On this day in history:
May 6th, 2002 | After an unsuccessful bid at Jazz‘s Women’s Title, Trish Stratus found herself in the midst of one of the skirmishes brought about by the Hardcore Title’s 24-hour defense rule. She pinned Crash Holly after he took a trash can to the head from Bubba Dudley and became the new Hardcore Champion. This, naturally, was short lived, and Bubba–blinded by a fire extinguisher blast and thinking he had Jazz in his grasp–powerbombed Trish through a table, setting her up to be pinned by Stevie Richards and lose her title. Easy come, easy go!
What are your memories of this moment? Tell us in the comments!
48 Comments
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1st time I watched this match… still hard to believe wwe has changed within a decade
Ryan Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
Check out Trish Stratus and Buh Buh vs Big Show and Molly Holly..awesome match and chairs involved..also Molly Holly n Chris Norwinski vs Buhbuh n Trish in a Tables Match on RAW…2002 has Trish Stratus most physical moments! Table matches hardcore matches and her matches agains Jazz Ivory Molly Stacey Keibler and Victoria are at their best!!
Trish and the DUdley Boyz vs Chris Jericho Christian and Victoria(TNA’s Tara) will blow you away! She took some sick bumps so did Victoria
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It always hurts my head to think about how much the booking has changed. So much was put into that two hour show, and it always made sense. Today the two hours go by quickly and usually it’s all a jumbled mess. Goodness…
Raekon Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
So true. Today we get like 1 hour and 45 minutes advertisements and endless promos and like 15 minutes with matches.
Back then it was rather the other way around.
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Trish was such a bad ass.
I know people claim she’s overrated but she took some ridiculous spots during her tenure. Table shots, hardcore matches, matches with the men, splashes from big Viscera with a herniated disc, that chokeslam from Kane, etc. Trish wasn’t afraid to get her ass handed to her in order to be the best.
perceval Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
She was working with the herniated disc all the way back to the Summer of 2004. That’s when reports first surfaced of her back injury. So, that entire classic run as heel Champion was with a herniated disc. This would also be when she lost a knuckle.
And, of course, it was during this that she worked for those weeks with the black eye and part of her face bruised. That confuses newer WWE fans when they watch those matches and promos, some arguing that it had to be make-up because they just wouldn’t have one of their main Divas on TV legit beaten up like that. They can’t picture that things were different, then.
The modern “They must look perfect at all times” approach must have really annoyed Beth when they kept her off TV for weeks because her face was bruised.
melon2617 Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
Most likely. Remember when she worked with that split lip too?
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The Hardcore Title, the true hot potateo title of wrestling.
As Melon2617 said, Trish took some crazy bumps. Her matches with Victoria were just brutal & apparently her willingness to take bumps so early in her career (2000-2001) rubbed everyone the right away. Ever since then she’s been beloved by management.
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I was eleven during Trish’s first reign and I really was drawn to the fact that she would always come back fighting even after taking a viscious beating. The whole “plucky underdog” thing she had going at the time worked on me.
And I can’t remember for sure, were her and Bubba a romantic item on screen or not? I thought they were just an alliance through most of that year but I was a kid at the time so I could be wrong…
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Really????? *-* On My Birthday Yayyyyyyyy.
perceval Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
Happy birthday!
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People just call Trish Stratus overrated because of her 7 Women Championship regins. They always seem to forget about all the sick bumps she took during her 7 years , the storylines how good she was on the mic etc. What couldnt Trish do right ?
It really is a shame how good teh divas were booked back during these days…We will never see that today sadly but at least we have memories and can look back on the good old days..
perceval Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
Yeah, she was that Total Package that comes along so very rarely, the combination of in ring and mic skills and charisma.
Something overlooked was her ability to adapt to her opponent’s style. Molly was more mat skilled than Trish, but Trish could adjust to the strengths of whoever she was working with in a way even Molly couldn’t. Compare their matches with Lita, for example. Molly & Lita just didn’t gel in the ring. Trish worked classics with them both.
When EVERYONE’S career matches and feuds are with the same person, it says a lot about that person.
Cody Massaro Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
Amen to the both of you.. lol.
jonboi Reply:
May 8th, 2012 at
yea it says that trish was the golden girl of wwe after all she didnt work well with every diva and before you go on one i love trish and she was great but not the best molly jazz victoria were all better than her she was the go to girl for wwe thats why she feuded with most divas
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Gosh I remember this like it was yesterday. I had this match taped on VHS (!) and then the week after when Trish wins the title (and a surprisingly good Terri/Molly match).
perceval Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
Terri would have thrived in today’s Divas Division. She could work, and take some crazy bumps, but she was just too small, back then, when all the main people in the Women’s Division were at least Natalya sized. The other women outweighed her by 35 – 55 pounds.
Even Mickie James and Melina spent their early years in the business being told they’d never make it in WWE’s Women Division because they were too small.
You especially notice the size difference in Divas, then, when you watch Beth’s first match on Raw, where she’s out there with Trish, Torrie, Victoria, Candice, and Mickie, and the only one that’s not close to her size is Mickie. Mickie, meanwhile, looks like AJ Lee in that one, this cute little girl bouncing around.
Ryan Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
Mickie James used to be AJ’s size lol…but Melina…dude shes a BIG woman!! Have you seen her in person? Her bone structure..she truely is Big Boned!!
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Even the crowds back then were different.
Always on their feet, and never really any moment of silence from them!
Now they always just sit there quietly, like they’re forced to be there.
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I love the Hardcore’s Champion.
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i loved how she got to hold the belt
back when women were more involved with men…
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her reign lasted for seconds. but this reign marked in the history of WWE. the first diva to be a Hardcore Champion! :))
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her reign lasted for seconds. but this reign marked in the history of WWE. the first and probably the only diva to be a Hardcore Champion! :))
Nostalgia Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
no one of the godfather’s hoes who was an indie wrestler held the title and so did Terri runnels
Kaledrina Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
yep :) molly holly won it, too, around the time she was connected to spike dudley? pretty sure terri runnels held it once or twice as well (i seem to remember her slamming a door open into the champs face at the time and pinning them maybe??)
mykel1990 Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
Yeah, Bobcat won it, so did Gerri and Molly, and Ivory came close when she smashed the back of Crash Holly’s head with like a mirror lol
lucky1now Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
Didn’t molly win it at wrestlemania 18….when she turned on hurricane?
norisclouds Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
No. Molly Holly held it and for longer. Jacqueline also held it.
It was a joke of a title really, but the name was cool. I think it only really meant anything when Steve Blackman or RVD had it.
perceval Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
Jackie never won it, just kept trying for it. She would, I’m sure, had a title reign at some point if they had kept the belt.
It was a fun title to have around, and created so many classic moments, because it was so unpredictable. A title match could break out at any moment, anywhere.
They almost accidentally knocked out the power at the Astrodome during the title match at Wrestlemania 17 between Raven, Kane, and the Big Show. They crashed into something they weren’t supposed to.
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Trish was a diva’s diva, she could do it all, just like my beloved Ivory and Layla, and she always took crazy bumps, and I just always found myself thinking why is someone who’s so gorgeous willing to get put into these situations week in and week out? She’s just awesome, such a gamer.
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Words can’t describe how I miss these times. :(
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This set up Jazz to be able to take time off for knee surgery by dropping the Women’s Championship to Trish in a Tables Match at Judgement Day. Trish and Bubba would go on to have a Tables Match with Molly and Nowinski.
The one thing that really irritated me about the Beth/Nattie vs LayCool Tables Match (It seems longer than just a year and a half ago, doesn’t it? Vince needs to watch that, listen to the crowd at the climax, and then, maybe, he’ll get a clue), was Lawler’s commentary, going on about how “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Diva go through a table!” King, you’re senile. You were calling the matches when Lita, Trish, Victoria, Jazz, Molly, even Mae Young, went through tables.
Jhonmarco Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
That’s basic commentary 101. You have to make a big moment at the time feel better than anything before it.
perceval Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
I understand that, but they also need to realize that not everyone who watched the show in 2002 has died of old age.
Jhonmarco Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
I don’t think it matters to them. It’s happeneded numerous times before & I don’t see it ending anytime soon.
AdrianRay Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
Exactly, Jerry was typically unbearable.
AdrianRay Reply:
May 6th, 2012 at
Actually, the Night of Champions match up between Beth and Kelly was worse, in my opinion.
Melina&Mickie4ever! Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
I also hate on commentary when Jerry or whoever else says “Beth is the most dominante Diva in history:…or one time Jerry or someone said there has not been anyone like Beth in the wwe…I guess they forgot about Luna , Jazz , Jacqueline , Shanquie , Chyna smh
Slapavel Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
YESSSSS @MELNA&MICKIE , im with you 10000000000%
Jhonmarco Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
I can honestly say though that Jerry, Cole, & Booker all made Kharma out to be the baddest bitch to ever be in WWE. And we all know she was.
perceval Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
@MELINA&MICKIE4EVER!
“I also hate on commentary when Jerry or whoever else says “Beth is the most dominante Diva in history:…or one time Jerry or someone said there has not been anyone like Beth in the wwe…I guess they forgot about Luna , Jazz , Jacqueline , Shanquie , Chyna smh”
Or Psycho Victoria. Or Trish’s 21 months of holding the Championship except for a few weeks when Lita held it. That’s what made Mickie’s win at Wrestlemania 22 so historic and got her over so huge. She beat the Unbeatable.
Beating Beth, on the other hand, was no big deal. Anybody and their dog beat Beth during her last title run.
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Trish was one of the best if not THE BEST!! Tough sexy strong and ever so brave! She could take a beating get back up take some more and repeat from a woman OR a man lol
That super kick was SICK! And so was the powerbomb!
And BuhBuh Ray aka Bully Ray is the effin man!! Hes the kind of tough asshole you want on your team..he either likes you or he doesnt!
And Him and Trish Stratus had each other’s back all year long. They formed an alliance with Spike Dudley and Jeff Hardy and even at some point Devon Dudley to defend each other against Victoria Jazz Molly William Regal Big Show Chris Jericho and Christian
The hardcore matches within THIS match were so crazy haha RIP Crash Holly but that ish was funny =)
Trish…your the effin man!! Mad respect for you
F*ck the haters who call u overrated…they dont know what TOUGH is bro!
Trish EARNED her respect
Also wanna give mad props for the divas of this Generation who brought back some of those “Trish Stratus Moments”
Candice Michelle Melina Mickie James Maria Kanellis Beth Phoenix Natalya Vickie Guerrero and LayCool you girls ROCK!!!
And best wishes to the girls in the future AJ Lee Aksana Maxine and Katelyn…because Awesome Kong is in your future (Gulp)
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Also Trish Molly Jackie Chyna and Terri Runnels a few of the ladies who won men’s championships!
Chyna the Intercontinental against Jeff Jarret in the Woman vs Man match lol…Jeff Jarrett is funny as hell!!!
Jackie beat Chavo for the Cruiserweight Title on her way out of the WWE
Terri won the hardcore title…awesome moment for all men btw lol..
And I believe one of the Godfather’s hos did too!
Molly’s title win was real funny Mighty Molly to the Rescue lol
And my fave of em all..Trish Stratus in the jumble of all these guys fighting she got a shot at it too!! lol Dr Stevie Richards PhD NEVER really lost the belt in this segment haha awesomeness!!!
I miss this
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I have to admit. I dont think most of the wwe divas are tough enough to handle this kind of punishment. Trish..so beautiful smart sexy and intelligent yet WANTED this. Aside from Beth Natalya and a few others last year while I was excited for the tables match i worried that laycool were not good enough but hey they pulled it off and what a moment too!
LayCool didnt take as much punishment as Nattie n Beth did tho but still
I believe Eve if she wanted to maybe could..AJ Lee deff is one who I think can pull it off..but shes so small yet has the biggest guts and heart in WWE
Any of you think the current girls are willing to go through this like Trish did if they had the opportunity? Mind you I think the divas are effin ww-WEAK! but then again it has to do with what Gail Kim sais..Divas are not allowed to punch or do outshining moves…yet i find that hard to believe when Layla Maxine and a few others are allowed to shine..maybe its just on RAW
What you guys think?
Jhonmarco Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
I think they are more than willing to bump like Trish did. Kelly is a perfect example, girl is taking some NASTY bumps. Taking kendo stick shots at 19 is no small feat. I feel when divas are allowed to shine, it’s because they get time. 2 minutes is better than 15 seconds. Hence why Nattie/Layla was the best thing TV in a LONG TIME.
Ryan Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
When she was 18 lol..yeah I member that Sandman hit her hard poor Kelly XD
Nattie and Layla were the best thing on TV in a while because of how good their wrestling was! They put on lots of great holds and takedowns within 3 mins I believe. Layla and Nikki did great at the PPV too
Kelly isnt much of a wrestler but she puts on good matches
Jhonmarco Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
Exactly, my point is when the girls get time they show they can WRESTLE. Layla/Nikki, Layla/Nattie, Kelly/Eve all good matches.
Raekon Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at
Actually all the divas on the main roster along with the ones down in FCW (except Raquel and Cameron so far) have already taken several hard bumps over the top rope, to the outside and more so I wouldn’t underestimate them.
All these girls no matter if they are the best in the ring or not, are having the passion for the in ring work and as they have showed also in houseshows in which they are allowed a bit more partially (in matches that are lasting between 12 and 15 minutes).
It’s just the “dinosaurs” in the management that think in a pg environment all females have to be girly, sexy and the term “powerful” is thrown only in there to the mix without any real meaning to back it up due to the limitations.
I can only say that Layla, Beth, Rosa, Kaitlyn and Kelly rocked the rings around Germany in 2010 and took bumps like champs in matches that lasted at least 12 minutes.
On tv this happens only partially on superstars (AJ & Kaitlyn vs the Bellas as example), Battle Royals partially (Rosa and the Bellas over the top rope) or has happened in the past only (fatal four way between Alicia, Kelly, Beth and Gail in 2010).