Vengeance (2003)
| Vengeance (2003) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster featuring The Undertaker | |||
| Promotion | World Wrestling Entertainment | ||
| Brand(s) | SmackDown! | ||
| Date | July 27, 2003 | ||
| City | Denver, Colorado | ||
| Venue | Pepsi Center | ||
| Attendance | 9,500 | ||
| Theme song(s) | "Price to Play" by Staind[1] | ||
| Sponsor(s) | Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness | ||
| Pay-per-view chronology | |||
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| Vengeance chronology | |||
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Vengeance (2003) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and presented by Eidos Interactive's Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, which took place on July 27, 2003 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.[2] It was the third annual Vengeance event and starred wrestlers from the SmackDown! brand.
Eight professional wrestling matches were scheduled on the event's card. The main event was a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship, in which Kurt Angle defeated WWE Champion Brock Lesnar and The Big Show to win the championship. Two featured bouts were scheduled on the undercard where WWE Chairman Vince McMahon defeated Zach Gowen and The Undertaker defeated John Cena.
Vengeance had an attendance of approximately 9,500 and received about 322,000 pay-per-view buys. This event helped WWE increase its pay-per-view revenue by $6.2 million from the previous year.
Storylines
The event featured nine professional wrestling matches with outcomes predetermined by WWE script writers. The matches featured wrestlers portraying their characters in planned storylines that took place before, during and after the event. All wrestlers were from the SmackDown! brand - a storyline division in which WWE assigned its employees.
The main event at Vengeance featured WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defending the title against The Big Show and Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat match. The buildup to the match began four months prior at WrestleMania, where Lesnar defeated Angle and won the WWE title, as Angle went through a neck surgery. Two months later at Judgment Day, Lesnar defeated Big Show in a stretcher match. At May 29 on an episode of SmackDown!, Big Show teamed up with Chuck Palumbo and Johnny Stamboli and defeated The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar. On the June 5, 2003 episode of SmackDown!, Angle returned and Big Show attacked him, but Lesnar came to save him and challenge Big Show to a title match the next week. However, during the match, the ring collapsed. The following week during SmackDown!, the two had a rematch but Team Angle (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas) attacked Lesnar, making Angle and Mr. America (Hulk Hogan) to run for the save, only for Big Show to chokeslam all of them. The next week, the six men fought in a tag match where Show won by pinning Mr. America. However, the week after that, Lesnar and Angle cost Show a match against Zach Gowen. On July 10, 2003 during an episode of SmackDown!, Show chokeslammed Angle and teamed up with Team Angle to defeat Lesnar. The next week, Angle defeated Team Angle and Big Show by help from Zach Gowen. At the July 24, 2003 episode of SmackDown!, Gowen teamed with both Lesnar and Angle against Show and Team Angle, and Show won by chokeslamming both.
One of the featured preliminary matches was Zach Gowen versus Vince McMahon in a singles match. The hype to this match began on May 22, 2003 during an episode of SmackDown!, where Gowen, whose left leg was amputated when he was eight years old, said that he wanted to wrestle for the WWE. Vince McMahon, however, ordered police to arrest him. Two weeks later, McMahon challenged Gowen to get a WWE contract by beating him in an Arm Wrestling contest. The week after that, McMahon kicked Gowen's leg in order to win the contest. Two weeks later, on the June 26, 2003 episode of SmackDown!, McMahon agreed to give Gowen a contract in the WWE, but only if Gowen will join McMahon's "Kiss My Ass" club. Gowen low blowed McMahon. Later during the program, McMahon attacked Gowen and booked him and Stephanie McMahon against the Big Show the next week, with Gowen getting a WWE contract if he will win. Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle helped Gowen to win the match and earn his contract. During the next week's show, while Gowen signed his contract, McMahon made the match for the event. On the July 24, 2003 episode of SmackDown!, McMahon attacked Gowen during his match with Lesnar and Angle against Show and Team Angle.
The other featured preliminary match was The Undertaker versus John Cena in a singles match. The buildup to the match began on June 26, 2003 during an episode of SmackDown!, where Cena celebrated a year in the WWE. He fought Orlando Jordan and defeated him, but attacked him after the match, making the Undertaker run down for the save. The next week, Undertaker cost Cena his match against Billy Gunn in the US Title tournament. Two weeks later on SmackDown!, Cena and Undertaker brawled in the ring. On the July 24, 2003 episode of SmackDown!, Cena taunted the Undertaker, rapping about him in a cemetery.
Event
| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| Commentator | Michael Cole |
| Tazz | |
| Interviewer | Josh Mathews |
| Ring announcer | Tony Chimel |
| Referee | Brian Hebner |
| Jim Korderas | |
| Mike Sparks | |
| Mike Chioda |
Sunday Night Heat
Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, Último Dragón faced Kanyon on Sunday Night Heat, one of WWE's secondary TV programs. Dragon won after a standing shiranui on Kanyon.[4]
Preliminary matches
As the pay-per-view event began, Eddie Guerrero faced Chris Benoit for the vacant United States Championship. The match was contested evenly between both men, with both of them performing a variety of offensive maneuvers. Guerrero eventually gained the upper hand when Rhyno interfered in the match while the referee was unconscious, performing a Gore on Benoit. After this, Guerrero performed a Frog splash on Benoit to win the title.[5][6]
In the next match, Billy Gunn (with Torrie Wilson) faced Jamie Noble (with Nidia). If Noble won, he'd get to sleep with Torrie. During the match, Noble performed a DDT from the top turnbuckle on Gunn and went for a cover, but Nidia interfered and placed Gunn's foot on the rope. Noble then angrily confronted Nidia. Torrie attempted to slap him, but he instead kissed her. After this, Nidia and Torrie both slapped Noble. Noble returned to the inside of the ring, only to be tripped by Torrie. While confronting her, Gunn attempted a Gunnslinger but Noble pushed him into Torrie. Noble then rolled-up on Gunn to win.[5][6]
In the third match, Bradshaw, Chris Kanyon, Shannon Moore, Doink the Clown, Brother Love, Nunzio, Matt Hardy, Kanyon, Danny Basham, Doug Basham, the Easter Bunny, Sean O'Haire, John Hennigan, Orlando Jordan, Funaki, Los Conquistadores (Rob Conway and Johnny Jeter), the Brooklyn Brawler, Johnny Stamboli, Chuck Palumbo, Matt Cappotelli, and Spanky fought in the Acolytes Protection Agency Invitational Bar Room Brawl. During the match, Spanky was put through a table, Sean O'Haire used a pool cue and Brother Love threw Shannon Moore through a mirror. After knocking down Brother Love, Bradshaw won the match.[6][7]
In the next match, The World's Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas) faced Rey Mysterio and Billy Kidman for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Throughout the match, both teams performed many offensive maneuvers. The World's Greatest Tag Team won after a combination of a powerbomb by Haas and a diving lariat to retain the titles.[5][6]
Main event matches
In the fifth match Sable faced SmackDown! General Manager Stephanie McMahon in a No Countout Match. Stephanie attacked Sable while she was on the way to the ring, while Sable utilized kicks to take the advantage. Stephanie beat on Sable on the outside before trying to hit her with a steel chair, but the referee stopped her. The match ended when Stephanie tore away at Sable's top, and while Sable was attempting to get referee Brian Hebner to help her, A-Train (Matt Bloom) attacked Stephanie. Hebner then gave Sable his shirt to cover her, and she covered Stephanie for the win.[6][7]
In the next match, The Undertaker faced John Cena. The Undertaker controlled the start of the match, but Cena took advantage by drinking water and spraying it in the Undertaker's face. The Undertaker regained control by chokeslamming Cena, before an attempt at a Last Ride. Cena reversed into a DDT, however. The Undertaker was thrown into an exposed turnbuckle and Cena attacked his midsection, bloodying him from the mouth, selling internal injuries, or making them appear realistic. The Undertaker later attempted to a Tombstone Piledriver but couldn't due to the (kayfabe) injuries he had received. Cena punched him with a chain wrapped around his fist and delivered an FU. Cena then covered the Undertaker, but he kicked out of the attempt. Cena then scaled the turnbuckle to attack the Undertaker in the corner, and the Undertaker performed Last Ride on him, then pinned Cena for the win.[5][6]
In the next match, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon faced Zach Gowen. McMahon controlled much of the match, attacking Gowen's leg primarily, as Gowen only has one leg. However, Gowen retaliated with such offensive maneuvers as one-legged dropkicks and springboard backflips. Late in the match, McMahon held a steel chair with the intent of hitting Gowen with it. Gowen, however, jumped, spun 360°, and kicked the chair into McMahon's face, bloodying. Gowen then went for a Corkscrew Moonsault, but missed and landed on the mat. McMahon then covered Gowen for the win, but after the match, the crowd gave Gowen a standing ovation for his performance.[5][6]
In the main event, Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle and The Big Show fought in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship. The match began with Angle and Lesnar facing each other, before attacking the Big Show. Big Show threw Angle outside the ring and chokeslammed Lesnar. He covered Lesnar but didn't score a pinfall. The Big Show controlled the match early on before Lesnar shoulder blocked and went for an F5 but Big Show countered. Angle returned to the ring with trash can lids and both he and Lesnar used them against Big Show. The Big Show tried to chokeslam both men simultaneously, but Angle and Lesnar teamed up to chokeslam Big Show. Later in the match, Angle began to bleed. Big Show placed Lesnar on the top turnbuckle and climbed up to punch Lesnar, but Angle distracted both men and went down to the mat, with Big Show still above him, allowing Lesnar to powerbomb and cover Big Show. Angle broke the cover by hitting Lesnar with a chair to the back, following with a chair shot to the head, bloodying Lesnar, too. Angle and Big Show proceeded to fight outside the ring, and Angle Angle Slammed Big Show on the Spanish announcers' table. Afterward, Lesnar and Angle fought each other back inside the ring, and Lesnar threw Angle to the outside again. The Big Show returned to the ring and chokeslammed Lesnar and Angle simultaneously, and covered both men but couldn't score a pinfall. Angle then placed Lesnar in an ankle lock, but Big Show broke the hold. Angle performed an Angle Slam on Big Show again, and then delivered an Angle Slam to Lesnar, covering him for a pinfall and winning the WWE Title.[6][8]
Reception
The Pepsi Center has a maximum capacity of 19,000, but that was reduced for Vengeance 2003. The event had an attendance of 9,500. The event resulted in 322,000 pay-per-view buys. The promotion's pay-per-view revenue was $24.7 million.[9] Canadian Online Explorers professional wrestling section rated the entire event an 8.5 out of 10 stars.[6] The No Disqualification Triple Threat main event match was rated a 10 out of 10 stars.[6] The event was released on DVD on August 26, 2003[10] by Sony Music Entertainment.
Results
| No. | Results[6] | Stipulations | Times[3] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1H | Último Dragón defeated Chris Kanyon | Singles match | 04:04 |
| 2 | Eddie Guerrero defeated Chris Benoit | Singles match for the vacant WWE United States Championship | 22:14 |
| 3 | Jamie Noble (with Nidia) defeated Billy Gunn (with Torrie Wilson) | Singles match | 05:00 |
| 4 | Bradshaw won by last eliminating Brother Love[note 1] | The APA Invitational Bar Room Brawl | 04:33 |
| 5 | The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) (c) defeated Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio | Tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship | 14:53 |
| 6 | Sable defeated Stephanie McMahon | No Countout match | 06:25 |
| 7 | The Undertaker defeated John Cena | Singles match | 16:01 |
| 8 | Mr. McMahon defeated Zach Gowen | Singles match | 14:02 |
| 9 | Kurt Angle defeated Brock Lesnar (c) and Big Show | Triple threat match for the WWE Championship | 17:29 |
| |||
- ↑ Other participants in the bar room bawl: The Brooklyn Brawler, Chuck Palumbo, Chris Kanyon, Conquistadore Dos, Conquistador Uno, Danny Basham, Doink the Clown, Doug Basham, Easter Bunny, Faarooq, Funaki, John Hennigan, Johnny Stamboli, Shannon Moore, Nunzio, Matt Cappotelli, Matt Hardy, Orlando Jordan, Sean O'Haire and Spanky.
Tournament bracket
The tournament for the vacant WWE United States Championship was held between June 19 and July 27, 2003. The tournament brackets were:
| Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||||||
| Chris Benoit | Sub | |||||||||||||
| Rhyno | ||||||||||||||
| Chris Benoit | Sub | |||||||||||||
| Matt Hardy | ||||||||||||||
| Matt Hardy | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Rikishi | ||||||||||||||
| Chris Benoit | 22:14 | |||||||||||||
| Eddie Guerrero | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Billy Gunn | Pin | |||||||||||||
| John Cena | ||||||||||||||
| Billy Gunn | ||||||||||||||
| Eddie Guerrero | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Eddie Guerrero | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Último Dragón | ||||||||||||||
References
- ↑ "WWE Information". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ↑ "Vengeance (2003) Venue". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- 1 2 "Vengenace (2003) Information". Hoff Co, Inc.: CompleteWWE.com. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- ↑ Glebink, Dusty (2003-07-27). "7/27 WWE Heat review". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Martin, Adam (2003-07-27). "Full WWE Vengeance PPV (SmackDown) Results - 7/27/03 - Denver, CO". WrestleView. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Clevett, Jason. "Angle takes Vengeance on Lesnar". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- 1 2 Keller, Wade (2003-07-27). "7/27 WWE Vengeance PPV results: Ongoing "virtual time" results of live event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- ↑ "Kurt Angle def. Big Show and Brock Lesnar in a Triple Threat Match to become WWE Champion". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ↑ "World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Reports Q2 Results" (PDF). World Wrestling Entertainment. 2004-11-23. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ↑ "WWE Vengeance DVD at F.Y.E". For Your Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-10-14.