Your commentators are Jim Ross, Jerry ‘the King’ Lawler, Michael Cole, and Tazz
 

- An awesome video package (of course) chronicles both the history of the show and the current roster’s passion to perform at their Super Bowl.

- I should also mention the awesome entrance way that looks like the NYC skyline and has a video screen on the floor.

Cena does his typical childish rhymes and the NYC crowd shows tremendous restraint by not turning on him. Show shoves Cena around to gain an early advantage. Show tries to ram Cena’s head into the corner, but Cena blocks it. Cena attempts a high crossbody, but Show catches and slams him to the mat. That gets 2. Big “Let’s go Cena” chant rings out through MSG. Every time Cena tries to go on offense, Show is able to just swat him down. A suplex by Show gets a nearfall. Show seems to be just toying with Cena. Cena hops on Show’s back and applies a sleeper. But Show just backs into the corner to get him to release. Now Show applies a cobra clutch. Cena escapes and slugs away on Show. Show misses a corner charge and then Cena hits him with the FU. Somehow Show kicks out at 2. Stunned, Cena grabs his chain. The referee won’t let him use it, so he tosses it away. As the referee picks it up, Cena grabs one of his brass knuckles and punches Show in the head. He then gets him up for another FU and pins him for 3. New champ!

Bottom Line: This match is somewhat symbolic as you could make an argument that this is the origin for the Cena that so many people have come to hate. First, it follows his typical formula of getting his ass kicked consistently for 95% of the match before hitting his signature move and winning out of nowhere. Then you also have early signs of Cena’s inability to be himself and borrow others’ personas. Tonight, he decided to channel Eddie Guerrero’s ‘lie, cheat, and steal’ tactics. I’m also not fond of the fact that they had Cena cheat to win a title at Wrestlemania. Way to cheapen the victory. You could argue that it was necessary against someone like Big Show. And I could maybe buy that logic if Cena hadn’t been consistently beating Show with the FU for the past 3 months. This was foregone conclusion theater and not my cup of tea in terms of an opener, but the crowd did seem to enjoy it. * ¾

- Jonathan Coachman is walking backstage and heads into Eric Bischoff’s office. Bischoff says he’s heard rumors that the Undertaker is here and he wants Coachman to find him. He claims he wants him to find him so that he’s not scooped by Smackdown. How is that a scoop? He’s scheduled to be on the show. It’s not like Bischoff would suffer some great humiliation if we learn from someone else that he’s here. Sometimes this company really tests my suspension of belief.

- Randy Orton, flanked by Ric Flair and Batista, recaps for us all of his recent encounters with Mick Foley that led us to tonight’s match. Hearing Orton tell this story makes me realize that sometimes you’re better off just running a video package.

Fatal Four Way for the World Tag Team Championship: Booker T and RVD (champs) vs. La Resistance vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak [RAW match]

First to get a pin wins here. Dupreee starts off against RVD. A crescent kick by Booker gets a nearfall on Dupree. Bubba delivers a neckbreaker on Booker and gets a 2 count. Jindrak blindly tags himself in and goes to work on Booker. Booker is getting beat down by just about everyone now. Conway puts Booker in a resthold, which seems like it shouldn’t happen in a match like this. Finally, Booker ends the onslaught with a spinebuster on Conway and then tags RVD. RVD comes in and cleans house. RVD tries for a five star frog splash, but D-Von knocks him off the top rope. Things disintegrate with everyone brawling now. Jindrak comes in and prevents the Dudleyz from giving Booker the 3D. Booker connects with a scissors kick on Conway and then RVD follows it up with a five star frog splash. That’s enough to score the pin and have the champs retain.

BL: This was a total waste of talent here. You have ‘wacky tag champs’ in a match with no build that couldn’t even be supported by decent action. I understand the need to get as many people on the show as you can, but it’s insulting when it comes off so half-assed like this. ½ *

- On the hunt for the Undertaker, Coach comes across a room that strange noises are emitting from. Soon, out pops Mean Gene and Bobby Heenan with their clothes disheveled. And of course, soon after the Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young appear as well. Something tells me that if Coach does find Taker it won’t be as scary of a situation as that.

Chris Jericho vs. Christian [RAW match]

This all stems from the bet Jericho and Christian had as to who could nail Trish Stratus or Lita first. And even though this bet involved Lita, it actually took a while for either guy to get anywhere. Over time, however, Jericho actually began to fall for Trish (who wouldn’t?). As their relationship deepened, Christian began to get annoyed. Christian tried to end their relationship and even attacked Trish, which led us to this match. Interesting note: Tim White is the referee for this match and it’s his first since his injury inside Hell in the Cell back at the 2002 Judgment Day, which coincidentally featured Jericho. Jericho and Christian go nose to nose and exchange words. Now they lock up and Jericho nails Christian with a right hand. Christian sidesteps a charging Jericho and tosses him over the top rope. Jericho lands on the apron, taunts Christian and then backdrops him to the floor. As Christian recovers, Jericho hits him with a springboard plancha. Jericho tosses Christian into the barricade and then brings him back inside. Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho, but Christian quickly grabs the ropes. Now it’s Jericho, who gets dumped out of the ring. Christian works over Jericho by stomping away on him. Things slow down as Christian slaps on a chinlock. Again Jericho goes for the Walls, but Christian rakes the eyes to avoid it. A spinkick by Christian gets a 2 count. Both men go down after colliding in the corner. Jericho begins his comeback by tripping Christian and hopping on his back. A running enziguri gets a nearfall for Jericho. The two now exchange rolling pinfall attempts. Jericho hits the crappy bulldog, but when he goes for the Lionsault, Christian gets his knees up. Jericho blocks the Unprettier, but then Christian connects with a reverse tornado DDT. That gets 2. Jericho drops Christian with a sleeper slam. After hitting a backbreaker, Christian goes up top. Jericho joins him, but Christian drops him to the mat. Christian hits a high crossbody, but Jericho rolls through it and gets 2. Christian kicks Jericho in the knee and then puts him in the Texas Cloverleaf. Yes! Jericho gets out of it and puts Christian in the Walls of Jericho. Christian quickly grabs the ropes and crawls outside, but Jericho keeps the hold on him. Nice. The two fight up top again and Jericho connects with a double underarm suplex. Jericho covers and gets 2. Suddenly Trish runs out and looks on at the action. Christian nails Jericho with an implant DDT and gets a long 2 count. Trish yells at Christian, so he pulls her into the ring and shoves her into the corner. Jericho grabs Christian and tosses him to the floor. Jericho goes over to Trish, who blindly elbows him in the face. Christian quickly runs in and rolls Jericho up for 3 and the win.

Postmatch: Trish goes to check on Jericho. As Christian approaches, Jericho wants to go after him. Trish holds him back and then repeatedly slaps him! Christian then comes in and delivers the Unprettier to him. Trish and Christian are leaving together. The two stop up at the top of the ramp and start making out. Jericho has no choice but to look on, stunned at what has just happened.

BL: I always think the mark of a good heel turn is when you, the fan, get an uneasy feeling watching it. You just can’t believe you’re watching someone so good do something evil. This definitely falls into that category and it was an excellent way to start a new chapter in this feud. As for the action before all that, things were kind of dull to begin with but really picked up nicely as the match progressed and made me want to see more fights between them. *** ¼

- Lillian Garcia asks Mick Foley for his thoughts on his upcoming match and before he says too much, The Rock comes in and takes over the promo like only The Rock can. Within a matter of seconds, he’s able to snark on The Hurricane and Rosey, pay tribute to Superfly Jimmy Snuka and fire up the live crowd. That’s why he’s called The Great One.

Handicap Match: The Rock and Sock Connection vs. Evolution [RAW match]

Foley’s feud with Orton has been going on for quite a few months now, but when he realized he was on the losing end of a numbers game against Evolution, he decided to call in his friend The Rock to help even the sides. The faces storm the ring and we immediately have a fracas on our hands. Things settle down and The Rock squares off with Ric Flair. The Rock knocks down Flair and does a little strutting. The two go outside where The Rock delivers a back bodydrop to Flair. Foley follows that up with an elbow off the apron. Flair scurries back inside and tags Orton. Foley tags in, so Orton bails to the floor. Foley chases him and rams his head on the announce table. Back inside, Foley sets Orton in a tree of woe and drops a forearm on him. Orton whips The Rock to the ropes and Flair nails him from behind. The Rock retaliates and knocks him and Batista off the apron. Again, Orton whips The Rock and this time Batista pulls the top rope, causing The Rock to fall to the floor. Now Batista attacks The Rock on the guardrail. Inside, Batista elbows The Rock and gets 2. Flair is in now and he chops away on the Rock in the corner. Flair decides to strut, but then gets clothesline by The Rock. Flair goes up top, but of course, gets slammed off. The Rock clotheslines Batista and then tags Foley. Foley takes it to Batista, but when he goes for a double-arm DDT, Batista drives him back to the corner. Batista clotheslines a charging Foley and then throws him outside. Orton tries to attack him, but Foley gives him the Mandible Claw. Flair comes over and nails him from behind. Orton then grabs Foley and whips him into the steps. Orton brings Foley back in and gets a nearfall. Foley and Flair get in a slugfest, which is won by Foley. Before Foley can tag out, Flair trips him and tags Orton. Foley puts the Mandible Claw on Batista, but Orton comes in and boots him. Foley nails Flair with a forearm and finally makes the hot tag to The Rock. The Rock comes in and takes it to all three members of Evolution until Batista sets him down with a spinebuster. Now Flair tries to do the People’s Elbow (!) with his own personal style, but he takes too long and The Rock pops up and nails him. Great moment! The Rock gives Flair a spinebuster and then delivers his own People’s Elbow. That gets 2. Flair thumbs The Rock in the eye and tags Orton. The Rock blocks an RKO attempt and hits him with a Rock Bottom. The Rock covers, but Flair pulls him out of the ring. Flair grabs a chair, but the referee stops him. That allows Batista to give The Rock a Batista Bomb behind the referee’s back. Orton covers, but The Rock kicks out at 2. Foley gets the hot tag and is a house of fire. He hits Orton with the double arm DDT and then knocks down Batista. Foley grabs Mr. Socko and gets ready to deliver the Mandible Claw, but Orton hits him with the RKO out of nowhere and pins him for 3.

Postmatch: The NYC crowd gives Foley and The Rock a standing ovation as they hug each other.

BL: Nothing fancy here, just a group of (mostly) consummate professionals going out there and doing what they do best; entertain. While the focus was on Orton and Foley, you felt the most electricity when The Rock and Flair were in there together. It’s a shame that they were never able to have a one-on-one match together. The match is bittersweet also as it marked, to date, The Rock’s last in-ring appearance. The Evolution win was a bit deflating, but necessary to extend the storyline. *** ¾

- We get a recap of the previous night’s Hall of Fame ceremony. The video package always brings a tear to my eye when they get to Bobby Heenan’s speech and he chokes up when saying he wishes Gorilla Monsoon were there for this. A very touching moment. Having said that, this Hall of Fame ceremony is a shame for two reasons: It didn’t get the TV coverage that more recent years’ have and it had too many inductees, which now make it more difficult to have truly noteworthy induction classes. After the video package, Mean Gene comes out and introduces this year’s class: Bobby ‘the Brain’ Heenan, Tito Santana, Big John Studd, Harley Race, Pete Rose, Don Muraco, Mr. Ugly aka Greg Valentine, Junkyard Dog, Superstar Billy Graham, Sgt. Slaughter, and Jesse ‘the Body’ Ventura.

Interpromotional Playboy Evening Gown Match: Sable and Torrie Wilson (Smackdown) vs. Stacy Keibler and Miss Jackie (RAW)

Thankfully they have Michael Cole and Tazz call this match. Sable gets on the mic and says her and Torrie don’t feel comfortable in their gowns, so they take them off. Stacy follows suit, but Jackie refuses, so the Smackdown girls grab her and rip it off for her. OK, well so much for the title of this match. Sable kicks away at Jackie and then Torrie hits her with a flying bodypress for 2. Stacy gets tagged in and puts her legs to good use against Torrie. The two then do a multiple nearfall sequence. Stacy delivers a high kick to Torrie and gets 2. Jackie and Torrie scuffle and roll over the referee in the process. The two then fumble through a roll up sequence that eventually ends with Torrie getting a 3 count on Jackie.

BL: This neither worked as a wrestling match or as a titillating experience. It’s really amazing to see how much more skilled today’s divas are in comparison to these bimbos. And I think I regret being happy about Cole and Tazz calling this as they were annoyingly nattering on like a couple of high school virgins. This was pretty terrible, but with as long as this show was, the crowd needed a clear bathroom break. -*

- A video package of interviews with international WWE fans who are attending Wrestlemania aka hearing people with funny accents saying how great the WWE is.

- We now get a segment with Eddie Guerrero giving Chris Benoit a pep talk. Yeah, I don’t think I can really say anything that would seem appropriate here.

10-Man Cruiserweight Open for the Cruiserweight Championship [Smackdown match]

Two guys begin this match and once someone is pinned, submits, is disqualified, or counted out, another man enters. Sadly, as all the competitors enter, the DVD edits out Ultimo Dragon slipping on the entrance stage. Speaking of Ultimo, he begins this match against Shannon Moore. Some fast-paced action leads to several nearfalls. Moore misses a corkscrew moonsault, which allows Ultimo to hit him with a flip over reverse DDT and pin him for 3. Next up is Jamie Noble, who nails Ultimo from behind. Ultimo recovers and goes for a moonsault. Noble moves, but Ultimo lands on his feet. Noble hits a neckbreaker and then applies a dragon sleeper, which causes Ultimo to tap. Funaki is next and he hits a high crossbody on Noble. However, Noble rolls through it and covers Funaki for 3. It’s Nunzio’s turn now and he grapples with Noble for control. A flying dropkick by Nunzio and he covers, but Noble puts his foot on the bottom rope. Noble sends Nunzio to the floor and hits him with a top rope senton. Nunzio tries to get back into the ring, but Nunzio yanks him down. Nunzio is counted out and eliminated. In comes Billy Kidman, who attacks Noble. Kidman sends Noble to the apron and Nunzio pulls him down. As those two spar, Kidman hits an ugly Shooting Star Press on the both of them. Back inside, Noble puts Kidman in the dragon sleeper, but Kidman rams him into the corner. Kidman hits Noble with a back bodydrop and enziguri. Both men battle up top and then Kidman hits Noble with a top rope BK bomb and pins him for 3. In comes Rey Mysterio and delivers the West Coast Pop to Kidman. Kidman comes right back with a hard dropkick. That gets 2. Now Rey hits Kidman with a dropkick. Chavo Guerrero gets on the apron to distract the referee, which allows Akio to attack Rey. Kidman gives Rey a spinebuster and gets a nearfall. Both men go up top and Rey delivers a sunset flip powerbomb to Kidman, which is enough to get the pinfall. Next up is Tajiri and he’s able to get an early Tarantula on Rey. Tajiri goes for the springboard elbow, but Tajiri dropkicks him. Rey connects with the 619. He goes for the West Coast Pop, but Tajiri moves. Akio grabs Rey and Tajiri goes to mist him, but hits Akio instead. Rey rolls up Tajiri and gets 3. I guess this eliminates Akio too as Rey looks at Chavo. More false advertising tonight. From behind, Tajiri kicks Rey in the head. Chavo runs in and gets a nearfall on Rey. Rey trips Chavo into the corner. He then delivers a top rope hurricanrana to him. Rey then dropkicks Chavo Classic off the apron. When Rey charges to do another move on Chavo Classic, the referee stops him. The referee then admonishes Chavo Classic, so Rey flips over the ref and lands on him. As Rey comes back in, he gives Chavo a sunset flip. However, Chavo hangs on, grabs Chavo Classic’s arm and keeps Rey down for 3. Sloppy sequence to finish the match.

BL: A tough call here. The quick eliminations made the cruisers look weak and we all knew it would end with Rey and Chavo anyways. But there were a lot of nice highspots throughout to keep it entertaining. It sure would have been nice had the match’s finish been executed better. Chavo winning is fine, but it should have looked better than that. ** ¾

Interpromotional Match: Goldberg (RAW) vs. Brock Lesnar (Smackdown) with special guest referee Stone Cold Steve Austin

So this has been building for a few months ever since Lesnar caused Goldberg to be eliminated from the Royal Rumble. This was set to be a nice grudge match between two powerhouses. However, right before this show, it became known that Lesnar had decided to leave the WWE for the NFL. It was also widely suspected that Goldberg’s contract would not be renewed. So both men were on their way out and the NYC crowd decided to let both men know what they thought about that. With both men out there, a ‘You sold out’ chant begins towards Lesnar. Then they start the ‘na na na goodbye’ song. Throughout these chants, we get a major stallfest between these two. Now we get an ‘Austin’ chant, which amuses him. Finally, they lockup and stay in it forever. Crowd boos that. They tie up again and again do nothing. The two charge at each other, but nobody moves. Again, ‘You sold out’ begins. They charge again and both men fall down. Lesnar kicks away at Goldberg, but he recovers and gorilla press slams him. Goldberg goes for the spear, but Lesnar avoids it. Outside, Lesnar sends Goldberg into the post. Now a ‘Goldberg sucks’ chant begins. Wild! A suplex by Lesnar gets 2. Lesnar applies a chinlock and the crowd boos. Goldberg escapes, but then Lesnar clotheslines him. As Lesnar hammers away on Goldberg, the crowd begins a ‘this match sucks’ chant. Goldberg starts to comeback with a series of clotheslines and a neckbreaker. Goldberg spears Lesnar and gets a long 2. That prompts Goldberg to get in Austin’s face. Lesnar recovers and gives Goldberg an F5. He covers and Goldberg kicks out at 2. Now Lesnar argues with Austin about the count. Lesnar misses a charge and hits his shoulder on the post. Goldberg spears Lesnar and then hits him with the jackhammer. That’s enough to score the 3.

Postmatch: The crowd again sings goodbye to Lesnar, so he flips them off and then gives Austin the bird. That prompts Austin to stun him and send him packing. Austin grabs some beers and celebrates with Goldberg. The crowd boos Goldberg and when he takes a drink, Austin gives him a Stunner too to a huge pop. See ya later loser!

BL: Another tough call here, so I’m giving a split vote. From a wrestling standpoint, this thing blew chunks. But with the crowd acting the way they did, some may say if never had a chance to be good. Now from an entertainment standpoint, this is perversely fun. I love how the crowd craps all over these two. I love Lesnar’s wrestling ability, but to bite the hand that feeds him was a dick move and deserved the crowd’s scorn. As for Goldberg, I’ve always thought he was an overrated mess. His year in the WWE was a bust and I’m glad the crowd told him what they thought of his tired act. Seeing Austin stun both of them to the exits was the icing on the cake. Wrestling: * ¼ Entertainment: *****

- Vince McMahon comes out and thanks the crowd for their loyalty and support. This was definitely needed but I’m sure Vince didn’t want to do that after that last match.

Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty (champs) vs. The APA vs. The Basham Brothers vs. The World’s Greatest Tag Team [Smackdown match]

Just like the RAW tag match, this is non-elimination. Benjamin starts things off by slapping Bradshaw. Not smart, says I. Doug blindly tags Bradshaw and takes it to Benjamin. Haas knees Danny from the apron and now The World’s Greatest Tag Team double-team him. Scotty hits Haas with a back suplex and then dances, which receives a smattering of boos. Haas sends Scotty over the top rope. He skins the cat, but Haas grabs him and Benjamin delivers the alley-oop splash. Cool sequence. That gets 2. Scotty rolls up Haas, but Doug breaks it up. Everyone keeps attacking Scotty and preventing him from tagging Rikishi. Finally Scotty escapes and tags his partner. Rikishi comes in and cleans house. A DDT on Doug gets 2. Rikishi splashes Haas in the corner and then gives him the stinkface. Bradshaw knocks down Rikishi and then sends Doug to the outside with a fallaway slam. Bradshaw hits Danny with the Clothesline from Hell, but instead of covering, he goes after Rikishi. Rikishi ducks and delivers a Samoan drop to him. Rikishi sits on Danny and pins him for 3.

Postmatch: Rikishi and Scotty do their usual dancing, but to no response from the crowd. It clearly isn’t the year 2000 anymore.

BL: About the same as the RAW tag match, only with lower profile participants. I understand the need to get everyone on the show, but again, I’d rather have a match with a storyline, than a thrown together mess, just so Danny Basham gets a paycheck. It’s a shame talented guys like The World’s Greatest Tag Team had to suffer in this terrible tag division. ¾ *

- Jesse Ventura comes out and interviews Donald Trump briefly. Trump tells Ventura he would support him if he got back into politics. Ventura then says he thinks a wrestler belongs in the White House in 2008. Well, he didn’t do it, but we are saying ‘Do you smell what Barack is cooking?’ about our current president.

WWE Women’s Championship Match: Victoria (champ) vs. Molly Holly [RAW match]

If Molly loses the match, she’ll have her head shaved. The two lockup and Molly knees Victoria in the midsection. Victoria comes back with a roll up that gets 2. Molly bails to the floor. Victoria follows her and gets clotheslined. Back inside, Molly gets a few nearfalls. A chinlock by Molly slows things down. This causes Jerry Lawler to bring up Molly’s granny panties and J.R. chastises him about it. Victoria comes back with a few forearms and a bodyslam. That gets 2. Molly drops Victoria across the bottom rope. She goes up top and Victoria follows her. Molly manages to hit a sunset flip powerbomb and gets 2. Molly puts Victoria in a backbreaker, but Victoria slips out and puts Molly in a backslide for a surprising 3 count.

Postmatch: Molly tries to run and Victoria chases her. Molly knocks her down and actually tries giving Victoria a haircut, but the clippers won’t work. Victoria recovers and knocks down Molly. Victoria straps Molly into the barber’s chair and begins to shave her. She only does the top, which prompts a ‘mullet’ chant from the crowd.

BL: You have two of the more talented women on the roster facing each other and the result is shockingly bad. A short match that never got on track and ended with a lame backslide. I know part of their time had to be spent with the haircut, but that was embarrassingly short and didn’t seem worth it at all. I love Jesse Ventura, but maybe they should have cut that segment and give these ladies a couple more minutes to do something worthwhile. ½ *

WWE Championship Match: Eddie Guerrero (champ) vs. Kurt Angle [Smackdown match]

As great as a moment it was to have Eddie win the title last month, it meant we only had a month to build a storyline for this match and they didn’t even do that much. They did the easy ‘Eddie’s a drug addict and not worthy of being a champion’ ploy to give Angle cheat heat. Thankfully, since these two are so good in the ring, I’ll forgive the lazy booking. The two go through a feeling-out process with some mat wrestling. With no man getting an advantage, the crowd begins a dueling ‘Let’s Go Angle/Angle sucks’ chant. A shouldertackle by Eddie sends Angle to the outside. Back in, Angle wears down Eddie with a chinlock. Eddie escapes it with a suplex. A couple of armdrags by Eddie and then he goes back to the armbar. Angle knees Eddie and then puts Eddie in an abdominal stretch. Eddie gets free and begins the Three Amigos. Angle stops him after one. Angle delivers a German suplex and then gives a back suplex that sends Eddie to the apron. Angle goes for a baseball slide, but Eddie leapfrogs him. Angle attempts a German suplex off the apron, but Eddie elbows him down. Eddie jumps off the top rope, but crashes into the guardrail when Angle moves out of the way. Angle brings him back in and gets a nearfall. Now Angle begins to work over Eddie’s midsection. Eddie jawjacks Angle to escape a legscissors, but Angle comes back and drops Eddie across the top rope. Angle delivers a pair of belly-to-belly suplexes and gets a 2 count. Another belly-to-belly gets another nearfall. Angle props Eddie up top and goes for a suplex. Eddie knocks him down, but Angle pops back up and tries the belly-to-belly. Again Eddie knocks him down and then attempts a frog splash, but Angle moves out of the way. Angle works over Eddie in the corner. Angle slugs away at Eddie, but he starts to Latino Heat up. A suplex by Eddie gets 2. Angle hits a German suplex, but when he goes for a second, Eddie blocks it and rolls him up for a 2 count. Angle goes for an Angle Slam, but Eddie reverses it into an armdrag. Eddie hits a hurricanrana and then connects with two of the Three Amigos. Angle blocks the third and puts Eddie in the ankle lock. Eddie escapes and dropkicks Angle. Eddie goes up top, but Angle pops up and delivers a superplex. That gets 2. Down come the straps and Angle applies the ankle lock. Eddie escapes and rolls Angle up for 2. Angle sets Eddie back down with a clothesline. Angle goes for the Angle Slam, but Eddie reverses it into a DDT. Eddie then goes up and hits the frog splash. He covers and gets a very long 2 count. Angle manages to get Eddie back into the ankle lock. Eddie somehow powers his way out of it and sends Angle to the floor. With Angle outside, Eddie begins to unlace his boot. Angle comes back in and puts the ankle lock on again. However, as he twists, Eddie’s boot falls off. This stuns Angle long enough for Eddie to get him in a small package for 3.

BL: I really want to like this match more, but there are just a few things that bother me. First, the beginning part of the match is real slow. I don’t mind mat wrestling, but you need to pepper it with some more high-powered offense. I’m also not crazy about the finish. I like Eddie’s cheating tactics, but I’m not sure if they belong at Wrestlemania. And this trick was more contrived than most of his. The middle has some strong action, but I was hoping for a little more of a complete package from these two. ****

Interpromotional Match: The Undertaker (Smackdown) vs. Kane (RAW)

This began with Kane burying the Undertaker back at Survivor Series. Now it appears he’s back from the dead and all signs point to him coming back with his original Deadman gimmick. That turns out to be true, but the return is somewhat lackluster, as his hair hasn’t really fully grown out and his wrestling gear more resembles his more recent look than the original outfit. On the plus side, they do bring back Paul Bearer and druids to spice up his entrance. Despite my disappointment, the crowd eats up the entrance. Kane, on the other hand, isn’t pleased to see him. Taker comes out and immediately slugs away on him. Kane bails and Taker follows. On the outside, Kane goes on the offensive. Taker recovers and whips Kane into the ring. Taker then legdrops Kane on the apron. Back inside, Taker delivers a pair of clotheslines. As Taker goes for a powerbomb, Kane backdrops him. Taker was meant to hit the top rope on that but was too far away. Kane boots Taker and then hammers away on him. Taker recovers and delivers some rights of his own. Kane hits a sidewalk slam and then delivers a top rope clothesline. A slugfest breaks out and is won by Kane. However, Taker comes back with a boot and a legdrop. Now Taker goes for Old School, but Kane grabs him by the throat as he came down. Taker initially blocks it, but eventually Kane hits the chokeslam. Kane celebrates, but Taker sits up. Has Kane learned nothing about his brother in all this time? Taker comes back with a big clothesline. Taker chokeslams Kane and signals the end is here. Taker gets Kane up and delivers the Tombstone. Unlike at Wrestlemania 14, this time one is enough, as Taker gets the 3 count. 12-0 for Taker.

BL: In many ways, the return was more important than the match. For that, I was disappointed, but the crowd loved it. As for the action, it was livelier than I expected, but very basic. This was certainly not terrible, but the only reason why this Wrestlemania win is memorable is because it marked his return as the Deadman. ** ¼

Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Triple H (champ) vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit [RAW match]

After winning the Royal Rumble, Benoit decided he wanted to challenge the RAW champion. However, since Shawn still had unfinished business with HHH, this was made into a triple threat match. As the match begins, Benoit and Shawn want to be the one to attack HHH, so they keep shoving each other to get to him. They ultimately just decide to fight each other by exchanging chops. Benoit whips Shawn into HHH, who falls outside and then the two engage in some mat wrestling. A Northern Lights suplex by Benoit gets 2. HHH comes back in and clotheslines Shawn. HHH tries to dump Shawn, but he skins the cat and then dumps Benoit to the floor. HHH hits a high knee on Shawn and gets 2. HHH goes outside and rams Benoit into the ring. Then Shawn hits Benoit with a baseball slide. Shawn then goes up and delivers a moonsault onto both men. Nice sequence. Shawn brings HHH back in and gets a nearfall. HHH connects with a facebuster and goes for the Pedigree, but Benoit clotheslines him. Benoit grabs Shawn and throws his shoulder into the post. HHH gets Benoit in a tree of woe and kicks away at him. Then he whips Shawn into Benoit. HHH covers Shawn and gets 2. Now Shawn whips HHH into Benoit, who gets a foot free and boots him. Shawn rolls up HHH and gets 2. Shawn hits the flying forearm and kips up, only to be clotheslined out of the ring by Benoit. Benoit then hits the Hat Trick on HHH. Benoit goes up top, but Shawn comes in and crotches him. Shawn goes for Sweet Chin Music, but HHH ducks it and DDTs him. HHH goes up top with Benoit and delivers a superplex. That gets 2. He covers twice more, but can’t keep Benoit down. HHH attempts a Pedigree, but Benoit escapes and gets the Crossface on. However, Shawn quickly breaks it up. Shawn hits a German suplex on Benoit and the crowd boos. Now Benoit hits the Hat Trick on Shawn. Benoit goes up and hits Shawn with a diving headbutt halfway across the ring. Wow! That gets a nearfall. Shawn hits Benoit with the flying forearm that sends him to the floor. Shawn kips up and goes after HHH. Shawn slams HHH and then hits the flying elbow. Shawn nails HHH with Sweet Chin Music and covers, but Benoit pulls HHH out of the ring. Benoit whips Shawn to the corner where he flips, flops and flies. Benoit then goes for the Sharpshooter, but can’t get it, so he monkey flips Shawn into the corner. Somehow that busts Shawn wide open. Must have been one of his patented mid-air blades. Benoit gets Shawn in the Crossface. Shawn is about to tap, but HHH blocks Shawn’s arm. HHH then breaks up the hold. Outside, Benoit rams HHH’s head into the steps. Now HHH whips Benoit into the steps. HHH begins dismantling the Smackdown announce table. Benoit is back up and puts HHH on the Spanish announce table. Benoit tries to give HHH a German suplex, but he blocks it. HHH tries to Pedigree Benoit, but he escapes. Now Shawn joins them on the table and he helps HHH suplex Benoit through the Smackdown announce table. Back in the ring, HHH and Shawn duke it out. Shawn whips HHH and he falls outside. Now Shawn whips HHH into the post. That busts HHH open. Inside, HHH somehow hits Shawn with the Pedigree. HHH slowly crawls over and covers. Out of nowhere, Benoit comes in and breaks it up. HHH tries for a Pedigree on Benoit, but he escapes and puts him in the Sharpshooter. HHH gets close to the ropes, but Benoit pulls him back. Suddenly, Shawn hits Benoit with Sweet Chin Music. Shawn covers Benoit, but somehow Benoit kicks out at 2. Shawn goes for the superkick again, but Benoit ducks and dumps Shawn to the floor. Benoit turns around and HHH kicks him and goes for the Pedigree. You just hear this collective groan from the crowd as they’ve seen this before and dread what’s coming. But Benoit somehow escapes and puts HHH in the Crossface. Crowd is going nuts now. HHH tries to roll through it, but Benoit hangs on. HHH struggles, but eventually taps. New champion!

Postmatch: Benoit weeps as he’s presented the title. Soon, Eddie comes out and celebrates with him. Both men hug and relish in what would be the pinnacle of their careers.

BL: If only all triple threat matches could be like this. Hell, if only every match could be like this. This is just an amazing display of athleticism and emotion as all three men gave it their best. Not only was it well worked, but they threw in some innovative spots that really worked well in the triple threat format. I still think it would have been better had the main events been HHH/HBK and Benoit/Angle for this show, but there’s no denying that this was an amazing main event. Now unfortunately the joy that you originally felt while watching this match has been diminished, given real world events. But in that moment this was a finish that truly sent wrestling fans home happy. *****

Final Thoughts: This is undeniably a real spectacle and just has a big time feel. You also have some very well worked matches, most notably the main event. However, there were a lot of moments that felt just off, where if they had tweaked this or changed that, it might have made the show that much better. There’s also the issue of this being a 5 hour show, which is too much. The show drags in places with either worthless or flat matches. Of course, the show’s strongest selling point, its emotional climax, now has been tarnished. This show is still recommended by me, but I would say to just use the magic of DVD technology to pick and choose which parts you want to enjoy.

Next time, it’s the main event so nice they decided to do it twice.

Until then, thanks for stopping by the OOld Tyme Rasslin Revue