Review: WWE No Way Out 2003 DVD

Brett Mix’s- WWE No Way Out 2003 Review:

 

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“And There he is IS! The Toughest, SON OF A BITCH in the WWE is back!” –Jim Ross

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-WWE No Way Out (2003) was a wrestling (PPV) event produced by the Federation. (WWF). The event took place on Sunday, February the, 23rd 2003 in front of 15,100 fans at the Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

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-This was the fifth annual No Way Out.

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-As a bonus on the DVD you get to see Austin make his first appearance since walking out after Raw went off the air, the Monday before No Way Out. An Amazing pop and a great segment. You also get to see Rock-Hogan confrontation and more. They really delivered on the Extras from older PPV DVDs where as these days you would be lucky to see a sixty second interview.

-On the January 20 edition of Raw, Eric Bischoff made an announcement about how Stone Cold Steve Austin walked out on Vince McMahon during the summer of 2002 with no explanation and that he would like to give Steve Austin an opportunity to give his side of the story. Bischoff also invited Steve Austin to make an appearance at next month’s No Way Out. The following week, Bischoff stated that Austin has agreed to tell his story in the Raw magazine. On the February 3 edition of Raw, Bischoff headed to Texas, to sign Austin to the Raw brand. But, he was unsuccessful in doing so, as he couldn’t locate Austin anywhere. The following week on Raw, Bischoff (kayfabe) fired JR, after Bischoff stated that it was Ross’ fault that Austin hasn’t signed yet to the brand Vince McMahon, who the previous week stated he would fire Bischoff and Chief Morley for the way they were running Raw the last couple of weeks, asked Bischoff if he’d signed Austin yet, which prompted Bischoff to say No. J.R. informed McMahon that Austin would be at No Way Out, which led to McMahon booking a Bischoff-Austin match on PPV.

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-Before the event began Rey Mysterio defeated Jamie Noble at 4:53 on Sunday Night Heat.

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-Jim Ross, The Coach and Jerry Lawler did commentary for the Raw Brand, Michael Cole and Tazz for the Smackdown! brand. Ross came in during the Austin match as he was still healing (Kayfabe) from Bischoff and his assault on Raws six days previous.

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Now onto the PPV…..

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1) Opening Contest- Chris Jericho vs Jeff Hardy

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Here is a great opener.

Chris Jericho was extremely over as a heel and this may be the last Jeff Hardy PPV appearance in a half decade I believe but he sure did go out in style.

The crowd in Montreal really made this match fun with a hot crowd and of course going for their native country-men more often then now.

Plus the ring-work and work-rate was top notch material as well.

So here we go.

Jeff Hardy and Chris Jericho circle around one another and Jericho takes Hardy over with a side headlock and he tried to counter with your typical head-scissors but could not get all of that and went for an arm-ringer, the two exchange reversals of arm-ringers and flips up until Jericho slaps Jeff.

Jeff Hardy sent Y2J to the ropes and hit a back-drop. Jeff Hardy reversed to the ropes but catches Jericho with a hurricanrana. Hardy kicks at Jericho in the corner. Jericho htis a major clothesline on Jeff in the middle of the ring. A side suplex by Jericho on Jeff.

Fans chant Y2J.

And of course 222222222222 every time there is a nearfall. This would start a Canadian tradition for some reason.

Chris Jericho chopped Jericho in the corner but then ran into nobody in the turnbuckle as Hardy dodged him and then Jeff landed on the ring-apron, and springboarded off the ropes with a summersault kick. Jeff rolls Jericho into the ring.

Jeff springboards himself into the ring and lands on top of Jericho. Jeff sends Chris Jericho to the ropes and he takes the cowards way out using the top rope for leverage to duck out of the way to the floor but caught a baseball slide from a quicker, agile Jeff Hardy.

Jeff then shows more agility coming off the barricade but Jericho threw him to the side and into the steps.

Chris kicks away at Jeff in the ring as Montreal chants Lets go Jericho.

Chris Jericho hits a snapshot vertical suplex. Jeff fought back as both men exchange blows. Jeff Hardy with forearm shots on Chris Jericho and then reversed into the ropes and nice code-breaker of sorts by Jeff.

A beautiful inziguri by Chris Jericho to Jeff Hardy here.

Fast paced match, very hard to keep up with everything here, some of the moves I have left out but that is just a testament to how well the match is moving.

A lionsault, another one but Chris Jericho is caught by the knees from Jeff Hardy who plants a ddt on Chris Jericho. A 2222222 and Montreal is able to tell us.

A corkscrew moonsault by Jeff off the top onto Chris Jericho and a two count. A whisper in the wind, Jeff goes for an inziguri and Jericho has the Walls of Jericho on Jeff Hardy. Jeff trying to roll to the ropes to break the hold.

Jericho lands ont he apron once Jeff gets out and then hit a huge hiptoss from Hardy to Jericho off the top rope. Jeff takes his shirt off, hilarious how the girls scream but the guys boo, the Swanton Bomb and Jericho gets a boot on the ropes to break the count.

Y2J Chris Jericho is hit with solid rights as Hardy keeps on him and now Chris Jericho tries the walls, but a school-boy by Jeff as a quick reversal counter, and now shot into the corner Jeff dropkicks Chris Jericho in mid-air as he turned.

A swinging neck-breaker but Jeff goes to the outside. Jeff Hardy then tried a Swanton Bomb again but it failed, Jericho with a big Lionsault and can he get the pin, but Jeff kicks out. Chris Jericho stomped on Jeff and went for a side suplex, so many nearfalls, Jeff is planted face-first into the canvas and Jericho used his boots on the ropes for additional leverage. Nearfall. Chris Jericho climbs to the top rope and Jeff Hardy caught him up top.

Great opener here!

Jericho counters with a powerbomb from the top rope on Jeff Hardy on 12:59.

Shawn Michaels who is hero #1 in Canada comes out to a chorus of boos after the match to attack the man is was feuding with heading into Mania X9 as Jericho did not let go of the Walls of Jericho.

So in the end at 12:59 Jericho defeated Hardy with a lot of his Canadian fans behind him.

Shawn Michaels hits a double ddt to Christian who ran out and Jericho.

You screwed Bret was chanted.

Sweet chin music to Jericho.

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This opening match was superb.

One of the best.

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*** 3/4

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2) William Regal and Lance Storm (c) vs Kane and Rob Van Dam for the WWE Tag Team Championship

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RVD and Storm begin in the ring. Feels like Barely Legal 97.

RVD with a big flip into a monkey-flip then took out the legs of storm. A nice spinning heel kick by Van Dam. So quick! He moves faster then Lawler can talk…or tht I can write.

Regal tagged in and wants a wristlock but he rolls out and with an arm-ringer to RVD he sends him to the corner then catches a spin-kick, then a split-legged moonsault and a two.

RVD monkeyflips William Regal out of the corner and tags in Kane.

Kane caught a boot by Regal but scooped him uip and slammed him. Kane about to pin William Regal and now Storm tags in and they exchange rights as Regal goes off to the outside. Out of the corner Kane scoops up Storm and drops him like a sack of potatoes says Coach.

Kane dominating Storm. Kane with a nearfall. Kane picks up Storm again and this time tags in RVD and Van Dam tried rolling thunder after a Kane powerslam but Storm rolled to the outside to a chorus of boos. Now all of the sudden William Regal got caught as RVD elevated himself to the floor.

Storm then sent RVD into the buckle. RVD then got Regal and into the corner and caught him with a high kick. RVD off the top going for a potential splash but Lance Storm pushed him off into the barricade.

Regal with a huge side suplex to RVD, Wrestlemania X8 like. William Regal in trouble so tags in a fresh Lance Storm who continues the offensive onslaught. Storm just throwing rights to Van Dam over and over.

A nice standard textbook dropkick to RVD off the ropes.

Isolation to Van Dam beginning as there are frequent tags between William Regal and Storm.

Regal had RVD in a full nelson, RVD with a sunset flip and tried to roll up Regal, but Storm tags in and ddts RVD before applying a reverse chinlock.

RVD with a quick roll-up but before he could reach Kane, Regal stops him with a front facelock and then Kane gets pulled down by Storm. Kane finally tagged in and hits a flying forearm to Regal then a back-drop to Storm and a high boot to William Regal.

Kane clotheslines both opponents in both corners followed by a high boot. A nice side-walk slam by Kane to Regal then knocking down Storm.

Kane sets up for a chokeslam but Storm tagged in. RVD tags in and pushes RVD into Kane and Kane chokeslammed him by accident because he not see.

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In the end at 9:20 Storm and Regal retain the titles after Kane thought RVD was Lance Storm.

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This was a GREAT tag match. I appreciated it more this time around.

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***

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3) Billy Kidman (c) vs Matt Hardy (With Shannon Moore) for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship

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Nice arm-drags by the Cruiser Champion to begin the match with Matt then a hurricanrana. Expect another fast match here.

Mattitude reverses a hip-toss sending Kidman to the outside rope and then into the pole spine first.

Matt drives his elbow into Kidman and he keeps kicking out. Kidman gets out. Matt Hardy powerslams Billy Kidman.

Matt tried to wear-down Kidman any we he could.

A front facelock wearing down a fast Billy Kidman.

Tazz says Matt Hardy is addicted to BJ.

Bannana Juice. Nice save.

Matt then dropped Kidman on the canvas but he kicks hup and hits an inziguri to the side of the head of Matt Hardy.

Both men exchange in a slug-fest right away, Kidman gaining momentum and a sit-down powerbomb gets him a nearfall.

Matt whipped into the corner sternum first then clotheslines Kidman off the ropes. Matt with a leg-drop off the second rope and a nearfall. Kidman dropkicked Matt Hardy, a standing dropkick to the chin.

Billy Kidman launched himself off the top to the floor.

Back and forth cruiser action.

Billy Kidman goes up high nut is caught by a potential twist of fate, Kidman reverses it and a two.

After distraction from Moore on the apron a side effect by Matt Hardy and a two. Billy Kidman used Shannon as a step-ladder knocking him off the apron then a running bulldog.

Billy Kidman went for the shooting star press and Matt moved out of the way. Matt hits the side effect but Billy Kidman kicks out! Matt can not believe it, he is in extreme disbelief. A frustrared Matt Hardy then sit Kidman up top and worked on him and now Billy Kidman pushed Matt down to the canvas.

Kidman off the top took his time and a twist of fate from Matt off the top.

In the end at 9:31 Matt Hardy became the new Cruiserweight Champion after the twist of fate off the top.

This match had a slower beginning but the climax was excellent.

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*** 1/4

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4) The Undertaker vs The Big Show (With Paul Heyman)

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A great big man match here with a story. Show took Undertaker out of action for awhile and The Undertaker wanted redemption.

IN late 2008 these two put together their best work but this is certtainly not bad at all.

The Undertaker outside the ring begins to brawl with the big man outside the ring. A dropkick to Show and then a signature elbow to the throat of Show not once, not twice but then on the third time he drops a leg on Big Show while Heyman screams no.

The Undertaker now the vulnerable man as Big Show puts the beating on him once they get back in the ring.

Big Show targets the bad back of The Undertaker and pushed his own weight into the ribs.

A nice suplex in the middle of the ring by Big Show.

A very confident Paul Heyman says it is okay, you got him, it is okay.

Big Show drops elbow drops to The Undertaker. Big Show is gaining great heel heat. Big Show catches Taker in a bearhug. Big Show delivers a sidewalk slam to The Undertaker and got a nearfall.

The Undertaker gets busted open despite him still delivering the offense to Big Show but in the corner Big Show blocked a chokeslam.

Tazz points out how the back of The Undertaker is extremely vulnerable. Undertaker goes for Old School exploiting his amazing agility and it connects with a clubbing blow to the back of the head of Big Show.

The Undertaker goes for a chokeslam again, Big Show with a block, Ref Brian Hebner knocked down, Taker with a low-blow, then a ddt off the ropes and a kick-out by Big Show.

The Undertaker doing everything but putting the big man away here.

The Undertaker signals for the Last Ride while Michael Cole says there is absolutely no way this could happen. Big Show hits The Undertaker with a spinebuster off the ropes to re-gain some lost momentum.

Big Show sent Taker to the buckle and now Snake Eyes to the busted open Taker then a clothesline. Show puts his weight on The Undertaker but the twelve year veteran at this time kicks out.

Now The Undertaker uses some MMA skills and tries a rear choke, a reverse front face-lock of sorts.

A-Train comes out and The Undertaker knocks him off the ring.

The Undertaker then launched himself over the top rope onto both A-Train and Paul Heyman.

WOW.

Taker gets back in and makes Show submit to the finisher that has been re-named 10 times, is it the gogoplata.

In the end at 14:08 The Undertaker took out the Big Show.

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A-Train after the match took apart The Undertaker in a forgettable 2003 feud.

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This match was very entertaining. All matches so far have been.

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***

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5) Chris Benoit and Brock Lesnar vs Team Angle in a 3 on 2 Handicap Tag Match (Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, and Kurt Angle) (With Paul Heyman)

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Edge was supposed to be on the team but he was attacked (kayfabe) before the match and injured. He would be out of action for over a year and if you ask me he was never the same post this injury.

This match is still excellent though.

So it is now 3 on 2.

Benoit begins with Shelton Benjamin in the ring. A nice tie-up to start things off and Shelton is backed off in the corner. Shelton with a high knee to Benoit and an arm-ringer into a hammerlock, Benoit counters with fine chain-wrestling and a side headlock-take down and then a shoulder block, followed by a hard chop then a throw to the buckle. A hard forearm shit by Benoit then Shelton hit back. In the corner Haas gets the tag.

Haas now kicking away at Benoit. Chris back-drops Haas. Benoit slams Haas into the corner.

Brock Lesnar then throws Haas into the corner and spears Haas in the gut. Brock Lesnar then with a beautiful snap-shot vertical suplex. Brock Lesnar with a hiplock to Haas.

Angle watched this and Brock Lesnar wanted some of Angle.

Brock Lesnar with a press slam to Haas and then a gorilla press to Benjamin, Angle then snuck in but took a right hand from Lesnar.

Brock Lesnar staring at his upcoming Mania opponent in Angle while he took apart Haas. Angle gets involved while the back of Brock Lesnar is turned and tried choking him up by the ropes.

Benjamin with a thrust kick to the face of Brock Lesnar while Angle held him with the official Keota distracted.

Angle now with a headlock from the rear on Brock Lesnar.

Angle and Lesnar both down. Cole hypes up their Mania match. Brock Lesnar takes a break as Benoit who is fresh comes back in the ring and hits a suplex to Haas, a snap suplex to him, a german to angle, then a hattrick to Benjamin with a german.

Signals for the diving headbutt, he kicks Haas off and now Angle leaped up and hit a belly to belly suplex to Benoit. Benjamin holds Chris Benoit down as Lesnar was knocked off the apron.

Haas isolating Benoit stomping on him in their corner. Here is a big suplex from Haas to Benoit. Angle stomps on Benoit once tagged in and taunted Brock Lesnar on the outside.

Haas working over Benoit and his damaged neck while the official was not looking.

Who could forget the Angle-Benoit Classic the month before at Royal Rumble 2003.

Angle with a front facelock on Benoit.

Chris Benoit caught with a german by Angle after a series of nearfalls. Brock Lesnar pounced in as he was taunted. Angle slammed Benoit downand Haas comes in. Haas hits Lesnar.

Team Angle double stun-gun Benoit on the top rope with a leapfrog and then Benoit kicks out on Shelton.

In the end Lesnar hits an F-5 on Angle once he is tagged back in and Benoit made Haas tap out to a Crossface.

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In the end at 13:19, Benoit and Brock pick up the win.

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This match was not anything magnificent considering the workers but it definitely was no where near bad.

Good stuff here.

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***

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6) Triple H (c) (With Ric Flair) vs Scott Steiner for the World Heavyweight Championship.

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I have absolutely no idea why Steiner got another main event title match on PPV directly after the 03 Rumble bomb.

Either way this finished him off as he failed to make the Mania X9 card the following month.

Scott Steiner hears the boo birds early and often here. Not as much as the 03 Rumble as he was a bit improved here but at least both men knew what to expect here.

Scott Steiner picks up the injured leg of Steiner.

Fans erupt when the Game attacks Steiner. When Steiner clotheslines HHH and does push-ups none of that works. Steiner dropped Hunter on his bad leg, where the Game had a vulnerable quad.

Steiner Sucks is chanted as he hits a belly to belly to Hunter and then a figure four leg-lock to Hunter in front of Flair.

Flair got in the way of Steiner and Steiner caught Flair and dropped him.

I forgot how Montreal got on Steiner here even perhaps more then Boston did. By this time they knew he just plain sucked at this point in his career.

Hunter knocked Steiner off the apron and he hit his head on the steps.

A you screwed Bret chant against Hebner. HHH with a reverse neck-breaker to Scott Steiner. HHH sent Steiner into the buckle hard and Steiner caught a neck-breaker from the game once again and a nearfall.

Hebner and HHH exchange shots, Big Poppa Pump gets a chance to recover chopping The Game and then a big irishwhip into a belly to belly suplex. He threw out about 100 less of these at least in this match compared to the Runble.

Orton runs to the ring and is knocked off by Steiner as is Batista who is thrown into the steel steps.

Hunter set up Steiner for the Pedigree but a clothesline landshim over the top rope. Steiner slams Orton on the mat.

Earl Hebner kicks out Evolution and Steiner is distracted. HHH has the gold and hits Scott Steiner in the head with the title.

Hebner counts and Steiner kicks out. Fans boo, which is hilarious. HHH goes for the Pedigree, and gets him now to a good ovation.

In the end at 13:01 Hunter defeated Scott Steiner to retain the World Championship.

This match was an upgrade for sure on the Rumble but still not very good obviously.

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* 3/4

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7) Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Eric Bischoff

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Here we go!

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As a life-long Austin fan I absolutely could not wait for this moment. One of the biggest pops of all time, probably bigger then his return as Unforgiven 2000, but not quite as big as his pops on Raw January the 4th 99 helping Foley win the belt, and Backlash 2000 helping Rock win the title.

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Stone Cold Steve Austin gets a god-like ovation obviously and Jim Ross marks out like he has never marked out before.

Bischoff got on the mic and begged to settle it like men, repeating that there still was time.

Austin tackled down Bischoff and let go of some right-hands. But an adrenaline-filled or alcohol-fueled rattlesnake would have none of that. Austin checked what his watch was saying.

Ross reminds us as does Lawler that Bischoff said Austin would never be a main eventer and he became the biggest star in history.

Austin stomped on Bischoff in the corner of the ring.

Austin looked in decent shape here for a guy who had likely sat at the house drinking a long-while.

Fans cant stop chanting Austin as Stone Cold Steve Austin is beating the hell out of Bischoff.

Montreal chanted What as he stomped the mud hole in Bischoff.

Austin flips him off, gets a drink from the crowd threw him back in the ring. Fans chant Austin and he is having fun.

Bischoff tried a martial-arts kick and Steve smiles.

Austin is having fun, a Stunner and he will not put him away just yet, more torture and then another one gets him the win.

STONE COLD! STONE COLD! STONE COLD!

In the end at 4:26 Austin gets the win.

This match delivered good entertainment. Short and to the point, everyone marked, everyone loved it.

A lot of bonus points for that. One of those rare entertaining less then five minute gems just for nostalgia.

Two stars does seem a bit much for this but hey, as a huge Austin mark this was special. VERY SPECIAL and fun, never dragged like say McMahon-Hart Wrestlemania 26.

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**

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8 ) Main Event- Hollywood Rock vs Hollywood Hulk Hogan 2 (Mania X8 Re-Match)

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Big time hype for this one obviously.

Hollywood Hulk Hogan is treated like a huge hero in Montreal obviously with their crazy fans.

You could just tell Hollywood Rock loved playing the heel here.

At Wrestlemania 18 it did not seem like Rock liked playing the babyface where Hogan had the crowd in the palm of his hands.

Rock puts on Hogans bandanna in no time and then starts to whip him. Rock would also put on the vest of Austin the next month in the last match in the career of Stone Cold at Mania X9.

Rock gets a sip of water.

Hogan back up caught Rock napping and clotheslined him. Hollywood Hulk Hogan spinned the strap in the air and then dropped it on Rocky.

Hollywood Hulk Hogan had his name chanted.

Hogan clotheslines Rock wearing his bandanna and all!

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Hollywood Hulk Hogan takes off the bandanna of Rock but Rock caught Hogan with a ddt off the ropes.

Rock smells the momentum coming his way.

Rock dropped a boot on Hogan.

Rock now goes for a Sharpshooter in Montreal and the fans boo for obvious reasons. Hogan got to the ropes.

Rock told the crowd what he thought of them.

Hogan gets out of it but Rock clotheslined him outside the ring. Hogan went for a chair shot on Rock and then Rock hit a peoples elbow.

Hogan hulks up and then goes for a leg-drop on Rock but the lights go out.

McMahon comes out as the fans boo.

Montreal Screwjob #2.

YOU SCREWED BRET CHANTED OVER AND OVER.

The official Grenier sent Rock the chair and he lays out Hogan as the official pretended to not see it.

McMahon looks all innocent. Rock waits as Hogan gets up as he stalks. Rock then hits a Rock Bottom and goes 2-0 against Hollywood Hulk Hogan.

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In the end at 12:20 Rocky got the victory after McMahon screwed over Hogan setting up their Mania X9 match. Montreal Screwjob #2 as said.

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** 1/4

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Final Rating for WWF No Way Out 2003 = 8/10

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This event was highlighted by essentially two things, the return of Austin and the re-match of Hogan and Rock. While Hogan and Rocky did not spark the same appeal the WM X8 Classic did it still was rather entertaining. Austin and Bischoff serves its purpose, the wrestling world missed Steve and seeing him get a god-like ovation in Canada in front of a guy who said he would never be a big draw had to be big for him. Not too mention the fact he was returning after something he deeply regretted, walking out. Steiner-HHH could not of gotten any worse after the Rumble 03 disaster but it still was no good. The 3 on 2 Smackdown! match was very well done as was the cruiser match. The opening with Jericho and Hardy was great, and so was Taker and the Big Show. Overall this was a great event, very memorable.