Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac
Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is
more boring than a Road Dogg singles match! It’s time after another long hiatus
to watch some WWE and today I will be checking out WWE Wrestlemania 25! The
show of shows, the showcase of the immortals! The big matches on the card
tonight include Big Show vs Edge vs John Cena for the World Heavyweight
Championship, Randy Orton challenges Triple H for the WWE Championship, Shawn
Michaels vs The Undertaker, two huge stars who always bring their A game for
Wrestlemania and Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy. We have other matches that are
attractive, it’s a massive card but will it be a home-run? Let’s see!
(Money In The Bank Ladder Match) CM Punk vs
Christian vs Mark Henry vs MVP vs Finlay vs Shelton Benjamin vs Kofi Kingston
vs Kane
Big names in this match, ECW gets some good
representation in this one too. A lot of eyes on Christian who is making his
first appearance on PPV since rejoining the WWE. It starts off hot with two
monsters Kane and Henry clearing the ring, Benjamin and Christian use the
ladder to take down the giants before Kofi leapfrogs the ladder, dropkicks the
duo and lands a Boom Drop. Kane & Henry begin climbing the ladder before
being knocked down by a dogpile of bodies. Two ladders in the ring, five men
climbing all the ladders. Kane and Henry shove the ladders apart and everyone
falls to the mat. Kane uppercuts and boots Henry, Henry is back up and throws
Kane off who hits his face off the ropes.
Henry decides it is time to climb but no, Henry throws
the ladder towards Finlay but Finlay manages to dodge, Finlay lands a suicide
dive onto Kane & Benjamin. Christian lands a leapfrog to the floor, MVP
decides to land a senton from the apron. Kofi & Punk are in the ring, they
do not fight as they prefer to land stereo suicide dives onto everyone on the
floor. Shelton Benjamin has climbed a ladder and lands a diving senton to the
floor from a twenty foot ladder. Henry begins climbing the ropes but Finlay smashes
Henry with his weapon. Hornswoggle appears with a mini-ladder and dives onto
everyone using Henry’s back.
Finlay is alone at the moment, Finlay sets-up a
ladder. Finlay has Kofi in the ring, Kofi is whipped to the corner. Kofi kicks
Finlay through the rungs of the ladder, Finlay tosses the mini-ladder at Kofi.
Finlay takes down Punk and Kane, Kofi knocks Finlay off the ladder with a
Trouble In Paradise. Kofi begins climbing but Henry shoves down the ladder onto
Kofi, headbutt from Henry. Henry is holding the ladder directly straight and
Kofi runs up it in a great spot before Henry drops Kofi with a World’s Strongest
Slam on the ladder. MVP stabs Henry with a ladder in the spine, Benjamin and
MVP are brawling now. MVP eats a dropkick from Benjamin, Benjamin looks for a
hurricanrana but MVP counters with a powerbomb.
MVP is climbing for the briefcase, Punk kicks and
chops at MVP. Christian clotheslines MVP down, Punk kicks away Christian.
Christian is in pursuit, shots to the back. Punk grabs Christian for a GTS,
Christian escapes and drills Punk with The Unprettier! Benjamin nails Kane with
a Dragon Whip, MVP begins climbing again, Benjamin climbs up the ladders with
great speed, sunset flip powerbomb goes wrong as both men slip. MVP is
powerbombed onto Henry and Kofi at ringside, Benjmain and Finlay are climbing
for the briefcase. Finlay is smashed off with a huge right, Christian and
Benjamin are brawling. Benjamin knees down Christian, we have two ladders in
the ring. Christian and Benjamin are on top of the two ladders, Benjamin falls
to the floor but Christian uses the top rope to remain on the ladder. Christian
almost wins it, Punk and Christian are so close to the briefcase.
Punk is upside down caught on the ladder, Kane is here
and Kane chokeslams Christian off the ladder and all the way to hell. Punk
kicks down Kane, both men are brawling for the briefcase. Kane wants a
chokeslam, Punk kicks Kane over and over before Punk grabs the briefcase and
takes it for the second year in a row.
A chaotic match as always, one that fires up the crowd
and never fails to amaze. The standout star of this one was Kofi Kingston,
every time this young man came near a ladder, he stole the show. Kofi is a
fantastic babyface for the company and one to watch for the future here, it is
so clear. Hindsight is a terrible thing really because in this match, Kofi
looked like future world champion material. A subdued performance from the
likes of Christian, Kane and Henry. I suppose Christian didn’t want to mess himself
up so early into his run in the company while the other two big men aren’t well
suited to a match such as this but I expected a little more, Finlay impressed
me considering his age and what he was willing to do to his body in this one
and Benjamin took every opportunity to show why he shouldn’t be slept on when
it comes to himself. Punk winning two in a row when the crowd was dying for a
Christian win is an interesting choice, Punk never lost the World Championship
the first time around but I would be lying if I said Punk was an important
piece of the puzzle at any time following his return. Tag team title and
Intercontinental championship reigns are good signs but I wouldn’t have thought
Punk was winning on this night. All in all, a great spotfest to get the crowd
cooking.
Miss Wrestlemania Divas Battle Royal
Some great returns in this match but blink and you
would miss it, Sunny is in there as well as Torrie Wilson, Joy Giovanni too.
Santina is in there too, Candice
Michelle is watching on at ringside. Molly Holly is here too, I didn’t even see
her the first time around. Lots of kicking and pairing off in the corner, Jackie
Gayda is in there, I thought it was Katie Lea Burchill. Torrie Wilson is thrown
out, very sad there is no reaction for anyone or anything. More and more Divas
are thrown out before we have just five. We have Santina, Mickie James,
Michelle McCool, Melina and Beth Phoenix. Michelle and Mickie are on the top
rope, they are both wrapped up in one another. Santina is watching on, not sure
to do, Mickie & Michelle eliminate one another. Melina is on Beth’s back, Beth
wants a Glam Slam but Melina counters before Santina Marella eliminates both.
Shite match, shite way to celebrate such a great
moment for women who had worked hard for WWE. Horrific and a slap in the face
to anyone who trained and got in shape for this match.
Winner: Santina Marella!
Chris Jericho vs Legends & Mickey Rourke
Chris Jericho wanted a big money match for
Wrestlemania, Jericho had the run of his life in 2008 so Jericho wanted to
continue this momentum in 2009. By all accounts, this match was meant to be
absolute garbage and you can tell by the caliber of opponent in the beginning
because we have Snuka and Piper who couldn’t work a lick anymore. Wow look at
Flair getting a paid day, not that much of a shock I suppose, Flair would have
been a great special referee had he not gone to TNA for the next couple of
years. Mickey Rourke looks horrific, man is super old. Piper spits on Jericho
and tackles him, kind of shocked that Piper would agree to do a job. Piper
tries a sunset flip but Jericho kicks out, a horrific dropkick from Piper.
Piper slaps Jericho over and over, Piper punches in
the corner. Jericho is rammed into the corner. Snuka is in the ring now,
headbutt for Jericho. Snuka lands a rush, Steamboat gets the tag. Diving chop and
two arm-drags, knees to the spine. Crowd comes alive because Steamboat can
actually move and not look like a grandad. Snuka gets the tag, chop by Snuka.
Headbutt by Snuka, Jericho counters Snuka and applies The Walls of Jericho.
Snuka taps, Snuka has been eliminated. Jericho smashes Steamboat to the floor,
Piper kicks Jericho in the ribs hard. Jericho is in the corner, big boot by
Piper. Eye-poke by Piper, Sleeper by Piper. Piper is sent into the top rope,
Jericho lands an enzuigiri for the elimination. Steamboat lands his Diving
Crossbody for a close two, clothesline by Jericho.
Jericho kicks Steamboat but Steamboat chops back, boot
by Jericho. Snap-mare and a kick to the spine, reverse chin-lock by Jericho.
Steamboat escapes the hold and skins the cat, Steamboat sends Jericho to the
floor. Plancha by Steamboat, Steamboat lands another diving chop. More chops by
Steamboat, O’Connor roll for a close two. Jericho boots Steamboat, running
bulldog and it’s Lionsault time. Steamboat dodges, Jericho gets caught with a
powerslam for two. Walls of Jericho is locked in on Steamboat, Steamboat rolls
through with a small package for a close two, Steamboat had the fans on that
one. Steamboat flips out of the back suplex but a Code-Breaker puts down
Steamboat.
Had no right to be anywhere near as good as that,
credit to Ricky Steamboat who came in there and kicked all sorts of ass here.
The dives and the near-falls were tremendous, so good that we would get a
rematch the next month. Flair comes into the ring after, Jericho gets chopped
to shit before a Code-breaker wipes out The Nature Boy. Jericho smiles in the
ring and asks for the microphone, Frank Shamrock is beside Mickey Rourke.
Mickey Rourke is called out and decides to come into the ring, after a lot of
posing Rourke decks Jericho and it is not Tyson knocking out Michaels sadly.
Best part was Jericho vs Steamboat, everything else was dogshite.
Winner: Chris Jericho over The Legends via
Code-breaker!
(Extreme Rules Match) Jeff Hardy vs Matt Hardy
The impossible dream but it happened, Jeff Hardy
became WWE Champion. Nobody expected, nobody could be happier than Jeff but
Matt Hardy was not happy for his brother, Matt was jealous of his brother’s
success and it ate away at Matt Hardy. Matt would cost his brother his WWE
Championship, Jeff has revenge on his mind and this will be one hell of a
match. I forgot about the minor detail that they did imply that Matt burned
down Jeff’s house with his dog inside, pretty brutal stuff.
Jeff slaps the taste out of Matt’s mouth and they
spill to the floor, Jeff breaks a framed Wrestlemania poster across Matt’s
face. Jeff keeps looking for weapons, Matt blocks the trash can. Jeff smacks
Matt off the steel steps, poetry in motion lands by Jeff. Jeff has a chair,
poetry in motion in the ring misses for Jeff. Jeff wants a Whisper in The Wind
but Matt blocks with a chairshot to the spine, Matt gets two. Matt chokes Jeff
using the middle rope, Matt pulls out a vacuum and wallops Jeff in the head for
a close two. Side Effect on the chair by Matt for a close two, Matt chokes Jeff
with his boot. Matt stretches Jeff across the ring-post, Matt pulls out a
table. Matt wants a suplex through the table but Jeff batters Matt away. Diving
apron clothesline and spinning mule kick by Jeff, Matt has a cut on his head
from the steel steps that doctors clean up quick.
Jeff smashes two crutches over the back of Matt, a
trash-can is placed on Matt’s head. A crutch to the head and a slingshot
drop-kick from Jeff, two count for Jeff. Sit-out suplex by Jeff, Jeff wants a
Swanton Bomb but Matt dodges the move. Twist of Fate by Matt Hardy for two, Matt
mocks Jeff. Jeff stops Matt on the top rope, Jeff waffles Matt in the face with
the chair. Jeff places Matt on the table. Jeff places a chair on top of Matt, Jeff
pulls out another table and places on top of Matt so there are now two tables
stacked with Matt Hardy sandwiched between the two. Jeff climbs to the top rope
and lands a diving splash through the two tables. In the ring, Jeff pins Matt
but Matt places a foot on the ropes, always curious why they have rope breaks
in hardcore matches.
Naturally, Jeff brings out the ladders. The weapon is
associated with both brothers, it is natural that they will play a part in this
match. Jeff uses a chair for a little springboard leg-drop on Matt, it seems
Jeff has a twenty-foot ladder, I think Jeff wants his leapfrog leg-drop, Jeff
crashes and burns as Matt dodges at the last second, Matt is using the ropes to
pull himself up, that is one hell of a bump. Matt Hardy places Jeff’s head in
between the seat of the chair and lands a vicious Twist of Fate for the win.
A brutal affair, brief and very violent, not a dull
moment to be found in this one which is good because I cannot buy Matt as a
top-level heel. Those tights look cool but Matt’s gut spilling out of the
tights is not so great. Regardless, Jeff and Matt bring the violence, they
batter one another with the table spot and the finish both great visuals and
great depictions of the hatred the two have for one another, that Twist of Fate
for the finish should have been something they get over as it’s a great looking
bump. Speaking of bumps, that Jeff Hardy leg drop looked horrific, I have no
idea how he survived that without shattering everything he has below. Really
good stuff here though, they didn’t waste time they just went from spot to spot
filled with violence.
Winner: Matt Hardy over Jeff Hardy via Twist of
Fate!
(WWE Intercontinental Championship Match) JBL ©
vs Rey Mysterio
Speaking earlier about Punk, Punk would win the
Intercontinental Championship but here we are at Wrestlemania with JBL as
Intercontinental Champion, perhaps a reward for how good the Rumble angle with
HBK was? Maybe but JBL cuts a great heel promo before Mysterio comes down to
the ring. The match starts with a big boot by JBL, clubbing blows in the corner
by JBL. JBL asks for the referee to start the match officially, Mysterio slowly
recovers. JBL gets caught with an enzuigiri and a dropkick, 619 and a Tadpole
Splash and we have a new champion!
JBL away for the world championship is one of my
favourite wrestlers because he’s a bully and works stiff and then gets
embarrassed like that, fun stuff for the fans who probably wouldn’t have
enjoyed a match between these two.
Winner: Rey Mysterio over JBL via Splash!
Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker
After Shawn Michaels freed himself from the clutches
of JBL, there was only one goal in mind for Shawn Michaels and that was facing
Undertaker at Wrestlemania. The undefeated streak against Mr. Wrestlemania, two
men who have been kept separate for years on different brands. Forgot about the
religious side to this with Michaels quoting bible passages, bold of Michaels
to mock Taker. However, Michaels did tag with God one time so God is definitely
down with HBK. What’s great about this too is Michaels is going to play up that
heelish side of him that we see far too rarely during his second run in the
company.
Great promo package and I am hyped, two of the
greatest entrances I have ever seen here for this match. I rarely make mention
of entrances but these are spectacular, Michaels descending from heaven dressed
in white. Undertaker rises from hell to confront the man who says he does not
fear The Deadman. Taker looks irate, Michaels is calm. Bell rings and neither
man moves, both men showing immense respect to the other and not rushing in.
Michaels has to use his speed, Michaels ducks the blows and lands chops.
Michaels backs away again, Michaels is giving up ground constantly but right
hands find their mark. Elbows and chops find the mark, Taker reverses and Irish
whip but blocks the right hand. Taker grabs HBK by the throat, Michaels fires
back and tells Taker to suck it before leapfrogging Taker. HBK feigns a knee
injury before landing a Thesz Press and right hands, Taker decides to fire up
and nail right hands.
Measured right hands and elbows by The Phenom, HBK
blocks the whip. Michaels chops and chops Taker, Taker reverses the Irish whip.
HBK bump into a back body-drop, military press slam and an elbow drop for two.
Shoulder thrusts by Taker, Old School is the plan. It connects, Taker misses a
big boot in the corner. Michaels goes after the knee, shin-breaker and a
chop-block. Enzuigiri to the head by HBK, Michaels fights and fights before
landing the figure-four leg-lock. Taker lands right hands to break the hold, low
dropkick by Michaels. Taker catches Michaels and sends Michaels into the
corner, right hands by Taker. Corner clotheslines by Taker, snake-eyes and a
big boot connects. Leg drop for two, Taker calls for a Chokeslam. Michaels
counters for a crossface. Michaels pulls and pulls, Taker struggles to wriggle
free. Taker gets to his feet and lands a side-walk slam, both men exchange
blows. HBK kicks Taker in the face but it has no effect, Michaels continues to
chop Taker. Irish whip, Taker reverses but eats a flying forearm. Michaels kips
up, Taker is knocked loopy. Inverted atomic drop, chop and another inverted
atomic drop. HBK lands a big flying clothesline. HBK climbs to the top rope, Taker
sets-up and Michaels dives into a choke-hold. Chokeslam is blocked, Sweet Chin
Music is blocked, Michaels’ figure four is blocked while Taker succeeds with
Hell’s Gate. Michaels scrambles and scrambles before reaching the ropes, both
men are now on the floor.
Taker has Michaels on the apron, boot to the head by Taker.
Apron leg-drop misses, Taker is down with a sore backside. Michaels lands a
baseball slide, Michaels wants a moonsault to the floor and Taker swats away
Michaels like a fly. Michaels teases being unable to continue, Taker sits up
and decides it is time for something big. Taker runs the ropes and goes for his
suicide dive and lands directly on the cameraman but as we see replays, Taker
dives right onto his head in one of the most sickening dives we have ever seen
in a wrestling ring. Michaels looks on at the damage, Michaels pulls up the
referee. Michaels wants the count-out victory, Taker comes in at nine in a
great dramatic spot considering how horrific that bump was to the floor.
Michaels looks distraught but also has sick grin on
his face, Michaels wants to put down The Deadman. Taker cannot stand on his
own, Michaels is caught though and a Chokeslam by Taker. 1….2….. Michaels kicks
out! Taker looks at Michaels as if to say: “You want more”? Tombstone is
blocked, Sweet Chin Music is blocked, Chokeslam is blocked and Sweet Chin Music
connects! 1…..2… Taker kicks out! Michaels kips-up, Michaels is pissed off.
Michaels looks down at Taker, Taker was playing possum. Chokeslam? No Taker
kicks Michaels and wants The Last Ride, Michaels slips out for a sunset flip
but Taker does not go down, The Last Ride. 1…..2… Michaels kicks out! Taker is
climbing top rope?
Taker misses a diving elbow, both men are up to their
feet. Taker side-steps Michaels, Michaels wants to skin the cat. Taker catches Michaels
for the Tombstone Piledriver, 1…2… Michaels kicks out! Undertaker is in shock,
how can this be? It is impossible! How can Michaels still be alive after all of
that punishment? Is it Michaels’ night? Taker has a determined look on his
face, Taker is calling for the end. Taker looks down at the broken body of HBK,
Taker wanted a tombstone but HBK nails one hell of a DDT. Michaels crawls to
the ropes, pulling himself up for an elbow. HBK fakes almost falling off before
delivering a diving elbow drop into the heart of The Deadman. HBK has one more
shot in him, one more tune to play. Sweet Chin Music to the point of the jaw,
1….2… Taker kicks out!
Crowd has been losing their mind for about ten minutes
now, this is insanity. Both men are on their knees, chop by Michaels. Right
hand by Taker, chop again by Michaels. Taker answers, HBK throws a bomb of his
own. Taker wins that war of right hands, HBK chops back at Taker. Big boot by
Taker, tombstone is escaped by Michaels. Taker reverses an Irish whip to the
corner, Michaels boots Taker away. Both men collapse to the mat, Michaels
climbs high and looks for a moonsault but Taker catches Michaels and Tombstones
him for the win. 1…2…3!
What can you say about a match that is considered one
of the greatest of all-time? I can’t really add much but I will let you know
how incredible it is to see Taker blossom into someone who puts on fantastic
matches because haven’t watched Taker from beginning to the end, it is shocking
watching Taker go from some of the most boring matches I had to sit through to
Mania classics, it’s almost like it is too different people while Michaels has
been a pillar of excellence since about 1994, being a top-tier seller and
dramatic moment making machine. Up there with Survivor Series 2003 and
Summerslam 2002, this might be my favourite HBK performance. I am so sad
knowing I won’t have much longer watching HBK as I go back through these years
in WWE. If you haven’t seen this match, go out of your way to see it. It is
incredible, one of the most edge of your seat matches of all-time.
Winner: Undertaker over Shawn Michaels via
Tombstone Piledriver!
(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match) Edge ©
vs John Cena vs The Big Show
Ah I do love triple threats involving Big Show because
the man always delivers when it comes to triple threat matches. Why is The Big
Show challenging for the championship? What gave Big Show the right to do so?
Is it purely because Big Show was having an affair with Vickie? Anyways, John
Cena blackmailed his way into this match because that’s what good guys do? It
is so weird to me because I mean I really feel like Big Show is a non-factor
for the last few months too but it is what it is at this point, they changed
around the champions and not for the better as we will soon see as the night
ends.
Hmm I wonder who could be winning? Could it be the two
shlubs with no special entrances or the challenger with his own special
entrance? Hmm decisions, decisions. We start with Cena going after Show &
Edge, Cena shows his speed and nails a bulldog. Show smacks Cena away with a
shoulder block, Edge wants to work with Show. Show drops Edge onto the top rope
and damages his special parts, massive chest chop from Show. Cena wants an FU
but Show boots down Cena with Edge falling to the floor. Show clubs Cena and
steps all over Cena, Vickie is in a wheelchair with Chavo at ringside. Well
done Chavo on that payday, Show continues stepping all over Cena. Cena fights
back but Show sends Cena into the air. Show misses a boot and crotches himself
on the top rope. Edge dropkicks the steel steps into the knees of Show, Cena
lands his Kobashi-style leg-drop on Show to the floor.
Cena wants the AA but Edge counters for an Impaler DDT
for two, Edge decides to climb high. Cena is too quick, Edge is knocked to the
floor. Show lands a sidewalk slam on Cena for two, Cena fights back against
Show before Chavo pulls Cena. Cena lands an AA on Chavo, shoulder block on
Show. Show is caught in the ropes, Cena lands shoulder blocks to Edge. Spinning
side slam, Five Knuckle Shuffle by Cena. Vickie is on her feet, a miracle. Edge
Spears Vickie into Chavo, Cena rolls-up Edge for two. Cena & Edge land
clotheslines on one another, Show is freed from the ropes by the referee. Show
lands a double shoulder block, headbutt on Cena. Headbutts to Edge, corner
chest slaps. Hip splash in the corner, Show wants a double chokeslam. Edge gets
planted, Cena countered but Show lands his Knock-out Punch. Cena rolls to the
floor wisely, Edge counters a chokeslam with a DDT. Edge is pulling steel steps
closer to Show, Edge takes a massive run-up and Spears Show through the
barricade. Edge tries dragging Show but that doesn’t work at all, Edge rolls
Cena into the ring for two.
Edge measures for a Spear, Cena counters with an STF.
Edge is in the middle of the ring, Edge is dragged into the middle of the ring.
Show is on his feet, Show saves Edge and headbutts Cena. Show wants a Vader
Splash but Edge dodges, Cena is back up and wants a suplex. Edge & Cena
work together and suplex Show, Edge & Cena are shocked that they worked
together. Double clothesline, Show is on the floor. Edge lands a big boot on
Cena for two, Edge O Matic is blocked by Cena. Throwback, Show shoves Cena into
a Spear by Edge. Show pulls out Edge, chop to Edge. Whip to the buckle, Edge
boots Show and applies a sleeper. Show has Edge on his back, Cena lifts up the
two briefly before AAing Show. Cena AAs Edge onto Show and pins Show for the
win.
Little anti-climatic considering what I saw especially
when the announcers act like Cena carried both for ages when it was simply not
the case. Not sure about the hot potato of the championship either. It’s great
for Cena and a moment for the fans but I can’t help but feel Jeff Hardy could have
had his moment in the sun. I think they were in a difficult spot anyways,
nobody could follow that Taker vs HBK match but I just felt it never kicked
into high gear for me. Great for Cena who came back so fast from a serious
injury and continues to be the man in WWE.
Winner: John Cena over Everyone Else via AA!
(WWE Championship Match) Triple H © vs Randy
Orton
Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble, Orton had taken out
Vince Mcmahon. Orton was as hot as anyone could have been in WWE at that time,
Orton took out Shane Mcmahon too. Orton reached another level when Orton would
wipe out Stephanie Mcmahon, Triple H would attack Dibiase & Rhodes and
things would hit another level when Stephanie put herself in Orton’s path a
second time. Orton would kiss the unconscious wife of Triple H too. Orton had
hit ungodly levels of bastard in this era.
There is no way Orton can lose right? Jokes aside, it
was great to feel something for babyface Triple H because it is a rare time where
The King of Kings actually looked vulnerable. Mr. Sledgehammer was never really
a fan of appearing weak, the WWE Championship of Cena’s design looks so weird
in other wrestlers’ hands. Both men stare one another down, Triple H starts
with a tackle. Right hands but the fans seem silent in a way, Triple H punches
down Orton. Triple H pushes the referee and stomps Orton in the corner, an RKO
drops Triple H. The fans aren’t so sure how to react seeing a finisher this
early into the match. Orton misses a punt and Triple H lands a Pedigree and
both men are down.
Orton has such a funny way of selling during this
time, fans really do not know how to react to finishers five seconds into a
match. Fans seem a little confused sadly, Triple H has Orton on the announce
table. Triple H uses water at ringside to wake himself up, nice logical part
there. We are back to Triple H pummeling Orton, Orton is on the floor. Orton is
on his knees asking for mercy, Orton is stomped. Why would Triple H wait
anyways? Triple H knees Orton in the head over and over, clothesline to the back
of the head. Neck-breaker, Orton manages to turn the tide and beats the crap
out of Triple H with right hands. Kicks to the ribs and right hands by Orton,
reverse chin-lock but Triple H counters with a belly to back suplex.
Orton counters with a powerslam for two, reverse
chin-lock. Orton continues to nail right hands in the corner, Triple H fights
back from the right hands. High knee from Triple H, corner clothesline.
Face-buster by Triple H, Orton counters with a catapult. Triple H answers with
a clothesline, Orton manages to flapjack Triple H. Pedigree is countered with a
jackknife cover for two, RKO is blocked and Triple H goes for a schoolboy for
two. Orton kicks Triple H in the face, Triple H answers with a spine-buster.
Pedigree is blocked again as Orton lands an inverted back-breaker, two for
Orton. Dropkick floors Triple H, Orton measures for the punt. Triple H
counters, Orton is caught. Triple H walks forward through punches and flips
Orton to the floor.
Triple H has a monitor an thinks about it but decides
ultimately not to do so, Triple H boots Orton in the head. Triple H wants a
Pedigree, Orton back-drops Triple H onto the second announce table. Orton looks
on, devious look in his eyes. Orton DDT on the floor, Triple H looks
unconscious. Triple H makes it in at nine but does not have the same effect as
Taker coming in at nine earlier in the night. Orton does his best Garvin stomp,
Triple H is barely conscious at this point. Measured right hands from Orton, Orton
sends Triple H into the referee. RKO but there is no referee now, Orton wants
to do something dastardly. Orton grabs the sledgehammer, Orton was slow
entering the ring so Triple H Punts Orton’s head.
Triple H has the sledgehammer, Orton is waffled in the
face with the sledgehammer. Fans are reacting to something, maybe they thought
there would be a run-in but nope, nothing is coming here. Triple H throws
massive right hands at a prone Orton who cannot defend himself at this point.
Orton cannot defend himself, a Pedigree ends the match.
Yeah not a big fan of this match at all, Taker vs
Michaels should have ended the night for sure, it was an incredible affair but
this match is just so disappointing. Orton was white-hot, it was time for Orton
to triumph over everyone, let Orton continue the dominance he began before his
injury and allow Orton to carve out just what he spoke about: his Legacy.
Triple H could have lost the championship if he was disqualified, it’s talked
about in the beginning and never really brought up again after that. Why would
Orton not try to get Triple H disqualified? Orton’s pride? But we know Orton
has no pride so why not go there? The sledgehammer to the face should have been
the exclamation point on this feud, Triple H avenging Stephanie by striking
Orton with the very weapon that Orton had tortured Triple H but Triple H just
keeps punching him after, I get the intention of him wanting to pulverize Orton
but the crowd just are not responding. A happy ending to Mania is always
appealing but could you have had Orton win here and Taker vs HBK be the match
that steals the show and main events? Yes you could have and it’s hard to look
at this match as nothing more than getting a decision completely and utterly
wrong.
Winner: Triple H over Randy Orton via Pedigree!
That was WWE’s Wrestlemania 25, a very watchable Wrestlemania
that you can fly through with minimal suffering, the Money In The Bank has a
few subdued performances but the big and bright spots shine through when
needed, Benjamin doing his insane dives and Kofi Kingston stealing the show
with some crazy athleticism come to mind, Punk wins which is a good way to rehab
him after never officially losing his world championship and never having the
chance to recapture said championship. Fans wanted Christian but Captain Charisma
is being left on ECW for now. The Divas battle royal is insulting to every
female who participates it, you don’t get full entrances for anyone so nobody
gets a good pop, some people are dumped out in seconds and the match is won by
a man in drag. Trish was right to not come back for it, very smart woman. From
a match quality standpoint, things do not improve as Jericho takes on three WWE
legends with two of the legends Piper and Snuka barely able to move. Very sad
to watch really, Steamboat comes in and rolls back the clock with some
beautiful highlights, it was good when Steamboat was in there but everything
else was horrific.
We move onto Hardy vs Hardy, it is a spotfest and
brutal. I love the intensity considering Matt tried to burn down Jeff’s house
in story-line, they beat the piss out of one another and as usual, Jeff takes
some insane risks. That missed leg-drop looked horrific for the spine and the
finish is brutal looking, really worthy of the feud. I am not sure how much
they can get out of heel Matt Hardy though, something magical happened with
that ECW championship run where the fans just went all in on Matt but as a
heel, I don’t think he’s capable of getting the same type of reaction. I still
think Jeff got shafted on his way to Mania and didn’t have a standout recovery
moment like Edge who was in a similar situation but had the win over Mick Foley
and the table spot to ease the pain, interesting to see where Jeff continues to
go following Mania. Mysterio vs JBL is too brief to rate but having watched JBL
outside of the title picture for many years now, I do find his work fun to
watch and the way he retired was perfect for him. Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels
is one of the greatest matches of all-time, I cannot do it justice it is the
blueprint for excellent WWE matches. Two titans of the sport, two men who steal
the show at Mania, multiple kick-outs, timing is perfect. Nobody could follow
it and it eats the two championship matches alive. The World Heavyweight Championship
triple threat doesn’t find the mark for me, Big Show in triple threats is my
thing but it never gets going. I don’t think Edge or Cena went out with the
mindset of making something amazing, the biggest reaction is for a spot that
doesn’t even take place. It just seemed like your average PPV match and wasn’t
fitting at Mania, could have had time issues considering the monster length of
HBK vs Taker but I would still prefer Wrestlemania 22’s triple threat over this
one. The WWE Championship match is just odd, Orton was super over and was
pushed as the guy, tremendous heat on the guy for what he did to The Mcmahons.
Triple H is the champion, Orton should be winning this match and carrying it at
least to Summerslam with revenge taking place there but no, Orton loses the
match that he needs to win. Did it destroy Orton’s career? No of course not it
is not that dramatic but how could Triple H not learn from 5 years previous?
Why is Orton’s momentum being cut again? Stupidly long match with two men who
love the word methodical and it’s just the wrong winner end of the day. All in
all, a very easily digestible Wrestlemania with plenty of good and plenty of
bad, the quality of the shows is quite good and I would say apart from the
weird world championship swapping and hot-shotting, I think WWE is looking
healthy entering 2009, a lot of young talent and new talent coming to the front
in WWE. Thanks for taking the time to read like always and remember: there’s
always another night!
