My Top Ten WWE PPV Matches of 2003

#10 Vince McMahon vs Hulk Hogan – Wrestlemania XIX

This one still shocks me. On paper it sounds like it could be a complete trainwreck. And to a degree, it kind of is, but an incredible trainwreck. You’ve got the guy that turned WWE into what it is today, the man who created Wrestlemania against one of, if not the, biggest legend in wrestling at the event that he helped make famous. Just the history between Hogan and Vince alone is enough to write books on. This match has everything. Blood, violence, Vince McMahon hitting a damn leg drop off a ladder, Roddy Piper, etc. I’m not even sure this would work with another other two people. But with Vince and Hogan, it’s amazing. It’s much different from every other match on this list but I think it’s fantastic in it’s own way and really deserves to be on here.

#9 Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar vs Big Show – Vengeance

I love the mixture of styles in this match. You’ve got Big Show, the powerful brute, Brock Lesnar, a physical freak of nature and Kurt Angle, the technical wizard. At the time of this match, Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle had developed a bit of a friendship and it showed in this match as they worked together to double team Big Show and get him out of the equation a few times. In an incredible feat of strength, Lesnar powerbombs Big show out of the corner. Big Show manages to double chokeslam both Angle and Lesnar but it’s not enough. Ultimately Angle manages to get the win after Angle Slams to everyone, which would eventually be the catalyst for Brock’s heel turn in the coming weeks. Fantastic triple threat with a great dynamic between all three guys.

#8 The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin – Wrestlemania XIX

The second match on this list from Mania! Just the atmosphere alone for this match makes it worth it. The cool dynamic here is that The Rock is an entirely different person from their last encounter. Rock has become the full blown heel but it’s not like Steve Austin is every totally face either. What ensues in this one is lots of taunting, playing to the crowd and finisher theft. The Rock manages to hit three straight Rock Bottoms on Steve Austin to defeat him, in what would end up being Austin’s final match. This generally isn’t my kind of match. I’m not usually a fan of finisher kickouts or anything, but I thought with such larger than life characters, it worked great.

#7 Chris Benoit vs Kurt Angle – Royal Rumble

This was a lot of people’s match of the year and even favorite match of all time. While I love it, it just didn’t resonate with me like the six matches I have above it. If you enjoy hard hitting, suplexes and counters, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. At one point Angle turns a Crossface into the Angle Slam for a near fall. Angle manages to reverse a Crossface attempt into the Ankle Lock and just refuses to let go. Benoit keeps trying to roll out and reverse it but Angle continues to hang on and eventually Benoit is forced to tap to end a phenomenal match.

#6 Eddie Guerrero vs Chris Benoit – Vengeance

The second match on this list from Vengeance! This was the finals of a tournament to determine the first WWE United States Champion. Fun fact, the United States Championship is the only title from this time period with the same design now as it was then. Guerrero and Benoit go back and forth for the majority of the match, looking as crisp as aways. The match really starts getting interesting when Eddie begins his cheating ways. The ref goes down and Eddie hits Benoit with the title, following up with a Frog Splash, only for two. Then Eddie knocks out the ref again. He plays dead with the title next to him, trying to frame Benoit via DQ, but he knocked out the ref too well and he won’t get up. Benoit hits a diving headbutt to Eddie while the ref is KO’d, but Rhyno, Benoit’s tag partner, runs in and gores him, turning heel. Eddie gets the victory in a great match!

#5 Worlds Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas) vs Rey Mysterio & Billy Kidman – Vengeance

The third match from Vengeance on this list! Mysterio & Billy Kidman revive the Filthy Animals team from the WCW days to try to end the Worlds Greatest Tag Team title reign. This is fifteen minutes of pure action and near falls. Mysterio and Kidman try with all their power to dethrone the champs but it’s just not enough. WGTT puts Mysterio away with an incredible springboard Doomsday Device. This match even features Billy Kidman being powerbombed and if you remember for years, no one can powerbomb Billy Kidman. Incredibly entertaining match!

#4 John Cena vs The Undertaker – Vengeance

The fourth match on the list from Vengeance! This was one of the many matches of 2003 that proved John Cena could hang with literally anyone on the roster. He goes toe to toe with the Undertaker, targeting Taker’s ribs for most of the match. Cena nearly gets the victory with an FU after hitting Taker in the ribs with his chain. Taker manages to get the victory with a Last Ride, however John Cena proved to a lot of people that he belongs at the top of the Smackdown roster.

#3 Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho – Wrestlemania XIX

The third match on the list from Wrestlemania! This match had a lot of history behind it, with Jericho idolizing, but hating Shawn Michaels. Michaels proved that after missing the last five Wrestlemanias, he was still Mr Wrestlemania, with yet another breathtaking performance. And Chris Jericho proved that he was for real as well, with arguably the best match of his career at this point. Michaels and Jericho beat the hell out of each other, with Jericho doing many of Michaels’ trademark moves to mock him. Ultimately Michaels manages to win the match via rollup. Jericho looks as if he’s going to show him respect, but kicks him between the legs instead.

#2 Team Austin (Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam, Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley) vs Team Bischoff (Randy Orton, Christian, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry & Scott Steiner) – Survivor Series

Austin & Bischoff were co-GMs at the time but weren’t getting along. It was decided that each would create a team of five to face off against each other at Survivor Series. Team Austin ended up falling into a rut, with Michaels being the only one left against Christian, Jericho & Orton. Michaels gets busted open in one of the most brutal blades of his career. In a heroic comeback, HBK manages to superkick Christian, eliminating him, and rollup Jericho, eliminating him. Michaels has Orton beat but Bischoff gets involved and attacks him. Austin fights off Bischoff and Stunners Orton. As Austin as chasing Bischoff, Batista runs in and Batista Bombs Michaels, allowing Orton to get the victory. After the match, Austin helps bloodied Michaels to his feet and shakes his hand. One of the best Survivor Series matches of all time, in my opinion.

#1 Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar – Summerslam

Once good friends, now bitter enemies. Angle and Lesnar were becoming close friends before Lesnar tricked Angle into saving him in a steel cage match and brutalizing him in the cage. Brock’s selling in this match is one of my favortie things about it. Once Angle gets hold of his ankle, he’s constantly limping on it. Vince gets involved halfway through, supporting Lesnar and saving him from an Ankle Lock with a chairshot. Lesnar manages to hit an F-5 on one foot but Angle just kicks out. Angle manages to lock in the Ankle Lock and doesn’t allow Brock to hold onto the ropes. Brock taps out to end and a phenomenal match. In my opinion, this was the top match of 2003.