McMahon wanted the biggest venue he could possibly find. Vince said he wanted to break the all-time in-door attendance record.
Footage of Mean Gene Okerlund announcing Mania 3 and its location showing. Wrestlemania was called Superbowl status. Vince toned down the celebrities, but still had them in Cooper, Franklin, Hart, Uecker, but the main selling point was Hogan and Andre in the biggest match of all time.
Of course Savage and Steamboat stole the show.
Just a magical event everyone loves. They say 93,000 plus but I have heard a different figure over times. Regardless it was the biggest Mania ever. They were still concerned the fans would not be able to see but they projected the screens for the crowd, and now they elevated the ring higher, and they got everyone in even a bad seat to see the action.
History will be made and a ton of rare footage shown. This is nice to see.
McMahon talks about feeling the presence of his dad welcoming everyone to Wrestlemania 3.
Cena says Andre-Hogan was the biggest thing to see which it was.
Mcmahon talked about how Hogan had doubt because he did not know if Andre could still go.
Of course the slam is shown.
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Andre was so pleased with himself and Vince says this was always his proudest moment and that is why he was the first inductee into the WWE Hall Of Fame which was created due to his death in 1993.
Chris Jericho talks about Savage-Steamboat. Mysterio does as well. They talk about this match stealing the show, while Hogan-Andre stole it.
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Steamboat winning, really influenced Jericho.
That match was the match of Wrestlemania for 16 years they said. It proved if you are not in the main event you could still steal the show.
? Influencing a Generation:
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DiBiase Senior, Big Show all talk about how the Newspapers and a ton of media coverage helped the 80s boom. Andre helped pass the torch to Hogan.
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Everyone was talking about Wrestlemania.
Everyone. They would not reach these kind of heights until Austin and The Rock in the Attitude Era in the late 90s.
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Battle of the Billionaires:
Once again setting the record crowd of Ford Field with 80,000 plus. Once again Aretha Franklin.
Trump got involved. Trump and McMahon both have a big level of respect and both great businessmen.
Trump gives Vince a ton of credit.
This PPV had an enourmous buyrate, Austin was also involved.
They talked about how they tried to do a 20 years later from Mania 3 type-deal.It worked quite well.
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? Atlantic City Hotspot:
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Donald Trump also hosted Wrestlemania 4 and 5. The title tournament which Savage won.
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Savage is shown for a bit going through the tournament. This went up against Sting-Flair in the NWA.
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Going through four guys to win his first World title in a final match with The Million Dollar Man.
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And the Mega Powers Exploding! They did not go over this which I hate considering the buyrate and the year long feud.
Some people consider this the best build in history.
No excuse for them to not go over it.
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Trump in 1988 had Tyson fights and since he was a big draw, Trump thought Wrestlemania to Atlantic City was a good idea.
They were not positive that the Casino crowd was a fit. They created a festival to lead into Mania.
A Wrestlemania fan festival where stars from Wrestling got in the community.
Donald wanted it back in the same venue and it was the only time in Wrestlemania history.
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O’ Canada:
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For the first time in 1990, Wrestlemania went International.
Wrestling had always been very popular in Canada.
The Skydome was the reason it could be held there.
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Edge says when he found out Wrestlemania was going to be in Canada he had to be there.
Warrior winning the title was huge.
If not for that match though, Mania 6 would be a bomb. Not one of the best Manias that is for certain.
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? Hulkamania is WrestleMania:
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Amazingly Hogan returned to Canada and faced off with The Rock.
Both guys stole the show.
Jericho and Hunter did not know exactly what would work going on last. HHH said they did not want to follow them.
Yet on Off The Record in 2002 he said they needed too because it would piss on everyone before them. Yet at Mania 11 the title match did not go on last. Okay.
Mysterio mentions that Hogan is the name that pops up when you think of Wrestlemania.
Hogan was always in the spotlight although Randy Savage usually stole the show.
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Emotionally Charged:
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So many emotional moments in this business and even in Wrestlemania.
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Hogan-Slaughter at Mania 7 build is gone over. Slaughter is the villain and Hogan only wanted to work with him. They actually delivered a great match all things considered.
It was very sensitive, an emotionally charged Mania for sure.
Slaughter had death threats. They were going to sell out LA but they blame it on the war in Iraq for the move.
Savage and Liz re-unite at Wrestlemania 7, not really shown which is dissapointing.
Bret-Piper delivering a classic.
Warrior returning at Wrestlemania 8.
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? Dream Match…Not a Reality:
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A lot of people wanted to see Hogan-Flair but instead we got a Savage-Flair match which I am sure was much better.
A Classic.
It was better then any Hogan-Flair match I have ever seen anyway by a long shot.
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They put on a memorable showing for sure.
They call Mania 8 a so-so Mania…I consider it one of the best outside the main event, and the Skinner-Owen match.
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World’s Largest Toga Party:
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They showed a ton of behind the scenes footage of Wrestlemania 9 being set up. Love this.
This is an underrated Mania for sure.
A fun show with the Roman theme.
Excellent hotel to stay at as well.
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Back on Broadway:
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Back at where it all began!
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Only one logical venue.
We were treated to two of the greatest Mania matches of all time.
MSG says it all says Vince.
Owen-Bret, maybe the best pure match ever. Bret winning the title to end the show, and of course the Razor-HBK Ladder match.
They show a lot of Mania 20 clips.
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No Benoit is not mentioned but this is MY review and I am putting that legendary picture there.
Jericho says Mania 30 should be there, and I concur.
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? Axxess:
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Now they talk about putting on an event that lets fans get to know the superstars.
This was around for Manias 16-20 I believe. Even if they didnt have Axxess there was at least some sort of start-meeting showing.
A week long fan experience.
They talk about how Wrestlemania is a global-experience and how fans travel all the way across the world.
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Hall of Fame:
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They brought back the Hall of Fame at Wrestlemania 20.
And it adds something to Wrestlemania.
I enjoy it every year even though I dont agree with who is in it and who is not.
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New Generation:
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They go over LT and Bam Bam for Mania 11.
The match was actually quite good.
It had no business headlining the show and it was the worst Mania of all time but still the Celebrity match was done quite well.
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Bret and Shawn, Ironman at Mania 12 is discussed.
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Patterson admits to crying after this match, and Michaels got the title finally.
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People talk about the Austin-Hart match at Wrestlemania 13.
And rightfully so.
I have heard most people say this is the greatest match of all time. I believe it is.
HHH put it best and said Austin was the new Face of Mania. Lawler said he agreed.
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? Baddest Man on the Planet:
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Getting Tyson was HUGE for the WWF in their ratings WAR with WCW and with how white-hot Austin was or Cold Stone as Iron Mike would put it was dynamite.
It did not matter who the other guy was.
Vince said how would we expand the business if we do not show more people.
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The Austin Era, HAS BEGUN!
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McMahon thanks Tyson for being the Media Magnet.
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Undertaker-Kane was a huge part of this show as well.
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? Celebrities:
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So many Celebrities over the years, From America The Beautiful singers, Ashanti, Ray Sharles, Aretha Franklin, Reba McIntyre, Willie Nelson, Boys 2 Men, Pussycat Dolls. To showings of Burt Reynolds, Pamela Anderson, Jenny McCarthy, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Vana White, Regis, Alex Trebeck, Mickey Rourke, Liberacci, Cyndi Lauper, Mr. T, Chuck Norris, Donald Trump, Mayweather, LT, Tyson, Ali, Snoop Dogg, Kim Kardashian, Butterbean Ozzie Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Robert Downey Jr, Uecker, Pete Rose and the list goes on and on, many more.
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To the New Millennium:
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They kind of skip over Manias 15-17.
But they make sure everyone knows who the stars are.
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Seismic Shift:
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They go over the tag team Ladder match at Wrestlemania 2000.
They talk about Mania X7 being seen by over 1 million via PPV for the first time ever.
And X9 where Angle battled Lesnar.
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Now they talk about the last match for Austin and on his vest instead of BMF which we all know what it stands for and if you do not, go watch Pulp Fiction, great film.
It had OMR, for one more round…
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Austin had a load off his shoulders after his match.
Michaels re-appeared in Wrestlemania at Mania X9.
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Tragic to see the best ever retire in Austin but like all good things in life, it came to an end.
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Mr. WrestleMania:
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Jericho talks about how he stole the show with Michaels.
Shawn Michaels calls it his show. He certainly dates back and has the most impressive Resume.
However I dont think anyone should give themselves a name like that.
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Michaels always stole the show on most nights.
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The Crowd Effect:
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Just like in ECW where the fans were apart of the show if not more, if you have a Mania with a dead crowd its not going to be as great of a Mania. Hands down.
The fans passion shows this. Over and over.
Cena talks about in smaller venues the crowd is louder.
Edge talks about how the Pond you could hear everything where as in the Astrodome they went the next year not so much.
Jericho thinks it should be in a stadium as do I.
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Living Out a Dream:
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They went to New York, LA, the big markets. One year it goes back to where it all goes, then Hollywood, then the middle ground to Chicago. All over America.
Everyone who has ever competed in a Mania was lucky just to be on the card.
Jericho talks about the birth of the Money in the Bank match.
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I still like #4 the best, with the original just behind it.
A lot of stars such as Edge and Orton talk about some of their favourite moments.
They talk about Cena being the man now of Wrestlemania.
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The Music of Mania:
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Lillian Garcia sand it many times. I mentioned celebrities earlier and in this clip they show many of them.
Vince talks about his love for the music and America the Beautiful and how it personifies them as a country, and how its majestic. Motorhead, Kid Rock (Not sure why they showed them, Salt N Peppa, Saliva, Limp Bizkit etc)
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Citrus Bowl:
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Wrestlemania was now being seen in over 100 countries, and this was just another great event.
They talk about how the event probably could not work at this venue, but they made it look tremendous.
One of my favourite venues for a Wrestlemania.
Such a make-over.
One match helped sell the event was the Mayweather, the best for pound fighter against the biggest athlete in the world, the Big Show.
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Preparing for the Moment:
Various Superstars talk about the event, the buzz, and how the feeling is so much different then any other time of year.
? Greatest Match Ever?:
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Taker and Michaels stole the show two years in a row at Mania 25 and 26.
Michaels last match at 26 for Mr. Mania.
There has just been so many matches at Mania that could be considered the greatest ever. The two Mania X matches, Savage-Steamboat, Savage-Flair, Hogan-Savage, Bret-Shawn, Savage-Warrior, TLC 2000, Austin-Rocks, Michaels-Angle, Michaels-Flair, MITB 1 or 4, HHH-Cena, Jericho-Michaels, Angle-Lesnar, Benoit-HBK-HHH, Eddie-Angle, and the list goes on and on.
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Certainly one could argue this one.
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Undefeated:
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The Undertaker has his historic record of 18-0, almost 19-0 once he beats Hunter at Wrestlemania 27. (He would already be at 20-0 of not for some injuries missing WM 10 and 16)
Undertaker and his legacy at Mania lives on.
? The Legacy:
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Wrestlemania, there will never be another wrestling event even close to this.
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So many moments, so many memories, so many superstars, so many fans make this the one event they can not miss every single year.
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Great documentary.
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———————–
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-Disc 2 Matches:
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1) Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff –WrestleMania, 31st March, 1985
If this didn’t go over, the company would fail.
Here we are!
The Main Event of Original Wrestlemania.
The 30th greatest moment in MSG history as voted by there network on the top 50 moments in MSG special, this match.
You really felt like you were watching a moment in time when you saw Liberaci kick with the Rockettes and MSG cheering.
Fans chanted for Ali soon after.
The spectacle of this entire event is perhaps best illustrated when a lot of Major Celebs came out here including Libberaci and Ali. Vince Jr. did a nice job with this and it was a memorable buildup to this match, set the stage for sure.
All apart of the Spectacle or “Happening” as Monsoon liked to call these moments in time.
Billy Martin was also the ring announcer.
Hulk Hogan gets a huge pop as expected in the birth place of Hulkamania. Madison Square Hogan. Bret probably had the best matches at WM X overall but Hogan’s meant a great deal. Of course Bruno and Backlund have had there dozens as well.
Some sequences in the match dragged but it still felt intense overall and was worked relatively well for what it was.
In the long run it was a very solid tag match for back then.
Roddy Piper and an underrated HEEL now HOFer since 05, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff were the top heel tandem and as over as ever here.
Piper and Hogan had a red hot feud that many saw further grow at “The War to Settle The Score” just a month and change before this show.
Mr. Wonderful started it off with the Hulkster and to say MSG was hyped would be an understatement, you could genuinely feel, “This“ was the Main Event of the biggest show to this time.
Paul Orndorff got some words in the corner from Piper and got set to square off with Hulk.
They circled around each other and while Hogan was ready to get it on, Orndorff teased him and tagged in Piper.
Now we`re really going to get a show down!
Piper and Hogan in 1985 from the Garden at Wrestlemania to begin the Main Event!
You`ve got to love it.
Roddy Piper stepped into the ring and Hogan shook his head up and down saying it`s me and you. Mr. T jumped up and down on the ring apron as if he wanted in. Hulk pointed to Mr. T and Hogan pointed at him and MSG erupted.
Mr. T wants PIPER!
So now we`re gonna have T and Piper! The fans erupt.
People wondered if Mr. T could wrestle. He can`t but he went nose to nose with Piper and this spot was familar from Wrestlemania History shots.
Piper and T traded slaps. Piper kicked T while the fans chanted for him and he hit a go-behind waistlock. Piper slapped at T and then T got a switch and got out of it. Mr. T
Fans were extremely loud and Mr. T got set to go with Piper again as he glared at the people. Both men tie up and T throws him off.
Mr. T has a fireman’s carry on “Rowdy” Roddy Piper into a body slam and the fans love it.
Roddy Piper didn`t expect it and he got angry driving him into the corner.
Chaos!
All four men get into the match. Ali took a shot at Piper and told everyone to get out, Ali told Orton to leave the ring and the place chanted “Ali.“
This might not of been the best Wrestling Match but it was Sport`s Entertainment personified in 1985!
Piper and Orndorff try and re-group on the outside and then head towards the dressing room.
Ali tells them to come back.
Hogan tells referee Pat Patterson that there`s no way he`s going to count them out. Orndorff and Piper were forced to return.
Four men inside and T and Hogan slam Piper and Orndorff into each other head first. Hogan unloads on Piper irishwhipping him into the corner followed by a clothesline.
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Hogan smashes both men`s head together and then plants an atomic drop to Roddy Piper. Hogan choked him out and bounced Roddy Piper`s head off the canvas and Patterson did nothing about it.
Hogan with a few right hand shots to Roddy Piper and then Piper raked the eyes but Hulk didn`t let it bother him. Hogan tagged in T and fans chanted his name, a double whip by Hogan and T before Mr. T slammed Piper! Mr. T caught Orndorff and slammed Piper before headbutting Mr. Wonderful. Piper couldn`t land a shot once back in by Hogan as he delivered the punishment. Hulk Hogan backdropped Roddy Piper over the top to the floor.
Mr. Wonderful came up from behind and drove Hogan out to the cement floor. Piper with a chair across the back of The Hulkster on the outside. Fast paced action with a hot crowd!
On the outside the heels continue the punishment as Orndorff slams the Champ`s (Hogan) into the ring apron. Piper now rakes the eyes of Hogan while he glares at the crowd with an evil stare. Piper sends Hogan into the corner and the fans boo. Roddy Piper backs off as Mr. T was taunted by him earlier to come into the ring but the official made sure T stayed out but Orndorff and Piper both choked out Hulk Hogan in the corner, but Mr. T then comes to save him but the double team behind Patterson`s back continued. A double atomic drop and Hogan was hurt. Piper said he stayed out to Ali who questioned the action.
Mr. Wonderful now with a boot attack to Champion Hulk Hogan.
I always thought Paul Orndorff was underrated, glad he`s in the Hall of Fame.
Paul Orndorff, Mr. Wonderful with a great suplex to Hulk Hogan and even that got him a ton of heat in Madison Square Garden. Great teamwork by Piper and Orndorff as Roddy Piper is tagged back in and he ran across the ropes for extra leverage and landed a big right to Hogan. Roddy Piper with a knee lift to Hogan and then a nearfall. Orndorff tagged in and lands an elbow into the head of Hogan from the top rope. Orndorff continued to wear down Higan with a kick. Mr. Wonderful scooped up Hulk Hogan and hit a back breaker. The Champ is absorbing a great deal of punishment. Orndorff flew from the top and missed a flying knee and the fans cheer!
Can Hogan make the tag was the question. He made it. Mr. T unloaded with lefts and rights but while the official made sure Hogan got on the apron more double team this time on T. Roddy Piper tried to ride T in a amateur wrestling move and he kept it on while MSG chanted for T. Orton got on the apron with his Cast and Ali made sure he stayed back. Foreshadowing perhaps.
A tag made and Roddy Piper with a front facelock to Mr. T attempting to wear him out. Piper wearing him down but T managed to power out and tag in Hulk Hogan to a great pop who landed blows on Piper, when Orndorff came back in he rammed both there heads together. A right hand by Hogan rocks Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff but he ended up levelling the champ with a great suplex to buy him time.
Superfly Snuka came in and delivered a headbutt to Orton who had just came in. Orndorff caught a Full Nelson on Hogan while Orton jumped from the top with the Cast and hit Orndorff with it by accident!
Hogan covered Orndorff! He got him! Place explodes.
So in the end it was Hulk Hogan who pinned Paul Orndorff after Orton accidentally hit Orndorff with his cast at 13:13. Hulkamania’s momentum would go on to be very good at Wrestlemania in the main event as I will illustrate from this point on…..(unless he’s in Sky Dome) This match was good in a way if you don’t expect it to be the way it was in a certain way. Confused. You should be. Overall great and highly significant which boosts it’s rating up quite a bit for me.
Good way to end this show.
I’ll slap an additional 1/4 – 1/2* on this one for Historical Significance and call it a day.
Not the match of 1985 as it won but definately good to and even great considering how it was booked counting in everything.
Match of the night and most definitely a signifcant addition to the Wrestlemania (true story) DVD.
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** 3/4
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2) WWE Intercontinental Championship Match Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage vs. Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat –WrestleMania III, 29th March, 1987
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We have seen this match so many times but lets not kid ourselves, the pacing and story-telling of this match needed to be included on the true story of Wrestlemania DVD.
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At Wrestlemania 3 you could just feel it in the air, as the dark sky overshadowed the dome the mood was about to change and an epic match was upon. SO it’s safe to say you could really feel the spectacle of Wrestlemania 3 by the atmosphere which was beyond amazing for this next contest in paticular.
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For the stage to be set with a lot of hype, considering all the Savage promo’s, and the show its on…this one better deliver. The buildup had been done absolutely magnificent by both Savage and Steamboat, and then for them to both come through and pass expectations it remains a classic and one of the most talked about matches to this day!
What this match did was inspire so many, it stole the show. Hogan-Andre sold it, this stole the biggest show of ALL time. Relatives, friends alike will still talk about THIS match from March of 1987 even if they do not follow Wrestling anymore. That kind of thing does not happen too often and I have seen this firsthand.
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This was the ultimate peak of the career for both Savage and Steamboat, they went out there and arguably did more in under fifteen minutes then Flair and Steamboat did in there 1989 trilogy where most of those matches were double this length. Obvioussly that series and this match are incedibally hard to compare due to the different nature of those matches, and I consider at least two of them better then this match. (Chi Town Rumble and Wrestlewar 89) However this one is rated the same as those at an even five stars. All of them are perfect.
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Savage had crushed Steamboat’s larynx with a ringbell weeks before and this feud was getting RED Hot in every way, by the time this match took place it had been long awaited.
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That would be the driving focus of this match (larynx of the Dragon), where as in the other corner Steele loved Liz and this just made Savage more paranoid and more determined to put that team away.
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Savage had been champion for a long time and came out in all his glory in an entrance I consider to be one of the best in wrestling history, the robe, the music, the girl, the atmosphere with the giant crowd, the night sky in the dome, and the buildup to this match in this red hot feud was fantastic.
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They brought in a new style to McMahon’s company, it’s as if Savage and Steamboat brought the NWA workrate to McMahon’s company for this night.
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This match is magic.
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Everything worked so well, absolutely everything clicked, everybody still talks about it to this day and the match wasn’t even as long as a single episode of your favourite sitcom, infact it was about eight minutes shorter!
Macho was in his red robe and pointed at both Steamboat and Steele as he took off his IC title that he had defended like a Champion for so long, the bell finally rang, Liz and Steele were outside the ring area, Steamboat and Savage were inside and the match begun!
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Here we go!
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Wrestlemania 3 needed match like this to deliver, and not only did this do just that, but everything and more.
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Randy Savage went for a sneak attack but Steamboat turned around in time and then Randy Savage put his arm in the air signalling for a test of strength and to say these two were in front and center of the Wrestling world in this momnent in time would be a massive understatement.
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Ricky Steamboat hit a nice hiplock to Savage after a go-behind as a nice counter. Savage was frustrated and he decided to then kill two birds with one stone as he not only went out for a walk like we usually see him do but he took Liz by the hand as apparently she was in the wrong place and to close to Animal which was a side story to the match.
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Savage with an irishwhip to the Dragon, went for a reverse elbow shot but Steamboat ducked and hit a beautiful deep armdrag, off the ropes through the legs and another deep armdrag by the Dragon! (As he did so well time and time again)
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Nice offensive exchange by Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, seriously awesome stuff!
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Then Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat elevated Savage up by the throat first! Revenge time.
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The Dragon is paying Savage back with a choke! The Pontiac Silverdome goes crazy.
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Savage went for a walk as he knew his title reign was in jeopardy. Macho Man eventually got back in the ring and dropped a double axehandle to Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. Randy Savage got The Dragon to chase him outside the ring and then levelled him in the mid-section, choked him out and hit him with a clothesline.
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Ventura says Savage is the best in all of Wrestling.
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Well this was in his absolute PRIME. Hard to argue, I’d say only Flair came close around then.
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Savage took on all competitors and choked out Steamboat in the corner of the ring. Savage took on all competitor`s at the time, had ducked nobody.
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Randy Savage charged towards Ricky Steamboat in the corner and found nobody home and Steamboat hit a wristlock. Leverage expanded Steamboat to throw an arm ringer on Macho Man and then with a method to his madness dropped the arm over the top rope. Inside the middle of the ring, Steamboat tweaked the arm and dropped a hard shot on the left arm.
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Macho Man with a handfull of hair sent Ricky Steamboat to the ropes and he planted Steamboat a reverse elbow shot which bought himself more time to work with.
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Macho Man elevated Ricky Steamboat outside the ring after the elbow shot to the face! Fans in Michigan got behind Steamboat but Savage had just bought himself some time after all that terrific offense from Steamboat! Savage held onto his arm that was worked over by Ricky Steamboat and he sold the arm well.
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Savage again with a handfull of hair, dropped the elbow into the Larynx of Steamboat! Fine line here, Monsoon speculated on why Savage didn’t do this right away where as Ventura explains you need to find openings, catch people offgaurd and do things to make room for other things. I always love when Ventura says that whenever watching this match that I’ve no doubt seen near 200 times now, it’s short enough (and certainly good enough) to watch it that many times. It was perfectly logical and suited the psychology of Randy Savage in this match because he didn’t want to be obvious with his gameplan, but went straight into the playbook once finding The Dragon at a vulnerable state in which he did not hesitate to attack the injured larynx of the Steamboat.
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Perfect storytelling!
Ricky Steamboat hung onto the bottom rope on the apron as Savage ruthlessly dropped knee shots into the high back of Ricky Steamboat. Savage was intense and dedicated to doing whatever he had to on the biggest stage of them all. Ricky Steamboat brought back in over the ropes by Savage with a snap takeover, an elbow drop and a hook a nice amateur move by Macho Man.
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A kneedrop and Savage wasted no time hooking him after these recent offensive attack! The Macho Man only got a two count and picked Steamboat by the hair, went to hit him in the top of the buckle but the Champ rammed Savage head first. Ricky Steamboat got Detroit behind him yet again and he throw a hard forearm shot to Savage, everything on the line and Savage got tied up in the ropes. This was Ricky Steamboat’s chance! Savage tied up and then with Ricky Steamboat charging towards him The Macho Man was able to lift up his right leg and kick Steamboat on the mid-section buying him time to get out of the ropes. Savage was motivated to staying in the upperhand but The Dragon pulled out the armdrag and the broadcasters were absolutely right when saying no one did an armdrag like Steamboat. It was his defining offensive move, no one in Wrestling History did one better then the Dragon.
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This is one of my favourite sequences of the entire classic confrontation!
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Randy Savage was hell bent on elevating Steamboat over the top rope after he got stuck in the ropes and when going for a head of hair like he naturally would, Steamboat said “No” and hit one of those picture perfect armdrag’s. Now try and keep up as this is where it gets good. REAL GOOD.
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Things were about to turn from innovative, to revolutionary, to LEGENDARY with the pacing in this battle.
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After the armdrag of the Dragon he got a shoulderblock and a nearfall, Monsoon points out the beyond insane speed. Ricky Steamboat got caught with the momentum and Savage bouncing off the ropes hit a high knee to Steamboat. Savage threw Ricky Steamboat over the top but he pulled himself back in, hillariously Savage looked back at Ricky Steamboat and he simply clotheslined him over the top. The Animal Steele helped Ricky Steamboat on the outside.
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You have to get up pretty early to outsmart the Macho Man said by Ventura and Monsoon even agreed, they sure gave Savage some props despite being the heel.
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Ricky Steamboat got knocked on the outside by Savage as he pushed him down, staying on the back of Steamboat. Savage always found an opening whenever he hurt apart of the opposition. Ventura is irate that Steamboat wasn’t counted out but the official gave him a pass due to Savage’s offense on the outside. The Animal threw Ricky Steamboat back in the ring. Macho Man threw him right back over the top as soon as he got back in! Randy Savage jumped from the top rope in a picture perfect shot from the stadium and he dropped a double axehandle to Steamboat to the larynx of Ricky Steamboat. Savage then looked on top of his game and ready to retain but he went out and broke the count and threw him back in.
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What’s this, Savage wanting to retain the title like a man? Savage then with bombs away, right between the eyes this time with a double axehandle drop from the top rope to the inside this time, and then an elbow, and a two count. Savage then hit a clothesline and from outside hit a running elbow and then got a series of nearfalls.
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Nearfall after nearfall, Savage couldn’t put Steamboat away.
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Classic, textbook suplex by Randy “Macho Man” Savage but he couldn’t put him away!
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The crowd goes crazy when Ricky Steamboat hits a punch and Monsoon states “this is beyond wrestling ability, this is guts personified” as he tried fighting back. Macho Man raked the eyes and then hit a beautiful gutwrench suplex. Ventura wanted Hebner to stay consistent with the counting as he found it a bit slow.
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Steamboat fought back with chops to Randy Savage and then hit a backdrop to the outside and the place exploded as Savage fell to the outside hitting the floor. The Dragon then broke the count as Savage was down on his knees, obvioussly not worrying if he lost the match by countout to keep the title.
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In a familar replay of this match whenever wee see highlights of this epic, Steamboat flew off the top with a hard shot to Savage. Now at this point Randy Savage had thrown everything to Ricky Steamboat so he was desperate.
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BUT NOW, now there was a fine line. Steamboat was the agressor. Ricky Steamboat hit a hard shot from the top to retaliate and then got a nearfall as Savage’s leg was on the rope. The Dragon still on the attack down in the middle hit a chop to Savage. Randy kept kicking out and Steamboast kept chopping.
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Macho Man tried to get to the outside to save himself but Ricky Steamboat kept on the attack with more shots to the face hitting him off the apron.
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Savage snuck back in but Steamboat followed him to the outside and then sunsetflipped inside the ring and tried to pull Savage down for a pinning attempt after the Sunset flip. Savage tired to hold onto the ropes but he used his legs to knock Steamboat in the head from both sides to break the count!
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Amazing action!
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Steamboat with another pinning attempt. Ricky Steamboat with a double leghook and flipped his body over Savage in a unique pinning attempt, no one could believe the battle this was.
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Jesse Ventrua says “This is one of the greatest battles I have ever seen in my life.”
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Steamboat with a Crossbody off the ropes!
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Steamboat with another roll-up and two and the buzz was certainly in the air. Everyone was talking. Steamboat with a suplex and then a slingshot into the post, hooked the legs from behind, but Savage kicked out with his legs. Steamboat again, Savage kicked out. This time Savage rolled Steamboat up, AMAZING back and forth but Ricky Steamboat kicked out.
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Out of desperation the “Macho Man” Randy Savage with a leverage move hooking the tights ramming STEAMBOAT this time into the post. Randy Savage with two reversals throwing Steamboat to Hebner was down and out. Clothesline by Savage. Another powerful clothesline.
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Macho is going to the top! Macho is going to the top!
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Time stood still here.
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A moment for the ages, the beautiful scenery catching Macho Man’s elbow drop from the top where the camera zoomed in on 93, 000 in the Silverdome as Randy Savage in the peak of his career hits a picture perfect Macho Man Elbow Drop! He got him!
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Savage should have it here but there is no referee, Dave Hebner was still out. Savage was exhausted and slapped some life into him. Macho then resorted to grabbing the ringbell, the same bell that he put the Dragon out of commission with. The Animal snatched the bell but Savage hillariously kicks him in the head.
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Savage grabbed the bell and was about to leap off the top but The Animal pushed him off the top and the bell rammed Savage in the head this time! Savage slowly got to his feet but The Macho Man was taken over by a small package by The Dragon!
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History has been made!
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The finish came at 14:35, YES JUST 14:35! Steamboat was the NEW IC CHAMPION.
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Standing ovation by 93, 000 fans, Liz in tears. Randy Savage couldn’t believe it.
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One of the best stories I’ve ever seen in front of me in the world of Pro-Wrestling, and this moment will last forever.
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A match that will stand the test of time and LIVE for EVERY Wrestling Fan worldwide forever.
Classic is another word you could use for this match, and that is an understatement.
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It holds a special place for everybody and for me it is a top 5 match of all time and certainly one of the best ever at Wrestlemania.
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Steamboat ended up getting revenge on Savage by taking the one thing that meant even more to him then Elizabeth, his Intercontinental title. After all those memorable promo’s.
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The Steamboat victory gave us the cream of the crop promo, May 11th 1987, Savage’s very best so everyone can be thankful.
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History Beckons this match. A 1980’s Masterpiece!
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One of the greatest matches EVER and the very best for the IC title. This is in my top 5 matches of all time.
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*****
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3) WWE Championship Match Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant –WrestleMania III, 29th March, 1987
This is the biggest match in the history of Pro-Wrestling..
Watching the entrances with the stare down, commentary and atmosphere still gives me the chills. You know you’re “Watching the show” when you see this. And by “The Show” I mean Pro-Wrestling at it’s defining moment.
The heat the intimidating André The Giant got was amazing after his heel turn and Bobby Heenan deserves a lot of credit for it as well.
André The Giant just stood there. The irresistible force meeting the immovable object.
Hogan went toe to toe with him.
Hulk Hogan blocked a couple of shots and went for a Slam but André The Giant landed on Hogan.
André The Giant thinks he has the three count! Heenan yells “that was 3!” from the outside but the match continues as many took a deep breath.
Hulkamania was almost down and out just there but Hulk caught a break there.
Ventura thinks it was close and so did many others.
André The Giant kicked at Hogan. Hogan had a sore back because of the failed body slam attempt and André The Giant kept trying to wear him down. André The Giant picked
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Hogan up with ease and then slammed him in the already damaged kidney area.
André The Giant irishwhipped Hulk Hogan hard twice into the corner which took more air out of the lungs of Hulk and damaged-bruised his kidney-lower back region.
André The Giant backed up his entire body weight into Hogan in the corner. André The Giant delivered a headbutt. All André The Giant here. André The Giant choked out Hogan some more but Hulk sneaked out and the fans erupted. Hogan hit some desperation right hand`s. An elbow off the side ropes and André The Giant was hit with elbow shots by Hulk. Hogan then slammed André The Giant head first into the corner of the ring over and over and Hogan ran off the ropes for leverage but ran right into the big boot of André The Giant.
André then chopped Hogan. André The Giant had a bearhug slapped on The Hulkster in the center of the ring and he was forcing the life out of Hulkamania seconds at a time with that tight grip.
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Hogan gasping for air, trying to get some momentum back while the Pontiac Silverdome helped him by chanting on his name.
Heenan from the outside kept asking for Joey Marella to ring the bell claiming Hogan couldn`t continue and we`d have a new Champion.
After a couple of minutes of André The Giant wearing down Hogan some more, Marella dropped his arm but Hogan shook it off and began to hulk up with 93,000 people behind him. Hogan unloaded with everything he had and connected right hand`s to André The Giant.
Hogan hit a shoulder block and then another one off the side ropes. André The Giant hit a reverse elbow on the third Hogan charge and then André The Giant nailed him with a big boot to the chest area. André The Giant with another chop to Hogan on the outside.
André The Giant moved the mat and hit a backdrop to Hogan on the concrete which didn`t look very good as Hogan landed very slow. André The Giant fired him back inside the ring. André The Giant irishwhipped Hogan but he ducked a clothesline and hit him with one of his own that took The Giant off his feet.
Hogan had the support of all of the fans and he hulked up as the place went crazy! We`re seing what Hogan was made of.
Then Hulk Hogan did the impossible and slammed the Giant to the mother of all pops. When this happened the building shook just as Hogan had said would happen in a previous promo, and the Wrestling world was never the same. Some consider that moment to be the best moment in Wrestling history. It’s definately up there.
Soon after he’d hit his signature legdrop.
In the end, Hulk Hogan pinned André The Giant after a scoop slam and a leg drop at 12:01 to reatain the WWF Title to a monster sized pop with over 90,000 fans going crazy.
The Hulkster thanked the heavens and poses to the millions watching at home and to all the number of thousands in Detroit. “Real American” plays as the Hulkster stands in his prime in all his glory in one of the best Wrestling sequents of all time.
The “WWF” had officially taken off and “Hulkamania” was running wild as the driving force behind the 80`s boom.
Perhaps the most generous I’ll ever be for a match to add to its rating, but if I added points for significance, this is the match to do it for and I probably added a star for that alone at the end of the day.
Drama at its absolute finest.
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** 1/4
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4) Retirement Match The Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage –WrestleMania VII, 24th March, 1991
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As you can assume these are two colorful personalities.
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Both obviously Oozed Charisma and the Crowd really dug both men whether they loved them or hated them. It’s called NATURAL heat in Wrestling both men had due to the Charisma only few others had in the industry during this time or any time period for that matter. Both characters were beyond unique which made for a great mix for this Classic.
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Watching these two go at it is like drinking a shot a 5 hour Energy, listening to Metallica’s Enter Sandman, and having your Sports team win a World Championship all in a span of twenty minutes.
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Forget listening to pump up music before the gym, throw this match on. Perhaps Jason Statham should watch this match before Crank 3 to stay alive, it’ll surely give him that much needed rush or CRANK he gets the urge for. Better yet, how about he watches Lesnar/Goldberg instead. Those movies blow.
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It obviously goes without saying that this match is CLEARLY a dream match for Vince McMahon.
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If only Chris Benoit’s spirit was somehow the guest enforcer! What? A little soon? Okay how about if only Jeff Jarrett was the time-keeper! There ya go…Nailz can be the enforcer.
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Bobby points out Miss Elizabeth in the crowd before the spectacle gets underway.
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It’s Showtime!
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Never had Mania or any show for that matter had a match this big in the middle of its card.
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You almost felt like this was the Main Event with the anticipation this one had from the build, the entrances and just the spectacle of everything else.
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The reason this Masterpiece works so well is because both Warrior and Savage had tremendous chemistry, the feud was top notch, the build-up was tremendous like most back then in high profile situation’s, you felt you were witnessing the end of an era at Wrestlemania so there was so much suspense which added drama.
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Add in a match full of nothing but adrenaline and storytelling, top notch booking, it’s an automatic win.
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Here we go.
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One of these men will leave the city of Angels with there career over! It doesen’t get bigger then this considering both these talents Main Evented Wrestlemania the past three years.
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The Macho King came out in all his glory, being carried in on a throne. Macho King and Sherri came to the ring and Liz looked on worried and dissapointed the love of her life was now with Sherri and his career could be over.
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You have to love the story telling before the match even begins in this one!
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Some fans booed, while a few cheered the always entertaining persona of Randy Savage delivered. Randy Savage did his signature twirl taunt with his hands and he looked confident. Macho King looked at the top of his game considering his career could be over in a matter of minutes.
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And when Randy was on his game, he really brought it as we’d see here and then some.
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Again, you felt the Classic Tension was upon you from the moment the bell rings, infact I felt it before both men even came out.
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If you didn’t before you surely would in moments.
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This is what it’s like to have fun viewing a Wrestling match. Watching this one and its a given. Show this to anyone and I’ll be amazed if they don’t have a good time.
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This is the type of match the casual fan and the smark would both equally enjoy, it just has that tangible to it which makes it likeable to everybody and that’s another reason this is such a fan favourite.
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The Ultimate Warrior gets a tremendous ovation and surprisingly he isn’t sprinting to the ring like he is generally known to do. Warrior does this once he gets to the ring area but not all the way to the ring this time around.
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When looking at both The Ultimate Warrior and Macho King Randy Savage and there ring attire, it even came off magical from a presentation standpoint due to there attire alone. Nevermind the fact it was Mania in a high profile match fighting for there career’s!
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Tension built and Savage was poised to do everything in his power to stay alive, keep his career going and most importantly get back to the main event and out of mid-card hell where he was stuck under the Macho King title. Things would be very different for Randy Savage after this match, either one way or the other.
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So to say this was a defining moment in his career would be an absolute understatement. Same for Warrior. If he didn’t screw up and demand money later in 1991, who knows the marketing machine for Warrior had no limits and this win over Savage (with the epic win over Hogan the year before) made him the biggest star in all of Pro-Wrestling.
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Not bad eh?
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The bell rung and the fans were more ready, it’s Wrestlemania 7’s Career Threatening Match between two Icon’s and living legends in the history of the WWF. Trump is front row with a smile.
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Savage and Warrior weren’t smiling, all buisness from them both.
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Macho King Randy Savage then stared down the Warrior and it was a showtime here. One of the most underrated rivalries in the hitory of Professional Wrestling. Savage had enough of Warrior’s posing on all the turnbuckle’s, Savage wanted Warrior to get to business and who could blame him.
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Warrior took off his jacket to screams and cheers, bell rang both men cautious. Savage ran to the ropes and tried to psych out Warrior.
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Savage playing Mind Games went to the top to pose, got boo’s. Warrior did as well and got cheers.
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Both men go face to face and tie-up. Liz is concerned.
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Savage is told to break away from Warrior. A facelock by Warrior and a shove down to Savage.
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Both men extremely cautious. Macho King Randy Savage going downstairs with forearms and right hands to Warrior. Side headlock nicely applied by The Macho King, off the ropes Warrior hit a shoulder block to Savage taking him out of the ring. A distraction from the Queen allowed Savage to come back in and hit a running knee to the Ultimate Warrior, but it didn’t phase him.
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Warrior with a power move and an atomic drop, followed by a long powerful atomic drop by The Ultimate Warrior. Sherri can be heard screaming NO on the outside.
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Warrior in control early!
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The Ultimate Warrior held the Macho King down while Sensational Queen Sherri looked on concerned.
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The crowd are into this big time. Macho King is just a riot from the beginning.
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Sherri got involved but was elevated to the outside.
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Randy Savage caught in the ring ropes, Warrior took a few shots. Savage got a kick off the ropes with a bit of momentum then charged towrds Warrior and hit a beautiful clothesline. Such an execution so superb by Randy Savage.
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Bombs away by the Macho King with a crossbody from the top, Warrior showed off his power and caught him and dropped Savage in the process. Heenan says this maybe Savage`s greatest moment.
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the Ultimate Warrior intimidating Savage asking what he has? Savage slapped him then threw a steel chair into the ring. The Official moved it out of sight and the Ultimate Warrior hit a forearm to Savage two times levelling him down to the mat. An irishwhip sent Savage back first to the buckle and Warrior with another strong round-house right a couple of times knocking down Macho King who’s career could soon be over. More shots took down Randy, an irishwhip to Savage into the buckle but Macho moved.
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Warrior charged into the buckle as Savage moved as said and this was an opening for Randy. Sherri took down Warrior outside of the ring. Savage had time to re-group. Macho King in the ring waiting saw Warrior push down Sherri. Savage shoved Warrior from behind and then rammed Warrior into the post.
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Heenan said he followed Savage’s career and he never saw him this intense. He wasn’t far off.
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Once again Sherri with the shoe. Warrior chants. Savage in the ring and a scoop slam with a two count. the Ultimate Warrior about to catch a neck breaker from Savage but he hits a back slide to Savage, amazing stuff. Savage backs off to the corner and spits in Warrior’s face before getting out of harms way. Clothesline by Warrior as Macho got caught.
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the Ultimate Warrior ran off both ends of the ropes and went for a signasture splash but Randy Savage moved! Macho King rammed Warrior head first to the mat and got two quick two counts.
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Savage now with a reverse chinlock, a logical move to do to a powerful athlete such as The Ultimate Warrior.
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Amazing, captivating material here.
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Savage never wanted anything so bad other then this victory here. Savage kept the chinlock in as the crowd chanted for the Warrior and he shook. Here we go. Nothing but pure adrenaline pumping from this point out.
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Testicular Fortitude by the Warrior, a running clothesline! The fans are into this and again that helps its overall presentation and feel.
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A running clothesline by Warrior to the Macho King that takes Randy down as well.
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With Savage down he waits a few moments, but then after a criss-cross Savage hit a clothesline to Warrior and now both men are down.
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What an epic atmosphere, so much on the line is repeated as the fans even feel as if they`re on the ends of there toes.
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Savage and Warrior both to there feet at the same time, Savage goes for a powerslam to the Ultimate Warrior and then he rolled up Savage with a small package and the ref was distracted from Sherri and he only got a two count.
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the Ultimate Warrior made a costly mistake turning his back to the official arguing over the slow count and Sherri’s interference.
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Savage rammed him from behind with a charging knee into the abdomen.
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Sherri with a shoe and the ref down nailed Savage by mitake off the top, the crowd gets even louder. Warrior chasing Sherri rather then going after Savage which could be costly as said by Heenan and Monsoon.
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Warrior looking to the outside, Savage from NO WHERE with a roll-up and two and a half.
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Heenan loses his voice from excitement. Everything is on the line, Savage pulled Warrior by the trunks into the corner. Savage then elevated Warrior up and dropped him throat first onto the top rope. Excellent stuff.
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Macho King in control then leaped over the top rope and choked out Warrior, taking the air out of a full throttle tank like Warrior.
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Savage slammed him down twice not taking any chances, and a two count.
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Both men used up everything imaginable.
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Here we go!
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The Elbow Drop by the Macho King! Sherri cheers.
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1 hit.
2 hit.
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He’s going for a third, history is being made, a third hit!
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Macho King goes for another, and then yes, another one.
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The 5th and last one.
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Randy “Macho King” Savage by all means should of put Warrior away.
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Five elbow drops didn’t put Warrior away, the place pops. Savage can’t believe it. No one ever came close to taking that kind of punishment from Savage and get out of it.
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Savage dropped his signature double axehandle’s and now the adrenaline pumped through the veins of the Warrior as he fought back with forearm shots, a right hand, clothesline after clothesline.
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Liz looks concerned for the career of Savage.
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Warrior reaches to the heavens. Macho King hoisted up and now the press slam is delivered. Warrior hits the big splash!
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It’s over!
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Savage kicks out!
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UNBELIEVABLE!
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Warrior reaches to the heavens and asked if this was his destiny.
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Savage down and Warrior asked the Heavens while everyone watched on. Warrior then on the ring apron wasn’t sure what was next. Warrior on the apron took his time and Macho King knocked Warrior off the apron giving himself a chance to come back here.
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Savage goes up high where he is often best.
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What next?
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Heenan yells what a match, what a match!
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Savage missed his drop from the top and hit the gaurdrail.
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In the ring the Warrior off the ropes hit a big clothesline to Macho King Randy Savage and he did so another time. Two in a row. the Ultimate Warrior in full control in a back and forth climatic match. Then a spear job by Warrior to the Macho King to the floor, Savage might have been saved being out to the floor but Warrior with yet another spear to the Macho King once he was back in the ring.
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the Ultimate Warrior with yet another spear!
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In dramatic fashion Warrior puts his right boot over the chest of Randy Savage and it’s over!
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Heenan yells “Oh my god…no.” Everyone pops, the epic battle/confrontation, magical masterpiece had concluded but the best was yet to come still.
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For the second straight Wrestlemania, the Ultimate Warrior put down a powerhouse in the Federation this time in the Macho King in what was a career performance for him.
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The Warrior pinned Savage in awesome fashion with a boot on the chest and a finger pointing to the heavens as the place roared in approval.
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The pinfall came at 20:48 and the match really flies by for a bout over twenty minutes in length.
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Incredibally entertaining throughout with a HOT crowd, one that should always be there for a big time Mania Match. These guys more then delivered.
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After the match, it finally sinks in to Sherri what has happened. Sensational Queen Sherri gets in and kicks Macho King Randy Savage for losing. She berates him verbally and kicks him a few more times. All of this prompts The first Lady of Professional Wrestling Miss Elizabeth to jump the gaurdrail and throw Sherri out of the ring to a mega pop. Savage recovers and blames Elizabeth until he sees the refs dragging Sherri back to the dressing room. Liz asks him what it’s going to be.
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Savage, after a moment of tense soul-searching, scoops his woman up in his arms in a tearful hug. Liz opens the ropes for Randy, like she always used to do, but Savage refuses and holds the ropes for her. Nice touch for sure there.
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The Macho Man is back! What a great moment.
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Everything is right in the world with his theme playing in the background.
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Savage and Liz reunite and everyone cheers, some even brought to tears, actually many were. An emotional moment as the Macho King transformed back into the Macho Man and this time around was going to treat his lady right.
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For some reason a forgotten babyface turn which is strange considering the significance, when it happened and how awesome this segment really, really was. Hollywood couldn’t of done that segment better. Something to be proud of and it definitely doesen’t age, if anything it just gets better as time goes on and as the industry continues to change.
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Excellent drama to follow a Classic encounter which was ultimately perfect.
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As previously mentioned what Macho did for Liz earlier, Savage’s most memorable romantic gesture was holding down the ropes for Miss Elizabeth in order for her to exit the ring with style, after years of having her do it for him.
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If not the greatest moment in the history of this event then it’s most certainly one of the most emotional moments in Wrestlemania History:
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Everything about this was done to perfection, (much like the match) Savage even happened to have a theme song where it built up the hug and celebration perfectly. Just magic inside the Sports-Entertainment world.
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Oh yeah, the match that took place before this.
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This match, REALLY what can you say?
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This one had every aspect of Pro-Wrestling required that makes it as great as it REALLY can be. This piece of art really pushed the envelope from a storytelling standpoint.
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I contemplated reasons if this match shouldn’t be the full five stars and to be truthful, I really couldn’t come up with one good reason just now after a hard time thinking about it. It’s been a personal favourite for two decades and now I am finally pushing it over the edge to 5 star/elite status.
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For my money a top 5 Mania match and a top 15 match ever from this continent. They just DON’T make them like this very often, if at all.
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Another awesome element to the bout is that it is probably the best booked match in Wrestlemania History. Which says…quite a lot, and that in itself goes without saying.
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Calling it a CLASSIC isn’t even doing it enough justice, because as mentioned it`s one of the Greatest Matches in the history of Wrestlemania, not only that but one of the greatest matches in the history of Professional Wrestling.
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It really should be showed and replayed more on highlights of Wrestlemania when the company does there awesome yearly packages, but all one has to do is look at the two men involved here and say “Oh, yeah…”
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*****
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5) Ladder Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels –WrestleMania X, 20th March, 1994
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This is an IC title classic from Madison Square Garden and this one might be the very best.
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It was innovative, revolutionairy and is often talked about weekly if not daily everywhere still to this day.
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Shawn Michaels and Scott Hall brought in new ways to do a Ladder Match, and this match is the main reason that this gimmick match still puts on countless classic’s today.
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This match took place on the same night as the amazing Bret and Owen Hart match so it had a tough act to follow. Anyone who got Wrestlemania X agreed that it was worth the price just for those two matches alone and even just ONE of them most fans would love to see, for them to both happen on the same night is downright incredible.
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There were two belts hanging from above as both men claimed to be the real IC Champion, this match would determine the official and undisputed IC Champion once and for all. First person to get both titles is Champion and yes, you can use the Ladder as a weapon.
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I’ve came around on this match, I used to claim it was one of the most overrated matches in history, I still feel there is a select fanbase who do tend to overrate this match to this day, but it is a classic well deserving of praise so there is no problems there.
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So it’s safe to say I both enjoy and appreciate this one a lot more now then I did in the last decade, it was only the first few years and these days when I can truely enjoy it. As foon as Jericho-Benoit happened at the 01 Rumble I thought it was better then this one in every way, and I still believe that.
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However this one isn’t far off and neither is there Summerslam 95 match a year later for that matter, but this is the here and now. This is the match that Dave Meltzer gave five stars right away and many Wrestling historian’s praise just like Savage-Steamboat.
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Here we go, it’s Michaels, it’s Ramon, it’s the Wrestlemania X Ladder Match for the IC Title!
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This is the match where Vince McMahon uses his “UnnnnnBEEEEELieeeevaaaableeeeeee” line about a hundred times.
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Shawn Michaels ties up with Ramon and hooked the leg but Ramon kicked him off, off the ropes Shawn couldn’t hit a hiplock and he hit a thumb to the eye of Razor and then did a flip back but Razor didn’t let this offense from Shawn phase him and he hit a Rock Bottom of sorts to Shawn Michaels and the place popped. Back up immediately (a very fast moving match) Michaels ran off the side ropes and ducked two clotheslines before hitting a swinging neckbreaker in his favor! Shawn not with an offensive move after Ramon got one. HBK then went to slam Razor’s head to the top but Razor did it to him before a shoulder block. Razor charged right back for Shawn but he elevated him over the top rope to the outside. Razor caught a big clothesline from Diesel a few minutes into the match and this wasn’t fair obvioussly.
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Earl Hebner had to do something so he decided to throw out Nash. Kevin Nash aka Big Daddy Cool the bodygaurd of the Showstopper was thrown out of the Garden and the big man was mad. It`s down to Shawn and Ramon, one on one now after Diesel hit a clothesline on Ramon.
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Shawn Michaels should seemingly be in control but this distraction bought Hall time and Razor hit a right hand. A big right in the corner, Ramon irishwhipped Michaels to the corner and he flipped upside down before going back to the center of the ring and Razor Ramon hit a clothesline to the outside on Michaels. Razor with a hard shot and then moved the mat by the ring. The concrete exposed and Michaels hit some kicks to Ramon out of desperation before throwing him back in the ring. Both men exchanged right hands.
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Razor Ramon had Shawn Michaels set up for the Razor`s Edge but Michaels countered and intelligently backdropped Razor Ramon over the top rope, not only countering Razor`s finisher but backdropping him over the top rope on the exposed concrete back first in the process!
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Awesome stuff.
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Shawn Michaels had boughten himself more time. Michaels then headed to the Ladder set up in the entrance way now with Hall down. Michaels scooped up the red Ladder and then brought it towards ringside. Ramon went back in meanwhile while Michaels dragged the Ladder near the ring. Razor Ramon got up and hit Shawn with an uppercut. Adrenaline pumping for Razor for him to withstand the backdrop onto concrete and get up and maintain an offense. Razor had the ladder but Shawn all of the sudden hit a baseball slide to Razor into the Ladder!
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Shawn used the Ladder as a weapon against The Bad Guy!
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Michaels repeatedly hit the mid-section intelligently of Ramon taking out the air of the Bad Guy which would of course then make it difficult for him to climb the Ladder, good psychology by Shawn. Shawn had worked over Ramon with that back shot on concrete, the baseball slide into his face, and multiple Ladder shots to the mid section and then he scooped up the Ladder and slammed it on Ramon`s back. Razor gasped for air over the top rope and Shawn threw the Ladder at Razor Ramon and it hit his back!
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Shawn tried to open the Ladder as he had Razor where he wanted him.
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HBK set up the Ladder mid-ring. Michaels climbed the Ladder and Ramon caught the ankle of Michaels. He also caught Shawn`s tights exposing his ass for the 43rd time in a Wrestling Match. Don`t worry, I don`t count that was just an estimate.
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Shawn kicked him off and bare assed he dropped an elbow to Ramon from the top of the Ladder. McMahon says he made a YOU KNOW WHAT of himself.
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Shawn Michaels moved towards Ramon and slammed him back first on the bad back straight on the canvas!
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Michaels flew off the Ladder onto Razor Ramon with a SPLASH! Again, this is one of those highlights areial moves shown in a ton of videopackages just like Muraco off the Cage, or Savage in the air at Wrestlemania 3. All three were IC title matches.
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Shawn climbed the Ladder again and this time the powerful but hurt Ramon got to his feet and shook the Ladder and Shawn Michaels bounced off hitting his throat on the top rope and he went flying.
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McMahon oversold what was going on in the match but it was perfectly executed, especially for its time. Michaels irishwhipped Razor to the ropes, he ducked, then off the second rope a double collision. Both men down, as is the Ladder and hanging above the match is the Ladder. Another nice visual image, good shot of them all laying down in a war.
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Shawn Michaels got up and placed the Ladder into the corner vertical. Michaels wanted to use the Ladder as an offensive weapon but Hall reversed the irishwhip and sent HBK into the Ladder in the corner and he went flying to the outside and over. Shawn Michaels then got rammed with the ladder horizontal by Hall twice. Shawn Michaels went sailing into the ring post after another hard Ladder shot by Razor.
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Razor down and catapolted Shawn Michaels into the Ladder and he hit it, held on and fell back. Ramon threw Shawn Michaels back in the ring and grabbed the Ladder.
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Razor Ramon rammed The ladder right into the jaw of Shawn Michaels and he went sailing over the top rope. Not many can sell a shot like that like Hickenbottom could and he just fell out to the bottom.
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Razor climbed the Ladder and almost got to the top but Shawn Michaels jumped off the top rope and he stopped Scott Hall from climbing to the top as he leaped off and made sure Razor Ramon fell off. Both men tried to climb at the same time now with the Ladder up again, Shawn was a step higher. Razor Ramon suplexed Michaels off the top of the Ladder! The Ladder snapped but Shawn Michaels was down. Razor Ramon set the Ladder up again. Shawn dropkicked the Ladder and sent Razor off of it. HBK set up the Ladder in the middle or went to but he just pushed it over and it fell on Hall. Michaels then irishwhipped Razor and he ducked and then Shawn caught the superkick off the side ropes to Razor`s jaw and Hall appears to be out! Michaels had Hall down and HBK signalled that it was over. Michaels set up Razor for his own Razor`s Edge but he turned it into a Piledriver which would be just as effective you`d think. Michaels pulled up the Ladder that was twisted and bent.
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Michaels, the Heartbreak Kid from the corner dropped down with the Ladder onto Razor in the center of the ring! Great move. Shawn Michaels opened up the Ladder again and put it in position. Ramon was under the Ladder for the second time and Shawn Michaels climbed up. Razor pushed up and got to his feet and Ramon shook the Ladder and bounced off the side ropes and pushed the Ladder! Shawn Michaels fell off! HBK fell off groin first onto the top ropes and then got his foot stuck in the ropes!
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New York City was behind him!
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Razor who had been down and out had all the time now to climb to the top!
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Razor Ramon climbed the Ladder!
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In the end Razor Ramon defeated Shawn Michaels by capturing the IC title at 18:47.
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This match put both men on the map, especially Shawn Michaels.
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One of the greatest matches ever.
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Extremely significant and one of the most famous matches ever in Wrestling History.
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A Wrestlemania Classic and a Golden match for the IC title.
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**** 3/4
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-Disc 3 Matches:
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6) WWE Championship Match Shawn Michaels (c) vs Stone Cold Steve Austin -WrestleMania XIV, 29th March, 1998
Such a great build-up video to this match…
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Boston roars as they show the image of Austin. Tyson. Michaels.
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The buyrate for the event was good, the main-stream media got involved and Vince never looked back when it came to ratings. Oh yeah and merchandise was flying off the shelf whether it was from DX or Austin, but especially anything Austin related.
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It was fairly obvious since Steve Austin had arguably one of the most popular people on the entire planet for at least for a full year that this was going to be his crowning moment, this was going to be his night. After all if you watched the 1998 Royal Rumble you`d know there was only one guy who could of won that thing.
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This was just the process of getting to that time when Austin would officially become Champion. Rumors have it Michaels didn`t want to drop the gold and if he didn`t do just that, one Undertaker would be taping his fists waiting for him. Several WWFers weren`t trusting one another after events like the Screwjob it seems.
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Ross says with a dramatic tone “This…is…it!”
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Tyson is introduced first and he comes out doing some ridiculous looking crotch chops, however Tyson`s influence on the company was huge, he would no doubt make a great Celebrity inductee into the Hall of Fame one day.
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Marvelous Marvin Hagler gets a kick out of Tyson as he smiles and poses for the camera.
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Now Austin with one of his best walks backstage that they show during his 2009 Hall of Fame induction goes for what is the biggest walk to the ring of his life. The glass breaks and out comes Austin to a god like ovation.
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Austin poses on all turnbuckle`s while Tyson just shakes his head knowing that this thing is on. Austin gets in Tyson`s face as the two trashtalk one another, Mike Keota tried to get a word in but neither Austin or Tyson cared. Yeah good luck with that one Keota.
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Now we see DX backstage and Hunter flips off the camera. He`s a cool individual but the Attitude just flowed everywhere during this age, with every wrestler. Michaels comes out with this unique entrance style.
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Triple H’s brother played the DX theme live as Shawn walked to the aisle and the camera cut in and out from there titan-tron video to the live footage of them walking down to the ring.
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Michaels posed with the title in all his glory.
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Shawn Michaels dances to some pyro and Michaels was a legitimately hated man by this point with the whole Screwjob and all, plus he`s Shawn Michaels taking on Steve Austin…in 1998. Anyone would get booed.
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Crazy loud Àustin chants break out.
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The bell rings and the Wrestlemania Main Event for the WWF title is on.
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Austin circles around Shawn.
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Stone Cold Steve Austin had arrived, bad neck and all he knew this was the big one and with Mike Tyson outside the ring, Stone Cold wasn`t going to be intimdated, just like he wasn`t intimidated by the presence of Ken Shamrock in his match the year before with Bret.
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Austin and Michaels eye each other as Ross says this is what the business is all about, it don`t get no bigger then this.
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Austin flips off Michaels who mocks Steve. Shawn Michaels lands jabs to the Rattlesnake as he looks up at Shawn pissed off. Austin then ties up again with Michaels but he landed another jab beating him to the punch. Shawn moves around the ring and slides out, Austin begins the chase but back inside Shawn Michaels ducks a clothesline then Steve connects with a hard forearm shot. Austin slams Shawn Michaels face first into the turnbuckle as Austin is on a roll now and the crowd love it.
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Shawn Michaels like a coward goes to leave the ring and Austin pulls on his tights exposing Shawn`s ass for the 800th time in his career as the ladies scream. Austin backdrops Michaels over the top to the floor, quite the bump for an injured individual as Shawn falls onto DX on the floor.
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HHH and Chyna then get ordered to leave ringside. Michaels is visually upset with this decision. Shawn though drops a double axehandle to Austin out on the floor. Michaels with a hard chop on Steve and then he gets a sip of water. Stone Cold chases Hunter as he`s leaving and he roughs him up a bit until Shawn Michaels charged at Steve and dropped him with a clothesline in the entrance way. Shawn then grabbed ahold of a Drumset and ran it into Austin`s head.
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The Rattlesnake fights back.
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Steve lands right`s but charged into the Dumpster as Shawn Michaels moved out of the way just in time. Shawn Michaels dragged Austin back towards the ring and gave him a hard shot to the head, crowd continue the Austin chant.
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Stone Cold rolled back inside the ring and Shawn Michaels flies off the top and Austin levels him with a forearm shot to the abdomen. Austin irishwhipped Shawn Michaels to the corner and he swings upside down. Austin levels Shawn Michaels off the ropes with an inverted atomic drop and a nearfall. Stone Cold with an overhead wristlock. Stone Cold twists the arm of Michaels as he torks on that wristlock, into an arm-ringer until Shawn rakes his face.
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Shawn Michaels regaining control ducks a forearm shot by Austin but Steve carried him and dropped Michaels over the top rope as he clotheslines back to the mat. Shawn Michaels ducks a clothesline and then gets out of the predicament as Steve wanted a Stunner there. Shawn Michaels pushed off the apron face first crashing into Ross`s announce table. Shawn Michaels slammed face first into the steps by Austin now. Austin drives his elbow right into the throat of Michaels who`s head layed over the apron.
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Austin off the ropes with tremendous intensity drives an elbow into the throat of Michaels once more which scored him another two. Stone Cold goes for the weardown hold on Michaels into a reverse chinlock down on the mat.
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Austin dropped by Michaels who countered with a jawbreaker and Steve falls to the mat. Michaels rolls out of the ring and grabs ahold of Austin`s legs. Steve dragged by the knee brace into the ring post and as Michaels attempted to wrap Steve`s leg around the steel ring post, Austin beat him to the punch and kicked Michaels off towards the barricade. Austin dropping Shawn with rights and now as Austin came running into Michaels he hit Steve with a back bodydrop to the floor over the barricade. A good bump for Austin to take considering his bad neck-spine region as well.
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Both men bumping more then they should as it is afterall, the main event of Wrestlemania.
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Steve Austin crawls back toward Shawn who looked to be in pain as well with his lowerback. Shawn dropped the double axehandle on Steve and goes for more righthands to the Rattlesnake. You can see the pain spilling out of Shawn on his face as he got up. Shawn slammed Austin`s head into the corner of the ring. Fans were chanting Holyfield and Lawler and King couldn`t make it out. Shawn with more shots to the Rattlesnake in the corner before dropping him in mid-ring with a snapmare.
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Shawn Michaels dropped down on Austin as he got the foot up to the abdomen of Michaels who seemed to be in a bit of pain, as Steve re-gained the momentum for a moment.
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Shawn Michaels regained control though as he drops a kick to the groin of Austin and then he proceeds to flips off Boston in the process.
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Austin comes back up and takes down Michaels with a series of hard righthands. Austin flips off Michaels and elevated him over the top rope crashing hard down to the floor. Austin grabbed by Michaels and he swings Steve`s bad knee into the ring post with every ounce of strength the Showstopper had left. Shawn then again took out Austin`s bad left leg with a ringpost shot.
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Crowd back to chanting Austin`s name. Michaels grabbed ahold of the leg of Steve and just slammed it hard into the mat as Austin rolled over in a considerable amount of pain. Austin limping to his vertical base similar to the year previous with Bret Hart, and Michaels the veteran instinct to go back to the bad leg of Austin kicking it out. Michaels now with a single-leg pickup and Austin countered by kicking him shoulder first into the ring post, Austin with a quick inside cradle and a two count. Michaels quickly back up slams the bad leg of Austin into the mat once more. Shawn with more pressure to Steve and his bad knee driving his bodyweight into his leg by the side ropes. Michaels awaiting Austin who was in a bad way limping outside the ring. Michaels hits Steve with a baseball slide and Austin falls into Ross and Lawler inbetween both men.
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Tyson puts his hands on the Rattlesnake sending him back in the ring. Austin talks a bit of trash but Shawn comes with a chop from behind and Shawn continued to take out the bad knee. Shawn Michaels drags Austin to mid-ring and goes for a Figure Four Leglock for additional leverage and its applied. Michaels holds onto the botom rope for even more leverage behind Keota.
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Michaels lifts himself back up with the top rope and Austin had his back to the mat, Keota counts a two.
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Shawn with the Figure Four in the middle of the ring as the pressure keeps adding up on Austin and his bad knee. Somehow the Rattlesnake rolls out and Michaels quickly went to the ropes. Austin in a lot of pain struggled to get up. Michaels meanwhile did the righ thing and kept on him, Austin fought back with right hands. Stone Cold catapolted Shawn to the turnbuckle, he pinned Michaels and got a two. Austin irishwhipped into the ropes as a reverse irishwhip by Shawn and he caught Steve with a standing side headlock.
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Austin started to lose his balance once more but he was backed into the corner knocking out Keota twice and then a third time as Steve backed into Michaels. Austin waiting in the corner sent Shawn face first into the top turnbuckle with some Snake Eyes. Austin then dropped Michaels hard face first into the opposite corner and he bumps like usual. Shawn sent back first, bad back and all into the buckle and Austins tomps a mudhole on him.
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Steve with a back bodydrop to the injured back of Michaels. Austin choked out Michaels on the middle rope, Shawn ducks a clothesline and comes crashing into Austin with a flying forearm. Does Michaels have enough to get up with his bad back, he does as the place continues to boo him.
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Shawn Michaels took a chance up high now.
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Shawn Michaels dropped the elbow into the heart of the Rattlensnake but elects not to go for a cover.
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Shawn Michaels starts to tune up the band in the corner of the ring as Tyson held onto the ropes from the outside on the floor. Austin slowly rises up and Shawn Michaels goes for his superkick, Austin ducks. Austin goes for the Stunner but it is fought off by Michaels who pushed him into the ropes, Austin eventually gets a Stunner as he spins Michaels around and then plants him hard down to the canvas to a major pop.
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Austin gets the win, and the place erupts.
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In the end Steve Austin spun Shawn around after he went to give Steve a Superkick and instead Austin landed the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin got the three on a fast count from Mike Tyson at 20:02.
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The crowd exploded as Ross screamed “Stone Cold, Stone Cold, Stone Cold!”
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Austin posed with the title and Ross screams that the Austin Era had begun. I don’t think he even knew how true those words would be.
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Everyone was satisfied with the event.
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After the match Tyson is bothered by Michaels so he drops him, Ross screams for Tyson!
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Obviously this doesen`t hold up well in comparison to the match at King of the Ring 1997 between the two, but this still was rather excellent all things considered.
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This match’s rating is greatly increased due to the overall health of both individuals performing to make it happen, not to mention the significance of the event and what it would help the WWF do.
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A terrific way to end a tremendous show.
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*** 3/4
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? 7) WWE Tag Team Championship – Triangle Ladder Match The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Edge / Christian –WrestleMania 2000, 2nd April, 2000
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Matches like this only happened because of how successful the No Mercy 99 Ladder match was, proving more that it was an all time classic.
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This one went even further in certain areas which made it excellent as well, and saved a rather lackluster Mania card where there was nothing but heel victories, and tag matches with a thong stinkface match in the middle.
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All this during one of the hottest periods for Wrestling ever, at there biggest show of the year. Go figure.
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Jim Ross set the bar pretty high at the beginning of the match, saying we’d see perhaps more high risk then ever before. Usually when they do things like that, it’ll backfire in the company’s face, but this was a paticular exception.
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This match was voted the “Scariest match of the year” by Wrestling Weekly.
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Jeff Hardy went under all three Ladders set up in the entrace way, obviously not supersticious.
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Matt Hardy and Christian began in the ring while everyone brawled outside the ring, Christian got the better of that exchange. Edge went to work on D-Von Dudley. Action everywhere in this match that it’s hard t concentrate on any two men at once.
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Bubba slammed everyone and then asked who the man was? Christian pulled down Matt Hardy who climbed the ladder. Edge and Christian cornered D-Von Dudley and he began to fight back. Edge set up a Ladder in the corner and Matt threw one to the face of Bubba Ray. Jeff then leaped off Matt driving into the face of Bubba Ray.
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The Ladder was used as a weapon by everybody. Matt slammed D-Von spine first on the ladder, Jeff layed on top of D-Von Dudley to keep him there and Matt flew off the top with an elbow to the sternum of D-Von Dudley on top of the Ladder. Jeff with a front facelock to Bubba into a DDT.
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Jeff Hardy placed Bubba Ray on top of the Ladder and went to the top rope and hit a 450 splash which did not connect with anyone as Bubba moved out of the way. It was disturbing to here his legs crash with the Ladder.
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Bubba Ray then jumped off the top landing back first on the Ladder, more “Holy Shit” chants from the crowd.
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Edge in the corner dropped down with the Ladder driving it through Matt Hardy. D-Von Dudley scoop slammed Edge. D-Von dropped the Ladder on Edge in the corner and D-Von Dudley dropped a leg on top of Edge onto the Ladder. Bubba choked out Matt in the corner while Jim Ross praises the innovation from the match.
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Bubba Ray Dudley then wore the Ladder on his shoulders and took out everyone in the match until Edge dropkicked him. Edge and Chrisitian double irishwhipped D-Von Dudley to the ropes and sent him face first into the Ladder placed in the corner of the ring.
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Edge and Christian climbed the Ladder but D-Von Dudley tried to stop him until Edge threw him out of the ring. Christian from a Ladder in the ring jumped off from the Ladder with a crossbody to the outside on Bubba and Matt.
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Jeff Hardy was on top of the Ladder now but Edge speared him from the top turnbuckle. Nice spot that they’d do better at Wrestlemania X7.
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Matt with a huge powerbomb to Edge. D-Von Dudley scoop slammed Matt from the ladder to the canvas. D-Von Dudley climbed the Ladder but Christian tossed a Ladder at his back. Bubba Ray then set up a Ladder next to a fatigued Christian. Bubba set up yet another, three Ladders with Christian in the middle.
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Bubba from the top grabbed Christian and performed a modified version of the 3D from the top of the Ladder.
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The Hardyz pushed both ladders to the corner.
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Jeff and Matt climbed to the top for some double offense.
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Jeff and Matt both plunge from Ladder’s onto Bubba far down on the mat.
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Some nice tandem offense by the Hardyz until Edge got back in the ring and threw Jeff outside the ring onto the concrete.
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Christian and D-Von Dudley climbed the top of a Ladder in the corner and Edge set one right up beside them, and began to climb it. Edge and Christian then double suplexed D-Von Dudley from the top of the Ladder to the mat. Bubba Ray on the outside got rammed into the steel steps by Matt Hardy.
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More “Holy Sh*t” chants from all the carnage in and out of the ring, in this terrific match.
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Jeff and Matt moved the Ladders and then Edge and Christian began climbing the Ladders, both teams on both sides, both challenging teams. Christian and Jeff got elevated to the mat, then Edge and Matt went off with a side russian legsweep from the top.
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Bubba Ray then tried to position the Ladder to the center of the ring.
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Fans chanted for Tables.
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All three teams began to climb the Ladders.
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Matt Hardy and Christian both got elevated to the outside of the ring and they fell on the concrete over the top rope.
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Wow.
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I got goosebumps as I wrote this out, re-watching that. Bubba then got knocked off and off the ropes pushed both Jeff and D-Von off the Ladders and they landed groin first on the top rope.
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Christian somehow got back in the ring and he met a Ladder sandwhich by the Dudleyz.
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Bubba hit the 3D on Edge as D-Von Dudley set him up. Despite being a heel team, both Dudleyz were extremely over as were there moves. Or when they went for a table which got the pop of the match.
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Bubba set a table by Ross and he asks what he was doing over here, while Bubba hilariously just gives him a stare.
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The Dudleyz then set up a table on top of two Ladders in the middle of the ring.
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Bubba and D-Von then set up a platform but Matt and Jeff stopped them from climbing and the fans booed this. Not just because the Dudeyz were over and would soon turn babyface, but because they wanted to see a table spot.
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Bubba set up another table, as did D-Von Dudley beside the two Ladders with one table still platformed on top.
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Outside the ring Matt hardy got rammed face first into the steel steps by Bubba Ray. Then Bubba set up tables outside the ring. Jim Ross then watched on as Bubba had Matt hardy on top of the Spanish announce table and powerbombed him through a wooden table. Just before that D-Von Dudley went for a diving headbutt from the top of the Ladder through Jeff Hardy on the table but D-Von Dudley ended up crashing head first through the table.
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Jeff then flew as he ran across the barricade but Bubba sent the Ladder right into the face of Jeff in mid-air, wow. Pretty violent, to say the least.
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Bubba Ray then brought a GIANT Ladder near the entrance way. Bubba went under the ring for another table and set it up right next to the Giant Ladder.
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Bubba grabbed Jeff by the hair and he dragged him towards the Ladder. Christian then rung Bubba’s head with a ring bell. Jeff threw Christian into the fence by the barricade, Jim Ross calls him Matt.
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Jeff rips off his shirt, and with Bubba laying on the table, Jeff climbed to the top of the Ladder.
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This was the first time Jeff Hardy did an insanely high bump, and he performed a Swanton Bomb on top of Bubba Ray Dudley off the Ladder through a table. Massive “Holy Shit” chants.
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Back in the ring now, Christian and Matt climbed both opposite ends of the Ladder. Matt and Christian climbed on the table. Edge crawled up from behind Matt and as he stood up Edge flipped Matt over off the table through another table on the canvas.
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Ross screams: “Edge and Christian! Edge and Christian! Edge and Christian!” as they both grab the straps standing on top of the platform.
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So in the end Edge and Christian were the ones to gain the titles from the rafters at 22:29 winning the Triangle ladder match for the WWF Tag Team Championship.
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This one was ultimately a pretty incredible achievment. They just kept pushing it to the limit and was a bright spot on Wrestlemania.
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Every team after this match was at the very least, respected.
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****
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8 ) Street Fight Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon –WrestleMania X-Seven, 1st April, 2001
This feud was made more personal then it already was (due to the whole Trish storyline, and the treatment of Shane’s Mother Linda, by Vince) by adding the whole WCW storyline into this.
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This was now even MORE personal, an all-out war at Mania between the two. Shane “bought” WCW 6 days before this event and Vinnie Mac was obviously irate.
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So many memorable spots in this special ride of a match.
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Vince McMahon was to have Trish wheel Linda down to ringside in her sedated state, when the “time was right.”
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We’ll keep that in mind. Vince also guaranteed something “Shocking” tonight…
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Vince came out with Daddy’s little girl, Shane came out to a good pop as did Foley, Shane said hello to some WCW Wrestler’s in the skybox, among them were the likes of Chavo, Stacy and Lance Storm.
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It’s on!
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Vince McMahon has Shane down in the corner with a few shots, Foley is there behind him.
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Shane impressed us all the previous year with X-Pac, then again with Test at Summerslam 1999.
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Going up against his dad would be a tougher task to carry out a better match. Booking is the key here.
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Shane spears the Vin Man twice and drops blows on top of him. Shane McMahon with his best elbows to the spine on Vince. Stephanie comes in for a word with Shane and instead slaps him.
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The crowd is beyond loud for this which helps things.
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Shane now in the entrance way drops Vince with a pan. Shane choked out Vince with an electrical cord. Shane scores with a clothesline to Vince McMahon off a security wall. Shane then grabs a kendo stick and goes to work on his old man, not before hopping around and landing jabs at ringside to his paps. Who else could say they do that for a living? Beat up there dad in front of millions of people.
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Vince turns around and Shane finally lands the final forearm shot that drops him.
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You know what takes place now, Foley knows this situation/environment all to well as Shane removes tv monitior’s. Shane drives a tv set into the head of Vince.
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Now Shane goes to the sky and flies for an elbow drop as Vince moves thanks to Steph. Shane McMahon has crashed and burned in a major way! Wow.
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Great bump and now this gives time for Trish to bring down the sedated Linda McMahon in a Wheel Chair.
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Now, all action would break loose and not stop till the nights end.
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Here we go, this match had already been a run ride and now we get BOOKING MANIA, with a red hot crowd!
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Stratus who had a thing with Vince ends it here and now!
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Trish slaps Vince! Stephanie McMahon doesen’t take to this and now Stephanie takes down Trish with a slap. Trish fights back.
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It’s Wrestlemania baby.
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In the ring Trish pulls Steph back inside and gives her shots, Steph rolls over Trish and vice versa.
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Foley grabs Steph and then Foley gets slapped as everybody think that was a bit much. Foley chases Steph around the ring and up the ramp as Trish and Steph run as well!
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What action everywhere.
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Vince looks at Linda in the chair and lips the word “BI*CH.” Gold.
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Vince goes after Linda and Thankfully Mick Foley comes back in time before Vince could do something to his wife. Vince McMahon drops Foley with a chair twice after he was trying to get Linda out of harms way. Vince McMahon now wheels her in the ring to see what he was about to do first hand.
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Sounds logical, well it would end up delivering one of the loudest roars of any era so I’m all for it.
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Vince beat on Shane with Linda in the ring, saying she should watch their son get some more. Vince drops a can on Shane. Vince tells Linda to “Watch this!” which is a signal for her to get up.
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All of the sudden Linda McMahon who had been sedated for weeks stood up and that stand made everyone in the dome lose there mind.
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That collective pop ranks up there as one of the highest in the history of any Wrestling Event. Linda knows just what to do as Vince widens his legs so Linda can kick him square in the grapefruits and the place loves it.
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A tremendous Wrestlemania moment!
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Foley to keep going lands rights to McMahon and then Socko into the corner, everyone has there revenge and the audience love it. Pop after pop.
Foley drives a running knee into the head of Vince in the corner. One of his signature moves.
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Awesome material.
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Shane sets up a Trashcan in front of Vince and goes to the opposite side of the ring, surely he can’t do this!? He had never done it before until now so this move made everything else come together better even more! Shane McMahon with originality and that factor made it more special. Linda’s face says it all.
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Just awesome as an aerial Shane O Mac flies all the way across the ring dropkicking the can into his father, Linda looks on worried while Houston loved it.
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In the end at 14:12 Shane-O-Mac won the match after Foley counts the fall.
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This match was MILES better then anyone thought it’d be due to the booking, and hot crowd. Every spot was appropriately placed and this was just amazing to see a father and son of the WWF go at it at Mania, in such a unique environment.
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Trish’s face turn, Stephanie’s involvment with Shane, Linda rising to her feet to one of the biggest pops in Wrestling history to get revenge on Vince, along with Shane’s insane coast to coast spot, among other brutality made this match GREAT.
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The greatest match Vince probably ever had.
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*** 1/4
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9) The Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan –WrestleMania X-8, 17th March, 2002
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This arguably could of been the Main Event because matches like this don’t come around often, if ever.
Everyone had bought the ticket to this show, for this match.
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It is the one everyone was emotionally invested in.
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The Hulkster and The Great one went toe to toe, the staredown was amazing as was the crowd’s participation here, which was essentially what made the whole match.
We’ve all heard the phrase “If it wasn’t for the fans, this wouldn’t be possible.” Well that was certainly the case here.
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Hogan chants flooded side to side while Rocky looked side to side. A tie up to begin and Hogan wins the first test of power.
The crowd ate it up chanting his name.
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Hogan showed off for the fans, Rock said OKAY LETS GO, into a standing side headlock by the Hulkster.
?
Rock shoved Hogan off but he landed a shoulder breaker and then flexed some more and Toronto could not help but love this.
Rocky Sucks was even chanted.
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Rock looked on a little shocked at the reaction from the crowd, perhaps…
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Hogan started to drop Rock with a big right, then another against the ropes. Hogan lands a clothesline on Rock in the middle of the ring. Hogan misses a clothesline and Rock strikes first to a chorus of boos.
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Rock challenged Hogan to get back up.
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Rock kept trying to ground Hogan, but he battled through it and Toronto loved it. Rock was in shock.
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Rock said just bring it and Hogan pushed back. Hogan went for a right but Rock blocked and delivered a few to the Hulkster taking him over the top rope to the floor. Hogan went for a walk. The Rock chases him down and throws him back inside the ring. The Rock off the ropes kicks up at Hogan with a kick and now he stalked behind him waiting.
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Hogan elbowed out of it. Hogan dropped an elbow on the head of the Rock. Hogan then raked the face of Rock with his boot and everyone still cheered the dirty tactics from Hogan, still chanting his name. Hogan had Rock in the buckle but Rock fought back only to boos, Hogan gets back in control to a great cheer as he slaps on the Abdominal Stretch.
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Ross and Lawler argue over who and why the crowd are cheering.
Hogan into a cradle gets a two count. Hulk Hogan rakes the back of Rock, not once but to his WCW roots, twice. Hogan lands a hard shot and then another chop to Rock. Rock chopped Hogan in the corner and caught Hulk with a reverse elbow shot. Hulk Hogan in mid-ring caught Rock and dropped him with a one handed chokeslam! Great pop.
Hulk Hogan choking Rock on the mat, Hogan takes off his belt and begins to choke him with that as well. Hulk Hogan sends Rock over the top rope to the floor to a thunderous ovation. Hogan picked up Rock and dropped him amdobminal first on the security railing. Hogan took off a tv monitor and clotheslines Rock.
A fight breaks back into the ring and Rocky runs into the official. The Rock dropped Hulk Hogan with a Spinebuster Slam.
Toronto was not too fond of that move. Rock goes for a Sharpshooter in Canada so it gets booed twice as much. What is Rocky thinking.
Hogan breaks the hold. Hogan taps but no official to declare it a match. Clear ROCKY SUCKS chants diected at Rock and then Hogan hit a lowblow. Hogan hits the Rock Bottom on the Rock!
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WOW. Rock kicks out, Hogan takes off the belt again and whipped at the spine region of The Rock. Rock kicks Hogan and scores with a ddt blocking a shot. Rock spots the belt Hogan had been using on him and now Rock uses it back on Hogan.
Rock waited for Hogan to turn around and then the Rock Bottom and Hogan kicked out.
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Hulk started to Hulk Up and the crowd went beyond insane scoring with a few shots. Hogan lands the legdrop, Rock kicked out and they were in shock.
Hogan looked for a legdrop a second time, instead a Rock Bottom again. The Rock now up with Hogan in hand goes for it a thrird time. Now Rock to finish things up goes for the peoples elbow and gets it.
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In the end at 16:23 The Rock pinned Hulk Hogan after an Elbow following three Rock Bottoms.
The aftermath with the nWo was good but it was the match that was for the ages.
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This match is the definition of Sports Entertainment.
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The Rock was one of the most popular stars in the entire world.
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However this was Hulk Hogan in his world Wrestlemania, ONE MORE TIME, and in Canada to boot. This was the house of Hogan and he and Rock tore down the roof off of Skydome with the help of Toronto.
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Everything together it is a modern day Masterpiece.
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****
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10) WWE Championship Match Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar –WrestleMania XIX, 30th March, 2003
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The 2003 Royal Rumble winner was a Babyface Brock Lesnar who was now on a roll. Angle had neck problems coming in and a sign read THANK YOU KURT which was nice to see at ringside.
The winner therefore would be rather obvious, but still a amateur showdown is a treat to any Wrestling Purist wanting to see these two mat wrestlers take it to the edge at the Main Event of Wrestlemania.
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Angle comes out in all his glory as the defending WWE Champion.
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Brock comes out the challenger.
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It was just a little hard to top main event after main event after main event, but these guys did a hell of a job wrestling and telling a story.
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It is always unique when Brock and Angle get it on. Angle is a three time Champion coming in and Michael Cole has clearly lost his voice.
The bell rings and we are underway.
Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar both had a tremendous mat-game and chain wrestling was both men`s fortay.
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They could work a powerful match, and a smart one.
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This is what Wrestling is all about, of course the crowd could have helped how this match came off but with all they had seen it was understandable.
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The WWE title is lifted high, small Lets go Angle chants break out and that seems normal.
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A tie-up sends Brock in, a quick charge sends Angle in, both men trying to gain leverage. Both men walk around one another, Angle goes into a hammerlock and then a front facelock, some chain wrestling trying to ground Brock Lesnar but he performs a switch into an armbar.
Brock to his vertical base gets hit by a fireman`s carry from Angle into an armbar. An armringer by Angle but a side headlock takedown by Brock. Angle with a legscissors on Brock gets out of it.
Both guys to their feet look eye to eye and the crowd applaud the beginning chain-wrestling sequence that was lovely.
I love when tremendous chain-wrestling is appreciated.
Here we go now, Round 2.
This time Kurt Angle Brock with a waist-lock go-behind, a standing switch by Angle into one, a leg scissors by Lesnar, then a side headlock takeover by Angle in desperation. Angle using his entire body to ground Lesnar but he slowly rises up. Off the ropes comes Angle but he ran into a powerful shoulder block by Brock Lesnar who was making his Wrestlemania debut believe it or not.
Brock hops around but sold the lower back a bit. Angle tries a single leg takedown, trips the other, Brock sneaks up behind Angle with a takeover. Brock elbowed to the face but Lesnar was able to hit an armdrag on Kurt. An overhead armbar into the corner Angle lands cheap shots to abdomen of Brock. Angle reverse irishwhipped and catches an elbow by Brock who then proceeds to spear Angle in the corner. Brock sends Angle to the corer and he lifts the goot, Anglek just got his shoulder up.
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Brock in the meantime in control, until Angle hits a standing switch into a German Suplex. Angle hops around Wooing until Lesnar kicks up and drops him with a clothesline. Brock Lesnar sends Angle to the ropes and he ducks and goes for a walk.
Angle was smart as Brock Lesnar came back in and Angle dropped boots to Brock. Angle started to focus on the lower back of Brock. Brock was able to lift Angle up and drop him with a hard landing to the canvas. Angle sent hard into the corner but he lifts the boots catching Brock.
This time in the opposite corner a bigger spot goes down. Kurt Angle goes for a German Suplex and Lesnar landed high and tight into the turnbuckle, in his rib-region. Lesnar let out a grunt.
Angle with nice psychology following up on the injured ribs, Angle drives Lesnar in the mid-section into the barricade, hangs Lesnar on the apron and drives a forearm. In the ring Angle drops Lesnar with a vertical suplex. Angle was smart, he had a gameplan here and now drops an uppercut to Lesnar to thr right. Another suplex by Angle and a kickout by Brock.
More pressure to the lower back, Angle locks on freestyle leglock that emphasizes the lowerback and half the body, into a modified body scissors choking him out all at the same time. Angle grounding Lesnar in a major way on the mat.
Seattle tried to get the next big thing back in the match but Angle had the leglock slapped on perfectly. Kurt Angle with a switch into a rear choke and now Angle drives his knees into the injured ribcage. Brock may tap, his arm is up but he says no. This hold has taken a lot out of him. Lesnar turns over with everything he had. Lesnar drives Angle into the post backwards to break the hold. Brock selling the ribs starts to tomp on Angle trying to build momentum.
Angle resourcefully pushed Brock into corner and he selled the ribs some more, Angle lands a high suplex and then a back of the knee twice to Brocks lower and injured back taking him to the floor.
Angle expertly disecting this portion of Brock.
Back in out of desperation Brock Lesnar lands a hard spinebuster on Angle buying himself a moment to breathe.
Both men down now as the official counts. Brock found a small way to get back in the match just when he had to after all the hard work by Angle targetting the lower back.
Both men up and Angle grounds Brock Lesnar but he lands high knees. Angle rakes the eyes but it does not stop a high crossbody off the ropes by Brock Lesnar. A shove to the face sending Angle to the corner. Brock spears Angle over and over. Brock Lesnar sends Angle to the corner and Angle lifts a elbow up, Angle then goes for Lesnar but he hit a belly to belly.
Brock Lesnar with another overhead belly to belly suplex on Angle and it got him a two.
Terrific back and forth Wrestling now!
Angle with standing switch into a German after the waistlock, Angle hits Two Germans and with the fingers locked, Angle hit a third German Suplex to Brock Lesnar.
Unbelievable with a bad neck, Angle hit four German Suplexes to a man as big as Lesnar.
Unreal.
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Angle wants Brock up and he goes for the Olympic Slam, Lesnar countered it into an F5 attempt, but Angle lands showing nice agility, beautiful technique into an Ankle Lock. Counter after counter after counter.
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Angle has Brock Lesnar in the Ankle Lock he reached the ropes until he was dragged to the middle of the ring, Angle switched over to a half-crab that followed up the injured ribs of Lesnar. Smart sound strategy by Angle here the Champion. Kurt Angle is forced to let go of the halfcrab as Brock Lesnar reached the ropes. Angle powering relentlesslty on the injured back of Brock Lesnar. A high knee. Another charge and Brock elevated Kurt up over the ropes to the floor. Lesnar buys himself some time making his way to his feet, the legs and lowerback had the damage done and now it was go time for Lesnar.
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Brock Lesnar moves as Angle charged into nothing in the corner, spears into Angle. Another go-behind waistlock by Angle and from the corner Kurt Angle hits an arm-ringer into a release back to belly overhead suplex.
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WOW.
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Angle still could not put away Brock Lesnar after that AMAZING belly to back, overhead suplex to a giant like Brock Lesnar. You have to give credit to Angle. Kurt drops Brock Lesnar with the Angle Slam but he still managed to kick out yet again! Unreal.
Angle drops the straps not sure what to do. Angle stalks Lesnar from the mat and now decides to go for another Angle Slam, Lesnar with an inside cradle but a two catching Angle by surprise.
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Lesnar drops Angle with an F5! Everybody pops. Angle kicks out. Angle finds Brock in an Ankle Lock yet again, Brock in the middle of the ring in a bad way. Angle wraps the entire two legs around his mid-section in a grapevine. Lesnar makes it to the ropes and Angle breaks the hold. Lesnar kicks Angle off of him someway. Both men are spent.
Brock with a bad injured lower-half, Angle with an injured neck. Lesnar with a quick, Angle with a quick inside cradle into a two. Lesnar another F5! Angle goes down and Lesnar hit the F5 for a second time to the Champion Kurt Angle!
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Brock does not know what to do now as if two F5s might have done the trick. So he goes to the corner of the ring and begins to climb.
Very unlike Brock to do something like this.
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The fans were standing by now.
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Brock missed the Shooting Star Press Attempt!
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Tazz appropriately screams “OH MY GOD!“.
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Angle kicks out of the initial pin from Lesnar who did not hit the Shooting Star Press.
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After a moment of not knowing what to do, and just making sure he could move, they then improvised what would happen next.
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Lesnar hits the F-5 Again somehow for a third time blocking a kick from Angle.
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In the end at 21:04 Brock Lesnar became the NEW WWE Champion after putting Kurt Angle away with three F5`s.
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Brock was still able to stand, due to his freakish physique.
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This match is apart of the tremendous 2003 trilogy these two put on together, not the best of the three but still amazing. There matches were always something special, this is no exception, it`s even a Classic Wrestling Match with solid psychology, the only thing we could of had better was the environment, but again, completely understandable as the audience had just endured an emotional rollercoaster of a night.
Amazing end, to an amazing show that was WM X9.
Bret Hart calls this his favourite matcth excluding him.
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**** 1/2
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11) WWE Championship Match John Cena vs. Triple H –WrestleMania 22, 2nd April, 2006
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The entrance’s to this match were pretty spectacular and helped build that “Main Event” feel that Mania should always have in this slot of the show. Something that it seemed to lack the year before at Wrestlemania 21 with those Main Events.
It’s worth pointing out by this time John Cena was a hated man.
Triple H would get most of the crowd in Chicago on his side. Chicago has always been like this, they even cheered Flair over Steamboat at Spring Stampede 94, or Austin over Bret at WM 13 although that transition was arguably coming for Austin anyway. Still the point remains Chicago went for the Bad guy.
It didn’t help matters that Cena wasn’t getting warm receptions from most crowd’s let alone this one.
Cena came out in grand style, as the WWE Champion. Interesting to note that one of Cena’s guys with a hat riding to the ring is none other then CM Punk.
John Cena needed credibility, and a win over The Game in the main event of Wrestlemania would be just that for Cena.
The bell rings, the atmosphere is great in the Windy City and the two stand toe to toe about to get it on.
Triple H had the fans in the palm of his hand yelling “Yeaaaah” whenever he hit an offensive move, and the crowd would then “Booo” as a result whenever Cena hit an offensive move.
The crowd told Cena he couldn’t wrestle but John shrugged it off. HHH with a side headlock into a hammerlock, Cena reverses the hammerlock into a droptoe hold then a front facelock and a little slap.
Hunter teaching Cena a little lesson in Chain Wrestling and Chicago loved it.
Hunter with a wristlock into an arm-brar, Helmsley into a hammerlock and as Ross said he continued to school the Champion.
By this pont Triple H was just embarassing the Champion John Cena and I’m not sure how smart that was from a booking standpoint. Cena shakes off a brutual chant and they tie up yet again Cena gets cornered. Hunter irishwhipped into the corner but lands an elbow from the corner, Cena went for the FU but the Game landed on his feet and he scored with a big righthand.
Triple H went for a walk and the fans chanted his name. Hunter stared down Cena once more and both men tie-up again, Hunter drives his knee into the ribcage of John Cena and then he elevated Cena over the ropes to the floor. Cena fights back with righthands to a chorus of boo’s as he got back in the ring. Cena sent Hunter crashing into the corner then he landed a backdrop to Triple H.
Cena sends Hunter to both corners and hits a Fisherman Suplex to Helmsley and a close call. Cena grips the neck in a reverse chinlock. Right after Ross claims Cena can wrestle, the crowd tell him he can’t.
Cena maintains the headlock until Triple H fights out of it in the corner. Cena blocks some shots from the game and lands strikes of his own, John Cena irishwhipped Triple H with great impact over the ropes and into the barricade. Cena on the outside brawled with the Game who hit a thumb to Cena’s eye buying the game a moment.
Near the entrance way Cena backdropped HHH on his kidneys on the steel ramp. Cena tossed Hunter back in the ring and almost got a nearfall. It would be logical to now work the lowerback of Triple H, instead Cena elects to go for rights, and off the ropes this time Hunter hits a high knee.
Chicago pops when Helmsley hits the high knee, and relentless in his attack was Triple H with right hands after right hands. Helmsley then irishwhipped the Champ shoulder first into the steel steps.
Cena is bleeding from the mouth it seems while Triple H awaits him from inside the ring, The Game is playing to the crowd as he is sure he is the better wrestler, that is the story, he feels he is going to be Champion. Hunter unloaded with more shots outside the ring, tossed John Cena inside and scored a nearfall.
Hunter with a snapshot vertical suplex to John Cena.
Hunter with a knee drop to the forehead of Cena and another nearfall.
Half the crowd chant “Lets go Cena” the other half chant “Cena Sucks”. Cena fights back with lower abdomen shots to Triple H, but off the ropes Hunter scores with a facebuster on John Cena. John Cena then hit with a clothesline from Triple H hitting high impact moves on the Champ.
Ross calls it a Slobberknocker of a clothesline.
The Game hits a picture perfect neckbreaker to Cena and got a two. John Cena kicked from the corner at Triple H and he fought back with an extra shot at Triple H. A swinging neckbreaker by The Game working on Cena’s neck again. A nearfall, Hunter then gets Cena in a vulnerable position in a neck vice.
Hunter working over the neck in the neck vice, Cena fought out but the Game catches him once more in the Sleeperhold in mid-ring. Cena tried desperately to get out but Triple H was so good at disecting a body-part, with a methodical approach. Cena eventually backed HHH to the corner, and off the ropes John Cena bought himself a bit of time as he landed a hard clothesline to Triple H.
Both men down now.
The referee Mike Keota counted with both men down, crowd chanted for Triple H and he is up first. Hunter lands a right, and here comes the “boo”, “yeah” exchange in mid-ring.
Hunter off the ropes lands another hard forearm shot does Cena. Cena keeps levelling Hunter and then nails him with a hard bodyslam. Fans boo Cena as he ignored them hitting a modified powerbomb.
Now Cena stands in front of Triple H and goes for the five knuckle shuffle, instead Hunter countered by getting up and hit a Double A Spinebuster.
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Somehow Cena kicks out, but the pop for H’s spinebuster was huge.
Shoulder block by John Cena, high impact twice levelling Hunter. Hunter gets a side headlock on Cena and he hits a side suplex.
John Cena now with the five knuckle shuffle. Cena pumps up and ducks a clothesline from Triple H and gets him in an STFU. Will the Game submit.
Hunter eventually gets to the ropes and the crowd are relieved.
This seems like a war by now.
John Cena stalks Triple H as he slowly gets up, Cena goes for the FU but Hunter drops to his feet and slams Cena into the official in the corner then hitting him with a lowblow. Keota both went down as well.
Hunter then looked at Cena down on the mat and mocked him with his “you can’t see me” taunt and did the DX crotch chop which got a huge roar.
Hunter goes under the ring and grabs his trusty Sledgehammer. Cena kicks at HHH blocking a possible hammer shot, but off the ropes Triple H drove the head of the Hammer directly into Cena.
HHH covered Cena but the official Mike Keota didn’t count to three because HHH took a long time covering Cena.
Cena was Superman kicking out twice after a sledgehammer shot to the head. HHH went for the Pedigree and Cena hit a backbody drop. John Cena hit the FU. John Cena went for the three but now Triple H kicked out.
The crowd loves this Climax. John Cena couldn’t believe Triple H kicked out of his FU. So now Cena was lost but he improvised and went up to the top missing with a crossbody. Hunter then goes for the Pedigree.
Cena out-wrestles the Game surprisingly by countering the Pedigree into a drop toehold, into the STFU!
John Cena had it held for a long time and Triple H still fought through it. Cena kept it locked on and out of no where Triple H tapped. The zoom in on one of the fan’s faces was priceless after Cena made Hunter tap.
This was a surprise at the time to put over John Cena as the Champion still winning via submission.
So in the end at 22:02, Cena made Triple H submit to the STFU and he retained his title.
Some cheered Cena’s victory, others…well didn’t.
I hold this match a little higher then the re-match they’d have in 2008 at Night of Champions but both are given the same grade. After all, they accomplished what they meant to in the main event of Wrestlemania.
This match was one hell of a performance by both. Some of the audience could perhaps speculate that it was themselves who made it as great as it came off, (the match) but the truth is, everyone was responsible to how it went down overall.
This was a fantastic way to end the show and DVD as a whole.
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****
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—————————————————————-
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Final Rating for “The True Story of Wrestlemania” = 8/10
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This rating of 8/10 is very well deserved. A very good documentary, sure at times it got a little redundant with how Wrestlemania is the Superbowl of Sports-Entertainment and how there is something special in the air, we have heard that all a million times, and through two hours of the Documentary it repeats itself, and I would of liked some more behind the scenes footage. We saw a lot from Wrestlemana 9, I would of liked that for some of the other Manias and they seemed to have skipped past Manias 15-18 rather quick. Not really going over the Mega Powers exploding or the Savage-Liz re-uniting was kind of annoying. Also Owen and his big win should of been covered a tad more. Still, they got their point across and its a Documentary I will probably watch every year before Mania time so it was definitely stellar as they covered most of the important aspects. The matches they chose were a big questionable. We have all seen so many of these a number of times, and I was shocked to see Austin-Rock WM X7 and Austin-Hart WM 13 not make the list. However I am very happy to see Savage-Warrior WM 7 did make it. A true gem there. Anyways this is a DVD to pick up.
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Whats the name of the at 00:13:40 on DVD 1/3 of THE TRUE STORY OF WRESTLMANIA? Its a short clip of the song, I tried searching google with the lyric, but could not find a song title or Artist. Here is the lyric of the song: “…everyones a shooting star. Dosent matter who you are. Everyones a superstar. And If you wanna be one you are… You are”. Artist and Song name please!? Thank you!!!! :)) HAPPY NEW YEAR! GREAT DVD! WORTH WATCHING WITH THUMB ON THE REWIND BUTTON! -RAGE
a very good DVD, I just wish it was longer. I liked the WrestleMania 9 exclusive footage. It would’ve been cool to have footage like that for every Mania, but the DVD was good nonetheless.
THINK ABOUT IT!!! Matches with blood in will not have made this DVD. So no Austin/Rock (WM17), Hogan/Slaughter, Austin/Hart and other matches with blood.
Great review doc left me disapionted not alot of backstage storys and i thought they would show vince trying out what hbk did at mania 12 match could been better selected
The fact that they have any matches on this DVD is pointless. If you are a WWE fan and a WWEDVD fan, you have the anthology plus all the other WM DVD’s since. Not to mention every DVD of a superstar they make they put Wrestlemania matches. I mean as great as some matches are (ex. Hogan-Rock) it’s on about 6 DVD’s. I would rather see them put matches from house shows on DVD’s, then the same matches over and over again. Or in the case of the WM DVD they should put the matches with alternate commentary.
Its as simple as each release should feature the best and biggest matches of whatever it is showcasing. In that respect repeats from other releases are irrelevant.
Sure. The Edge DVD, Wreslemania 2000 DVD, The Ladder Match DVD (I believe as well) and this one all has that match. Yeah, they could of added one more match for Taker to fit. But what do you take off…I mean from a wrestling stand-point you would say some of the Hogan matches, but every match on the set was pretty critical for Wrestlemania including Michaels vs Austin which is not the greatest match. I definitely see your point though Rob.
But the triangle ladder match hasn’t been released a ton of times? I mean.. it’s not Wrestlemania without the Undertaker. That’s all I was trying to get at.
Plus they released several Undertaker DVDs recently (15-0) and Deadliest matches, those along with Tombstone and My Yard is four for him with repeated Mania matches.
@ Rob What would be the point of releasing the Rock vs Austin match on this set when there is going to be a set dedicated to their fued which will be released in a few months?
Match selection could have been better. That’s my only complaint. Why have Shane vs Vince from WM 17 instead of Austin vs Rock? And how are they going to have a wrestlemania DVD and not have a single match featuring the Undertaker? It still gets two thumbs up from me.
That was still bs what they did to Shawn by draping the Austin 3:16 shirt over him and DX should’ve never been banned from ringside in the first place.
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Whats the name of the at 00:13:40 on DVD 1/3 of THE TRUE STORY OF WRESTLMANIA? Its a short clip of the song, I tried searching google with the lyric, but could not find a song title or Artist. Here is the lyric of the song: “…everyones a shooting star. Dosent matter who you are. Everyones a superstar. And If you wanna be one you are… You are”. Artist and Song name please!? Thank you!!!! :)) HAPPY NEW YEAR! GREAT DVD! WORTH WATCHING WITH THUMB ON THE REWIND BUTTON! -RAGE
a very good DVD, I just wish it was longer. I liked the WrestleMania 9 exclusive footage. It would’ve been cool to have footage like that for every Mania, but the DVD was good nonetheless.
Great review, it’s a cool DVD/blu-ray despite people not liking some of the matches that have been picked
Good point anonymous.
THINK ABOUT IT!!! Matches with blood in will not have made this DVD. So no Austin/Rock (WM17), Hogan/Slaughter, Austin/Hart and other matches with blood.
Great review doc left me disapionted not alot of backstage storys and i thought they would show vince trying out what hbk did at mania 12 match could been better selected
i must get this DVD!
The fact that they have any matches on this DVD is pointless. If you are a WWE fan and a WWEDVD fan, you have the anthology plus all the other WM DVD’s since. Not to mention every DVD of a superstar they make they put Wrestlemania matches. I mean as great as some matches are (ex. Hogan-Rock) it’s on about 6 DVD’s. I would rather see them put matches from house shows on DVD’s, then the same matches over and over again. Or in the case of the WM DVD they should put the matches with alternate commentary.
Its as simple as each release should feature the best and biggest matches of whatever it is showcasing. In that respect repeats from other releases are irrelevant.
Sure. The Edge DVD, Wreslemania 2000 DVD, The Ladder Match DVD (I believe as well) and this one all has that match. Yeah, they could of added one more match for Taker to fit. But what do you take off…I mean from a wrestling stand-point you would say some of the Hogan matches, but every match on the set was pretty critical for Wrestlemania including Michaels vs Austin which is not the greatest match. I definitely see your point though Rob.
But the triangle ladder match hasn’t been released a ton of times? I mean.. it’s not Wrestlemania without the Undertaker. That’s all I was trying to get at.
Plus they released several Undertaker DVDs recently (15-0) and Deadliest matches, those along with Tombstone and My Yard is four for him with repeated Mania matches.
@ Rob What would be the point of releasing the Rock vs Austin match on this set when there is going to be a set dedicated to their fued which will be released in a few months?
Match selection could have been better. That’s my only complaint. Why have Shane vs Vince from WM 17 instead of Austin vs Rock? And how are they going to have a wrestlemania DVD and not have a single match featuring the Undertaker? It still gets two thumbs up from me.
That was still bs what they did to Shawn by draping the Austin 3:16 shirt over him and DX should’ve never been banned from ringside in the first place.