Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: 2003 Wrestling Memories

Steve Cook continues his 30-year journey with a stop in 2003, where Kane unmakes for the first time, Steve Austin wrestled his last match, and more!

Published

5 years ago

August 9, 2020

Steve Cook

Steve Cook continues his 30-year journey with a stop in 2003, where Kane unmakes for the first time, Steve Austin wrestled his last match, and more!

To be honest, 2003 wasn’t exactly a year I remember being full of great wrestling moments. WWE was at a creative low for the most part. I wasn’t seeing a whole lot of other promotions, and frankly it doesn’t look like I was missing much there.

There were some interesting things going on. What stands out to me while looking back: certain wrestlers having really stellar runs. One of the most famous wrestlers ever had what I think was his best run. Another of the most famous wrestlers retired, and met me at a car show! A highlight of his life, I’m sure.

The Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration hits 2003. We’re not even halfway through this project. Aren’t you excited?

5. 411 Gets Some Mania

3/3/03. We like dates where all the numbers are the same, right? Easy to remember. The site previously known as 411wrestling.com relaunched on 3/3/03 as 411mania.com. There were all kinds of fun new zones. Music, Movies, Games, Comics, Figures…oh, and Wrestling was still there too.

There was also a message board, which I signed up for two days after the re-launch. As I recall, there was supposed to be a newsletter & some other special content, but that ended pretty quick. The stuff was free, it’s not like I was sending Ashish $50 per year. I hadn’t really done the message board thing before, but I figured I’d check it out. What could it hurt, right?

It turns out I’m still talking to some of these other goobers from the old 411mania Fan Forum. Many of them have gone far, far away, but I still keep in touch with more than I would have expected back then. Here’s the obilgatory offtheteam.com plug. That darn message board led to a lot of things, including the column you’re reading right now. All part of the process of my taking over the Internet, which should be happening any second now.

4. Raven Renaissance

I think Raven’s WWE run from 2000-03 was a little bit better than it gets credit for, but both parties seemed done with each other long before the run actually was. WWE wanted to ease Raven into an announcing role, Raven still wanted to wrestle, and the answer was to give him his own playground on Sunday Night Heat. Raven got bored, WWE was happy for him to go, and as it turns out, Raven didn’t have one of those 90 day clauses on his contract that’s all the rage these days. He could go wherever whenever, and he was on TNA two days after getting released.

The new freedom reinvigorated Raven. Not only was he working everywhere, but he was willing to do business & put younger guys over. CM Punk feuded with Raven in ROH & MLW, and getting over on the veteran in matches and on the microphone made people stand up and take notice. He also provided a big boost to TNA, to the point where his first NWA World Championship match against Jeff Jarrett was their most purchased PPV for a long period of time.

We also got a ton of Raven shoot interviews out of his departure from WWE, which would have been worth the move on its own if he didn’t do anything else.

3. Insane Kane

None of my college roommates particularly cared for pro wrestling. It wasn’t like they’d get mad at me for watching it, they’d just find other places to be. The one exception was my sophomore year roommate, who liked two things about wrestling:

-My Trish Stratus poster
-Kane

This was an especially interesting period in the Big Red Machine’s career. The end of 2002 saw the infamous Katie Vick storyline that saw Triple H reveal…yeah, let’s not talk about that. If you thought Kane would end up getting the upper hand over Triple H at some point, you thought wrong since Kane lost a match to Triple H in June with his mask on the line. Once Kane lost his mask, he lost his mind. There was an incident where he set Jim Ross on fire during an interview. One can never forget the time he electrocuted Shane McMahon’s testicles with a car battery. (Why do you think Shane is so crazy nowadays?) Then there was an Undertaker feud that included all sorts of paranormal hijinks.

It was the kind of stuff that one would traditionally be embarrassed about watching. Yet it was the biggest draw to my roommate. Is there something to be learned from this? Probably not, other than people just like weird stuff.

2. Hollywood Rock

Dwayne Johnson has played plenty of characters over the years, but I think that The Rock during 2003 still represents his finest work. Rock returned to WWE in January 2003 after some time off to make movies. Fans were not happy about Rock stepping away from the ring to pursue other interests, and had started booing him in mid-2002. Rock was perfectly justified in turning against the people, and cut some of the most hilarious promos in wrestling history. The Rock Concerts were especially epic.

Rock just had a knack for tearing people to pieces at this time, while also getting them over. His feud with the Hurricane might be the finest example of a main eventer putting over a lower-card wrestler and making him a bigger deal. Of course, the follow-up on that by WWE & Triple H in particular left something to be desired, and Hurricane wasn’t quite as elevated as we hoped. Nevertheless, Rock was pure gold during this time period, and it’s safe to say that wrestling fans were mad at him for going to Hollywood because they wanted him wrestling forever & ever. Some people will do that, but Rock had other mountains to climb. He did all he needed to do in his wrestling career to be a Mount Rushmore figure, and he probably didn’t work five full years.

1. Stone Cold’s Last Match

Last week, we talked about Steve Austin walking out of WWE. As it turned out, it was pretty much the beginning of the end of his in-ring career. He did return to WWE in February 2003, but his final match would take place in March at WrestleMania XIX. It’s an underrated WrestleMania, and Austin’s match with The Rock is probably underrated as well, especially considering Austin’s physical problems at that point. Rock finally got his big win over Stone Cold, sending the Rattlesnake into the sunset.

Of course, his return has been rumored ever since. He’s 55 years old, but, I mean, Undertaker is also 55. And up until the virus hit, Saudi Arabia was all about throwing old wrestlers money. Sadly, I think we’ve missed our last chance to see Stone Cold opening a can of whoopass in a wrestling match. Do I rule it out completely? No, I never rule anything out in pro wrestling.

Oh, and I also met Stone Cold at a car show in Louisville just before his WWE return. $5 for an autographed 8×10. Heck, you wouldn’t even get an autographed 8×10 of ME for $5 these days! How times have changed.

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Related Topics:2003 411Mania Featured Featured Big Kane Raven Steve Austin Steve Cook The Rock

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1