10 WWE Pay-Per-View Matches That Surpassed Expectations

In 2001, Trish Stratus was still considered a fitness model who had been hired by the then-WWF to provide eye candy for those watching.

She certainly wasn't considered someone who could work a watchable match, meaning there were fears that her bout against Stephanie McMahon at No Way Out could have been a colossal flop.

Both had the benefit of a strong storyline the company were willing to back and put effort into. Stratus was Vince McMahon's mistress, something his daughter Stephanie wanted to correct. Defending her mother, she brawled wildly with Trish in third match on the pay-per-view. The clash was a success right from the off.

That wasn't guaranteed, especially considering the pair were in the slot directly after a hot Fatal Four Way between Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, X-Pac and Chris Jericho. Keeping things under the 10-minute mark was a smart decision, as it allowed Trish and Steph to storm through the task at hand without any need to stall.

What perhaps should have been a throwaway match turned into a real hidden gem and provided a glimpse of the great in-ring performer that Trish would become years later.