From the Bowery: WrestleMania XXVI

From the Bowery: WrestleMania XXVI
-March 28, 2010
-University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ

-I am writing this review the day before RAW takes place in Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena for the final time. Sadly due to work, I won’t be attending this historic event. With that said, I figured I would share a few memories and words about the Igloo and my wrestling experiences in the old building. In total I have attended 14 WWE shows in that arena and have seen some of the more memorable moments in WWE history. As a child I was a huge Hogan fan and my step dad took me to my very first show at Mellon. It was a house show, but I didn’t know what that meant. All I know is I got to see my hero Hulk Hogan defeat Earthquake. For reasons I still can’t fathom I didn’t attend any shows when I was in high school and instead watched Shawn/Razor Ladder Match II and Foley/Taker Hell in a Cell. I still kick myself about not getting a ticket to the latter. My first show as a jaded internet fan was in 2001 and it was the SmackDown when Kurt Angle won the WCW Title from Booker T in his hometown. I thought I was part of history as I had seen a World Title change hands for the first time. I would be there in attendance 6 weeks later when Angle won the WWF Title from Steve Austin in the first PPV (Unforgiven 2001) post 9/11. That may have been the most emotional show I’ve ever seen. In 2002 I got floor seats to SmackDown and saw my hero Hulk Hogan defend his Undisputed WWE against Chris Jericho in a match that I thought I would never see. The following year came SmackDown again and this time we got the infamous Angle/Lesnar match where Kurt swapped out with his brother to screw Lesnar. I was furious at this because they promised Lesnar/Angle and while I knew Kurt was injured I thought we may get Benoit or someone else winning the title and taking Angle’s spot at Mania. It wasn’t until later that I learned Angle is a crazy bastard and decided to go through with the Mania match and this was the E’s solution to getting out of the SmackDown match. I finally got to attend RAW a year later and that was the Benoit/HHH Iron Man Match for the World Title and also the battle royal that had Orton go over to become the #1 contender to Benoit’s title. Another RAW came a year later and here we got a verbal showdown between Hogan and Shawn in another moment I thought I would never see. A year later ECW was being rebuilt and RAW headed into Mellon 6 days before One Night Stand. On this RAW Cena got his ass handed to him by RVD and his ECW pals including Sabu nearly killing himself. Later that winter Rated RKO bloodied Ric Flair in Mellon Arena to get at DX during their feud. Edge would figure in the next 2 shows to hit Mellon as he cashed in his newly won MITB contract (that he won a day earlier from Kennedy) and won the World Title from the Undertaker. I came into that show knowing Edge was walking out the champ and it was something I was waiting for all night. I started a We Want Edge chant and a little kid told me that Edge was on RAW and wasn’t going to be there. That little kid’s mind was blown when Edge’s music hit and he cashed in on a defenseless Undertaker. The best part was a teenager dressed as Taker started crying and yelling that I sucked as I marked out like crazy over the title change. Armageddon 2007 took place in December at the Igloo and again Edge walked out as Champion in a Triple Threat match that included Batista and Taker. The last 2 shows I saw in Mellon were a SmackDown just before SummerSlam 2008 and finally last fall we got our final PPV: Bragging Rights. That show gave Mellon its’ second Iron Man Match with Cena and Orton doing battle for the WWE Title. Clearly, the Igloo has seen its’ share of memorable WWE moments, and I am proud to say that I was part of a lot of those moments. The new building will probably get us bigger and better shows (Royal Rumble please!), but it will have a lot of work if it wants to catch Mellon in terms of memorable moments. And while this is the last WWE show in the building here’s hoping the Pens can give us some more memories before the doors are closed for good (Editorial Note: Bret may have put Montreal behind him, but now I have a reason to hate the city and it’s hockey team.)

-One other thing as I plug my friend’s wrestling blogcast. They are good people and while you may not agree with everything they say, it’s always a fun show: www.blogtalkradio.com/beautiful-ben

Now back to your regularly scheduled review:

-For the second straight year I opted to buy another WrestleMania package in the summer of 2009. My goal was always to attend WrestleMania at least once and I did that with WM XXV. Then they announced Arizona as the host for XXXVI and I was immediately sold on the idea. For some reason I have always wanted to visit Arizona, and this was my best chance. Needless to say I found that I enjoyed myself a lot more in the Valley of the Sun than I did in Houston. That’s not to be a slight to Houston as it was great, but Phoenix (and the resort we stayed) were like a different world than the concrete and steel surroundings of Houston. WrestleMania XXV was all about the fact I was at WrestleMania while XXVI was about the city of Phoenix just as much as it was about the wrestling. Since I was at the show live, I didn’t get a chance to see the PPV broadcast until now. I’ve heard that I made my on-screen debut during the MITB ladder match, so we shall see.

Announce Team: Michael Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Matt Striker

-Fantasia (American Idol Winner) gets the honor of singing “America the Beautiful.”

-Normal, epic WrestleMania opening video package. This one didn’t get me as pumped as the one at WM XXV, but still great stuff as always from the WWE production guys.

Unified WWE Tag Team Championship: ShowMiz © vs. R-Truth and John Morrison

-This would be the 1st time the Tag Titles have been defended on the PPV broadcast of WrestleMania since WrestleMania 22. Coincidentally Big Show was ½ of the reigning tag champions at that time as well. The Miz comes into this match as the reigning United States Champion as well. That title has not been defended at WrestleMania since 23. Former Tag Champions explode as Miz and Morrison get things started. Morrison gets a quick near fall before a slam sets up a double team that ends with Truth coming off the top rope with a leg drop. Truth hits a leg kick, and Miz makes the tag to Show. Truth rightly shits his pants and has nothing for Show. A sweet fall away slam leaves Truth lying. Show knocks Morrison off the apron and looks for a Vader Bomb, but Morrison hits a kick that sends Show crashing off the middle turnbuckle. That gets a two count for Truth, and each man ends up making the tag. Morrison unloads on Miz and hits a flapjack. A corner charge ends with Miz trying to get a roll-up, but Morrison rolls through and hits a running knee. He looks for Starship Pain, but Show pulls Miz out of harm’s way. Truth tries to slingshot onto Show, but that proves stupid as he gets caught and rammed back first into the ring post. Miz looks for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Morrison counters to a roll-up for two. Show makes a blind tag and hits the KO Punch as Morrison tries to spring off the middle ropes. That’s enough to finish at 3:23.

Winners and Still Unified WWE Tag Champions: ShowMiz via Big Show pin on Morrison at 3:23
-The entrances clocked in at 3:54 and the match was 21 seconds shorter. That’s pretty pathetic especially when this had a chance to be a solid tag match. Still, for the time they got, they did all they could, and I won’t fault the work involved. *1/2

-Video package covering all the events of WrestleMania weekend. Personal note Fan Axxess wasn’t as awesome this year mainly because it was just about the same as it was the previous year. Still a good time though.

Cody Rhodes vs. Ted Dibiase vs. Randy Orton

-The man who helped close Mania the year before is involved in the second match of the card. Damn! The crazy thing is Orton is more over with the crowd this year than he was as the Main Event guy in Houston a year earlier. I made a comment to my friend that this match reminded me of when Angle wrestled Eugene for his Gold Medal at SummerSlam and it was so clear that Angle far and above on a different level than Eugene. Well, the same can be said for Orton in this match as nobody believed for a second Rhodes and Dibiase had a chance. The rules have this being every man for himself, but it starts as a handicap match as Orton is at a disadvantage. Orton plays minds games to start and gets things is able to fend off both men before the numbers game finally catches up to him. Orton and Rhodes take turns stomping the piss out of Randy and follow that with heavy blows to the back. The crowd starts to get restless with the lack of offense from Orton and try to rally him, but doesn’t help. A double team suplex keeps Orton down and that gives Rhodes and Orton a chance to play to the crowd. Orton gets backed into the corner and the ass kicking continues there. Orton gets whipped into the opposite corner and starts to fight back, but Dibiase follows behind with a running clothesline. Rhodes chops Orton’s leg while Orton delivers to clothesline to continue the onslaught. Dibiase goes for the cover and that draws the ire of Rhodes. Things take a turn as they start to fight with each other, and Rhodes tosses Dibiase to the floor. A huge Alabama Slam gets a pin attempt for Rhodes, but Dibiase makes the save. Dibiase and Rhodes start to fight with each, but they stop once they seen Orton is back to his feet. They turn their attention back to Orton, and Dibiase ends up eating a backdrop to the floor. Each man ends up taking a powerslam, and the crowd starts chanting for the RKO. Orton sets, but Dibiase pulls him to the floor. Rhodes comes over the top with a slingshot crossbody, but Orton moves and Dibiase ends up taking the move. Orton preps Dibiase for the rope assisted ddt, but Rhodes gets involved. No problem there though as Orton drops them both with the rope assisted ddt. Orton stalks Rhodes and gets a huge ovation from the crowd as he readies for the punt kick, and it connects flush. Dibiase comes from behind and looks for Dream Street, but Orton counters to the RKO and that gets the pin on Dibiase at 9:02.

Winner: Randy Orton via pin on Dibiase at 9:02
-Again, nobody really bought Dibiase or Rhodes on Orton’s level, and obviously the WWE didn’t either. The crowd popped huge for anything Orton did in this match, and Orton winning was the right call. With Legacy gone, it will be interesting to see how things turn out for Rhodes and Dibiase. The match itself was fine, and the crowd got what they wanted. **

-Matthews interviews Team Vicki and Jillian sings “Simply the Best.” That brings out Santino who promotes Slim Jim, and wackiness ensues as Jillian turns into Mae Young and then into Mean Gene Okerlund in drag and finally Melina.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Christian vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Evan Bourne vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy vs.MVP

-Striker comments that Shelton has competed in every single MITB Ladder Match, and that isn’t the case as he missed out on the WrestleMania 23 version. McIntyre comes into the match as the reigning Intercontinental Champion. Just as trivia here is how many MITB Ladder Matches each man has competed in including this match: Christian (3), Dolph (1), Kane (3), Drew (1), Shelton (5), Bourne (1), Kofi (2), Swagger (1), Hardy (3), and MVP (3). This match is already the Greatest Match in the History of our Sport for the simple fact that I get on camera for the first time and thus make my WrestleMania PPV debut. Seriously, I am half tempted to give this match ***** for that fact alone. This should prove fun to recap with 10 guys in this thing. Mass chaos to start as everyone starts hitting everyone else. Some bail to the floor and others wait for a ladder to be brought to them. Drew climbs first and gets pulled down by Hardy. He eats a twist of fate for his trouble and now everyone starts trying to race up the ladder with Bourne getting the closest. He gets stopped by Kane and choke slammed over the top onto Shelton. Swagger and Hardy fight on top of the ladder and Kofi knocks the ladder over sending them both crashing down (and it hurts inside). Christian enters the fray and monkey flips Kofi onto a ladder that was resting in the corner. Nice! Christian starts to climb, but Dolph brings him down with the Zig-Zag in a nice spot. That gives Dolph an opening, but MVP just yanks him off the ladder. That’s pretty effective. Shelton, Kofi, and MVP gang up on Kane and Kofi tries to run up a ladder to hit Kane, but screws up the spot. They cover ok though as it ends the way it was intended and that’s with Kofi getting powerbombed onto a ladder. MVP hits the Kawada Kick on Kane to send him to the floor and Shelton comes up from behind to take MVP out with Pay Dirt. Drew looks to enter, but MVP dropkicks a ladder into his face. That gives Shelton a chance to climb, but Swagger breaks things up by using another ladder as his weapon of choice. He takes MVP out as well, but Bourne comes flying off the top with a flying knee. Bourne works on Swagger as Hardy and Christian bring two other ladders into the ring. Swagger ends up getting sandwiched between two ladders and the other 3 men starts to climb. Swagger pulls a ladder out from Hardy and that sends him crashing. Christian looks to hit the Killswitch off the ladder, but Bourne sends him to the mat. That gives Bourne a chance to hit Airborne off a ladder that was bridged on the top rope. Holy Hell! Evan heads up, but gets caught by Hardy and they battle before Hardy hip tosses him off the ladder in rather impressive fashion. Damn! Hardy looks for the case, but Swagger flips him off the ladder and Hardy ends up landing on the bridged ladder in a nasty looking spot. MVP and Shelton callback to a spot the previous year when Shelton powerbombed MVP to the floor as this time MVP looks for the powerbomb, but Shelton hangs out and pulls both men to the floor. Kane uses a ladder to abuse everyone on the outside and heads back into the ring with Dolph. Ziggler climbs over Kane to get up the ladder, but can’t retrieve the case as he gets sent crashing onto the top rope. Kofi eats a boot and Kane continues his dominance by choke slamming Dolph onto a ladder. Kane breaks a ladder while abusing Dolph, but can’t capitalize as Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise. Kofi shows awesome creativity as he uses the 2 pieces off the broken ladder as stilts and makes his way up to retrieve the case. Drew returns though to ruin the fun and the crowd is groaning over the prospects of him winning this match. Hardy makes the save and Drew ends up getting crotched on the top rope after getting knocked off the ladder. Hardy gets his hands on the case, but has to feign struggling so that Christian can use another ladder to get to him. That definitely looked a little silly. Christian and Hardy do battle on the ladders and it ends badly for Matt as Christian brings him down with a Scorpion Death Drop. Christian heads back up, but Swagger meets him up top and they start slugging it out. Swagger gets smart and uses the case to his advantage as he hits Christian in the face to send him flying below to the canvas. That gives Swagger the opportunity and he retrieves the case with little trouble (because this DVD has cut out the awkward moments where he couldn’t unhook the damn thing) at 13:44.

Winner: Jack Swagger via briefcase retrieval at 13:44
-Again, this is becoming a hard match to screw up and while it is getting harder and harder to show new things, this match always entertains. Swagger winning was a shock, but might as well pull the trigger on the guy. I was kind of pissed at the lack of Shelton trying to kill himself like in previous years, but perhaps that was by design since he’s been released by the E. Overall this was a worthy edition to the MITB series. ***1/2

-The Hall of Fame: Class of 2010 gets introduced to the crowd by Howard Finkel (continuing his streak of appearing on camera at every WrestleMania). This year’s class: Stu Hart, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase, Gorgeous George, Bob Uecker, Wendi Richter, Antonio Inoki, Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon.

-Personal Note: The Hall of Fame seemed more energetic this year and that may be due to the setting. Personally, I liked the smaller Dodge Theater setting over the arena setting that was used in Houston the previous year. Vachon’s speech was kind of sad as he had to be helped along and kept on track by Patterson. Uecker was hilarious and came off as someone that had a deep respect for pro wrestling. Dibiase was awesome and things got crazy when money started to rain from the ceiling. The bills just kept floating out of my grasp and if I wasn’t a nice guy, I probably would have jumped on or over people to get to the cash. On a pathetic note we did witness a grown man rip a $100 bill out of the hands of a small child.

-Video Package for HHH/Sheamus and seeing HHH bring up his WrestleMania debut where he was crushed by the Warrior is still pretty amusing.

HHH vs. Sheamus

-Now we get the other half of last year’s Main Event, and it amazed me at the time that the 2 men who closed the show the year before are this far down the card. To make up for HHH being this far down the card though he gets the roof opened for his entrance so that pyro can shoot out of the stadium. We wouldn’t want anyone to think he was a midcarder after all. I am actually interested to see this match as I missed a good portion of it at the show. I decided to head to get some food and didn’t realize the line would be so long. The sad part is that when I was near the front of the line they announced they were out of hotdogs. Seriously, how do you run out of hotdogs halfway through the show? I ended up getting a churro and got back to my seat just as this match was ending. We’ll see if the churro was worth it. Lock-up to start and Sheamus powers HHH back into the corner and talks some trash. HHH does the same a few moments later and instead of talking shit, he just slaps some red in the face of Sheamus. A whip gets reversed and Sheamus sets too early on a backdrop. HHH looks for the Pedigree, but Sheamus escapes. HHH stays in control with a suplex, and gives a crotch chop before hitting the Harley Race knee. Sheamus bails to the floor and HHH gives chase. They head back into the ring and HHH hits a chop block. That sets up the figure four and Cole starts name dropping current TNA Star Ric Flair. Sheamus gets to the bottom rope to break, and HHH finally realizes just before the 5 count. Again Sheamus heads to the floor and HHH chases again. It proves to be a mistake this time as Sheamus sends him crashing into the ring steps. They brawl on the floor and now Sheamus gets the upper hand before things settle back in the ring. Sheamus hits a sweet looking backbreaker as the announce talk about how much it would do for his career to beat HHH at WrestleMania. I know that is the story coming into the match, but the man did just beat John Cena for the WWE Title. That alone should cement his career in the mind of most fans. Sheamus corners HHH and stomps away before the ref forces him to break. That gives HHH a chance to fight back, but an axe handle gets things back on the side of the Pale Warrior. Sheamus opts to just pound away on HHH and then look for a cover, but it only gets two. HHH fights to his feet and gets out of a chinlock, so Sheamus opts to deliver a powerslam. Things slow down a bit again as Sheamus works the neck and shoulder. He switches to a headlock, and that gives HHH a chance to hit a belly to back suplex to break. He floats over Sheamus and hits a DDT to change the momentum in the match. They start to exchange blows in the center of the ring and the crowd responds with a Boo or Yeah depending on how is landing the blow. Sheamus gets sent into the ropes and HHH knocks him down with a high knee. Striker yells for us to tie our mothers down because here comes HHH. What? Someone shouts facebuster and sure enough Sheamus sets too early and eats the previously mentioned facebuster. HHH looks for the Pedigree again, and once again, Sheamus is out the back door. He doesn’t get far enough away though and ends up taking a neckbreaker. They fight in the corner and HHH looks for the superplex. Sheamus drops down though and looks for the Razor’s Edge, but HHH slides off to escape. Sheamus looks to follow with the Pump Kick, but HHH ducks and sets for the Pedigree, but Sheamus backdrops out and hits the Pump Kick for a hot near fall. Sheamus goes right back to the Razor’s Edge, but HHH escapes again and delivers a spinebuster for a near fall. Sheamus tries to bail to the floor, but HHH stops him on the apron. Sheamus gets in a shot and hits another Pump Kick, but HHH plays possum and hits the Pedigree to pick up the win at 12:17.

Winner: HHH via pin at 12:17
-A solid match that didn’t completely bury Sheamus and overall he looked comfortable in there with someone like HHH. Lawler did a great job of putting over that even though Sheamus had accomplished a lot he was still lacking in experience and that come to bite him in the ass as he fell for HHH’s goldbricking. **1/2

-Video package for Punk/Mysterio. Punk is such a tremendously evil bastard.

CM Punk (w/ Luke and Sarita) vs. Rey Mysterio

-The stipulation for this match is that if Mysterio loses he has to join Punk’s Straight Edge Society. Punk delivers his sermon to the crowd as he makes his way to the ring. Most booed, but there were many (myself included) cheering loudly. Punk brings the awesome as he sports some GI Joe camouflage tights. The DVD cuts right to Rey’s entrance and leaves out the delay due to the malfunctioned trap door. Rey’s WrestleMania costume this year plays off Avatar. Advantage Punk I’d say. The SES distracts Rey and Punk takes advantage. Punk charges in the corner, but Rey hits a drop toehold and heads to the top rope. Punk is still a step ahead and leaves Punk in the Tree of Woe. He tries a baseball slide, but Rey lifts up and Punk goes ball first into the steel post. Rey tries to come off the apron, but gets caught and slammed face first into the ring steps. Nasty! Rey just beats the count and that only pisses off Punk as he unloads with right hands. He hooks in a chinlock, but Rey fights out and hits a seated senton. He tries the springboard crossbody, but Punk counters to a powerslam. Punk sets too early on a backdrop and eats a boot from Rey. They do a cool reversal sequence and it ends with Punk getting a roll-up for two. Punk looks for a powerbomb, but Rey counters by flipping out. Sadly for Rey, Punk takes his head off with a kick for two. Damn that sounded great! Punk gets frustrated and keeps trying for multiple pins, but Rey is out all four times. Rey battles to his feet, jumps up top and springs off to deliver a DDT. Damn, it may have looked a little sloppy, but that may be the only time I can remember Punk trying that since his Halloween Havoc match with Eddie. Rey kicks Punk into position for the 619, but it is countered to the GTS. Rey fights out of that though and hits a boot of his own. Rey springs off the middle rope, but Punk catches him in perfect position for the GTS. Again, Rey fights out and heads up top and looks to honor Eddie with the frog splash. Punk rolls out of the way and regains control. He follows Rey into the corner with the high knee, but Rey shoves off on the bulldog attempt. He gets Punk into position for the 619 again, but Sarita covers to save. Rey backs off and ends up face to face with Gallows. Punk sneaks from behind and tries the GTS again, but Rey gets a head scissors that sends Punk into Gallows and leaves him in perfect position for the 619. The move is finally hit and that is enough to get Rey the win at 6:30.

Winner: Rey Mysterio via pin at 6:30
-This was criminally short as these two could deliver so much more if given the chance. Still, they gave us as good of a match as we could get in less than 7 minutes. Thankfully this feud will continue and hopefully they will give us what we all expect. ***

-My favorite video package of the night covers Bret/Vince. The song and the package are just perfect even if most of the WWE’s current target audience have no clue why this match is so mind blowing.

No Holds Barred: Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. Vince McMahon

-Bret gets a huge ovation as the crowd is just happy to see him at WrestleMania one last time even if he is really in no condition to wrestle. I think people’s expectations were a little high on this one because of what Vince was able to do in Mania’s past against Shane, Hogan, and Michaels. Vince announces that this will be a lumberjack match and that he has paid of the Hart Dynasty and Bret’s brothers and sisters to be the lumberjacks. Bruce Hart steps in the ring and reveals a ref’s shirt to become the official of record for the match. Bret calls out his family and mentions they were probably even paid up front. The swerve comes though as all the Harts turn on Vince and he is royally screwed. Bruce calls for the bell and Vince looks like he soiled himself. Bret starts the massacre as he gingerly kicks Vince’s ass all over the ring. Vince heads to the floor and the Hart Dynasty gets their shots including a hard slap from Natalya. Striker wishes her the best in her future endeavors. Heh! David Hart Smith preps Vince for the Hart Attack and Tyson comes off the top rope to the floor to complete the move. Well, this is one way to lengthen the match without Bret having to do too much. Vince tries to crawl under the ring, but is able to retrieve a crowbar. That backs off the Hart family and Vince heads back into the ring after Bret. He misses and Bret starts throwing some blows before dropping an elbow. The crowd is slowly dying as they realize this isn’t the match they were expecting. To his credit Bret tears into Vince with the crowbar, but this match really needs some more violence and blood to satisfy the masses. Bret uses the crowbar and hits Vince in the throat. Bret teases the sharpshooter to pop the crowd, but he’s not ready to finish things yet. People around me kept wondering if Bret could even pull off the sharpshooter. Again Bret teases the sharpshooter to a huge pop, but he only stomps on Vince’s grapefruits. Vince continues to beg off, but Bret just continues to stomp away. DH sends a chair into the ring and t hat gets the crowd back into the match. Bret actually sets up the chair and takes a timeout as he watches Vince flop around the ring. Some in the crowd actually start to boo and that’s the last thing I ever expected to hear during a match between these two. Bret has had enough now and delivers some pretty damn impressive chair shots. He makes like Austin at WrestleMania X-7 and pounds Vince repeatedly with the chair. He then concentrates on the knee with the chair, and finishes with several more whacks to the back and chest. Finally the sharpshooter is applied and that gets Bret his closure at 11:09. Bret celebrates after the match with his family and it’s the happy ending everyone wanted.

Winner: Bret Hart via tap-out at 11:09
-Well, this was an extended squash as Vince got his ass beat for 11 minutes without landing a single blow. All everyone said they wanted was Vince getting killed and tapping to the sharpshooter, and that’s what we got. Not sure how to really rank this as it did drag at times, but it delivered what most wanted so we will be generous. ** for Vince taking the ass kicking from Bret he’s deserved for nearly 13 years.

-Atlanta is announced as the host city for WrestleMania XXVII. I think I may have to be there for that one as well.

-Attendance of 72,219 is announced.

-Video package for Edge/Jericho. Edge is my boy and all, but even I wasn’t but his baby face run. That’s just not the Edge I rallied behind and cheered.

World Heavyweight Title: Chris Jericho © vs. Edge

-Edge returned from injury and won the Rumble in January. He immediately targeted his former Tag Team Championship Partner Chris Jericho once he won the World Title at Elimination Chamber. Not only is Jericho out first as champion, but he doesn’t even get all the way down the ramp before his music is cut off and Edge’s starts. Thankfully, when Chimel does the super special in ring introductions Jericho is introduced last. The announcers immediately play up Edge’s injured heel and put over that Jericho was trained by Stu Hart and will know how to exploit the injury. A lock-up to start that ends with Jericho getting a side headlock. ASK HIM! They criss-cross the ropes and Edge hits a flying shoulder tackle. He starts pounding Jericho in the corner, but the ref causes enough separation to give Jericho a chance to get in a shot. Now he starts pounding on Edge in the corner, but a whip gets reversed and Jericho takes a backdrop as he bounces out of the corner. Edge sets up in the corner for the spear, but Jericho bails to the floor. Edge gives chase and shoves Jericho back in the ring, but that leaves him vulnerable as the second man in, and Jericho is able to sneak in a stiff boot. A baseball slide sends Edge crashing to the floor from the apron. Jericho goes to work on the throat instead of the heel as he slingshots Edge into the bottom rope. A belly to back suplex gets a two count and Jericho follows that by hooking in a modified chinlock. Edge fights to his feet, but is pulled down by his hair to kill his momentum. Jericho finally makes a mistake as a blind charge misses Edge and hits the ring post. Edge lands a spinning heel kick, but is still in no position to capitalize as Jericho drops him with a front suplex on the top rope. Edge slides out of the way of the middle rope drop kick, and charges at Jericho sending him flying from the apron to the announce table. The crowd is very quiet for this match so far and it’s pretty disheartening for someone who was there live. Edge runs the apron and dives onto the floor to land a clothesline. They head back in the ring and do battle on the top rope. Things end badly for Jericho as he eats a top rope X-Factor that gets a count of two. Edge heads back up once again and hits a cross body, but Jericho rolls through and gets a two count of his own. Jericho looks for the Walls, but Edge powers out. He comes off the middle rope with a sunset flip for two, but Jericho floats through to get a two count of his own. Edge reverses that, but Jericho is still one step ahead and delivers a stiff kick to the face. Jericho looks for the Code Breaker, but Edge counters, and sets for the Spear. Jericho counters with a roll-up and that turns that into the Walls of Jericho. Awesome! The crowd now starts to finally show some life as a good portion is solidly behind Jericho. Edge fights into a position where he is able to get a small package for two. He charges into a back elbow though and Jericho looks for the Lionsault. Edge rolls out though and catches Jericho with Edgeucution for two. The Impaler DDT gets another near fall for Edge. A blind charge catches a boot and Jericho comes off the middle ropes with a blow to the back of Edge’s head. Jericho gets a cocky smile across his face and has the bright idea to go for a spear of his own. Sadly Edge is prepared and delivers one of the stiffest kicks to the face I’ve ever seen. Damn that looked spectacular. Edge, with a limp now, loses his mind as he prepares for the Spear, but again, Jericho is still a step ahead as he hits the Code Breaker for two. Finally Jericho starts targeting the injured Achilles tendon and stomps away in vicious fashion. Edge tries to fight out, but he is a one legged man in an ass kicking contest (yeah, I know) and gets caught easily with the Walls. Jericho is in an extra douche bag mood today as he opts for a single leg crab on the injured wheel. Awesome! Edge somehow drags himself to the bottom rope to break the hold. Jericho pulls Edge back to the center of the ring to apply the hold again, but Edge reverses to a pinning position for two. A clothesline sends both men to the floor and Jericho grabs his Championship Belt. The ref gets bumped and Jericho uses the belt to blast Edge, but it only gets two. The Code Breaker comes next and that’s enough for the anti-climactic pin at 15:47. After winning fair and square, Jericho gets speared off the announce table and through the barricade. Nice Spot! Would have been better had they worked that into the match.

Winner and Still World Champion: Chris Jericho via pin at 15:47
-That one seemed a lot better live than it did here. The crowd was dead for the most part and only started getting into things towards the end and most of that was due to Jericho. Most of the crowd was shocked at the sudden ending and even more shocked with Jericho going over relatively clean (belt shot be damned). The match was fine and was hitting a nice groove just as it ended. ***1/2

-The preshow battle royal, won by Yoshi Tatsu, is covered.

Michelle McCool, Maryse, Alicia Fox, Layla, and Vickie Guerrero vs. Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, and Gail Kim

-I probably should have waited for this match to get my churro. The face Divas hit the ring as a group and the hells bail. Vickie starts things with Gail and shows off her guns, but Gail tags out to Phoenix and Vickie shits her pants. Phoenix picks her up and carries her to her corner before making the tag to Eve. Torres lays in a few shots before giving Gail a turn. Mickie gets a few shots in and Kelly Kelly gets screamed at before hitting a leaping leg drop. That gets a near fall that McCool breaks up. Everyone starts hitting their finishers on the person that entered just before and Beth is the last one standing. She turns her attention to Vickie and stalks her in the corner. McCool makes the save with a big boot and the heels decide to help Vickie to the top rope so she can honor Eddie with a Bullfrog Splash (Striker’s words) on Kelly Kelly. The pin is botched though as the ref can’t count three because Vicki leans so far back it lifts Kelly’s shoulders off the mat. I actually appreciate the attention to detail by the ref there actually. Finally the pin is counted at 3:19.

Winners: Team McCool via Vickie pin on Kelly Kelly at 3:19
-Things were interesting with the run on finishers, but that’s about it. I guarantee that Eddie was smiling somewhere watching his wife do her best at WrestleMania. 1/2*

-Video package for Cena/Batista. Batista makes such a great badass heel, and it makes me wish they had turned him years earlier.

WWE Title: Batista © vs. John Cena

-Batista’s spotlight entrance is awesome even if the champ is heading to the ring first again. Cena’s WrestleMania entrance this year involves the US Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team tossing around guns. I liked the Cena clones from the previous year better just due to the fact we got to hear Basic Thuganomics again. The crowd is jacked for this match and it comes off just as well on camera as it did being there. The story here is that Batista has dominated Cena like nobody else and it is causing Cena to doubt himself. Cole blows my mind my bringing up the fact that the WWE Title has not changed hands since WrestleMania 21. Both men are cautious to start and battle over a collar and elbow. Batista gets the slight advantage with a side headlock, and mows Cena down with a shoulder. Cena changes his game and takes Batista with basic mat wrestling. Batista just shrugs that off and backs Cena into a corner and sends him into the opposite corner sternum first. As Cena staggers back out Batista drops him with a heavy blow to the back on the head. Cena gets worked over in the corner and Batista hits a running boot. The ass kicking continues on the ring apron as Batista continues to rain heavy blows to Cena’s head and neck. A suplex is blocked and Cena ends up hitting one of his own. This gets things moving for Cena and he sends Batista crashing face first into the canvas for a two count. He looks for the Attitude Adjustment, but Batista counters to a sick looking DDT for two. That looked kind of nasty, but Batista shows no sympathy as he continues to work the neck. Things slow down a little as Batista locks in a body scissors/sleeper combo. Cena fights to his feet with Batista on his back and is able to break the grip. They start exchanging blows in the center of the ring and that gives those in attendance to chance to boo or cheer for whoever is landing a blow. Batista gets the last shot in and follows with a neckbreaker for two. You got to love the sound strategy of Batista so far in this match as he has been focused on the neck that he broke 19 months earlier. Batista goes back to the neck with a front facelock, but Cena breaks with a backdrop. This gets things going for Cena as he starts to run though his patented offense. He tells Batista you can’t see me, but Dave says fuck that and drills Cena with a spinebuster. Tremendous! Batista starts to Warrior up and gives us the thumbs down, but Cena counters the Batista Bomb to the STF. The hold doesn’t get applied for long though as Batista is able to pull himself to the bottom rope. Cena takes too long to capitalize though and ends up eating a spear. Apparently his spear doesn’t have the awesome Canadian Powers that Edge’s does though as Cena is out a two. They battle on the top rope and actually battle over a test of strength. This is like Hogan/Warrior only on another level (see what I did there?). Batista gets shoved off and that gives Cena a chance to hit a top tope 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Batista grabs the top rope to block the Attitude Adjustment and regains his footing to deliver a Batista Bomb for two. Hot near fall there and the crowd is rocking now. Dave is quite pissed and looks for another Batista Bomb, but we get multiple counters and it finally ends with Cena hitting the Attitude Adjustment for a two count of his own. Wow, the crowd was buying that one. Cena heads back to the top rope and as a call back to SummerSlam, Batista catches him with coming down with spinebuster. Batista looks to finish with the Batista Bomb, but Cena rolls through and hooks the STF. Dave fights for as long as possible but taps at 13:30. Cena celebrates with the Cena Haters in the front row with a big smile on his face and it had me laughing then and still has me laughing about it now.

Winner and New WWE Champion: John Cena via tap-out at 13:30
-This two have crazy chemistry together and they delivered on the big stage as most expected. This still seemed a little short to me, but the story was solid with Batista targeting the neck. This was a very solid power match and the crowd was with them from the start. These two may not define work rate, but they brought the big match feel and delivered. ***3/4

-Final video package of the night covers Shawn/Taker. They really had no other choice but to have this one finish the show.

Career vs. Streak: Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker

-Shawn is decked out in white again this year and that’s always a cool little touch as it contrasts Taker’s all black look. Taker rises from the depths of hell for his entrance, and it still angers me that I went to Mania 2 years in a row and no kick ass druids to be found. What’s up with that? Taker has a different look this year as he seems to have reverted back to his Ministry Days with the hood. Either that or he is channeling Michelle McCool (if you know what I mean?). Ever the cocky bastard Shawn mocks Taker with the throat slash jester and that only pisses the off the Dead Man. That seems to have gotten him off his game though as Shawn sticks and moves with chops. He gets too close though and gets whipped into the buckle where he flips out and gets dropped with Snake Eyes. As Shawn staggers Taker destroys him with a running boot and then follows with a splash in the corner. Damn, Taker is in a grumpy mood tonight. Taker hits Old School early, but jams his knee on the landing. That becomes important as Taker can’t get Shawn up for the chokeslam. That gives Shawn a target as he starts throwing kicks at the knee. Taker tries for the Tombstone, but again, Shawn goes right back to the knee. Taker is undaunted and gets another goozle, but again, Shawn goes right back to the knee. Taker misses a clothesline and Shawn looks to snap off Sweet Chin Music, but Taker backs off just in time to avoid. Shawn backs Taker into the corner and continues to pinpoint the knee in impressive fashion. Finally Taker gets pissed off enough that he just tosses Shawn into the corner and then takes him to the floor with a clothesline. That gives him a chance to hit Air Dead Man to the floor, but Shawn’s seen that before and he rushes back into the ring and delivers a shoulder block to the injured knee. Cool! They head back to the floor and that’s not where Shawn wants to be as he gets rammed back first into the ring post. Shawn gets prepped on the apron and Taker hits the leaping leg drop. That not only takes something out of Shawn, but it takes something out of Taker’s leg and he can’t follow up fast enough. That slight delay gives Shawn a chance to sucker Taker into a figure four. Again though Taker gets good and pissed off and reverses the pressure of the hold and that forces Shawn to break. They exchange center ring and Shawn’s chops can’t match Taker’s right hands, so Shawn makes sure to get in some shots to the injured leg. That coupled with the chops finally gets the advantage for Shawn and he ends up hitting flying forearm. Shawn kips up, but Taker is waiting and hits a nice chokeslam for two. Taker looks to finish with the Tombstone, but Shawn slides off and hooks the Ankle Lock. Taker struggles before Shawn drops him into the heel hook. Lawler doesn’t see any way Taker would tap to end the streak, and sure enough a well placed boot breaks the hold. Shawn sends Taker to the floor with a clothesline and hangs on to the apron. He springs off the middle ropes, but Taker catches him and hits a Tombstone on the floor. Damn! Cole reminds everyone that this match can’t end on a count-out. Somehow Shawn is still quivering as the trainer checks on him. Since he is still breathing Taker has no sympathy and fires Shawn back in the ring for a two count. Taker looks to hit the Last Ride, but Shawn grabs some hair on the way down causing Taker to eat canvas. It seems Taker took the worst of that as Shawn gets a near fall. Shawn heads up top for the flying elbow, but Taker raises his knees to block. That wasn’t the smartest thing for Taker’s bad knee and Shawn crawls over to finish, but he crawls right into Hell’s Gate. Shawn is able to counter rather quickly to a pinning combination for two. Both men fight to their feet and Shawn hits Sweet Chin Music for two out of nowhere. This time Shawn starts to tune up the band and that lets Taker know what’s coming and sure enough he blocks. He kills Shawn dead with a Last Ride, but apparently there is still life left as Shawn kicks out at two. Taker seems to be getting more pissed as the match goes on and he tosses Shawn’s corpse over the top and to the floor. Taker starts tearing apart the English Announce Table (Spanish guys are thanking God) and looks for another Last Ride. Shawn flips off and hits Sweet Chin Music that leaves Taker out on the announce table. Since this is WrestleMania and since this is Shawn Fucking Michaels he heads up top and crashes through Taker and the announce table with a moonsault. In what may be coincidence or just how awesome Shawn is, the move actually hit Taker flush on the bad knee. Shawn gets a rush of adrenaline before he collapses to the floor. Both men finally pull themselves from the wreckage and head back into the ring. Shawn doesn’t tune the band this time and just hits Sweet Chin Music for a tremendously hot near fall. Shaw is absolutely crushed with that decision, and the fans start a “This is Awesome” chant. I am proud to say I was part of that chant. Another attempt at Sweet Chin Music is blocked and Taker hits a big ass chokeslam on one leg. He doesn’t go for the pin and instead sticks Shawn with the Tombstone, but it only gets two, and now Taker’s world is crushed. Shawn is a pile of goo as Taker pulls down the straps. However he can’t finish the throat slashing gesture as he actually shows mercy towards Shawn and tells him to stay down. This is Shawn Michaels we are talking about though and he uses Taker to pull himself to his knees and then taunts him with the throat slash gesture. To drive the point home Shawn actually has the balls to slap Taker in the face. You know that gesture of mercy Taker showed few seconds ago? Yeah, that bitch just left the building after that slap. Taker goes crazy bastard evil as he hits a jumping tombstone to kill Shawn and his career dead at 23:55. After the match Taker celebrates being 18-0, but helps Shawn to his feet and offers a handshake. They embrace before Taker leaves Shawn to the ring and the fans. The crowd gives Shawn the ovation he deserves as tears run down his face. He says goodbye to the fans as the ovation grows louder, and it was one of the most emotional moments I’ve ever experienced at a wrestling event. No closing video package this year as the last image we see is Shawn exiting the entrance ramp.

Winner: The Undertaker via pin at 23:55
-I still think I like the WM XXV better, but the fact I have to think about it shows how awesome this match was. I loved the story of Taker injuring the knee early and having to deal with that. They played off some spots from the previous year, and while not “I’m Sorry, I Love You,” Shawn slapping the piss out of Taker just before having his career ended was perfect. Just a tremendous match and it really was the only way to close this show. *****

Top 5 WrestleMania Matches

1) WrestleMania III: IC Title: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat *****
2) WrestleMania 13: Submission Match: Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin *****
3) WrestleMania XXV: The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels *****
4) WrestleMania 21: Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels *****
5) WrestleMania XX: World Title: HHH vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit *****

The 411: This was definitely a stronger show than the previous year. Shawn/Taker is a must see as it was a year before, but this Mania included two strong World Championship matches. The best part was this show ended with a bang instead of a thud.
Final Score:  7.4   [ Good ]