The Rock kicks things off with a promo, maybe a promo that went on too long for let's say Wrestlemania. I feel like it was more of a treat for the live crowd then the television audience, but whatever The Rock was one of the main attractions going into the event. I just think it could've been trimmed down.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Edge:
So a Wrestlemania first, we kick off the event with the World Heavyweight Title match. Very interesting choice, and might I add, what a great looking set. Not a bad match, pretty good actually. Both guys worked well together, Del Rio hit his armbar twice but Edge was able to get free. Edge wins with a spear. I was rather disappointed Del Rio lost, maybe it's the fan in me, but that left me with a salty taste right out the gate. Still the match was worth watching, rather short though. I kind of feel that putting the WHT match first makes it obvious what title is the less important title. ADR will have a bright future, but it looks like his destiny won't be fulfilled at Wrestlemania.
Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio:
This was one of the matches I was looking forward too. It was good, but didn't blow me away. I felt like something was off about this match. Cody seemed nervous and understandably so, he's in a much more featured role this year around. He was working with one of the companies best pros though. Mysterio was good as usual, but I seen more dynamite from him. He finally gets to have a match that's over 5 minutes this year for a change. The match did pick up towards the end and the grotesque one pulled out the W. Big win for Cody, I hope this gives him the exposure he deserves.
The Corre vs. Big Show, Kane, Santino, and Kofi Kingston:
Well this match was short. Team Show made short work with The Corre to get the victory. Like I said this year's Wrestlemania was strapped for time, so this was a good thing. And for the most par, really no one cared about this match. And I'm still salty Nash wasn't involved.
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk:
One of the big ticket feuds right here. Punk and Orton one on one. Not a bad match, pretty good actually. I admittedly have to re-watch this match to get a more detailed opinion on it. For what it's worth, this match did it's job and gave the people what the wanted, a solid match. Orton grabs the win with the RKO... OUT OF NOWHERE!!!
Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler:
This was the comedy match of the night. People wanted to see Cole get his ass kicked and the ultimately got it. Steve Austin is here to officiate the match. Cole tries to hide and beg for a truce with Lawler, but gets beat down for his troubles. Jack Swagger gets involved and allows for Cole to get some offense in. Jerry eventually gets the edge back and really lays it on Cole, it was funny to see Swagger throw in the towel and have SCSA disregard it. Lawler gets the pin but then gets DQ'd because of Austin's involvement, funny match, but it was about 5 minutes longer than it needed to be. It should be noted that Jack Swagger got a stunner during the match. After the match Booker T got a stunner during the beer bash and then Josh Matthews for relaying the message from the GM that Lawler is disqualified.
Undertaker vs. Triple H:
This was by far the match of the night. Both guys had epic entrances that set the tone for the match. The comparisons are and will be made with the HBK matches, but this was a completely different style with a different story told. HBK is more or less a worker of finesse and well as HHH put it, a guy who puts on a show. These two beat the shit out of each other straight out the gate. Some say this match was slow, but that's how it was meant to be. It also left you on your seat wondering who was going to attack next and how. After some near falls from their finishers, HHH really dominated the end. Several Pedigrees, a chair assault, and even using Undertaker's own move the Tombstone, the Deadman kept kicking out. The frustration of HHH relays back to Raw when HBK showed the the doubt that he doesn't believe that his best friend can get the job done. The Game goes for old reliable, his sledgehammer, but before he can smash Undertaker's skull he gets caught in the Hell's Gate. After all the damage he had done, one mistake got HHH in a bad position. He fought to find the ropes and he fought to grab and attempt to use the hammer, but it was all futile for the Game. After struggling, HHH very quietly taps out, perhaps realizing that there was nothing he can do at this point. HHH destroyed the Undertaker more than any other has done at Wrestlemania, but in the end his streak remained intact. Realizing that he was another statistic in the streak, HHH walks away with a look of disappointment and disbelief. But at what cost was 19-0, The Undertaker didn't look like a winner. He won out of a move of desperation after HHHHBK matches. This is a must watch match of the night by far.
John Morrison, Trish Stratus, and Snooki vs. Dolph Ziggler and Laycool:
Well this is a cool down match. Not many were happy over Snooki being involved, but luckily for them the match was rather short. It's a shame the actual talent of the match didn't get a chance to shine, but time is time people. Snooki gets the tag and shows an impressive feat of athletics and got the pin for the win. Snooki wasn't the worst celebrity involvement at all, and actually the used her perfectly. She did her job and it was short and sweet. She didn't do anything to embarrass herself or the company for that matter. It was painless.
John Cena vs. The Miz:
Our main event, and we get more elaborate entrances. First The Miz has a really cool video of him at a switchboard of sorts. There is interchanging clips between images of some of the all time greats and The Miz's rise from Real World star to WWE Champion. John Cena however used a gospel choir, it was pretty lame, especially compared to some of his previous entrances. The match itself didn't stick out to me, but once again, I need to re-watch it. The crowd was drained, so their lack of involvement effected the match. They came alive towards the end after some near falls. Then they were both counted out for a draw... really? Yes, I know that wouldn't be it and this was the opportunity for The Rock to get involved, but it just seemed disjointed and derailed the match. That's just my opinion. And once again, it wasted some more time. Anyways, The Rock demands the match restarts and without any hesitation, Rocky hits the Rock Bottom and John Cena giving the Miz his chance to win the main even of Wrestlemania! But before Miz can bask in his career achievement Rocky comes back in and lays the smackdown on him for his trouble, ending the show with The Rock on top.
Not bad, but definitely not great. There was good matches, but only one had that Wrestlemania feel to it. Sometimes that's all it needs to leave a legacy, but it was unfortunate because this card could of exceeded expectations with relative ease. The overall show was very Rock-centric, which is completely understandable, he was the main draw. But I just felt there was poor time management, and too much hoopla that a potentially fun match between Sheamus and Daniel Bryan had to be a casualty and regulated to a DVD bonus. By the way, that match turned into a battle royal, which made me sick. I also felt sorry for those two, who both had slick new looks on Raw that they probably planned on debuting at Wrestlemania. Why not have the 8-man tag match be the dark match with the lumberjacks, since it was a throwaway match in the first place? It is what it is, the WWE will do whatever it wants and as a result they had an average Wrestlemania.
Also, I felt the lack of Money in the Bank left a void. It's a nice crutch for the big event and it was taken off, and like a crutch being taken away, Wrestlemania stumbled and limped. I hope they consider having it come back, because it also feels more special at Wrestlemania than it's own PPV. That's just something to ponder, but there you have it my detailed thoughts on this years Showcase of the Immortals.
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