Kurt Angle’s Top 10 WWE Matches
By Tim Sherry
10. vs Rey Misterio – SummerSlam 2002
Undoubtedly the best sub-10 minute match in WWE pay per view history, Angle and Misterio went after it in this 9-minute track meet that opened the 02′ SummerSlam. The sellout crowd at the Nassau Coliseum had barely a chance to catch their breath before Angle had Rey trapped in the Ankle Lock tapping the mat. It’s the kind of start that any show is ever looking for.
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It started off hot as Misterio, looking for the edge, came out of the crowd and surprised Angle with a springboard dropkick. From there it turned into a high-octane sprint that saw both men score with all of their best stuff while infusing their own blends of power and speed. It’s never easy opening a pay per view, not to mention the second biggest one of the year after not really having a large feud built up. But Angle and Misterio, the consummate pros took the opportunity and made the most of it.
This match laid the groundwork for the rest of the show, which turned out to be one the most critically acclaimed SummerSlam’s of all time. The following seven matches had their work cut out for them and although one of them was up to the task (Michaels vs Triple H), no one can deny what these two started that night. Outside of the Bret Hart/Owen Hart Wrestlemania X opener, this was the best of it’s kind and Angle and Misterio set the bar for any future opening bout.