Hello everybody, and welcome to another edition of Reading Between The Ropes. I hope everyone is fine and well, and I also hope you enjoyed your Wrestlemania weekend. Last night was the climax of it all, though, as the grand daddy of ‘em all took place inside the Staples Center, in Los Angeles. So, as with all PPVs, it’s about time I look back on the highlight of the wrestling calendar year, and see just how much history was made last night in Hollywood.
Lillian Garcia always does a great job when she sings to kick off the show, and this time was no different. I’m not an American, but I can appreciate how rousing something like that must have been for the Americans watching live in attendance, or from the comfort of their own home. Good stuff Lillian.
We then saw a collection of moments from the Wrestlemania Goes Hollywood commercials, followed by the latest one. Yes, the rumours turned out to be true and we did see Gladiator Austin. It came off really well, and it was definitely one to get the crowd pumped for his appearance later on in the night. Good stuff, again.
Finally, I love my sets and entrance designs, particularly at Wrestlemania. Sometimes they make the show that much more memorable for me. So, I was very intrigued as to what they would come up with this year. Well, I think they did a fine job as once again the arena this year isn’t the biggest around, but they made the best use of it and definitely came up with a nice looking set. The mock Hollywood sign, and the lights at the top of the screen were excellent additions, and a tick will definitely go in the right box in terms of the set design. Great job.
So, where does that leave us? Oh, yeah… the action.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio
I think just about everybody knew this would open the card, so seeing Eddie come out was no surprise. I also think just about everybody thought these two would put on an absolute must-see. On that front, too, we were not surprised.
I could have watched these two wrestle all night long, because they put on a master-class inside that ring. Eddie Guerrero working over Rey’s arm was excellent, because I didn’t want this to bcome just a high-flying “fun little opener”. I wanted this to become a battle of wits, and somewhat of a clinic.
The fans in the arena were certainly in to this one, and it was an excellent opening to the night’s festivities. Some of the reversals and counter-reversals were a treat to watch, and Eddie’s bone-crunching back breakers were textbook. His tilt-the-world backbreaker later in the contest is one of the best executions of that move you’re ever likely to see.
I was preying that these two would be given 20 minutes, but it was only an 11 minute match from bell-to-bell. Still, they managed to fit in about as much action as they could in that space of time, and kept this writer thoroughly entertained throughout. I definitely think there could be more battles between the two to come, especially with Rey winning and the prospect of Eddie snapping always in the mind. Still, a nice little handshake at the end, and a superb opening match from two absolute gems.
My Pick: Eddie
Jared’s Pick: Eddie
Scage’s Pick: Eddie
Steve’s Pick: Eddie
Winner: Rey
Score: Mitch 0 Jared 0 Scage 0 Steve 0
The interaction between JBL and HHH was good to see, because HHH’s sly comments regarding JBL on Raw have been building for quite some time now. This was a little bit more than filler, and definitely had a meaningful feel to it, which is all I ask for in backstage segments.
Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Match
I felt a little disappointed for the participants that they didn’t get their full entrances. This is Wrestlemania, and I feel they deserved to have a full introduction, so to speak. Having said that, maybe that would have taken a couple of precious minutes away from the match itself, and two minutes in this one meant a whole lot of action!
Shelton Benjamin has won a few extra fans over after tonight, I feel, because his T-Bone suplex from the ladder and when he walked up the ladder and clotheslined Jericho off of it were to excellent moments. Kane attempting the chokeslam on Benoit from the ladder, and Benoit’s attempted reversal got a massive pop, as well.
Of course, we all suspected Benoit would do it… and he did. No, not the victory; I mean the headbutt from the top of the ladder. That got a huge response, and was an excellent sight to behold, especially when you saw everyone reaching for their cameras in the crowd as he stepped outside those ropes to set up for it.
Benoit also German suplexed Jericho when he had the ladder in his hand. Immense! We saw a con-chair-to with ladders (con-ladder-to?), and the obligatory ladder spots as well, with people being thrown from the ladder to the outside.
All-in-all, this was a very entertaining match, and come the end I was left wanting more. That’s two out of two in terms of that reaction to the end of a contest. Benoit’s selling of his arm injury was scarily good, and they seemed to focus on that a lot. I don’t think it was a legit injury, I just think Benoit probably sold it very well. Anyway, Edge wins it, and somewhere down the line, he’ll have his shot.
My Pick: Edge
Jared’s Pick: Benoit
Scage’s Pick: Edge
Steve’s Pick: Edge
Winner: Edge
Score: Mitch 1 Jared 0 Scage 1 Steve 1
Eugene entering instantly told me that there was a chance IT would happen. Hassan entering cemented the feeling that IT would happen. His remarks about wanting a Wrestlemania moment assured me IT would happen. Then, the music hit… and IT was confirmed. I must admit, I marked the f*** out when Hogan came down. I screamed for joy, jumped up and down and sang along to his theme music. I wanted a big leg, but I guess Hogan’s hips won’t allow it. Still, his pose down and celebrations, along with that LEGENDARY ‘Real American’ theme song had me reacting like a 5 year old. Excellent stuff, and now I need my breath back.
Undertaker vs. Randy Orton
The Undertaker’s entrance is just classic. It is elaborated at Wrestlemania, which gives the event and the occasion that big stage feel to it. The fans eat it up too, and the gimmick is one of the most successful ever created, if not THE most successful. The fans were firmly behind the Undertaker, and the many 13-0 signs were indicative of that.
Orton did not get much offence in during this match, which is a shame because I was hoping he would. Every time it seemed he was about to gain an advantage for any lengthy period of time, the Undertaker came back at him. We saw the classic ‘old school’ manoeuvre, and the leg drop across the throat on the outside. Vintage ‘Taker.
The spot with Orton on the turnbuckle and ‘Taker positioning him in to the Last Ride has been used many times before, so it was a surprise to nobody when ‘Taker hooked him up. It’s still a useful spot, may I add. I successfully predicted the ref bump, and it was not a big surprise to see Bob Orton get involved either. Seeing Cowboy Bob use that legendary cast was awesome, and for those who are less educated in the past, let me inform you that he used that things for use as a weapon, claiming he needed that cast for protection to an injury. Great to see it come in to play here.
By far the best moment of this match was Orton’s reversal of the chokeslam in to the RKO. That got a big response from the red hot Los Angeles crowd, and rightly so. The count was dramatic, as it should be. I disappointed to see Orton attempt the Tombstone, as I think it makes him look pretty stupid considering ‘Taker has reversed an attempt by his opponent to use his own move on him in to a Tombstone from himself many times before. That sealed Orton’s fate, and the fans went home happy. A very watchable match, with the result so important that it kept you intrigued throughout.
My Pick: Undertaker
Jared’s Pick: Orton
Scage’s Pick: Undertaker
Steve’s Pick: Undertaker
Winner: Undertaker
Score: Mitch 2 Jared 0 Scage 2 Steve 2
Women’s Title: Trish Stratus vs. Christy Hemme
For a women’s title match, this was more than bearable. Trish’s mocking of Christy and Lita was good to see, and she plays that arrogant champion very well. I liked how Christy got in the twist of fate, but it wasn’t enough, showing her twist of fate, while acceptable, is not the same as one from Lita. It did what it needed to do. It provided a little breather for everyone with some less hard-hitting stuff, and it entertained somewhat because it didn’t drag on and moved swiftly enough from one moment to the next. Trish, rightfully, retains.
My Pick: Trish
Jared’s Pick: Trish
Scage’s Pick: Trish
Steve’s Pick: Christy
Winner: Trish
Score: Mitch 3 Jared 1 Scage 3 Steve 2
Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels
Michaels’s ring attire took a while to get to grips with, heh. However, it was certainly easy to grasp the opening moments of this match for me, as I loved the technical mat style that Michaels adopted and wrestled Angle with. Angle really sold his frustration as HBK adopted that purist style.
The Angle Slam around the ring post was a nice spot, and although he didn’t nail it dead on Michaels’s back, the fact that HBK bent around the ring post was enough to warrant the selling of it as a focal point in the match by commentators and athletes alike.
I loved Angle battling with Michaels to German suplex him off of the apron and through the table. The table not breaking may have let down a few, but I don’t think it took anything away from the spot, for my money. King’s explanation was also useful in aiding that interpretation.
I loved the way they re-entered the ring after that spot and Angle and Michaels, both bleeding, really squared up to one another and it was as if the battle had entered a new phase with the first phase seeing the two inseparable in terms of ability. The fans’ reactions were also golden, and I loved how they were just as much behind Angle as they were Michaels. I applaud the fans in the front few rows, especially, who got in to the chant debate of “Let’s go Michaels!”… “Let’s go Angle!” etc. I wish the entire arena would have joined in on that one as it would have been a huge buzz to hear everyone chanting it, although a few more did join in later. The commentators should have sold the fans’ reactions more as well, because they were terrific in this.
But so were the athletes. They took it up a notch again for the final 10 minutes. The Superkick spot with Michaels’s ankle being caught by Angle was delivered, as I predicted. However, there was a reason I predicted that… because it made sense, and it was the perfect thing to do. This match did many things perfectly!
The ankle lock really brought the crowd to their feet, as HBK struggled to get the ropes. However, the Angle Slam and kickout and then, even more so, the Angle Slam from the top, the quick cover and the quick out again brought the house down! I was going crazy in my living room at this point. The fans were going nuts. The commentators were going nuts.
Angle was awesome after this as he really sold his frustration at HBK not tapping and kicking out constantly. The led to a perfect quick Superkick. I think the cover afterwards was dubious as Angle got his shoulder up a little late which caused a few fans to grumble a little, I think. Still, it didn’t take anything away from the superb action we were seeing.
Angle eventually locked in that ankle lock, and Michaels really wriggled and squirmed to get out of it, which really sold his panic and his desire to not give up. However, Angle looked equally determined as he cranked it up a notch. The fans were going crazy at this point. Michaels looked like he was going to have one last rally and I was screaming for HBK to rally or get to the ropes, purely because I wanted this to go on even longer. However, he didn’t and the end of a great match was witnessed. I could have watched that all night. Still, the two got 28 minutes from bell-to-bell (excluding introductions, therefore), and you can’t argue with that. You were still left wanting more, though, which shows how amazing a job they did.
I think more people should have shown Michaels more respect at the end of this match. He gave one hell of an effort, and the odd jeer or “You screwed Bret” comment came at an inappropriate time. Michaels had delivered a classic with Angle, and he should have got a better reaction at the end, I feel. Having said that, the fans were brilliant throughout the match itself, and they added to the occasion too. Well done guys!
Many said if this match didn’t deliver then Wrestlemania as a whole wouldn’t deliver. Well, Michaels and Angle held up their end of the bargain, and then some.
My Pick: Michaels
Jared’s Pick: Michaels
Scage’s Pick: Michaels
Steve’s Pick: Michaels
Winner: Angle
Score: Mitch 3 Jared 1 Scage 3 Steve 2
Next we had the Piper’s Pit segment, and I was glad to see the fans give just as much respect to Roddy as they did to Austin. The slaps to begin with were great stuff, and Piper’s reaction to the “What?” chants were great. I didn’t predict Carlito would come out in this segment, but I’m glad he got some airtime as I like the guy a lot. He got his comeuppance, the beer was spread, and even Piper, to my surprise I must say, got a Stunner. I liked this segment as it didn’t drag and it wasn’t the same Austin interview that you normally see. Two good little segments in the ring outside of the wrestling, therefore, with the Hogan one being the first. Good stuff!
Sumo Match: Big Show vs. Akebono
It was no surprise to see Show don the thong. It was funny to see him joking around before hand by lifting the robe and winking at some fans. He’s a fun lovin’ guy, after all. They did a great job transforming the ring in to the Sumo style arena, and then changing it back again for the next match so quickly, as well.
I did not mind all the salt throwing and the traditional hand checks etc. that preceded the match as that is tradition. What did get a little tiresome was the blatant stalling which is not something that is as traditional. Anyway, once the bout got underway, I think it was clear that it was a work because it would not have lasted so long had it not been. This didn’t take up a great deal of time and was a nice sandwich in between the marathon matches either side of it. It didn’t flatten the crowd either, so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. I could stomach this.
My Pick: Akebono
Jared’s Pick: Akebono
Scage’s Pick: Akebono
Steve’s Pick: Akebono
Winner: Akebono
Score: Mitch 4 Jared 2 Scage 4 Steve 3
WWE Title: John “Bradshaw” Layfield vs. John Cena
Those dollar bills with JBL’s face on them were a nice touch. That fan sure looked happy to have one, although the young lady was such a turncoat as I’m sure she was one of those celebrating with Cena at the conclusion of this match.
And what about the match? Well, it was a very strange one. It didn’t have that big match feel, and it felt a lot like a Smackdown! match, rather than a PPV match, let alone a Wrestlemania! Cena barely got in any offence before JBL took control, and he dominated Cena up until the very closing moments. It was all JBL throughout.
The length of the match was very surprising, as I expected it to be a lot longer. I didn’t mind it being a short match at all, but they could have made it to be more of a tussle during that shot period, though. To me it just seemed like one way traffic and then a surprise end. I think from the commentator’s reaction that the WWE wanted it to come across that way as well, but I scratch my head at the decision.
The run-ins and ref-bumps did not materialise as we saw a straight-up one-one-one contest. However, as I said, it didn’t seem much of a contest for 99% of the match. A strange match this, and it certainly didn’t feel like a title match on the grandest stage of them all.
My Pick: Cena
Jared’s Pick: Cena
Scage’s Pick: Cena
Steve’s Pick: JBL
Winner: Cena
Score: Mitch 5 Jared 3 Scage 5 Steve 3
The Hall of Fame parade was a really nice break in between the two title matches, and a great moment. I loved seeing footage from the previous night’s ceremony as to be at something like that would have been an honour. The reactions each inductee got were fitting, and thoroughly deserved. These sort of parades and show of respect for the inductees/legends has definitely been a worthwhile addition to Wrestlemania in the past couple of years. A great moment for all of them, and richly deserved may I add.
World Title: HHH vs. Batista
HHH’s entrance as he came up in the middle of Motorhead’s set was pretty awesome. I liked it. Lemmy actually attempted to sing more than just the chorus this year as well. Hunter looked a little heavy around the waist for me, which isn’t a good idea when you’re going to need to carry a match.
A lot of staring down and hype before we saw any real physical interaction. Even then, it took a while before we saw any substantial impact. Batista’s overhead pick up in to a gorilla press slam was impressively done in how he did it on his heels. Still, Hunter quickly gained the advantage, which was a surprise because I thought they might portray Batista as to overwhelming for HHH in this one.
Hunter’s spinebuster on Batista was mighty impressive, and he deserved his little celebration afterwards. Batista gaining the advantage quite some time before the finish was another surprise in terms of the pendulum of the match. Hunter either did that blade job very sneakily before the post bump, or he really got opened up by it. Either way, the juice flowed, the I liked his selling of it by staggering rather than falling flat on his face.
The ref-bump came in this title match, not the previous one, as it turned out. However, there was no danger of Hunter getting the pin after the shot with the title belt. I cheered when Hunter low-blowed Batista, and I hoped he would somehow pull it out of the bag, but Batista rallied and shook the ropes like another wrestler I always hated, the Ultimate Warrior.
Batista got the pin and became the new Heavyweight Champion, much to my chagrin. The incident at the end when he taunted hunt seemed a bit meaningless, but I suppose it didn’t do anyone any harm. At the risk of sounding too descriptive, a nice fireworks display at the end and video package rounded off the show after that.
My Pick: HHH
Jared’s Pick: Batista
Scage’s Pick: Nash
Steve’s Pick: Batista
Winner: Batista
Final Score: Mitch 5 Jared 4 Scage 5 Steve 4
Scage and I draw after Scage stupidly picks Nash, while Jared and Steve didn’t quite fair as well.
In terms of the overall show, Michaels and Angle was the match that the night hinged heavily on and, as I said, they didn’t let us down. If that is the one you wanted to see, then you weren’t let down. Eddie and Rey gave us a great opener, and the Money-in the-Bank Ladder Match was also very entertaining. The two title matches were as dreary as expected, which meant the night tailed off by the end. However, the good was very good, so it out-shone some of the uglier stuff. In closing, if there had been better title matches, this could have been an exceptional Wrestlemania and, as it was, it was a good one anyway.
Until next time,
Mitchell L. Gadd
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