{{short description|World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event}} {{featured article}} {{Infobox Wrestling event |name = SummerSlam |image = SummerSlam 2003 poster.jpg |caption = Promotional poster featuring Sable in the nude |promotion = World Wrestling Entertainment |brand = Raw<br />SmackDown! |date = August 24, 2003 |venue = America West Arena |city = Phoenix, Arizona |attendance = 16,113 |buyrate = 415,000 |lastevent = Vengeance |nextevent = Unforgiven |event = SummerSlam |lastevent2 = 2002 |nextevent2 = 2004 }} The 2003 '''SummerSlam''' was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was the 16th annual SummerSlam, and took place on August 24, 2003, at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona; it was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw, and SmackDown! brand divisions.
Seven professional wrestling matches were set on the event's supercard, a scheduling of multiple high-level matches. The first main event was an Elimination Chamber match, in which World Heavyweight Champion Triple H defeated Chris Jericho, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Randy Orton, and Shawn Michaels to retain his championship. In the other main event, defending WWE Champion Kurt Angle defeated Brock Lesnar in a standard wrestling match. The undercard included Kane defeating Rob Van Dam in a No Holds Barred match, and Eddie Guerrero defending his United States Championship against Chris Benoit, Rhyno, and Tajiri. There was also a match that occurred on the ''Sunday Night Heat'' pre-show.
The event marked the second time the Elimination Chamber format was used by WWE; the first was at Survivor Series 2002. SummerSlam (2003) grossed over $715,000 ticket sales from an attendance of 16,113, and received about 415,000 pay-per-view buys, more than the following year's event. This event helped WWE increase its pay-per-view revenue by $6.2 million from the previous year.
==Production== ===Background=== [[File:US Airways Center-3.jpg|thumb|The event was held at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.]] SummerSlam is an annual pay-per-view (PPV) produced every August by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) since 1988. Dubbed "The Biggest Party of the Summer",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/summerslam06shoot|title=Let the Party Begin|first=Louie|last=Dee|work=WWE|access-date=May 12, 2008|date=May 17, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116055908/https://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/summerslam06shoot|archive-date=November 16, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> it is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along with WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series, referred to as the "Big Four".<ref>Ian Hamilton. ''Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition'' (p. 160)</ref> It has since become considered WWE's second biggest event of the year behind WrestleMania.<ref>{{cite web|first=Matty|last=Paddock|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/wwe-summerslam-results-brock-lesnar-jinder-mahal-finn-balor-john-cena-sasha-banks-alexa-bliss-a7904051.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822131734/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/wwe-summerslam-results-brock-lesnar-jinder-mahal-finn-balor-john-cena-sasha-banks-alexa-bliss-a7904051.html|access-date=August 21, 2017|archive-date=August 22, 2017|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=WWE SummerSlam results: Brock Lesnar and Jinder Mahal survive as Finn Balor defeats Bray Wyatt|website=Independent.co.uk|date=August 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-summerslam-2018-matches-card-location-date-start-time-predictions-ppv-rumors/|title=WWE SummerSlam 2018 matches, card, start time, location, 2018 date, PPV rumors|work=CBSSports|first1=Jack|last1=Crosby|first2=Adam|last2=Silverstein|access-date=August 19, 2018|date=August 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808140559/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-summerslam-2018-matches-card-location-date-start-time-predictions-ppv-rumors/|archive-date=August 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2003 event was the 16th SummerSlam, and featured wrestlers from the Raw, and SmackDown! brands. It was scheduled to be held on August 24, 2003, at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. It was the first SummerSlam to feature the World Heavyweight Championship, following its establishment for Raw in September 2002 after the WWE Undisputed Championship became exclusive to SmackDown!, and renamed to the WWE Championship.<ref name="2003event">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/venue/ |title=SummerSlam (2003) Venue |work=WWE |access-date=July 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630015620/https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/venue/ |archive-date=June 30, 2007 }}</ref>
===Storylines=== The professional wrestling matches at SummerSlam featured professional wrestlers performing as characters in scripted events pre-determined by the hosting promotion, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm |title=How Pro Wrestling Works |last=Grabianowski |first=Ed |work=HowStuffWorks |publisher=Discovery Communications |access-date=March 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm |archive-date=November 29, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp |title=Live & Televised Entertainment |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122113353/http://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp |archive-date=November 22, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Storylines between the characters were produced on WWE's weekly television shows (''Raw'', and ''SmackDown!'') with the Raw, and SmackDown! brands—storyline divisions in which WWE assigned its independent contractors to different programs.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp|title=WWE to make Raw and SmackDown! distinct TV brands|publisher=WWE|date=March 27, 2002|access-date=April 5, 2012|archive-date=April 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417115226/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp}}</ref>
In the first main event of SummerSlam, wrestlers from the Raw brand competed in an Elimination Chamber match. The match was contested for the World Heavyweight Championship, in which Triple H defended the title against Chris Jericho, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Randy Orton, and Shawn Michaels. The buildup to the match began on July 22, when during the SummerSlam press conference, the Raw co-general manager Eric Bischoff, announced that Triple H would defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Goldberg in a singles match at SummerSlam.<ref name="Raw7.22a">{{cite web|url= http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1059451065.shtml|title=Full WWE RAW Results - 7/28/03 (Shane McMahon returns to confront Kane)|last=Martin|first=Adam|date= July 28, 2003|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Raw7.22b">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_4709.shtml|title=7/28 WWE Raw: Powell's virtual time coverage (hour one)|last=Powell|first=Jason|date= July 28, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref> On the August 4 episode of ''Raw'', Bischoff changed the stipulations of the match to No disqualification regulations. Later during the episode, co-general manager Stone Cold Steve Austin altered Bischoff's announcement, stating that the World Heavyweight Championship would be contested in an Elimination Chamber match, with Triple H defending his title against Goldberg, Jericho, Nash, Orton, and Michaels.<ref name="Raw8.4a">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_4800.shtml|title=Keller's Raw Report 8/4: Ongoing "virtual time" analysis of live show |last=Keller|first=Wade|date=August 4, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Raw8.4b">{{cite web|url=http://raw.wwe.com/results/080403/results.html|title=Big Red Assault on Shane-O Mac|date=August 4, 2003|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031205114124/http://raw.wwe.com/results/080403/results.html|archive-date=December 5, 2003}}</ref> On the August 18 episode of ''Raw'', the rivalry among the six competitors intensified during a promo, in which each participant in the Elimination Chamber discussed the match, and taunted the other wrestlers. During the show's main event, in which Orton wrestled Goldberg, Nash interfered in the match, and attacked Goldberg. Michaels then came down to the ring, but as he was about to hit Triple H with the World Heavyweight Championship belt, Jericho ran into the ring, and hit Michaels with a chair.<ref name="Raw8.18a">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1061266449.shtml|title=Full WWE Raw Results −8/18/03 -Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Nash (Hair vs. Hair)|last=Williams|first=Jeff|date=August 18, 2003|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Raw8.18b">{{cite web|url=http://raw.wwe.com/results/081803/results.html|title=Out of Control|date=August 18, 2003|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031205115544/http://raw.wwe.com/results/081803/results.html|archive-date=December 5, 2003}}</ref>
The second main event resulted from events on the SmackDown! brand. In the match, Kurt Angle defended his WWE Championship against Brock Lesnar. The build-up to the match began on the July 31 episode of ''SmackDown!''. During an interview promotion in the ring, Lesnar challenged Angle to a rematch after Angle won the WWE Championship from him at Vengeance in a triple threat match (also involving Big Show). Vince McMahon decided that Lesnar would have to earn his rematch by competing in a steel cage match against McMahon himself with Angle officiating as a special guest referee.<ref name="SD7.31a">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_4758.shtml|title=7/31 WWE Smackdown review: Angle & Lesnar test their friendship|last=Radican|first= Sean|date=July 31, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="SD7.31b">{{cite web|url=http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/073103/results.html|title=Caged Aggression|date=July 31, 2003|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041022042036/http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/073103/results.html|archive-date=October 22, 2004}}</ref> On the August 7 episode of ''SmackDown!'', the steel cage match resulted in neither wrestler winning the match, after Lesnar attacked Angle, and formed an alliance with McMahon.<ref name="SD8.7a">{{cite web|url=http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/080703/results.html|title=Caged Destruction|date=August 7, 2003|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041009210228/http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/080703/results.html |archive-date=October 9, 2004}}</ref><ref name="SD8.7b">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_4869.shtml|title=8/7 WWE Smackdown review: Radican's reaction to program|last=Radican|first=Sean|date=August 10, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref> On the August 14 episode of ''SmackDown!'', McMahon announced that Angle would defend the WWE Championship against Lesnar at SummerSlam.<ref name="SD8.14a">{{cite web|url=http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/081403/results.html|title=Stephanie Derailed!|date=August 14, 2003|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041022235521/http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/081403/results.html|archive-date=October 22, 2004}}</ref><ref name="SD8.14b">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_4934.shtml|title=8/14 WWE Smackdown review: Steph vs. A-Train headlines|last=Radican|first=Sean|date=August 14, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref>
In a preliminary match involving wrestlers from the Raw brand, Rob Van Dam wrestled Kane under No disqualification regulations. The events leading up to this match began on the June 23 episode of ''Raw'', when Kane took his mask off, and exposed his face in front of Van Dam, and the crowd after he lost to Triple H in a match for the World Heavyweight Championship (which was the stipulation) before chokeslamming Van Dam. On the July 7 episode of ''Raw'', Kane attacked Van Dam backstage.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_4513.shtml|title=7/14 WWE Raw: Powell's virtual time coverage (hour one)|last=Powell|first=Jason|date=July 7, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://raw.wwe.com/results/070703/results.html|title=Time to Move On|date=July 7, 2003|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031205111901/http://raw.wwe.com/results/070703/results.html|archive-date=December 5, 2003}}</ref> On the July 14 episode of ''Raw'', Eric Bischoff granted Van Dam a standard match against Kane,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_4515.shtml|title=7/14 WWE Raw: Powell's virtual time coverage (hour two)|last=Powell|first=Jason|date=July 14, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://raw.wwe.com/results/071403/results.html|title=Kane sets Fire to J.R|date=July 14, 2003|publisher=WWE (Internet Archive)|access-date=July 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204052244/http://raw.wwe.com/results/071403/results.html|archive-date=December 4, 2003}}</ref> which took place on the July 21 episode of ''Raw'', and ended in neither wrestler winning the match.<ref name="Raw7.22a" /><ref name="Raw7.22b"/> On the August 4 episode of ''Raw'', Shane McMahon scheduled a No Disqualification match between Kane, and Van Dam for SummerSlam.<ref name="Raw8.4a"/><ref name="Raw8.4b"/>
In another preliminary match, wrestlers from the SmackDown! brand competed in a fatal four-way match for the WWE United States Championship: Eddie Guerrero defended the title against Chris Benoit, Rhyno, and Tajiri. The buildup to the match began with two different rivalries; one between Guerrero, and Tajiri, and the other between Benoit, and Rhyno. On the August 7 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Guerrero, and Benoit wrestled in a standard match. However, during the match, Rhyno, and Tajiri interfered, resulting in neither wrestler winning the match. Sgt. Slaughter, a WWE official, scheduled a tag team match between Guerrero, and Rhyno, and Benoit, and Tajiri, which Benoit, and Tajiri won.<ref name="SD8.7a"/><ref name="SD8.7b"/> On the August 14 episode of ''SmackDown!'', it was announced that Guerrero would defend the WWE United States Championship against Benoit, Rhyno, and Tajiri at SummerSlam.<ref name="SD8.14a"/><ref name="SD8.14b"/>
==Event== {| class="wikitable" style="float:right; border:1px; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;" ! colspan="2" style="width:250px;"|Other on-screen personnel<ref name="Facts">{{cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/sum03.html|title=SummerSlam (2003) Information|publisher=Hoff Co.|access-date=July 11, 2008|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216213332/http://hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/sum03.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- !Role: !Name: |- |rowspan="4"|English commentators |Jim Ross {{small|(Raw)}} |- |Jerry Lawler {{small|(Raw)}} |- |Michael Cole {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |- |Tazz {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |- |rowspan=2|Spanish commentators |Carlos Cabrera |- |Hugo Savinovich |- |rowspan="2"|Interviewers |Jonathan Coachman |- |Terri Runnels |- |rowspan="2"|Ring announcers |Howard Finkel {{small|(Raw)}} |- |Tony Chimel {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |- |rowspan="8"|Referees |Charles Robinson {{small| (Raw)}} |- |Nick Patrick {{small|(Raw)}} |- |Chad Patton {{small|(Raw)}} |- |Earl Hebner {{small|(Raw)}} |- |Jack Doan {{small|(Raw)}} |- |Mike Chioda {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |- |Brian Hebner {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |- |Mike Sparks {{small|(SmackDown!)}} |}
===Sunday Night Heat=== Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, Matt Hardy faced Zach Gowen on ''Sunday Night Heat''. Gowen, however, was unable to compete due to kayfabe injuries he sustained at the hands of Brock Lesnar on the August 21, 2003 edition of ''SmackDown!''. As a result, Hardy was declared the winner via forfeit.
In the next match, Rey Mysterio faced Shannon Moore for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, in which Mysterio pinned Moore to retain the title after he performed 619.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_5031.shtml|title=8/24 WWE Heat review: Detailed rundown of pre-Summerslam show |last=Giebink|first=Dusty|date=August 24, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref>
===Preliminary matches=== After ''Sunday Night Heat,'' the pay-per-view event began with a tag team match for the World Tag Team Championship. The champions, La Résistance (René Duprée and Sylvain Grenier), defended their titles against The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley). Throughout the match, both teams performed many offensive maneuvers, though The Dudley Boyz were able to gain the upper hand when they executed a 3D on Duprée. As D-Von covered Duprée, Rob Conway, who was disguised as a cameraman, hit D-Von with a camera while the referee was distracted. Duprée then covered D-Von for a successful pinfall to retain the championship.<ref name="WrestleView">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1061780525.shtml|title=Full WWE SummerSlam PPV Results – 8/24/03 – Phoenix, Arizona|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=August 24, 2003|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Slam">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2003/08/25/168663.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626114405/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2003/08/25/168663.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2015|title=Triple H retains at SummerSlam|last=Plummer|first=Dale|author2=Nick Tylwalk |publisher=Canoe: Slam Wrestling|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref>
The following match pitted The Undertaker against A-Train in a standard match. In the early stages, both competitors wrestled inconclusively before The Undertaker gained the advantage. He attempted to lift A-Train for a Tombstone piledriver. A-Train countered it, while in the process, knocking the referee down. He attempted to take advantage of the situation by trying to hit The Undertaker with a steel chair. The Undertaker, however, countered the attack with his boot, causing the chair to hit A-Train in the face. The Undertaker then chokeslammed A-Train, and, since the referee had recuperated, covered his opponent for the pinfall. After the match, Sable tried to seduce The Undertaker, but was grabbed by the throat, and then was attacked by a returning Stephanie McMahon.<ref name="Almanac">{{cite book|title= 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|publisher=Kappa Publishing|edition=Wrestling's Historical Cards|volume=2007|pages=113–114}}</ref>
The third match was Shane McMahon against Eric Bischoff. McMahon, and Bischoff began by brawling on the arena ramp, as Jonathan Coachman appeared from the backstage area, and hit McMahon with a steel chair. Bischoff grabbed a microphone, and announced that the match would be contested under no disqualification, falls count anywhere regulations. Coachman, and Bischoff performed double-team attacks on McMahon until Stone Cold Steve Austin interfered by performing a Stone Cold Stunner on Coachman, and Bischoff. After Austin's interference, McMahon positioned Bischoff on the spanish television commentators' table, performed a Leap of Faith onto Bischoff's chest, thereby breaking the table, and covered Bischoff for the pinfall.<ref name="WrestleView"/><ref name="PWTorch">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_5029.shtml|title=8/24 WWE SummerSlam PPV: Ongoing "virtual time" results of live event|author-link=Wade Keller|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=August 24, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 6, 2008}}</ref>
The next match was a Fatal 4-Way match for the WWE United States Championship; Eddie Guerrero defended the title against Chris Benoit, Rhyno, and Tajiri. The match began with Guerrero wrestling with Tajiri, while Benoit wrestled with Rhyno. During the encounter, Guerrero applied a Lasso From El Passo on Tajiri, while Benoit employed a Crippler Crossface on Rhyno. Afterwards, Tajiri applied a Tarantula on Benoit. The hold distracted the referee, which allowed Guerrero to hit Rhyno with the United States Championship belt. Tajiri then attempted to hit Benoit with a Buzzsaw Kick, but Benoit countered the maneuver by lifting, and sitting Tajiri onto his shoulders. Tajiri, however, countered by tossing both himself, and Benoit over the top rope onto the arena floor. Capitalizing on the situation, Guerrero then performed a Frog splash on Rhyno, after which he scored the pinfall, thus retaining the WWE United States Championship.<ref name="Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/results/ |title=SummerSlam (2003) Results |publisher=WWE |access-date=July 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619060949/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=June 19, 2007 }}</ref>
===Main event matches=== The fifth match was a match for the WWE Championship, in which Kurt Angle defended the title against Brock Lesnar. At the beginning of the match, Lesnar tried to walk away from the ring, but Angle brought him back. There, Angle performed many offensive maneuvers, including a DDT, and the Angle Slam. He then applied an ankle lock on Lesnar. During this tussle, Lesnar countered the hold, but knocked down the referee. Angle applied a guillotine choke on Lesnar, which brought Lesnar down onto his knees, and allowed Angle to perform another ankle lock. Mr. McMahon interfered, came into the ring, and hit Angle's back with a steel chair to break the submission hold. Because the referee was incapacitated, Lesnar was not disqualified for the interference. Afterwards, Lesnar twice attempted to lift Angle onto his shoulders for an F-5. During the second attempt, however, Angle countered the throw into another ankle lock, which forced Lesnar to tap out. As a result, Angle retained the WWE Championship. After the match, Angle slammed McMahon through a chair.<ref name="Slam" /><ref name="Main events">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/mainevent/ |title=SummerSlam (2003): The Main Events |publisher=WWE |access-date=July 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620181530/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/mainevent/ |archive-date=June 20, 2007 }}</ref>
In the sixth match, Kane faced Rob Van Dam in a No Holds Barred match. Both wrestlers used the steel folding ladder to their advantage early in the match. After Kane used the ladder on Van Dam, he attempted to hit Van Dam with a flying clothesline. However, Van Dam moved out of the way, and Kane landed on the arena barricade. Van Dam performed a variation of a rolling thunder on Kane, using a steel folding chair. Following this, Van Dam attempted to hit Kane with a Van Daminator with the steel chair, but Kane rolled out of the ring to avoid the attack. Van Dam then attempted an aerial technique from inside the ring towards Kane, but Kane caught Van Dam in mid-air, and executed an Tombstone Piledriver on the steel ring steps, after which he covered Van Dam for the pinfall to win the match.<ref name="Results" />
left|thumb|The Elimination Chamber structure The main event was the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship, in which Triple H defended the title against Chris Jericho, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Randy Orton, and Shawn Michaels. The match began with Jericho, and Michaels in the ring, while Goldberg, Nash, Orton, and Triple H were locked in the chambers. Michaels, and Jericho wrestled, with neither of them gaining the advantage over the other. Orton, and Nash were the third, and fourth entrants into the match, respectively. Nash was the first wrestler eliminated from the match after Michaels executed a Sweet Chin Music, and Jericho covered him for a pinfall. Triple H, and Goldberg were the fifth, and sixth entrants. Michaels performed another Sweet Chin Music on Triple H as soon as he exited his chamber, and as a result, Triple H was knocked back into his chamber. As soon as Goldberg entered the match, he performed a spear for a pinfall to eliminate Orton. Next, Goldberg performed a Jackhammer on both Michaels, and Jericho, at one point spearing Jericho through a chamber pod, eliminating both via pinfall. This left Goldberg alone with himself, and Triple H, who, at the time, had remained inside the chamber. Goldberg broke through the glass of his chamber, and in the process, dragged him out of the chamber. Ric Flair, who was managing both Triple H, and Orton, then handed Triple H a sledgehammer. Goldberg attempted another spear on Triple H, who countered the maneuver by hitting Goldberg in the head with the sledgehammer, and covered him for the pinfall, thus retaining the World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Triple H, Orton, and Flair launched a vicious 3-on-1 beatdown on Goldberg, ending with Triple H busting Goldberg open by repeatedly hitting him with his sledgehammer before yelling ''"this is as close as you will ever get to my title!"'' whilst holding the World Heavyweight Championship up to Goldberg's face.<ref name="Slam" /><ref name="Main events" />
==Reception== The America West Arena has a maximum capacity of 19,000, but that was reduced for SummerSlam 2003. The event grossed over US$715,000 in ticket sales from an attendance of 16,113, the maximum allowed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usairwayscenter.com/public/2006-2007%20Suns%20Seating%20Season.pdf |title=U.S. Airways Center Seating Chart (Basketball) |publisher=U.S. Airways Center |access-date=July 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302134018/http://www.usairwayscenter.com/public/2006-2007%20Suns%20Seating%20Season.pdf |archive-date=March 2, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buyselltix.com/nba/stadium/sunsStadium.php |title=U.S. Airways Arena |publisher=BuySellTix |access-date=July 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515161211/http://www.buyselltix.com/nba/stadium/sunsStadium.php |archive-date=May 15, 2008 }}</ref> This was later confirmed by Linda McMahon, WWE CEO, in a press release on August 26, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-858117_ITM|title=Q1 2004 World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. Earnings Conference Call – Final.|date=August 26, 2003|quote=It is hot in Phoenix. For any of you who may not be located here I think for SummerSlam not only did we have a hot event in the arena, but it was 116 degrees outside. But we had a sold out event with very, very enthusiastic fans cheering throughout the early evening and night and they even stood outside in the parking lot in that heat for about 3 or 4 hours in the afternoon. So it's good to see that kind of enthusiasm for our product.|publisher=Access Library|access-date=July 21, 2008}}</ref> The event resulted in 415,000 pay-per-view buys (a 0.88 pay-per-view buyrate). The promotion's pay-per-view revenue was $24.7 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2004/docs/2Q_2005_Press_Release_final.pdf |title=World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Reports Q2 Results |date=November 23, 2004 |publisher=WWE |access-date=July 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516080849/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2004/docs/2Q_2005_Press_Release_final.pdf |archive-date=May 16, 2008 }}</ref>
Canadian Online Explorer's professional wrestling section rated the entire event a 7 out of 10 stars.<ref name="Slam" /> The rating was higher than the SummerSlam event in 2004, which was rated a 5 out of 10 stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/08/16/585826.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712192437/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/08/16/585826.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2015|title=Orton-Benoit-Guerrero-Angle save SummerSlam|last=Clevett|first=Jason|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 20, 2008}}</ref> The Elimination Chamber main event match from the Raw brand was rated an 9.6 out of 10 stars. The SmackDown! brand's main event, a standard match for the WWE Championship, was rated a 9 out of 10 stars, a lower reception than the Raw brand's main event.<ref name="Slam"/> Wade Keller reviewed the event for the ''Pro Wrestling Torch''. He rated the Angle-Lesnar match 4-and-a-half out of 5 stars, declaring it an "excellent match".<ref name="Keller">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_43047.shtml|title=WWE SumerSlam Flashback Series – 2003 Report: Triple H wins Elimination Chamber over big names, Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar|date=August 11, 2010|last=Keller|first=Wade|author-link=Wade Keller|access-date=September 8, 2013|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The Elimination Chamber match received a rating of 3 stars.<ref name="Keller"/> The event was released on DVD on September 23rd, 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fye.com/WWE--Summer-Slam-2003-WWE_stcVVproductId2428911VVcatId515097VVviewprod.htm |title=WWE SummerSlam DVD at F.Y.E |publisher=For Your Entertainment |access-date=July 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417000130/http://www.fye.com/WWE--Summer-Slam-2003-WWE_stcVVproductId2428911VVcatId515097VVviewprod.htm |archive-date=April 17, 2008 }}</ref> by Sony Music Entertainment.
==Aftermath== During an episode of ''Raw'' after SummerSlam, Goldberg challenged Triple H to another match for the World Heavyweight Championship. This match took place at the Unforgiven pay-per-view on September 21, 2003, with a stipulation that, should he lose, Goldberg would retire from WWE.<ref name="Raw8.25b">{{cite web|url=http://raw.wwe.com/results/082503/results.html |title=Burn in Hell|publisher=WWE (Internet Archive)|access-date=July 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204052244/http://raw.wwe.com/results/082503/results.html|archive-date=December 4, 2003}}</ref><ref name="Raw9.8a">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1063082079.shtml|title=Full WWE Raw Results – 9/08/03 – Huntsville, AL (Kane vs. RVD in a cage)|last=Lyle|first=Stephanie|date=September 8, 2003|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=July 10, 2008}}</ref> Goldberg defeated Triple H to become the new champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2003/mainevent/ |title=Triple H vs. Goldberg for the World Heavyweight Championship |publisher=WWE |access-date=July 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222160552/http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2003/mainevent/ |archive-date=December 22, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2003/results/ |title=Unforgiven 2003 Results |publisher=WWE |access-date=July 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331203746/http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008 }}</ref> After SummerSlam, Kurt Angle focused his attention on The Undertaker, whom he wrestled in a match for the WWE Championship during an episode of ''SmackDown!'' on September 4, 2003. During the match, Lesnar attacked both wrestlers with a folding chair,<ref name="SD9.4a">{{cite web|url=http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/090403/results.html|title=Vince unlocks a monster|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603055059/http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/090403/results.html|archive-date=June 3, 2004}}</ref><ref name="SD9.4b">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1062736326.shtml|title=Full WWE SmackDown Results – 9/4/03 ('Taker/Angle for WWE Title, more)|last=Sicilliano|first=Mike|date=September 5, 2003|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> leading to an Iron Man match between Angle, and Lesnar. Lesnar won five falls during the match, while Angle won four, and as a result, Lesnar won the title.<ref name="SD9.18a">{{cite web|url=http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/091803/results.html|title=Brock tops Kurt|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040701041730/http://smackdown.wwe.com/results/091803/results.html |archive-date=July 1, 2004}}</ref><ref name="SD9.18b">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1063942068.shtml|title=Full WWE SmackDown Results – 9/18/03 – Raleigh, NC (New WWE champion)|last=Sicilliano|first=Mike|date=September 18, 2003|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref>
The rivalry between Kane, and Rob Van Dam was stopped, as Kane engaged in a feud against Shane McMahon. In a scenario on the August 25, 2003 episode of ''Raw'', Kane attempted to throw McMahon into a dumpster that was set on fire, but McMahon avoided it, and threw Kane into the dumpster.<ref name="Raw8.25b"/> On September 8, 2003, during an episode of ''Raw'', Eric Bischoff scheduled a Last Man Standing match between Kane, and McMahon for Unforgiven.<ref name="Raw9.8a"/> In that match, Kane defeated McMahon after McMahon was unable to respond to a ten count.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_5379.shtml|title=9/21 WWE Unforgiven PPV results: Keller's "virtual time" results of live event|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=September 21, 2003|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/news/1064199479.shtml|title=Full WWE Unforgiven (RAW) PPV Results – 9/21/03 – Hershey, Pennsylvania|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=September 21, 2003|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> After SummerSlam, Eddie Guerrero began a rivalry with John Cena over the WWE United States Championship. Guerrero retained the championship in two title defenses that took place on ''SmackDown!''.<ref name="SD9.4b"/><ref name="SD8.28a">{{cite web|url=https://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_5095.shtml|title=8/28 WWE Smackdown review: Radican's detailed report on show|last=Radican|first=Sean|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> Guerrero then engaged in a feud with Big Show. At No Mercy, Big Show defeated Guerrero via pinfall to win the WWE United States Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1066618308.shtml|title=Full WWE No Mercy (SmackDown) PPV Results – 10/19/03 – Baltimore, MD|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=October 19, 2003|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2003/results/ |title=WWE No Mercy Results |publisher=WWE |access-date=July 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210125038/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2003/results/ |archive-date=December 10, 2008 }}</ref>
==Results== {{Pro Wrestling results table |results = <ref name="Slam" /><ref name="Almanac" /> |times = <ref name="Facts"/> |note1 = heat |match1 = Rey Mysterio (c) defeated Shannon Moore |stip1 = Singles match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship |time1 = 2:03 |match2 = La Résistance (René Duprée and Sylvain Grenier) (c) (with Rob Conway) defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) (with Spike Dudley) |stip2 = Tag team match for the World Tag Team Championship |time2 = 7:51 |match3 = The Undertaker defeated A-Train (with Sable) |stip3 = Singles match |time3 = 9:20 |match4 = Shane McMahon defeated Eric Bischoff |stip4 = Falls Count Anywhere match |time4 = 10:36 |match5 = Eddie Guerrero (c) defeated Chris Benoit, Rhyno, and Tajiri |stip5 = Fatal 4-Way match for the WWE United States Championship |time5 = 10:50 |match6 = Kurt Angle (c) defeated Brock Lesnar by submission |stip6 = Singles match for the WWE Championship |time6 = 20:47 |match7 = Kane defeated Rob Van Dam |stip7 = No Holds Barred match |time7 = 12:45 |match8 = Triple H (c) (with Ric Flair) defeated Goldberg, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, and Kevin Nash |stip8 = Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship |time8 = 19:15 }}
===Elimination Chamber entrances and eliminations=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Eliminated !Wrestler !Entered !Eliminated by !Method !Time |- |{{sort|01|1}} |Kevin Nash |4 |Chris Jericho |rowspan=5|Pinfall |8:05 |- |{{sort|02|2}} |Randy Orton |3 |rowspan=3|Goldberg |13:01 |- |{{sort|03|3}} |Shawn Michaels |1 |15:21 |- |{{sort|04|4}} |Chris Jericho |2 |16:05 |- |{{sort|05|5}} |Goldberg |6 |Triple H |rowspan=2|19:15 |- |{{sort|06|'''Winner'''}} |'''Triple H (c)''' |5 | colspan="2" | |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Spoken Wikipedia|date=August 26, 2008|SummerSlam2003 Intro 12 260808.ogg|SummerSlam2003 34 260808.ogg|SummerSlam2003 56 260808.ogg}} * {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20110605011917/https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2003/}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828202116/https://www.insidearenas.com/western/USAirwaysCenter.htm Inside the U.S. Airways Arena (America West Arena)]
{{2003 WWE pay-per-view events}} {{WWEPPV|SummerSlam}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Summerslam 2003}} Category:2000s in Phoenix, Arizona 2003 Category:2003 in Arizona Category:Professional wrestling shows in Phoenix, Arizona Category:2003 WWE pay-per-view events Category:August 2003 in the United States