Angle-Rock: Fantastic match, historic result
by Phil Speer

courtesy of WWF.com



The World Wrestling Federation Championship match at No Way Out between The Rock and Kurt Angle was memorable to say the least. The result of the match is truly historic. With the victory, The Rock became the only six-time Federation Champion. He ended Angle's reign of four months and three days, which was the longest reign in three years. The People's Champion was unaware that he had broken the record of five WWF Title reigns, which was shared by himself, Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart.
"Really? Wow, I didn't know that," The Rock told WWF.com after the match. "That's great. It's certainly a testament to my hard work and a testament to the company's hard work and belief in the character of The Rock. It's great. I'm floored, considering all the champions we've had in the past."

In spite of the defeat, Angle can celebrate the fact that no one has held the title for as long as he did since Shawn Michaels wore the belt for four months and 20 days from November 1997 through WrestleMania XIV on March 29, 1998. "I've worked hard this past year," Angle said. "A lot of guys deserve that title and to be able to step in there and carry the title for that long, it was a great rush. I don't think I could have given it anymore effort than I did. And I've improved a lot since I won the title. I feel really confident right now."

As far as the match itself, it was outstanding. It was particularly impressive when you consider that it followed Stone Cold Steve Austin vs.Triple H -- a match of the year candidate -- and the show-stealing Fatal Four Way Intercontinental Championship bout.

"I was happy with it, and with the story that Kurt Angle and I were able to go out there and tell, considering the fact that the entire audience, here in Las Vegas as well as at home, had seen pretty much everything they could possibly see throughout the night," The Rock said. "It's a wonderful feeling to go out there and tell a story like we did.
I'm very happy with it. I'm proud of Kurt."
Commented Angle, "For the only match on the card that wasn't a gimmick match, and it was the last match, it was really hard to get the fans going, and we did. Rocky's always a joy to work with. I'm sure we're going to have some great matches in the future. This is just the beginning."

Since we're five weeks away from WrestleMania X-Seven, perhaps what was most important about the match is that neither competitor was injured. Now, The Rock's victory sets up what he calls "the sequel that everybody has wanted to see," the Brahma Bull vs. the Rattlesnake, at the April 1 "Grandaddy of 'Em All" at the Astrodome in Houston. However, Angle's role at WrestleMania remains to be seen. "I'm real excited to see who I'm going to wrestle," Angle said. "I don't know which direction I'm going. Rock and Steve is probably the most anticipated match in the history of wrestling. Beyond that, we don't have much more direction.
We're going to have to work really hard the next five weeks to come up with some great stories."