WWE United States Championship Tournament – 2003

June 17 – July 27, 2003

– Quarter-Finals

San Antonio, TX – SBC Center – June 17, 2003
Smackdown! – 6/19/03:
Chris Benoit defeated Rhyno via submission with the Crippler Crossface after avoiding a clothesline from his opponent; prior to the bout, both men assumed they were brought out to work a tag team match but Stephanie McMahon announced that they would be facing each other in the tournament; after the bout, Benoit attempted to help Rhyno to his feet but Rhyno took exception to that and seemed to hold hard feelings for the loss New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – June 24, 2003
Smackdown!:
Matt Hardy pinned Rikishi with the Twist of Fate after Rikishi missed a splash in the corner, hitting an unprotected turnbuckle back-first Rochester, NY – Blue Cross Arena – July 1, 2003
Smackdown!:
Billy Gunn (w/ Torrie Wilson) pinned John Cena with a roll up after Cena became distracted by the Undertaker at ringside Toronto, Ontario – Air Canada Centre – July 8, 2003
Smackdown!:
Eddie Guerrero pinned the Ultimo Dragon at 3:24 after avoiding an Asai moonsault and using an inside cradle and handful of tights

– Semi-Finals

Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena – July 13, 2003 (matinee)
Smackdown! – 7/17/03:
Chris Benoit defeated Matt Hardy (w/ Shannon Moore) via submission with the Crippler Crossface at 7:27 Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena – July 13, 2003 (matinee)
Smackdown! – 7/17/03:
Eddie Guerrero pinned Billy Gunn (w/ Torrie Wilson) at 8:28 after hitting Gunn with a chair that was brought ringside by Jamie Knoble

– Finals

Vengeance 03 (Smackdown!) – Denver, CO – Pepsi Arena – July 27, 2003
Eddie Guerrero pinned Chris Benoit at 22:12 with the Frog Splash after Rhyno interfered, hit the Gore on Benoit, and then spat on him as referee Mike Chioda was knocked out