Match Memories: Kurt Angle vs. John Cena (SmackDown 6/7/02)

Next up in the Match Memories series is a look back at John Cena’s official WWE main roster in 2002, which featured him showcasing his potential in a showdown with Kurt Angle.

Let’s jump in!

Kurt Angle vs. John Cena

• Event: WWE Smackdown
• Date: June 27, 2002
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Match Length: 5:38

Kurt Angle was on a roll. 

Sure, a month or so prior he lost a match and had his head shaved by Edge. But the guy had recently scored wins against Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker, and he and his fake wig were as confident as ever.

So, after Vince McMahon gave him a stellar introduction and Angle made his way to the ring with his goofy hair and wrestling headgear, he decided to use that confidence to issue an open challenge. Not just to any wrestler, but to any wrestler he hadn’t squared off with before. 

Cue the generic Smackdown music and a young wrestler named John Cena.

This, of course, led to Cena make his way to the ring and accept the challenge, with Angle wanting to know what quality would allow him to compete with the best in the business.

The answer? RUTHLESS AGGRESSION. And then Cena slapped the shit out of him.

For those who think WWE doesn’t know how to make a new star, well, they sure had it figured out here. 

The match was exactly what it needed to be. Cena countered several of Angle’s signature moves, and the crowd was eating it up with a spoon. You believed that Cena could win the match – an always important element when trying to get fans to buy someone as a major player. 

Cena’s desperation to prove himself led to multiple pin attempts on Angle. However, Angle kept kicking out, with Cena does an excellent job of showing his frustration at getting so close to the biggest win of his career.

Angle would win the match with a double chicken wing pin, but the result didn’t matter. A star was made, and it was the launching pad for Cena’s eventual run as the face of the WWE.

Another element that made this match special: the commentary. In an era where commentators shout over each other (at least in the WWE), Michael Cole and Tazz were simply outstanding. Cole kept pushing that Angle was the first person to make Hogan tap out, which only furthered Cena’s potential as a top talent. It’s the little things! They’re so simple and effective when used right.

After the match, Cena made his way to the back and got love from guys like Rikishi, Farooq, and Billy Kidman. Then came the biggest endorsement of all from The Undertaker, who offered Cena a handshake and told him ‘nice job’.

Smackdown was a hell of a show in 2002, but for all the great moments, this was undoubtedly one of the best-executed 15 or so minutes of television that the company did during that era.

It was filled with common sense, competitive wrestling, and most importantly, RUTHLESS AGGRESSION.

• Blake’s Rating: ***1/2