10 Best Ever Counters To WWE Wrestling Finishers
6. Technical Excellence (Royal Rumble 2003)
Few performers have ever fused technicality and intensity quite like Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle, who traded none of their precision for huge, bombastic moments. It was always fireworks when they tied it up, particularly in a big match setting, and Royal Rumble 2003 was one of their finest moments, as the duo delivered a classic World Championship fight in the slot before the titular battle royal.
Benoit looked to have victory secured when he locked one final Crippler Crossface on his opponent. Angle, that locksmith, found a way out. He rolled Chris onto his back then over again, seizing the leg for his own Ankle Lock. Rather than looking too clean, cooperative, or performative, it was a real struggle between two of the world's finest, though Benoit was able to battle his way out of this particular Ankle Lock.
Another sealed his fate seconds later. Even to this day, it's an all-time great finish.