Box Watcher

Another Wrestlemania is in the books and I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since this all started.  I wasn’t yet a wrestling fan when the first ‘mania took place back in 1985.  It’s kind of funny to watch the event now, there was an aura about it but, the production standards were so low compared to now.  A year later I was now hooked on the WWF.  When Wrestlemania 2 took place I had no access to Pay Per View, and didn’t get to see the event until the VHS came out.  But starting with Wrestlemania 3 I’ve seen each one either on closed circuit (‘mania’s 3, 4, & 5), or on Pay Per View.  I’ve even been fortunate enough to see three of them live (‘mania’s 8, 13, and 23).  If you’re a wrestling fan it’s a fun event.  So how was this year’s edition?

Money In The Bank Ladder Match- Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian vs. CM Punk vs. Finlay vs. Kane vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Mark Henry vs. M.V.P. 

These matches are fun.  Every Wrestlemania for the last several years have included this match.  The deal is you have eight wrestlers fighting for a briefcase hanging over the ring.  Inside the case is a contract that can be redeemed for a title match within one year; any title, any time, any where.  The only way to win is to climb a ladder in the middle of the ring, and unhook the case, while trying to keep the other guys from knocking you off.  

Every year the contract has been used to win the title. The good thing about this years bout was feeling like at least half the field had a good chance at victory.  Kingston impressed with his athleticism and Benjamin, a staple in this contest, did his usual crazy leap from an 18 foot ladder.  In the end CM Punk wins for the second year in a row.  Good match with lots of crazy “High Spots”.  

Grade: B+

Next up is a ten minute performance by Kid Rock.  I have nothing against this but it took like ten minutes and felt like a time waster.  Especially considering the tag team unification match was moved to before the broadcast.  Eliminating the music performance would have opened up some time for that bout.  

25 Diva battle Royal-  25 women battling it out for the title of “Miss Wrestlemania”  Instead of individual introductions all 25 participants came down during Kid Rock’s last song.  The match itself was pretty tame and was won by “Santina Morella”, AKA Santinio Marella in drag.  Marella is funny but he’s also a good wrestler, I hope they reward him for doing this.  

Grade: C-

Handicap Elimination Match- Chris Jericho vs. “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat w/ Ric Flair in their corner and Mickey Rourke at ringside.  

Chris Jericho is possibly the best villain in the business right now.  He speaks with a quiet confidence that really sells his belief that he is better than all of us.  Starting last January he’s been dogging Mickey Rourke of the movie “The Wrestler”.  Saying how Rourke and the movie are indicative of the older generation of wrestlers that just can’t give it up.  Pointing out how sad and pathetic he views these men.  Over the weeks he’s physically and verbally abused not just the men in this match but also Jerry “The King” Lawler and “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.  

This match went down the way most expected it to.  Snuka was out first, “Superfly” is 65 and just can’t go like he used to.  Next up was Roddy Piper was eliminated.  Piper put up a fight but years of abuse have taken their toll.  Steamboat then came in and wowed the crowd.  Steamboat is one of the most under appreciated wrestlers of all time.  At age 56 he showed he still has gas left in the tank.  Alas “The Dragon” was pinned cleanly by Jericho, who then beat on Flair.  Afterwards Rourke came to the ring and the former boxer pounded on Jericho who then fled.  Good match and by letting Jericho pin the three legends it cements him as a legitimate threat.  

Grade: B+

Extreme Rules Match- Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy

Brother vs. Brother in an anything goes type match.  Jeff’s popularity has really exploded in the last couple of years and he was rewarded with a WWE Championship reign.  Matt playing jealous brother turned on Jeff and cost him the title at the Royal Rumble.  It’s been a slow build to this match ever since.  Both men are great wrestlers and put on a decent match.  However the crowd wasn’t into a match that never felt epic.  Despite two really cool high spots by Jeff, the match was flat.  Considering how good they are this one was a disappointment.  

Grade: C

WWE Intercontinental Title Match- J.B.L. (C) vs. Rey Mysterio

Rey is comic book fan.  At past Mania’s he’s worn masks paying tribute The Flash and The Silver Surfer, this year it was Heath Ledger’s Joker.  It looked stupid and seemed weird.  Not as stupid as the match which saw Mysterio capture the strap in 21 seconds.  It was rumored J.B.L. would retire and after losing he simply said “I Quit” and stomped out.  

Grade: D-

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

Going in to this match The Undertaker was 16-0 in Wrestlemania matches.  Micahaels is “Mr. Wrestlemania” having some of the most classic matches in the history of the event.  This bout was an amazing spectacle.  Lasting just over a half hour, both men hit their signature moves only to come up short time and time again.  In the end Taker’s streak survives yet another year. This match really felt important for a non-title affair.  Most likely match of the year.  

Grade: A+

World Heavyweight Championship- Edge (C) vs. John Cena vs. Big Show

Triple threat match the ended up being better than it probably should have.  All three guys put on a good show but the match would have been better if it had just been Edge defending against Cena with Big Show in his corner.  Still it was impressive when Cena lifted Big Show (485 lbs) on his back with Edge (250 lbs) on Show’s back.  Cena gets the win and captures the World Title.

Grade: B

WWE Championship- Triple H (C) vs. Randy Orton

Orton, has done a great job playing heel the last several years.  Of all his dastardly actions none were as bad as assaulting Hunter’s wife, Stephanie McMahon during various times over the last couple of months.  After spending all this time raising the stakes for this match it should have been an violent fight.  Instead it was just okay.  Weak ending but some decent stuff leading up to the finish which saw H.H.H. retain his belt but never feeling like he got his revenge.  

Grade: C+

Overall Wrestlemania 25 was a pretty solid affair.  The good was able to overshadow the bad but, not make you forget it’s shortcomings.  One thing that detracted was shoddy direction.  Big spots were ruined by bad camera angles.  There were even a few spots where the announcers commented on something that wasn’t even shown or replayed.  Having said that, the wrestlers, for the most part, seemed up for the show and did a decent to great job telling their stories.  At $54.95, $10 more for HD, the WWE charges more for this show than it’s other Pay Per Views during the year.  Was it worth it?  Yeah, I think so, but not by much.  

Overall Grade: B-