Wrestling Then & Now: WWE Wrestlemania X8

Guest Referee: Jacqueline

Rikishi, Scotty 2 Hotty and Albert vs. Mr. Perfect, Lance Storm and Test

Rikishi

Then: After this match he went on to defeat Billy & Chuck to win the WWF Tag Team Championships with Rico at the WWE Judgment Day PPV on 5/19/02.

Now: He made a surprise cameo on Raw 1000 dancing with his sons, Jey & Jimmy Uso. He also represented Yokozuna, his cousin, when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Scotty 2 Hotty

Then: His tag partner Albert turned on him and then had major neck surgery.

Now: He makes occasional indy appearances. He also made a surprise appearance on NXT on 8/16/12 in a match vs. Heath Slater.

Albert

Then: Known as the “Hip Hop Hippo” he turned on his partner Scotty 2 Hotty and then spent the majority of 2002 wrestling on Velocity.

Now: He currently tagging with Brodus Clay under the name Sweet T after his Japanese gimmick Tensai failed to catch up with the audience and is tagging with Cameron & Naomi against Team Rhodes Scholars and The Bellas.

Mr. Perfect

Then: This was in the middle of his last run with WWF after his return at the Royal Rumble.

Now: Curt Henning passed away on February 10, 2003 at the age of 44 from acute cocaine intoxication.

Lance Storm

Then: After this night he went on to form the UnAmericans with Christian and Test. He won the WWF Tag
Team Championships with Christian in this stable.

Now: Lance wrestling in a six man tag match on 1/18/13 in the Hart Legacy promotion in Calgary with Davey Boy Smith, Jr. and Lance Archer versus Bobby Lashley, Chris Masters and Johnny Devine. He also runs a very popular wrestling school in Calgary.

Test

Then: After this night he went on to form the UnAmericans with Lance Storm and Test. Later that year
Stacy Keibler became his on screen girlfriend and image consultant.

Now: Andrew Martin passed away on March 13, 2009 at the age of 33 because of an oxycodone overdose.

Jacqueline

Then: Jacqueline became a part time referee/wrestler in 2002.

Now: She has not been seen since an appearance on the 9/1/11 episode of TNA Impact when Karen Jarrett brought her in under “a new contract.”

WWF Intercontinental Championship

Rob Van Dam

Then: RVD would hold onto the title till 4/21/02 at the WWF Backlash PPV to Eddie Guerrero.

Now: He won the TNA X Division Championship on 10/14/12 at the TNA Bound for Glory PPV and lost it to Kenny King on the 2/28/13 edition of Impact Wrestling.

William Regal

Then: Later in the week on the 3/21/02 edition of WWF Smackdown he defeated Diamond Dallas Page to win the WWF European Championship.

Now: Regal is now a NXT commentator and trainer.

WWF European Championship

Diamond Dallas Page

Then: He would go on to lose the title to William Regal on the 3/21/02 edition of WWF Smackdown.

Now: DDP has retired from regular in ring competition in 2005. He currently has a very popular workout program DDP Yoga and has taken in Jake Roberts and Scott Hall to straighten up their lives and get them clean.

Christian

Then: this night he went on to form the UnAmericans with Lance Storm and Test. He won the WWF Tag Team Championships with Lance Storm in this stable.

Now: Christian last wrestled on the 7/27/12 edition of WWE Smackdown losing his WWE Intercontinental Championship rematch against The Miz. He is now inactive with a shoulder injury.

WWE Hardcore Championship

Maven (c) and Goldust fought to a no contest

• Spike Dudley pinned Maven for the title
• The Hurricane pinned Spike Dudley for the title
• Mighty Molly pinned The Hurricane for the title
• Christian pinned Mighty Molly for the title
• Maven pinned Christian for the title

Maven

Then: The first ever Tough Enough winner, eventually lose the WWF Hardcore Championship to Raven on 3/28/02 edition of WWF Smackdown.

Now: He currently pending a 5 year prison sentence for the doctor shopping painkillers.

Spike Dudley

Then: He would go on to upset William Regal to win the WWF European Championship on the 4/8/02 edition of WWF Raw.

Now: He wrestled his last regular match on 9/11/10 against Shane Williams at Real Action Wrestling’s September 2 Remember. He made a surprise appearance as one of Bully Ray’s groomsmen when he married Brooke Hogan on the 1/17/03 edition of Impact Wrestling.

The Hurricane

Then: He won the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in a triple threat match with Tajiri and Billy Kidman on the 5/16/02 edition of WWE Smackdown.

Now: On 1/15/13 he tagged with Matt & Jeff Hardy and James Storm in an eight man tag match against Steve Corino, CW Anderson, Lodi and Gunner in a OMEGA Championship Wrestling charity show.

Mighty Molly

Then: After splitting from The Hurricane she went on to win the WWE Women’s Championship at the WWE King of the Ring PPV on 6/23/02 from Trish Stratus.

Now: She retired from regular action in 2007. In April 2012 she was honored as a 2013 Women’s Wrestling entry in the Cauliflower Alley Club.

Kurt Angle

Then: He would enter a rivalry with Edge where he would go on to lose his hair at the WWE Judgment Day PPV on 5/19/02.

Now: He recently lost a steel cage match to Wes Brisco at TNA Lockdown on 3/10/13.

Kane

Then: He would go on to fued with the New World Order till he tore his biceps.

Now: He is currently one half of the WWE World Tag Team Champions with Daniel Bryan as Team Hell No won at the WWE Night of Champions PPV on 9/16/12 from R-Truth and Kofi Kingston.

Undertaker

Then: Taker would go onto beat Stone Cold Steve Austin to become the #1 Contender to the WWF Undisputed Championship on 4/21/02 at the WWF Backlash PPV and went on to beat Hulk Hogan for the championship on 5/19/02 at the WWF Judgment Day PPV.

Now: He is facing CM Punk at Wrestlemania XXIX to attempt to improve to 21-0 at Mania.

Ric Flair

Then: He would go on to draft the Raw roster in the brand extension.

Now: He retired from regular competition when he lost to Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania XXIV on 3/30/08. Since then he makes various appearance in WWE.

Edge

Then: He would enter a rivalry with Kurt Angle where he would go on to shaved Angle’s hair at the WWE Judgment Day PPV on 5/19/02.

Now: After being forced to retire on 4/11/11 as World Heavyweight Champion, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of the 2012 class. He currently recovering from his latest major neck surgery.

Booker T

Then: He was eventually invited to join the NWO but then got booted out by Shawn Michaels. He then went on to tag with Goldust and they won the WWE World Tag Team Championships on 12/15/02 at the WWE Armageddon PPV in a fatal four way match with the UnAmericans (Lance Storm and William Regal), The Dudley Boyz and then champions Chris Jericho and Christian.

Now: He is currently the General Manager of WWE Smackdown and will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in the Class of 2013.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Then: Unhappy with his position in WWF, he walked out of the company on 6/10/02.

Now: He was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. Currently he is the host of hosting the CMT reality show Redneck Island.

Scott Hall

Then: He went on win a match with Bradshaw at the WWE Backlash PPV on 4/21/02. He was fired after being drunk on the imfamous “Plane Ride from Hell” on 5/6/02.

Now: He is currently living with Diamond Dallas Page participating in a massive rehab program with Jake Roberts.

Kevin Nash

Then: Nash would tear his quadriceps after participating in a tag match on the 7/8/02 episode of WWE Raw.

Now: He is now a trainer in NXT development.

Billy & Chuck

Then: They would lose the tag belts to Rikishi and Rico WWE Judgment Day PPV on 5/19/02. They would hold them one more time before disbanding eventually losing them to Hulk Hogan and Edge on the 7/4/02 edition of WWE Smackdown.

Billy Gunn

Now: He recently reform the New Age Outlaws at WWE house shows near the end of 2012 and was in a match against Team Rhodes Scholars on the 3/11/13 edition of WWE Raw.

Chuck Palumbo

Now: He retired from active in ring wrestling in November 2009. He is currently operating his garage gym and has a custom motorcycle business.

Rico

Now: He is currently wrestling for the Future Stars of Wrestling in Las Vegas after seven year retirement.

APA

Then: The APA was forced to break up because of the WWE Brand Extension.

John “Bradshaw” Layfield

Now: He is currently the color commentator of WWE Smackdown, host of the John Bradshaw and Michael Cole show via the Layfield Report and is doing the Seven for Seven for charity through WWE.

Ron Simmions

Now: He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April 2012.

The Hardy Boyz

Then: The Hardyz were fed to Brock Lesnar and eventually got destroyed at the WWE Backlash PPV on 4/21/02.

Jeff Hardy

Now: He currently lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Bully Ray in a steel cage match at the TNA Lockdown PPV on 3/10/13.

Matt Hardy

Now: He currently was announced as a member of the faction SCUM at the ROH 11^th Anniversary on 3/2/13.

The Dudley Boys

Then: The Dudleys were forced to break up because of the WWE Brand Extension.

Bubba Ray Dudley (Bully Ray)

Now: He recently won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Jeff Hardy and was announced as the President of the Aces & Eights faction at the TNA Lockdown PPV on 3/10/13

Devon Dudley

Now: He is currently the TNA World Television Champion and a member of the Aces & Eights faction.

The Rock

Then: Rock took a break after Wrestlemania to film The Scorpion King. He would return to win the WWE Undisputed Championship at the WWE Vengeance PPV on 7/21/02 in a triple threat match between then champion Undertaker and Kurt Angle.

Now: He is defending the WWE Championship against John Cena at Wrestlemania XXIX.

Hulk Hogan

Then: Hogan would go on to the WWE Backlash PPV on 4/21/02 and won the WWF Undisputed Championship beating Triple H.

Now: He is the current general manager TNA Impact Wrestling.

WWF Women’s Championship

Jazz

Then: She would drop the championship to Trish Stratus on the 5/13/02 edition of Raw in an inter-gender tag team match with Bubba Ray Dudley tagging with Trish and Steven Richards tagging with her.

Now: Jazz is currently wrestling for the Women Superstars Uncensored promotion based out of Las Vegas.

Trish Stratus

Then: She would win the championship from Jazz on the 5/13/02 edition of Raw in an inter-gender tag team match with Bubba Ray Dudley tagging with her and Steven Richards tagging with Jazz.

Now: Trish retired from regular in ring action on 9/17/06 at the WWE Unforgiven PPV as WWE Women’s Champion. He is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the 2013 class.

Lita

Then: She would go on to be a major part of the initial Hardy Boyz breakup in July 2002.

Now: Lita retired from regular in ring action on 11/26/06 at the WWE Survivor Series PPV losing the WWE Women’s Championship to Mickie James. She made a cameo appearance at Raw 1000 defeated Heath Slater in a No DQ match.

Triple H

Then: He would go on to lose the championship to Hulk Hogan at the WWE Backlash PPV on 4/21/02.

Now: He will be facing Brock Lesnar in a rematch at Wrestlemania XXIX. Also now part of the McMahon family, he is the Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events of WWE.

Chris Jericho

Then: He would go on to face Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match at the WWE Judgment Day PPV on 5/19/02.

Now: After making a surprise return to the WWE in the Royal Rumble match he is setting up for an unknown Wrestlemania XXIX match. He is also the host of the SyFy’s show Robot Compact League.

Stephanie McMahon (Levesque)

Then: She would become the first general manager of WWE Smackdown on 7/18/02.

Now: Now married to Paul Levesque (Triple H) she is currently the Executive Vice President, Creative of WWE. 

Entertainment Report Podcast Episode #3 (3/14/13)

Full Audio MP3 (Length: 9:37)

Wrestlemania Top 10 Worst Matches (WMX8-WMXXVIII)

Welcome to part one of my three part series of WrestleMania lists. Let me set this up for you. This is not an all-time list. There are plenty of those out there. I feel in order to make true lists you need to be emotionally involved. I didn't get truly into wrestling till after WrestleMania X7, but because I didn't watch that show in full at the time I don't include that as my first WrestleMania, that was X8. That being said, that's where we start these countdowns. So all matches on these lists will includes match from X8-XXVIII. Finally these lists are subjective but if you want to voice your opinion, comment below, tweet @EReport1 or email us entertainreport@gmail.com.

Okay today's list is the worst list. These matches are here for one or more of three reasons, the match flat our sucked, the concept was poor or it just didn't click. So let's get into it...

#10

WrestleMania 21

WWE Women's Championship Match

Trish Stratus (c) vs. Christy Hemme (w/ Lita)

I feel so bad putting one of the best divas ever, and soon to be hall of famer Trish Stratus on this list but I just can't let this match pass. #1, looking back Christy Hemme had no business being in the ring in this match and I'm convinced now that she was only here because Lita was injured. This was slow, sloppy and just boring, which was unfortunate especially since as a whole this as great show. For those reasons, this is #10.

#9

WrestleMania XX

Cruiserweight Open

Chavo Guerrero (c) (Chavo Guerrero, Sr.) vs. Ultimo Dragon vs. Shannon Moore vs. Jamie Noble vs. Funaki vs. Nunzio vs. Billy Kidman vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Taijri vs. Akio

This one will not sit well with people. Let me clarify I LOVE the cruiserweights. But this match was just bad. I'm sorry people. It was too fast paced, it's hard to follow and just too much going on. Plus it just was too short. If you are going to have some of the best wrestlers on your show in one match at least give them the time to put together something great. This was great, it wasn't even good.

#8

WrestleMania XXIV

Smackdown vs. Raw

Batista vs. Umaga 

So what happens when you put the two big men in a match together especially after having good matches the year before? Well you get this boring pile of shit. Just being honest. I remember also falling asleep when this match was going on which says alot because it came on after a very exciting MITB ladder match. I was really exciting alot from this match and it failed.

#7

WrestleMania XXV

Beth Phoenix, Melina, Alicia Fox, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eve Torres, Gail Kim, Jackie Gayda-Hass, Jillian Hall, Joy Giovanni, Katie Lea Burchill, Santina Marella, Kelly Kelly, Layla, Maria, Maryse, Michelle McCool, Mickie James, Molly Holly, Natalya, Rosa Mendes, Sunny, Tiffany, Torrie Wilson and Victoria

Okay on paper this should be been innocent fun. 25 past and present divas coming together for a battle royal to determine Miss WrestleMania. It should have been special and something cool. But then word comes down that Trish and Lita will NOT be coming in for this battle royal. Red flags should have went up right there. But fine the match happens. If you have the DVD, you don't realize that Kid Rock actually sang the girls to the ring. This took out the factor of any kind of cool entrances for the girls especially the returning Divas. Then it happened super fast and you didn't even see the likes of Sunny, Molly Holly, Torrie Wilson and Victoria that came back for the night. Finally the ending happened. Santino dressed as a woman, Santina won the match. What a clusterfuck and a disater and a joke.

#6

WrestleMania 23

Kane vs. The Great Khali

Why did this match happen? Seriously why? This had terrible written all over it. Khali can't walk around let alone move in the ring. Kane CAN be good, but even his lifting of Khali couldn't save this disaster.

#5

With all due respect to Jerry Lawler, this match is not on here for the obvious reasons. I actually understood why this match on the show. It had a long storyline and meaning. It was actually one of the top three matches on the card that night. I have two major issues. #1, the length of the match. This should have been quick and painless. Five minutes tops with Lawler destroying Cole and Stone Cold taking care of Swagger. Instead we got a close to 15 minute borefest of a match. #2, the ending was bullshit. I'm sorry I know the Anonymous Raw GM storyline was in full effect at this point but the fact that King was DQed because of Stone Cold stunning Cole was a load of shit and just pushed it over the limit.

#4

WrestleMania 20

So this match happened. I remember this match for the same reason everyone else does. The New York crowd. The same New York crowd that made Brock Lesnar a star at Summerslam 2002, totally shit all over  both of them. Brock and Goldberg were both leaving WWE after this match and of course the fans had found out and wow they weren't happy about it. Okay they were really pissed off. They tore them apart and it really affected the match. It got so bad that JR had to address it on the air which never happens. On the night I was so stunned by the crowd I didn't even watch the match, looking back this match was awful on top of it all. 

#3

WrestleMania 21

Sumo Match

The Big Show vs. Akebono

This match is still embedded in my brain. If you weren't watching yet and are new to wrestling in general, press play above. This did actually happen. There's not much else I could say. It was that bad and I still why it happened.

#2
WrestleMania 22

Boogeyman vs. Booker T and Sharmell

Okay first of all, no that's not a typo. It was a handicapped mixed-tag match. I still don't know why Boogeyman has a WrestleMania match to his credit. This was awful. The gimmick was bad, this match was worse. It was awful. Not much else to say.

#1

WrestleMania 26

Bret Hart vs. Mr. McMahon

I dare you to watch this match and make it through it in one sitting. It's impossible. It's not possible at all. This should have been a quick match. This should have been simply Bret beating the holy hell out of Vince, get the crowd to go crazy and go out with his music playing. Instead we got this extremely boring match which really amounted to Bret beating up Vince with a chair what 20 times? Ugh. Seriously I understood why it happened but it was too long and so boring that it almost lost a very hot crowd.

Wrestlemania XXVII:Full Thoughts and Recap



Well, that was one of the most random, craziest and up and down Wrestlemanias I've ever seen. I can just see alot of people complaining over the next 24 hours about alot of segments on this show. I can also see people down the road calling this one of the worse Wrestlemanias ever. But for now, let's stick to the present and I will get my thoughts on this show.

United States Championship
Sheamus (c) vs. Daniel Bryan
Winner: Sheamus


Um, yeah. They pulled this match from the card. I'm not sure why. They could have cut out Snoop Dogg and put this match on here in the same spot. (more on that in a few) This was a match alot of people were really looking forward to, especially ROH fans that were seeing their boy Daniel Bryan grow up and get on the WM card. Alas it didn't happen and the match was moved to the pre show, only to be thrown out and turned into the yearly traditional battle royal (non title) and Great Khali won that match. Total bullsht in my opinion.


Now onto the actual PPV. (This review will also include instant reaction from facebook and twitter from me, Mandy and our friends through out the show so look for those. It will show the feel of the show throughout from different perspectives.)


First of all, America The Beautiful was sung beautifully by Keri Hilton. That being said, I LOVED the set, it had an old school feel with the old Wrestlemania logo but a new feel with the screens and the stage was set up like a dome. Very nice. Major points for that.


The Rock opened the show with a kinda not so funny recap of all the insults he's been giving to John Cena over the last couple of weeks. Blah. The crowd was red hot though and that was cool. Overall an eh way to start the show, but understandable since he is the guest host of the PPV.


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Did Rock actually get a Fruity Pepples chant going? Now I've heard it all."


Another fantasic opening video. Those never get old.


Announcers to start the show: Michael Cole (in the Cole Mine), Josh Matthews (he has actually earned and deserves the right to call at least half this show) and Jerry "The King" Lawler. Also Hugo and Carlos are back on Spanish announcing. We only get to see them like once a year nowadays so it's always nice to see them.


World Heavyweight Championship
Edge (with Christian) (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio (with Brodus Clay)


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"The World Heavyweight title is first?!? Wow, this is going to be a wild night."


Predictation: Alberto Del Rio


So this year the Royal Rumble winner is in the opening contest, NOT the main event. Say what?!?!


I did LOVE Del Rio's entrance though. Very cool and just different. It made him seem important. He drove out with a very fancy mansion behind him like he was pulling out of his driveway and onto the WM set.


Overall the match was good. I'm glad there wasn't ALOT of interference from Christian and Clay, just enough to make their presence known. It wasn't a GREAT match by any means, but good enough for this night. I actually though that Del Rio was going to win when he had the arm bar locked in but Edge was able to counter it into his submission move (which for some reason I can't remember the name of) which Del Rio countered and then got up right into a spear.


They did note that this was the fist time that Edge has successfully defended the World Heavyweight Championship at Mania. So that in itself is cool.


Winner: Edge (0 for 1)


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"This was alot of fun and I'm glad I was wrong."
Matt (Facebook)-"Edge remains Heavyweight Champ!"


Post match, Edge finally got to destroy Del Rio's car with help from Christian, that, how do you say it? Reeked of awesomeness.


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Nice to see Del Rio's car finally destroyed! Sweet!"


Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes


Predictation: Cody Rhodes


This was the first time I actually got to appreciate Cody's new entrance video and music. Very dark and fitting for his new character.


Rey did his very cool traditional superhero entrance this as Captian America which was actually surprising very nice. I like the M on his forehead instead of an A.


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"This year we go with Captain America! Sweet!"


Well this was a good match in parts, especially the ending. Overall, I think they could have done more with the time they were given. I had high expectations going in though so that could be it. Just didn't seem up to Rey's WM standard, let alone anyone elses. I definately didn't expect Cody to win on a three count in the middle of the ring after the Crossroads.


I did love how excited Cody was to get his first WM win. That was real to me.


Winner: Cody Rhodes (1 for 2)


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"That was really exciting! And I called Cody winning."


Okay this I have issues with Snoop Dogg and Teddy Long doing a mock American Idol in the middle of the show for no real reason. It was kinda stupid and boring a times. The only real highlights was watching Regal attempt to rap which was hysterical and Hornswoggle. My issues looking back now were that this took up time that could have been where the US Title match was.


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"What's going on? Why is Regal rapping? Khali and Beth? Zack Ryder? Roddy Piper?" "Yoshi and Masters was funny!" "Hornswoggle was epic hysterical!"


The Corre (Wade Barrett, Ezekiel Jackson, Health Slater and Justin Gabriel) vs. The Big Show, Kane, Santino and Kofi Kingston


Predictation: The Big Show, Kane, Santino and Kofi Kingston


This match got changed on Saturday after Kozlov got attacked at Axcess and got replaced by Kofi instead.


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Thank you for adding Kofi to this match! Made it better!"


That was it? Really? 8 men come out, two minutes later the match is over after a cobra and knockout punch to Health Slater. Very anti-climatic for me.


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"That was the fastest 8 man tag ever!"
Matt (Facebook)-"Big show pinned Heath Slader, fastest 8 man tag ever, the entrances were longer than the match"


Winner: The Big Show, Kane, Santino and Kofi Kingston (2 for 3)


We head back stage to The Rock and they wasted the Divas Champion Eve. They should have had in a match, maybe even debut Awesome Kong. But instead we get a random segment with her, Rock and Mae Young.


INSTANT REACTION
Matt (Facebook)-"Mae Young wants "The People's Strudel" :p"


The only cool thing about this was Stone Cold and Rock being face to face for the first time since Wrestlemania X9. That never gets old.


INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Holy Attitude Era Batman! Stone Cold and Rock together! Better than Mae Young."

Randy Orton vs. CM Punk

Predictation: Randy Orton

I thought this might have been the show stealer of the night. A very good wrestling match.

The one thing I noticed as the match went on was that both men were hitting moves they don't normally hit. It's like they were saving stuff for this night. Especially Punk, it's like he turned on a different switch for the first time in years.

INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"It's nice to see Punk wrestle his kind of match."

I actually really enjoyed it all the way through up the amazing finish with the RKO in mid air. Both men just kept kicking out of everything till that point. Just was a good wrestling match should have.
INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"RKO in mid air! Hell yeah!"
Matt (Facebook)-"Randy Orton defeats CM Punk, kind of surprised after all the abuse that Randy was put through on his leg"

Winner: Randy Orton (3 for 4)

More Rock talking to Mean Gene which I have no problem with at all. Then "John Cena's number one fan" came face to face with Rock.

INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Pee Wee Herman? What the hell? What is going on?"
Matt (Facebook)-"Pee Wee Herman!?!?!?!? WTF!"

This is what Rock is doing? This is how Rock hosts? Really? This is just totally random.

2011 Hall of Fame Induction AnnouncementI love that the HOFers got their moment but I have always have issues with how the announcement is made. At Wrestlemania 21 they let all the HOFers come out to their entrance music and videos. Ever since then they haven't done this. This year they didn't have the HOFers walk out they were on the stage already then Shawn got his full entrance music. I respect HBK more than any wrestler ever but it made the rest of them look alot less important. INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"HBK! HBK!!! "
Mandy (Twitter)-"@ShawnMichaels_ being inducted into the Hall of Fame just made my being his lifelong fan worth it."
Announcers to for the following match: Josh Matthews, Booker T and Jim RossINSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Jim Ross!!! Yay!"
Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Michael Cole (with Jack Swagger)
Special Guest Referee: Stone Cold Steve AustinPredictation: Jerry "The King" LawlerSo intead of entrance music, Cole comes out with a mic and talks and pisses the crowd off more. INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Someone shut Cole up already!"
Matt (Facebook)-"Michael Cole has become a major douche, this match with him and Jerry "The King" Lawler is pretty awesome"I loved the fact that Stone Cold rang the bell so the Lawler could finally put his hands on Cole and go after him in the Cole Mine. I've been wanting to see that for months!Once they got in the ring it was big surprise to see Cole get in so much offense. It shows he took this match seriously and actually trained.INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Cole actually learned how to wrestle! I'm shocked!"

Finally King got in some offense and it was on. Cole FINALLY got his ass kicked. I loved every second of it. Then seeing King get him to tap out to the ankle lock was great!INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-""Michael Cole is the pimple of the buttocks of life"-JR Classic! I missed JR!"
Matt (Facebook)-"And of course the no brainer, Jerry "The King" Lawler won the match and Swagger carried Cole out for their honeymoon :P"

Then Booker got in the ring, which seemed super random and ended up taking a stunner for old time's sake.

INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Booker called Stone Cold his dawg. Wow."

But then the Raw GM rang in and Josh Matthews read the email and it was announced that because Stone Cold got involved in the match, King was DQed thus then Cole got the win. Josh was stunned for reading that.
INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"That was the biggest bull shit ending to a match ever!!"
Matt (Facebook)-"Wow......total shit from the GM email, King disqualified and Cole wins? Total BS. But at least Josh Matthews got Stone Cold Stunned :)"Winner: Michael Cole (3 for 5)Announcers to for the rest of the show: Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler (which is the way it should be)No Holds Barred
Undertaker vs. Triple H

INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"I knew HHH-Taker wasn't going to be the main event!"

Predictation: Undertaker

First of all I want to comment on the entrances.

Before Triple H came out, a bell tolled and then Metallica's For Whom The Bell Tolls played and out came an army of men holding shields which led to the return of the King of Kings.

INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Nice to see the return of the King of Kings!"

Then out came Undertaker to his Johnny Cash music. Unlike years past it was slow and not over the top. It fit the new layer of his character so well.

INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"Motorhead vs. Johnny Cash, music purists loved those entrances."

As for the match. This was by FAR the best match on the show. When Triple H kicked out of the tombstone the first time I honestly didn't know what to expect. But then Trips turned it up a notch but still couldn't get Taker's shoulders on the mat despite a spinebuster through the Spanish annouce table, three pedigrees (one being on a chair), a tombstone of his own, seven chair shots to back and one shot to the head. Finally Trips got the sledgehammer out and was about to use it when Taker hit the Hell's gate submission and Trips had to tap out. INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"That was an amazing match! I am speechless..."
Matt (Facebook)-"Undertaker's streak remains thanks to a wonderful finish with Hell's Gate, I knew it wouldn't end without the Triple H sledge hammer :)"

The aftermath was really dark but felt so real. Watching Taker getting put on the gurney and being driving out reminded me of when a football player gets him and then gets a standing ovation when he finally makes it off the field with help. 

Winner: Undertaker (4 for 6)

John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki vs. Dolph Ziggler and Lay-Cool (with Vickie Guerrero)Predictation: John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki

After all that we get Vickie Guerrero's voice to start things. I must say she looks great since she lost some of the weight. She still has her curves though which is nice. She could be a role model for plus size women, if they just stopped making fat jokes.

INSTANT REACTION
Mandy (Twitter)-"I want to be a cougar like @ExcuseMeWWE when I grow up."

Apparently Dolph went from Vickie's boyfriend to her business associate.
JoMo, Trish (looking HOT) and Snooki then came out.

INSTANT REACTION
Mandy (Twitter)-"Wrestlemania makes @TheRealMorrison look even better than he normally does."

Well this match was an issue for me. Morrison and Dolph didn't get enough in ring action. But Trish and LayCool looked great together. Alot of chemistry. The crowd wanted to HATE Snooki but totally popped for her when she hit her cartwheel and flips. Didn't expect that. Also the fact that she pinned McCool was a big surprise. I figured it would have been Layla.

 INSTANT REACTION
Blake (Twitter)-"That was very surprising finish by Snooki."
Matt (Facebook)-"Snooki pins Michelle McCool? wow....weird"
Mandy (Twitter)-"I am going to join the Brunette Mafia with @trishstratuscom and @sn00ki."
Sal (Facebook)-"SNOOKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!"

Winner: John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki (5 of 7)WWE Championship
The Miz (with Alex Riley) (c) vs. John CenaINSTANT REACTION
Matt (Facebook)-"Final match of the night The Miz vs. John Cena, who will win? My pick for this one is The Miz, believe it or not....we shall see though."
Mandy (Twitter)-"Seeing my son look up to @JohnCena like I look up to @ShawnMichaels_ is surreal. Thank you @WWE"

Predictation: John Cena
Much like the Taker-HHH match, I will start with the entrances.Miz was given one of the best videos I've ever seen. It showed his journey from The Real World to being on Tough Enough to being the Smackdown host to winning Money in the Bank and winning the WWE Championship. It actually made respect the man more and more. He has had a true storybook career and he worked his ass off to get to this point. I really want to know what this song was because it feel so well. This made Miz feel like main eventer which he needed. The look in his face when he came out showed alot to me. He was in tears and emotional and really couldn't believe this was happening. That's the emotion you need on a night like this. I think he actually might have more fans after this night because of this opening.INSTANT REACTION
Mandy (Twitter)-"I remember watching @mikethemiz on the Real World and thinking he was going to be big. Glad to see I was right."Then Cena came out with a full church choir. It showed a completely different side of him. The video they made for him was also really cool. It told his story from being a kid who made his own title belts to this point in his career. Alot of people don't like Cena but they really have to respect him. I also didn't know that John was so religious. The words spoke so true and were totally chilling. Then he came out wearing his new red, white and blue shirt (which I really want) and was also really emotional. Great opening.INSTANT REACTION
Mandy (Twitter)-"My two year old freaked out like @JohnCena was a friggin' Beatle. Apparently, I couldn't see him or his new talking shirt."

Then came the match. I might have been the only one who had high expectations going into this match. I really thought the two of them could put on a great match if given the proper time. The problem is that by the time they got started they only had about 20 minutes to work with. The match wasn't bad but I expected better from them.

I really liked the fact that Cena kicked out of the skull crushing finale and Miz kicked out of a very hardcore attitude adjustment. I also liked the fact that Miz knocked out Alex Riley with his own stupid briefcase.

Then came the ending. My jaw almost hit the ground when the match ended with a double countout. I felt cheated. I actually had no problem with Miz winning, but to end the match like that really pissed me off.
INSTANT REACTION
Matt (Facebook)-"What? A draw? WTF!? I was half right at the very least with The Miz winning, he didn't officially win but he kept his Championship"

Rock then came out and actually did something smart that a guest host should do. Shutup the Raw GM and restarted the match. Then he hit the rock bottom on Cena and Miz pinned him. See I would have no problem with the rock bottom BUT I really would have liked for Miz to hit the skull crushing finale afterwards to lead to the pin. It wouldn't have seemed like such a cheap win then.

INSTANT REACTION
Matt (Facebook)-"Correction, thanks to The Rock the match restarted and The Miz won, rather without honor since The Rock helped beat Cena down a bit....kinda bogus, but officially now my prediction was right, The Miz won :P"

This is where I would have ended the show though. Rock on the outside happy with his work and then Miz celebrating to go out. Especially being the first heel champion to win the main event in 11 years. But no Rock just HAD to get the last word in and hit the people's elbow on Miz. The crowd didn't even seem happy for that.
INSTANT REACTION
Matt (Facebook)-"And of course The Rock can't end without stealing the lime light and dropping the people's elbow on The Miz"

Winner: The Miz (5 of 8)

That's Wrestlemania 27. I'm not sure what to make of it all. At points it was a let down, at points it was good show. Not a bad night, but not as great as it could have been.