Ray

That match didn't need a clean finish to be great. ;-) Actually I don't know how a clean finish would've made it better, since everything Austin was doing there was leading to a DQ. The whole point is Austin is a cunning, evil bastard who wants to beat the life out of Angle, but when push comes to shove he'll do whatever it takes to keep his title. Thus when Angle survives everything Austin throws at him (including three stunners), Austin gets himself DQ'ed, knowing he'll keep his belt. It's fine storytelling if you ask me. ;-) It's also the first match in the feud, so what good would it do to have Austin beat Angle clean? If anything the finish gives Angle reason for a rematch. I agree with Rob Edwards, who said it should've led to a no-DQ blowoff match where Angle finally wins after being screwed by Austin time after time.

Indeed. This reminds me of Austin's matches with Benoit (5/31/01) and Angle (Summerslam 2001) where I thought he made them look like gold without actually losing. IIRC, he said something along the lines of Jericho being too "flippy-floppy" for his tastes. ;-)

If it's best match worldwide from 2000-2005 mine would be Kobashi vs. Akiyama from NOAH 7/10/04. From WWF/E Austin vs. Rock, Wrestlemania 17.

Austin/Angle vs Rock/Jericho from Smackdown before Survivor Series. Ridiculously underrated. Jericho's hope spots as the FIP are great, heel work from Austin and Angle is great, and Rock's hot tag was insane. No finish, but they're heading into the big Survivor Series tag so it's understandable. Plus they have a dozen guys run in and hit finishers and the crowd goes nuts. Austin vs Benoit from Smackdown 2/15/01. Only nine minutes long but good while it lasts. Sort of a counterpoint to their 11/20/00 match, which had Austin trying to play Benoit's game (wrestling) whereas this had Benoit tyring to play Austin's game (brawling).