3. Kurt Angle & Triple H Fight Over Stephanie McMahon
Climactic Event: Unforgiven Location: Philadelphia Date: September 24, 2000 One thing that we can always admire about the McMahons is their willingness to get into the ring, and put their money where their mouths are. Vince is willing to blade in hardcore matches. Shane is willing to dive coast-to-coast. Even Linda knows how to take and sell a Stunner when the occasion calls for it. And then theres Stephanie. Out of all the McMahons, Stephanie has undergone the most character development, and has emerged as a fully formed heel character. First she was the damsel in distress to be rescued from Undertakers Ministry of Darkness. Then, she was the annoying Princess brat, who accompanied her husband to ringside and rebelled against her father. And now, shes the snobby head of the WWE, doing whats best for business rather than what the fans want to see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9P-1_oeS5w This particular feud is from that middle era, when Stephanie was the object of desire for both Kurt Angle and real-life husband Triple . At different points, Stephanie managed both men, and Kurt tried for weeks to get out off the friend zone. But at the final Raw before 2000s Unforgiven, Kurt forced a kiss on Stephanie, which was a huge no-no. Stephanie McMahon got her own back at Unforgiven when she kicked Kurt in the balls, and this essentially ended the feud.
Kevin is an AP English Language teacher and freelance writer from Queens, NY. His focus is on American pop culture and American issues. He wrote a weekly column for Complex called "Throwback Thursdays," which spotlighted video games and trends from previous console generations. Kevin has also been published in VIBE, Salon, PopMatters, Joystiq, and Racialicious. Follow him on Twitter to learn more.
