Background: Big Show was the man who ended Brock Lesnar’s first WWE title reign, as well as his undefeated streak with some help from Lesnar’s old manager Paul Heyman. Kurt Angle would eventually win the title, putting both Show and Lesnar in a position to settle their personal score while earning a spot in the annual Royal Rumble match.
Royal Rumble
Boston, MA
1/19/03
Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show
Big Show showed that there was someone stronger in the company than Lesnar, tossing Brock from pillar to post. But Lesnar wasn’t weakened enough to be put away with the Chokeslam. Lesnar reversed the attack into a cradle, but couldn’t hold Show down. Lesnar went superman, belly-to-back and belly-to-belly suplexing Big Show before getting his hands on Heyman. This distraction allowed Show to recover, executing the Chokeslam on his opposition … for a near fall!
When Big Show went for the Chokeslam again, Lesnar reversed the attempted attack. Big Show couldn’t stop Brock from lifting the largest athlete into the air before hitting the F5 to pin his arch-nemesis.
Winner: Brock Lesnar (6:29)
Is It A Classic: Another solid encounter between two men who had (and still have) great chemistry. It’s not a classic, but an entertaining opening contest to set the stage for the rest of the night.
