WWE Royal Rumble 2003 - Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit (WWE Championship)
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00:00WWE title is on the line, the champion Kurt Angle against the man who I believe has his number, the Raven Wolverine, Chris Benoit.
00:09Well, Kurt, Chris Benoit's determination to be WWE champion has reached an all-time high, and tonight, the Raven Wolverine gets his shot.
00:21The Big Show is going for the kill!
00:25Off the Chokeslam!
00:26Wait a minute!
00:27Lesnar!
00:28It's Brock Lesnar!
00:30F5! F5!
00:32F5 to 500 pounds!
00:35Damn!
00:35The Big Show!
00:37Lesnar now wants Heyman!
00:39Heyman, move your ass and get out of touch!
00:41Kurt Angle is crawling toward the champion!
00:44Kurt Angle with the cover!
00:46From the leg to...
00:49Kurt Angle is the new WWE champion for the third time!
00:56Kurt Angle has climbed to the top of the mountain!
01:01A week before Armageddon, I hired myself a management team to look out for my best interests.
01:08What I'd like to do right now is introduce the head of my management team, Paul Heyman!
01:15What?!
01:15Oh my God!
01:17I'm gonna be sick!
01:19I want to publicly declare my client wants to pursue any challenger but Brock Lesnar!
01:30Brock, you know that deep down in your heart that you can never be the champion that I am.
01:36I mean, that's...
01:38That's...
01:40That's why you tore every freaking cartilage and ligament in my knee!
01:44Brock Lesnar will never have the opportunity to do this to you again because...
01:50I have what they call a contingency plan.
01:55This concept is called Team Angle.
02:01This matchup to determine the number one contender to beat Kurt Angle at the Royal Rumble for the WWE title.
02:07Benoit countered!
02:08He's on the hook!
02:09Hooks the leg!
02:10Benoit wins!
02:12Benoit beats Kurt Angle at the Rumble!
02:14This is dangerous for Benoit!
02:16Oh no!
02:17Hey, look out!
02:17Benoit!
02:18A counter!
02:19The crossface!
02:20Wait a minute!
02:21Here comes Chuck Benjamin, Kelly House, Team Angle!
02:24Team Angle now assaulting Chris Benoit!
02:27What the hell is Team Angle gonna do to Chris Benoit?
02:30Oh, look at this!
02:31The captain!
02:37The name of the game is wrestling.
02:40And that's what we do best.
02:42If I were Chris Benoit, I'd be worried sick.
02:45Tick, tock, tick, tock.
02:48There's only so much time left until I am crowned the new WWE champion!
02:54I will take you down like the punk that you are!
02:57Kurt Angle, let Chris Benoit know you want to take this championship.
03:01Good luck.
03:02Kurt Angle may be a protected champion, but if there is one thing that I believe in,
03:08it's that I am better than Kurt Angle.
03:11Will Chris Benoit realize his life's dream at the Rumble?
03:16It's Angle and Benoit for the WWE title!
03:41Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock,
04:11tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, to
04:41tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, to
05:11tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick,
05:21tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick,
05:32tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick,
05:41tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, fermate, drink.
05:57Footloose training session, two minutes.
06:11Okay, so what are you trying to say?
06:13Chris Benoit's 2-0 against Kurt Angle in the past couple of months.
06:16Chris Benoit has Kurt Angle's number.
06:18Right, colloquially, I told you that.
06:20Side headlock as this matchup is underway.
06:22Johnny WWE title on the line.
06:24Chris Benoit quickly on top of Kurt Angle.
06:27And Angle sliding out of bounds.
06:30Looks like he's switching recruits in the early going into the matchup.
06:32Looks like Benoit's either going for a Boston grab there or
06:34maybe a sharpshooter with that shady knee injury that Kurt's got, called shady.
06:39Yeah, shady knee injury.
06:41It was Brock Lesnar a few weeks ago who put the hurt on that knee of Kurt Angle.
06:46Kurt Angle telling everyone that he needed knee surgery after that attack.
06:50But the scuttlebutt that I'm hearing around the locker room is that
06:53Angle has been actually milking that knee injury.
06:55Well, I ain't got a clue what the hell a scuttlebutt is, but
06:58the rumor in the locker room- Hold on, you know?
06:59Right, gotcha, check.
07:01The rumor in the locker room is, you're right, that he's milking a knee injury.
07:04Chris Benoit with a side headlock.
07:05Kurt Angle, Benoit off the ropes up onto the top of the champion.
07:09Ooh, nice block by Benoit.
07:10Nice, picking that ankle right there.
07:12Ooh, and what a shot to the chest by Chris Benoit in the Raven Wolverine.
07:16It has been well documented the intensity that Chris Benoit will bring into this
07:21championship matchup.
07:23Right there, Sleeper trying to choke out Benoit.
07:26Counter from right there with an arm drag, nice.
07:28Ooh, nice leg takedown by Chris Benoit.
07:32Leg drag, drag and screw, whatever you want to call it.
07:35And here we go, going for the sharpshooter, singling out that knee.
07:39And look at Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle going immediately to the ropes as Benoit
07:44goes to work on that knee that is protected by the brace.
07:47Kurt Angle's got great mad instincts, you know, mad sense as we call it.
07:51And he knows where he is at all times when he's in the middle of that ring.
07:55Both these men have such a similar style, similar in size, age, everything.
08:00Kurt Angle, and Chris Benoit, shoulder into the steel post.
08:05This night means so much for Chris Benoit.
08:07It is the first opportunity for the WWE title Chris Benoit has had since he
08:13returned from that neck injury back in July.
08:16And Kurt Angle, that clubbing blows the back of that neck.
08:19The upper back, the borderline neck area, as you just pointed out, the neck injury.
08:23I mean, Kurt Angle knows that.
08:26Kurt Angle, both these guys cold enough,
08:28they've not been former tag team champions back in the day.
08:31Well, you look at this now, the arm suplex by Kurt Angle on Benoit.
08:34Quickly into the cover, hook to the leg on Benoit.
08:36And a kick out, great point task.
08:38One of our partners.
08:39Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit won the first ever WWE Tag Team Championship.
08:44They won a tournament that was set up by Stephanie McMahon back in October at
08:48No Mercy.
08:48They were a great team, but they never got along.
08:51It was an ego problem between the two.
08:53An ego problem that could be solved in this matchup here tonight.
08:57I don't know if you want to exchange chops.
09:00Chris Benoit, you'll hear that, I got a good shot.
09:05There is no athlete in entertainment today as intense as Chris Benoit.
09:10I think that Benoit is more intense than Kurt Angle.
09:16That's one of the three eyes, you know, intensely.
09:18One of them, one of them.
09:18Benoit whipped in the corner.
09:20Hook to the face of Kurt Angle.
09:22What a blow to the back of the head.
09:23Blindside shot that Angle's thrown to him.
09:27Angle ripped off, again, knee to the midsection by Chris Benoit.
09:30Cover, title is on the line, and Angle gets to shoulder up.
09:34You heard Chris Benoit talk about his 16 years in this business.
09:38How he has sacrificed everything.
09:40He's sacrificed his family.
09:42He's sacrificed his own life.
09:44He's missed a year of time with a neck injury, only to battle back,
09:48to have this moment in the spotlight, an opportunity to win the WWE Championship.
09:54Well, Kurt, Chris Benoit has never been WWE Champion.
10:01And now it's Benoit's opportunity, and my man,
10:03I think he's making the best of the opportunity.
10:05But he's in there against the 1996 Olympic gold medalist, Kyle Angle.
10:09Kurt Angle is a three-time WWE Champion, and he shows you why right there.
10:16Both these men are at the top of their game.
10:18Both athletes in their prime, and it shows.
10:22It shows by their conditioning and their desire to go out there and
10:26beat the holy hell out of each other to become champion.
10:29And the only place you can see these two athletes is on SmackDown.
10:33As Kurt Angle, the WWE Champion, exchanges blows with Benoit.
10:37Benoit now with the uppercut.
10:38My God!
10:40Wow, Angle may be out cold, blood trickles from the nose of the champion.
10:47Definitely, Kurt Angle's gotta have a busted nose.
10:50Look, I mean, Chris Benoit cannot win the championship that way.
10:53But I'll tell you what, you can win it down your opponent pretty good.
10:56He's on the apron skirt.
10:58He won the championship that way, Benoit may win it right here.
11:01He rolls Angle over.
11:02Here's the cover, hook of the leg.
11:04Angle just got his shoulder up.
11:06Let's take a look at this DDT on the apron.
11:08And not for nothing, Kaz, but that DDT rang the bell of Kurt Angle.
11:15Angle almost didn't get his shoulder up there.
11:17I thought Benoit had the title on him.
11:19But before life could touch him, the Wolverine's gonna fly cold.
11:22Headbutt as Angle rolls out of the way.
11:26Kurt Angle had Chris Benoit scouted, get his body out of the way, but
11:30Kurt Angle's still hurting from that shot on that DDT on the apron.
11:33Well, you saw the flying headbutt.
11:34These two athletes are so similar.
11:36They can beat you with submission moves, whether it be the ankle lock or this.
11:39Angle slam.
11:39The ankle slam.
11:40Look out, Benoit- Double leg.
11:42Reverse the tables.
11:43Here comes that sharpshooter.
11:45There it is, it's locked in.
11:46The sharpshooter shades of Bret Hart from Calgary.
11:50That's right.
11:51Stu Hart trained in the dungeon in Calgary.
11:54Chris Benoit, and that sharpshooter is in, my man.
11:59Kurt Angle, you can see the pain as he crawls desperately.
12:05His WWE title is on the line.
12:08And Angle makes it to the ropes.
12:10Yeah, you love him or hate him, you gotta give it up for
12:13Kurt Angle's determination and desire to get his body to the bottom rope.
12:18While he's in, an excruciating submission hold.
12:21Excruciating, how do you say it?
12:22Excruciating.
12:23Exactly.
12:24Suplex by the rabid Wolverine, Chris Benoit crawls into the cover again.
12:30And Angle just gets the shoulder up.
12:33The WWE title is on the line.
12:36One of these men may very well face the winner of the Royal Rumble matchup
12:41later tonight at WrestleMania.
12:43What a throw by Kurt Angle.
12:45Beautiful belly to belly.
12:46Kurt Angle's right, his nose, maybe his mouth's bleeding too.
12:50Right here, over 15,000 people in Beantown are loving this.
12:54We'd like to thank all of you for
12:56inviting us into your homes tonight for the Royal Rumble.
12:59Boom.
13:00What action between the champion Angle and the challenger, Chris Benoit.
13:06Kurt's trying to catch a breather on, look at that suplex.
13:10Kurt Angle probably trying to catch a breather by Chuck and Benoit on the outside.
13:14And Kurt Angle looks now to take advantage of the fall of the Wolverine.
13:18Kurt Angle's legs are like spaghetti, he couldn't even hardly stand up there.
13:23They flush Angle off the barricade.
13:25But the determination by these two men, Angle rolls into the ring to break the count.
13:30This is what the WWE Championship means.
13:33This is what the rivalry between Angle and Benoit means.
13:37The intensity that's being left on the floor here tonight.
13:40Moment ago before Kurt Angle started stomping on Benoit,
13:43Kurt tried to pick Benoit up by the hair.
13:45And Benoit just throwing his hand out of the way, fighting from the ground.
13:49Benoit back into the ring.
13:50Kurt Angle realizes he is now in control.
13:53And a thunderous clothesline, hook to the leg.
13:57Benoit just gets the shoulder up.
13:59Ever the technician, I don't think there's ever a time Kurt Angle will top a guy with
14:03a pin cover and not hook his leg with determination.
14:06Kurt Angle is a member of the Grand Slam Club, holding all WWE singles titles.
14:12Right there, snap mirror to a rear chin lock, great front of the body.
14:15Kurt's got the legs in, which just completely shuts your whole body down.
14:20Keeps your lower body at bay, keeps your head controlled.
14:22It doesn't let you breathe.
14:24I'm just gonna say that, but you say that.
14:26Hey, Chris Benoit desperately trying to fight out of this.
14:31As Benoit realizes every second that Angle has this hold on him,
14:34his chances of winning the title go rapidly away.
14:37Chris Benoit needs to try and break the hand, the grip.
14:40Those strong hands and fingers from almost years of wrestling amateur that Kurt's got.
14:44That grip right there, you see.
14:46Benoit needs to break it to get the choke release and
14:48then worry about the body scissors.
14:50Angle's a 1996 Olympic champion.
14:52He's a six-time national champion.
14:54He's an inductee in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
14:57And he's putting out a clinic for where he was.
14:59Benoit has broken the hold.
15:02Let that strong, strong conditioning back out of Chris Benoit.
15:05But right there, Kurt re-gripping, reset himself with that rear chin lock.
15:10And I don't think it's borderline choke, as a lot of announcers say.
15:13I think it's illegal rear chin lock.
15:15He didn't roll a choke on the guy either.
15:17And Benoit with an arm drag to rip out of him.
15:20Off the ropes comes Benoit, and he walks him to a belly to belly.
15:23And again, Angle capitalizes on the slightest mistake by Benoit.
15:27You have to believe Benoit didn't quite know where he was at, and
15:30he walked into the belly to belly.
15:32Well, the guy has a rear chin lock locked in on you that tight.
15:35You lose some oxygen to your brain because of back suplex.
15:38Wow, and here's Kurt Angle, off the suplex, hooks the leg, and
15:41Benoit gets the shoulder up.
15:43But you see Angle beginning now, Taz, to build in confidence.
15:46The question coming into this matchup was, could Angle beat Benoit?
15:50Did Angle have, did Benoit have Angle's number?
15:52Well, now as this match rolls along,
15:54Angle is becoming more confident that he can beat Benoit here tonight.
15:58And a guy like Kurt Angle, a superstar, an athlete, a world class athlete like Kurt,
16:03I'm sorry, Kurt Benoit, what the hell am I drinking?
16:06No, a man, an athlete like Kurt Angle, when he's got you on the mat, and
16:10he's got you locked up, it's tough to get out.
16:13But if there's anybody that can exchange match skills, besides a guy like Brock
16:16Lesnar or anybody in Team Angle, maybe it's a guy like Chris Benoit.
16:22The crowd has been in Chris Benoit's corner since this match started.
16:26Over 15,000 at the sold out Fleet Center in Boston.
16:30Benoit to his feet, elbows to the guts of the champion.
16:34That smart by Benoit creating separation from that chin lock.
16:39But that smart by Angle to wear his challenger down.
16:42Absolutely hooked up.
16:43Here's the number one contender in both men, knocked down center of the ring.
16:47I heard that from here, I mean, that was some muscle hitting muscle.
16:52Wow, what a shot.
16:53The superstar to his feet first.
16:55Could pick up the momentum that'll swing this match.
16:58Three.
16:59Might be able to count him.
17:01The Lesnar's a count of ten, and then it'll be a draw.
17:04Five's next.
17:04There you go.
17:08Well, right now, turning point in the match, as you pointed out, I mean,
17:10Chris Benoit needs to try and get his head together here.
17:13But this might be a double count out.
17:15Kurt Angle would like that, he'd keep his title.
17:18That's true.
17:18Angle, slowly to his feet.
17:20He's up first.
17:21Now comes Benoit.
17:22Benoit blocks the right hand.
17:25And another right from Benoit.
17:26And here, pulls up the Wolverine.
17:28I'll say it's a fourth one again.
17:29Benoit shifting into fourth gear.
17:32Benoit knocking Angle down.
17:33And for those of you who doubt Chris Benoit,
17:36remember, he defeated The Big Show to become number one contender.
17:40Chris Benoit has a big German suplex to Kurt Angle.
17:46And the hands are still locked around the waist.
17:48Yeah.
17:49Bam.
17:50There's two.
17:51Ain't no sign of the Wolverine letting go.
17:53Angle breaks it down.
17:54Breaks the grip, switch, German.
17:55Into his own German suplex.
17:57These guys will trade throws, they will trade suplexes.
18:01Nice switch.
18:02There's a German.
18:04Oh, man.
18:05This is awesome.
18:06Awesome.
18:08Two men are spent trying to out-wrestle each other.
18:11Straight up, no outside interference, no shenanigans.
18:14Tomfoolery.
18:15Two guys going at it.
18:16But you remember the creed for Team Angle.
18:18The name of the game is wrestling.
18:20It's what we do best.
18:21But right now, ladies and gentlemen, Chris Benoit may be out-wrestling Kurt Angle.
18:27Talk about a loading.
18:28Wow, that was a-
18:29And Benoit going up high.
18:31The WWE title's on the line.
18:33Angle to his feet.
18:34Kurt Angle, look at this.
18:35What a suplex by Kurt Angle.
18:38Unreal.
18:39No, it's not unreal.
18:40Kurt Angle is an outstanding, amazing athlete.
18:43The speed to climb those ropes.
18:45Into the cover.
18:46One, two.
18:47Benoit gets his shoulder up.
18:51The resolve in Chris Benoit.
18:54How tough is Benoit to kick out of that big throw off the second rope.
18:59It shows the determination that Chris Benoit's got to be the champion.
19:03For God's sake.
19:04Oh, look out.
19:05Angle slam.
19:06Angle slam.
19:07Benoit countered.
19:08Wolverine.
19:09Here it is.
19:10The crossface.
19:11The crossface.
19:13Will Angle tap?
19:14Will Angle tap?
19:16Will Benoit realize his dream?
19:18Kurt's in trouble.
19:19Angle's in trouble, Cole.
19:21Angle's in trouble.
19:22He's gonna tap.
19:23Listen to this crowd as Angle clawing desperately.
19:30Can he get there?
19:31He's a finger away from the bottom rope.
19:34Benoit has it locked in.
19:36Look at it.
19:37Gets to the ropes.
19:40Look at Benoit trying to pull.
19:42Oh, Angle lock.
19:45That's Kurt Angle's move.
19:46Look at this.
19:47Angle lock.
19:48Wow.
19:49Wow.
19:50Benoit has turned the tables on the champion.
19:53That's Kurt's own hold.
19:54Locked in.
19:55Counter.
19:56Oh, there it is.
19:57Angle counters into the ankle lock.
20:01Will Benoit tap?
20:04Both men exchanging holds.
20:06Hold for hold.
20:07But right now, an ankle lock.
20:09Counter again.
20:10A counter by Benoit.
20:11Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
20:12Wow.
20:13Into the crossface.
20:14Unreal.
20:15Great wrestling by Chris Benoit.
20:18This is what the WWE title is all about.
20:21Two men leaving it all in the center of the ring.
20:24Look at the determination on Chris Benoit's face.
20:27He knows.
20:28Oh, look at that.
20:29What a counter by Angle.
20:30Benoit kicked out.
20:32That's called the banana split pinfall.
20:34Whoa.
20:35And again, Benoit into the crossface.
20:38How much is Kurt getting worn out from his crossfaces?
20:42Referee Mike Chioda said, do you have enough, Kurt?
20:45Angle said, no.
20:46No.
20:47But how much more can the champion take?
20:50He may tap.
20:51He's tapping cold.
20:52He's going to tap.
20:53Almost.
20:54Benoit.
20:55Look at Angle.
20:56Roll through, Ben.
20:57Well, he rolled through, but Benoit didn't release the hold.
20:59Try the Peterson roll.
21:01That's the ankle slam.
21:02Benoit.
21:03Ankle slam.
21:04What a counter.
21:05But can the champion capitalize?
21:08How much gas is left in Kurt Angle's tank from all those crossfaces?
21:13Angle crawling into the cover.
21:15But that leg hurts the leg.
21:17Three.
21:18Three.
21:19Angle gets the shoulder up again.
21:21What a match.
21:22I'm getting goosebumps.
21:24This is an outstanding athletic contest for our championship.
21:29Angle to his feet.
21:31The champion seemingly in control.
21:34Uh-oh.
21:35The straps come down.
21:36The Olympic champion.
21:38It's time.
21:39The WWE champion is being locked.
21:41Angle locked.
21:42Benoit's right in the middle of the ring cold.
21:44Benoit's in trouble.
21:45Benoit has suffered an extreme amount of punishment.
21:48Roll through.
21:49What a counter.
21:50Angle off the second turnbuckle.
21:52Oh, wow.
21:53What a back elbow.
21:56Oh, man.
21:57Roll through.
21:58He got it.
21:59Angle kicked out.
22:05Kurt Angle misses right hand.
22:07A German duplex by Benoit.
22:09Now the challenger's in control.
22:11Angle, switch.
22:12Switch.
22:13Another German duplex.
22:14Who the hell has got the momentum right now?
22:16I ain't got a clue.
22:18I'm just looking at this.
22:19Oh, my God.
22:20Angle may be out cold.
22:22This is Benoit's opportunity.
22:24Come on, Chris.
22:25Get up, Chris.
22:26Release German suplex.
22:28Kurt Angle getting turned inside out.
22:30The champion is in trouble.
22:32Look at this release German.
22:34Right on the gut and the chest.
22:36Is that the move that will bring Benoit the coveted title?
22:40Benoit, the coveted title.
22:42Come on, Benoit.
22:43You've got to get it now.
22:45You've got Angle hurt.
22:47Suck it up, Benoit.
22:52Boston feeling it.
22:54This is Benoit's time.
22:55I think Angle's out cold.
22:57The challenger.
22:58Oh, he's far away.
22:59The top rope.
23:00Over inside out.
23:01Connects to the back of the head.
23:03Benoit connects.
23:05Oh, my God.
23:07Benoit flew three quarters of a way across the ring.
23:11About 13, 14 feet.
23:13But Benoit may have hurt himself.
23:21And look at this.
23:22The cover.
23:23One, two, three.
23:25Angle kicked out.
23:27Let's take a look.
23:29Look at the distance.
23:31Got to be 12, 13 feet.
23:35And look at Benoit.
23:36Cross face again.
23:37Cross face.
23:38Hurts up.
23:39Hurts up.
23:40Rolls through.
23:41Kick to the midsection.
23:45Kurt Angle setting Benoit up.
23:47Oh!
23:48Benoit face first.
23:50Look at the distance.
23:51Benoit has a slam.
23:53A second Angle slam from the champion.
23:56This might be it, Cole.
23:58Here's the cover.
23:59Hook to the left.
24:00Stood still.
24:01No!
24:02Benoit kicked out again.
24:06Oh, my God.
24:07Let me tell you something.
24:08I've been in some matches in my day,
24:10some battles,
24:11and I've witnessed a lot of them.
24:13I don't remember one this good.
24:16Talk about the road to WrestleMania.
24:18Taz, this match could headline WrestleMania.
24:26The show of respect from over 15,000.
24:29Cross face.
24:30Cross face again.
24:31Benoit has it locked in.
24:33Benoit has it locked in.
24:36Middle of the ring.
24:37Angle side of Benoit.
24:38Let's go.
24:39Is Angle gonna tap?
24:40Is Angle, the champion, gonna tap out?
24:48And Angle somehow tap out.
24:50Angle!
24:51Into an ankle lock.
24:52Oh, my God.
24:53I can't believe it.
24:55Benoit.
24:56Benoit's in trouble.
24:57And Benoit reverses.
24:59Still trying to get out, too.
25:00But Angle still has the ankle locked in.
25:02Like a pit bull,
25:03Kurt Angle will not let go.
25:05As you can see,
25:06Kurt killed Benoit's ankle.
25:07His torque, it's twisting.
25:09Benoit needs to make it to the ropes.
25:11The challenger.
25:12And he puts it to reverse again.
25:13And he does.
25:14The challenger.
25:15But Angle, like that pit bull,
25:16is so tenacious.
25:17Locks in the ankle lock.
25:18Relentless.
25:19That's what makes Kurt Angle so damn good.
25:21He's up.
25:22He's up.
25:23Right off the...
25:24Oh, he's gonna counter it.
25:25He didn't counter.
25:26Angle will not let go of the boot.
25:27The ankle lock is still locked in.
25:29Come on, Benoit.
25:30Hang in there.
25:31Hang in there.
25:32Try and counter it.
25:33Benoit trying to make it to the bottom rope.
25:35Look at the position of Benoit's ankle.
25:38Uh-oh.
25:39Angle brings Benoit back to the middle of the ring.
25:41And he torques the ankle even more.
25:43Completely let go of the leg,
25:44with the ankle locked.
25:46And that ankle lock,
25:47relaxes around it.
25:49Benoit is in no man's land.
25:51And Benoit taps out.
25:53Here is your winner,
25:55and still WWE Champion,
25:59Kurt Angle.
26:01As Team Angle comes out to celebrate,
26:04Kurt Angle knows that he went through a war.
26:07Chris Benoit proved to the world
26:10that he indeed can be champion.
26:13Hey, look, man.
26:14Sometimes you get caught.
26:15There ain't no shame in tapping out,
26:17living to fight another day.
26:18Look at this.
26:19Kurt Angle.
26:20The celebration by Team Angle
26:22for its champion.
26:24As we take another look,
26:26you can see the pain right here on Benoit's face.
26:29He knows he's caught cold,
26:31and there's no way out.
26:32He's got to live to fight another day.
26:34And that's what Chris Benoit did.
26:36Ain't no shame in tapping out.
26:37A phenomenal five-star match,
26:39in my opinion.
26:40Hats off to Kurt Angle.
26:41We say a lot of things about Kurt Angle.
26:44Sometimes you get caught.
26:45There ain't no shame in tapping out.
26:47We say a lot of things about Kurt Angle.
26:49Sometimes we judge Kurt Angle.
26:51But there is no doubt
26:52that Kurt Angle proved tonight
26:54that he is a world-class athlete,
26:56and so did that man, Chris Benoit.
26:58Well, right now, man,
26:59this is the road to WrestleMania.
27:01And that man right there, Kurt Angle,
27:03if he'd hang on to the championship,
27:05he will still be WWE champion
27:07at WrestleMania.
27:10Will Angle defend that title
27:12at WrestleMania?
27:17What a truly amazing feeling.
27:2115,000-plus on their feet.
27:25What a show of respect
27:27for Chris Benoit.
27:28And he deserves every ounce of it.
27:30Big time.
27:31Big up to Chris Benoit.
27:33Outstanding comment.
27:35What a show of respect
27:37for Chris Benoit.
27:38And he deserves every ounce of it.
27:40Big time.
27:41Big up to Chris Benoit.
27:43Outstanding comment.
27:45Outstanding contest.
27:47Proud to call it.
27:52Chris Benoit proved
27:54to the world tonight
27:56that he indeed
27:57can be champion.
27:58Outstanding ovation
27:59and well-deserved.
28:01Unreal, man.
28:02What an athlete.
28:03What an athlete.
28:04What a spectacle.
28:05He'll be back.
28:06Chris Benoit will be back in the game.
28:08There is no doubt about that.
28:10No doubt.