- 2 days ago
The match between Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit on WWE SmackDown (November 14, 2002) was a hard-hitting, technically intense battle between two of the best pure wrestlers of their era. From the opening bell, both men focused on a grounded, physical style, trading suplexes, strikes, and submissions as they tried to outwrestle one another. Angle relied on his Olympic-level amateur wrestling, using takedowns and relentless pressure, while Benoit countered with his trademark intensity, stiff offense, and precise technical execution. The match was built around momentum shifts, with each competitor repeatedly escaping the other’s signature holds, including Benoit fighting out of the ankle lock and Angle avoiding the Crippler Crossface. As the contest wore on, the physical toll became evident, with neither man willing to back down. The finish came in dramatic fashion when Angle managed to gain the upper hand through superior positioning and wrestling instincts, securing the victory after a grueling exchange. The match reinforced Angle’s status as one of SmackDown’s top competitors while also showcasing Benoit’s toughness and elite in-ring ability, making it one of the most critically praised television matches of that period.
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00:00You know, Benoit, it's all your fault. It's all your fault you lost the tag team titles last week.
00:08My fault? Yeah. My fault?
00:09Oh, yeah. You are the one that got pinned twice in the same fall.
00:15Now, do you want to tell me how the hell you managed to do that? Huh? Justify yourself. Tell me.
00:21Don't change the subject, Benoit. You know, the fact is, I hate your guts. Yes, I do.
00:26But you know something? I love being a champion, and you screwed that up for me.
00:31So tonight, I'm gonna take all my aggressions out on you.
00:35Take out all my aggressions out on you.
00:37Let me remind you something, Kurt. The last two times we fought, I beat you. One, two, three.
00:45You watch your mouth, young man. Don't forget who the team captain is. Me!
00:51You know, I apologize. You are the team captain. I beat the team captain twice.
00:58One, two, three. Yeah? Well, I have more teeth than you. Ha!
01:06Well, I'm better than you. I'm better than you. Well, I'm ten times better than you.
01:20I'm eleven times better than you. Well, I'm an Olympic gold medalist. Huh? Huh? I thought so.
01:29And tonight, I'm gonna prove, Benoit, that I am better than you. Well, they call me the Rabid Wolverine.
01:39And tonight, Kurt Angle, I am gonna prove you long, Olympic gold medalist.
01:47I'm gonna prove you long, Olympic gold medalist.
01:49What?
01:51These partners wrestle tonight.
01:57What the hell?
01:59What?
02:01What?
02:03What?
02:05What?
02:07What?
02:09What?
02:11What?
02:13What?
02:15What?
02:26What?
02:28What?
02:32What?
02:35What?
02:42First of all, I would like to apologize to all my fans out there for being too predictable.
03:07For the past couple of months, I've beaten Chris Benoit, Edge, Rey Mysterio, and Los Guerreros so many times that it's become one big blur.
03:27But I guess that's what happens when you're that far above the rest.
03:35It's true, Cole.
03:37It's true, it's true.
03:40You know, come to think of it, not only am I better in the ring than all of those guys,
03:47but actually, I'm a better athlete than Chris Benoit.
03:53Now, I'm much better looking than Edge.
04:02And the Guerreros, well, I can actually speak English, for goodness sakes.
04:07And unlike Rey Mysterio, I've been through puberty.
04:16Oh, it's true.
04:20That's not making many friends.
04:22So there's no doubt in my mind, come Sunday at Survivor Series, who's going to end up with the tag team titles?
04:29If Chris Benoit doesn't screw up again, you know, come to think of it, I don't even need Chris Benoit.
04:38I can win the tag team titles on my own.
04:43Oh, yeah.
04:44Hold on.
04:50What you talking about, Eze?
04:53What you talking about, Holmes?
04:55Eze, Bato, you say the Guerreros can't talk English.
05:00I don't know what you're speaking about, Holmes.
05:04What's he talking about, homie?
05:05I don't know.
05:07And you know what I say?
05:10It's not stoppalo.
05:11I say you're full of it if you think that you can beat the Guerreros.
05:17Because the last time I remember, Holmes, I was pinning you.
05:24One, two, three.
05:28Right in the middle.
05:29Hold on a second.
05:30That's because you cheated.
05:32Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
05:39This is real nice, Kurt.
05:41Not only have you lost your hair, Chrome Dome, but it seems you've obviously lost your mind.
05:49Because if memory serves me correctly, who did we beat for these last week?
05:56Oh, that's right.
05:58We beat you for these tag team championships.
06:02Hi, Kurt.
06:05So the only predictable thing about you is after all the whining and complaining,
06:10the facts still remain, you suck.
06:17Oh, is that so?
06:20You want to know something, Edge?
06:22And you three punks out there,
06:24I got more natural talent in my little pinky finger than all of you combined.
06:34As a matter of fact,
06:37I know why you're out here.
06:40It just came to me.
06:42I know exactly why you're out here.
06:45You want to scout me.
06:47You want to learn from me.
06:50You're scared of me.
06:51You know what, guys?
06:53Sit down, have a seat.
06:55Because you're about to see your Olympic hero in rare form.
06:58So Benoit, get your freaking gap-toothed butt out here right now.
07:06So I can prove to you, to these idiots here, and all these people tonight,
07:14who the very best wrestler is in this business today.
07:17Oh, it's true, it's damn true.
07:20This is a viable situation, and Angle still has to go one-on-one with Chris Benoit, next.
07:26Making his way to the ring from Edmonton, Alberta, weighing in at 129 times, Chris Benoit.
07:40Chris Benoit making his way to the ring to go one-on-one with Kurt Angle.
07:45Those two will team in Survivor Series on Sunday, and the two teams that they'll go against
07:50in the triple threat match, the elimination match for the tag titles, are in ring side.
07:55The Guerreros and Edge and Rey Mysterio, they've actually pulled up chairs to watch this matchup.
08:01And the Guerreros and Edge and Mysterio, they got the best seat in the house,
08:06including you and I, except you and I are in that triple threat match for our tag team titles on Sunday.
08:11And you've got to believe Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle, who are going to be battling one another in this match,
08:15have got to be looking over their shoulders.
08:17Their opponents, guys they don't like, are hanging out watching the ring side.
08:21Kurt Angle likes to take down to Chris Benoit, to the front face lock, Benoit counts.
08:25Look at that, I think he shot that signal so fast.
08:28Chris, count it.
08:30Kurt Angle put it perfectly a few moments ago, and he told Chris Benoit simply,
08:35I hate, and these two hate each other.
08:37It is professional, oh look out, look at this.
08:41Oh my, Kurt Angle is adjourned the suplex by the all-in-eight Olympic gold medals in WWE.
08:49Eddie Guerrero's not impressed.
08:51Kurt Angle says, come on, Eddie.
08:53Give yourself some.
08:54Oh, Joe will try to keep down the feet on here.
08:57They'll get themselves something, suddenly it's your library here, it's three days away.
09:01Well, this whole thing between Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit
09:04is based on the fact that these two men are so competitive.
09:08They have huge egos, tremendous pride, and neither one will admit that the other's better than them.
09:14That's what it comes down to.
09:15Yeah, but Thor, when Edge, I'm sorry, when Chris Bell,
09:18fast belly to belly.
09:19When Benoit and Angle are on the same page in a tag team scenario,
09:23they're probably damn near the best tag team in WWE history.
09:27Well, they're the first WWE tag team champions.
09:31Winning the tournament last month, set up by General Manager Stephanie McMahon.
09:34Look at Kurt Angle just taunting for Eddie Guerrero.
09:37I don't know if you're doing this, he should be focused right now.
09:40He's got Benoit down, he should be getting on him, in my professional opinion.
09:44Well, look at Chris Benoit, taking advantage, with a right hand.
09:48It looks like it knocked Angle out.
09:50You know what that's called?
09:50What?
09:51Haymaker.
09:52It's a haymaker, ladies and gentlemen.
09:54If you see Eddie Guerrero actually cheering on Chris Benoit,
09:57don't forget the relationship that Benoit and Guerrero have had in the past.
10:03Chris Benoit didn't forget either what happened two days ago.
10:06Cover, hook of the leg, kick out.
10:08On Super Tuesday, Kurt Angle, inadvertent or not,
10:11caused Chris Benoit to lose the triple threat matchup to Eddie Guerrero.
10:16Uh-oh.
10:17Backbreaker to Kurt Angle.
10:18Benoit rolls Angle over, and again, shoulder up for Kurt Angle.
10:22And there's Edge and Rey Mysterio.
10:24They're scouting, man.
10:25They're just taking notes right now, looking for weak points.
10:27They're looking at probably the winners in this match, in my opinion.
10:32Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit.
10:32But don't forget, Edge and Rey Mysterio do hold the two-out-of-three-fall victory
10:36for the tag team titles for Angle and Benoit.
10:39It happened last week right here.
10:40Do you have any more statistics?
10:42Get out of the corner.
10:43Try to put a little up.
10:45Get those two.
10:46Two.
10:47Shot right hand in the chin.
10:49As Kurt Angle battles out of the corner against Chris Benoit.
10:51And don't forget, folks, as we speak, Brock Lesnar has vowed to call out the Big Show tonight.
11:00Lesnar's going to call out the Big Show with broken ribbing off.
11:03That's right.
11:03And Heyman is not a happy agent.
11:06And I'm happy when Heyman's not happy.
11:08That's good.
11:09Now, Benoit is talking Edge and Rey Mysterio, and he actually gets out of the ring and Edge's face.
11:15I'm surprised.
11:16This Benoit is extremely focused in there.
11:19Pepper may be getting a Benoit in Edge's face.
11:22And now Kurt Angle.
11:24Out of the ring.
11:25Chris Benoit with a shot to the midsection.
11:27And Edge is coming out of Edge and Mysterio.
11:32A little early start for Sunday.
11:33That's going to be some matchup.
11:36Triple threat elucination match for the tag team titles.
11:40Edge and Mysterio, the champions, the Guerreros, and Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit.
11:45Edge is hot.
11:45He wants to get the ring.
11:46He's not happy.
11:48You know, Kurt Angle's still blaming Benoit for losing those tag team titles.
11:51Uh-oh.
11:52Oh!
11:52And Suplex by Benoit.
11:54And the arms are still locked around the waist.
11:56That's just Benoit.
11:57And another German Suplex.
11:58That trick time.
12:00Three Germans in a row.
12:01Oh, that's trademark Chris Benoit.
12:02Look at his block and his switch.
12:04And he's counting into his own German Suplex.
12:07There's one.
12:09Nice switch.
12:10And a second one delivered.
12:13Am I supposed to close the hat trick, too?
12:14If he does three.
12:16Two, three, three, two.
12:17And he gets the third one in.
12:19Into the cover.
12:20Hooks the leg on Benoit, who just gets his shoulder up.
12:25Both men, just six German Suplexes.
12:27Actually, five German Suplexes just popped out of nowhere.
12:30Both men are feeling it.
12:31And the straps are down for Kurt Angle.
12:35Well, the Angle slam time here by Kurt Angle, feeling it.
12:40He's just measuring Benoit.
12:41Absolutely, there it is.
12:42Here it comes, too.
12:43For the Angle slam, Chris Benoit, ooh, he rolled out of it.
12:46Into the crossface.
12:48The crossface is knocking it.
12:50It's in.
12:51Damn in the middle of the ring, too.
12:52Will Kurt Angle tap out?
12:54Kurt Angle's in trouble.
12:55Kurt Angle's in trouble.
12:56The Guerrero's cheering on Benoit.
12:59He is there.
13:00Look, look, look.
13:01The crossface is on his partner.
13:02He's gonna tap out.
13:04This is nuts.
13:06The Guerrero's in Edge and Mysterio would love to see Benoit.
13:09Look at, look at, Angle reversing into the Angle lock.
13:12That was awesome, man.
13:14Awesome counter.
13:14Benoit trying to battle out.
13:16Angle still has it locked in.
13:18Still has it locked in.
13:19Angle and Benoit know each other so well.
13:21So well.
13:22And Benoit counters.
13:24You know Edge and Rey Mysterio, the Guerrero's, would love to have seen Kurt Angle break Benoit's
13:29ankle three days before Survivor Series.
13:31Look at Angle slam.
13:32Angle slam, cut axe.
13:33Kurt can cover.
13:34This might be it.
13:35Kurt might get the win here, but...
13:37He's still feeling the effects of that crossface.
13:39That crossface takes a lot out of your shoulder, your neck, the whole upper body.
13:43You can just wish to run up.
13:45I'm not surprised.
13:47Kurt Angle's actually being distracted by these guys at ringside.
13:50He's getting a little more focused than this.
13:52Look at this.
13:53Oh, look at this.
13:53Well, Angle just yelling at Guerrero.
13:55This is Eddie.
13:58That's the last one from El Paso.
14:01Eddie Guerrero submission.
14:03Kurt Angle has Eddie Guerrero submission hold locked into Chris Benoit.
14:10Now Angle spadmelt him off the hold.
14:13I don't think Angle's still having enough the last one from El Paso, so he can't get...
14:17Eddie Guerrero into the ring and get over the ring and pinned to the...
14:22Almost to the left of Mysterio and Angle.
14:25Uh-oh.
14:26Mysterio and Angle, Guerrero's going at it outside the ring.
14:30It's breaking down to Columbus right here.
14:34These four men will be involved in the Triple Planner of the Nation matchup,
14:37study of Survivor Series.
14:38German Juggles!
14:39Oh, my God!
14:40He's first goes...
14:41Woo-hoo!
14:41Big time!
14:43Release German Suplex, Kurt Angle, turn inside out.
14:47Eddie Guerrero and Mysterio just sent back into the ring and now all six men.
14:51Oh, hell, it's fucking loose.
14:54Oh, it's a rocket buster.
14:56Here we go!
14:58And there goes Eddie.
15:02And Rey Mysterio is going to work on Kurt Angle.
15:05Oh, look out.
15:10See what Sunday's going to bring us.
15:12Wow!
15:13Six components, six great athletes.
15:15And there's Angle Lock!
15:16Mysterio with Angles hold.
15:18The Angle Lock!
15:19Look at Edge!
15:19And Edge with the Angle Lock as well!
15:21He's trying to break Angle's angle!
15:22Oh, man!
15:23And Angle's tapping!
15:25Angle's tapping!
15:26And look at this!
15:29Crossface!
15:30Crossface!
15:31Look at Edge!
15:33And the Guerrero's been...
15:35back in!
15:37And Guerrero's right-sided Edge and Rey Mysterio!
15:42Bodies everywhere!
15:44This is the greatest athletes in SmackDown!
15:48Chavo!
15:49Eddie!
15:50Oh, look at Kurt Angle!
15:52There's the real ankle lock by the master right there!
15:55And Eddie Guerrero tapping the ankle lock!
15:58And Chris Bedrock!
16:00There's that crossface!
16:01Crossface to Edge!
16:03That might be the future!
16:04Don't make Captain Hell!
16:07Kurt Angle's Chris Bedrock!
16:09If they can work as a cohesive move to come Sunday at Survivor Series,
16:13they will be the tag team champions again!
16:15Yeah, who can stop Bedrock Angle when they work as a team?
16:19But the question is, can they function as a team?
16:21Well, that, as they say, remains to be seen!
16:30Well, that's what I'm talking about!
16:31They're still teammates in three days, and they're still at each other's throats!
16:35But it seems like when they've got to work together, they do!
16:38I mean, it's an amazing story between Kurt Angle and Chris Bedrock!
16:43They get much more attention than that!
16:46Well, Kurt Angle back it off!
16:49Well, Kurt Angle's saying it's about the tag team titles,
16:58me and you being champions, come Sunday!
17:01Kurt Angle's here at least a few ahead here!
17:03The team, perhaps, solidified here tonight!
17:15I hate to want a hug!
17:17I hate to want a hug!
17:17I hate to want a hug at night!
17:22Come on, stay!
17:23What's the matter with you?
17:28Oh, thank Kurt!
17:29Well, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit remain a cohesive unit!
17:35It's Angle and Benoit versus Edge and Mysterio versus the Guerreros!
17:40Look at that!
17:41Sunday at Survivor Series to the tag team titles!
17:44Oh, I just watched Kurt off!
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