10 Best WWE Smackdown Main Events

1. Chris Benoit Vs. Steve Austin - May 31 2001

Chris Jericho Edge
WWE Network

The Rabid Wolverine was back in the Smackdown main event a week later, this time challenging renaissance man Steve Austin for the WWE Title in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Austin had been on one hell of a run so far that year, working thrillers with Triple H and The Rock. He found a more than game opponent in Benoit, who was eager to impress his hometown crowd. As an added caveat, Austin confidant Vince McMahon would be stationed at ringside as an extra official.

Benoit stated off as the early aggressor, bouncing the Texas Rattlesnake around the ring and controlling the pace of the match. Austin frequently had to resort to cheap or otherwise dirty tactics in order to turn the tide as he was clearly unable to match the intensity of his opponent.

One thing I loved about this match was its structure and the way it combined brawling and good old-fashioned wrestling. It made for a unique dynamic, with Benoit having to trade punches with Austin and Stone Cold having to put The Crippler in submissions.

This is, of course, the match where Benoit hid an ungodly ten German suplexes in a row, retaliation for Austin's insistence on viciously working over Benoit's injured ribs. Ten suplexes weren't enough to get the job done, however, as Vince McMahon's interference resulted in Austin scoring a cheap roll-up victory.

Not that he looked much like a winner afterwards, though: bruised and physically spent, he collapsed on top of the entrance ramp, fully aware that he'd just barely escaped with the gold still around his waist.

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Contributor

Student of film. Former professional wrestler. Supporter of Newcastle United. Don't cry for me, I'm already dead...