RVD vs Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Championship)
Result: Rob Van Dam wins the title after landing the Five-Star Frogsplash on Chris Benoit.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
With the brand split taking place a few months earlier, the Intercontinental Championship had become exclusive to RAW, driving a wedge between respective General Managers Eric Bischoff and Stephanie McMahon. So, when Chris Benoit won the title from Rob Van Dam, McMahon wasted no time acquiring his services in a coup from RAW. This match was therefore of critical importance for the red brand, as if RVD lost they would lose grasp of the belt for good. With this pressure underlying this championship encounter, it would add to the phenomenal performance that both men would produce.
RVD has always been a superstar that would go the extra mile to make himself and his opponent look amazing, and he definitely showed that in this contest. Every time Benoit sent him flying with a German suplex, he would fold up like an accordion after landing on the back of his neck. The Canadian was one of the most intense and technically outstanding competitors ever to step into a squared circle.
They missed their signature flying moves one after the other, with Benoit going back to his Crossface submission at every opportunity. It is quite likely that RVD spent the most time any superstar sustained in that vicious hold in a single match, but he refused to submit to the pain.
There was also a fantastic spot where Benoit hit three consecutive Northern Lights suplexes, maintaining hold, which I have never witnessed before or since in wrestling. Nobody can deny both men left everything they had in the ring, earning a rave reception from the audience, until RVD finally overcame this obstacle with the Five-Star Frogsplash.
Callum’s Take: This was arguably RVD’s greatest ever WWE match, as it almost felt like the athletes wrestled two matches back-to-back with its various turning points and glorious exchanges.