This Wrestlemania was a great Wrestle Mania. Not a contender for the greatest Wrestle Mania of all time however, but a great Wrestle Mania. There was no match I felt that will be talked about in 20 years time, e.g Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin, which is why it won't go down as one of the greatest Wrestle Mania's of all time in my opinion. There were however some superb 'Match of the Year' contenders. Also, that kind of atmosphere hasn't been seen since Summer Slam 1992.
1) Fit Fnlay vs JBL (Belfast Brawl)
A good enough opening for a Wrestle Mania. JBL (who is in terrible shape by the way) did his whole moody heartless routine whilst Finlay carried on the role of the babyface. Hornswoggle was a welcome addition at ringside. A rushed feud, but a decent match: C-
2) Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Shelton Benjamin decided to steal the show for the 3rd time in a Money In The Bank Ladder Match at Wrestle Mania. The spot from the top of the ladder to the ladder outside of the ring was breathtaking. Matt Hardy made a great cameo appearance taking out MVP. We had a Code Breaker using a ladder, a Back Cracker from the top of the ladder & a moonsault from John Morrison whilst he was holding a ladder. As far as in-ring action goes, this match stole the show: B+
3) Batista vs Umaga
An average 'RAW' quality match. Batista is starting to see signs that the crowd are getting bored of him. He got a lot of boos in this match. Neither man really did anything to make the viewers remember this match... Very average: D-
4) Chavo Guerrero vs Kane
LOL! The shortest match in Wrestle Mania history. This match reminded everybody not to assume that they know what is going to happen next & it was nice to see the WWE give Kane his moment at Wrestle Mania even though it was a very short moment. For the element of surprise alone because there was no in-ring action: C+
5) Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels
The only thing that these two men had to do was not wrestle like retards because this match was always going to be remembered fondly. This match was all about the wrestling world saying goodbye to the greatest heel in wrestling history. He may have wrestled for 10 years too long, but who could deny that they were choked up by this classic Wrestle Mania moment? A quick note must also be made about a sickening spot involving HBK moonsaulting from the middle rope onto the edge of the announcer's table. I can only assume that the spot was botched because it looked like one of the most painful spots in Wrestle Mania history & HBK looked genuinely in pain. The match was actually a good catch-as-catch-can wrestling match. For in-ring action: C+ / For the occasion: A*
6) Randy Orton vs John Cena vs Triple H
The biggest upset since John Cena's victory over Triple H at Wrestle Mania XXII & Triple H's victory at Wrestle Mania 2000. For the doubters who continue to deny 'The Age Of Orton', this was his defining career moment. Much like HHH's victories over Mic Foley in 2000 cemented Triple H's place as the no.1 man in the business, this victory finally establishes Randy Orton as the top man in the industry (rivalled only by Edge). A decent, but short match. As good as it was expected to be: C+ moved up to a B- because of the surprise ending
7) Playboy Bunny Match
A match that was put there to calm people down in between main events. Your usual half naked women trying to wrestle with the exception of Beth Pheonix who actually can. Also, a cameo appearance from Snoop Dogg who delivered a surprisingly well executed clothesline to a hilarious Santino Marella: E
8) Big Show vs Floyd Mayweather
A match that could've potentially been the biggest flop since Hogan vs Warrior Part #2. However, this match lived up to all of the hype. Mayweather should take plaudits for giving a very credible performance and achieving levels of in-ring storytelling that many WWE superstars fail to achieve. The interference by Mayweather's posse added extra scandal to the match and the finish was great to watch. Both characters came off looking credible as did the WWE in general. For the in-ring action: C+ For the storyline entertainment: B+
9) Edge vs Undertaker
The best Wrestle Mania 'WRESTLING' match since Angle vs Michaels. Edge reminded everybody that he's one of the best in the business & not just a transitional champion. He was actually more dominant over The Undertaker than anybody else has ever been at a Wrestle Mania. Edge reversed almost every Undertaker move and what made the match even more interesting was the less predictable finish which saw The Dead Man win via submission instead of The Tombstone that EVERYBODY was expecting him to win by: B+
Overall a great Wrestle Mania. The matches were of a Wrestle Mania standard, the atmosphere was AMAZING and the segments & celebrity involvement really made it feel like a Wrestle Mania. A great improvement on last year's disappointing Wrestle Mania XXIII: B+
1) Fit Fnlay vs JBL (Belfast Brawl)
A good enough opening for a Wrestle Mania. JBL (who is in terrible shape by the way) did his whole moody heartless routine whilst Finlay carried on the role of the babyface. Hornswoggle was a welcome addition at ringside. A rushed feud, but a decent match: C-
2) Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Shelton Benjamin decided to steal the show for the 3rd time in a Money In The Bank Ladder Match at Wrestle Mania. The spot from the top of the ladder to the ladder outside of the ring was breathtaking. Matt Hardy made a great cameo appearance taking out MVP. We had a Code Breaker using a ladder, a Back Cracker from the top of the ladder & a moonsault from John Morrison whilst he was holding a ladder. As far as in-ring action goes, this match stole the show: B+
3) Batista vs Umaga
An average 'RAW' quality match. Batista is starting to see signs that the crowd are getting bored of him. He got a lot of boos in this match. Neither man really did anything to make the viewers remember this match... Very average: D-
4) Chavo Guerrero vs Kane
LOL! The shortest match in Wrestle Mania history. This match reminded everybody not to assume that they know what is going to happen next & it was nice to see the WWE give Kane his moment at Wrestle Mania even though it was a very short moment. For the element of surprise alone because there was no in-ring action: C+
5) Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels
The only thing that these two men had to do was not wrestle like retards because this match was always going to be remembered fondly. This match was all about the wrestling world saying goodbye to the greatest heel in wrestling history. He may have wrestled for 10 years too long, but who could deny that they were choked up by this classic Wrestle Mania moment? A quick note must also be made about a sickening spot involving HBK moonsaulting from the middle rope onto the edge of the announcer's table. I can only assume that the spot was botched because it looked like one of the most painful spots in Wrestle Mania history & HBK looked genuinely in pain. The match was actually a good catch-as-catch-can wrestling match. For in-ring action: C+ / For the occasion: A*
6) Randy Orton vs John Cena vs Triple H
The biggest upset since John Cena's victory over Triple H at Wrestle Mania XXII & Triple H's victory at Wrestle Mania 2000. For the doubters who continue to deny 'The Age Of Orton', this was his defining career moment. Much like HHH's victories over Mic Foley in 2000 cemented Triple H's place as the no.1 man in the business, this victory finally establishes Randy Orton as the top man in the industry (rivalled only by Edge). A decent, but short match. As good as it was expected to be: C+ moved up to a B- because of the surprise ending
7) Playboy Bunny Match
A match that was put there to calm people down in between main events. Your usual half naked women trying to wrestle with the exception of Beth Pheonix who actually can. Also, a cameo appearance from Snoop Dogg who delivered a surprisingly well executed clothesline to a hilarious Santino Marella: E
8) Big Show vs Floyd Mayweather
A match that could've potentially been the biggest flop since Hogan vs Warrior Part #2. However, this match lived up to all of the hype. Mayweather should take plaudits for giving a very credible performance and achieving levels of in-ring storytelling that many WWE superstars fail to achieve. The interference by Mayweather's posse added extra scandal to the match and the finish was great to watch. Both characters came off looking credible as did the WWE in general. For the in-ring action: C+ For the storyline entertainment: B+
9) Edge vs Undertaker
The best Wrestle Mania 'WRESTLING' match since Angle vs Michaels. Edge reminded everybody that he's one of the best in the business & not just a transitional champion. He was actually more dominant over The Undertaker than anybody else has ever been at a Wrestle Mania. Edge reversed almost every Undertaker move and what made the match even more interesting was the less predictable finish which saw The Dead Man win via submission instead of The Tombstone that EVERYBODY was expecting him to win by: B+
Overall a great Wrestle Mania. The matches were of a Wrestle Mania standard, the atmosphere was AMAZING and the segments & celebrity involvement really made it feel like a Wrestle Mania. A great improvement on last year's disappointing Wrestle Mania XXIII: B+