|
VALENTINO’S MAGIC, MEMORIES, AND MANIA: The Top 10 WWE Matches of the Decade
(10) Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar, World Championship Match – WrestleMania 19
In the ’90s, Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart set a new plateau for wrestling quality in WWF. Around the end of the decade, the arrival of Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle in WWF gave the company credibility unlike anyone before him. Angle successfully made the transition from amateur to professional wrestling and his personality soon matched his formidable wrestling skills in entertainment value. A few years later, another amateur wrestling national champion entered the sphere, and it was evident that a dream match was on the horizon. When Lesnar arrived, he was introduced by Paul Heyman as “The Next Big Thing” in the industry, and he did not disappoint. It did not take him long to master the art of professional wresting and he was arguably the most impressive physical specimen the business has ever seen.
WWE wisely waited a year to give their first battle a proper stage. It almost never happened, as Angle was in need of a serious neck surgery, and it was questionable whether he would be able to perform. Fortunately, both athletes performed at the highest level for this tremendous main event. They employed a hybrid of amateur and professional moves to create a compelling drama. The finale was breathtaking and frightening at the same time. The sight of the mammoth Lesnar soaring through the sky for a shooting star press and almost killing himself will never be forgotten by anybody who witnessed it. Thankfully, Brock was able to recover to give Angle the F5 and win the World Championship. As we know now, Lesnar was destined to become the biggest star in another avenue, but we were lucky enough to see him give us a series of excellent bouts that make us wonder what might have been. Angle and Lesnar overcame injury and opportunity to give us a classic for the ages.
For the rest and even more Kurt matches on the list, click HERE
|
