No Mercy 2003

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

No Mercy

October 19, 2003

1^st Mariner Arena

Baltimore, Maryland

News & Notes: I have one extra storyline and two debuts to discuss before we begin. First, Shaniqua started trouble with the women on the Smackdown roster after SummerSlam. Sable, Dawn Marie, Nidia, and Torrie competed in a bikini contest. Torrie won, but Shaniqua attacked Torrie, Dawn, and Nidia afterward. When Shaniqua kept coming after Dawn, Torrie told her to stand up for herself. It didn’t end well. Meanwhile, Paul London introduced himself to Vince to get an opportunity. The problem was that he interrupted Vince and Sable, so Vince fed London to Brock Lesnar. Spanky tried to save him and paid the price. Elsewhere, a man named Jon Heidenreich approached Matt Hardy. He rambled about someone called Little Johnny and handed Matt his tryout tape. Jon wanted Matt to give it to Stephanie, but Matt threw the video away when Jon left.

The PPV: We open with shots of rubble. A teddy bear and childhood photos of Stephanie sit in the wreckage. Then, a little girl’s voice calls her daddy silly, but they contrast this with Vince’s harsh words for his daughter. Vince remembers holding Stephanie as an infant and attending her dance recitals. She’s going to throw everything away because she refuses to quit. Doesn’t Stephanie know how this will affect him? Stephanie says they don’t have to have the match, but Vince says they do. Steph became a disrespectful little bitch! So, Vince will strike down the face of defiance! How can a father put his hands on his daughter? Will Vince crush Daddy’s little girl to a bloody pulp? Meanwhile, the raving, violent animal, Brock Lesnar, has a date with the Deadman. Taker tells him to shine up the belt and enjoy it. Lesnar says he is unstoppable.

Now, fireworks explode while they play “Today is the Day” by Dope. Cole says no one will show mercy tonight. Also, all of Tazz’s peeps are in the house, so Tazz looks around at the crowd. While he observes the masses, Cole introduces the Spanish team. They greet the audience as Tajiri arrives for the opening contest.

We see a clip of Tajiri blinding Nidia with the mysterious black mist. Cole says Nidia might have permanent vision impairment. When Rey appears, he asks the ref to check Tajiri’s mouth. Tajiri obliges and shows he has nothing to hide.

Cruiserweight Title Match: Tajiri (c) vs. Rey Mysterio

Storyline: Mysterio defended the Cruiserweight Title against Tajiri and won, but Tajiri sprayed Rey with the mist afterward. Then Tajiri partnered with his fellow ECW alumni Nunzio and Rhyno against Mysterio in a pair of tag encounters. Tajiri pinned Rey to earn a rematch. This time, Tajiri used the red mist to win the championship from Rey! Later, Tajiri wrestled Kidman. He beat Kidman with a low blow and a buzzsaw kick. Tajiri even faced Ultimo Dragon. When Tajiri attacked Ultimo after the bout, Rey saved Ultimo. Next, Tajiri snitched on Jamie Noble when he heard Jamie and Nidia say WWE would be better without Vince. Vince made Noble fight Tajiri, and Tajiri spat the rare black mist into Nidia’s face, blinding her. Worse yet, Lesnar jumped Jamie Noble and gave him an F5 on the ramp!

The Match: They trade takedowns, arm holds, and kicks after tumbling outside on a lockup. Rey makes Tajiri regroup by dropkicking Tajiri on a handspring elbow attempt before hitting a slingshot crossbody. Unfazed, Tajiri runs Rey’s shoulder into the post and focuses on the injury. He uses armbars and arm wringers to wear him down. The attack lasts until Rey scores a flying tornado DDT and a springboard crossbody.

A series of counters follows and ends with a bodyscissors over the ropes and a hurricanrana off the apron by Rey. Mysterio also nails a 619 to the gut and keeps trying the West Coast Pop. He settles for a moonsault, but Tajiri answers with the Tarantula. Tajiri’s hurt leg won’t let him capitalize, so Rey throws a low dropkick and another 619. Rey finally gets the West Coast Pop, but what appears to be two Japanese fans in suits rush to the ring. Security guards grab them as Tajiri seizes the opening. He knocks Rey out with a buzzsaw kick for the three.

Thoughts: This was a strong opener. They built to the big spots nicely and kept the crowd engaged. The audience reacted well to all the important moments and close calls. As for the finish, I’m fine with it, but it sadly doesn’t amount to anything. We will soon learn who the mysterious men are, but they drop the storyline.

Winner: Tajiri (11:40)

Backstage, Josh Matthews approaches Vince McMahon. Josh asks Vince how he is feeling going into his match with Stephanie. Vince says he isn’t as nervous as Josh is holding that microphone. McMahon also calls Josh stupid for asking such a question. How does Josh think he feels? Doesn’t he realize this is personal? But at the same time, it’s business. So, Vince calls this personal business. Vince knows certain superstars are rooting against him. Therefore, Vince threatens to fire anyone who interferes when he fights Stephanie. Josh stands silently after hearing this, so Vince yells at him until he thanks Vince.

In the arena, Cole and Tazz show a tale of the tape for Lesnar vs. the Undertaker. Tazz says it will be a brutal rocket buster. (On a side note, Cole and Tazz send their condolences to the Hart family during the next contest. Stu Hart passed away the Thursday before this PPV.)

Chris Benoit vs. A-Train

Storyline: Benoit faced A-Train and made him submit to the Crossface. The problem was that Train’s feet were under the ropes. So, Train had Rhyno gore Benoit through a door. Afterward, Benoit and A-Train had a rematch, but Rhyno gored Train accidentally, costing him the victory. As a result, Train attacked Benoit after Chris wrestled Rhyno. Train ran Benoit into the post. Next, A-Train grew sick of hearing he couldn’t defeat Benoit. He issued an open challenge, but no one answered. A frustrated Train hooked the timekeeper in a Crossface until Benoit intervened. Benoit tried to put the Crossface on Train, but Train powered out and used a chair. Then Train bragged about breaking out of Benoit’s submission. He also cost Chris victories and pinned him during a tag encounter. Last, Train targeted Benoit after Chris fought Doug Basham, but the officials separated them.

The Match: Benoit has to keep regrouping when Train flusters him with knockdowns and takedowns. Chris fights back with chops and strikes, but Train whips him across the ring and nails a splash. Benoit scores a drop toe hold into the turnbuckles, but the move only dazes Train. Train answers with a bicycle kick. Now, Train focuses on Benoit’s neck with clubbing blows, a catapult into the middle rope, and an underhook suplex onto his knee. Benoit finds a rope break during the pin, so the onslaught continues. A-Train fends off comebacks and locks Benoit in a seated surfboard.

When Benoit escapes, he lands a DDT. The counter earns Benoit a breather, but Train blocks a German suplex. He takes Benoit outside to brawl before grabbing a chair. Inside, Train tries a press slam. Train drops Benoit head-first on the chair in a scary moment. After asking if he’s okay, Train buys him time by wedging the chair in the corner. Benoit recovers and rolls Train up into a Crossface. Train powers to his feet, so Benoit performs rolling Germans. A flying headbutt attempt follows, but Train tosses Benoit off the top rope and hits an avalanche attack. Train almost climbs the turnbuckles only to change his mind. He does the Derailer instead, which gets two! Since that fails, he goes for a bicycle kick. Benoit moves, and Train smacks the chair. He hurts his leg, so Benoit uses a dragon screw and makes Train tap to a Sharpshooter.

Thoughts: This was a good power match. It had a few shaky moments and one dangerous botch, but they finally pulled it around. Additionally, I liked the finish. Benoit performed the Sharpshooter as a nod to the Hart family because of their recent loss. That was a nice touch.

Winner: Chris Benoit (12:24)

Meanwhile, Matt Hardy searches for Shannon Moore backstage. He finds Heidenreich choking Shannon against some pallets. Heidenreich says Little Johnny told him what Matt Hardy did. He knows Matt threw away his tape. Matt claims he tossed a collection of Shannon’s best matches. They already watched it, and it wasn’t long. Matt swears they still have Jon’s video, so he will give it to the new GM. Hardy says Jon has the word of V1 when Jon asks if he is serious. Then Heidenreich releases Shannon and says he might have been wrong. He’ll talk to Little Johnny. Everyone leaves while Cole and Tazz wonder who Little Johnny is.

Next, Chimel honors the troops in attendance. He wishes them the best as they return to the desert tomorrow. Afterward, Matt Hardy arrives for his contest. (Matt Facts: You cannot gross Matt out. Also, he survived five car wrecks. I’m not touching that second one. The joke is too obvious.)

Zach Gowen vs. Matt Hardy (w/ Shannon Moore)

Storyline: Vince motivated Lesnar to become a monster again after Brock lost to Angle, so Lesnar went after Zach Gowen. Brock knocked Zach out of his wheelchair. Then he put Gowen back in the chair and pushed it down a flight of stairs! Meanwhile, Matt Hardy started trouble with the APA. Matt admonished them for treating their new butler like a servant while making Shannon Moore fetch him orange juice. This led to Matt and Shannon vs. the APA. Bradshaw pinned Shannon after a Clothesline from Hell. Hardy also clashed with Eddie Guerrero. He injured Eddie’s ribs with a Side Effect on the belt. The attack resulted in Matt vs. Eddie for the US Title, but Chavo helped Eddie win. Lastly, Gowen returned from his trip down the steps. Matt Hardy hadn’t forgotten their issues. Hardy shoved Gowen off the turnbuckles to give Shannon a victory over Zach.

The Match: Matt drives Zach into the corner, and they exchange slaps. Zach answers with a leg lariat and a wheel kick, but Matt slams him. Next, Matt fends off a tornado DDT and crotches him on the turnbuckles. Zach shoves him and nails a diving bulldog, so Shannon trips Zach on a springboard attempt. Now, Matt hits clotheslines, Snake Eyes, and a leg drop. Matt even places Zach’s arm over himself for a one-count to mock him. A suplex and a seated surfboard by Hardy follow, but Zach escapes. Gowen fights back until Matt lands a front slam and seeks a moonsault. It misses, and Zach makes Hardy regroup with a dropkick. Outside, Zach performs a springboard somersault plancha. Inside, Zach does a flying crossbody. Matt responds with the Side Effect, which leads to fighting on the top rope. Gowen knocks Matt down and ends it with a moonsault.

Thoughts: This was alright. They did a few good spots, and seeing Zach succeed was nice. However, the match wasn’t thrilling. The finish felt abrupt and unimpressive, which doesn’t do Matt Hardy any favors.

Winner: Zach Gowen (5:33)

Vince ties his shoes backstage when Linda McMahon enters the room. He asks Linda if she’s there to see him dressed or undressed, but Linda doesn’t acknowledge the comment. Linda pleads with Vince to call off the match. She knows Vince loves Stephanie. Linda ignored his transgressions in the past. However, he will divide the family forever if he goes down this path. Linda says he cannot come back from what he is doing. When Linda asks him to reconsider, Vince offers a concession. Vince says he can only win by submission, but Steph can succeed via pinfall or submission. And since Vince is meeting Stephanie halfway, he needs something in return. Vince changes it to a No Holds Barred encounter. The proclamation makes Linda throw her hands in the air and leave, so Vince asks, “Was it something I said?”

The Basham Brothers vs. The APA

Storyline: The APA continued their mockery of Shaniqua, which escalated their issues with the World’s Greatest Tag Team. Shelton grew determined to show everyone he wasn’t Shaniqua. He donned a wig to prove it, but the APA caught him and took pictures. WGTT vs. the APA for the tag belts resulted from this, and Haas and Benjamin won with a belt shot. Later, Bradshaw filled in for an injured Billy Gunn. He teamed with Noble against the Bashams, but Shaniqua interfered to cause a DQ. Shaniqua even helped the Bashams defeat the APA, so Bradshaw gave her the Clothesline from Hell. His attack infuriated the Bashams. They partnered with A-Train against the APA and Benoit. The Bashams ambushed Faarooq with a chair before Train pinned Benoit. Finally, the Bashams challenged the APA to avenge Shaniqua.

The Match: The APA dominates early with shoulder blocks, a powerslam, and a double spinebuster. Then Danny’s botched jawbreaker makes Faarooq say, “What the fuck!?” Faarooq raises his knees on Doug’s splash before Bradshaw brings Doug outside to brawl. When Bradshaw rolls Doug inside, Faarooq seeks a Dominator. Danny intervenes behind the ref’s back, and the Bashams seize control. They double-team Faarooq and lure Bradshaw in for distractions. Double suplexes, chinlocks, and choking subdue Faarooq until he scores a spinebuster.

Now, Bradshaw tags and cleans house with big boots, clotheslines, shoulder blocks, and a powerbomb. An eye poke stops his momentum, but Bradshaw fends off more double-teaming. He lands the Last Call on the Bashams. Doug takes one from the second rope because Faarooq grabs him, but Danny breaks up the pin. His intervention causes chaos. Faarooq runs into the ref accidentally. Danny attacks Bradshaw but eats a Clothesline from Hell for his troubles. And Shaniqua returns to ambush Bradshaw with a club. The interference allows Doug to finish Bradshaw with the Last Impression (Rough Ryder).

Thoughts: This was okay. The action was basic and solid, but didn’t set the world on fire. Also, most of this feud occurred on Velocity, which didn’t help. The Bashams were never interesting. Shaniqua overshadowed them, and the S&M gimmick didn’t do them any favors. So, this became forgettable.

Winners: The Basham Brothers (8:55)

Josh Matthews catches up with the Bashams and Shaniqua after the bout. Matthews says no one expected Shaniqua to return tonight after the Clothesline from Hell. Shaniqua says Bradshaw didn’t expect her back. Keeping her down will take more than a clothesline. But she will tell him what the clothesline did. She points at her chest and says it caused swelling. Shaniqua says the doctors told her this might be permanent, which excites Doug and Danny. They call her their mistress. Shaniqua wants to reward them and tells them they should whip it good. The Bashams celebrate this news with high-fives and chest bumps, but Shaniqua won’t let Doug bump her chest. (This amused me, but it wasn’t great. The Bashams had to coach Shaniqua through the promo. She clearly forgot her lines.)

Meanwhile, Cole and Tazz play with the chain and discuss the keys to victory in the main event. Tazz says Lesnar needs to get the chain before Big Evil uses it.

Now, it’s time for Stephanie vs. Vince in a No Holds Barred I Quit Match. Linda accompanies Stephanie to the ring, and Linda almost attacks Sable when she arrives. However, Stephanie stops her. Tazz and Cole say they aren’t proud to call this, but they respect Stephanie for doing it. As they talk, Linda pleads with Vince to cancel this. Stephanie backs Linda away, so Vince jumps Stephanie from behind.

No Holds Barred I Quit Match: Mr. McMahon (w/ Sable) vs. Stephanie McMahon (w/ Linda McMahon)

Storyline: Stephanie yelled at Vince after what happened to Gowen. She demanded Lesnar’s arrest, but Vince said Steph could wrestle Brock or quit as general manager. Steph chose to compete, and Angle saved her from an F5 into the post. Then Vince caught Steph defacing a picture of Sable. She wondered why Vince wouldn’t fire her. Vince said he wanted her to quit. However, Steph defied him and named Taker the #1 contender. So Vince challenged Stephanie to a match. Steph and Linda begged him to call off this insanity. Instead, Vince and Sable attacked Linda, and Vince gave Steph a clothesline and a slam before Taker rescued her. Afterward, Vince put Stephanie’s job at stake, so Linda convinced Vince to wager his role as the chairman. An emotional Stephanie pleaded with Vince, but he said god better have mercy on Stephanie’s soul because he wouldn’t.

The Match: Stephanie jumps on Vince’s back, but he snapmares her down and tosses her around by the hair. Shoulder blocks, choking, and knees to the gut follow before Sable slaps Steph. Linda chases Sable when this happens, but Vince stops her. Now, Vince clotheslines Stephanie and hooks her in a half crab. Since Steph won’t quit, Vince taunts Linda and locks Steph in a seated surfboard and a rear chinlock. Steph rakes the eyes to escape, but Sable fetches a pipe and puts it in the ring. Sable’s actions make Linda snap. She attacks Sable, so Vince grabs Linda by the hair. Linda slaps him, allowing Steph to throw a low blow.

Steph does a low blow with the pipe and rolls Vince up for two. Vince begs off from more pipe shots, but Steph doesn’t back down. She whacks him in the belly and head. One strike comes from the second rope! Unfortunately, Vince gets a foot on the ropes during the pin. Sable complains, which draws Stephanie into a fight. Nick Patrick steps between them, but Steph runs Vince into Sable and lands a bulldog. The move earns another two, so Steph picks up the pipe again. This time, Vince lures Stephanie in and shoves her down by the throat. He steals the pipe and clocks Steph in the stomach. Vince chokes her with the weapon, but Steph won’t submit. Linda has enough and throws in the towel.

Thoughts: I can’t say this didn’t get a reaction. This was the loudest the crowd became all night. Nevertheless, it was uncomfortable to watch. They needed to portray Vince as an unhinged devil, but this went too far. Recent revelations and events made this even more unsettling. (On a side note, they did this to write Steph off TV. She married Triple H a few days later.)

Winner: Vince McMahon (9:24)

Linda checks on Stephanie while Sable applauds Vince. Vince almost leaves, but he returns and grabs Linda. Mr. McMahon shoves Linda to the mat before kissing Sable and leaving. Cole says Vince ruined his marriage and split his family forever. He doesn’t think Stephanie will get involved in the business as long as Vince is in charge. Tazz wonders who will become the new GM. Meanwhile, Stephanie asks her mom why she threw in the towel. Linda says she did it for Stephanie’s own good.

Now, it’s time for Cena vs. Angle. Cena cuts his usual rap before the bout. He compares Kurt to Siegfried & Roy and calls himself an angry tiger. Cena also says you don’t want to mess with him because he’s like a prostitute with herpes. Then Cena insults Angle’s penis size and says they had to change Kurt’s shirt. It used to say he sucks, but they changed it because Angle swallows. Finally, Cena tells Kurt to show his true colors and dress as a chick. He needs to stop acting like they’re married and get off his dick. (Cena stops short of saying the last word. He lets the fans finish the line.)

Kurt Angle vs. John Cena

Storyline: Angle defended the WWE Title against the Undertaker, but Brock ruined it. Vince didn’t enjoy this outcome. He booked Angle vs. Lesnar in an Iron Man Match, and Brock won 5-4 to regain the championship. Afterward, Angle interrupted Brock’s celebration and demanded a rematch, but Vince told him he had to restart at the bottom. Worse yet, Cena confronted Kurt. He insulted Kurt with a rap before ambushing him backstage and driving away. Angle stole Vince’s limo to pursue him. Later, Cena and Brock fought Angle and Taker, and Cena pinned Kurt after using his chain. A rap battle between Angle and Cena happened the following week. Plus, Kurt dressed as Cena to mock him, and a mini version of Angle made him tap to the anklelock. When Cena confronted Kurt, Mini-Angle gave John a low blow, and Kurt hit the Angle Slam.

The Match: They trade knockdowns, takedowns, and taunts until it devolves into shoving. Angle keeps beating Cena down in the corner and hits a backdrop. The attack continues until Angle crashes into the corner. Now, Cena scores clotheslines and a neckbreaker before grabbing a double chickenwing. Cena transitions into a front facelock when Angle escapes and lands a spinebuster. He also thwarts Kurt’s run-up throw, but Angle dropkick’s Cena’s leg as Cena dives. Angle follows with a Russian leg sweep and a drop toe hold into an anklelock. Once Cena gets a rope break, he regroups. So, Angle nails a baseball slide, and they scuffle on the apron.

Kurt tries to perform a German suplex to the floor, so Cena blocks it and gives him a DDT on the hardest part of the ring! Inside, Cena surprises Kurt with the guillotine leg drop. Angle retaliates with one German, but Cena avoids more and drops Kurt with the Throwback. John’s missed corner charge results in rolling Germans, and Kurt evades a powerbomb. Undeterred, Cena plants Kurt with a buckle bomb and the FU, but they only earn two! Even Kurt’s Angle Slam gains two. Sensing trouble, Cena fetches the chain. The ref takes it, but this was Cena’s plan. John decks Angle with the gold medals behind the ref’s back. A kick out leads to countered finishers, ending with an anklelock. Kurt grapevines Cena’s leg, so John taps out.

Thoughts: This was amazing. They had great drama, good nearfalls, and a hot crowd. It wasn’t just Angle. Cena did well in this. He looked like he could win. The fans chanted for both men, so they had to turn Cena face soon after this.

Winner: Kurt Angle (18:28)

Eddie vs. Big Show comes next. Guerrero walks into the arena instead of driving his low rider. He shows Big Show his bandaged back from Big Show’s attack on Smackdown. Cole says they pulled 36 pieces of glass out of Eddie’s skin. When Eddie reaches the ring, he throws the belt at Big Show and dropkicks him.

United States Title Match: The Big Show vs. Eddie Guerrero (c)

Storyline: Eddie feuded with Cena after John insulted him and stole a tire off Eddie’s low rider. The disrespect led to a Latino Street Fight in the parking lot. Chavo returned to help Eddie win. With Chavo back, Los Guerreros defeated the World’s Greatest Tag Team to capture the tag titles! Then Eddie battled Matt Hardy, who injured Eddie’s ribs. Meanwhile, Big Show worked as Vince’s bodyguard for a few weeks but grew tired of people ignoring him. So, Big Show attacked an aching Eddie to get noticed. Eddie gained revenge by tricking Big Show into stealing tainted burritos. They made Big Show sick, and he got counted out against Orlando Jordan. When Show retaliated, Eddie and Chavo brought a sewage truck into the arena and sprayed Big Show with the hose. Big Show struck back with a pipe attack and a chokeslam on the low rider.

The Match: Eddie tries to stick and move while Big Show pushes him. He scores a hotshot, but Big Show answers with a clothesline and headbutt. Now, Show focuses on Eddie’s back. He clubs Eddie, steps on him, and tosses him around the ring. So, Eddie distracts Nick Patrick with a chair, and whacks Show with a trash can lid. The strike angers Big Show, and Eddie leads a chase. Unfortunately for Eddie, Big Show shoves him against the post and press slams him into the ring. More back work follows, including a chinlock and double chickenwing. Big Show even exposes a turnbuckle and whips Eddie into it. Show wants more, so Eddie rams Show’s head into the buckle.

Eddie performs a frog crossbody, but Big Show’s kick out drops Eddie onto Nick Patrick! Show also squashes Nick with a missed leg drop, so Eddie mocks him. Eddie’s brass knuckles, a chair shot, and a Frog Splash aren’t enough because Patrick is groggy. While Eddie wonders what it will take, Big Show rises and floors Eddie with a spinebuster and a chokeslam. Big Show covers, but Eddie gets a foot on the ropes. A frustrated Big Show lowers the straps and seeks another chokeslam, so Eddie throws a low blow and lands a DDT. The slow cover only earns two, and Big Show recovers. He finishes Eddie with a chokeslam.

Thoughts: I liked the story they told. This contained good action and some fun antics by Eddie, but it didn’t resonate with the crowd. They chanted boring or went silent. Maybe the previous two bouts wore them out.

Winner: Big Show (New Champion) (11:27)

Chavo comes to the ring after the bout and looks disappointed. He tries to help Eddie to his feet, but Eddie shoves Chavo when he complains about the outcome. Chavo says it’s okay. They’re still the tag champs.

Meanwhile, Josh Matthews stops Big Show in the hallway. He asks Big Show if he would like to say anything to the people about winning the US Title. Show stumbles over his words, so he says he’s so excited he can’t talk. When he recovers, Show says he told everyone he would beat Eddie. Show says he took Eddie’s Latino Heat and masculinity. He gave Eddie a beating only a seven-foot-two, five-hundred-pound giant can give. Eddie hit him with everything, but it wasn’t enough. Big Show asks, “Do you understand I’m a giant?” He says this means no one can take the championship away from him.

Biker Chain Match for the WWE Title: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. The Undertaker

Storyline: The Undertaker beat Lesnar and Big Show to become the #1 contender, but Lesnar ruined the championship encounter with a chair attack. Then Brock defeated Angle in the Iron Man Match. Taker said he wouldn’t interfere out of respect for the championship, but he hadn’t forgotten how Vince sent Lesnar to screw him. Once Brock became champ, Steph named Taker as his challenger. Her decision infuriated Vince, but she wouldn’t back down. Taker had to save Stephanie from Vince’s wrath twice. Lesnar aided Vince, but Taker chokeslammed Brock multiple times. So, an angry Lesnar brutalized Gowen, Spanky, Paul London, and Jamie Noble. Since the odds seemed against Taker, he introduced his friend, a chain. Taker said Stephanie added Biker Chain rules to their contest. Later, Brock jumped Taker during an interview and choked him with a chain before they brawled.

The Match: Taker keeps grabbing the arm and scores Old School after two tries. Better yet, he surprises Brock with a magistral cradle. So, Lesnar takes him outside to brawl before nailing a fisherman’s suplex inside the ring. More fighting on the apron and around ringside follows. Taker drops Brock across the ropes twice and floors him with a jumping clothesline, but someone turns out the lights when Taker goes for the chain. Taker descends to defend himself, but no one appears. The distraction allows Brock to use a powerslam and fetch the steps. He gives Taker a drop toe hold onto them, but Taker sends him to the floor. There, Taker piledrives Brock on the other half of the steps. Taker scales the pole again, so Brock puts him on his shoulders. Before Brock can do anything, Taker locks him in a triangle choke.

Brock escapes and throws a low blow before they scuffle with the steps once more. Taker hits Snake Eyes and a big boot. He even counters a spinebuster into a triangle choke, which Brock breaks with a powerbomb. Brock reverses a dragon sleeper into an F5 afterward. Taker gets a foot on the ropes during the pin, so Brock seeks the chain. Undertaker stops Brock with a super chokeslam and heads after the weapon, but the FBI attacks! Taker fends them off, plants Lesnar with the Last Ride, and dives onto Johnny and Chuck. As he does this, Nunzio climbs the pole, but Taker thwarts him and collects the chain. The problem is that Vince emerges from underneath the ring. He crotches Taker, and Brock steals the chain. Brock decks Taker for the three.

Thoughts: This started slowly, but they almost built to something good. The overbooking brought it down a notch. I wanted to enjoy this, but it ultimately disappointed me. This was too long and messy. Furthermore, the stipulation detracted from this. They should have made this No DQ instead. The chain did nothing for it.

Winner: Brock Lesnar (24:14)

Vince runs away while the ref hands the belt to Lesnar. Cole says Vince is desperate to keep the title on Brock. He screwed Taker! While Cole says this, Brock kisses the gold and poses on the ramp.

The Good:

• Angle vs. Cena

• Tajiri vs. Mysterio

• A-Train vs. Benoit

The Bad:

• The disappointing main event

• Vince vs. Stephanie

Observations and Extra Notes:

• They should have called this “Night of the Seated Surfboard.” Everybody did the move.

• Brock’s promos weren’t good at this point. He still needed Heyman. Brock cut some bad ones during the build for this PPV.

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to John Cena. He had a break-out performance against Angle in a great match.

Final Thoughts:

This was a decent PPV overall. It contained fine action and performances, but the Vince vs. Stephanie stuff prevented it from being great. The uncomfortable storyline cast a black cloud over this event. Smackdown slipped in quality, but they were still far better than RAW.

Thank you for reading. I will be taking a week off because I’m getting surgery on my deviated septum. So, look for my Survivor Series 2003 review in two weeks!