Well last night was the
biggest night of the year for Wrestling fans across the globe in what was one
of the most hyped Wrestlemanias in history.
Unfortunately it didn’t
live up to expectations as it was one of the most poorly booked Wrestlemania’s
ever, and it all started with the opening match being the World Title contest
between Daniel Bryan and Sheamus.
Not only was this match
first but it also only lasted 18 seconds. Bryan kissed AJ for good luck, turned
and got a face full of Sheamus boot followed by the 1-2-3. We was not happy, epically
as Tommy was super excited for the match and he was most looking forward to
that contest, to then basically be slapped in the face. It wasn’t a good start
and disappointed many across the world.
It did line up a joke for
the rest of the night of what lasts longer than Bryans match, Daniels Entrance
lasted longer than his match. The slim jim promo lasted longer than Bryans
match. The gags were endless.
Things didn’t improve much
from there as the opening hour was slow and unexciting.
A mediocre match between Kane
and Randy with Kane winning after a top rope Choke Slam, Big Show then got his
Wrestlemania moment by beating Cody Rhodes for the Intercontinental Title in a
less than brilliant contest and to end the hour we had the Divas tag team
match. A lot of this time was filled with overly long promo videos miss placed
in entrances and sponsor ads that just got in the way.
It was at the 1 hour mark
when we were shocked to have Triple H vs. Undertaker next. This was still early
on the card and as shown as being a co main event why is it happing at the 1
hour mark of a 4 hour show? It really makes you question what a Main Event is
in the WWE.
Luckily though this match
was a breath of fresh air although it wasn’t the end of an era we were hoping
for, but sill showed great storytelling and emotion throughout. Best match of
the night by far and a truly epic confrontation.
It started slow and use of
the Cell was minimal but did add a nice flavour to the match.
It went back and forth
with the Steel steps coming into play which saw Taker land across after an
amazing spine buster. There was blood on Triple H’s head but this was not a
planned bleeding but WWE didn’t really have an issue with showing it which was
a good thing.
It turned into a beating
of sorts though once Trips got hold of chair and went to town on the back of
the bald Undertaker. Trips hit the man so hard so many times he left cringe
worthy welts and bruises on Takers back.
Triple H kept asking Shawn
the guest Ref to end it as Taker kept kicking out of pins. Undertaker asked Shawn
not to end it.
Sledge Hammer followed the
chair as the beating continued but Shawn’s interference saved Taker from a
hammer blow to the head.
The match came close to
ending when Shawn was going to just call for the bell but it didn’t happen.
To stop Shawn calling for
the bell Taker locked in Hells Gate on Shawn incapacitating him and continuing
the match.
Trips saved Shawn with a
Sledge to Takers head. Things then turned as Taker locked in Hells Gate on
Trips and it looked like an image of last year.
With Shawn still out
nothing could be done as another official enters the cell.
A Choke Slam followed but
Trips kicks out of the pin. Taker, in anger, then Choke Slams the replacement Ref.
Sweet Chin Music to Taker
followed by the Pedigree and it looked like it was all over for the Deadman but
he shocked the world and still kicked out.
A chant of “this is
awesome” filled the Stadium, as the men come back to life and things continue.
Triple H removes Shawn
from the ring in anger and we get some Vintage Taker, ending it on a Tombstone.
Shawn slides back in and counts but once again kick out at 2!
Things slow again as the
men turn things into a boxing match exchanging blows and falling into a clinch
like position.
Pedigree! 2 count. Shock again;
edge of your seat is the location of most people watching at this point.
It was now Takers turn
with the Steel Chair as he gets revenge for the shots he received earlier,
smacking Trips across the back just as hard, if not harder, than when Trips hit
him.
Things get tough for Trips
as he struggles to stand, leaning against the corner turnbuckle. He tells Taker
to “Suck it” and then receives a Sledge Shot to the head, followed by the
Tombstone that did end the match.
Emotion and respect was
shown as the Undertaker struggled to stand, Shawn offers his hand and brings
Taker to his feet and holds his arm up in Victory to the cheers and applause of
the crowd.
Shawn returns to Trips
still lying on the mat as Taker poses sending off fireworks and the 20 – 0 is shown
to the purple lit crowd.
Shawn and Taker together
pull Triple H to his feet and carry him together away from the ring in strong
show of respect, friendship, and the end of an amazing Generation of superstars.
This should have been the
last match, and it’s a giant disrespect to the 3 men in my opinion putting them
so early in the card. But either way still a brilliant match.
Next was a quick look at
the Hall of Fame group with an amazing ovation for the Rated R Superstar, Edge.
We did notice how ever
that Ric Flair, never got a close up, or much of a showing in the Hall of Fame
promo video most probably due to his current employer being TNA.
The sillier match of the
night, Team Teddy vs. Team Johnny came next. It was your typical 6 aside Tag
match with only a couple special moments. One big highlight being when the
match broke down and Kofi, Truth and Ryder all jumped over the top rope to 3 or
4 members of Team Johnny who they had just thrown out.
It came to an end with
Ryder going for the Broskie Boot on Miz but as he pumped the crowd Eve stepped
in and did it with him. This caused the Ref to ignore the action and remove Eve
along with the help of Ryder whose back is now turned. Miz pounced with a Skull
Crushing Finale and took the win placing Johnny as GM of Raw and SmackDown. A
result which I believe a lot of people should have seen coming.
Next was the WWE
Championship match which had the added stipulation that if Punk gets disqualified
he loses the Championship.
This added an interesting
aspect to the match as Jericho continued to make remarks about Punks family to
hopefully fuel Punks anger and force him to get DQ’d.
The match was good and saw
a number of Walls of Jericho’s and Anaconda Vice’s, back and forth between the
two best in the world.
It came to an end with an
Anaconda Vice, and the two men collapse in the ring after Jericho tapped.
If you had a sharp eye you
would have seen Jericho rustle Punks hair, most probably a way of saying well
done after the matches’ conclusion.
After that match we lead
into a pathetic, unneeded promo from the Funkasaurus Brodus Clay, and a load of
women dressed as his “momma”.
Finally it was time for
the Main event, the match we had all been waiting for, The Rock vs. John Cena.
Intros included Machine
Gun Kelly for John Cena and Flo Rider for The Rock in special performances for
the entrances.
The two men stood in the
ring as they are announced followed by a stare down, before the bell rang and
it kicked off.
Unfortunately the match
was slow and didn’t have the spark we expected. In comparison to other great
matches such as, Rock vs. Stone Cold (WMXIX, WMXV), Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar
(WMXIX) as well as many others it just didn’t seem to live up to it.
It was all hype no pizzazz,
and just didn’t quite have what it takes to go down as “great” and the year
build seemed too much for what we got.
All that being said it was
still Rock vs. Cena, once in a lifetime (apparently), and it was a sight to
see.
It contained a lot of old
school style moves, long headlocks, arm drags and DDTs as well as a classic
pass out moment with the Ref lifting the hand of Rock to check for consciousness
during the STF for Rocks hand to stay up at the third drop.
The match was filled with
Attitude Adjustments, Rock Bottoms, Sharp Shooters and the Peoples elbow and no
doubt these guys get A+ for effort. B+ for execution.
It was very back and forth
and had close calls but it all came to an end as Cena went for his own version
of the Peoples Elbow to be Rock Bottomed mid-way through it ending it with a
pin.
Rock celebrates as the
show comes to close marking the end of the show, and an era.
Overall this event was
poor, but if you strip away the issues we are left with a great event.
The Hell in Cell wasn’t like
the Cell’s of the old days, and it didn’t compare to WM25 Shawn vs. Taker. But
it was still a great contest.
Rock vs. Cena a lot of
hype that didn’t come through but still a good match to see.
Overall I give this
Werstlermania, 3 out 5.
Questions for you.
Good or bad Wrestlemania?
What was your favourite
moment?
Do you agree that it was
poorly booked?
Now I am going to be
taking a break for a few months from blogging and try and focus on other
things.
I will not be gone for
good though, I will most probably return on the road to SummerSlam!
Writing this blog took
longer than Bryans match.
Matty.D signing off!
