Search - Tagged Classics 2003: Summerslam/Unforgiven on DVD

A One-Trick Pony + A Solid PPV = A Good Combo

R.A. McKenzie | New York | 08/21/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"WWE's latest "Tagged Classics" will include two PPVs that most fans will like. My take on these particular events might differ from the norm. You see, I don't like SUMMERSLAM 2003 nearly as much as most Amazon reviewers, whereas I might be more favorable with UNFORGIVEN than most.

The bottom line is that I think this is a good set to buy, if you don't already own either DVD. But if you're as picky as I am with WWE DVD purchases, maybe you want some more info from a skeptic:

SUMMERSLAM 2003
---I want to be clear about this: this is not a bad PPV. In my opinion, it's just very average. The main event is the 2nd Elimination Chamber Match, which I was enjoying for most of it. But once Goldberg (the final entrant) got involved, the rest of the match was a 5-minute screwjob. I consider the finish to be one of the worst sucker-punches in PPV history. There are two other anything-goes-type matches, as well. The Kane/RVD No Holds Barred Match - while an important footnote for Kane's character history - is just repetitive and unexciting. Most seem to enjoy the wild & crazy match between Eric Bischoff and Shane McMahon. To be fair, there's a lot going on as Steve Austin and Jonathan Coachman get involved. But I still wasn't impressed. There's a solid U.S. Title fourway match that might do the trick for you. But the only genuine highlight for me was the excellent WWE Championship Match, pitting Brock Lesnar against Kurt Angle (the man who he lost it to a month prior). Lesnar and Angle delivered an outstanding contest that surpasses their WRESTLEMANIA showdown, and is comparable to their Iron Man Match. All in all, I think SUMMERSLAM 2003 is overrated. But if you check it out, it'll be worth a peek.


UNFORGIVEN 2003
---Considering the abysmal year RAW had in 2003, I wasn't looking forward to this card at all. But to my delight, it turned out to be entertaining from start to finish. The opening Tables Match between The Dudleyz and La Resistance is fast-paced (and silly) crowd-pleaser. Fans who enjoy pure physical wrestling can look forward to Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton putting on the best match on the card. While HBK & Orton had better encounters in the future, this remains an excellent trip down memory lane. My biggest surprise was how much I liked the Last Man Standing Match featuring Kane and Shane McMahon. I'm not the biggest "Shane-O-Mac" fan, but this is one of his best displays of exciting action. There are quite a few "OUCH" moments when he and Kane go at it, especially because Shane is kind of an "everyman" athlete. The smooth pace, back-and-forth action, and good camerawork make it a well-constructed piece. There's also a solid Divas Tag Team Match, which highlights Lita's in-ring return after a year of injury. It's a nice break from the catfight garbage that WWE allowed the women's division to sink to. The main event - Goldberg challenging Triple H for the World Heavyweight Title - is a mixed bag. I kinda got into it, but if you're not a Goldberg fan, you won't be after this DVD. But even more disappointing was the silent crowd reaction to the remarkable IC Title Match involving Christian, Chris Jericho, and Rob van Dam. It was such a good display from all three guys, but you wouldn't know judging by the crowd's deafening silence. Even with these minor gripes, not one match on the UNFORGIVEN 2003 PPV bored me.

OVERALL
---Even though I'm lukewarm to SUMMERSLAM, the Angle/Lesnar is a must-see classic. And UNFORGIVEN was a lot more fun than it looked on paper. These "Tagged Classics" combos will never offer anything more than the original DVD releases for a good price. If you don't own any of these PPVs, then this is a good one to buy."