Michael Cole and Tazz on commentary for this match. The introduction video package for this match shows Eddie beating Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania XX (reviewed here) and Kurt Angle isn't happy that Eddie faked an injury to do it. Kurt Angle was chokeslammed off a ledge by The Big Show, injuring him and taking him out of action. He was given the role of Smackdown's General Manager and abused his position, screwing Eddie out of his WWE Championship out of spite. Kurt Angle also milked a broken leg, using a fake cast. He then went and cost Eddie Guerrero his WWE Championship rematch against JBL under a mask, but he was uncovered. Bringing him back to active competition to show Eddie Guerrero that Eddie needs to cheat to win. Kurt Angle enters first with his new lackey, Luthor Reigns. The 2004 Summerslam was themed around the Olympic Games, giving Cole an easy segway to kiss Angle's ass. Eddie enters in his Low Rider, and Michael Cole can't believe they have Low Riders in Canada.
EDDIE GUERRERO © VS. KURT ANGLE (WWE CHAMPIONSHIP)
WWE Summerslam (15th August 2004)
The fans show Eddie Guerrero some love early on as they lock up. Angle shoots a double-leg and takes Guerrero down to the mat. Eddie's quick back to his feet, but he can't release Angle's grasp. Eddie takes Angle over with a fireman's carry, keeping Angle on the mat. Angle gets back to his feet and forces Eddie into the ropes, breaking them apart for the first time this match. The fans start chanting for Angle now as they reach for a Grecco-Roman knuckle lock, Eddie goes straight for the ankle but Kurt is able to get behind so Eddie gets a side headlock. Angle shoves Eddie to the mat and Eddie kicks him away. They both scramble to their feet and Eddie takes Angle down with a side headlock. Angle makes it to one knee and Eddie switches to a sleeper hold position before Angle throws him over. Angle keeps control of Eddie on the mat with a top wristlock, but Eddie's slowly able to move back to his feet. Eddie sends Angle over with another fireman's carry, and catches him with an arm drag, keeping Angle grounded.
Kurt Angle makes it to his feet and neither man has an advantage so far. Eddie is going toe to toe with Angle on the mat. I like that Angle seems to be showing more aggression in this match too compared to the prequel. Eddie still has control of Angle's arm as they get back up, putting him in a hammerlock. Angle able to sneak out and he hits Eddie with a german suplex! Angle holds on to Eddie, bringing him back up to his feet, but Eddie drops to the mat, looking for an ankle lock again! Kurt Angle is caught in his own hold, and he desperately crawls to the ropes, but he can't make it there, Angle rolls through but Eddie still has it on! Angle gouges at Eddie's eyes, the only way he can free himself and hit Eddie with an Angle Slam. Cole feels the need to point out that Angle “still” feels the ankle lock that he just got out of as Angle brings the steps down and he wrenches at Eddie's ankle. Eddie tries to kick away, maybe retry some Wrestlemania Magic, but to no avail. Eddie rolls through trying to get an ankle lock of his own, but the pain's too much and he can't hold on to it. Angle gets back to his feet to keep the leverage and pressure on Eddie but Eddie makes it to the ropes. Kurt keeps hold, making the most of his 5-count before breaking.
Luthor Reigns hits Eddie with a cheap boot from the floor before Angle goes back to the Angle lock, trying to cripple Eddie. Eddie grabs the ropes again, and Kurt Angle keeps it to the last second again. Angle drops an elbow to Eddie's ankle and wraps it around the ring post. Eddie thumbs Angle in the eye as he gets back in the ring and tries to chop him down. Angle shoots for the injured leg again to slowly apply an STF, focusing on keeping the pressure on Eddie's lower leg. Angle releases it to inflict more damage to the leg and he tries to untie Eddie's boot. Eddie rakes and grabs at Angle, looking for an opening and gets an armbar on the mat. Kurt Angle's shoulders are down for one but he rolls out and breaks the hold. Eddie hits some right hands as they get to their feet but Angle drops him with a drop toe hold. He traps Eddie's ankle and carries on trying to untie his boot before trapping Eddie's leg between them in a tight STF. Eddie fights to one knee, still in the chinlock but he counters into a jawbreaker before hitting an Angle Slam on one leg!
The referee starts to count them both out on the mat, but they barely make it to their feet in time. Angle is the first to get some rights in, sending Eddie against the ropes. Eddie blocks one shot though and starts an attack of his own knocking Angle down. Eddie Guerrero hits the Three Amigos suplexes on Kurt Angle and starts moving towards the top rope. Eddie's leg slows him down getting to the top and Angle meets him up there with cat-like reflexes, bringing him down to the mat with a belly to belly! Kurt Angle covers, 1, 2, no! Luthor Reigns cheers his mentor on. Kurt Angle is on his feet, waiting for Eddie, Angle Slam, reversed into a DDT! Eddie climbs to the top rope again. Angle's still on the mat but is able to avoid a Frog Splash. Kurt Angle gets the second Angle Slam and covers again. Eddie kicks out at 2 ½ frustrating both Angle and Reigns. Kurt Angle removes Eddie's boot and locks in the Angle Lock on the exposed ankle! Eddie drags the referee into Kurt Angle out of desperation! Eddie grabs his boot and decks Angle with it. Reigns complains on the apron and Eddie doesn't let him feel left out either. Eddie drops to the mat, faking injury as Brian Hebner wakes up.
Eddie Guerrero drags Angle to position finally hitting the Frog Splash, 1, 2, 2.99, no! It's Eddie's turn to be frustrated now, and he tells the referee in great detail, allowing Angle to sneak up behind him with another Angle lock on the bad leg! Eddie tries to kick and roll out but Angle has his grip around tight. Eddie struggles to the ropes so Angle brings him back and grapevines his leg, forcing Eddie to tap out.
WINNER: KURT ANGLE
There we go then. Kurt Angle got his win back over Eddie Guerrero at Summerslam. The thing that bugs me about this match is that Kurt Angle simply worked the ankle all match. His finisher works on the ankle so shouldn't he do that anyway? We just saw it works. The chain wrestling at the beginning was just as enjoyable as the Wrestlemania match and Angle seemed to work with more aggression in this match, which either makes sense or doesn't depending on how you view pride vs. championship in regards to stakes of a match. Luthor Reigns was... There. He got involved once and it didn't do a lot. It wasn't even on the body part Kurt Angle was working! Brilliant rematch overall though, a worthy successor to their Wrestlemania encounter. WORKRATE: 3.75/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 3.5/5 OVERALL 7.25/10
This match is available on WWE's DVD and Blu Ray Release: "Kurt Angle: The Essential Collection"
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