There is absolutely no way the match between Vince McMahon and Zack Gowan at July 2003's Vengeance pay-per-view should have been as good as it was. After all, McMahon was a limited in-ring performer at best and Gowan was a one-legged competitor who was extremely limited in what he could do. That they would work together as well as they did, and deliver the quality of match that they did, was implausible. Yet, that is exactly what happened when they met at the inaugural SmackDown-exclusive event. McMahon, as he had so many times throughout his career, did such a tremendous job of manipulating the audience and generating the desired response that it fueled the overall quality of the bout. McMahon's taunting and physical assault on his handicapped opponent created such sympathy for Gowan that when the youngster finally was able to mount a comeback and bloody McMahon in the process, the crowd in Denver was completely invested in the story. McMahon won, as he naturally would given the physical limitations of Gowan, but the young star was made in the process.
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.
