2. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle - Raw; June 11, 2001
Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle are two of the most celebrated in-ring performers of their, or any, generation. Proficient in suplexes and technical wrestling, they engaged in a wildly competitive rivalry that began at WrestleMania X-Seven with a match won by Angle, continued to Backlash and a 30-Minute Ultimate Submission match, and ended with a Best Two-Out-of-Three Falls match at Judgment Day. With Benoit transitioning into a WWE Championship rivalry with Steve Austin and Angle programmed with Shane McMahon, the blowoff to their rivalry came on the June 11, 2001 episode of Raw, where they met in a steel cage match. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6usds_kurt-angle-vs-chris-benoit-steel-ca_sport Benoit and Angle blended the technical wrestling they were so readily associated with a series of high spots that put them at risk for serious injury. Angle's moonsault from the top of the cage caused jaws to drop and heart rates to increase while Benoit's diving headbutt likely added to what was already a significantly injured neck. Still, they took those risks in the name of entertaining fans and that is exactly what they did. Angle won the match when the aforementioned Austin slammed the cage door in Benoit's face.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
