10 WWE Matches Doomed From The Start
7. Triple H Vs Scott Steiner (Royal Rumble 2003)
Knackered before a lousy suplex was even thrown thanks to the hidden injuries Scott Steiner was carrying at the time, the Royal Rumble 2003 clash with a Triple H trapped in the nadir of his career was already every kind of f*cked. And then the bell rang.
The company had used every shortcut in the build-up, but the smoke and mirrors had worked a little too well. Posedowns and press-up contests were designed intentionally to save any and every shred of violence for the match itself, but 'Big Poppa Pump's innate coolness created an actual sense of anticipation around the 'Genetic Freak' pounding the seemingly inferior 'Game' into protein shake mix.
When - extremely early on - it became apparent he had no chance of practicing what he'd preached, the match fell apart in front of a desperately depressed audience.
Compared to the vuvuzela hum that greets every single Roman Reigns encounter, fans turning on contests was still a rarity back then, but even the most patient observers couldn't quite believe the calamity in front of them. Steiner's injury had obviously done a number on his cardio and strength - he was knackered as it was without being given the impossible task of helping carry a match Triple H himself also wasn't capable of doing.