10 Best WWE Matches of The Year 2002

#3 The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan - WrestleMania X8

Icon vs. Icon

WrestleMania X8 had a lot to live up to after WrestleMania X-7 the previous year had become the best pay-per-view in WWE history. So no, it didn't come close to being better but did deliver one of the most historic matches of all time.

The card itself wasn't bad but wasn't great either. It was saved by just one match, the first time meeting of The Rock and Hulk Hogan. It was a dream match that lived up to the hype. Hulk Hogan was the biggest name in the history of the industry by this point, while The Rock had already solidified himself as one of the greatest in history.

While it wasn't originally supposed to happen, with Hogan vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin being the original plan, Austin giving the match a pass may have disappointed some, but gave us a match that we will never forget.

Although The Rock was arguably WWE's most popular superstar at the time and one of the most popular ever, Hulk Hogan was still possibly the most popular ever and even though he returned to the WWE as a leader of the dastardly NWO, fans refused to boo him.

Hogan hadn't been seen in WWE in 9 years and he was sorely missed. He was considered the biggest name ever in the business, so despite the NWO's dirty tactics in the build-up to the match, Hulkamania was still running wild.

As far as the actual wrestling went, the match was just about good, both delivered on their vintage moves and more, but the fans that night at WrestleMania in Toronto, made it amazing. In terms of crowd reaction, emotion and drama it’s one of the better matches you will ever see as the fans just couldn't get enough of the Hulkster.

The match almost saw a double turn as The Rock was received a lot of boo's and it seemed like Hogan didn't have one doubter in sight.

This had emotion, this had drama and this had nearly 70,000 people going crazy from start to finish. Perhaps the most memorable moment was the incredible stare down at the beginning, fans lost their minds over it. Even several current and former WWE stars such as the Hardy Boyz and Shane Helms have called it their favourite WrestleMania moment.

The match went back and forth for a while with the fans on Hogan's side every step of the way. Rock kicked out of the Leg Drop and gave Hogan two Rock Bottoms and a People's Elbow to put him away. While Rock stood tall in victory, both men were winners in everyone's eyes and both left the stage together knowing they just had what may forever be the most iconic match in WWE history.

The Rock and Hulk Hogan would have a rematch at No Way Out 2003 just 11 months later, also in Canada in Montreal, which was okay at best, with a good reaction from the live audience.