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Edge vs Eddie Guerrero
Result: Edge pins Eddie Guerrero following a Spear.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Like Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio earlier in the night, Edge and Eddie Guerrero produced a great contest which demonstrated why they would become part of the fabled SmackDown Six in 2002. Guerrero, who would become one of the most beloved babyfaces of all time in later years, was the despicable, conniving heel on this occasion, whilst Edge was still in his first years as a singles star.
This clash would demonstrate why both would go on to be World Champions, but at this point they were hungry competitors looking to make a name for themselves, and they certainly went about proving that throughout.
It was again of a methodical pace, with the jackal Guerrero preying on a shoulder injury sustained by Edge early on as he landed hard to the floor following a misplaced spear. But it wasn’t simply rest holds and stretches, as Latino Heat was innovative with his targeted offense, including a diving armbar off the top rope.
Guerrero tore and clawed at the wound, as the crowd’s empathy for Edge grew to an explosion of delight when he finally forced his opponent away. The Canadian star battled back with one arm, soaring off the top turnbuckle and dropping Guerrero with the Edgecution. Guerrero responded by going back the arm, hitting the Frog Splash directly on the extremity. But Edge didn’t surrender, winning another excellent match with his deadly Spear.
Callum’s Take: An exciting sign of things to come for both Edge and Guerrero, as both would continue to produce strong, competitive contests for the remainder of 2002.