I will be updating this post with results as the PPV goes on so check back every 15-20 minutes or so to see the results of the current matches at the Money in the Bank PPV. I will then update the post after the show with my final post for the event.
Match Results:
Smackdown Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Matt Hardy vs. Drew MacIntyre vs. Kane vs. Christian vs. Cody Rhodes vs. The Big Show
After a REALLY good match Drew MacIntyre had his hands on the briefcase, but Kane Chokeslammed him off the ladder and unhooked the briefcase to become the Money in the Bank winner for Smackdown.
Diva’s Championship Match
Champion Alicia Fox vs. Eve Torres
Fox hit the Axe kick and got the pin to remain Diva’s Champion
Unified Tag Team Championship Match
The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd) with Natalya Neidhardt vs. The Usos (Jimmy & Jay) with Tamina
David Hart Smith locked on the Sharpshooter and made one of the Usos tap out to keep their tag team belts.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger
Mysterio loosened up his boot (just like Eddie Guerrero did against Kurt Angle years ago) and when Swagger locked on the Ankle Lock he shoved him and the boot off onto the ropes. He hit the 6-1-9 and rolled Swagger up for the pin to retain his title. Somewhere Latino Heat is smiling and doing that chest shake.
Swagger locked on the Ankle Lock after th match, but Kane came out to put a stop to it, and chased Swagger off.
Kane then returned to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase!
Rey Mysterio vs. Kane
The match was over pretty quickly. Kane hit a Tombstone Piledriver and got the pin to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion.
Women’s Championship Match
Champion Layla vs. Kelly Kelly
After a bit of a distraction from Michelle McCool, Layla got the pinfall and retained her title.
Raw Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Evan Bourne vs. Mark Henry vs. The Miz vs. Ted DiBiase vs. John Morrison vs. Chris Jericho vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton
At one point while everyone was out on the floor Maryse climbed into the ring and climbed a ladder, but John Morrison stopped her and told her to get out of the ring. This gave DiBiase an opening, but Morrison cut him off too. In the end Miz grabbed the case and won the match.
WWE Championship Cage Match
Champion Shaemus vs. John Cena
After a pretty good and long match Nexus finally made an appearance. Michael Tarver was carrying a set of bolt cutters, but a referee snatched them away from him and ran to the back with them. While the ref in the cage was distracted by Nexus and another ref outside the cage he got hit from behind. Cena locked on the STF and Shaemus tapped out, but no ref saw it. So then Cena climbed to the top of the cage, and was met Justin Gabriel. Cena tossed him off the top of the cage. Meanwhile on the other side of the cage Shaemus climbed up and out and touched the floor. Shaemus wins and retains the WWE Championship.
Nexus had left the ringside area to chase Shaemus. Gabriel and Tarver were left near the ring. Cena attacked them both. He wound up throwing the steel ring steps into Tarver’s head.
All in all it was actually a pretty good PPV. The Smackdown Ladder Match was definitely the match of the night, and since it was the first match it made the rest a bit anti-climatic really. Kane winning the title was a BIG surprise to me. I was fully expecting The Big Show to win the ladder match, and then when Kane won it I assumed Jack Swagger would beat Rey. That would lead to Kane getting his hands on Swagger by cashing in the case this coming Friday. What’s going to be interesting is when Kane is still champion and The Undertaker comes back for Summerslam. I am betting it will be those two facing one another, or possibly a three-way match with Swagger thrown in.
I was very upset that there was no Triple H sighting! He was even listed in the synopsis for the PPV. On the brightside, if he is indeed making his return NOW, that means I get to see it live tomorrow night at the BOK Center for Raw.
Luckily Nexus was only a small part of the PPV, however they did control the outcome of the WWE Championship match. Again, on the brightside, with Shaemus as champion that means Triple H has a title shot coming very soon after his return since it is Shaemus that put him out. That match will probably be at Summerslam too.
WWE Fatal 4-Way
From: Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, New York
Mr. McMahon opened the show by explaining that Bret The Hitman Hart will not be at the PPV tonight. Then they replayed what the NXT Season 1 Rookies did to him on last Monday’s Raw. Then we reviewed the whole Drew MacIntyre saga. Then finally it was time for the first match.
Intercontinental Championship Match
Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Drew MacIntyre
The match was mainly controlled by MacIntyre, but as Kofi mounted his comeback MacIntyre took out the referee by accident. He then went for a pin, but the ref was still out. He tried to revive him, but then gave up and dragged Teddy Long (Who was sitting at ringside because MacIntyre wanted him to hand him the title when he won it back.) into the ring. He forced Long to put on the ref’s shirt. As he pinned Kingston, Long began to count, but stopped at two and shook his head saying he wasn’t going to do it. MacIntyre went after Long and told him he better count the next time. As MacIntyre turned his attention back to Kingston, Matt Hardy came into the ring and hit the Twist of Fate. Kingston then hit the Trouble in Paradise and Teddy Long gladly counted to three this time.
Winner and still Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston.
Diva’s Championship Match
Champion Eve Torres vs. Maryse vs. Gail Kim vs. Alicia Fox
This was a decent match for a change. I think maybe Tara is working with some Divas though. I say this because Eve Torres hit a big Moonsault off the top rope onto Maryse after hitting her Swinging Neckbreaker. Alicia Fox came in and tossed Eve out of the ring and pinned Maryse to become the new Diva’s Champion.
Winner and new Diva’s Champion, Alicia Fox
Chris Jericho vs. Evan Bourne
Jericho talked for quite some time before the match. As the match progressed, Jericho missed a Lionsault, Bourne missed an Air Bourne, then Jericho hit the Code Breaker. Bourne got his foot on the rope to stop the three count. Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho, but Bourne countered. Bourne took too long to get to the top rope, and Jericho climbed to the top rope with him. Bourne fought him off twice and then finally hit the Air Bourne and got the upset victory.
Winner, Evan Bourne
Time to review The Undertaker and Kane seeking vengeance storyline.
Fatal 4-Way Match for the World’s Heavyweight Championship
Champion Jack swagger vs. The Big Show vs. Rey Mysterio vs. C.M. Punk
Each time that Show took control of the match the others teamed up to knock him out of it for a while. As all four competitors were laid out both in the ring and on the floor Kane’s music came on. He came out pushing a coffin. He went right after Punk and chokeslammed him into the empty coffin. Before he could close it though out came Luke Gallows to interrupt. Rey took advantage of this distraction and hit the 619 on Swagger and got the pin to win the World Heavyweight Title for the second time!
Winner and new World Heavyweight Champion, Rey Mysterio
This of course sets up a series of matches once The Undertaker makes his way back. After all it was Rey who actually gave him the injuries he is currently recovering from.
United States Championship Match
Champion The Miz vs. R-Truth
Good Lord! They let Miz (c)”rap” on his way to the ring. The song was “The Miz” rapped to the tune of “What’s Up?”
R-Truth was going for a Sunset Flip, but Miz dropped down onto his chest and hooked his legs to get the three count.
Winner and still United States Champion, The Miz
Six-Person Tag Team Match
The Hart Dynasty – Natalya Neidhart, David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd vs. The Usos – Jimmy & Jay Uso and Tamina
Maybe I need to start watching Superstars on Thursdays. Apparently I missed The Uso’s in ring debut this week. Of course it was just a match with Golddust and Mark Henry. At one point Kidd jumped from the ring apron down to the floor trying to hit a DDT on Jimmy, but instead he was caught for a Samoan Drop right into the ring barrier. The Usos should maybe be renamed The Wild Rikishis, just a thought. The thing I was most impressed with in this match though was Natalya Neidhart. She hit a couple great Snap Suplexes. Then after rolling out of the way of Tamina coming off the top rope Snuka style she hit a Tornado Clothesline and got the pin on Tamina.
Fatal 4-Way Match for The WWE Championship
Champion John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge vs. Shaemus
About 15 minutes into the match The NXT Rookies attacked a few of the wrestlers in the back watching on a monitor. They then headed to the ring where the action had all but stopped. They went right for Cena first. Then Edge joined in and got their attention. Then suddenly Shaemus pinned Cena in the ring and won the match.
Winner and new WWE Champion Shaemus.
They continued to beat on Cena for a bit while Edge and Orton laid motionless on the floor. As Shaemus raised his new belt in celebration at the top of the ramp the NXT guys ran up the ramp after him.
The PPV ended there.
They “squeezed” in seven whole matches for a pay-per-view! That is ridiculous! What makes it even worse is, it was only like two hours and thirty-five minutes or so. They expect people to pay their $40 or more for 2.5 hours filled with 7 matches and not a lot of great matches at that? TNA could win this battle based solely on the PPVs.
That is all I have to say about this “new” PPV. Just very frustrated with another sub par show. Let’s hope the next “new” PPV, Money in the Bank is better next month.
Odd how Kurt Angle is suddenly in the opening match of a PPV. It either means they don’t think he is full back yet, or the show is so jam packed with great matches that they wanted to start off big and stay that way. Regardless, it is great to see Angle back in the ring.
Kazarian has let things with Ric Flair go to his head too much. He showboated a bit and wasted a lot of time repeatedly that kept giving Angle a chance to recuperate. At one point he raised his leg backwards to deliver a low blow. The referee was about to disqualify him, but Angle convinced him to let the match go on because he didn’t want to win like that.Wow, this was such a good match. If this is a sign of how the rest of the show is going to go then it might turn into the PPV of the year. They battled back and forth again and again. Kaz managed to block every attempt at the Olympic Slam and the Ankle Lock. The thing it, it only takes Angle locking it on once. He did indeed lock in the Ankle Lock and kept Kaz away from the ropes long enough to make him tap out. Welcome back Kurt Angle!
X-Division Championship Match
Champion Doug Williams vs. Brian Kendrick
Well they can’t ALL be top of the line matches like Angle-Kazarian. All in all it was a decent match. Williams retains his title after hitting a Tornado DDT from the middle rope and getting the pin.
During the first two matches of the night I saw so many suplexes that I began to wish that The Human Suplex Machine could put on his orange and black and get in the ring rather than just call the matches.
TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Champion Madison Rayne vs. Roxxi
After Madison talked way too long she asked Roxxi to put her career on the line if she were to lose the match. As Roxxi was agreeing Madison hit her in the head with the mic. It busted her wide open. Roxxi is almost as big a bleeder as Ric Flair is! the blood was just pouring from her forehead. Roxxi was controlling most of the match, but then Rayne got a quick three count to win the match. This apparently put an end to Roxxi’s TNA career…unless of course we suddenly see a masked knockout make her debut.
Jesse Neal vs. Brother Ray
Before the match started Ray decided to call it all off and apologize to everyone. As they walked back up the ramp together he turned and attacked Neal and threw him into the ring. the match would go on after Ray had the ref send Devon to the back. Ray had everything under control until all of a sudden in the crowd was an old friend. It was The Innovator of Violence, Tommy Dreamer! It provided enough of a distraction that Neal was able to get the upper hand and pin Brother Ray for the win.
It is great to see Dreamer coming to TNA. If given the chance we will see that “He’s Still Got It!” Just be prepared, things are probably about to get a little more bloodier in TNA. It is strange because it was just a few hours before I watched this PPV that I was wondering if anyone from ECW would wind up in TNA since the WWE killed off the brand again. Dreamer joins quite a few other ECW alum in TNA. I just hope they let them be extreme again. With RVD in the company they could probably convince Sabu to come back too. Imagine a Fatal 4-Way Barbed Wire match with RVD, Sabu, Dreamer, and maybe Abyss if Mick Foley or Taz can’t be involved.
When it was time for the Matt Morgan – Hernandez match out came Morgan with a doctor’s note and a neck brace saying he couldn’t compete tonight. Before he got back up the ramp though, out came Hernandez to attack and drag him back to the ring. After the ref continually tried to get Super Mex to stop choking Morgan with a shirt, Hernandez lost his temper and grabbed the ref and tossed him across the ring. The match ended with him being disqualified. He went right back after Morgan outside the ring. He set up Morgan’s head against the ring post and was about to land a kick on his head, Morgan pulled referee Brian Hebner into the way and he took the full brunt of the kick right to his ribs. Morgan then ran off, and Hernandez followed back up the ramp. Other refs rushed out to help Hebner.
Monster’s Ball Match
Desmond Wolfe accompanied by Chelsea vs. Abyss
This match is bound to end with Chelsea helping Abyss win. Oh! Imagine a Monster’s Ball match instead of the barbed wire match I was hoping for earlier. Shortly after the match started Abyss pulled out a board with barbed wire attached to it. He set it up in the corner where someone would surely be landing later. At one point Wolfe pulled out a teddy bear wrapped in barbed wire. After he used it to hit Abyss with, Abyss knocked Wolfe down. He went and gave the teddy bear to Chelsea. Next he pulled out the bag full of broken glass. Wolfe decided it was time to leave, and held Chelsea in front of him as a shield until he had a chance to grab a Kendo Stick. The fight made its way up to the announce table. As he swung the Kendo Stick again Abyss reached out and grabbed him for a Chokeslam. He slammed him right through the floor in front of the announce table. Then Abyss dragged him back to the ring. This entire time Chelsea was still holding on to the teddy bear. Abyss then retrieved the board with barbed wire on it and laid it on the mat. He hoisted Wolfe onto the corner turnbuckle and attempted to Superplex him onto the board. Wolfe fought him off and hit a sort of Sunset Flip which slammed Abyss down onto the board, entangling him in the barbed wire. He went for a pin, but Abyss got a shoulder up. Abyss’s arms were all bloody again. Wolfe then slammed Abyss face first into the pile of broken glass. He was bleeding profusely now. Wolfe screamed for Chelsea to give her the purse. She did reluctantly, but then there were no Brass Knuckles in it. Then suddenly she tossed them over Wolfe’s head and right to Abyss. He landed a big punch and hit the Black Hole Slam followed by the pin. As I said before the match, Chelsea helped Abyss win the match. Chelsea walked off still clutching the teddy bear. A MUCH better match than I was expecting. Abyss puts his body on the line every time he steps into the ring. It would be nice to have a Monster’s Ball opponent that will do the same and bleed a bit.
A.J. Styles with Ric Flair vs. Jay Lethal
This was a great X-Division type match that was fun to watch. It is great to see the new management using Lethal in the ring again instead of as a Macho Man knockoff. Flair used his jacket to choke Lethal at one point, but other than that it was a classic X-Division match. Something that TNA needs more of! Then Styles poked Lethal in the eye which gave him a chance to slap on the Figure-Four Leglock. Lethal managed to get to the ropes and break the hold. As he went for the Styles Clash Lethal countered with a Half Nelson into a Suplex. He pinned him, but Flair dragged A.J.’s leg under the rope. Lethal then put on a Figure-Four of his own. Styles got to the ropes to break it, but not before the damage was done. As Styles was regaining control he started to climb the ropes but his knee gave out and he fell and smacked his head on the turnbuckle. As A.J. climbed the ropes again and leaped off Lethal caught him and in one single motion hit a Northern Lights Suplex into the pin. Winner Jay Lethal!
Flair was not at all happy. As he started to approach A.J. out came Kazarian to try and stop things from escalating. Flair and Kaz then left the ring with A.J. sitting in the corner all alone.
Beer Money (Robert Roode & James Storm) vs. Mr. Anderson & Jeff Hardy
After battling for a while Storm was about to hit a kick, but Anderson grabbed him from the floor. Hardy hit a Stunner and then a Swanton Bomb on Roode. As referee Slick Johnson was counting Storm dragged him out of the ring and then collapsed to the floor to make it look like it wasn’t him. It was an act that would have made Eddie Guerrero proud. Johnson thought it was Anderson and began yelling at him and walking him back to his corner. This gave Beer Money a chance to double team Hardy. Beer Money kept control of the match from that point, just not allowing Hardy to get the tag to Anderson. Finally there was a small opening where he went for the Whisper in the Wind, but Roode moved out of the way. As Roode lifted him from the mat Hardy hit another Stunner and then got to the corner to make the tag. At this point the match broke down, everyone was flying everywhere. Storm eventually hit the Eye of the Storm on Hardy. They then were trying to hit the Last Call on bloody Anderson, but Hardy pushed Storm out of the ring without Roode noticing. As he hoisted Anderson over Hardy caught him and pushed him back over. Roode had no clue what was going on and turned to look, only to see Hardy standing there. Then Anderson grabbed him and hit The Mic Check and got the pin. Anderson called for his mic to come down. He announced the winner of the match, “Jeffrey Nero Hardy………Hardy”, then Hardy took the mic and announced “and the other winner of the match, Mr. Anderson…..Anderson” He also wished TNA a happy anniversary.
TNA Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion Rob Van Dam vs. Sting
This match wound up outside the ring soon after it started. This seemed to give Sting an advantage for a while. Sting kept control of things when they got back in the ring too. Finally RVD mounted a comeback using his biggest assets, his flexibility and kicks. Earl Hebner accidentally got hit in the eye. This led to hi wandering into harm’s way as RVD came off the top rope with a Flying Cross Body Block. Sting moved and Hebner got laid out. Sting went and grabbed his bat. Then all of a sudden Jeff Jarrett came down the entrance ramp. He took the bat and hit Sting in the face with it. RVD hit a Rolling Thunder and went for the pin, but Sting kicked out at two. After a few missed moves, RVD hit the Five Star Frog Splash and got the three count to retain his title.
This is how a pay-per-view should go! Not even Wrestlemania does a PPV as good as this (mostly). From top to bottom it was one great match after another. The only exception was probably the Doug Williams – Brian Kendrick match. I admit I wandered off to get some chips shortly after that one started. I give them credit though, the part I watched of that match turned out to be decent. I loved how they piled so many Suplexes into the first two matches.
Even the Knockouts match was very good for a second straight PPV, let’s see the WWE do that. The problem with the last two Knockouts Title matches at the PPVs is the reason they were both very good wound up losing the match and their TNA careers in the matches. If TNA keeps letting the Taras who actually do Moonsaults and wrestle in matches, and the Roxxis who will continue on through the profusely bleeding forehead and the Knockouts Division will soon look like The Divas division.
So, in review, even though it was an amazing PPV TNA has to grow from this point to keep things going in the right direction. They need more all out wrestling matches like the Angle-Kazarian match, more Knockouts wrestling and putting it all out there, more exciting X-Division type matches like the A.J. – Lethal match, more people willing to put their bodies on the line like Abyss for a Monster’s Ball match.
Enter Tommy Dreamer, apparently he was the big surprise Dixie Carter Tweeted about earlier in the week. He is the perfect type of wrestler to put into a Monster’s Ball match with Abyss. Unlike Desmond Wolfe he too will get tangled in the barbed wire, land face first in the broken glass…and all the while love every minute of it.
On the horizon is the probably additions of people like Shelton Benjamin (and Charlie Haas on his coattails). Maybe even Mickie James, even though she won’t really fill that void left by Tara and Roxxi.
Also possibly coming soon… How do you make Team 3D relevant again? Well you put them in a battle with The Nasty Boys, of course. No wait, that didn’t work one bit, and everyone should have known it wouldn’t before they did it. Why not try breaking them up for a bit and have them fight one another in the ring? Yep, I am pretty sure we will see Brother Devon and Brother Ray facing off against one another in the middle of the ring at the next PPV.
WWE Over the Limit PPV Results
From: The Joe Louis Arena in Detroit
Intercontinental Championship Match
Champion Drew MacIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston
The match went back and forth a bit, with Kingston controlling most of it. In the end he hit the S.O.S. and got the pinfall to become the new/once again Intercontinental Champion.
After the match MacIntrye grabbed a mic and said that the PPV was going to stop right here until Teddy Long came out and declared him the winner and gave him back his title. Instead of Teddy Long he got Matt Hardy who hit a Twist of Fate and left him laying in the middle of the ring.
To the back with more Straight Edge Society crap. Punk was talking to a mirror voiced by Luke Gallows and Sarena.
R-Truth vs. Ted DiBiase
Virgil was with Ted DiBiase. In my preview/predictions of this PPV which I didn’t get to post in time I said that if Virgil was with him that he would interfere in the match. However, he would interfere to help R-Truth win the match while making it look like an accident of course. Let’s watch and see if I was right. Well Virgil didn’t get involved. R-Truth hit the Lie Detector and got the three count.
To the back where MacIntyre caught up with Teddy Long. He demanded again that the result of his match be changed, and that Matt Hardy be fired. Teddy refused and MacIntyre tore up his “office” area.
Hair vs. SES membership
C.M. Punk vs. Rey Mysterio
Punk threw Rey out of the ring at one point sending him head first into the barber’s chair that was way to close to the ring. This gave the ref a chance to check on Punk whose head was busted open. That gave Rey some time to recover. When Punk say him get back up in the ring he went on the attack again. After many, many two counts, Mysterio finally hit the 619, then missed the Splash from the top rope. Punk began to try and cover him, but Mysterio wrapped him up for the three count.
After the match the hooded guy came out to attack Rey, then out came Gallows and Sarena. They came with handcuffs but before they could put them on Rey out came Kane to the rescue. Once Kane cleared the ring Mysterio handcuffed both of Punk’s hands to the middle rope and began shaving his head as Punk begged and pleaded for him to stop. Rey had a lot of fun, there was hair everywhere. Rey finally found a mirror to show Punk his half bald head which sent Punk into a rage. The hooded guy and Sarena eventually helped Punk to the back with a towel over his head.
Next was the announcement of another new gimmick PPV in June. Fatal 4-Way, where all matches will be Fatal 4-Way matches.
Unified Tag Team Championship Match
Champions The Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd & David Hart Smith) vs. Chris Jericho & The Miz
After a ton of two counts the Hart Dynasty hit the Hart Attack and got the three count. Tyson Kidd pinned The Miz.
At this point I figured out where they came up with the name Over the Limit for the PPV. After just four matches they were WAY over the limit for two counts in a single PPV. I wasn’t counting but they have to be close to 100 two counts total in the four matches.
Edge vs. Randy Orton
Edge went to hit the Spear, Orton countered with a knee to his head. Orton was then preparing to hit the RKO in his normal way, by pounding the mat repeatedly. Something happened as he did this. His right arm was just hanging there loose. It was clear he did some damage to his arm. The announcers speculated as to what it could be, from a broken bone to nerve damage. Looking at it myself I am going to say he popped a tendon or ligament in his forearm or bicep, or possible one that connects the two. The managed to finish off the match by Edge trying another Spear on the floor, Orton stepped aside and Edge went head first into the barrier. They were both counted out and then finally out came a trainer to help Orton.
I am sorry, but it was clear Orton was injured. They should have just waved off the match, ended it right there and get Orton some help. It’s not like this is the main event at Wrestlemania, or even the main event at Over the Limit. Orton is a big part of the future of wrestling, don’t put him at even more risk just to have an actual end to the match. Especially an end that didn’t even declare a winner.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion Jack Swagger vs. The Big Show
Early on none of Swagger’s offense worked on someone as big as Show. Then Show displayed some amateur wrestling skills which shocked Swagger who got out to the floor to regroup. As he regrouped Show took a page from Swagger’s book and did a few push-ups in the middle of the ring. Finally Swagger realized he needed to take out Show’s legs and get him to the mat. It worked for about a minute, but Show took over again pretty quickly. Swagger got tossed from the ring again. This time he grabbed the title belt and hit Show over the head with it. He was disqualified instantly, but then continued the attack with the belt. When Show kept getting up Swagger went out and got a chair. As Swagger moved in for the third shot with the chair Show grabbed him for a Chokeslam. Show then grabbed the chair and hit him over the back with it. The chair nearly bent in half. Show’s solution was to Chokeslam Swagger onto the chair which almost did straighten it back out. He then hit a big knockout blow and left Swagger laying in the ring.
Diva’s Championship Match
Champion Eve vs. Maryse
There was a lot of hair in this match. Maryse took advantage of that fact quite often too. At one point Eve hit a standing Moonsault reminiscent of Tara. I was actually impressed because I just didn’t think Eve had much wrestling skill. Then Eve went for a move similar to RVD’s Rolling Thunder, but Maryse raised her knees. As Maryse gloated and laughed, Eve grabbed her head between her legs and drove it down into the mat, then rolled her over for the pin. Eve has definitely been working hard and is showing improvement.
WWE Championship Match – I Quit Match
Champion John Cena vs. Batista
Before the match started Batista grabbed the mic and gave Cena the option to say I Quit now. The ref technically has to ask him when one competitor tells him to ask. Cena’s response was “I Don’t Think So” as he hit Batista in the head with the mic. As can be expected in an I Quit match both competitors were hitting all their normal moves. Batista tore apart both announce tables. He went for the Batista Bomb, but Cena blocked it and was going for the Attitude Adjustment, but Batista blocked it. The Animal then put Cena up on his shoulder and hit a running Powerslam from one announce table onto the other. The trainer got out to the ring fast this time. Cena was asked if he quits but said no. The trainer still started working on Cena, but Batista told him to come back later cause Cena will need him. Batista then dragged him into the crowd and up the steps. He told Cena to quit or he was going over the edge where they were standing. Cena said no, and the Animal moved in for the Batista Bomb again, Cena blocked it again. Batista went over the railing and eventually fell about 10 feet into a crowd of security. They then headed back to the stage and entrance ramp where there just happened to be two classic cars sitting all night since they were in Detroit. Batista landed blow after blow with a chair, but Cena still said no. Batista got into the one car and proceeded to try and back it into him. Cena rolled out of the way though. A minute later Cena emerged and dragged Batista from the car. He hit the Attitude Adjustment onto the hood of the car. Batista still wouldn’t quit. Cena pulled him up onto the roof of the car and put him in position for another Attitude Adjustment. He then told the ref to ask him. Batista screamed I Quit! Cena however still launched him down to the floor of the stage. Batista went right through the floor.
This match was actually a lot better than I was expecting. It is just a testament to how much Cena and Batista put into every match they have, and why they are two of the best in the world at the moment.
For once the WWE main event at a PPV was really good and turned what was a mostly lackluster event into a rather good PPV. Hopefully Orton won’t be out for too long. He was just getting that big push to be a fan favorite while still being evil. I am sure that fan support will continue once he returns though.
Oh at the end Shaemus came out and attacked Cena as he was heading back up the entrance ramp. I am sure this was just setting up the main event match at Fatal 4-Way though. Cena defending against Shaemus, probably Edge now that Orton will most likely be out with injury, and who knows, maybe a returning Triple H.
Overall for a WWE PPV it was better than most recent PPV. Let;s hope they continue that trend instead of reverting back to the ho-hum PPVs again.
Number 1 Contenders Tag Team Match
Team 3D vs. Beer Money vs. The Motor City Machine Guns
My first comment is how much of a shame it is that these three teams have to have a match to see which one gets a title shot while the Ink, Inc. was handed their title shot because of Matt Morgan attacking them both individually. It is even worse because now Morgan isn’t even the tag team champions!
The Guns new Suicide Dive move is amazing! Shelly stands outside the ring on the second rope while pulling up the top rope to make the opening big enough for Sabin to easily dive between his legs and through the rope to the floor. In the end it was innovative offense like that which allowed the Guns to win the match and become the #1 contenders.
Chris Sabin pinned Brother Ray
Global Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion Rob Terry vs. Orlando Jordan
Jordan controlled most of the match, but Terry hit a Freakbuster out of nowhere and got the pinfall.
Winner and still Champion: Rob Terry
Jordan clipped him from behind on the entrance ramp after the match. He did so in the knee he had worked on throughout the match. He then laid out the title belt and rammed Terry’s knee into it.
X Division Championship Match
Actual Champion Kazarian vs. The guy who has the belt in his possession, Doug Williams
The best line of the PPV had to be Mike Tenay while talking about Kazarian taking a year off from pro wrestling in 2008. He said, “Many thought that it was career Suicide.” lol ::shakes head::
Kazarian had Williams on his shoulders but Williams slid off backwards. He then hit the Rolling Chaos Suplex and got the three count.
Winner and new X Division Champion, Doug Williams
TNA Knockouts Title vs. Career Match
Champion Madison Rayne vs. Tara
I wonder who gets custody of the spider when Tara loses and leaves TNA.
Tara went out the way she should…while actually wrestling. She hit one moonsault from the top rope onto Rayne who was nearly in the middle of the ring. She didn’t get the pin right after it so went for a second Moonsault off the top rope, but Rayne rolled out of the way. Rayne then got the pinfall.
Winner and still Champion: Madison Rayne.
Tara was given about 2 minutes to say goodbye in the ring before being told to leave.
What sets Tara apart and makes me hate to see her go? Here are 4 pics to help explain why. They are of her first Moonsault from the top rope. The one she normally does while standing on the mat is so impressive, but from the top rope here it was even more amazing. Look at where Madison is laying in the ring, and then look at where Tara lands. Show me another female wrestler doing moves like that today.
Tag Team Championship Match
Champions The Band vs. Ink, Inc. (Jesse Neal & Shannon Moore)
Prior to the match Kevin Nash pointed out that they will be doing things “Freebird Rules”. That basically means on any given night it could be any combination of Nash, Scott Hall, and Eric Young defending the titles. Tonight it was Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
The ref got knocked out by a Spear from Jesse Neal. Then out came Eric Young with a Kendo Stick that he tossed in to Nash. He didn’t get a chance to use it though. Neal hit a spear on Nash and then picked up the Kendo Stick. Before he could use it Young grabbed it from him, then out of nowhere Brother Ray tackled EY from behind. Brother Ray now armed with the Kendo Stick got into the ring and started yelling at Nash who was laying prone on the mat. Neal tried to back him up. This is when Ray turned and hit Neal across the head with the stick.EY came in and draped Nash over Neal and then revived the ref.
Winners and still Tag Team Champions: The Band
Hall of Fame Ring vs. Chelsea
Abyss vs. Desmond Wolfe
At one point Chelsea caused a distraction and threw in a set of Brass Knuckles to Wolfe, but Abyss still kicked out of the pin that followed. Abyss soon followed up with a Black Hole Slam followed by the pinfall.
Winner: Abyss…He now has Chelsea’s “services” for one month.
Mr. Anderson vs. Jeff Hardy
Anderson had Hardy in a Fireman’s Carry on the second rope and was going for his little flip thing that he does. Hardy managed to block it and Anderson’s face was driven into the mat with Hardy’s weight on top of it. Hardy then went back to the ropes and hit a Swanton followed by the pin.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
After the match Mr. Anderson reached his hand out for a handshake from Hardy, but Hardy walked away instead.
Jeff Jarrett vs. Sting
While Jarrett’s ring entrance music played there was a disturbance in the back. Sting was already beating on Jarrett who was busted up and bleeding heavily. Using the bat for leverage it seemed that Sting may have popped Jarrett’s shoulder out of place. The beating seemed to be endless. Then finally Sting threw him into the ring and the ref rang the bell for the match to begin. Sting hit the Scorpion Death Drop and got the pin.
TNA Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion RVD vs. A.J. Styles
A few minutes into the match Ric Flair grabbed RVD’s foot. Referee Earl Hebner saw it and made Flair leave the ringside area. He went and sat between Mike Tenay and Taz. He sat there until he couldn’t watch anymore. He got up and headed toward the ring while both men were down. He was stopped by Jay Lethal though who came out in a suit. They fought for a minute and then Lethal locked on the Figure-Four Leglock. While this was going on RVD blocked a Superplex from the top rope and wound up clotheslining Styles over the top rope. RVD leaped to the corner and hit the Five-Star Frog Splash followed by the pin.
Winner and still Champion: Rob Van Dam
This was a pretty good pay-per-view. The main event was actually exciting and fun to watch. Many times a PPV can be decent and then the main event doesn’t live up to the weeks of hype behind it. This was not one of those cases. RVD and A.J. put on a great show which catapulted Sacrifice from a decent/pretty good PPV to a well above average PPV. The Sting beating put on Jarrett will be remember for quite some time too. Can’t wait till the next TNA PPV. Now let’s see if Over the Limit can keep pace with this quality PPV.
TNA Knockouts Championship vs. Tara’s TNA Career Match
Champion Madison Rain vs. Tara
This match has quite a bit of history behind it, but moreso Tara against The Beautiful People as a group, rather than just Madison. It is a shame that this match won’t be surprising in anyway. Tara’s contract is up, TNA management doesn’t want to give her the raise she wants, and this will be her final match in TNA. I wonder if Vince will take her back or not.
My pick: Madison Rain wins, but only because of the situation behind the scenes with Tara.
TNA Tag Team Championship Match
New Champions Kevin Nash and Scott Hall vs. Ink, Inc. (Jesse Neal and Shannon Moore)
This match comes out of nowhere, with Hall and Nash just winning the belts on iMPACT!. Against Morgan Ink, Inc. had some history, but not against The Band. I don’t think this will be a very good match to watch.
My pick: The Band holds on to their new belts, at least for now.
Number 1 Contender’s Match for the Tag Team Championship
Motor City Machine Guns vs. Beer Money vs. Team 3D
This match would have been more interesting if they hadn’t just had a four-way match including Ink, Inc.
My pick: Team 3D wins to set up a title match between The Dudleys and The Outsiders.
Global Championship Match
Champion Rob Terry vs. Orlando Jordan
No comments here, other than I hope they decide to give up on Jordan’s gimmick soon.
My pick: Rob Terry wins.
X Division Title Match
Actual Champion Kazarian vs. Doug Williams who still considers himself the champion
Granted Williams never lost the title, and it was just the travel/volcano issues that cost him the title, but Doug Williams just isn’t “X”. He needs to fade back into obscurity as a tag team with someone.
My pick: Kazarian retains the title.
Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson
This will be a good one to watch too. Hardy will be his usual self doing crazy things, and Anderson usually rises to the level of his opponent. This is another of those battles that was kind of thrown together. Mainly because they had no one better to put them up against at the moment.
My pick: Mr. Anderson wins in a controversial way. (I know, what a shock right?)
Jeff Jarret vs. Sting
This should actually be an interesting match, or at least I will be interested in it. There is a lot of history behind both wrestlers. They are both icons in their own right. Even if they are both past their prime I think it will be a pretty good match.
My pick: Sting wins a bloddy battle.
Hulk Hogan’s HOF Ring vs. Chelsea
Abyss vs. Desmond Wolfe
This match needed too much effort to create history between the two competitors. That said, it still has potential to be a decent match. Especially with it being the ring vs. Chelsea. I am curious to see what Abyss does with Chelsea once he wins her.
My pick: Abyss wins and gets his revenge.
TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion RVD vs. A.J. Styles
This return match should be very good. At a PPV both wrestlers will lay it all on the line and make it an amazing, fast-paced, and exciting match.
My pick: RVD retains the title.
WWE Backlash – Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island
ECW Championship Title Match
Champion Jack Swagger vs. Christian
This was without a doubt the best opening match of a WWE Pay-Per-View in a long, long time. Actually add another long in there! Swagger kept going back to his amateur roots. It was working for the most part, but Christian’s experience was the difference maker in the end. While the ref was stopping Swagger from removing the padding from the turnbuckle christian was in the other corner removing one with no one noticing. Swagger came running in at Christian who moved and Swagger crashed head first into the exposed steel. As he bounced off Christian grabbed him and hit the Killswitch followed by a three count. Christian’s WWE comeback is now complete (well for now anyway). He is now a world champion again. Granted it is just the ECW championship, but still it is a WWE belt.
As Christian was walking in the back with his new title belt we saw Tommy Dreamer, Finlay, and Evan Bourne congratulating him. That was interrupted when Christian spotted Edge lurking a few feet away and staring at him. Edge questioned whether Christian thought he was better than him now that he has a title. Christian pondered what happened to Edge, he used to be fun. Edge said Cena changed him. I can’t wait till these too hook up in a series of matches, it is bound to happen. If it doesn’t I will be extremely disappointed in the WWE. Especially if it doesn’t culminate in a TLC match for a title belt.
Ricky The Dragon Steamboat vs. Chris Jericho
Steamboat controlled the beginning of this match, basically making Jericho look silly. Jericho would turn it around for a bit, but then the Dragon took control again. He hit a belly to back suplex off the top rope! He followed that up with a few near pinfalls. Jericho built up a head of steam though and tried for a Lionsault, but Steamboat jumped up and got him on his shoulders. Jericho however rolled him over and went for the Walls of Jericho. steamboat rolled out of it and put him in a clumsy looking Figure Four Leglock that Jericho would roll out of. They then went back and forth with two counts until Jericho finally locked on the Walls of Jericho which made Steamboat tap out. Right after the match Jericho left the ring to allow Steamboat to work the crowd and hear the cheers for him one last time.
To the back with Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix. Beth was trying to talk him out of going out as Santina to kiss The Great Khali. He said maybe Beth should go out to prove she is more of a woman than Santina. Beth said she wouldn’t be kissing Khali . . . or for that matter Santino anymore. Yayayaya could this be the end of Glamarella? We can only hope and pray!
Kane vs. C.M. Punk
This match was a bit better than the recent matches we have seen between these two lately. Try as he might with his kicks Punk could not overcome the Big Red Machine. As Punk tried to land another kick Kane grabbed his leg with one hand and his throat with the other. He picked him up for a chokeslam and went right into the three count.
I Quit Match
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy
This match was much better than I was expecting, after seeing them battle many times in recent weeks. The ref had a mic with him for checking to see if either Hardy wanted to quit. After many no answers from both Jeff and Matt, Jeff seemed to get the upper hand. He set up a table in the ring and laid Matt out on it. He then wrapped his legs and hands with duct tape. Next he grabbed a rope from under the ring and began wrapping it all around the table and Matt until he was fully emobilized. He then grabbed a ladder and set it up in the corner of the ring. While he was climbing the ladder Matt began pleading with him and saying he is sorry and how everything could be the way it was before all over again. Jeff listened, but it didn’t stop him, as he was about to jump down onto Matt, Matt yelled that he quit. Even though Matt quit Jeff stood on the top turnbuckle and launched himself over the ladder landing with a legdrop across Matt’s chest.
Time for The Khali Kiss Cam with Santina. Santina said she could not kiss Khali because she was in love with another man. Khali demanded to know who. To everyone’s surprises, especially his, Santina said it was J.R.! Khali said that she didn’t have to kiss him then, but she would have to prove her love for J.R. by kissing him instead. As Santina began to feel faint Beth Phoenix’s music started to play. She came out to challenge Santina for the Miss Wrestlemania title. Khali wanted to discuss things first. Phoenix tried to explain how it was Santino, and went on to ask if all the women in Punjab were so damn ugly that he found “THAT” to be attractive. Santina chimed in with “I’m pretty.” She went on to say it was “either that or you are the biggest idiot walking the planet today.” After it was translated for him Khali was not happy. Khali drove his fist into the top of her head, knocking her to one knee momentarily. When she stood back up he shoved her down to the mat. Santina yelled for them to ring the bell, and pinned Phoenix. As Santina celebrated Khali came up from behind and wait for her to turn around. He grabbed her by her bra as she tried to run away. It ripped right off and sent Santina running screaming covering his chest.
Six-Man Tag Team Match for the WWE Championship
Champion Triple H, Shane McMahon, and Batista
vs.
Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Rhodes
If someone on Triple H’s team gets the victory he retains the title. If a member of Legacy wins the match then Randy Orton becomes the new champion. Also if a member of Triple H’s team is disqualified or counted out of the ring then Orton also becomes champion.
Before I get started on this match I have to say something – Even mixed in amongst Legacy, Cody Rhodes has the charisma and ring presence of Mr. Socko without Mick Foley’s hand up his, ummm butt.
Before the match started all three men attacked Orton with Triple H then fighting back up the ramp with him. Triple H would come out a minute later without Orton. The match then started 3-on-2. As the action in this match progressed Orton waited in the back for his moment to strike. when he saw it he took it and jumped Batista from behind on the floor and rammed his head into the steel ring post. At this point Legacy took over the match using double and triple teams whenever possible. Batista would eventually get a tag to Shane who came in and turned things around with a frenzied flurry of offense. It was short-lived however as Orton flung him into the steel ring steps. After that Legacy methodically tore Shane apart. Finally Shane got to the corner and tagged Triple H as Orton was tagging in on the other side. This is when things started to breakdown. Outside the ring Rhodes had a chair that he used on both Shane and Batista. Then as Batista got a hold of the chair and was going to use it on Rhodes. Triple H stopped the Pedigree he was about to hit Orton with, and grabbed it from him and threw it away to avoid the disqualification. As he turned back around Orton hit him with an RKO. He got what seemed to be a three count, but the ref waved it off as just a two count. Then Orton connected with a punt kick to Triple H’s head and got the three count this time to become the new WWE Champion. After the match the EMTs were in the ring putting Triple H in a neck brace and on a back board to remove him from the ring.
Last Man Standing Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Champion John Cena vs. Edge
This match seemed to be nothing special until after about 15 or 20 minutes. At this point Cena dove from the top rope and was hit with a Spear on his way down. After a 9 count Cena got up, but then fell right out to the floor. Edge came out and cleared off the announce table then dragged Cena on top of it. Cena turned around whatever it was Edge was trying to do and got him up on his shoulders. He then hit the Attitude Adjustment – launching Cena into the crowd behind the announce table. Edge took out about 6 to 10 people. After another count Edge was up. He then took off with Cena chasing him. Out through the crowd they went and then back into the arena past concession stands then back in the next entryway toward the ring. As they went down the step Cena hit a running Bulldog off the steps and on to a bunch of equipment. He was up at the 7 count and the fight continued. Edge hit a DDT on the stage at the top of the ramp. Edge wnet to get a chair and hit him across the back. As Cena was laying prone on the steel stage Edge hit another Conchairto. Cena got to his feet at a nine and a half count. As Cena got Edge up on his shoulders The Big Show came out and grabbed Cena for a Chokeslam. He ponder where to drop him and then decided on the big spotlight net to the stage. He launched him through the glass and into the spotlight. A small explosion followed and then a fire which was quickly put out. The referee had no choice but to count. A ten count later and Edge was the New World Heavyweight Champion. As Cena lay motionless during Edge’s celebration the EMTs came out and put a neck brace on him then let him get up on his own power so they could strap him to the backboard to wheel him to the back.
Even some of the WWE’s pay-per-views are getting a bit lame. I mean sure it was a decent show, but is three hours full of six matches worth the small fortune it costs? This is what happens when they have to force the issue and have one 3 weeks after Wrestlemania, and then another three weeks from now. what’s even worse is we had seen 4 of the six matches before. Sure they added an I Quit stipulation to one, and hyped up the Edge-Cena match as the last time they will face off for the title, but we have seen these people against one another before. some of them multiple times in the past few weeks. Let’s hope the next pay-per-view in three weeks is a bit better.
During the half hour preview we got to see Danny Bonaduce facing Eric Young inside the 6 sides of steel. Some might remember Bonaduce was a part of the Hulk Hogan Celebrity Wrestling show, and did rather well. The match was nothing special, but Bonaduce held his own in the match. He hit a decent Swanton Bomb. In the end EY wrapped him up for a three count. After the match they exchanged a handshake, but then as EY turned away Bonaduce hit him from behind with the pair of nunchuks he had been using during the match. As he choked EY out, Rhyno came into the ring and waited for his chance to charge. Bonaduce laid on his back after a devastating Gore.
X-Division Championship Match
Champion Suicide vs. Jay Lethal vs. Consequences Creed vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Kiyoshi
Competitors are eliminated by pinfall or submission until there are just two remaining. At that point the winner is the first to escape from the six sides of steel. As always this X-Division match was fast paced and exciting. Kiyoshi was eliminated, followed by Consequences, and finally Jay Lethal. That left Bashir and Suicide fighting to escape from the cage. Suicide controlled most of the action. He climbed to the top of the six sides of steel and fought off Bashir’s attempt to stop him. Then Kiyoshi came back out, but security stopped him before he could interfere. Suicide saw Bashir trying to open the door so he could beat him to the floor and decided to leap from the top of the cage down onto the group of security and Kiyoshi to retain his X-Division title.
Queen of the Cage Match
Madison Rayne vs. Sojournor Bolt vs. Daffney vs. ODB
After battling for a few minutes ODB got the pinfall on Sojournor Bolt to become the Queen of the Cage. Cody Deaner joined her in the six sides of steel for a celebration.
Three Team Tornado Match for the New Japan Jr. Tag Team Championships
LAX (Homicide & Hernandez) vs. No Limit vs. Champions The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
Tornado rules means that all six competitors will be in the ring simultaneously, no tags needed. There was action everywhere in this match. Hernandez’s power controlled the early part of the match, but in the end it was the Guns that outlasted the competition. Sabin got the pin on Nito to retain their New Japan Jr. Tag titles.
Doomsday Chamber of Blood Match
Matt Morgan vs. Abyss
Before a competitor can win this match his opponent must be bleeding. Once your opponent is bleeding then and only then you can score a pinfall or submission. Morgan busted Abyss open early with a chair shot to the head. Abyss was losing a lot of blood. After Morgan took out the referee with a flying crossbody from the top rope Abyss woke up. He took a large shard of glass and drove it hard into Morgan’s forehead. It ripped him open, I believe it cut Abyss’s hand as well. Now both men were eligible to pin or make their opponent submit. the problem was referee Rudy Charles was laid out in the corner of the ring. When Abyss did try for a pin out came referee Slick Johnson, but it was too late. Morgan kicked out at two. Abyss then went outside of the cage to get a steel chair. As he was going back into the ring with the chair out came Dr. Stevie to stop him from using the chair. Mike Tenay tried to sound shocked when he saw it was Stevie Richards. As Abyss turned around Morgan hit him with a Carbon Footprint and nearly got the three count, but Abyss kicked out. After he put Morgan down for a bit he went out to the floor again and pleaded with Stevie to give him the chair. Stevie refused repeatedly and told him no more weapons, no more violence. Abyss turned and got a bag from under the ring. With a bag of broken glass already scatted about in the ring one could only assume this was the bag of thumbtacks. It indeed was the tacks. After he scattered them on the mat Dr. Stevie jumped into the ring and took off his jacket. At this point he began yelling at Abyss and then began slapping him repeatedly. Morgan was now back up and hit Abyss with a lowblow from behind. He then grabbed him and sort of powerbombed him down onto the tacks. Morgan then threw an arm over him and got the three count.
TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Champion Awesome Kong vs. Angelina Love vs. Taylor Wilde
This was a surprisingly good match for the most part. The Beautiful People wound up tying Kong’s hair to the cage to take her out of the match. Taylor Wilde flew off the top rope with a crossbody into a pin on Angelina Love. It seemed like Love’s head hit the mat hard. At the two count there was a kickout that was really just Wilde lifting up, Love didn’t move. she seemed a bit out of it. Another pin by Wilde, another kickout that wasn’t a kickout. she then sat her up and put on a sort of sleeper hole from behind so Rudy Charles could check on her. after a minute she let Love go and headed towards Kong. Kong kicked her down to the mat, and Love climbed on top for the pinfall. The winner and new TNA Knockouts Champion Angelina Love. Angelina could barely stand on her own, she was so out of it. I bet she didn’t realize she had won till well after the match.
Team 3D holding some of their many titles.
Philadelphia Street Fight
New Japan and TNA Tag Team Title Match
New Japan Champions Team 3-D vs. TNA Champions Beer Money, Inc.
This match had shades of the original ECW, right down to the fans chanting ECW at times. It didn’t take long for 3-D to move things outside of the six sides of steel. They moved into the crowd, up the stairs to the top of the first level, into a luxury box, and back down again. Brother Ray had the door to the cage rammed into his head and was the first to bleed. After that Beer Money set up a table and the steel ring steps next to one another. They took Devon and suplexed him from the top of the steps through the table. It took him some time to recover. In the meantime they locked themselves in the ring with Ray. He fought back and hit a Super Bubba Bomb from the top rope on Robert Roode. Davon came back in and the hit the 3-D, but couldn’t get the three count. Ray got Storm up on his shoulders and Devon hit him with a clothesline from the top rope, but it was still only good for a two count. Next they did the What’s Up move on Robert Roode. Next there was a familiar phrase used. So familiar that Ray didn’t even have to say it, the crowd said it in unison for him – Devon, Get the Tables! It took too long though, and by the time Ray had the table set up Beer money was on their feet and took control of the match. Of course now that there was a table in the ring the Philly fans started chanting for fire. They would get a two count on Devon. They would both climb to the top rope, but Ray rolled out of the way of both of their moves. Roode hit a Spinebuster on Ray. then Storm tried to slam the cage door into Devon who was thrown into it by Roode, but Devon reversed it and Roode’s head met the door instead. As Roode turned around he was hit with the 3-D through the table. Ray then pinned Roode for the victory. World Tag Team Domination was achieved by Team 3-D. The now 22-time World Tag Team Champions now hold both the New Japan titles and the TNA titles.
Lethal Lockdown Match
Team Jarret – Jeff Jarret, Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, and Christopher Daniels
vs.
Team Angle – Kurt Angle, Booker T, Scott Steiner, and Kevin Nash
Kurt Angle is first out for his Main Event Mafia team, while Christopher Daniels is first out for his team for the five minute opening session. The first segment was pretty evenly matched. Next out was Booker T. Once he hit the ring the numbers game took over. For the two minute segment they pounded on Daniels. A.J. was out next for Team Jarret and once he was in the ring things turned around. He and Daniels worked well as a team to dominate the two minutes until Scott Steiner came out. When Steiner hit the ring it was like it was 15 years ago. He started off with a few Steiner Lines, then a Belly to Belly Suplex off the top rope, and then to cap it off, a FrankenSteiner! Next out was Joe, but when it was time to go he was in the middle of talking to somebody in the back. When he did make it to the ring he took control if things until Nash came out a minute later. At that point Nash turned everything around again. The final man out was Jeff Jarret. They lowered the roof of the cage and Jarret was setup and waiting to grab the weapons. After a couple of minutes Angle managed to break through in a spot so he could get on top of the cage. A.J. followed him, and after fighting a bit near the edge angle crawled back into the ring. A.J. decided to get back in the ring using a different route. He jumped onto a section of the roof that gave way and allowed him to bust through. his landing wasn’t a very good one on the mat. during that commotion Daniels attempted the first pin on Angle, but only got a two count. At this point Team Jarret seemed to have control for a bit. Joe hit a Muscle Buster on Steiner, but Booker hit him with a kick to the head. Then A.J. managed to get back on his feet and start fighting Booker. He was holding Booker as Jarret moved in with a chair. Booker moved, and Jarret hit A.J. with the chair instead. It was only good for a two count from Angle’s pin. At this point Joe pushed Jarret and asks him what he’s doing. This allowed Angle to come up from behind and hit the Angle Slam on Joe. This started a series of two counts going back and forth from team to team. Jarret then reached up and got the guitar. With Booker and A.J. standing side by side Jarret chose to swing the guitar and hit Booker over the head with it. A.J. then got the three count on Booker. As team Jarret stood in the ring raising their hands in victory the lights went out and a new music played.
The music was from that former champion they rumored was coming to TNA. It was Bobby Lashley! Judging from the looks on their faces Angle seemed happy to see him, while Jarret not so much. Could Lashley be a new member of the Main Event Mafia? Regardless, woohoo it will be great to have Lashley back in a wrestling ring, be it 4 or 6 sided!
TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion Sting vs. Cactus Jack
Cactus came to the ring in the wanted dead or alive shirt, and the leopard print boots, along with a barbed wire bat. He did spare us the wearing of the spandex leopard print though, opting instead for the sweats and flannel vest.
The match went back and forth a bit. Cactus tried to climb out of the ring at every chance he got. The third time Sting came up behind him and clipped his knee while he was on the top rope. As Cactus fell his foot got stuck between the turnbuckle and the cage in a bad way. It seemed like his ankle was really hurt. Sting kept going after that same leg and ankle after that. Cactus got it turned around a bit, but was unable to climb again, he could barely stand. He hit a swinging neckbreaker, and then a double arm DDT, but still only got a 2 count. He then tried to use the Scorpion Deathlock to make Sting tap, but Sting got out of it rather quickly. Then Cactus demanded that they unlock the door to the cage. when they wouldn’t do that he did a Baseball Slide and hit one of the cameramen with it. He then tried to crawl through the hole in the cage for the camera to escape from the cage. Sting caught him though before he could make it out and put on the Scorpion Deathlock. Cactus was able to reach through the cage still. He asked the same cameraman that he had just kicked to give him his barbed wire bat. The cameraman reached over and handed it to him. Sting didn’t realize he had the bat and charged at him, but Cactus held the bat up and stopped him in his tracks. after three sings and three misses of the bat Sting managed to kick and punch him a few times. Once he was on his back on the mat Sting started to climb the cage to escape. Cactus got up and could reach his legs. He swung the bat and hit Sting right in the back of the knee with the bat. Sting tried to climb again, and got another shot in the back of the knee. This one made him fall to the mat. As Cactus charged at Sting with the bat he was tripped and fell to the mat, his finger and hand hit the barbed wire. Now Sting had control of the bat. He swung and connected with two shots to Cactus’s stomach, and then two to his back. By now the barbed wire was beginning to unravel a bit from the bat. Sting then got behind hm and placed the bat in front of his head. Immediately Cactus raised his foot for a low blow to stop the bat from doing too much damage to his face. Cactus jabbed the bat into Sting’s forehead, then dropped an elbow onto him using the bat simultaneously. Now you could see Sting bleeding from the top of his head. Out came Mr. Socko, but this time he took the barbed wire and wrapped it around the sock and his hand and punched Sting in the head with it. With Sting now sitting in a corner Cactus went to the opposite corner and charged at him. He put the bat between him and Sting as he made contact. This sent him reeling in pain also, but Sting took the brunt of the shot. Cactus started to climb the cage. When Sting realized Cactus already had one leg over the top of the cage. Sting tried to quickly climb up and over, but he just couldn’t do it fast enough. Cactus feel from the top of the cage to the floor. the winner of the match and NEW TNA World Heavyweight Champion Cactus Jack. . . Mick Foley!
Wow, what a pay-per view! It was so cool to see both Bubba Ray and Devon Dudley (That’s right I called the Dudleys! They are in Philly, and will ALWAYS be Dudleys, no matter what McMahon’s lawyers say.) return to Philly and win another tag team championship. Even better for them to do it in ECW-esque fashion. Also nice to see Cactus make his return to Philly and go hardcore again while winning another title.
McMahon must have been fuming when those he pays to watch all TNA events reported back to him that Mick was now a champion again, and that Bobby Lashley is now a member of TNA. I can’t wait to see Lashley in action again!
The rest of the card was pretty good too, but in Philly those were by far the two best.
One last note – now that the Dudleys and Cactus Jack are on top of the world at the same time again – maybe they can talk Too Cold Scorpio into joining TNA and create a TNA Television title for him to win.
Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger sang America the Beautiful
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
C.M. Punk, Mark Henry, M.V.P., Shelton Benjamin, Finlay, Kofi Kingston, Christian, Kane
Well I was right about this match being early in the night, it was first. I was expecting an extremely entertaining match due to the involvement of Christian, Benjamin, and Kingston. The match certainly had its moments. Like Shelton Benjamin doing a flip off of what I think was a twenty foot ladder into a crowd of competitors and smashing down to the floor; Hornswaggle using a stepladder to climb a top Mark Henry and dive into the same crowd; Kingston scaling the ladder while Henry was holding it unopened, Henry dropped ladder and caught Kingston in a bear hug then power slammed him into the ladder.
I think Kingston and M.V.P. may have actually been injured during the match. Kingston during the above mentioned slam, and M.V.P. when Benjamin in a power bomb like setup tossed M.V.P over the top rope to the floor. It looked as if he landed right in the back of his neck.
In the end Punk fought of Christian and Kane while a top the ladder and then reached up to become the first back-to-back Money in the Bank winner.
Kid Rock sings for about 12 minutes culminating in the Divas walking down to the ring during his final song – So Hott.
Mae Young was the guest timekeeper. With here was Candice Michelle waiting to crown the first ever Miss Wrestlemania.
Here is a list of the Divas involved in the match in the order of their elimination.
Leyla, Joy Giovanni, Rosa Mendes, Alicia Fox, Sunny, Torrie Wilson, Jackie Gayda, Maria, Gail Kim, Jillian Hall, Eve Torres, Tiffany, Kelly Kelly, Molly Holly, Maryse, Katie Lea Burchill, Natalya, Victoria, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Mickie James, Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, Melina
The winner of the match Santina Marella who claimed to be Santino’s twin sister from Italy. He did a ridiculous celebration dance before finally leaving the ring.
Legends Handicap Match
Chris Jericho vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper, Superfly Jimmy Snuka, and Ricky The Dragon Steamboat with Ric Flair
Snuka should wear bigger outfits when he decides to actually wrestle. Piper has lost quite a bit of weight, but it is great to see he is doing so well after his battle with Cancer. Ricky Steamboat looked to be in great shape. He was throwing high armdrags like he did 20 years ago.
Piper started the match and did pretty well for a while. Then he tagged Snuka who did a few chops and a headbutt before tagging in Steamboat. The Dragon took over right away and was controlling things. He then tagged Snuka back in. Snuka was soon tapping out to the Walls of Jericho. I got that part right, but not much else. Piper was next to go via pinfall. Steamboat nearly got the pin, and held his own for a few minutes. Including launching himself over the top rope down onto Jericho, and no less than three near pinfalls. Things would turn around though and after a Codebreaker Steamboat got pinned.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Ric Flair would then get in the ring and be disposed of by Jericho somewhat quickly. He then got a mic and taunted Mickey Rourke, trying and trying to lure him into the ring. Rourke would eventually oblige Y2J and climbed into the ring. After a bit of showboating for the crowd and some dancing around the ring Rourke landed a single left hook to Jericho’s head that left him laying on the mat. Flair came back in and they celebrated.
Extreme Rules Match
Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
This was an exciting match as can be expected. Granted it would have been better if it had happened about five years ago. The majority of the risk taking was by Jeff Hardy, which in the end cost him. After a leap from what I estimate to be a twenty foot high ladder which after Matt moved left Jeff crashing to the mat with his lower spine area first – Matt then put Jeff’s head through the opening of a steel chair and hit the Twist of Fate. He then pinned what looked like a broken Jeff for the victory.
Winner: Matt Hardy
Intercontinental Championship Match
Champion JBL vs. Rey Mysterio
JBL attacked Mysterio before the match started. Once the ref rung the bell Mysterio hit JBL with a flurry of offense. First an Insaguri, then a 619, and finally a Frog Splash from the top rope, and the three count. In the end it took him just 21 seconds to become the new champion.
Winner and New Intercontinental Champion – Rey Mysterio
After the match JBL grabbed a mic and continued to talk. Only this time all he could say was “I Quit!” So it sort of made one of my more unlikely random predictions come true. Rey Mysterio has indeed retired JBL for a second time!
After an elaborate couple of entrances it was time for Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker
This match was to borrow a phrase from Christian – an Instant Classic! It lasted about 32 minutes from bell to bell, and included:
1 Figure-Four Leg Lock;
1 Crossface Submission;
1 Hells Gate Submission hold;
5 Attempted Sweet Chin Musics (3 Missed, 2 Connected);
2 Attempted Last Rides (1 Blocked, 1 Completed);
4 Attempted Choke Slams (3 Blocked, 1 Completed);
4 Attempted Tombstone Piledrivers (2 Blocked, 2 Completed);
2 Top Rope Elbow Attempts Shawn Michaels hit one, The Undertaker missed one
2 Backwards Moonsaults (Neither worked well)
1 Use of the word “Infreakinpossible” by The King
The Undertaker caught Michaels as he attempted his second backwards Moonsault off the top rope and hit the Tombstone Piledriver and got the pin. The Undertaker is now 17-0. I wonder if he has three more Wrestlemania appearances in him. I mean I know he won’t be wrestling full-time that long, but why not come back each year for Wrestlemania till he gets it to 20-0?
It was an incredible match. I highly recommend you find a copy of it and watch it.
Triple Threat Match
Champion Edge vs. The Big Show vs. John Cena
Oh yay, the match starts off with Vickie Guererro in a wheelchair being pushed by Chavo to ringside. Cena’s entrance was a bit streange. It started with probably about a hundred guys dressed like Cena lining the ramp and awkwardly doing the “You Can’t See Me” hand wave endlessly as Cena came down the ramp.
This match wasn’t all that exciting, which I expected, and is why I had it listed as being before the Undertaker-Michaels match. In the end Edge was on Show’s back with him in a sleeper hold, Cena came in and picked them both up for the Attitude Adjustment aka The FU. Edge jumped off, Cena dumped Show to the mat, then picked Edge up for another. Cena then pinned Show to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Winner and New Heavyweight Champion of the World – John Cena
After a segment honoring the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame inductees which included Stone Cold riding his four wheeler around the ring, and drinking a few beers in the ring, outside the ring, and even one with J.R.. . . it was time for out main event.
WWE Champion Triple H vs. Randy Orton
Note: If Triple H is disqualified or counted out he WILL lose the title.
Two minutes into the match Orton had hit the RKO, and Triple H had hit the Pedigree. Halfway through the match Triple H setup the announce tables so he could Predigree Orton on them. Orton instead flipped Triple H onto the Spanish announce table. Rather than leave him out there to be counted out Orton went out to DDT him with his feet on the announce table, driving his head into the floor. Triple H got back in the ring at the nine count.
At this point Orton began stomping on him repeatedly. The ref got taken out, first inadvertently by colliding with Triple H, then Orton threw H into him again. Orton then went out to get the sledgehammer, but Triple H landed a hard hard punt kick to Orton’s head as he climbed into the ring. The Game then connected with the sledgehammer to Orton’s head, he then dropped it behind the ring apron so the ref would have no clue. After endlessly pounding on Orton’s head The Game hit another Pedigree and went right into the three count.
Winner and Still the WWE Champion – Triple H
One last results note: Carlito and Primo Colon defeated John Morrison and The Miz to unify the World and WWE Tag Team championship belts. however this match occurred prior to the start of the live broadcast.
As for my predicitons as well as the order of the matches predictions -
I said it would be Colons win.
Christian or Kane wins
Rey Mysterio wins … I even made note that he might retire JBL for a second time!
Piper defeats Jericho
Trish Stratus or Lita wins 25 Diva Battle Royal – which as we know now neither participated unfortunately.
Jeff Hardy wins
John Cena wins
The Undertaker wins
Randy Orton wins
My predictions for the order were pretty close as it was Colons, MITB Ladder Match, 25 Diva Battle Royal, Legends Handicap, Extreme Rules, Intercontinental title, Undertaker – Michaels, Triple Threat, and of course WWE title main event. so as you can see I only put the Intercontinental title match too early, and switched spots with Undertaker-Michaels match and the Triple Threat.
Now as for my results picks -
Correct – Colons win, Mysterio wins AND retires JBL, the Undertaker wins
Incorrect – Everything else. Although I did give C.M. Punk a small chance of victory.
Also you may have noticed I mentioned Batista near the end of my preview post. All I will say is – more on Batista later.
All in all it was a great show. $55 worth – probably not quite.
Best Match: Undoubtedly The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – This will go down as one of the best Wrestlemania matches of all-time.
Worst Match: Probably the Carlito and Primo Colon match vs. John Morrison and The Miz which I didn’t get to see even though it was advertised. This is most likely due to my total dislike of Morrison and Miz though. Of the matches I saw the worst one was probably either the Diva match, or the Triple Threat.
The Diva match was nothing more than a gimmick. (GASP, I know imagine that the WWE throwing up a gimmick for Wrestlemania.) It was clear the divas of the past were mainly there because they were invited and offered what was a probably a pretty big paycheck. Notice they were 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th out of the match with only Molly Holly and Victoria going further than that. (14th and 18th respectively).
Lets have a real Divas Battle Royal with the women who can actually wrestle well. My lineup would be; Lita, Gail Kim, Trish Stratus, Michelle McCool, Torrie Wilson, Victoria, Molly holly, Beth Phoenix, Melina, Maria, Kelly Kelly, Mickie James, Natayla, Sable, a couple from TNA, and I am sure I am forgetting some. I think my match would be much more impressive.
Well Wrestlemania XXV is set to be the biggest sports entertainment spectacular of all-time. That is of course until Wrestlemania XXVI next year in Arizona. Here is a list of the entire card, as well as my predictions for each match.
This is the order I actually expect the matches to occur in too.
Winner Takes All Tag Team Title Unification Lumberjack Match
The Miz & John Morrison vs. Carlito & Primo Colon
The winner of this match will hold both the WWE Tag Team titles, and the World Tag Team titles. I have never liked Miz and Morrison, they seem to get under my skin. That however has nothing to do with my pick for this match. I am picking Carlito and Primo to win and become the unified tag team champions. It should be a decent match, but there is a reason I believe it will be the first match of the night.
———–
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Competitors: C.M. Punk, Kane, Mark Henry, Shelton Benjamin, Kofi Kingston, M.V.P., Christian, and Finlay
This is always an exciting match. I think they will put it this early in the night to present the possibility that the winner just might use it at the end of the night. I don’t think the winner will use it tonight though.
Now as for picking the winner I will be doing so in a backwards manner by process of elimination.
Mark Henry – Well can a ladder actually hold him? Can his knees hold out enough to let him climb one? I am not sure of the answers to those questions, but I am sure he won’t be the winner. If not for one of those reasons than because he doesn’t add enough appeal. Who would be looking forward constantly, waiting to see him cash it in?
Shelton Benjamin – There is a reason he has been in every Money in the Bank match, but has not won any of them. He is amazingly exciting to watch in this match. Outside of the match however he isn’t a big enough name to get over as a world champion.
Kofi Kingston – I think he will be n the same level as Benjamin in this match. It will definitely be fun to watch him in this type of match, but he isn’t yet to a level to be challengng for a world title.
Finlay – I just can’t see Finlay becoming a world champion at this stage. this isn’t exactly his type of match either. I mean I can’t see Finlay being tossed from a 15 foot high ladder down to the mat, can you?
This leaves me with the four that i believe actually have a shot at winning.
C.M. Punk – He won this match last year, and cashed it in to win the title. He is a fan favorite, and could probably sustain another brief title run. I don’t think he repeats this year, but there is a chance, however small.
M.V.P. – I think M.V.P.’s chances are only slightly better than Punk’s. He could sustain a brief run as a world champion, but would probably fade quickly.
Kane – You just never know when Kane will get another title run. It could lead to one final epic battle between the Brothers of Destruction for the title before one or both of them hang up their wrestling boots. I think he is one of the favorites to win the match, but not THE favorite.
Christian – I doubt Christian came back to the WWE to be stuck in with the midcard talent again. He wants to be top level, and can be. He could have the fan support to sustain it, if he wants it. He also has the lack of fans if he wants to take the heel side of things in a title run. A win-win situation right? As with Kane if he won – I predict a great series of matches between Edge and Christian if he does wind up winning this one. I can’t wait for the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs title match with these two on opposing sides, rather than as a team.
The only way I see the case being cashed in tonight is if Christian wins, and Edge manages to steal a win in his triple threat match.
—————–
Intercontinental Title Match
Champion JBL vs. Rey Mysterio
I think Rey comes out as the new champion in this one. Maybe he will even retire JBL for a second time. I must say I wouldn’t mind a break from him again.
—————–
Handicap Match – Chris Jericho vs. Superfly Jimmy Snuka, Ricky The Dragon Steamboat, and Rowdy Roddy Piper with Ric Flair in their corner.
The stipulations of this match state that Jericho must defeat all three of the legends in order to be victorious. However, for the legends to win they only need to defeat Jericho once.
The only reason I think this isn’t the first match of the night is because of the legends involved in it. They deserve to not be the opening match of the night.
I think Jericho will wind up defeating Snuka early in the match. Soon after he will manage to find a way to get rid of Steamboat. When it comes down to just him and Piper I think things will turn around. With a little help from Ric Flair on the outside I think Piper defeats Jericho. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if some other legends appeared to help out along the way.
——————–
25 Diva – Miss Wrestlemania Battle Royal
We don’t know for sure who the 25 Divas are, but I have a few ideas.
We definitely know that the following Divas are definitely in thematch:
Champions Melina, and Maryse; Mickie James, Michelle McCool, Gail Kim, The Bella Twins, Alicia Fox, Kelly Kelly, Maria, Eve Torres, Katie Lea Burchill, Beth Phoenix, Layla, Rose Mendes, Candice Michelle, Natalya Neidhart, Jillian Hall, and Tiffany
In case you weren’t counting that is only 19.
Who are the other six? I think I might have an idea.
I am sure of – Torrie Wilson and Sable – In case you didn’t watch the Hall of Fame ceremony last night, they were both in attendance.
I am also pretty certain Trish Stratus will be in the match.
Another one I am pretty sure of is . . . Santino Marella, unfortunately.
That makes four. Number five I believe will be Mae Young for a brief time.
That sixth and final spot I belive will go to one of two people – depending on which one was swayed by the big paycheck offered by Vince McMahon. I think it will be either Lita or Stacy Keibler.
In the later stages of the match I see it coming down to Melina, Gail Kim, Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, Trish Stratus, Torrie Wilson, and either Lita or Keibler. If Lita is in the match I see it coming down to her, Stratus, and Gail Kim – with Lita coming out on top. If there is no Lita – Trish Stratus, Gail Kim, and Torrie Wilson fight till the end with Trish Stratus winning.
Am I the only one that would really like to see a match between Gail Kim and Lita?
—————
Extreme Rules Match
Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
This should be a pretty good match. I think Jeff is the winner hands down, unless he has secretly violated the WWE Wellnes Policy in the past few weeks and they have hept it hidden till now.
—————-
World Title Triple Threat Match
Champion: Edge vs. The Big Show vs. John Cena
This match might be annoying to a point, or really, really good. It is a fine line. I believe John Cena emerges victorious. The only way I see something different happening is if one of my ideas mentioned in the Money in the Bank is in the works. If Christian wins MITB, Edge has a shot at retaining his title. If Kane wins MITB, Show has a chance at becoming champion setting up a title loss to Kane, and later battle with the Dead Man. I really do think Cena wins though on the biggest stage in sports entertainment.
—————–
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
the ONLy reason this isn’t the last match of the night is because there is no title involved. I do believe the Undertaker’s undefeated Wrestlemania streak MUST stay in tact forever. Sure he has never beaten Mr. Wrestlemania, but that streaks isn’t nearly as impressive or important. The Undertaker wins after an exciting and teriffic match. If anything – MAYBE the match ends in a draw after both competitors cannot continue the match after some catastrophic move that takes them both out.
Also, I envision quite a bit of blood in this match from both competitors.
—————–
WWE Title Match
Triple H vs. Randy Orton
This should be another great match. I think in the end Randy Orton manages to come out with the title. My only reasoning here is that it would be more interesting to watch Triple H battle back and win the title down the road at Summerslam maybe.
Batista will be back before Summerslam, won’t he? If so I predict a bit of an Evolution reunion in the form of a Triple Threat match for the belt.
Ring Announcers: Gorilla Monsoon & Jesse The Body Ventura
The event starts off with Howard Finkel introducing an odd choice for singing the Star Spangled Banner. . . Mean Gene Okerlund.
Backstage to Lord Alfred Hayes to lead into pre-recorded comments from Tito Santana and The Executioner who will be competing in the opening match.
The Executioner vs. Tito Santana
As some might remember this Executioner was just Playboy Buddy Rose in the Executioner outfit and mask. He was there to get some revenge for Greg “The Hammer†Valentine. Tito took control early on with a ground game, trying to wear down his opponent. The Executioner then started working on Santana’s legs, a prelude to a figure-four leg lock like he promised prior to the match. His offense wouldn’t last long as Santana turned the tide for a few minutes until Tito started getting overpowered. However Rose would go to the top rope, Santana would go up and slam him out of the corner. He would then hit Rose with the flying forearm he was famous for. Santana then slapped the figure-four on him, Rose would tap out quickly. Arriba!
Winner of the first ever Wrestlemania match: Tito Santana
Now back to Lord Alfred Hayes to again introduce Mean Gene with pre-recorded interviews with S.D. Special Delivery Jones and King Kong Bundy, with his manager The Mouth of the South, Jimmy Hart. Back then Lord Alfred Hayes was stumbling over half of his words and looked so nervous. Amazing how much better trained people are in today’s wrestling.
S.D. Special Delivery Jones vs. King Kong Bundy w/Jimmy Hart
Jones would charge Bundy who caught him in a bear hug and drove him into the corner, then backs up for an Avalanche, into a big splash, and the three count. Some might remember this match because it set the record for the fastest match in history. It lasted just nine seconds! A record which would stand for many years until the Ultimate Warrior won the Intercontinental Title from the Honky Tonk Man, but that is for another event wrap up all together.
Winner: King Kong Bundy
Next more interviews with Mean Gene, luckily, Lord Alfred Hayes didn’t have to introduce them this time.
Maniac Matt Borne vs. Ricky Steamboat (He was not being billed as The Dragon at this point.)
Steamboat took control with speed and some martial arts, Every thing that Borne tried Ricky turned it right around. All along he kept going back to a side headlock to wear him down. It would take an Atomic Drop for Borne to be able to turn it around finally, but it didn’t last long as Steamboat used some more kicks and chops the get back to the headlock. Borne would back him into the corner and pound on him a bit, then into a couple of suplexes and a pin. Steamboat would kick out and continue with the chops, and then a suplex of his own, followed by a neck breaker. He would then come in with a couple of flying knees to the head and than the sternum. Then to the top rope Steamboat went, off he came with his flying cross-body block into the pin.
Winner: Ricky Steamboat
Back to the Lordship again. He is now holding the event program. Apparently he had to remember what was next. As he was talking Steamboat then Borne went walking by followed by the next competitors coming out for their match. It took them quite some time to perfect entrances and such back then.
Next up…
Brutus Beefcake (well before the Barber persona) with his manager, Luscious Johnny Valiant vs. David Sammartino with his corner man, The Living Legend Bruno Sammartino
The match started off with a bit of stalling by Beefcake. David would hit the first move, a Drop-Toe Hold. They follow with a go behind and a reversal, a sit out, and Beefcake going out of the ring to complain of oil on Sammartino. Then Sammartino turned it into a mat wrestling match, using his father’s favorite Front-face Lock. David would take over with technical moves. He had Brutus in an arm bar when Beefcake lifted him for a bodyslam, Sammartino didn’t let go and pulled Beefcake over with him. Now it was Beefcake’s turn to try and wear down Sammartino. Then the pace picked up, there were leapfrogs, Irish whips, shoulder blocks, and hip tosses. Then David got him in a a double-toe hold. He then turned it into an ankle lock, Beefcake gave him a boot to the head to break it momentarily, he would come right back to work on the ankle and knee of Beefcake. He would finally rake the eyes with his forearm bands that lace up. Into the ropes, a hip toss, then he slammed Sammartino, he was firmly in control now. A few kidney shots, then into the corner, an elbow to that famous Sammartino nose, and a whip across the ring. He would continue to pound on him in the corner. He tried to whip him across again, but David reversed it, and then hit him with a sunset flip and then come after him with a flurry of offense leading to a big suplex and pin for a two count. David would be thrown out of the ring near Valiant who would bodyslam him. Bruno was over quick to retaliate and chased him into the ring where Beefcake would get him from behind. It turned into an uncontrolled brawl, which led to a double disqualification.
Winner: Certainly not David Sammartino’s career.
Back to co-host LA Hayes to introduce the first title match of the night. Off to more pre-recorded interviews. I wonder how many takes the interviews took back then.
The Junkyard Dog vs. Intercontinental Champion Greg “The Hammer†Valentine with manager Jimmy Hart
This match is introduced as “one fall with a one hour time limitâ€. I miss the matches like that! The first man of the night to have music played during his ring entrance, The Junkyard Dog. JYD started off with an arm bar with a twist, he is whipped off into the ropes, JYD caught Valentines foot, spun him and landed a big punch. The hammer would try to drop a forearm onto the Dog but he moved and then countered with those crawling headbutts he always used. Valentine would roll out to break his momentum. After he came back in he took over by working on JYD’s legs, in preparation to his figure-four leg lock finisher. The first time he went for it JYD countered by kicking him off. He would fight to his feet and they would exchange punches followed by the Dog hitting him with two big headbutts. Hart would get up on the apron to distract the ref, JYD would grab hold of The Mouth of the South. Then Valentine charged in to save his manager, but JYD moved and Valentine hit Hart with that hammer of a forearm, knocking him to the floor. JYD would then fight Valentine back into the corner, but the Hammer countered with a rake to the eyes, followed by scooping his legs out from under him. He then pinned him, making use of the second rope by putting both feet up on them for leverage. He would get the one-two-three.
Tito Santana rushed to the ring to inform the ref that Valentine had both feet on the ropes. This would lead to referee Dick Crowell restarting the match and immediately starting a ten count on Valentine who was walking back toward the locker room with his belt. Valentine would not go back to the ring and was counted out.
Winner: The Junkyard Dog via countout. Of course, the title cannot exchange hands on a countout.
Back to the Lord to introduce the next tag team championship match, and the pre-recorded comments.
The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff w/ manager Classy Freddie Blassie
vs.
Tag Team Champions of the World Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda w/ manager Captain Lou Albano
We start with the Russian National Anthem sung by Volkoff, followed by the Sheik’s regular comment, “Russia #1, Iran #1, USA…<spit noise>.†The champions then come out to actual entrance music. While I wait for this match to get started I am sent reminiscing about the live match where I saw The Sheik and Volkoff against The British Bulldogs. I got to shake the Dynamite Kid’s hand, and later during the match Volkoff gave the finger to our section. Ahh, the good old days. Now back to the action.
Rotunda took control over the Sheik early with speed and that incredible, even by today’s standards, high standing drop kick. I think only Randy Orton comes close to get as high today. Windham would tag in and continue, but got to close to Volkoff in the corner who grabbed and held him for the Sheik to hit, he would break free and the Sheik would hit Volkoff. Windham and Rotunda would set the pace of the match with quick tags in and out. Then another double team but the Sheik and Volkoff turned it around. Volkoff would ram Rotunda’s head into the Sheik’s signature boots. Sheik would hit him with an elbow drop, into a two count, then he hit Rotunda with a gut-wrench suplex, and another two count. Rotunda then hit him with a suplex of his own. The Sheik would get up first and get the tag to Volkoff. Volkoff would pound on him some more. Now the Sheik and the Russian started working well together with frequent tags and double teaming. Outside the ring the managers are getting close to fighting. The Sheik would put rotunda in the abdominal stretch, only to be hip tossed soon after. Rotunda would fight out of the situation and get a tag to his partner finally. Windham came in and took control, whipping him into the ropes and then charging in with a nice drop kick of his own, followed by his running bulldog and into a pin. The Sheik would break up the count. Rotunda hit the ring to get rid of the Sheik and did just that with a dropkick sending the Sheik to the floor. While Windham and Volkoff fought some more the ref was busy trying to get Rotunda out of the ring. Meanwhile the Sheik grabbed Blassie’s cane and hit Windham across the back of the head with it. Volkoff would follow with the pin, and get the three count.
Winners: The New Tag Team Champions of the World, The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff
The new champs were lead from the ring rather quickly as things started flying at them from the crowd.
Now to the back live, with Mean Gene, or as the Sheik lovingly called him, “Gene Mean.†An interview with the new champions, and some bashing of America. Then off to Lord Alfred Hayes again to build up the match and intro into the taped interviews. Next up the $15,000 Slam Challenge. Bobby the Brain Heenan and Big John Studd offered $15,000 to Andre The Giant if he can pick him up and bodyslam him. If Andre cannot get it done he must retire.
Big John Studd vs. Andre The Giant
Andre made sure the WWF duffle bag with the money stuffed in it was given to an impartial official at ringside. Then Studd blindsided Andre and beat him into a corner. Andre would fight right back with a couple chops and a big headbutt sending Studd to the floor. When Studd came back in The Giant would hold him in the corner applying a blatant chokehold. He then turned and hit Studd with his famous butt ram/smash(??). Whatever you want to call it. Studd would then try to slam Andre with no luck. Andre would get him in a bear hug then, while Studd kept trying to break out of it. Studd would keep trying to mount an offense, but Andre would just keep pounding him down. He whipped him into the ropes and setup for a backdrop, but Studd raised a boot to kick him, Andre caught the boot and then hammered Studd with, I will borrow a phrase from today’s WWE announcers, hit him with a skillet-like fist, followed by a kick. He then backs him into the corner again and hits him with a couple chops, then kicks him in the hamstring a few times. This all leads to Andre picking Studd up and slamming him to the mat below. Andre wins the slam match and retrieves the bag of money. He then starts throwing the money to the crowd, but Heenan would snatch the bag from him and hurry to the back with it.
Next up some interviews for the first “Rock N Wrestling†match. For those that don’t remember, this was a return match for the WWF Women’s Title between former champ Wendy Richter with Cyndi Lauper as her manager against the women who took the belt from her Leilani Kai with The Fabulous Moolah. Without Moolah interfering Richter would still be champion. Lauper’s boyfriend/manager Dave Wolf also accompanied them to the ring.
Wendy Richter vs. Women’s Champions Leilani Kai
This match as many women’s matches back then looked a bit awkward with both wearing one piece bathing suits that were a size or two too small. However, Wendy Richter was sort of the prototype which served as the basis of what would become today’s Diva. There was some hair pulling, a wrist lock here and there. The pace would pick up when Richter was flung into the corner and raised her feet to kick Kai off as she came charging in. Richter would power her into the ropes where Moolah would grab her by her hair and pull her toward the outside. Lauper was over there quick to “beat†Moolah off of her. Richter would then pick up Kai on her shoulders and perform a move that looked like John Cena’s FU. They would exchange two counts after that. Kai then bodyslammed her and climbed to the top. Richter would get to her feet as Kai leaped with a cross-body block from the top. In a very awkward movement “the momentum†would turn it around for Richter to be on top and get the three count.
Winner: And New Women’s Champion, Wendy Richter
Lauper would then attack Moolah and get a shot or two in while Kai was inside getting another shot in on Richter. Moolah would then try to enter the ring and trip over the rope, a shot that has been shown many times since.
Now it was time for all the Wrestlemania hype to come to a head. Ring announcer Howard Finkel would start by announcing the guest ring announcer. Former New York Yankees manager, Billy Martin, who gets a big hand in Madison Square Garden. Martin would start by introducing the officials for the match. First up, guest timekeeper, Liberace, escorted to the ring by a quartet of Rockettes, two of which by the way were also stuffed into bathing suits a size too small. They would dance around the ring a bit before we move on. Next to be introduced, well we don’t know until Jesse The Body would say it, because Martin’s mic stopped working. It was The Greatest, Muhammad Ali as the special guest referee, he was joined in the ring by Pat Patterson also dressed up as a ref.
Hit the music… OK, the bagpipes anyway. Down came Rowdy Roddy Piper and Paul Mr.Wonderful Orndorff accompanied by Cowboy Bob Orton. Now for “I Am A Real American†to play. Down came the World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan and Mr. T accompanied by Superfly Jimmy Snuka.
Orndoff would grab a broom and break it over his knee to intimidate his opponents. Meanwhile Muhhamad Ali would climb out to the floor, since he is the “outside refereeâ€. The camera flashes to Liberace who is being shown how to work a watch. Then Piper’s team would have a group hug. Liberace would ring his own crystal bell. Orndorff would start against Hogan, but then there was an immediate tag to Piper. This sent Mr. T into a frenzy, screaming for the tag so he can get in against Piper. They would get nose to nose, followed by exchanging a few slaps, then a kick from Piper. At this point it became reversal after reversal with both showing off some mat skills. T would pick him up in a fireman’s carry into a slam. Then everyone entered the ring, “pandemonium has broken loose!†Ali was in the ring to help restore order, he took a shot at Piper, knocking him out of the ring out. At this point Snuka was perched on the top rope, but with the crowd in front of him he just simply jumped down to the canvas. Ali would indeed get control of the match back. Now with all three of Piper’s team on the floor, the Rowdy One would call a timeout and they would head back toward the locker room. They would be stopped though and made to return to the ring. With all four combatants in the ring now T and the Hulkster took over, smashing Piper and Orndorff’s heads together. Irish whip to the other corner, Hogan charged in with a clothesline, then turned to hit the approaching Orndorff, then smashing their heads together again. He would then hit an Atomic Drop on Piper, while he lay prone on the mat Hogan would smash his head into the mat repeatedly. T would tag in, they then hit a double clothesline on Piper. Mr. T would then continue the onslaught with a bodyslam. Orndorff would rush in only to be hip tossed aside. Hogan would get a couple shots on him in as he stumbled near the corner, while T slammed Piper again. Orndorff would charge T again and was met with a headbutt. Piper’s head was then smashed into Hogan’s knee in the corner. Hogan would tag back in and exchange blows with a groggy Piper. He would then throw him into the ropes and follow with the famous Hogan big boot to the face which sent Piper flipping backward over the ropes. Mr. Wonderful would come up behind Hogan with a clothesline, knocking him to the floor where Piper would connect with a chair across the Hulkster’s back. Ali would chase Piper back into the ring. Hogan is now being worked over in the corner by Orndorff and Piper while Patterson is trying to hold Mr T back and get him out of the ring. The hit him with a double Atomic Drop, which brought Ali back into the ring. As Ali threatened Pipe in the corner Mr. Wonderful was working over Hogan with some knees and punches, then a suplex. Piper would tag back in and deliver some punches and a knee. Orndorff back in now, he climbed to the top and came down with an elbow across Hogan’s head, then a backbreaker. He would then go to the top rope again, this time without Piper holding Hogan in place, he would leap across the ring to deliver a Macho Man – Shawn Michaels like elbow, Hogan would roll out of the way sending him crashing to the mat. Hogan crawled to the tag, as he came in he would be double teamed. T would try to make it a mat wrestling match again, to no avail. Piper would try to wear T down with a front face lock, he would break loose and get the tag.
Hogan came in and fought off a double team with yet another Noggin Knocker. Hogan would hit a suplex that hurt him just as much as Orndorff. Orton would come charging into the ring but was met with a big headbutt from the Superfly. Orndorff would slap a full nelson on Hogan as Patterson tried to get Snuka and T out of the ring. T would head off a shot from Piper. The whole time Orton was perched atop the ropes waiting for an opening. He got it and leaped off with his cast ready to do some damage on Hogan’s skull, but Hogan pulled Orndorff into the path of the blow which crashed down across Mr. Wonderful’s head and neck. Hogan would tae advantage and go for the pin and get the three count as Snuka stopped Orton from breaking up the count.
Winners: Hulk Hogan & Mr. T
Post match Piper would punch Patterson and knock him down with one shot. Mr. T was checking on the still prone Orndorff who would wake up in a daze swinging. Time for the music and pose down which would keep Hogan atop the wrestling world for decades. All the guests were now in the ring with handshakes going on all over.
Then in the back Mean Gene with a victory interview with the winners. Oddly, I think Snuka was the most understandable speaker at the time.
You can watch the entire main event match below my closing thoughts. I found it on YouTube. It is a little dark, and comes in four separate parts, but at least you get to see it from start to finish.
There you have it, the one that started it all. The success of Wrestlemania would snowball into the Sports Entertainment we know and love today. The wrestling that includes a pay-per-view a month, three televised weekly shows complete with Superstars and Divas. For its time it was monumental, but looking back it had many flaws and holes as everyone was still perfecting the art of entertainment. What is now second nature to today’s Superstars came a little harder to the wrestlers of that time, with a few exceptions. The announcers and interviewers have come a long, long way since back then. Sure Mean Gene Okerlund was already great at it, and even Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse The Body Ventura made a great commentating team, but Lord Alfred Hayes looked like a fish out of water. Also I am glad today’s announcers are supplied with a thesaurus, otherwise pandemonium would be breaking loose on TV week in and week out. Back then they also just had special guests to drum up some excitement over something new. Finkel had to walk Martin through the entire thing, Liberace needed to be shown how to use a watch, although his bell was a strange but nice personal touch. Ali looked more at home being from a ring of his own. Of course without this “closed-circuit TV†event I wouldn’t have seven hours of wrestling a week, and six hours in PPVs a month to watch and write about. . . plus I have a hunch Vince McMahon would have really blown himself up by now if it hadn’t all taken off to become so huge.
Logos from the first 24 Wrestlemania events. Image courtesy Wikipedia
Wrestlemania Locales Through the Years
Event
Date
City
Venue
Wrestlemania
3/31/1985
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden
Wrestlemania 2
4/7/1986
Uniondale, NY
Rosemont, IL
Los angeles, CA
Nassau Coliseum
Rosemont Horizon
LA Sports Arena
Wrestlemania III
3/29/1987
Pontiac, MI
Pontiac Silverdome
Wrestlemania IV
3/27/1988
Atlantic City, NJ
Atlantic City Convention Center*
Wrestlemania V
4/2/1989
Atlantic City, NJ
Trump Plaza**
Wrestlemania VI
4/1/1990
Toronto, Ontario Canada
SkyDome
Wrestlemania VII
3/24/1991
Los Angeles, CA
LA Sports Arena
Wrestlemania VIII
4/5/1992
Indianapolis, IN
Hoosier Dome
Wrestlemania IX
4/4/1993
Las Vegas, NV
Caesar’s Palace
Wrestlemania X
3/20/1994
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden
Wrestlemania XI
4/2/1995
Hartford, CT
Hartford Civic Center
Wrestlemania XII
3/31/1996
Anaheim, CA
Arrowhead Pond
Wrestlemania 13
3/23/1997
Rosemont, IL
Rosemont Horizon
Wrestlemania XIV
3/29/1998
Boston, MA
Fleet Center
Wrestlemania XV
3/28/1999
Philadelphia, PA
First Union Center
Wrestlemania 2000
4/2/2000
Anaheim, CA
Arrowhead Pond
Wrestlemania X-Seven
4/1/2001
Houston, TX
Reliant Astrodome
Wrestlemania X8
3/17/2002
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
SkyDome
Wrestlemania XIX
3/30/2003
Seattle, WA
Safeco Field
Wrestlemania XX
3/14/2004
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden
Wrestlemania 21
4/3/2005
Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center
Wrestlemania 22
4/2/2006
Rosemont, IL
Allstate Arena
Wrestlemania 23
4/1/2007
Detroit, MI
Ford Field
Wrestlemania XXIV
3/30/2008
Orlando, FL
Citrus Bowl
Wrestlemania XXV
4/5/2009
Houston, TX
Reliant Stadium
Wrestlemania XXVI
3/28/2010
Glendale, AZ
University of Phoenix Stadium
* IV was in Atlantic City, New Jersey but not at Trump Plaza. It was held in the Atlantic City Convention Center. Granted at the time it was owned by Donald Trump, but it was not Trump Plaza.
** I was at IV, but not at V. V is always listed as being held at Trump Plaza as well. I would assume it too was held at the Convention Center just as the year prior.
Smackdown Money in the Bank Ladder Match
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