Pro wrestling fans only get one event like this a year. Well, actually they get one a month from the WWE, just none with the grandeur that Wrestlemania carries with it. This is the 21st year for wrestling's Super Bowl. It was a solid event, helped along by a few great bouts, but some disappointments and lackluster finishes put a damper on everything
The night started off with what should have been a classic, Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio. This was an unusually sloppy match from these two with multiple missed spots, which is highly uncharacteristic of them both. When they were on, the co-holders of the tag team belts put on a fantastic technical, complicated, and high-flying showcase. Mysterio edged out Eddie in what was a solid opener if you ignore the few missteps.
Things followed with the "Money in the Bank" ladder match, a 6-way dance featuring Kane, Christian, Edge, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Shelton Benjamin. Kane started things off with a spectacular entrance that sent all six ladders on the stage into flames. Benjamin stole the show with the move of the night, leaping across an outstretched ladder to knock Jericho off another as he was reaching for the briefcase. It was innovative enough to make the match one of the best of the night; it was just too crowded in there for anything truly spectacular to occur the rest of the way. Edge would get the finish in a rather mundane fashion with little tension.
Eugene would make an appearance to talk about his favorite moment in Wrestlemania history, but Mohammed Hassan interrupted him. After some trash talk, Hassan took Eugene down in frustration (since he wasn't given a spot on the show even though he's undefeated). Coming to his rescue was the immortal Hulk Hogan, dressed in classic in red and yellow with "Real American" blaring behind him. He took down both Hassan and his manager then stuck around to celebrate to one of the loudest pops of the night. Oddly, no one would see Eugene again once Hogan appeared.
Next up is the Undertaker, complete as always with torch-carrying druids. He "glides" down the ramp on something (hidden by smoke) to make another one his great entrances at the event. Randy Orton gave him a great fight in a solid back and forth match-up. Orton's Hall of Fame father, Cowboy Bob Orton, lent him a hand late into the game, but it wasn't enough as the fantastic finish concluded (with some great reversals tossed in) with the Undertaker on top.
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Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
Nice review, still wish I saw it...
The card only seemed like half a Wrestlemania. When I think of Wrestlemania, generally I think of all or nearly all of the titles on the line, and a better build up.
2 - James Woodin
I saw Wrestlemania 21 on Sky Box Office in the UK. And staying up late was worth it. Batista won the title as predicted. Piper's Pit was a bit of a shame because of not so cool - Carlito. The ladder match was fantastic, same for Angle/HBK. Not the best WM's but it was worth the £14.95 I paid.
3 - Matt Paprocki
Wow James, you guy get off cheap. That's only like $25 or $30 US if my math is right (and it probably isn't). We're stuck with a $50 bill over here. Consider yourself lucky!
4 - Robert Horrace
This WWE wrestle...boar...mania 21 just plained sucked.
No tags no great matches...Has WWE turned into WCW Saturday Night????
I am very disapionted.
5 - Stu
I thought, overall WM21 was excellent. JBL/Cena was a dud as were Hemme/Trish. Piper's Pit was pointless. But Angle/HBK and HHH/Batista and that ladder match truly made up for it.
The nice thing is, here in Australia, the PPV was just AUS$21.90 - about US$16.50.
6 - Scott Pepper
Matt, this article has been syndicated at the Advance.net network of sites, including Cleveland.com.
7 - james scrannage
i thought overall the ppv was pretty average. my expectations were too high after last year. There was definatly a lack of tag/hardcore action. That said, Benoit is a legend! ladder match was ace, time for a Shelton push i rec. Also, HBK/Angle and Trips/Batista stole the show
8 - Stephen knupp
yo yo man wrestlemania was off the shizzle for rizzle. i would watch it all over again if it came on everyday.. Batista and John Cena are the Champs.YEAH BABY!!!!!
9 - oliver mcmillan
haha gutted you guys having to pay like $50, i live in new zealand and get it for $20 which is like $7-8 where you live, HAHA
10 - Kyle Anderson
this ppv was pretty decent
everything was average except the ladder match, angle/hbk, and hhh/batista. i thought cena/jbl was shit and hemme/stratus. overall, taker/orton and mysterio/guerrero were pretty good too.
11 - Spencer Sullivan
I at the staples center last night. It was a fun night and a decent pay per view. It lacked alot and the set up and ramp way just seemed odd. DECENT PPV.