The BEST Wrestling Moment Every Year (1989 - 2026)

24. 2003 | Full Collapse

Brock Lesnar Big Show Ring Collapse Smackdown 2003
WWE.com

For a largely dismal year defined by Triple H’s unacceptably boring and selfish stranglehold over the World Heavyweight title - the absolute nadir of toxic backstage politics - 2003 yielded a fair few highlights. The issue - and this becomes a recurring theme - is that so many of them were ruined, and way as well have never happened. Yes, Goldberg’s SummerSlam Elimination Chamber rampage was sensational, but he lost the match and only (briefly) won the title in a tedious, overlong, and unflattering singles match against Triple H at Unforgiven. Not everything was bad in the monopoly era, but the good things rarely lasted. 

On June 12, 2003, something so thoroughly WWE happened that it’s a wonder it took Vince McMahon that long to do it. 

Midway through a TV match against Brock Lesnar, the Big Show climbed the turnbuckles. He only did it in order to take a superplex, but fair play to him, because he did at least wrap his hand around Lesnar’s throat as if to indicate an avalanche choke slam (which might have been even more class than the actual spot!). 

Show took the superplex and the ring immediately collapsed. The stunt was executed to perfection; the f*cking thing exploded so spectacularly that Big Show, a wardrobe of a man, bounced back up twice. Twice! 

The collapse happened in two stages. This was great because referee Mike Chioda initially took a standard bump before the collapsing ring bumped him. The second impact was so powerful that it’s a wonder all three men didn’t slide out of the ring.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!