Unforgiven 2003

(All screen captures are the property of World Wrestling Entertainment)

Unforgiven

September 21, 2003

Giant Center

Hershey, Pennsylvania

News & Notes: I only have a few bonus storylines to discuss before we begin. Teddy Long added a new member to what he calls Thuggin’ and Buggin’ Enterprises. Mark Henry joined after SummerSlam, and they started a feud with Cade and Jindrak. Meanwhile, Goldust continued to help Lance Storm become less boring. Storm yelled at Goldust for sending him into the women’s locker room, but he still progressed. Lance jaywalked and ordered a burger with extra pickles! He even pleasured himself with a dirty pop-up book. Wait, never mind, that was Goldust. Elsewhere, Rosey resumed his superhero training. Rosey attacked a crew member with a t-shirt gun because he thought it was a real weapon. Then, Hurricane tried to teach Rosey to fly, but Rosey took a cab instead. Finally, Richards and Victoria battled Dreamer and Ivory on Stevie Night Heat, and Victoria pinned Dreamer with Richards’ aid!

The PPV: The lady with the creepy voice returns to narrate the opening package. The days of good vs. evil are gone because revenge transcends all moral bounds. It turns benevolent people into machines and warriors of destruction. A new kind of fight pits them against enemies they cannot understand or predict. Triple H says Goldberg is in a war he won’t win because Goldberg is a disgrace to the industry. Hunter revolutionized the business, while Goldberg had a billion-dollar company at his back. He watched Goldberg defeat nobody after nobody. When Hunter looks into Goldberg’s eyes, he sees a man pretending to be something he is not. He isn’t a superstar like Triple H. Therefore, Hunter will end Goldberg’s joke of a career. He says Goldberg doesn’t belong in the same company. After tonight, he won’t be. However, Goldberg vows to beat Hunter’s ass and take his championship.

After the intro, fireworks explode. They remove “Enemy” by Sevendust from the network. (Chyna appeared in the music video for this song, but she isn’t in WWE anymore.) JR welcomes everyone to Hershey. He and Lawler are there for commentary, but they have another agenda. Ross and Lawler dressed up to fight Coach and Al Snow later. JR even wore his lucky Sooners jersey. Meanwhile, the Spanish announcers talk before Lilian introduces the first contest.

A recap shows why Spike Dudley won’t compete tonight. Bischoff turned this into a handicap fight, so Austin made this into a World Tag Team Title match.

Handicap Tables Match for the World Tag Team Titles: The Dudley Boyz vs. La Resistance (Rene Dupree, Sylvain Grenier, & Rob Conway) (c)

Storyline: The fake American soldier from before SummerSlam officially introduced himself as Rob Conway. He decried the war on terror and called Americans the real terrorists. Then, the Dudleys faced La Resistance and Conway. Bubba and D-Von did a sneak attack, but La Resistance used the belt as a weapon to win. Later, the Dudleys rescued Hurricane and Rosey from La Resistance’s table antics, so Conway fought Spike on Heat. Conway won. On the following RAW, The Dudleys, Hurricane, and Rosey wrestled La Resistance, Mark Henry, and Rodney Mack. Henry pinned Bubba, and La Resistance tried to put Spike through a table. They missed, and Spike clipped his head. Spike attempted to wrestle Conway in a neck brace, but Conway beat him. La Resistance drove Spike through another table before the Dudleys could save him. Therefore, Bischoff made this a handicap contest because Spike couldn’t compete.

The Match: The Dudleys fend off La Resistance, and D-Von scores a shoulder tackle and a double clothesline. Bubba even whips his opponents into the corner and squashes them. He places Conway in a tree of woe and chops him before the Dudleys hit a double flapjack. Unfortunately for Bubba, La Resistance takes over with a cheap shot and double-teaming. The onslaught lasts until Bubba breaks a sleeper with a suplex and tags out. Now, D-Von cleans house. The Dudleys land a back suplex/neckbreaker combo and the Wassup Drop. Tables come next, but La Resistance ambushes them and whips D-Von through a table in the corner.

Bubba receives a neckbreaker from Conway but rallies. He suplexes Sylvain onto a table. Afterward, D-Von saves Bubba by moving the table. He eats a spinebuster from Rene for his trouble. The issue is that Rene runs into Conway accidentally, and Bubba gives Rene the Bubba Bomb. The opening allows the Dudleys to avenge Spike. They smash Conway through a table outside with a double spinebuster. (He clips his head on the table beside it.) Sylvain’s whiffed flag swing leads to a flip, flop, & fly and a flag strike by D-Von. With Grenier down, the Dudleys end it by planting Rene on a table with a 3D.

Thoughts: This wasn’t bad. They kept the action flowing and excited the crowd. The problem was that it felt rushed. Granted, they had many eliminations, but we had little time to process them. Also, why are they tagging out in a table encounter? These should have tornado rules. When you mix that with the short duration, this becomes forgettable.

Winners: The Dudley Boyz (New Champions) (10:17)

Next, they recap the Scott Steiner/Test feud. “Suffocate” by Cold remains intact on the network. (How did that make the cut, but Sevendust’s song got removed?) The video leads to Stacy’s entrance. Lawler loses his mind because he sees Stacy’s panties. When Steiner arrives, Stacy hugs him, and Scott holds the ropes for her. This pisses off Test, so he attacks Steiner.

Test vs. Scott Steiner (w/ Stacy Keibler)

Storyline: Test continued to disrespect Stacy after regaining her services. He mocked her entrance and gave her a towel to wipe his sweat. She threw it in his face. Later, WWE booked Test and Stacy vs. Richards and Victoria. Stacy said she didn’t trust Test. He assured her everything would be okay, but Test tagged Stacy in and refused to let her tag out. However, Stacy pinned Victoria after Test kicked Victoria accidentally. The following week, Test attacked Steiner again, so Scott wanted a rematch. This time, Steiner would put himself on the line along with Stacy. If Test won, Steiner said he would watch Test and Stacy together. Test wrestled Val Venis afterward, so Steiner distracted Test to cost him the win. Scott also tried to jump Test, but Test retreated and took Stacy with him.

The Match: Steiner fends off Test’s attack and scores a spinebuster, clotheslines, and an elbow drop with push-ups for good measure. The onslaught makes Test regroup and hide behind Stacy, so she slaps him. Now, Steiner checks on Stacy, but Test jumps him and whips Scott into the steps. Inside, Test lands a full nelson slam and mocks Steiner’s push-ups before securing a sleeper. Once Steiner escapes, he catches a diving Test and hits suplexes and a Tiger Bomb.

Test hides behind Nick Patrick. He even uses an eye poke and a low blow before covering Steiner with his feet on the ropes. Stacy shoves Test’s feet down, which pisses him off. He grabs her, but she gives him a hotshot, and Steiner nails a reverse DDT. After kicking out, Test plants Scott with a pumphandle powerslam and seeks a big boot. Stacy distracts Test, and Steiner rolls him up when Test goes after Stacy. Next, Test chases Stacy in and out of the ring, but Stacy runs into Steiner. Test takes the opening to perform a big boot, which only earns two! Arguing with Nick Patrick ensues, and Test removes a turnbuckle pad. While Patrick fixes it, Test fetches a chair. Stacy steals the weapon from him, but she smacks Steiner mistakenly. The error allows Test to finish Steiner with a big boot.

Thoughts: I expected little, so this was better than anticipated. They filled this with enough bells and whistles to keep things interesting. I’m not calling this great, but it was fine. The fans reacted well to it. My only issue is that this storyline never ends! They should have wrapped it up already.

Winner: Test (6:56)

Test makes a dejected Stacy celebrate with him and kisses her. JR says Scott Steiner is now Test’s property, but he doesn’t know what that means.

Randy Orton (w/ Ric Flair) vs. Shawn Michaels

Storyline: Orton wrestled Maven after SummerSlam. Shawn Michaels stood in Maven’s corner to neutralize Flair. While Shawn and Ric fought, Orton hit the RKO on Maven but pulled him up. Orton finished Maven with Sweet Chin Music instead to send a message to Shawn. Later, Shawn, Goldberg, and Maven faced Evolution, and Goldberg pinned Orton. The following week, Bischoff put Hunter and Goldberg in a tag match where Eric would pick their partners. Bischoff named Orton as Goldberg’s partner, but it was a setup. Evolution beat Goldberg up in a cage. Next, Orton gave Moolah the RKO on her 80^th birthday to continue his Legend Killer gimmick. Backstage, Orton ran into HBK. He said he would use Shawn as a stepping stone, as Shawn had done to others. Shawn slapped him and told him to step hard.

The Match: Shawn flusters Orton with takedowns and chain wrestling. Then, both men show off by skinning the cat, but Shawn maintains control. Orton keeps regrouping, so Shawn hits a baseball slide and flying crossbody. Inside, Shawn surprises him with pin attempts before they trade chops. Unfortunately, Shawn crashes into the post on a missed corner charge, and Orton distracts the ref so Flair can attack.

Now, Orton targets Shawn’s shoulder and arm. Shawn fights back and scores knockdowns, a backdrop, and a splash off the apron. He also fends off Flair and nails a flying axehandle. Unfazed, Orton whips Shawn into an upside-down bump, blocks a superkick, and lands the RKO. When his slow cover only earns two, Orton does a flying crossbody. It misses, so Shawn performs Sweet Chin Music and gets three. The problem is that Flair places Orton’s foot on the ropes. Hebner sees it and waves off the result. Ric tries to jump Shawn while Michaels argues with Hebner, but Shawn superkicks him. Afterward, Shawn grabs Orton to suplex him from the apron. Orton has brass knuckles, so he punches Shawn and pins him.

Thoughts: This was great. I loved the storytelling and the way they built to the finish. However, I don’t think the live crowd understood or cared for the ending. It left them in silence. Other than the flat conclusion, this was outstanding.

Winner: Randy Orton (18:47)

La Resistance is recovering in the trainer’s room when Jericho enters. Chris says they went through a war and look like a mess, but this isn’t their fault. Jericho blames Austin. He made their match for the titles at the last minute. Chris calls Austin a bully, a coward, and a failure as a general manager. So, Rene asks what they can do. Jericho tells them to stay there and mend their wounds. Someone has to stand up to Austin’s tyranny, and he is that somebody.

Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Gail Kim & Molly Holly

Storyline: Trish defeated Gail after SummerSlam, but Molly attacked Trish afterward. Backstage, Molly choked Gail. Molly reminded Gail she brought her into WWE. She said they had to band together to take Trish out. Later, Trish teamed with Ivory and Jacqueline to wrestle Gail and Molly in two tag encounters, but Gail and Molly had Trish’s number. They pinned her twice. Next, Gail seduced Bischoff to get a handicap fight against Trish. Gail and Molly beat Trish again. This time, Lita returned to rescue Trish from a beating. Lita gave Molly the Twist of Fate. When Gail and Molly complained to Bischoff, Austin said he rehired Lita so she could partner with Trish against Gail and Molly at the PPV.

The Match: They start with a brawl until Lita hits a vaulting corner clothesline on Gail and Molly. Gail and Molly regroup, but Lita and Trish perform stereo baseball slides. Now, Lita scores arm drags and a backdrop on Gail. Trish adds a diving senton, a matrix dodge, and a spin kick. Sensing trouble, Molly and Gail pull Trish outside and ram her into the apron. Inside, they lock Trish in dragon sleepers. Trish escapes Gail’s hold by walking up the turnbuckles and landing a reverse DDT, but Molly pulls Lita off the apron to prevent a tag. Plus, they double-team Trish and distract the ref, so he misses Lita’s tag.

Eventually, Trish takes Gail and Molly down with a headlock and headscissors. Trish evades Gail’s diving leg drop and tags Lita. Lita cleans house with clotheslines, a dropkick, a monkey flip, headscissors, and a powerbomb. Molly attacks from behind, so Trish returns and floors her with handstand headscissors. The save allows Lita to do an inverted Twist of Fate on Molly. Trish dispatches Gail while Lita nails a moonsault for the three.

Thoughts: This was a solid tag encounter. It wasn’t flashy but contained good action and a hot finish. Also, Lita did well despite missing over a year of competition. This did everything it needed to do, so I enjoyed it.

Winners: Trish Stratus & Lita (6:46)

Last Man Standing Match: Kane vs. Shane McMahon

Storyline: Jericho had Linda on the Highlight Reel to explain what happened with Bischoff. She said her security stopped him from doing anything. Linda wanted to fire Eric, but Vince wouldn’t let her. Then Vince insulted Linda, so Shane appeared. However, Jericho attacked Shane. This resulted in Jericho vs. Shane and Kane interfered. Kane led Shane backstage, where he lit a dumpster on fire, but Shane kicked Kane into it. They said Kane disappeared from the dumpster. Later, Vince lured Shane into a trap. Kane cuffed Shane to the post and used a car battery to electrocute Shane’s testicles. Afterward, Bischoff gave this contest Last Man Standing rules to screw with Shane. Meanwhile, RVD sought revenge on Kane in a cage, but Kane put him on a stretcher with a super chokeslam. Finally, a violent contract signing ended with Shane driving Kane through the announcer’s table with a flying elbow.

The Match: Shane jumps Kane and whacks him with a chair during his entrance. He uses the weapon on Kane’s head and legs before repeatedly ramming Kane into the steps. Kane tries to stop the onslaught by shoving Shane over the barricade, so Shane dives off it. Kane catches him and nails a powerslam. When that only earns a five count, Kane hits Shane with the steps and chokeslams him. Shane pulls himself up on Charles Robinson, who gets wiped out by Kane’s missed big boot. Now Kane brings the steps into the ring, but the tactic backfires. Shane pins Kane in the corner with the steps and performs a coast-to-coast dropkick! Unfortunately, Robinson is still out.

Once everyone recovers, Shane and Kane brawl down the aisle. They fight around the guardrail and the set. Kane keeps tossing Shane into the metal sign and lawn-darts him against the Spanish table. After chasing the commentators away, Kane tips the desk over, but Shane avoids this. He ambushes Kane with the boom camera, breaking the lens. The move only garners a nine, so Shane chokes Kane with cables. Shane also counters a chokeslam with a low blow and drops Kane with a DDT on the stage. He decks Kane with monitor shots before climbing the set because the fans chant for it. Shane does a flying elbow off the top, but Kane moves. So, Shane crashes and can’t rise before the ten count.

Thoughts: They did some impressive stuff and had big moments. Nevertheless, the rest dragged on. I can’t call it great, but it was a spectacle. Last Man Standing bouts are hard to do well if you can’t fill the time between the high spots.

Winner: Kane (19:42)

EMTs put a neck brace on Shane and load him on a stretcher, so JR says he hopes Bischoff is proud of what he has done. The fans chant Shane’s name while they wheel Shane backstage.

Austin looks concerned about Shane as Jericho enters the room. Jericho blames Austin for Shane’s fate. He says Austin goaded Kane into becoming a monster again, and he got his wish. This is more bloodshed. It’s another massacre, and a life ruined by Stone Cold Steve Austin. So, Jericho hopes Austin is happy. Chris says La Resistance isn’t happy. Austin has enough. He gets in Jericho’s face and tells him to take his best shot if he has a problem. Jericho says he won’t fall for Austin’s game. Instead, Chris says he will get into Austin’s head and crack him. Austin doesn’t believe him, so Jericho tells Steve to sit back and have a beer. He can watch Jericho become the new Intercontinental Champion. After all, there is more than one way to crack Austin.

Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Title: Christian (c) vs. Chris Jericho vs. Rob Van Dam

Storyline: Christian demanded an apology because Austin left him off SummerSlam. He kept interrupting an argument between Lawler and Coach, so Austin made Christian defend his IC championship against Lawler. Later, Christian and Jericho confronted Austin when Steve interrupted the Highlight Reel, and Austin pitted Christian against Jericho. After Christian cheated to win, he thought he should get an interview segment called The Peep Show. This resulted in a fight with Jericho. When Austin broke it up, he offered Jericho a beer. A reluctant Jericho accepted it, but he patted Austin on the back. Steve took it as a provocation and attacked Jericho. As a result, Jericho and Christian called for Austin’s firing. Christian also complained about not being on Unforgiven. Austin booked Jericho vs. RVD in a #1 contender’s contest, but Christian caused a DQ when he accidentally hit Jericho with the title. Therefore, Austin created this triple threat.

The Match: Christian and Jericho target RVD together, but RVD sends them outside for a moonsault. Inside, RVD gives Christian a slingshot leg drop and a rolling monkey flip. Jericho stops him with a flying crossbody, but RVD answers with a standing moonsault and a springboard kick. Now, Christian pulls RVD out of the ring and rams him into the steps. The ambush allows Christian and Jericho to double-team RVD. After an awkward collision in the corner, RVD rallies with knockdowns and a double DDT. He even adds a somersault plancha onto Christian. Nevertheless, Jericho subdues him with an eye rake, a triangle dropkick, choking, and chinlocks. A cocky pin follows before Jericho locks RVD in the Walls. Christian, who got laid out on the floor, returns to break up the hold. His actions cause a scuffle between Christian and Jericho.

They brawl. Christian responds with an eye poke and a reverse DDT. Jericho fires back with a superplex. RVD does a springboard crossbody. Afterward, Jericho floors RVD with a bulldog, but he hurts himself on a missed Lionsault. So, RVD performs a heel kick and a cartwheel moonsault. When Christian breaks up the pin, RVD drops Christian into a compromising position on Jericho with a drop toe hold. Rob lands the Five Star on them, but his slow cover only gets two. They tussle in the corner once they recover, leading to a Tower of Doom spot, but Christian can’t get a three on his opponents. RVD sends Jericho and Christian to ringside, so they grab weapons. Rob fends off Christian’s belt shot and Jericho’s chair attack before seeking a Five Star on Christian. Christian blocks the move with the title and rolls RVD up for the victory.

Thoughts: This was good. They did some great spots and told a fine story. The problem was that Shane vs. Kane killed the crowd. You could hear a pin drop. Only the Tower of Doom received a nice reaction.

Winner: Christian (19:03)

Marc Lloyd interviews Triple H. Lloyd says people feel Goldberg is the one guy who can and will defeat Triple H, so what are Hunter’s thoughts? Triple H answers with a story. Once upon a time, a great knight lived in a strange land. He beat and destroyed every monster and dragon in his path. But one night, he fell asleep. Then he woke up in the real world and got his ass kicked. Triple H doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He believes in the most proven commodity and the greatest wrestler alive: him. Hunter also believes in the World Heavyweight Championship. He will put his life on the line to keep it. Tonight, Hunter will end Goldberg’s storybook career. He says he doesn’t believe in the hype. It’s time for Goldberg to play the game.

Next, JR and Lawler will face Coach and Al Snow for the RAW announcers’ job. Lawler wonders who will announce while they wrestle, but JR doesn’t know. (No one does commentary, which makes this worse.)

For the RAW Commentary Job: Al Snow & Jonathan Coachman vs. Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross

Storyline: Bischoff named Coach the Employee of the Month after SummerSlam and told Austin to avoid the ceremony. Then Coach blamed JR for taking his spot on commentary, so he mocked him and demanded an apology from JR and Austin. Austin responded with a sympathy card, which was his middle finger. Steve also gave Lawler an IC Title shot, but Coach ruined it. So, Austin booked Lawler vs. Coach. Coach’s Heat co-host, Al Snow, helped Coachman win. Afterward, Austin suggested JR vs. Coach for the PPV, but Bischoff changed it to this tag encounter. The winners would become the announcing team for RAW. Later, Coach and Snow insulted JR and King with unflattering photoshopped pictures. As a result, JR decked Coach. Next, Snow and Coach set up an announcer’s table and hijacked the broadcast. This led to Lawler vs. Snow. While Lawler won, Coach sucker punched JR.

The Match: Snow and Lawler exchange headlocks, shoulder blocks, and strikes. Al uses a cheap shot, but Jerry answers with a diving punch and a fist drop. Now, Snow begs off and throws a clothesline. He even does an eye poke, a seated ab stretch, a headlock, a chinlock, and a backdrop. When Snow seeks another, Jerry grabs him and hits a piledriver, but Snow gets a foot on the ropes during the pin. Snow fights back until Coach tags himself in, much to Snow’s chagrin.

Coach attacks Jerry and sends him into the corner for a Bronco Buster attempt. It misses, and Coach crashes. The mistake lets Lawler drop the straps and land a diving fist drop. So, Snow breaks up the pin before JR tags into the contest. Al tries to stop JR from attacking Coach, but JR gives him a low blow and clotheslines Coach. Mounted punches follow. Coach asks JR not to hit his face, but JR doesn’t listen. The ref deals with Snow and Lawler while this happens, so Jericho interferes. He decks JR and pulls Coach on top of him for the three.

Thoughts: This was awful and awkward, and the lack of commentary made it worse. No one wanted to see this storyline or match. The crowd was already dead, and this didn’t help matters.

Winners: Coach & Al Snow (8:16)

Marc Lloyd stops Jericho in the aisle and asks him why he interfered. Jericho says he didn’t win the Intercontinental Champion but is still the big winner. (That was his exact quote. I didn’t make a typo.) Chris says there is more than one way to crack Stone Cold. He chipped away at Austin by costing his Oklahoma buddy his job. Jericho says, “Mission accomplished, Daddio!” Meanwhile, Snow and Coach celebrate while JR buries his face in his hands.

They allow JR and King to finish their duties, but JR tells Lawler he let him down. Jerry says that wasn’t his fault. Then JR says being in this business was his one goal, and now it is over. He wants to make this last match the best son of a bitch they have ever called, so he promises to give the fans something to remember.

Lilian explains the main event’s stipulation. Austin said Triple H will lose the title if he gets disqualified or counted out, but Goldberg has to leave WWE if he loses.

Title vs. Career for the World Title: Goldberg vs. Triple H (c)

Storyline: Goldberg wanted a championship opportunity after SummerSlam, but Hunter said Goldberg wasn’t in his league. He claimed Goldberg was all hype. Triple H called Goldberg a mass-marketed version of what people thought a wrestler should be. After more goading, Hunter agreed, but only if Goldberg put his career on the line. Later, Goldberg, Michaels, and Maven faced Evolution, and Goldberg pinned Orton. Then Bischoff booked Hunter and Goldberg in a tag encounter where Eric would pick their partners. Eric chose Flair and Orton, but this was a setup. They trapped Goldberg in a cage, bloodied him with a chair, and planted him with a Pedigree. Afterward, Hunter threw a going away party for Goldberg. He presented a large photo of the beating they gave Goldberg in the cage. So, Goldberg attacked Hunter and hit him with a press powerslam.

The Match: Hunter uses strikes, an eye rake, and arm wringers, but Goldberg answers with a press slam, a twisting neckbreaker, and a backdrop. After regrouping, Hunter lands a hotshot, but Goldberg returns immediately for clotheslines and an underhook toss. A spear attempt follows, which Hunter counters with a high knee. Now, Hunter wears Goldberg down on the post and focuses on his leg. He nails chop blocks before grabbing a Figure Four with leverage. Goldberg reverses the hold, so Hunter escapes and does knee drops. Bill blocks one of them and scores a tilt-a-whirl powerslam before they brawl outside.

The melee leaves Hunter bloody, so Goldberg headbutts Hunter and hip-tosses him over the ropes. A desperate Triple H shoves Goldberg into Hebner, throws a low blow, and plants Goldberg with a DDT. When he seeks a Pedigree, Goldberg backdrops Hunter to the floor. There, Triple H grabs the sledgehammer. He decks Goldberg, but Goldberg shakes the strike off! He spears Hunter before he can whack him again and kicks the hammer out of the ring. A Jackhammer earns Goldberg the three.

Thoughts: This was fine, but not great. They did their job and kept the action at the right length for a Goldberg match. The problem was the finish. They tried to make Goldberg look like a monster, but I couldn’t buy him shaking off a sledgehammer shot that quickly. The fans reacted well because Triple H finally lost the belt, but they didn’t get the expected response for such a spot.

Winner: Goldberg (New Champion) (14:57)

Goldberg celebrates in the corner, but he holds the belt upside-down. JR says Goldberg defeated one of the greatest champions in the business. He says the Goldberg era has begun. JR also says it has been a good ride. He tells the fans goodbye.

The Good:

• HBK vs. Orton

• Trish & Lita vs. Gail & Molly

• Christian vs. Jericho vs. RVD

The Bad:

• JR & Lawler vs. Coach & Snow

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to Orton and Michaels. They stole the show with a great match.

Final Thoughts:

This PPV started with promise but hit a wall after the Shane vs. Kane encounter. The crowd lost steam, and JR & Lawler vs. Coach & Snow killed them. Worse yet, the storylines and episodes of TV leading up to this event were terrible. So, this show had no hype going into it. I can’t call this a good show because of these factors.

Thank you for reading. My next review is No Mercy 2003. Look for it next Sunday!