Gimmick Some (Wrestlemania) Lovin': Double Pneumonia, Double Titles

The Match

Three of the best technicians the turn of the millennium had to offer in the ring at the same time. What could possibly be wrong with that?

This is a difficult match to write about. By and large, triple threat matches tend to be difficult to invest in emotionally, since it's harder to build a three-way narrative as opposed to a one-on-one narrative; there are some obvious exceptions, but most triple threats end up feeling a bit like a cop-out instead of allowing a single feud to shine.

Further, it's hard to know when a move, a moment, or an advantage truly matters; there are lots of great and memorable moves in this particular match, but it's hard to feel anything because the moves don't build on each other. They can't, after all, because the nature of triple threat matches tend to see most big moves followed by a reshuffling of the deck and a new pairing-off.

To be fair, there are lots of great moments in this match, but the sum is, unfortunately, not a great match. Early on, Angle and Benoit fought on the ring apron, allowing Jericho to perform his triangle springboard dropkick, but adding the twist of knocking the Canadian Crippler into the Olympian in a fun spot. Later, Angle had locked in his now-former mentor's Crossface Chickenwing on Jericho and, just before Jericho's arm could fall a third time and signal a submission, Benoit nailed Angle with a low dropkick to the face.

Moments later, a Benoit flying headbutt put Jericho down for three, making Benoit the Intercontinental Champion and exposing one of the flaws of this match: Benoit's music plays for roughly two seconds, and Benoit has no opportunity to celebrate his first WWF championship, nor any fanfare.

There's a small, but brilliant, heel moment where Benoit remembers that the match is still going, and attempts a second pin on Jericho to capture both belts, but Angle keeps that from happening.

Always one of the most impressive moves in The Man of 1,004 Holds's arsenal, alongside the double powerbomb (which also makes an appearance in this match).

There's a fun technical section, featuring a series of suplexes like Benoit's rolling Germans and a dragon suplex (which Jim Ross somehow calls a German Suplex). Angle works in his missed moonsault spot after a top-rope back suplex from Benoit to Jericho, and Jericho knocks referee Tim White out cold with a flying forearm aimed at a ducking Crippler.

Benoit would then lock in the Crippler Crossface, and Jericho taps almost immediately; Benoit goes to check on the referee, allowing Jericho to recover and lock in the Lion Tamer (no Walls of Jericho here; we get the elevated bend and the knee to Benoit's back). Angle, though, takes advantage of the downed official to clock Jericho with the Intercontinental Title, covering for a two count (broken up by Benoit).

The ending sequence, more than a little bit out of nowhere, comes when Benoit attempts another diving headbutt, this time to Angle; Angle would roll out of the way, unable to fully stand up, allowing Jericho to springboard off the second rope for the Lionsault. Though Angle is still very close by, the Lionsault gets three for Y2J, leaving Angle shocked and beltless, having lost all of his non-Olympic gold without actually losing.

It's easy to forget, based on the television presentation, that another man won a more storied title in this match.

Herein lies another of the match's flaws: Jericho has just won the lesser title, but he won last, so his music is playing. Benoit has won the more major singles championship, but won it about six minutes prior and is now getting the gold in hand for the first time (and, again, while another man's music plays). Benoit attempts to bask in his first Wrestlemania victory but is easily overshadowed by the flashier Jericho, whom the cameras (and the crowd) all follow.