came in, and both dominated. [[Stacy Keibler]], who accompanied the Dudley Boyz to ringside, climbed on the apron, and attempted to distract Tazz. Tazz then locked in the Tazzmission until D-Von broke the hold. Spike then hit the Dudley Dog on Bubba and attempted to do the same on D-Von, but Spike was thrown out of the ring. D-Von then ran at Tazz in the corner which he dodged, before then applying the [[Professional wrestling holds#Half nelson choke|Tazzmission]] to retain the titles.<ref name=411mania/><ref name=slam/>

The second match was between [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[William Regal]] for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]]. Before the match, the referee found [[brass knuckles]] in Regal's tights, and confiscated them. The match went back and forth, until Regal knocked Edge out of the ring. Once back inside this ring, Regal applied the [[Professional wrestling holds#Cross-legged STF|Regal Stretch]], but Edge reached the ropes to break the hold. Edge then attempted a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Spear|spear]], but Regal pushed the referee in his path, incapacitating him. Regal then took out another pair of brass knuckles which he had hidden, and hit Edge with them. The referee then recovered to count the pinfall, and Regal won the title.<ref name=411mania/><ref name=slam/>

The next match was between [[Trish Stratus]] and [[Jazz (wrestler)|Jazz]] for the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWF Women's Championship]], with [[Jacqueline Moore|Jacqueline]] as the [[Professional wrestling match types#Special referee|special guest referee]]. Jazz had the early advantage, focusing on Stratus' injured hand. Jazz then confronted Jacqueline, and they shoved each other. Stratus attempted to capitalize by hitting Jazz with a [[Professional wrestling throws#Bulldog|bulldog]], but Jazz countered with a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|roll-up]], and executed a [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Snap DDT|snap DDT]] for a near fall. Stratus then blocked an attack in the corner, and delivered a bulldog to win the match, and retain the title.<ref name=411mania/><ref name=slam/>

The fourth match was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Street Fight|Street Fight]] between [[Ric Flair]] and [[Vince McMahon]]. Flair quickly gained the early advantage with punches and [[Professional wrestling attacks#Backhand chop|knife edge chops]]. McMahon then attacked him with weapons, and sent him into the ringpost and steps. McMahon then applied the [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure-four leglock|figure four leglock]], but Flair reversed it. McMahon reached the ropes, and retreated outside the ring. Flair then hit McMahon with a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|low blow]], a television monitor, and a lead pipe. Flair then forced McMahon to submit to the figure four leglock to win the match.<ref name=411mania/><ref name=slam/>
[[File:Jerichoentrance.jpg|thumb|right|200px|alt=|[[Chris Jericho]], the [[WWE Championship|Undisputed WWF Champion]]]]
The semi-main event was between [[Chris Jericho]] and [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] for the [[WWE Championship|Undisputed WWF Championship]]. The Rock quickly took control of the match and got a near-fall following a [[samoan drop]]. However, Jericho soon regained control, and removed the padding off one of the turnbuckles. Jericho then attempted the [[Boston crab|Walls of Jericho]], but The Rock escaped. Jericho continued his control, until The Rock delivered a [[Suplex#Superplex|superplex]], and a [[Suplex#Belly to belly suplex|snap overhead belly to belly suplex]]. Jericho retaliated with two [[Moonsault#Springboard moonsault|Lionsaults]]. The Rock then countered an attempted [[Dropkick#Missile dropkick|missile dropkick]], and applied the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]]. Just then, [[Lance Storm]] and [[Jason Reso|Christian]] distracted the referee as Jericho submitted, meaning The Rock could not win the title. As The Rock disposed of them, Jericho took advantage and executed a [[Powerslam#Side slam|Rock Bottom]] and attempted a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Elbow drop|People's Elbow]], but The Rock avoided it and threw Jericho out of the ring. Jericho then gained back some control and tried to hit a Rock Bottom through the Spanish announce table, but The Rock countered and executed a Rock Bottom of his own through the English announce table. Back in the ring, The Rock covered Jericho for a close near-fall. Jericho then countered another attempted Rock Bottom and again applied the Walls of Jericho, but The Rock reached the ropes and rolled Jericho up for another close near-fall on the second attempt. The Rock then accidentally hit the referee, and Jericho took advantage by hitting The Rock with the WWF title belt. Jericho then signaled for [[Nick Patrick (referee)|Nick Patrick]] (a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] referee) to come out and referee the match. The Rock then executed a [[DDT (professional wrestling)|DDT]], but Patrick refused to count the pinfall. The Rock then attacked Patrick with a Rock Bottom, and executed a [[Professional wrestling throws#Spinebuster|Spinebuster]] and a People's Elbow on Jericho. As The Rock tried to revive the original referee, [[Earl Hebner]], Jericho again took advantage and hit a low blow, and sent The Rock into the exposed turnbuckle. Jericho then pinned The Rock with a roll-up using the ropes as extra leverage to retain the title.<ref name=411mania/><ref name=slam/>

===Main event===
The [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] was the [[Royal Rumble match]]. [[The Undertaker]], the eighth entrant, dominated upon entering the match, and eliminated all four of the remaining participants. [[Matt Hardy]] entered next and [[Lita (wrestler)|Lita]], who accompanied Matt, entered the ring to help. The next entrant was [[Jeff Hardy]], and all three attacked The Undertaker, reigniting their previous rivalry with him. The Undertaker eventually eliminated them both. The Hardys returned, however, and continued their attack, but were thrown out again. This distraction allowed [[Maven Huffman|Maven]], the following entrant, to eliminate The Undertaker. The Undertaker returned, beat down Maven, and eliminated him. The Undertaker then assaulted [[Scott Garland (wrestler)|Scotty 2 Hotty]] during his entrance, and continued his attack on Maven into the crowd, and to the backstage area, including smashing his head into a popcorn machine. The match continued with [[Christian (wrestler)|Christian]] and Scotty 2 Hotty battling it out, and the ring began to fill with more wrestlers. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the nineteenth entrant, dominated upon his entrance, and eliminated all three of the remaining participants. While he waited for the next entrant, he brought Christian and [[Chuck Palumbo|Chuck]], whom he had eliminated, back in, and beat them down with Stone Cold Stunners, before throwing them back over the top rope . Austin then eliminated the next two entrants, leaving him as the only man in the ring. [[Triple H]] then made his official in-ring return from injury at No. 22, brawling with Austin. [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]] returned as the twenty-fifth entrant to a loud ovation. [[Paul Wight|The Big Show]], the twenty-seventh entrant, dominated upon entering, until [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] entered next. Kane eliminated The Big Show, before Kane was also eliminated by Austin and [[Kurt Angle]], the twenty-sixth entrant.<ref name=411mania/><ref name=slam/> [[Rob Van Dam]] made his Royal Rumble debut by entering the ring at No. 29, taking down nearly everyone with a variety of high-flying moves, until Triple H delivered the Pedigree to him. [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]], also making his Royal Rumble debut, entered at No. 30, and quickly eliminated Van Dam. He then performed the "Spin-A-Roonie", and was quickly eliminated from the Rumble after receiving a Stone Cold Stunner from Austin.

The final four remaining were Austin, Triple H, Angle and Perfect. Angle executed an [[Professional wrestling throws#Olympic slam|Angle Slam]] on Triple H and three [[Suplex#German suplex|German suplexes]] on Austin. Austin then hit a low blow on Angle, but Perfect and Angle double-teamed him. Angle then eliminated Austin as he was trying to eliminate Perfect. Austin then pulled Perfect outside and attacked him, before Angle attacked Austin from behind. Back in the ring, Perfect and Angle attacked Triple H. Austin once again entered the ring and hit Perfect, Angle and Triple H with a [[Folding chair|steel chair]] before finally leaving. Angle then attacked Perfect with a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|clothesline]] by accident, and Perfect executed a [[Suplex#Fisherman suplex|Perfect-Plex]] on Angle out retaliation. Triple H then eliminated Perfect with a clothesline, leaving only Angle and Triple H as the final two. It went back and forth before Angle sent Triple H over the top rope with a back body drop, but Triple H held on. Angle thought he had won, and prematurely celebrated. Triple H took advantage, and executed a [[Professional wrestling throws#Knee smash facebreaker|facebuster knee smash]] on Angle, followed by a clothesline over the top rope to win the Royal Rumble match.<ref name=411mania/><ref name=slam/>

==Reception==
In 2011, Jack Bramma of 411Mania gave the event a rating of 7.5 [Good], writing, "Despite the super hot crowd, this is a great rumble but only a good show altogether. The Rock-Jericho match is mildly disappointing knowing what they are capable of and the Flair-Vince match is nowhere near the level of even Vince’s best garbage matches. The Edge-Regal match is a good title match but easily missable. [Not] overwhelmingly outstanding, but still a solid recommendation."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ring-crew-reviews-wwe-royal-rumble-2002/|title=Ring Crew Reviews: WWE Royal Rumble 2002|first=Jack|last=Bramma|publisher=411mania.com|access-date=2021-09-23|date=2011-01-23}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
Austin won a number one contender's match against [[Kurt Angle]] on the January 28 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' to earn a match for the [[WWE Championship|Undisputed WWF Championship]] at [[No Way Out (2002)|No Way Out]]. A feud between Austin and [[Chris Jericho]] started with Jericho interfering in Austin's match by attacking him with his title belt.<ref name=sd-0211>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30403/411s-WWF-Raw-Report-2.11.02.htm|title=411's WWF Raw Report 2.11.02|access-date=2008-03-25|date=2002-02-11|publisher=411mania}}</ref>

[[The Undertaker]] continued his feud with Maven over the elimination during the Royal Rumble match, which grew to include [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] after he mocked The Undertaker for his quick elimination. The Undertaker's interference led to The Rock losing to Kurt Angle in the tournament to challenge for the Undisputed championship at No Way Out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30389/411s-WWF-Smackdown-Report-1.24.02.htm|title=411's WWF Smackdown Report 1.24.02|first=Sean|last=McCluskey|date=2002-01-24|publisher=411mania|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> On the February 4 episode of ''Raw'', during a tag team match, The Undertaker grabbed a steel lead pipe from his motorcycle and nailed The Rock in the head with it, allowing [[Chris Jericho]] to score the pinfall win. The Rock retaliated by hitting him with a chair and helping Maven win the [[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]] that The Undertaker had won at Vengeance; however The Undertaker performed a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]] on The Rock onto the hood of a limousine in revenge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30399/411s-WWF-Smackdown-Report-2.7.02.htm|title=411's WWF Smackdown Report 2.7.02|first=Sean|last=McCluskey|date=2002-02-07|publisher=411mania|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> A match was made between the two at No Way Out.<ref name=sd-0211/>

[[Kurt Angle]] started a feud with [[Triple H]], unhappy about how he lost the Royal Rumble match, and attacked Triple H after a confrontation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30388/411s-WWF-Raw-Report-20.01.02.htm|title=411's WWF Raw Report 20.01.02|first=Carlos|last=Mahuad|date=2002-01-20|publisher=411mania|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> During Triple H's match with Booker T, Angle interfered and attacked Triple H. Angle then had Vince McMahon make a match between the two at No Way Out for Triple H's title shot at [[WrestleMania X8]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30397/411s-WWF-Raw-Report-2.4.02.htm|title=411's WWF Raw Report 2.4.02|date=2002-02-04|publisher=411mania|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref> Triple H and his on-screen wife [[Stephanie McMahon]] were having problems, so she faked a pregnancy and demanded that they renew their wedding vows. Triple H discovered the truth, and ended their marriage.<ref name=sd-0211/> Stephanie McMahon then announced herself as the guest referee in the match at No Way Out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30404/411s-WWF-Smackdown-Report-2.14.02.htm|title=411's WWF Smackdown Report 2.14.02|first=Sean|last=McCluskey|date=2002-02-14|publisher=411mania|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref>

The 2002 Royal Rumble was the last Royal Rumble held under the WWF name, as in May 2002, the promotion was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).<ref name=GetFOut>{{cite web| title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment| publisher=WWE| url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp| access-date=August 28, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119180317/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp| archive-date=January 19, 2009| df=mdy-all}}</ref> It was also the last Royal Rumble until [[Royal Rumble (2014)|2014]] in which there was only one world championship for the Rumble winner to challenge for as in March 2002, the promotion introduced the first [[WWE brand extension|brand extension]], which split the roster into two distinct brands, [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]], where the wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform. At first, the Undisputed Championship was available to both brands, but in September, it became exclusive to SmackDown! and renamed to WWE Championship after Raw introduced the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] as their top title.<ref name="BrandExtensionPressRelease">{{cite press release|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp |title=WWE Entertainment To Make RAW and SMACKDOWN Distinct Television Brands |publisher=[[WWE]] |date=March 27, 2002 |access-date=April 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417115226/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp |archive-date=April 17, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> Additionally, King of the Ring was discontinued as a PPV following its [[King of the Ring (2002)|2002 event]], thus the Royal Rumble, along with WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series, reverted to being called the "Big Four" until October 2021 when [[WWE Money in the Bank|Money in the Bank]] was recognized as one of the "Big Five".<ref name="MITB-Big5">{{cite web |last1=Desilva |first1=Kristen |title=WWE's Money In The Bank coming to Las Vegas in July 2022 |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/more/entertainment/wwes-money-in-the-bank-coming-to-las-vegas-in-july-2022/article_064bce6a-0393-11ec-8264-db9051a10498.html |website=[[KVVU-TV]] |access-date=October 30, 2021 |date=October 25, 2021}}</ref>

==Results==
{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results = <ref name=oww/><ref name=wwe>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811413/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2002 Results|publisher=WWE|access-date=2008-03-25}}</ref>
|times = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#2002|title=Royal Rumble 2002|access-date=January 22, 2012|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>
|match1 = [[Spike Dudley]] and [[Tazz]] (c) defeated [[The Dudley Boyz]] ([[Bubba Ray Dudley]] and [[D-Von Dudley]]) (with [[Stacy Keibler]]) by [[Submission (professional wrestling)|submission]]
|stip1  = [[Tag team match]] for the [[WWF Tag Team Championship]]
|time1  = 5:06
|match2 = [[William Regal]] defeated [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] (c)
|stip2  = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWF Intercontinental Championship]]
|time2  = 9:45
|match3 = [[Trish Stratus]] (c) defeated [[Jazz (wrestler)|Jazz]]
|stip3  = Singles match for the [[WWF Women's Championship]] with [[Jacqueline Moore|Jacqueline]] as [[special guest referee]]
|time3  = 3:43
|match4 = [[Ric Flair]] defeated [[Mr. McMahon]] by submission
|stip4  = [[Hardcore match|Street Fight]]
|time4  = 14:55
|match5 = [[Chris Jericho]] (c) defeated [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]
|stip5  = Singles match for the [[Undisputed WWF Championship]]
|time5  = 18:50
|match6 = [[Triple H]] won by last eliminating [[Kurt Angle]]
|stip6  = 30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for an [[Undisputed WWF Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania X8]]
|time6  = 1:09:23
}}

===Royal Rumble entrances and eliminations===
A new entrant came out approximately every 2 minutes.

{{Color box|Gold|border=Black}} – '''Winner'''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Draw<ref name="RRfacts">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811413/mainevent|title=Rumble Match: Triple H (spot No. 22) wins the Royal Rumble Match|access-date=April 8, 2011|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
!Entrant
!Order eliminated
!Eliminated by
!Time<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble2.html#2002|title=Royal Rumble 2002|access-date=April 8, 2011|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>
!Eliminations
|-
|{{sort|01|1}}
|[[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]]
|{{sort|06|6}}
|rowspan="2"|The Undertaker
|13:39
|1
|-
|{{sort|02|2}}
|[[Goldust]]
|{{sort|04|4}}
|12:52
|0
|-
|{{sort|03|3}}
|{{sort|Big Boss Man|[[Big Boss Man (wrestler)|Big Boss Man]]}}
|{{sort|01|1}}
|Rikishi
|03:05
|0
|-
|{{sort|04|4}}
|[[John Layfield|Bradshaw]]
|{{sort|03|3}}
|Billy
|07:17
|0
|-
|{{sort|05|5}}
|[[Lance Storm]]
|{{sort|02|2}}
|Al Snow
|04:46
|0
|-
|{{sort|06|6}}
|[[Al Snow]]
|{{sort|05|5}}
|rowspan="2"|The Undertaker
|05:12
|1
|-
|{{sort|07|7}}
|[[Billy Gunn|Billy]]
|{{sort|07|7}}
|03:37
|1
|-
|{{sort|08|8}}
|{{sort|Undertaker|[[The Undertaker]]}}
|10
|Maven
|07:40
|7
|-
|{{sort|09|9}}
|[[Matt Hardy]]
|{{sort|09|9}}
|The Undertaker
|04:16
|0
|-
|10
|[[Jeff Hardy]]
|{{sort|08|8}}
|The Undertaker
|01:30
|0
|-
|11
|[[Maven (wrestler)|Maven]]
|11
|rowspan="1"|The Undertaker{{Ref|Maven}}
|03:34
|1
|-
|12
|[[Scotty 2 Hotty]]
|12
|Diamond Dallas Page
|02:36
|0
|-
|13
|[[Christian Cage|Christian]]
|16
|Stone Cold Steve Austin
|12:14
|3
|-
|14
|[[Diamond Dallas Page]]
|13
|Christian
|05:15
|1
|-
|15
|[[Chuck Palumbo|Chuck]]
|17
|Stone Cold Steve Austin
|09:04
|2
|-
|16
|{{sort|Godfather|[[Charles Wright (wrestler)|The Godfather]]}}
|15
|Chuck and Christian 
|01:48
|0
|-
|17
|[[Matt Bloom|Albert]]
|14
|Chuck and Christian
|00:48
|0
|-
|18
|[[Perry Saturn]]
|18
|Stone Cold Steve Austin
|02:57
|0
|-
|19
|[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]
|27
|Kurt Angle & Mr. Perfect
|26:46
|7
|-
|20
|[[Val Venis]]
|19
|rowspan="2"|Stone Cold Steve Austin
|02:58
|0
|-
|21
|[[Test (wrestler)|Test]]
|20
|01:42
|0
|-style="background: gold"
|'''22'''
|'''[[Triple H]]'''
|'''{{sort|30|<nowiki>-</nowiki>}}'''
|'''Winner'''
|'''23:14'''
|'''4'''
|-
|23
|{{sort|Hurricane|[[Gregory Helms|The Hurricane]]}}
|21
|Stone Cold Steve Austin & Triple H
|00:39
|0
|-
|24
|[[Faarooq]]
|22
|rowspan="3"|Triple H
|00:36
|0
|-
|25
|[[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]]
|28
|15:18
|1
|-
|26
|[[Kurt Angle]]
|29
|16:09
|2
|-
|27
|{{sort|Big Show|[[Big Show]]}}
|23
|Kane
|02:45
|0
|-
|28
|[[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]]
|24
|Kurt Angle
|01:02
|1
|-
|29
|[[Rob Van Dam]]
|25
|Booker T
|02:12
|0
|-
|30
|[[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]]
|26
|Stone Cold Steve Austin{{Ref|Austin}}
|00:33
|1
|}

{{note|Maven}} Undertaker assaulted and eliminated Maven following his own elimination by Maven.<br>
{{note|Austin}} This was Austin's 36th career elimination in the Royal Rumble, which was a record held for eight years until [[Shawn Michaels]] broke it in the [[Royal Rumble (2010)|2010 Royal Rumble]].

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811413/ Official website]
*[https://royalrumble2020.net/ Royal Rumble 2020]

{{WWEPPV|Royal Rumble}}
{{2002 WWF/WWE pay-per-view events}}

[[Category:Royal Rumble|2002]]
[[Category:2002 in Atlanta]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling shows in Atlanta]]
[[Category:2002 WWE pay-per-view events]]
[[Category:January 2002 in the United States]]