The Rock's World Championship Wins - Ranked From Worst To Best

2. No Way Out 2001

The Rock vs. Kurt Angle - No Way Out 2001
WWE.com

No Way Out 2001 is probably best remembered for the epic Three Stages of Hell match between Triple H and Stone Cold Steve Austin, but you’d be foolish to sleep on the main event WWF Championship match between Kurt Angle and The Rock. Angle came in as champion on the back of one of the greatest rookie years in wrestling history, and the main event of WrestleMania X-Seven was on the line as well as the title.

When folk list The Rock’s greatest opponents Kurt Angle’s name usually sits somewhere in the middle of the list, but the chemistry between the two was undeniable. This was Kurt Angle in 2001 however, a man who could have a great match with anyone on the roster. The No Way Out main event is indeed a great match, a wrestling bout of intensity and passion that ticks all the boxes.

Angle is particularly great here, imploring Rock to tap out to the Ankle Lock, telling Rocky that the will ‘break your f*cking ankle’. It’s a magical performance from Kurt.

The Rock is no slouch either however, and near fall after near fall after near fall ends with Rocky pinning Angle. The finish is mired somewhat by Earl Hebner failing to count to three on the first finish, but there we go. Great match, great moment.

Advertisement
Contributor
Contributor

Born in the middle of Wales in the middle of the 1980's, John can't quite remember when he started watching wrestling but he has a terrible feeling that Dino Bravo was involved. Now living in Prague, John spends most of his time trying to work out how Tomohiro Ishii still stands upright. His favourite wrestler of all time is Dean Malenko, but really it is Repo Man. He is the author of 'An Illustrated History of Slavic Misery', the best book about the Slavic people that you haven't yet read. You can get that and others from www.poshlostbooks.com.