2) Triple H vs Steve Austin (No Way Out 2001)
Steve Austin needed a stopgap opponent before he walked into WrestleMania 17. He was given someone with whom he had a history, and a very personal history at best. Triple H and Austin were carbon copies of one another in the ring, and such a wide contrast outside of the squared circle. When they fought, the world took notice, and the world was watching when they tore the house down at No Way Out 2001.
There was nothing fancy about this 3 Stages of Hell match. It was two wrestlers whose hatred ran deep, trying to tear the other one apart. The brawling was spot on in the contest and was a perfect example of why the Attitude Era was great. It was violent and brutal, everything a fan wants to see when the 3 Stages of Hell rears its head.
This was an incredible journey that ended in a genuine shock when Triple H scored the final pinfall. Austin was on his way to main event at WrestleMania and was the logical choice to score the victory. WWE pulled off the delightful swerve of having Triple H and creating more buzz around both men as they entered the Grandest Stage.
