Royal Rumble (2000)
The Royal Rumble’s first venture into Madison Square Garden was a resounding success. Surprisingly, it took 12 years for WWE to start the road to WrestleMania in New York, but the anticipation was well worth the wait. Unlike many Royal Rumbles that had come before it, Royal Rumble 2000 was not just a one-match pony.
Yes, the titular match was fantastic with a ton of great Attitude Era moments, and one of the better endings in Royal Rumble history, but there was so much more to the show.
The Hardy and Dudley Boyz engaged in an incredible tables match that was a precursor to what the tag team division would become. There was the debut of ECW legend Tazz, which, in retrospect, didn’t go anywhere, but on that night, the New York crowd was rabid to see the Human Suplex Machine in WWE.
Of course, this Royal Rumble can’t be discussed without mentioning the show-stealing WWE Championship match between Triple H and Cactus Jack. It included the perfect level of violence and was a star-making moment for the Game. Madison Square Garden was on fire from the opening bell to the closing moments of Royal Rumble 2000.
Survivor Series (2002)
Survivor Series 2002 entered Madison Square Garden and made history. The traditional Survivor Series matches were gone from the card, but WWE got very creative in presenting various types of elimination matches that maintained the spirit of the Survivor Series.
The opening tag team tables match was perfect to start the show. It was a crowd favorite and included a shock reunion when Devon Dudley came to the rescue. That, combined with an incredible triple threat elimination for the WWE Tag Team Championships, made this a card that highlighted the strength that tag team wrestling had become.
Survivor Series 2002 also saw two amazing World Championship matches, one where we saw Brock Lesnar lift the Big Show, and then get betrayed by his advocate. Another featuring Trish Stratus and Victoria showing the world the viability of women’s wrestling. Both brought different positives to the card, and both should get a second look from the wrestling world.
The main event of the night was the perfect show stealer. The inaugural Elimination Chamber match was perfectly executed. It had tension and great spots, and the redemption of Shawn Michaels besting his former friend for the World Heavyweight Championship.
