| Date: August 24, 2003
| Venue: America West Arena | City: Phoenix, Arizona
| Attendance: 16, 113 | Buys: 465, 000

Summerslam is traditionally the second biggest show of the year and the 2003 edition should be no different. There are 7 matches on the card as opposed to the usual 8, with 4 matches coming from the Raw brand and 3 matches presented by Smackdown. The WWE Championship will be defended as Kurt Angle, who won the title at Vengeance will defend against Brock Lesnar. Brock and Kurt have been friends since Kurt returned to Smackdown a couple of months ago but now that is all a memory. Lesnar challenged Vince McMahon to a cage match and McMahon announced Kurt Angle as the special guest referee but it was all a scheme. Lesnar attacked Kurt Angle and celebrated with Vince McMahon as the show went off the air. Since then Brock has been an animal or a “manimal” as they keep referring to him as. He broke Zach Gowans leg days before Gowan was supposed to battle Matt Hardy at Summerslam. That match has now been cancelled.

The World Heavyweight Championship will be defended in the second ever Elimination Chamber match. It was supposed to be Triple H vs. Goldberg for the title but after interference and run-ins from the likes of Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Kevin Nash and Shawn Michaels, all four men were added to the match. Goldberg has been targeting the World Heavyweight Championship since he debuted in the WWE but has stepped up his chase in recent weeks. Kevin Nash and Chris Jericho have had their issues with one another as of late and it culminated in a hair vs. hair match on Raw in which Jericho won. Randy Orton has had his problems with Shawn Michaels, especially since dubbing himself the “Legend Killer”. Triple H and Ric Flair have made it very clear that Randy Orton is in the match to help Triple H retain his title.

The United States Championship will also be defended tonight as Eddie Guerrero, who won the vacant title in a tournament final against Chris Benoit at Vengeance will defend against Benoit, Tajiri and Rhyno in a fatal four way match. Rhyno turned his back on Chris Benoit at Vengeance, costing him the match whilst Guerrero actually turned on his tag team partner Tajiri not long before Vengeance. The four men meet in a fatal four way match tonight. The other title defended tonight will be the World Tag Team Championships. La Resistance won the belts at Bad Blood from Rob Van Dam and Kane and have since had their issues with The Dudley Boyz. Bubba Ray and D-Von have been fighting against La Resistance in the name of America and both the American and French flag have come into play over the past few weeks. I’m actually surprised this match isn’t a flag match. Last week on Raw an American serviceman (Rob Conway) attacked The Dudley Boyz, siding with La Resistance.

Also tonight one of the Raw co-general managers Eric Bischoff will go one on one with Shane McMahon. Shane returned to the WWE recently after his mum Linda was attacked by Kane. Shane held Bischoff responsible for what happened and Eric has become ever more creepy over the last few weeks, going round to Linda’s house and kissing her. It’s all a bit odd really but it’ll be Shane against Bischoff tonight. Kane had an opportunity for the World Heavyweight Championship against Triple H but if he lost then he would have to take off him mask. Kane lost and has taken out his anger on anyone and everybody including his old friend Rob Van Dam. Van Dam admitted it was he that suggested Kane take off his mask and has felt the brunt of Kanes anger. Tonight the former World Tag Team Champions go one on one.

Sable is the woman on the poster for Summerslam and she will be on the show tonight in the corner of A-Train who goes one on one with The Undertaker. A-Train has been the hired gun of Vince McMahon as of late and has even attacked Stephanie McMahon, putting her out of action. A-Train has also been attacking The Undertaker and a match has been made between the two tonight. There are quite a few guys missing from the show, champions such as The World’ Greatest Tag Team, Rey Mysterio, Christian and Molly Holly as well as guys like Big Show and John Cena.

On Heat prior to the show, Rey Mysterio beat Shannon Moore and Matt Hardy claimed a forfeit victory over Zach Gowan.

I don’t usually do this but my predictions for tonight are Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, Eddie Guerrero, La Resistance, The Undertaker, Kane and Eric Bischoff.

 

Lilian Garcia kicks off the show singing the American national anthem. There’s then a video package with an Irish voiceover which I quite like. Jim Ross welcomes us to the 16th annual Summerslam, he’s joined by Jerry “The King” Lawler. Ross then throws over to Michael Cole and Tazz who introduce the Spanish announcers!

La Resistance (Rene Dupree & Sylvain Grenier) (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray & D-Von) – World Tag Team Championship Match

Whilst we’re in the patriotic mood, we kick off with a patriotic match. The Dudley Boyz attack La Resistance as they make their entrance. It’s a first tag team match between these two teams on pay per view. D-Von and Rene Dupree officially start the match and it’s all D-Von as he chokes Dupree with a French flag. Dupree tags in Grenier. D-Von hits a clothesline, a dropkick and an armdrag into an armbar. The Dudley Boyz have a 1-1 record at Summerslam, it’s a debut for La Resistance in this particular event. D-Von tags in Bubba Ray who locks Grenier in a tree of woe and stands on his crotch. All hell breaks loose and The Dudley Boyz clean house. The crowd want tables. Grenier hits a cheap shot on Bubba Ray allowing Rene Dupree to take the advantage and get the first near fall of the match.

Dupree tags in Grenier and they hit a double shoulder charge on Bubba Ray. This is La Resistance’s first PPV match that they haven’t been against Kane and Rob Van Dam. A “USA” chant breaks out and Rene Dupree is tagged back in. Rene hits a hard Irish whip and then applies a bear hug. Bubba Ray gets out of it but gets caught with a spinebuster slam for a two count. The crowd seem into this match. Grenier tags in but gets caught with a Bubba Bomb. Both Bubba Ray and Grenier make tags and it’s all D-Von now. He hits back body drops, neckbreakers and slams to both men before pinning Dupree for a two count. D-Von hits a flying forearm and then Dupree accidentally nails his own partner. La Resistance take charge and hit their finisher, the double spinebuster but it only earns the champions a two count.

All four men get into it and Bubba Ray hits his trademark elbow to Rene Dupree before D-Von hits the wassup drop to Grenier! The Dudleyz then hit 3D on Dupree! Grenier saves the match by dragging the referee out of the ring. As all hell breaks loose a camera man gets in the ring and nails D-Von with his camera! Rene Dupree makes the cover and gets the 3! La Resistance have won the match! The cameraman gets back in the ring and Spike Dudley comes out to make the save. The cameraman takes off his hat and wig and it’s revealed to be the man that attacked the Dudley Boyz last week on Raw! It is of course Rob Conway. Jonathan Coachman interviews the Dudley Boyz after the bell and says that La Resistance were pretty clever tonight. Bubba Ray isn’t happy with American sympathisers and he won’t rest until they get the World Tag Team Championships. not a bad way to kick off the show.

Rating: 6.25/10

Eric Bischoff is getting ready backstage when Christian shows up with his Intercontinental Championship. Christian isn’t happy that he isn’t on the card but Bischoff blames Stone Cold Steve Austin. Christian offers some help to Bischoff in his match with Shane later but Bischoff says he has a back up plan. Christian then asks Bischoff if he closed the deal with Linda McMahon. Bischoff says he’ll reveal all later.

Theres some footage showing A-Train attacking The Undertaker on multiple occasions as of late.

The Undertaker vs. A-Train

This is Undertakers 12th Summerslam match. He’s won 7 of those matches, lost 3 and drawn 1. A-Train has only wrestled on one Summerslam PPV before and he lost at that one. Undertaker has had a bit of a raw deal the last couple of years, last year he took on Tet and this year A-Train. A-Train is joined by Sable. It’s a first one on one contest between these two men on pay per view. A-Train kicks off the match applying a headlock and then takes Undertaker off his feet. A-Train goes back to the headlock  but Undertaker gets out of it and hits a side Russian leg sweep for a two count. Undertaker hits a big DDT for a near fall and then takes A-Train back down with a big clothesline. Undertaker sets up for old school and then walks the ropes and hits it. Nobody has fought as many PPV matches as The Undertaker. A-Train ducks a clothesline and Undertaker flies to the outside.

This is The Undertakers 100th WWE PPV. A-Train drives his boot into Undertakers throat and then stomps away at him. A-Train targets the ribs of Undertaker and then hits him with a suplex for a two count. Undertaker applies a sleeper but A-Train quickly gets out of it with a side suplex. Undertaker hits some big right hands in what has been a back and forth match. Undertaker hits snake eyes and then both men knock each other down with simultaneous clotheslines. The two men get to their feet and slug it out which Undertaker wins before he hits a big boot and a legdrop for a two count. It would’ve been a 3 for Hulk Hogan. Undertaker drops a legdrop on A-Train as he lies on the apron. Undertaker then sets up for the Last Ride but A-Train shoves Undertaker away and into the referee! A-Train then hits the De-Railer but Undertaker kicks out of the pinfall.

Undertaker attempts a clothesline but A-Train ducks and the dead man nails the referee. A-Train then hits the pump kick, which was his finisher at one point, before going outside and grabbing a steel chair. Undertaker boots the chair into the face of A-Train and pins him but A-Train kicks out. Undertaker goes for the Tombstone but A-Train gets out of it so undertaker instead hits him with a chokeslam which is enough for the three! Undertaker beats A-Train tonight in straight forward enough fashion. After the bell Undertaker goes for the last ride but Sable distracts Undertaker! Undertaker then grabs Sable by the throat but Stephanie McMahon’s music hits and out walks the Smackdown general manager looking pretty hot. Stephanie spears Sable to the mat but A-Train pulls Sable out of the ring. Good but predictable win for Undertaker.

Rating: 5.75/10

The Coach is at ringside asking fans who is going to win the World Heavyweight Championship tonight. The two people he asks both say Goldberg.

There’s a video package next for Shane McMahon and Eric Bischoff.

Shane McMahon vs. Eric Bischoff

This first time PPV meeting between these two men marks Shane McMahon’s third Summerslam match. He’s lost his previous 2 to Test and Steve Blackman. Bischoff gets on the mic before the bell and says that he and Linda got it on again and again and again. He tells Shane that he knows where he gets his energy from! Bischoff is dressed in his martial arts suit. Shane goes right to work on Bischoff, laying into him with elbows and kicks in the corner. Shane hits some right hands and throws Bischoff outside the ring. Eric tries to leave but Shane makes sure that doesn’t happen. He throws Bischoff into the barricade and then rams him into the apron. This is Bischoffs second PPV match, he previously lost to Stone Cold Steve Austin at No Way Out this year.

Shane hits some jabs to the face of Bischoff and then slams him into the Smackdown announce table. Someone then hits Shane with a chair from behind and it’s Coach! Jonathan Coachman smashes the chair into the back of Shane and the referee calls for the bell. Bischoff announces that the match is no disqualification and pinfalls count anywhere. Bischoff tells Coach to introduce that piece of shit to the stairs. Coach Irish whips Shane into the steps and then Bischoff pins him but Shane kicks out! Coach throws Shane back into the ring and holds Shane for Bischoff. Bischoff tells the production truck to shut off Jim Ross and Jerry Lawlers mics off so Coach can commentate on Bischoff laying into Shane. Bischoff hits some kicks as Coach screams “Shane’s down, Shane’s down, Shane’s down!”.

Bischoff lays into Shane with more kicks until Shane eventually fights back. He hits Bischoff with a DDT but Coach hits Shane with a low blow. Austins music then hits and out walks the rattlesnake! Coach tells Austin that he works for Bischoff and that he doesn’t matter. Coach reminds Austin that he can’t touch him unless physically provoked to Shane pushes Coach into Austin and Austin stomps a mudhole in the the Raw commentator. Austin and Shane double team Coach before chucking him out of the ring. Stone Cold then tells the truck to put Jim Ross and Jerry Lawlers mics back on. Shane grabs Bischoffs hand and slaps Austin with it so Austin stunners Bischoff and Shane pins him but pulls him up at 2! Shane rolls Bischoff out of the ring and then takes apart the Spanish announce table before placing Bischoff on the desk and heading up to the top rope where he dives off with an elbow drop right through the table! The referee makes the count and Shane wins the match!

This was a fun match but not the best. What the hell is Coach doing turning heel? Definitely entertaining but not the best wrestling match I’ve ever seen. Austin and Shane have a few post match beers.

Rating: 4/10

Ric Flair is backstage telling Randy Orton that Triple H needs to leave tonight as champion. Randy has a “what if” but Flair says there is no “what if” and Triple H turns up and tells him the same.

Eddie Guerrero (c) vs. Chris Benoit vs. Tajiri vs. Rhyno – United States Championship Match

All four men in this match has lost once at Summerslam PPVs in the past and added to that, Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit have both won once. You’d have to go back to 2000 to find those wins, Benoit beating Chris Jericho and Eddie Guerrero beating Val Venis and Trish Stratus whilst teaming with Chyna. Rhyno lost to Chris Jericho in 2001, Tajiri lost to X Pac at the same event, Benoit lost to Rob Van Dam in 2002 and also in 2002 Guerrero lost to Edge. It’s one fall to win this one and Benoit and Rhyno go at it in the early going. Benoit locks on the Crossface but Guerrero breaks it up. Tajiri hits Rhyno with a big kick and then delivers a knee drop to Benoit for the first near fall of the match. Rhyno hits Tajiri with a big clothesline for a near fall. Benoit slams Guerrero then Rhyno and Tajiri both take shots at Eddie who attacked all three men on Smackdown last week.

Rhyno hits a big shoulder charge on Guerrero and then a powerslam for a two count. Benoit suplexes Rhyno for a two count and then chops Tajiri before hitting him with a side suplex. Eddie throws Rhyno and Benoit out of the ring as a bit of an “Eddie” chant breaks out. Eddie lays into Tajiri, his former tag team partner until Tajiri monkey flips the champion and hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Eddie looked like he got a 3 count on Benoit who apparently got his foot on the ropes. Rhyno hits a superplex on Guerrero but Tajiri breaks up the cover. Tajiri then lays into Rhyno with some big kicks for a near fall. This is the first singles title match of the night. Tajiri hits a handspring elbow on Benoit for a two count. Rhyno gets a near fall on Guerrero after a side suplex. Guerrero hits a flying leg scissors on Rhyno then a springboard hurricanrana on Benoit for a two count.

Rhyno chops Guerrero but Benoit hits some chops on Rhyno. Rhyno knocks Benoit down and then Guerrero knocks Rhyno out of the ring. Guerrero then locks the lasso from El Paso on Tajiri and Chris Benoit applies the Crippler Crossface on Rhyno! Tajiri makes it to the bottom rope so Eddie breaks the hold and hits Benoit with a dropkick. Eddie celebrates but Benoit locks the Crippler Crossface on him. That gets broken up by Tajiri and Rhyno before Rhyno hits Tajiri with a spinebuster for a two count. Benoit dropkicks Rhyno out of the ring and then hits two German suplexes on Tajiri before Tajiri hits Benoit with a German suplex for a two count. Tajiri locks the tarantula on Benoit and then Eddie grabs the US title belt. Rhyno gores Guerrero but goes shoulder first into the title belt! Eddie then heads to the top but Tajiri kicks him off.

Tajiri goes up top but Benoit ties him up in a tree of woe. Benoit heads to the top and drops the headbutt on Rhyno. He hooks the leg but Tajiri manages to escape the tree of woe and break up the three count. Benoit and Tajiri go flying out of the ring and Eddie comes off the top with a frog splash on Rhyno which is enough for the three! Eddie Guerrero retains his United States Championship tonight! Great match between these four men. Eddie is a star.

Rating: 8.25/10

Shawn Michaels is shown getting ready backstage.

THere is some footage from Smackdown showing Brock Lesnar dominating Zach Gowan in a match between the two and then F5ing Gowan into the ringpost, breaking his leg and taking him off the Summerslam card.  Gowans scheduled opponent Matt Hardy was on Heat ripping Gowan and was announced the winner by forfeit.

There’s a VT showing Kurt Angle winning the WWE Championship at Vengeance and Lesnar turning heel on his friend.

Kurt Angle (c) vs. Brock Lesnar – WWE Championship Match

This is the second one on one singles match between these two men, the first being at Wrestlemania when Brock beat Angle. Kurt has a 2-1 record at Summerslam PPVs whilst Brock has a 1-0 record following his win over The Rock last year. Kurt has beaten Stone Cold Steve Austin and Rey Mysterio in singles matches at Summerslam but lost in a triple threat match in 2000. The two men refuse to shake hands before the match and it’s Kurt Angle with the first takedown of the match. Kurt hits a drop toe hold and goes into the side headlock. Brock gets out of it and uses his strength to down the WWE Champion. Only these two men have held the WWE Championship for the entirety of 2003. Angle hits a few arm drags which send Lesnar to the outside of the ring. Lesnar isn’t happy and throws around a monitor and the steel steps.

Lesnar picks up the WWE title belt and walks to the back but Angle goes after him. Lesnar gains the advantage and throws Angle into the side of the ring. Kurt explodes back at him and rams Brocks head into the barricade. Back in the ring and Angle hits a belly to belly suplex for a one count. Brock then gorilla press slams Angle out of the ring. Lesnar throws Angle into the ring steps and then back in the ring Lesnar throws Angle over his shoulders for a near fall. Lesnar hits a big tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Brock applies a rear naked choke which Angle eventually gets out of but runs into the knee of his challenger. Whenever these two men have fought each other on pay per view for a title, the title defended has changed hands.  Brock hits a fallaway slam and then chokes Angle with his boot.

Brock hits a stalling high cradle suplex for a near fall. Lesnar hits some of his trademark shoulder charges in the corner until Angle gets out of the way of one and Brock goes shoulder first into the ring post. Angle starts a comeback with some big right hands and a running forearm. Angle then hits a three German suplexes for a near fall. Kurt goes for the Angle Slam but Brock shoves him away and hits him with a spinebuster for a two count. Brock then goes for the F5 but Angle reverses it into a spinning DDT. Kurt hooks the leg but Brock kicks out at 2. Angle pulls down the straps and hits the Angle slam but Brock kicks out of the cover! Kurt then applies the ankle lock! Brock gets out of it and knocks Angle into the referee, knocking him out. Kurt locks the ankle lock back on but the referee is down. Vince McMahon then shows up and smashes a steel chair into the back of Kurt Angle! Brock stands up and hits Kurt with an F5! The referee counts but Kurt kicks out!

Lesnar sets up for another F5 but this time Angle nips down and takes Brock down with an ankle lock! Brock gets to the ropes but Kurt pulls him away, Brock gets to the ropes again and again but Angle keeps pulling him back to the middle of the ring. Lesnar finally taps! Kurt wins the match and retains his WWE Championship! Great match between these two men. Vince tries to attack Kurt after the bell but angle sees him coming and Angle slams him into a steel chair!

Rating: 7.75/10

Backstage Goldberg is getting ready for his match, listening to some music and throwing some kicks out.

There’s a video package showing the breakdown in relationship between Kane and Rob Van Dam.

Rob Van Dam vs. Kane – No Holds Barred Match

This is a first match between these two men on pay per view. Kane has a 1-1-1 record at Summerslam pay per views whilst Rob Van Dam has a 2-0 record after beating Jeff Hardy and Chris Benoit. Kane tries to attack Van Dam as he gets in the ring but RVD ducks the attack and eventually gets hit with a clothesline. Kane then dumps Van Dam out of the ring. Kane hits Van Dam with right hands but gets caught with a kick and a springboard moonsault off the barricade. It was only announced before their entrances that this match is a no holds barred match. Kane rams RVD into the steel post and then grabs a ladder from under the ring. Kane tries to take it in the ring but Van Dam slingshots it into his face before coming off the top with a kick.

Rob Van Dam goes for rolling thunder but Kane grabs him by the throat. Van Dam fights off Kane before crossbodying him out of the ring and going over with him. Kane throws Van Dam into the ring steps before throwing him back into the ring. Van Dam hits a brutal looking spinning heel kick and then a springboard kick off the middle rope for barely a one count. Van Dam goes up top but Kane pushes him down to the outside of the ring. Kane grins. The big red machine then rams a ladder into the face of Rob Van Dam. Kane gets a near fall back in the ring and then lays into Van Dam with right hands. Kane chokes RVD as a Wrestlemania 20 logo appears in the top right hand corner. Kane hits a big clothesline and then stomps away at Van Dam. Tajiri and Eddie Guerrero were the last set of WWE Tag Team Champions and found themselves on opposite sides of the ring much like these two men, the last pair of World Tag Team Champions.

Van Dam avoids a clothesline and then hits a kick to the face of Kane. Kane then sends Van Dam out of the ring before going up top and flying to the outside of the ring but missing Van Dam. A “you fucked up” chant breaks out but it didn’t look that bad. Kane drops Van Dam to the mat with a DDT. Kane comes at Van Dam with the steel steps but Van Dam drop toe holds him face first into the steps. RVD dropkicks Kane into the crowd which will meet the spinning heel kick off the apron I imagine. Van Dam crotches Kane on the barricade and then hits the spinning heel kick. Kane gets back into the ring and Van Dam goes out and grabs a steel chair. Van Dam hits a spinning heel kick on Kane and then pops the steel chair on him before hitting rolling thunder on Kane and the chair. Kane sits up so Van Dam dropkicks a chair into his face.

RVD goes to the top rope and with Kane set up in the corner, RVD flies across the ring with the chair but Kane gets out of the way of the Van Terminator! Van Dam then goes for a plancha out of the ring but Kane catches him and then hits him with a Tombstone on the steps! Kane rolls Van Dam into the ring and pins him for the 3. Kane wins tonight and maybe he’ll have more success as a heel. It’s the right result and it launches Kane’s new monster push. DEcent match between these two.

Rating: 7.25/10

Eric Bischoff is backstage with ice on his face. Terri Runnels comes in to interview him but Bischoff sends her packing. Linda McMahon then shows up and slaps Bischoff in the face.

Triple H is then shows backstage looking into his title. Ric Flair shows up and tells him that he’ll be fine.

There’s a video package for the Elimination Chamber.

Triple H (c) vs. Goldberg vs. Kevin Nash vs. Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton – Elimination Chamber for the World Heavyweight Championship

This is the second Elimination Chamber ever and Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho keeps their place from Survivor Series 2002 where they were the final 3 men in the match but Rob Van Dam, Booker T and Kane are replaced by Randy Orton, Goldberg and Kevin Nash. Randy Orton is first out, this is actually his pay per view debut, despite making his debut over a year ago. Kevin Nash is second out, fresh for a haircut courtesy of Chris Jericho. Nash has a 1-1 record at Summerslam. Triple H is third out, the World Heavyweight Champion has a 2-4 record at Summerslam and hasn’t won at the event since 1998. Goldberg makes his Summerslam debut. That leaves Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels to start the match. Michaels has a 4-2-1 record at Summerslam and Jericho has a 1-2 record at the event. You’d have to go back to No Way Out in February to find Chris Jericho’s last singles PPV win.

Jericho and Michaels start the match, they of course met back at Wrestlemania where Shawn beat Jericho. Ric Flair is at ringside on the outside of the chamber. Jericho applies a headlock and then a hammerlock as the two men chain wrestle to start the match. Jericho gets the first near fall of the match but Michaels quickly gets the second. More chain wrestling between the two. Only Triple H and Shawn Michaels have held the WWE version of the World Heavyweight Championship since it’s been a Raw only title. The two men slap each other and Michaels hits a back body drop. Orton is the only man to have not held the big gold belt. Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho but Michaels rolls him up for a two count. Jericho then hits a bulldog and goes for the lionsault but Michaels moves and Jericho lands on his feet. Y2J looked in pain when he landed.

Randy Orton enters the match. And he flies in with a cross body on Shawn Michaels for a two count. Orton clotheslines Michaels out of the ring and Jericho quickly lays into Orton. Jim Ross is claiming that Orton is one of three third generation superstars in the WWE, I can only assume the other two are The Rock and Chavo Guerrero Jr. Jericho hits an enzeguri on Michaels and then Orton drops Jericho with a dropkick. Orton attempts an RKO on Michaels but Michaels shoves him out of the ring via a back body drop from Jericho. Jericho hits a powerslam on Orton on the steel grating and then applies the walls of Jericho on Michaels in the middle of the ring.

Kevin Nash enters the match. Nash goes right for Orton before laying into Jericho. Jericho beat Nash in a hair vs. hair match last week on Raw. Orton and Michaels go at it in the ring whilst Nash lays into Jericho on the outside. In the ring and Nash hits Orton with a sidewalk slam for a two count. Jericho is now bleeding from the face. Nash hits Michaels with a clothesline for a two count. Jericho hits Nash with some chops but Nash takes Jericho down with a big boot. Nash then sets up Jericho for a Jackknife but Michaels hits Nash with sweet chin music! Jericho rolls Nash up and Kevin Nash is eliminated!

Triple H enters the match. And immediately gets hit with sweet chin music! Kevin Nash then hits Jericho with a Jackknife powerbomb! Nash throws Orton into Michaels and then hits Orton with a Jackknife! Triple H is wearing some horrendous tight leather shorts tonight. Shawn Michaels is bleeding from the face now and he crawls over and covers Orton but Orton gets his foot on the rope. Michaels then pins Jericho who also gets his foot on the rope. Michaels looks out on his feet and he, Orton and Jericho throw right hands at one another.

Goldberg enters the match. Goldberg gets a good pop for a change and he goes nuts on everyone standing. Goldberg hits a military press into a powerslam on Orton. Michaels and Jericho double team Goldberg but he takes both of those down with a double clothesline. Goldberg then spears Orton and eliminates Randy Orton from the match.

Jericho hits a missile dropkick on Goldberg and keeps him down for a one count. Goldberg throws Jericho into the side of the chamber and then hits a hard Irish whip on Shawn Michaels. Triple H still hasn’t moved from his pod. Goldberg spears Jericho through a glass pod which looks like it almost slides Jericho’s back in half. Shawn Michaels goes up top and hits an elbow drop on Goldberg before attempting sweet chin music. Goldberg ducks it and then spears Michaels to the mat before hitting him with a Jackhammer and eliminating Shawn Michaels from the match. Only Goldberg, Chris Jericho and Triple H remain. Goldberg hits a spear on Jericho and then a Jackhammer to eliminate Chris Jericho from the match. 

And then there was just Goldberg and Triple H. Triple H stands in his glass pod whilst Ric Flair holds the door to it shut. Goldberg kicks his way into the glass pod and then lays into Triple H. Goldberg rubs Triple H’s face into the metal chain, busting him open. Triple H manages to get a few shots in on Goldberg to boos from the crowd. Goldberg sets up for a spear but Ric Flair slides a sledgehammer in to Triple H and he nails Goldberg with it! Triple H pins Goldberg and it’s over! Triple H wins the match and retains his World Heavyweight Championship! That is 7 title defences for Triple H, matching the record set by Kevin Nash as WWF Champion back in 1994/1995. After the bell Ric Flair and Randy Orton head into the ring and hold Goldberg so Triple H can hit him with a sledgehammer again. The three men lay into Goldberg who is out, handcuffing him to the chamber and smashing the sledgehammer into his skull.

Rating: 8/10

And that was the 16th annual Summerslam pay per view. It felt like a great show, especially the second half of the show – the last four matches were fantastic. The tag team match that kicked off the show was decent, it was the sort of quality you would expect. La Resistance won the match and retained their titles with a lot of help from Rob Conway. This feud continues I think and I can only see it ending with a flag match. There isn’t a lot of tag team competition on Raw at the moment so I can see these two teams slugging it out for the next few months. From there, The Undertaker beat A-Train in a fairly predictable match. This match just seemed like a way to get Undertaker on the card. He could easily have gone up against Big Show or John Cena. This will be the end of this feud, decent enough win for Undertaker and nice to see Stephanie McMahon back.

Shane McMahon beat Eric Bischoff in a match that I thought Bischoff would win. Bischoff claimed to have a back up plan but I would never have guessed that the back up plan would be Jonathan Coachman. The Coach had his moment but would eventually get taken out by Stone Cold Steve Austin. This match was a bit of a joke and although a nice break between more serious matches, it seemed a bit unnecessary. What do we take away from this match? Coach turns heel. Then there were four high quality matches. Eddie Guerrero retained his United States Championship after pinning Rhyno. I thought it would be Tajiri to take the fall. This was a really good match, it was fast paced and all four men got their stuff in. I’m not sure if this means Guerrero and Benoit will continue or whether they’ll go in a new direction.

Kurt Angle beat Brock Lesnar cleanly with Lesnar tapping out. I was surprised at how Angle won the match because it would suggest that this feud is over. Maybe the two will take a break from one another. Vince McMahon could use Lesnar in other ways going forward but with a weak main event scene on Smackdown (they have barely anyone besides Angle, Lesnar, Big Show and Undertaker) Lesnar is probably still needed in the main event. Maybe it’s time for roster shake-ups? Kane beat Rob Van Dam and certainly looked like a monster heel in this one. I’m not sure where Kane goes from here, I did think he could get in a feud with Goldberg but it looks like Goldberg has other ideas.

Triple H retained his World Heavyweight Championship after smashing Goldberg with his sledgehammer. I was surprised at this result, I honestly thought Goldberg would take the title. It definitely means that Goldberg and Triple H will continue in a programme. Kevin Nash teased a heel turn tonight which could be a good shout. Jericho, Michaels and Orton seemed to be in the match to make up the numbers. But it was a great match, I love these Elimination Chambers but it’s important that they don’t over-do them. One a year is fine so although I do enjoy them, I hope they don’t do another one at Survivor Series. OVerall this seemed like a great show, maybe not as good as last years event but the last four matches were great and it’s definitely worth checking this show out.

Overall Rating: 67.5/100 (ranked joint 12th out of 155)

Match Of The Night: Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit vs. Tajiri vs. Rhyno
Worst Match Of The Night: Shane McMahon vs. Eric Bischoff
Surprise Of The Night: Triple H wins the Elimination Chamber
Worst Booking Of The Night: N/A
Superstar Of The Night: Triple H
Summerslam 2003 Will Be Remembered For: Triple H retaining the World Heavyweight Championship and Coach turning heel!