KURT ANGLE VS. CHRIS BENOIT

KURT ANGLE VS. CHRIS BENOIT (2 OUT OF 3 FALLS)

WWF Insurrextion (5^th May 2001)

The video package before the match shows Kurt Angle complaining that technically he should have won the Ultimate Submission match at Backlash because Chris Benoit tapped out after the buzzer and the rules stated Sudden Death began immediately following the buzzer. Benoit said all that mattered was that he won in the record books. Angle attacked but Benoit quickly got the better of him and stole his gold medals.

Michael Cole and Paul Heyman are our commentators for this match, and Cole says Benoit's had the best of Angle recently as the Crippler enters. Kurt Angle walks down the ramp with a microphone and asks where his medals are. Chris Benoit says they're in a safe and warm place. Cole says that can't be in England then. Us English can make those jokes Cole, you can't!

The match starts with a collar-elbow tie up and Benoit forces Angle into the corner. The referee backs Benoit away and they slowly circle. Angle gets the better of a second collar-elbow tie up until Benoit arm drags him out of the corner. Angle shoots with a double-leg takedown, Benoit wriggles for a crossface, and Angle rolls out, causing them to wrestle to their feet. Benoit switches a waistlock but Angle backs him into the corner and hits him with back elbows. Angle has a 6-pound weight advantage, that's how close the tale of the tape is in this match as Angle gets a fireman's carry. Benoit rolls through, and we get more counter wrestling before Angle gets the rope break. Angle takes a breather outside of the ring.

Angle takes his time getting back in the ring and he gets a single-leg takedown, Benoit grabs Angle's arm, but he rolls through to an Angle lock. Benoit tries to grab the rope but Angle walks him back to the middle of the ring. Benoit rolls through sending Kurt back outside. Angle very cautious getting back in the ring, waiting until 9 to even get close and making sure Benoit's on the other side of the ring. Angle gets back in when he considers it safe and decides to get into Benoit's face. Angle shoves the referee out of the way and tries to blindside Benoit, but Benoit blocks it and hits Angle with right hands. Benoit sends Angle across the ring but Angle rolls Benoit up, Benoit rolls through for a crossface, but again Angle bails from the ring. Benoit follows but Angle picks up the pace, keeping a distance.

Angle attacks Benoit as he gets back in the ring, and sends his head into the top turnbuckle. Angle hits Benoit with right hands in the corner and Benoit reverses an irish whip. Angle meets him with a back elbow, Benoit charges again but gets lifted and dropped on the top turnbuckle. Angle stomps on Benoit before leaving the ring and hanging his head off the side. Kurt drops an elbow on Benoit's throat and gets back in the ring as the fans take pleasure in telling Angle he sucks. Angle suplexes Benoit and covers but Benoit kicks out at 1.

Benoit slides himself near the ropes but Angle follows and continues the attack. Angle looks to send Benoit across the ring, but changes his mind and hits a belly to belly suplex. Angle hits another belly to belly, then Benoit reverses an irish whip and hits one of his own! Angle lunges with a right hand but Benoit blocks it and hits one of his own. Benoit hits a trio of chops before trying to send Angle across the ring, Angle reverses it but Benoit ducks a clothesline and Benoit kicks him in the gut. Benoit hits a snap suplex for England's own Dynamite Kid. Benoit rolls through for a second suplex, and the second time he rolls through he hangs Angle over the top rope. Benoit brings Angle back in over the top rope and hits a hard chop. Another follows before Angle's sent across the ring chest first into the corner. Benoit catches him in a trio of german suplexes and Benoit connects with a flying headbutt to get the first fall.

Good first fall, they spent a lot of time feeling each other out, having faced a lot recently, Benoit would out wrestle Kurt, causing Kurt Angle to have to break up the momentum. Angle having to use advantages like jumping Benoit in the ring and the attempted cheap shot to (sometimes) get the upper hand added to his chickenshit character and the Dynamite Kid finishing stretch was an appreciated subtle gesture. 4.4 for this section

Tim White tries to get Angle back to his feet, Angle stalls in the corner. The referee backs Benoit away and Angle takes the opportunity to attack Benoit from behind, and he knocks him out of the ring. Angle climbs down to the floor and stomps on Benoit, the referee tells Angle to take it back in the ring. Angle gets Benoit to his feet but bounces his head off the ring apron. Benoit is sent back first into the ring steps, Angle breaks the ring out count then goes back after Benoit. Angle brings Benoit back in the ring and crotches him on the top rope. Angle softens Benoit up with rights before hitting a belly to belly suplex. Angle covers, 1, 2, no! Benoit kicks out. Kurt Angle follows up with an Angle slam and he covers again, 1, 2, 2.5, no! Benoit again drains more energy to kick out. Angle gets a chinlock on Benoit on the mat, but Benoit fights to his feet and chops Angle hard. Angle sends Benoit into the corner but walks into a boot. Benoit charges into another belly to belly! Angle crawls over and gets a third close nearfall.

Angle stares at the referee in disbelief before bringing Benoit back to his feet. Benoit reverses a belly to back suplex and covers Angle for a nearfall. Benoit can't do anything with his advantage though as Angle attacks him with stomps and a right hand. Angle sends Benoit across the ring, Benoit gets a small package, 1, 2, NO! Angle adds more aggression after kicking out, sending Benoit into the corner and peppering him with right hands. Benoit turns the tables and lights Angle up with chops, but Angle chops him back. Benoit kicks his way out of the corner, but Angle still keeps on top of him. Angle sends Benoit across the ring but Benoit ducks a clothesline and hits a desperation DDT. Both men down to the referee's count of 5, and they slug it out when they get back to their feet. Benoit gets sent into the ropes and Angle catches him, Benoit lands on his feet from the Angle slam and chops Angle. Benoit gets a few moves together and hits a german suplex. Benoit keeps hold of Angle to hit 2 more, and he climbs to the top rope. Benoit misses the headbutt! Angle rolled out of the way!

Benoit eventually gets to his feet first, but Angle sends him into the ropes. Drop toehold by Angle sets up for the Angle lock, but Benoit rolls through for a crossface, Angle rolls through again, then Benoit rolls through a final time to pin Angle for the 3.

I liked keeping Angle being a chickenshit in the second fall, and him having control for most of the segment. Any time Benoit got a move in Angle would up the intensity, and his aggression to try and put Benoit down. 85% (at least) of this fall was Benoit getting a hope move in before taking more of a beat down, and the final few moments of finisher reversals and the cheap second victory from Benoit was almost a necessity after the beating he took. I'd rate this fall 5.2/10

Chris Benoit tells Angle he said the medals were in a warm safe place, and pulls them out of his trunks.

Chris Benoit getting the clean sweep on Angle was a good decision. Neither of these men ever really phoned it in (like others could seem to do for UK events) and tonight was no different. The second fall kept Angle strong before his loss, and throughout the whole match, these two men looked like equals. Benoit looked resilient as hell taking everything Angle threw at him, and Angle wrestled like he might just beat Benoit, or at least get a fall over him. It wasn't to be, though. Also, the angle was played out with Benoit's post-match revelation. – Rating: 6.2/10