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04-04-2005, 05:20 AM
| #6 (permalink) |
| Indy Wrestler Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 151
vBookie Cash: 500
Rep Power: 5  | JV's WWE WrestleMania 21 Review - April 3, 2005 Live in Los Angeles, California Hosted by Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole and Tazz By Jimmy Van The 30-man battle royal didn't air on Sunday Night Heat, which appeared to be an entirely pre-taped show featuring Tazz and Jonathan Coachman out on the street in Hollywood. Lilian Garcia performed "America the Beautiful" to kick off the PPV. I actually missed the first minute or so of the PPV broadcast, as Sunday Night Heat was still on at 7:01PM ET, an obvious indication to me that Heat was entirely pre-taped. It's traditional at WrestleMania to perform "America the Beautiful" as opposed to "The Star Spangled Banner", however I prefer Lilian's rendition of the national anthem over her rendition of "America the Beautiful" even though she performs them both very well. They raised a curtain on the stage to reveal a screen behind it. A video package then aired featuring clips from all of the Hollywood trailers that aired in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania. They then aired the new trailer with Steve Austin spoofing "Gladiator". It was funny watching Austin trash talk with his head bobbing from side to side while wearing that bulky helmet. Jerry Lawler was decked out in a tux at the broadcast table (positioned at ringside for Mania), and Tazz was dressed differently than he had been on Heat, confirming that Heat was completely pre-taped. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio - The crowd wasn't overly hot to start, which may not bode well for the overall quality of the show. - Eddie had a couple of small circular band-aids on his back; covering some acne maybe? - As he traditionally does at WrestleMania, Rey came out in colorful attire with a funky mask that was open at the back, looking almost like an old school hockey mask (ala Jason Voorhees). - Chain wrestling to start, with Eddie taking control with an arm drag into an armbar. The fans briefly chanted "Eddie", but were pretty quiet otherwise. Rey got to his feet and attempted a sunset flip, but Eddie countered with a slingshot, sending Rey high over the top. Eddie went out after him but Rey slid back in, then ran off the other side at Eddie, but Eddie was ready for him so Rey did the 619 swing through the ropes, after which both guys stood looking at each other as the crowd gave them some respectful applause. - Next sequence, Eddie went for a Northern Lights suplex, but Rey escaped out the back, then hit a monkey flip that sent Eddie across the ring and legs-first into the ropes. Rey then ran at Eddie, who backdropped him into the apron. Eddie then punched Rey to send him to the floor, after which he hit a springboard plancha to Rey on the floor. Eddie was beating Rey at his own aerial game early on. - Back in, Eddie hit a high back suplex while both Michael Cole and Tazz said that they were picking Eddie to win. Hmm... you know what that could mean. Eddie next hit the Surfboard submission, and Tazz was great with his analysis, explaining when Eddie was going for the move that he hit Rey in the sides so that Rey would lower his arms to his side, allowing Eddie to grab them in order to get the submission. - Rey countered a powerbomb attempt into an armdrag, sending Eddie to the floor. Rey followed with a baseball slide, then got a running start and hit a nice corkscrew plancha over the top and onto Eddie. Very nicely done by Rey, but unfortunately the crowd barely responded to it. Back in, Rey got a springboard seated senton, then ran into a back elbow. Three Amigos (i.e. rolling vertical suplexes) time for Eddie. He got one, but Rey countered with a roll-up for two before the next suplex. Eddie maintained control and got a backbreaker for a near fall. Eddie went back to the Three Amigos and got two, but then Rey countered with a head scissors before the third one, sending Eddie into the ropes. Rey then went for the 619 but Eddie moved out of the way, then hit another backbreaker. Rey was taking on the underdog babyface role in this one. - Three Amigos time again for Eddie, as Rey had thwarted the first two attempts. Eddie hit it this time, then went up top. Rey moved to avoid the frog splash, and both guys were down. Rey recovered and went for a roll-up, and Eddie shifted his weight to stay on top of Rey for a near fall of his own. Rey then went for a hurricanrana, but Eddie held him up and went for a powerbomb. Rey flipped out of it and sent Eddie into the ropes, then successfully hit the 619. Rey then went for the West Coast Pop, but Eddie countered with a powerbomb and kept Rey down for a great near fall. The fans started a brief "Eddie" chant, but Guerrero was getting frustrated over his inability to put Eddie away. Moments later out of nowhere, Rey caught Eddie with a hurricanrana into a pin, and got the three count. Winner: Rey Mysterio Post-match, Eddie smiled as if in shock, then extended a handshake to Rey, and Rey accepted. Not a bad match, but the fans were pretty quiet for it, and it didn't live up to expectations. Backstage, JBL and his Cabinet ran into Triple H and Ric Flair. Triple H called JBL "the wrestling god" and said it was a joke. He told JBL to look at Triple H to see a wrestling god. JBL said he's the only champion to have never lost. He said John Cena would be taken care of. Triple H called him "Bradshaw" and said JBL keeps saying he's good, so after a while somebody will believe him. "I am that good," said JBL. Triple H then got serious. "I guess we'll just have to wait until the end of the night and see who's still champion," he said. Flair then did the "Woo!" in Orlando Jordan's face. Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider were shown in the front row. Howard Finkel did the Raw brand ring introductions, while Tony Chimel did the SmackDown! brand intros. Personally I think "The Fink" should have done the introductions for every match, just like old times. Money in the Bank Ladder Match for World Title Shot Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Christian vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Edge vs. Kane - They had a really elaborate stage set-up, and for this match they had several tall ladders set up at the top of the stage. - Everybody went after Kane before he could even get into the ring, due to him being the biggest guy in the match. Kane took everybody out in the aisle and tried to get a ladder under the ring, but the rest of the guys went back after him. Benoit and Benjamin hit a double suplex on Kane at ringside. Meanwhile, Christian grabbed a ladder and was in the process of dragging it into the ring when Jericho jumped onto one end of it from the apron, sending the other end up into Christian's face. - Benjamin and Jericho paired up in the ring, with Jericho hitting the bulldog within moments. Edge and Benoit were fighting on the apron, so Jericho hit a springboard dropkick, sending them both to the floor. Jericho then hit a high crossbody over the top and down onto Edge. Christian then hit a plancha off the top onto everyone, then Benjamin hit a running hilo over the top onto everyone. Kane then went up top and jumped onto everyone with a plancha. Crowd started a very brief "Holy Shit" chant. The fans were still surprisingly quiet given the action in front of them here. - Kane got a ladder and started using it as a weapon in the ring. He nailed Edge and Christian, then Jericho hit a missile dropkick off the top, sending Kane down. Jericho sold his leg off the spot, but grabbed the ladder and used it as a weapon himself, clocking Benjamin and Edge. Then in an awesome spot, Benoit got Jericho from behind with a German suplex while Jericho was holding the ladder, sending the ladder up and over with Jericho as he went up and over in the suplex. It would have been even cooler had there been someone standing behind them to take the ladder shot. - Benoit got the Crossface on Kane, but the match wasn't about submissions. Edge tried to interfere, and so Benoit got him in the Crossface next. Kane then went after Benoit, put his arm between the sides of a ladder, and slammed the ladder together with Benoit's arm sandwiched in between. Kane then turned around and ran into a Spear from Edge. Edge and Christian then each picked up a ladder and both ran at Kane from opposite sides, sandwiching him in between. Benjamin then took down both guys with a double clothesline. Really good action, basically a spot fest so far. Christian grabbed a ladder while Edge went after Benjamin, but Benjamin hit a spinning heel kick which nailed Christian after Edge ducked it. - Edge ran at Benjamin with the Spear, but Benjamin picked him up into a flapjack and dropped him across a ladder that was perched up in a corner. Benjamin then rammed Edge back-first into the ladder, after which he went for the Stinger Splash and hit it. Edge collapsed to the outside, and the ring was now empty except for Benjamin, so he set a ladder up and went up for the briefcase. Benjamin climbed up too early, because he was right at the briefcase and could have easily snagged it, but then he started fumbling with it while waiting for someone (in this Jericho) to climb up after him. Christian then brought in another ladder, and he and Benoit climbed up sides of it. Edge then brought in another ladder, and he climbed up it. So now there were five guys up three ladders all going for the briefcase. Benoit and Christian were both sent flying off theirs, and then Jericho was knocked off of his, leaving Edge and Benjamin up there. Benjamin then hit an awesome T-bone suplex on Edge off the ladder. Jericho recovered and started climbing up, but Christian made it to his feet and leaned a ladder up against a standing ladder, apparently setting up for a spot. Sure enough, Benjamin used that leaning ladder to go after Jericho; Jericho went up the standing ladder for the briefcase, and Benjamin then ran up the leaning ladder as if it were a ramp, and then hit a flying clothesline on Jericho, sending him to the canvas. Benjamin was looking great in this match. - Benjamin went up the ladder for the briefcase, but took a shot to the sternum with another ladder by Christian. Kane then came back in and took out Christian, then nailed Benjamin so that Benjamin's foot was caught in the ropes. It looked like Kane even tried to free Benjamin's foot for a second, but then he turned around and ran into a big boot from Tyson Tomko. Tomko then put Christian on his shoulders and tried to help him get the briefcase, but Kane sent Tomko to the floor, then pushed over Christian's ladder, sending Christian over the top and down onto Tomko at ringside. Kane then went up a ladder for the briefcase, but Jericho went up after him. The ladder teetered over, and they both fell into the ropes - Jericho fell to the floor, and Kane fell into middle of the ring. Benoit then came back in, selling his left arm to the point that he wasn't even able to use it (he may have really hurt himself). Benoit set up a ladder in the corner and with one arm, he jumped off the top of the ladder and hit a flying headbutt on Kane. Benoit opened up the cut on his forehead (from Raw last week) and also looked to be bleeding from the nose. The crowd chanted "Benoit" as he set up a ladder and went for the briefcase. He was still not using his left arm at all, meaning it was either the best sell job ever, or he hurt his shoulder. Benoit was taking forever to climb due to his arm, so Kane recovered and went up after him. They both fought on the ladder, and Kane was sent to the mat with headbutts. Edge then ran in with a chair and nailed Benoit in the arm, sending him down. Edge then got the briefcase to win the match. Great match, lots of action. The finish was a little lackluster in that Edge came out of nowhere to win after not being in the ring for several minutes. But this was an action-packed spot fest with very few lags, if any. It even managed to breathe life into what had been a pretty dead crowd so far. Winner: Edge Eugene came out wearing a knee brace over his left knee. It was funny in that his music didn't hit until he was already half way down the aisle. The fans didn't respond to him at all really and were pretty quiet. He grabbed a mic and said he couldn't believe he was at WrestleMania. "This is like my second favorite WrestleMania moment ever," he said. He said his favorite was WrestleMania III when King Kong Bundy bodyslammed a midget and then the good and bad midgets made a "midget army" and attacked King Kong Bundy. "Midgets are awesome," said Eugene. He was hopping around in excitement. Muhammad Hassan's music suddenly hit, and he came out with Khosrow Daivari. Even Hassan wasn't getting any heat here. Hassan took the mic from Eugene, and Eugene pointed to it like he wanted it back. "Do you have any idea why I'm angry?" Hassan asked Eugene. "You don't like midgets," said Eugene. "No, what I don't like is being excluded from the biggest show of the year," said Hassan. The crowd was into the "What?" chant now which I hate; that is one gimmick I wish Steve Austin had never come up with. Hassan went off again about prejustice and bigotry. "I have never been pinned in my career," said Hassan in a laughable statement. He said despite that, he had to take a back seat to people like Eugene. Hassan said he wouldn't stand for it. He said he was going to create a WrestleMania moment, and then he and Daivari attacked Eugene. Daivari did the throat slash gesture across Eugene's neck, the same controversial move he did to Shawn Michaels on Raw last Monday. "Real American" hit, and Hulk Hogan came out to the first huge pop of the show. He was decked out in his "Hollywood" Hogan red and yellow gear. I reported in a member-exclusive news story this past week that Hogan was scheduled to work a segment with Hassan at Mania, and here it was. Hassan and Daivari attacked Hogan, but he overcame them and hit the double noggin knocker. Hogan then worked over Hassan while the crowd chanted along with each punch. Big boot off the ropes by Hogan, after which he sent Hassan over the top and to the floor. Daivari hit Hogan from behind with a chair, but Hogan no-sold it. Big boot to Daivari, and then he sent Daivari over the top as well. Hogan's music then hit, and he posed for the crowd. I was surprised that Eugene wasn't in there with him considering that Eugene always emulates Hogan in the ring. When Hogan tore his shirt off, he actually looked thicker than he did the last time he worked a match, although he looked a little larger in the gut as well. Hogan's family was shown in the front row, including his daughter who I'm surprised didn't perform the national anthem. The crowd was hot for Hogan, really the first time they'd truly come alive all night (although they showed spurts of enthusiasm for the ladder match). "Hulk Hogan looks better than ever in my eyes," said JR. Better than *ever*? I think JR is due for a thicker set of glasses. Hogan stopped at the top of the stage to again pose with the American flag on the big screen behind him. The Undertaker's druids came out carrying torches and circled the ring. Taker's music then hit and when the camera cut to the stage, he was already standing there. They did a really cool deal here, as Taker was standing on some device that took him to the ring without him moving. They were using the dry ice in the aisle to cover the device he was on, making it almost look like he was floating to the ring. After 14 years, Taker still consistently has the best ring entrances in wrestling. The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton - Aside from the initial pop that always comes with Taker's bells tolling, the crowd was pretty quiet for him, and ditto for Orton. Just not a very boisterous crowd at all here. - Michael Cole rattled off a list of "legends" that Orton has gotten the best of, and included Rob Van Dam on the list. Perhaps the first and only time that RVD will be referred to as a "legend" in his career. - Taker got a side headlock to start, and Orton shoved him off, then leapfrogged him coming off the ropes and hit a nice standing dropkick. Another Irish whip and another leapfrog, but this time Taker put on the brakes and leveled Orton with a right hand. Taker then sent Orton into the corner and ran at him, but Orton hopped over him and got a roll-up for a near fall. Orton then tried the RKO, but Taker shoved him off, sending him over the top rope and to the floor. That's a risky move for Orton to take with his rotator cuff, but maybe he figures he's due for surgery anyway. Taker went out after Orton, put him back into the ring, draped him across the apron, and hit his patented legdrop spot on the apron. He then hit "Old School", and the entire crowd came up for it. Orton turned the wrong way when Taker jumped, and so Taker had to be careful not to land on the fallen Orton on the landing. - Taker missed a big boot, and got his leg caught up over the top rope. Orton then knocked him to the floor. Orton went out after him and brought him inside, then delivered some closed fists. Irish whip by Orton, but he lowered his head and Taker countered with the DDT. Taker then sent Orton into the corner and caught him coming out with a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Tazz said he wanted to see Taker win because he's on the SmackDown! brand. We saw what happened in the first match - Tazz and Cole both picked Eddie, and then Rey won. - Taker hit Snake Eyes, then Taker got a running start off the ropes but ran into a back elbow. Orton then positioned himself behind Taker and hit clubbing forearms to the chest while the crowd chanted "Let's Go Taker". Orton then paused to play up the crowd, and he actually got a lot of heat, the most of any heel so far on the show. Taker sat up, but Orton continued on the offense while the crowd exploded with a "Randy Sucks" chant. Orton and Taker then looked to hit each other with clotheslines, but Orton bumped off of it while Taker no-sold it and stayed on his feet. Taker then got the Dragon Sleeper, and Orton got a nice counter and hit a DDT. Orton then got a sleeper, but Taker countered with a sloppy looking side suplex - it looked like Taker had to power Orton up for it because Orton didn't get any jump into it. - Taker ran at Orton, and Orton got a surprise scoop slam for a near fall. It's not too often you see Taker fall victim to a powerslam move like that. Orton then got Taker in the corner and hit the 10-punch count. He paused at 9 to pose, and Taker carried him off the corner going for the Last Ride. Orton escaped out the back and went for the RKO, but Taker shoved him into referee Jack Doan (who was actually out of position for the bump but fell anyway). Taker then went for the Last Ride again, and it looked awkward in that he fell backwards as if Orton had shifted his weight, but Orton hadn't really done anything, making it look like Taker simply fell. "Cowboy" Bob Orton suddenly ran in and revived his gimmick from 20 years ago, hitting Taker with a cast on his arm. Randy Orton got a near fall out of it. Taker then sat up. He went for the chokeslam, and in an awesome counter that nobody probably saw coming, Orton countered the chokeslam with the RKO. The cover, and Taker got the shoulder up just before three. The crowd was hot for this now. Orton motioned for a Tombstone. He hoisted Taker up for it, but Taker reversed it, got Orton in the Tombstone, and hit it for the pin. - This one was slow to start, but the last few minutes were tremendous, making for a much better match overall than I'd expected. And despite the loss, Orton was made to look pretty good, especially with the chokeslam counter into the RKO. Winner: The Undertaker Women's Championship Trish Stratus vs. Christy Hemme (with Lita) - Christy came out in perhaps the skimpiest ring gear in wrestling history, as she wore a tiny little two piece red... thing. Trish sported some new ring attire that looked like a "Diva'd Up" business suit; she wore pants, a sleeveless shirt with a collar cut off at the sleeves, cuffs on her wrists, and suspenders. - Trish teased Christy early by laying down and offering for Christy to cover her. Christy didn't go for it. Trish smiled and shoved Christy around, sending her clear out of the ring. She went out after her and sent her into the ring steps. JR and Lawler were appalled, calling Trish's actions "uncalled for" which was a ridiculous thing to say. It wasn't Trish's fault that Christy was severely inexperienced in comparison. - Trish did a little dance to mock Christy, and the crowd loved it. Christy then blocked a kick by Trish and started kicking away as JR put over William Regal and Tajiri for helping her with her kicks. Then in the ropes, Christy clearly got confused as she first lowered her head as if attempting a backdrop over the ropes, then seemed to ready herself for an Irish whip that never came. Moments later Christy actually got a decent move, as she avoided a run-in by Trish into the corner by jumping up onto the top turnbuckle, after which she hit a sunset flip for a near fall on Trish. Christy then walked into a spinebuster. - Trish took a shot at Lita's knee at ringside, then Christy rolled her up while Trish was taunting Lita. Christy stayed on Trish, hitting the 10 head thrusts into the turnbuckle. Christy then hit the Twist of Fate. The cover, and Trish got the shoulder up. Christy then started punching and choking Trish. In an awkward spot, Trish went for the Backlund roll-up with a bridge, and Christy reversed for a near fall. The thing was, Trish was still pinned after referee Jack Doan counted two, so Doan inexplicably stopped his count at two for no reason. I guess Christy forgot to let go at two. Christy then released the hold and walked into the Chick Kick for the pin. - A sloppy match as you'd expect, but it was kept short enough, and Trish did her best to carry Christy through a passable match. Winner: Trish Stratus Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top was shown in the crowd, as was Marg Helgenberger from "CSI". I'm one of the few people on the planet who has never seen even one episode of "CSI" (I don't watch much network TV), so I'd never heard of Helgenberger. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle - A lot of intensity on the faces of both guys before the opening bell. Shawn paused to look out into the crowd and waved at a few people. He and Kurt stood face-to-face talking, and they both smiled at each other. Shawn had on some fancy new tights that were made to look like his chaps were still on. - Slap to the face by Shawn. Angle then outwrestled him on the first lock-up and got a go-behind, so Shawn grabbed the ropes to break. The fans actually started a brief "You Screwed Bret" chant for Shawn; well, they *were* out west, just... you know... not the Canadian west. Shawn got a side headlock on the next lock-up, and Angle tried to break with a suplex, but Shawn kept the headlock on. The fans started chanting "Angle" briefly. Kurt shoved Shawn off, but Shawn caught him off the ropes with a shoulder block, then went back to the headlock. Angle tried to shove him off again, but Shawn kept the headlock on again. There were various brief chants going on, and I couldn't make them all out but I did make out "Let's Go Angle". I don't want to make it sound like the crowd was partisan against Shawn, because they weren't; they were mostly quiet in fact, and each chant would only last a few seconds. - Shoulder block by Kurt dropped Shawn, then he ran off the ropes and walked into a hip toss, after which Shawn got a combined armbar and arm scissors. Kurt rolled through it a couple of times for near falls, but otherwise Shawn maintained control with the armbar. Kurt then fought to his feet, lifting Shawn off the canvas in the process. Shawn got a sunset flip to take Kurt back down, then a backslide for a near fall, after which he went back to the side headlock. Kurt slapped the mat to express his frustration. Shawn was beating Kurt at his own game so far, making me wonder if Kurt was about to put on an aerial clinic. Even I would pop for that. - The wrestling match broke down to a fight as Kurt and Shawn jockeyed for position. They exchanged punches, and then Kurt knocked Shawn down and got the ankle lock early. Shawn got out quickly, then clotheslined Angle over the top and went over with him. Shawn then cleared off the SmackDown! broadcast table at ringside. He rolled back in to break the count, then rolled back out and Angle caught him with a couple of European uppercuts. Angle then went for a suplex onto the table, but Shawn escaped it. Then in a nice looking spot, Angle got Shawn up in Angle Slam position, turned to the ring post, and dropped Shawn back-first against the ring post. JR then put over Shawn's history of back problems to accentuate the severity of the spot. - Back in, Angle got a suplex for a near fall. Shawn fought back with chops, but Kurt then reversed an Irish whip, sending Shawn head-over-heels into the corner, after which he hit a German suplex. Another suplex, and Kurt got a near fall. You could hear both "Let's Go Michaels" and "Let's Go Angle" chants. Angle and Shawn again exchanged chops and punches, and Shawn again slapped Angle which seemed to infuriate Kurt, who floored Shawn with a big clothesline. Angle then went for a superplex, but Shawn knocked him off the corner. Shawn then went for the big elbow, but Kurt moved out of the way. Angle then lowered his straps and went for the Angle Slam, but Shawn countered with an armdrag, then sent Angle over the top rope. Shawn went up top and hit a high crossbody onto Kurt at ringside, and it was sloppy. Shawn lost his balance just before jumping, and it looked like his thigh and knee caught Kurt on the left side of his face. But Angle recovered quickly, and jumped up behind Shawn while Michaels was trying to re-enter the ring. Angle then tried to German suplex Shawn off the apron, but Michaels grabbed the ropes to prevent it, then low-blowed Kurt to break the hold, drawing jeers from the crowd. Shawn then did a springboard splash onto Kurt, who was on the broadcast table, and the table didn't break, meaning Kurt would have gotten the worst of it. Lawler explained that they had reenforced the tables with steel due to guys breaking through them. - Both guys made it back in before 10, and Kurt was bleeding from the mouth. They looked each other in the eye as they both fought to their feet, then they started exchanging punches and chops. Shawn got the flying forearm, then nipped up. He got a definite mixed reaction, arguably with more boos than cheers. Inverted atomic drop, and a clothesline. Bodyslam by Shawn, and that usually sets up the elbow. He went up top, and hit it. Shawn then started to "tune up the band" and continued to get a mixed reaction. Angle blocked the kick and got the ankle lock. Shawn tried to roll through, but Kurt wouldn't let go. The crowd was hot for this. Shawn went for the ropes and got there. A lot of fans booed after he did. Kurt broke the hold and taunted Shawn. Angle Slam attempt, and Shawn countered with a sunset flip, but Kurt countered that with the ankle lock again. Shawn countered with a roll-up for a near fall. Shawn then went for the superkick, but Angle countered with the Angle Slam for a near fall. Great action. Kurt was frustrated. He went up for a really high moonsault, and Kurt landed too close to the corner so that when Shawn rolled out of the way (towards the corner), Kurt still partially connected, but of course sold it like he'd completely missed. Shawn then went up top, but Kurt did his run up the corner into the Angle Slam. The cover, and Michaels kicked out just before three. Great near fall. Angle was frustrated. He trash talked Shawn and told him to tap out, and Shawn then superkicked him. Both guys were now down. Shawn slowly crawled over and got the cover, and Angle barely got the shoulder up before three (that actually looked like a three count but the ref of course stopped the count anyway). Jerry Lawler questioned the referee, who was of course a SmackDown! official. - Shawn struggled to his feet, then Kurt got the ankle lock out of nowhere. Shawn tried to kick Kurt off, but Angle wouldn't let go. Shawn tried rolling through, and Angle wouldn't let go. Shawn tried for the ropes, but Kurt pulled him back to the middle of the ring. Shawn continued to fight. Kurt then grapevined Shawn's legs with his body to anchor him down. The crowd was alive. Shawn still didn't want to tap. He had nowhere to go and finally did tap out. Great finish, as Shawn did absolutely anything and everything to escape, and Kurt refused to let go. Another match that started off slowly but built into a great bout by the end. Likely not the last Angle vs. Michaels match that we'll see. Winner: Kurt Angle Shawn got a standing ovation post-match, and blew a kiss to someone at ringside. We had already seen more solid matches on this show than we'd seen on the last several WWE PPVs put together. The ladder match, Taker vs. Orton and Shawn vs. Angle were all really good bouts, and even Eddie vs. Rey had its moments despite being an overall disappointment. The award winner for "Favorite Female" in those WrestleMania Hollywood trailer awards at WWE.com went to Stacy Keibler for the "Basic Instinct" stoof. They then aired the trailer. The Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young were shown in the crowd. Roddy Piper's music hit, as it was now time for the live in-ring "Piper's Pit" segment. He came out in his traditional kilt, T-shirt, leather jacket and ring boots. The ring was set up with a plaid carpet, two stools, and two microphones. Piper got a respectable ovation but nothing overwhelming; the folks in LA were tough all night. "Thank you for the honor of the Hall of Fame," Piper said. "Now let's move on and make history." He questioned who the baddest man is in WWE. "I hear Stone Cold Steve Austin," he said. "Who's the meanest man I ask in the WWE?" he asked. "Who is the biggest rebel in the history of the WWF?" (and yes he said WWF). Piper then said, "Bullshit!" He said he had to see this guy, and introduced Steve Austin. Austin came out to a pretty big pop in his traditional T-shirt and jean shorts. And yes, he had his knew "Unleash Hell" shirt on, since the guy always was a marketing machine and still is. The crowd was pretty alive but died right down when Austin and Piper stood face-to-face. "So you're the rebel huh?" Piper said to him. "Welcome to Piper's Pit." Piper then slapped Austin. "Thank you very much for having me you little son of a bitch," Austin responded, and slapped Piper back. Piper smiled and said, "I kinda like ya." Piper said he'd never met him until now, but he had a lot of respect for him. The crowd did the "What?" chant and Piper looked at them and said, "What are ya, deaf?" The people chanted "What?" again, and Piper turned and looked at the people. He kept going, they kept chanting "What?" and he turned to them and said, "Try to keep up with me." Even after Austin said something the fans chanted "What?" so Piper said to the fans, "You don't understand him either?" Piper said when it comes to being a rebel, Austin nor James Dean have anything on him. Austin said he doesn't trust anyone, much less Piper. He referred to Piper's kilt as a "red dress" and said, "Am I supposed to be impressed by you? Are you supposed to intimidate me? Am I supposed to be scared?" Austin said Piper didn't intimidate him one single bit and asked if he was making himself clear. Piper said what they had was a failure to communicate. Carlito Caribbean Cool's music hit, and he came out. Piper kept talking, calling for a time-out. Austin asked if this was part of Piper's plan, and he said no. Austin said he was ready to fight. Carlito said they were arguing and slapping each other like two little girls. He said what they have in common is that neither one of them is cool. He said nobody wants to see them anymore, and everyone wants to see Carlito. Piper said, "Hang on, hang on... who the hell are you?" He said Carlito looked like Alfalfa. Both Austin and Piper invited him into the ring. He slowly entered and said he was taking charge, and they should both leave the ring. Piper took his apple and took a big bite. He then spit it in Carlito's face. Carlito then attacked Piper while Austin stood back watching. Austin finally pulled him off and stomped a mudhole in the corner. He threw him into Piper, who did the fingers in the eyes, and Austin then hit the Stunner, after which Piper sent Carlito out of the ring. Post-match, Austin and Piper celebrated with some beers. Austin eventually toasted Piper, then hit the Stunner, which I think most of us saw coming. A pretty lackluster segment as the verbal exchange between Piper and Austin didn't make much sense, and the payoff with Carlito taking the Stunner was pretty predictable. But the point was Austin's in-ring return, and the fans got what they wanted. The WrestleMania trailer voted as the "favorite trailer" was the "Taxi Driver" spoof. Sumo Match Akebono vs. The Big Show - As Tony Chimel started the introductions, the cameras showed the fans but not the ring, so they were probably still setting up. - Akebono came out first to zero crowd reaction. He was wearing perhaps the ugliest kimona ever. They finally did show the ring; the ring ropes had been removed, and they posts were covered. There was a white mat on the canvas with a circle on it, and of course the point was to push your opponent out of the circle to win. - Big Show also came out in a kimona and it just didn't look right. He looked like he was heading to the spa or something. Both guys took their robes off, and both were wearing traditional Sumo wear (yes, Big Show's butt was exposed to the world). Akebono probably has a 75% body fat count. Big Show looked malnourished next to him. A traditional Sumo referee (not sure what they're called) ruled over the proceedings. They both even did the traditional pre-match salt ritual. - They tried to start the match a couple of times, but Big Show kept standing up right from the croutch as if looking for a timeout. They finally locked up. Akebono did his patented slaps, but couldn't get Big Show out of the circle. They locked up and Akebono got Big Show close, but couldn't get him out. Big Show then did the chokeslam motion and briefly lifted Akebono off the canvas, but Akebono then did a version of a hiptoss, sending Big Show out of the circle, out of the ring and to the floor. Big Show shook his hand post-match and they embraced. Not much of a match at all, but then it was never meant to be. At least it was a unique spectacle; after all, Piper vs. Mr. T in the boxing match at WrestleMania II wasn't great either, but we remember it because it was unique. Winner: Akebono WWE World Championship John Bradshaw Layfield vs. John Cena - They did this elaborate entrance for JBL with a police escort for the limo, and phony $100 bills with JBL's picture on them fell from the ceiling. Michael Cole put over JBL's wins since winning the title, which is typically what you hear before a champ loses the strap. - John Cena had that spinning thing on a chain around his neck that he wore at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night. I thought he looked ridiculous wearing that thing at a formal out-of-ring event like the induction ceremony, but the guy lives his gimmick, and has always said so. - Cena didn't get the sort of superstar pop you'd expect. Again, the fans in LA just weren't very boisterous all night. They popped for Hogan's entrance, for Austin's entrance and at the end of the big matches, but not for much else. They didn't even pop for Austin's Stunners. - Side headlock to start by JBL. Cena shoved him off and was dropped with a shoulder block, but then Cena returned the favor by catching JBL off the ropes with a shoulder block of his own. Cena then foolishly ran clear across the ring at JBL, and walked into a big boot. JBL then took control early with clubbing forearms followed by a pair of swinging neckbreakers. On a side note, I noticed in the WWE Shopzone the other day that they're now selling these cheap rubber wristbands that cost $3 to buy, and probably 10 cents to make. And Cena's rubber wristband was the top seller in the Shopzone. People really will buy anything. - JBL continued to dominate while Tazz suggested that Cena was taken off his game by running into that big boot early. Whatever the case, it was all JBL, and the crowd was dying a slow death. The top level babyfaces usually start off fast before the heel takes over, but Cena didn't get that fast start. It was all JBL from the opening bell aside from that shoulder block. - Somebody sent me an e-mail asking if the Big Show vs. Akebono match was a shoot or a work. If you watch the match, you'll know. Nobody would ever physically be able to hiptoss Big Show like that if he didn't willing let them. Enough said. - Cena got a back suplex, but it turned out to only be a "hope spot" meaning JBL maintained control. This was about the worst way WWE could have possibly booked Cena. The way he was looking here, a win would look like an underdog fluke. Just horrid booking. JBL hit a superplex, then went up top, jumped off and Cena countered with a powerslam, and then Michael Cole called it "pure instinct" to add to Cena's underdog booking. - Cena started the "hot" comeback, which wasn't actually hot since the crowd didn't react to anything. Even when Cena yelled out to the crowd, he got zero reaction. And why should he after the way he'd been booked for the first several minutes of the bout? The people finally responded to Cena doing the "You Can't See Me" thing. He then did the five knuckle shuffle, pumped up his shoes (and got a mixed reaction) and hit the FU for the win. - This was one of the most horribly booked WWE Title matches that I've ever seen. No drama, no story; just JBL dominating, Cena getting one hot comeback for the FU, and the pin. Terrible. The crowd barely reacted to Cena's win after the mess they'd just sat through. It was as if Cena's win was a given, and the match itself was an afterthought. WWE didn't care how they got there, they just wanted to get there. Awful. Winner and New WWE Champion: John Cena They aired a video package from the Hall of Fame induction ceremony last night. It really is touching seeing The Big show get emotional and choked up watching Hogan. Tony Chimel introduced Gene Okerlund, who was in the ring. He then introduced the Class of 2005 in the WWE Hall of Fame. The inductees stayed on the stage. Nikolai Volkoff came out first, with Michelle McCool. Next was The Iron Sheik with Candice Michelle. Sheik used The Sultan/Tiger Ali Singh music. "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff was with Miss Jackie. He looks the same that he did in WCW when he headed up the Power Plant. "Cowboy" Bob Orton came out with Maria Kanellis; no way he could have expected a pop after trying to screw Taker with the cast. Jimmy Hart was next with Joy Giovanni. He was using the old Johnny B. Badd music from WCW from years ago. Roddy Piper came out with Torrie Wilson, and Piper was all smiles considering that Austin had wiped the floor with him. Hogan was introduced last with Stacy Keibler. The crowd was dead here; they weren't even up for Hogan anymore. Of course, if I'd just sat through that JBL vs. Cena match live, I'd be asleep too. I don't know if Hogan was expecting another five-minute standing ovation, but he didn't get it this time. They announced WrestleMania 22 on April 2, 2006 in Chicago. JR asked Lawler how important it was to have the experience edge in the Triple H vs. Batista match. Lawler said it wasn't about experience as much as it was a personal issue, and then he used Triple H's analogy about Batista being an animal that Triple H had raised, only for Batista to turn and bite him. The guys from Motorhead were set up on the stage and performed Triple H's theme music for his intro. It was actually a pretty cool deal, as Motorhead went through the first verse and the chorus of the song, and when they got to the part where Triple H usually spits the water, pyro went off and Triple H appeared on the stage with Motorhead using that elevation device that Rey Mysterio uses. Ric Flair came out from the back to join him in the ring. You know if there was ever a time for Flair to turn on Triple H, you'd think it would be now, especially after the way that Triple H "fed" Flair to Batista on Raw to avoid being destroyed himself. Batista got a pretty good pop, easily bigger than John Cena, and one of the biggest on the show. World Heavyweight Championship Triple H vs. Batista - Mike Chioda was the official, and he is of course the bumping king among referees, so it was inevitable that he would take another fall here. - Triple H and Batista stood nose-to-nose to start, and the fans chanted Batista's name. Batista had a confident grin on his face. It was 10:27PM ET when the bell went, meaning they were likely to go at least 20 minutes. - Long lock-up to start. Neither moved the other, and they broke. Another lock-up, and Batista backed HHH into the corner. Triple H reversed to get Batista into the corner, and Batista then pushed HHH off, sending him across the ring. A third lock-up and HHH got a side headlock. Batista shoved him off, and HHH ran into him off the ropes as if running into a wall. Another lock-up into a side headlock by HHH. Batista shoved him off again, and HHH ducked a clothesline and came off the other side with a shoulder block of his own, sending Batista down. HHH then went for the Pedigree, but Batista countered and had to power HHH up for a press slam because HHH didn't get enough into his jump. It looked sloppy but considering that Batista had to power him up, it still looked impressive. Batista took over with punches in the corner, then got a really high back bodydrop off the ropes. Irish whip in, and HHH again ducked a clothesline, then got the Harley Race high knee, sending Batista to the floor. Ric Flair stalked after Batista at ringside, but ended up serving as a distraction, allowing HHH to get Batista from behind and throw him into the ring steps. Then as Batista was trying to get back into the ring, HHH caught him with an elbow off the second rope that was somewhat reminiscent of Greg Valentine, or maybe Bret Hart. HHH then distracted the referee, so Flair took off his jacket and choked Batista with it. Lawler laughed it off, but JR was irate. "What do you think he did with his coat, he got hot?" questioned JR. - Back inside, HHH continued to work over the back. Neither JR nor Lawler explained it, but working over the back was a smart strategy by HHH because it would potentially take the Batista Bomb or any other power move out of Batista's arsenal. JR finally did touch upon it. Guaranteed Tazz would have been all over that. - So far, the booking of this match was similar to JBL vs. John Cena, and that was a bad thing. HHH was mostly dominating, and Batista is not the type of wrestler that people want to see down for any length of time. He has not been built like a "give-and-take" type wrestler; he has been built to look like a dominator like a Bill Goldberg. So as you can expect, the fans weren't at all into this match while HHH dominated the action. Batista fought back with a few right hands, but HHH maintained control and hit a spinebuster off the ropes, which is the sort of power move that Batista should be giving, not taking. HHH went for the Pedigree and Batista countered with a backdrop, but again it was just a hope spot as HHH stayed on the offense by hitting a facebuster. I just couldn't believe the booking I was seeing in both this match, and the WWE Title match. The company was making its two biggest new stars look like scrubs. - Batista caught HHH coming off the top with a clothesline, and started to take charge. But again, it was short lived. He hit a side suplex, then walked right into a big boot in the corner. HHH then tried to Irish whip Batista across, but Batista reversed it and sent HHH over the turnbuckle and to the floor. The crowd barely responded to it. And surprise, surprise, after Batista went out after HHH, Hunter seized control yet again, throwing Batista into the ring steps. Each bit of Batista's offense was being made to look like "hope" offense. - In what could have been a dangerous spot, HHH went for the Pedigree on Batista on the ring steps at ringside. Batista scooped the legs, and then used a slingshot to send HHH into the ring post. It could have been dangeous in that when doing the slingshot, Batista had to be careful because if he was too short on it, he'd run his own back into the edge of the steps, and if he was too long on it, he could run the back of his head into the floor. But he came out of it fine. HHH bladed after hitting the post, and walked around ringside groggy and bleeding. I was expecting him to do the patented Flair Flop but he didn't. - Back inside, Batista was finally in control. He pounded on the bloody Triple H, then Irish whipped him into the corner and hit a running clothesline. He sent him across to the other side and hit another running clothesline, and it was a hard looking shot. The crowd started a brief "Batista" chant. Batista hoisted HHH on his shoulder and hit a Davey Boy Smith powerslam for a near fall. A bloody HHH rolled to the floor to regroup. Flair went at Batista, and Batista decked him. HHH tried to use a chair, and Mike Chioda jumped off the apron to grab it from him and hit the floor in a heap. The wrestlers went back into the ring, and Flair tried to run in with the belt but Batista stopped him. Then as Chioda (selling his knee) tried to get Flair out of the ring, HHH clocked Batista with the belt and got a near fall. HHH then ran at Batista and ate a spinebuster. Batista then called for the Batista Bomb. HHH hit a low-blow to block it. Chioda was down selling the knee through all of this and saw nothing. HHH went for the Pedigree, but Batista blocked it with his power. He then used his strength to separate Triple H's hands before lifting him up in Alabama Slam position but then dropping him backwards in a modified slam. The crowd was now alive as Batista gave the double thumbs down. Batista Bomb, and he nailed it. The cover, and the three count. Big pop from the crowd on the finish. Match went about 25 minutes. - This match started out poorly from a booking standpoint, and I was afraid that Batista would have the same fate as John Cena, meaning he would win and the fans wouldn't care. But from the time that Triple H took the slingshot into the ring post, Batista dominated. So rather than get one quick flurry leading to the pin like Cena, Batista got to look dominant. Good finish. Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Batista Post-match, Batista looked at HHH, who looked back at him. Batista then raised his arms over his head with the belt in his hands. Flair helped HHH to the back, and Batista celebrated. A good show overall with several quality matches. The ladder match, Taker vs. Orton and Angle vs. Michaels were especially good. The returns of Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin made for nice nostalgic moments. The Sumo Match wasn't great but it was at least unique and was kept short. Trish vs. Christy was expected to be mediocre, but again it was kept short and Trish carried Christy pretty well. The only real stinker was JBL vs. John Cena, and it was a brutal way to kick off Cena's title reign. HHH vs. Batista started off bad as well, but Batista did eventually show his dominance in winning. |
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