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#1 Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit for the WWE Championship (Royal Rumble 2003)
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The initial entry comes from the Royal Rumble 2003, and it features two of the greatest technical wrestlers in professional wrestling history. In Boston, Kurt Angle defended the WWE Championship against Chris Benoit. This match is in the top spot due mostly to its subsequent impact.
The two men had done battle in the past for mid-card gold and personal pride. They also held the WWE Tag Team Championship together. But this bout marked their biggest clash with the top prize in the industry on the line. Kurt Angle had recently aligned with Paul Heyman and Team Angle. Meanwhile, Benoit defeated Big Show to gain this opportunity.
This contest started slow, as both men showcased their excellent technical wrestling. Things picked up to a second gear when they started to trade finishers and reversals. But it was Benoit's comeback that really re-energized the FleetCenter crowd. The energy of the fan-favorite star took this encounter to another level at Royal Rumble 2003.
"The Canadian Crippler" had a few dramatic attempts at victory, and they were deeply engaging. This Royal Rumble 2003 classic put a stamp on Chris Benoit as a big-time babyface, and it could be described as the start of his run to the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 20. The crowd's standing ovation was memorable, and it proved that the fans rallied behind Benoit.
Kurt Angle once again showed why he is an elite athlete and an incredible wrestler. Although he took the win, "The Olympic Gold Medalist" did everything within his power to put a spotlight on Benoit. He sold Benoit's offense and made him look like a dangerous opponent. This match also holds significance due to how it inspired the next generation.
The emphasis on in-ring work had never been put on a higher platform since Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 12. The early 2000s saw a myriad of performers who did not have not the biggest bodies or have "the look." But these competitors could wrestle, and they put places like TNA and Ring of Honor on the map.
Many performers from that era have stated that this contest set a precedent for in-ring excellence. This generation tried to follow and exceed the example Benoit and Angle established. With terrific work-rate and superb psychology, Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit at Royal Rumble 2003 has to be considered the greatest title match in Royal Rumble history.
