Sometimes in WWE, it's difficult to remember that the organisation's bread and butter is professional wrestling. Of course, Vince McMahon doesn't seem comfortable with calling his product that, preferring the marketing term 'Sports Entertainment'. Regardless of this, that second 'W' in the promotion's name stands for 'Wrestling', something Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit provided at the 2003 Royal Rumble. Following a disappointingly poor World Heavyweight Championship match between Triple H and Scott Steiner, Angle and Benoit stood them up and positively tore the house down. In total, their WWE Title contest went just shy of the 20 minute mark, but there surely wouldn't have been any complaints had they wrestled for another 10 or even 15 minutes. The match was sheer poetry in motion, two skilled pros going out and managing to capture fans' attention with holds, suplexes and other wrestling moves. At times, Angle vs. Benoit felt like a genuine fight, which is a credit to both men. That they legitimately appeared to be struggling for superiority made the match that much more enjoyable. There can be no arguments that this match is one of the best to ever take place at the Royal Rumble, and it may never be topped by any other WWE Title bout going forward. In a then-rare occurrence, the fans in the arena gave the Rabid Wolverine a standing ovation, despite the fact that he had lost, just because his performance and effort were so good. What other WWE Title matches from Royal Rumble events have you enjoyed? What are your memories of the matches listed here? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments section!
