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Unforgiven (2003)

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Unforgiven
Promotional poster featuringKane
PromotionWorld Wrestling Entertainment
Brand(s)Raw
DateSeptember 21, 2003
CityHershey, Pennsylvania
VenueGiant Center
Attendance10,347[1]
Buy rate360,000[2]
Tagline(s)Face Your Fear
Pay-per-view chronology
Previous
SummerSlam
Next
No Mercy
Unforgivenchronology
Previous
2002
Next
2004

The 2003Unforgivenwas the sixth annualUnforgivenprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view(PPV) event produced byWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE). It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion'sRawbrand division.The event took place on September 21, 2003, at theGiant CenterinHershey, Pennsylvania.

Themain eventwasTriple HversusGoldbergfor theWorld Heavyweight Championship.Goldberg won the match and the World Heavyweight Championship afterpinningTriple H following aspearand aJackhammer.Two of the predominant matches on thecardwere aTriple threat matchfor theWWE Intercontinental ChampionshipbetweenChristian,Chris JerichoandRob Van Dam,which Christian retain the title by pinning Van Dam after hitting him with the belt, and the other was aLast Man Standing matchbetweenShane McMahonandKane,which Kane won after Shane failed to answer the referee's ten count. Another primary match on the undercard wasRandy OrtonversusShawn Michaels,which Orton won by pinfall after hitting Michaels in the head with a pair ofbrass knuckles.

Production[edit]

Background[edit]

Unforgivenwas first held byWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE) as the21st In Your Housepay-per-view(PPV) in April 1998. Following the discontinuation of theIn Your Houseseries in February 1999, Unforgiven branched off as its own PPV in September that year, becoming WWE's annual September PPV.[3]The 2003 event was the sixth event in the Unforgiven chronology and took place on September 21 atGiant CenterinHershey, Pennsylvania.While the2002 eventfeatured wrestlers from both theRawandSmackDown!brands,the 2003 event was held exclusively for Raw, which made it the first brand-exclusive Unforgiven event.[4]

Storylines[edit]

Triple HasWorld Heavyweight Champion

The mainfeudheading into Unforgiven was betweenTriple HandGoldbergover theWorld Heavyweight Championship.One month prior atSummerSlam,Triple H won anElimination Chamber matchto retain the World Heavyweight Championship by last eliminating Goldberg.[5][6]After the match ended, Triple H, along withEvolutionmembersRic FlairandRandy Orton,handcuffedGoldberg to the Chamber and attacked him with asledgehammer.[5][6]The next night onRaw,Goldberg challenged Triple H to a match later that night. Triple H declined and said that they would face off at Unforgiven instead. Triple H then added the stipulation that if he won, Goldberg would have to retire fromprofessional wrestling.[7][8]On the September 1 episode ofRaw,Goldberg,Shawn Michaels,andMavendefeated Evolution (Triple H, Orton, and Flair). Towards the end of the match, Orton attacked Goldberg from behind as he was preparing tospearTriple H. Goldberg was able to kick out of thepinfallattempt and hit Orton with aJackhammerfor the win.[9][10]The next week onRaw,Co-General ManagerStone Cold Steve Austinadded the stipulation where if Triple H got himself counted out or intentionally disqualified, he would lose the World Heavyweight Championship.[11][12]

Shane McMahon,who facedKanein aLast Man Standing match

The other main match on the card was aLast Man Standing matchbetweenShane McMahonandKane.On the June 23 episode ofRaw,Kane was forced to unmask himself after he had lost aMask vs. Titlematch for the World Heavyweight Championship to Triple H.[13][14]Shortly after Kane unmasked himself, Kaneturnedon andchokeslammedhistag teampartnerRob Van Dam.[13][14]Three weeks later on the July 14 episode ofRaw,during an interview between Kane andJim Ross,Kane set Ross on fire after he thought Ross was mocking him.[15][16]The following week onRaw,after a match between Kane and Van Dam ended in a no-contest,Linda McMahoncame out to try and stop Kane from attacking Van Dam. Kane, however, gave Linda aTombstone Piledriveron the steel ramp.[17][18]On the July 28 episode ofRaw,Shane made a surprise appearance by attacking Kane for his actions the week before.[19][20]The next week onRaw,Eric Bischoffdefeated McMahon after Kane interfered and gave McMahon a Tombstone Piledriver on the steel ring steps.[21][22]On August 24 at SummerSlam, Kane defeated Van Dam in aNo Holds Barred match,and McMahon defeated Bischoff in aNo DisqualificationFalls Count Anywhere match.[5][6]The following night onRaw,during a match between McMahon andChris Jericho,Kane interfered and performed a chokeslam on McMahon. Shortly afterwards, McMahonsuperkickedKane into adumpsterthat was on fire and full ofgasoline.[23][24]On the September 8 episode ofRaw,Bischoff announced that McMahon and Kane would face each other in a Last Man Standing match at Unforgiven.[11][12]The next week onRaw,after both men signed a contract for their match at Unforgiven, McMahon gave Kane multiplelow blows,followed by aLeap of Faiththrough an announce table.[25][26]

One of the main matches on the undercard was between Randy Orton andShawn Michaels.AtBad Blood,Ric Flair defeated Michaels after Orton interfered and hit Michaels with asteel chair.[27][28][29]One month later, on the July 21 episode ofRaw,Chris Jerichodefeated Michaels in aSingles match.In the match, Orton interfered on Jericho's behalf by executing anRKOon Michaels while the referee was distracted.[17][18]The following week onRaw,during Jericho'sHighlight Reeltalk show,Orton claimed that he was becoming a "Legend Killer" and that Michaels was going to be the next legend he would kill. Michaels came out shortly afterwards and the two started brawling.[30][31]On the September 1 episode ofRaw,Stone Cold Steve Austin announced that Orton would face off against Michaels at Unforgiven.[9][10]Two weeks later on the September 15 episode ofRaw,Orton told Michaels that he was going to use him as a "stepping stone towards greatness." Michaels responded by slapping Orton and telling him that if he was going to use him as a stepping stone, he had better step hard.[25][26]

The Divas match set for Unforgiven was a tag team match pittingTrish StratusandLitaagainstMolly HollyandGail Kim.Gail Kim debuted on the June 30 episode ofRawand won theWWE Women's Championshipin a battle royal.[32]On the July 28 edition ofRaw,Kim lost her title to Molly Holly.[33]After Stratus defeated Holly in a non-title match on the following week, she was attacked in the ring by Holly andVictoria.Kim entered and fought off both Divas; appearing to save Stratus, but she would later attack Stratus herself, turning heel.[34]Two weeks later, Kim aligned with Holly to eliminate Stratus, and the pair continuously attacked Stratus for several weeks.[35]On the September 15 episode of Raw, Lita returned from injury and saved Stratus from being attacked from Holly and Kim, setting up the tag team match for Unforgiven.[36]

Event[edit]

Other on-screen personnel
Role: Name:
EnglishCommentators Jim Ross
Jerry Lawler
Spanish commentators Carlos Cabrera
Hugo Savinovich
Interviewers Jonathan Coachman
Terri Runnels
Ring announcer
Lillian Garcia
Referees Charles Robinson
Nick Patrick
Chad Patton
Earl Hebner
Jack Doan

Preliminary matches[edit]

Before the event went live on pay-per-view,MavendefeatedStevie Richardsin a match taped forWWE Heat.The first match that aired was aHandicapTables matchbetweenThe Dudley Boyz(Bubba Ray DudleyandD-Von Dudley) andRob ConwayandLa Resistance(Sylvain Grenier and Rene Dupree) for theWorld Tag Team Championship.The Dudleyz put Dupree though a table with a 3D to win the titles.[4][37][38]

TestfacedScott Steiner

The next match was betweenTestandScott Steiner.After Test tried aclothesline,Steiner countered with afallaway slamfor a one count. Later during the match, Test attempted a divingdouble axe handlebut Steiner reversed it into asuplex.In the end, Test attempted to hit Steiner with a chair but Keibler came inside the ring and took the chair. Keibler tried to hit Test but hit Steiner, allowing Test to execute arunning big bootfor the pin. Therefore, Steiner became Test's property, as per the pre-match stipulation.[4][37][38]

The third match wasShawn MichaelsversusRandy Orton.Orton countered Sweet Chin Music into an RKO on Michaels for a near-fall. Michaels executedSweet Chin Musicon Orton for a pin butRic Flairput Orton's foot on the bottom rope to void the pinfall. Flair passed Orton a pair ofbrass knuckles,but Michaels executed Sweet Chin Music on Flair. Michaels attempted a back suplex but Orton hit Michaels with the brass knuckles and pinned Michaels to win the match.[4][37][38]

Next was aDivastag teammatch between the team ofTrish Stratusand Lita and the team ofMolly HollyandGail Kim.When the match began, all four Divas fought each other. When the two legal Divas were inside the ring, it was between Lita and Kim. Throughout the match, Lita's team had the advantage over Kim and Holly. In the end, Stratus threw Kim out of the ring, and Lita performed amoonsaulton Holly for the pin.[4][37][38]

Main event matches[edit]

Next was aLast Man Standing matchbetweenKaneandShane McMahon.Before the match began, McMahon attacked Kane, who was doing his entrance, with a steel chair. As the referee officially called to ring the bell to start the match, Kane pushed McMahon away to block another chair shot. After multiple shots with the chair, McMahon targeted Kane's knee using the ring post. Later, Kane attempted to perform a big boot on McMahon, but he accidentally hit the referee. After back and forth action, Kane attempted aTombstone Piledriveronto the steel steps on McMahon but McMahon countered into a bulldog and performed a Coast-to-Coast into the steel steps, which were positioned against Kane. In the end, McMahon attempted aLeap of Faith,from the top of the arena on the TitanTron, which was roughly 25 feet tall. but Kane moved and McMahon fell through the floor. Kane won the match when McMahon did not stand up in time to answer the referee's 10 count.[4][37][38]

In the next match,Christian,Chris Jericho,andRob Van Damfought in aTriple Threat matchfor theWWE Intercontinental Championship.At the start, Jericho and Christian teamed up on Van Dam. Van Dam reversed Jericho and Christian's offense, performing a doubledropkick.During the match, Van Dam performed a doubleDDTon the two. At the end, Van Dam went for a5-star frog splashon Christian but when the referee was distracted, Christian retrieved the belt and Van Dam fell onto it. Christian then pinned Van Dam with a roll-up to retain the title.[4][37][38]

The seventh match wasAl SnowandJonathan Coachmantaking onJim RossandJerry Lawlerfor the commentator position ofRaw.Chris Jericho came out and interfered, allowing Al Snow and Coachman to get the victory.[4][37][38]

Goldberg,who challengedTriple Hfor theWorld Heavyweight Championship

Next was themain event,which sawTriple Hdefend theWorld Heavyweight ChampionshipagainstGoldbergwhere if Triple H got counted out or disqualified, he would lose the title, but if Goldberg lost, he would be forced to retire. In the end, Goldberg attempted aspearbut Triple H countered with afacebreaker knee smash.After Triple H attempted another one, Goldberg countered, kicked Triple H in the stomach, and performed a clothesline. In the end, Goldberg executed a spear and a Jackhammer to win the title.[4][39][38]

Aftermath[edit]

Following Unforgiven,Triple Hoffered a$100,000 bounty to anyone who could "take out"Goldberg.[40]The first individual to act on the bounty wasSteven Richards.He was unsuccessful, as he was quickly taken out by Goldberg.[40]Others who tried includedMark Henry,Rodney MackandTommy Dreamer,but all three were unsuccessful.[41][42]On the October 20 episode ofRaw,Goldberg facedShawn Michaelsin a World Heavyweight title match, after Raw Co-General ManagerEric Bischoffbooked the match the week before. During the match, Goldberg and Michaels were down, along with the referee.Batistamade arun-in,as hekayfabeattacked Michaels and dragged him out of the ring.[43][44]He then proceeded to attack Goldberg, which led to Batista inserting achairon Goldberg'sankle.He then jumped off the second rope onto the chair, kayfabe shattering Goldberg's ankle.[43][44]Afterwards,Evolutiongave the $100,000 bounty to Batista.[43][44]The following week, Bischoff was set to present Triple H with the World Heavyweight title, after the events that took place the week before, butCo-General ManagerSteve Austinintervened and announced a title match atSurvivor Seriesbetween Goldberg and Triple H.[45][46]On the November 10 episode ofRaw,Goldberg and Batista were scheduled in a match, which resulted in a disqualification, after Triple H interfered.[47][48]Triple H tried to injure Goldberg's knee with a use of a chair andsledgehammer.Goldberg, however, speared Triple H and attacked Batista with the sledgehammer.[47][48]At Survivor Series, Goldberg retained the title, after he hit Triple H with a spear andJackhammerfor the pinfall. Goldberg would ultimately drop the World Heavyweight Championship back to Triple H at Armageddon the following month.[49]

On the October 20 episode ofRaw,Co-General Manager Eric Bischoff proposed that he and Co-General Manager Steve Austin face off at Survivor Series in a traditional 5-on-5Survivor Series matchto determine the future ofRaw.The stipulation of the match was that if Austin's team defeated Bischoff's team, Austin could no longer have to be physically provoked before assaulting a Raw Superstar; if Bischoff’s team, however, were victorious, Austin must resign his position as Co-General Manager.[43][44]Austin promptly accepted the challenge, with Bischoff announcing the first two members of his team wereScott SteinerandChris Jericho.Later in the night,Booker Twas announced as the first member of Austin's Survivor Series team.[43][44]The following week,Rob Van Dam,andBubba RayandD-Von Dudleywere named members to join Austin's team.[50][51]For Team Bischoff,ChristianandMark Henrywere announced as members, as well.[50][51]On the November 3 episode ofRaw,both Austin and Bischoff announced their final members to join their respective team;Shawn Michaelsaccepted Austin's invitation to join his team and Bischoff announcedRandy Ortonas the last member to join his team.[52][53]At Survivor Series, Team Bischoff (Steiner, Jericho, Christian, Henry and Orton) defeated Team Austin (Booker T, Van Dam, Bubba Ray, D-Von and Michaels). As a result of Austin's team losing, he lost his position as Co-General Manager of Raw.[54]

On the September 22 episode ofRaw,Shane McMahonwas hospitalized after the events in his match againstKaneat Unforgiven.[55][56]Shane sent a "message" to Kane, but before he could finish, Kane appeared in Shane's hospital room and attacked him. The attack led to Shane bleeding from his forehead and Kane telling him to "Get Well Soon!".[55][56]Two weeks later, Shane interfered in a match between Kane andRosey,which angered Kane.[41][57]After the match, Kane ran around rampant backstage looking for Shane. Kane walked by a Semi-Truck and saw Shane, who taunted Kane and jumped into a limousine. Kane broke the limousine's window and got in through the sunroof. Shane proceeded to get out from the drivers seat and rigged the limousine to crash directly into another truck. After the crash, workers attend to the limousine with a bloody Kane inside.[41][57]The following week onRaw,Shane challenged Kane, who was in the hospital recovering from the car crash from the week before, to a match at Survivor Series. As the challenge was made, Kane sprang up and attacked a doctor and a nurse who were attending to him.[42][58]On the October 27 episode ofRaw,Shane challenged Kane to anAmbulance match,which Kane accepted.[50][51]At Survivor Series, Kane defeated Shane after Kane performed aTombstone Piledriveron him and then throwing Shane into the ambulance.[54]

Results[edit]

No.Results[4][37][38]StipulationsTimes[1]
1HMavendefeatedSteven Richards(withVictoria)[1][59][60]Singles match5:13
2The Dudley Boyz(Bubba RayandD-Von) defeatedRob ConwayandLa Résistance(Sylvain GrenierandRené Duprée) (c)Tables matchfor theWorld Tag Team Championship10:17
3TestdefeatedScott Steiner(withStacy Keibler)Singles match
Since Test won, he received the services of both Keibler and Steiner.
6:56
4Randy Orton(withRic Flair) defeatedShawn MichaelsSingles match18:47
5Trish StratusandLitadefeatedMolly HollyandGail KimTag team match6:46
6KanedefeatedShane McMahonLast Man Standing match19:42
7Christian(c) defeatedChris JerichoandRob Van DamTriple threat matchfor theWWE Intercontinental Championship19:03
8Al SnowandJonathan CoachmandefeatedJerry LawlerandJim RossTag team match for the right to be the commentators forRaw8:16
9GoldbergdefeatedTriple H(c)[39]Title vs. Career matchfor theWorld Heavyweight Championship
Had Triple H been disqualified or counted out, he would have lost the title. Had Goldberg lost, he must retire from in-ring competition & must leave WWE.
14:57
(c)– the champion(s) heading into the match
H– the match was broadcast prior to the pay-per-view onSunday Night Heat

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External links[edit]