Top 10 Royal Rumble Matches Of All-Time
By Tim Sherry
#1 Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit – 2003
This was not just the best technical match of 2004. It was also not just the best technical match of any Royal Rumble. For me, this was one the top five technical matches in the history of the WWE. From a physical standpoint Benoit and Angle were a perfect match and every time they stepped into the ring together it was an instant classic waiting to happen. The Benoit/Angle epics began in the Spring of 2001. There was their Wrestlemania XVII duel which went to Angle.
They tangled again at the following pay per view, Backlash, in a submission match that Benoit took. Benoit then took a 2 out of 3 falls match from Angle at Insurrextion before Angle won the final match of the feud in a brutal 3 Stages of Hell Match at Judgement Day. Benoit then spent the next year on the shelf due to a neck injury but in his first pay per view back he defeated Angle at Unforgiven 2002 in what was their best match to date. The two then reluctantly won the WWE tag team titles together and wrestled in a series of classics with Edge and Rey Misterio as well as Los Guerreros.
After losing the titles they met up at the Royal Rumble 2003. For almost 20 minutes these two were perfect. It was hard-hitting, grueling, suspenseful, and the amount of counter moves was immense. They matched each other move for move and it was Angle in the end who took it with a clean submission tapout from an Ankle lock. This match was a perfect example of where WWE was going at this time. Great athletes, great workers, and guys who could really wrestle, and these 2 were the best at it. The best match in the history of the Royal Rumble goes to two of the most talented athletes in WWE history.