On August 24th 2003, WWE presented the SummerSlam pay-per-view live from the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. As announced by Jim Ross at the top of the broadcast, 16,113 was the reported attendance by WWE.
Just over 1 year since Raw and SmackDown became exclusive rosters, this was one of 4 events a year where the both brands would compete on the same show, with the other 3 shows being WrestleMania, Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble.
La Resistance vs. The Dudley Boyz – Tag Team match for the World Tag Team Championships
In a match based on American patriotism, The Dudleys jumped La Resistance before the bell rang. La Resiatnce were clear heels due to their disrespect of the American flag. As was the way with Dudley Boyz matches, the crowd wanted tables early on in the match. A loud USA chant briefly broke out to try to get the babyfaces back in the match. D-Von received the hot tag and single-handedly took on La Resistance. The Dudleys hit the Wazzup headbutt followed by a 3D, but the referee was pulled out of the ring. A rogue cameraman ran to the ring to take down D-Von and allow La Resistance to retain the championships. The rogue cameraman was revealed to be the man who would go on to be Rob Conway.
The match was a good opener but the finish felt flat and rushed – **
Intercontinental Champion Christian appeared in a backstage segment with Eric Bischoff. Christian was annoyed that he didn’t get a match on the card, which Bischoff blamed on Steve Austin.
Undertaker vs. A-Train
With A-Train being utilised as Mr. McMahon’s hired gun, The Undertaker was the next target for the powerhouse. Taker looked for retribution at SummerSlam, portraying the Big Evil biker persona. Taker’s injured ribs were shown as a target, preventing any early offence. The pace slowed and the crowd quietened until Undertaker hit the Old School ropewalk strike. A-Train sent Undertaker out of the ring to regain offensive momentum. Following a brief comeback from Undertaker, both men went down due to a double clothesline. Following a Last Ride setup, the referee was bumped. A-Train hit the Derailer but with the referee delayed in getting to the count, Undertaker kicked out. Taker knocked the referee down again, with A-Train hoping to use a steel chair to capitalise. Taker kicked the chair into the face of A-Train, resulting in a 2 count. A chokeslam ended the match. After the bell, Sable tried to seduce The Undertaker, but Taker held Sable by the throat so Stephanie McMahon could try to exact revenge.
The fans seemed more interested in the post match angle than the finish – **
Shane McMahon vs. Eric Bischoff
Prior to the video package, JR calls the next match one of the most personal matches in WWE. After his entrance, Bischoff references him kissing Linda McMahon. Shane McMahon made his entrance and quickly went on the attack on Bischoff, beating the GM around the ringside area. An offscreen chair shot knocked McMahon down, revealed to be Jonathan Coachman. Despite the referee demanding the bell to be rung, Bischoff changed the rules to no DQ and falls count anywhere. The crowd chanted for Steve Austin briefly, while Bischoff continued to berate McMahon on the microphone, also demanding that commentary be muted. Coach mocked JR’s commentary while Bischoff hit martial arts moves onto McMahon. Shane fought off Coach and Bischoff briefly, then the glass shattered to bring Austin to the ring. A tag team beatdown by Austin and McMahon ensued, eliminating Coach from the match. Austin hit a Stunner on Bischoff, which McMahon pulled the shoulder up. An elbow drop from the ring to the announce table got the victory for McMahon.
Although just over 10 minutes, this match felt long, with the Bischoff offence outstaying its welcome. The crowd got to see Austin and a big Shane McMahon move, but this could have been condensed into a shorter segment – *
Ric Flair is backstage with Randy Orton, explaining the plan is for Triple H to walk out champion no matter what.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit vs. Tajiri vs. Rhyno – Fatal 4-Way match for the United States Championship
Michael Cole states during the entrances that this match could steal the show. All challengers wanted to get their hands on the champion from the outset. Guerrero quickly ran in to break up a submission attempt and then ran out, repeating the process again to break up a pin attempt. Guerrero was cornered and attacked by all challengers. Taz makes a humorous joke at Cole regarding the rules of a Fatal 4-Way match being explained constantly. Guerrero and Benoit locked in simultaneous submissions, with the referee frequently checking each pair. Rhyno tried to Gore Guerrero, but Guerrero used the title as a shield. Guerrero hit the Frog Splash on Rhyno to win the match.
This was a good match with multiple believable near falls. The story of all 3 men not wanting Guerrero to walk out with the title played well into the match – ***1/2
Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar – Singles match for the WWE Championship
The WrestleMania match that turned personal, with Lesnar hoping to repeat the events that took place 12 months prior. Good chain wrestling at the start from both men, ending in a stalemate. Lesnar realised that he had the power advantage over Angle, with Angle quickly pivoting to utilize the speed advantage. Lesnar got angered on the outside, resulting in a ringside brawl between the two Superstars. Lesnar pressed Angle out of the ring, much to the shock of the live crowd. Lesnar started to wear down Angle, with Angle getting in the occasional hope spot. Lesnar hit the post with his shoulder, which Angle capitalised on. Angle hit the Angle Slam on Lesnar, but the challenger kicked out. The Ankle Lock was then locked in, with Lesnar rolling through to knock the referee down. Lesnar was in the Ankle Lock for an extended period of time before finally tapping out without a referee seeing it. Vince McMahon hit Angle in the back with a chair, with the live crowd chanting asshole at McMahon. Lesnar then hit the F5 while on one leg, getting a great near fall. A second F5 attempt was countered into another Ankle Lock. Much to the delight of the live crowd, Lesnar submitted for the first time ever.
A great match but could have done without the second ref bump, as it was already seen in the Undertaker vs. A-Train match. ****
Kane vs. Rob Van Dam – No Holds Barred Match
The match started with a ringside brawl, with Kane grabbing a ladder in the opening stages. RVD jumped on the other end, hitting Kane in the face with the ladder. The ringside brawl resumed, with the no DQ stipulation sued very sparingly. The ladder was launched at RVD by Kane, who then choked RVD for a lengthy period. The ringside brawl resumed, once again with the lack of the No Holds Barred stipulation being utilised. The steel chair came into play, with RVD attempting to hit a coast to coast, but Kane would evade the attack. Van Dam was then hit with a Tombstone Piledriver onto the steps, with Kane rolling RVD into the ring to win the match.
For a No Holds Barred match, this did not feel as violent as other No Disqualification matches in the Ruthless Aggression Era. The ending spot was good, but the match itself is very forgettable – **
Triple H vs. Goldberg vs. Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Nash vs. Shawn Michaels – Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Despite the competitors knowing what they are getting themselves in for in the second ever chamber match, it is hard not to wince at the wrestlers landing on steel grating. Thankfully, WWE have made the structure safer in the modern day. Orton makes his entrance first, with commentary debating whether or not he will ensure that Triple H will walk out with the title. Nash, Triple H and Goldberg each enter their respective pods, leaving Jericho and Michaels to start the match. Right from the opening bell, it is clear that the fans want Goldberg in the match. Orton enters the match next, immediately targeting Michaels. Kevin Nash enters next, targeting Jericho and using the steel to his advantage, which busted open Jericho. Michaels hit the Superkick onto Nash, with Jericho pinning Nash to eliminate him from the match. Triple H was next to enter, with Michaels hitting a Superkick immediately. Nash continued the assault inside the chamber, despite being eliminated. Michaels was also busted open in the melee. Goldberg was last to enter, powering through all the competitors. Orton was speared and eliminated by Goldberg, In the spot of the night, Jericho was Speared through the pod by Goldberg. Michaels was then the victim of a Spear and Jackhammer to be eliminated. Jericho was Speared again, hit with a Jackhammer and also eliminated, leaving Goldberg and Triple H left in the match. Flair locked Triple H in his own pod to protect him from Goldberg, but Goldberg would break open the pod manually. A sledgehammer was passed to Triple H through the chamber by Flair, allowing Triple H to hit Goldberg in the head and win the match. Goldberg was assaulted by Evolution after the bell.
This should have been Goldberg’s crowning moment, but the Triple H victory gave the main event a flat finish – ***1/2
Overall, SummerSlam 2003 will be best remembered for the two World Championship matches. The US Title Fatal 4-Way match is also one to seek out, but the rest of the card feels like filler. The 2003 show has its moments, but does not have the same memorability as the year prior.
Featured image: WWE
