Wrestlemania 21
April 3, 2005
Live from the Staples Center

Tag Team Champion, Rey Misterio, Jr. vs. Tag Team Champion, Eddie Guerrero
This match was very exciting and probably the perfect choice to kick the show off. Both men wrestled a very good match, somewhat escaping the WWE style of wrestling. Guerrero even busted out the surfboard submission hold. Rey hit most of his usual spots, but if anything took away from his performance, it was his mask which wasn't the usual style. Guerrero dominated most of the match with Rey coming back in small spurts. 619 connected on Eddie but no dice for a pinfall. Eddie tried to use another backbreaker before Rey hit the West Coast Pop on Guerrero to pick up the win at 12:39. Post match, Eddie shows frustration before shaking Rey's hand. This would kick off an amazing feud between the two and would prove to be Eddie's final feud of note before passing away. ***1/2
Winner: Rey Misterio, Jr.

- Backstage, HHH and Ric Flair run into JBL and the Cabinet. HHH: "Look, Naitch... it's the wrestling GAAAWD. Whatta joke!" I always laugh at that line and it's delivery. They exchange insults a bit as JBL reminds HHH that he's never lost. HHH says that the better man will prevail at the end of the night with their title intact. HHH and Flair walk away, but not before Flair "WOO's" in Orlando's face.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match - Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Christian w/Tyson Tomko vs. Edge vs. Intercontinental Champion, Shelton Benjamin vs. Kane
Kane's entrance was kick ass for the second year in a row. All the ladders exploded in fire and all the guys attacked him to injure him first. The first spot of note was a series of spots. Jericho dropkicked Edge and Benoit to the floor then dove on to Edge. Christian got to the top rope and hit his Jimmy jump on to everyone else. Then Shelton hit a springboard hilo and FINALLY, Kane got to the top rope and dove on to everone else. Definately bad ass. Another awesome part of the match saw Chris Benoit hit Jericho with a German Suplex and Jericho and the ladder he was holding went flying. Edge and Christian briefly reuinited in this match and hit a conchairto with ladders on Kane. I marked out. Shelton hit the first breathtaking move of the match and hit Edge with a T-Bone Suplex off the top of two ladders. Within moments, he hit another one as he ran up one ladder to clothesline Jericho who was on another. Yet another mark out from me. Benoit hit Kane with a flying headbutt off the top of a ladder. At this point, Benoit had me convinced that he had a broken arm. In the end, Benoit almost had the briefcase when Edge came in and NAILED Benoit in the arm with a chair and Edge grabbed the briefcase to win the match at 15:17! This match was damn near perfect outside of something small like Kane chokeslamming Benjamin into the ropes and botching it. But this match was amazing and Benoit's sell of the arm was the best sell job I have ever seen. ****1/2
Winner: Edge

- Eugene comes out to let everyone know that his favorite WM moment involved midgets and that they are, indeed, awesome. He's interrupted by Muhammad Hassan and Daivari who bitch about why they're not on the Wrestlemania card and how it's because of WWE's prejudice and the like. They beat down on Eugene before Hulk Hogan comes down and cleans house. But because he's a big tub of empty mobility, he can't even do the big boot/leg drop combo. Of course, Eugene doesn't get the rub and pose with Hogan. The egomaniac hogs all the glory for his big, fat, orange self. Hopefully this was his final Wrestlemania moment ever.

Interpromotional Raw vs. Smackdown! Match - Randy Orton vs. The Undertaker
The video package for this match was awesome. However, Undertaker's entrance was not. He levitated to the ring, but you could see the platform he was being pulled on. Surprisingly, both men meshed well in their first encounter together. It wasn't a fast paced match of any kind, but was far from plodding and was quite entertaining. It was a very old school style match. Orton had a couple of nice spots here, including a counter to the Chokeslam by hitting an RKO. The big mark out moment of the match saw Cowboy Bob Orton run in to nail Taker with his signature arm cast, but it wasn't enough to keep him down. I always hated the way Undertaker took the RKO. He leapt so high in the air that it defeated the purpose of the move -- to pull a man's head down into the mat. In the end, Orton went for the Tombstone, but Taker reversed it and hit a picture perfect Tombstone on Randall Keith Orton to win the match and keep his legendary streak intact. This match was one of Taker's better matches and same for young Randy. It warrants a *** rating.
Winner: The Undertaker

- Video package for the upcoming Trish/Christy match. I loved heel Trish. She was Godly. Christy's mic skills, however, are not as Godly.

Women's Championship - Trish Stratus © vs. Christy Hemme w/Lita
For some reason, despite owning the rights, Christy's "Walk Idiot Walk" theme is dubbed over with a crappy production theme. The fans had already picked up on the Matt/Lita/Edge story so there were audible chants of "We Want Matt" during the match. Christy showed a lot of spunk, and even busted out a pretty neat and innovative pin on Trish, but it was no use. She hit a picture perfect reverse Twist of Fate on Trish, but that couldn't put the champ away. Trish got a Chick Kick out of nowhere on Chrusty Christy to win the match and retain the belt at around 4 minutes. Trish carried Christy to a watchable match, but as good as she is, she couldn't work a miracle here. DUD
Winner and Still Women's Champion: Trish Stratus

Interpromotional Raw vs. Smackdown! Dream Match - "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle
The fans in Los Angeles are funny as they chant "You Screwed Bret" to Michaels. Here, we saw the debut of HBK's brand new baggy pants garb. The story of this match was fantastic. Kurt Angle, fully prepared to see Shawn Michaels fly around the ring, was taken to school by Michaels via straight wrestling manuevers for a good 10 minutes. Angle went into desperation mode and tried for the Ankle Lock early, but both men spilled to the floor. Angle hit the Angle Slam into the ringpost. They brawled about for about 5 minutes, Michaels missed an elbow drop and then Angle tried to hit a German Suplex off the ring apron but Michaels got in a low blow.Michaels ditched the wrestling and hit a springboard moonsault-esque manuever on to Angle through the announcers table, but the table didn't break. Michaels hit all of his signature comeback spots and led into the Sweet Chin Music, but Angle countered it with the Ankle Lock. Michaels fought to reverse, but got the Angle Slam. By this point, the fans were about to cum. Angle even busted out the Moonsault aka the most beautiful moonsault EVER. One of the best parts of the match saw Angle, pissed off, yelling at Michaels before he got the SCM out of NOWHERE. In the end, Angle locked on the Ankle Lock and kept it on forever and a day before Michaels couldn't fight anymore and tapped out. Excellent, amazing match. Definately one of the best ever. Despite what people say, this match was damn near perfect. ****3/4
Winner: Kurt Angle

- We're treated to the Basic Instinct commercial parody. This one was my favorite of all the ones they did. Christian was the star here, as he should be. Christian's "I love you" won Best Punchline.

- Piper's Pit is up next with Stone Cold Steve Austin as a special guest. They slap each other, insult each other a bit and do absolutely nothing of note, but it's all funny nonetheless. Piper having fun with the "WHAT" chant was awesome too. They flap gums a bit more before Carlito comes out with a fro 10 times smaller than it is in 2007. Carlito insults them and the Piper spits apple in his face. Carlito then attacks Piper, chaos insues before Austin stuns Carlito and Piper and drinks beer to send the fans home happy... but the show ain't over yet.

- Another parody video, this time the Taxi Driver "You Talkin To Me?" commercial. This one was pretty funny, but I still like the Basic Instinct one better. The appearances of Michael Cole and Bob Holly in this one immediately brings it down a notch.

- The less time spent reviewing the "Sumo Match" between Big Show and Akebono, the better. I'll sum it up. Two 500+ pound men come to the ring in thongs, pace around the ring a little bit and then Big Show loses. Show made this thing SOMEWHAT worthwhile though, looking as though he was having a load of fun. However, the whole thing was crap.

WWE Championship - John Bradshaw Layfield © w/Orlando Jordan vs. John Cena
JBL made such an awesome entrance into Wrestlemania via police motorcade like the President followed by JBL dollar pills falling to the ring. "In JBL We Trust". JBL sent Orlando back to the limo before the match began. This match was very slow, very plodding and flat out awful. It's SUCH a boring match and so hard to watch. It lasts 10 minutes but seems like an Iron Man match. Nothing of note happens in the match before JBL misses a Clothesline From Hell and Cena hits the F-U out of nowhere to win the match and the title. Outside of Cena's title win, this match would be long forgotten, IMO. After going MONTHS on end defeating people like Eddie Guerrero, Undertaker, Booker T and Big Show among others, you think JBL would get a better end to his title reign. I think Cena's chase for the title should have continued until Judgment Day and the I Quit Match, but that's neither here nor there. This match SUCKED. DUD
Winner and New WWE Champion: John Cena

- Gene Okerlund is in the ring, looking as frail and sick as ever, and introduces the Class of 2005 Hall of Fame Inductees: Nikokai Volkoff w/Michelle McCool, Iron Sheik w/Candice Michelle, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff w/Jackie Gayda, Cowboy Bob Orton, Jr. w/Maria Kanellis, "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart w/Joy Giovanni, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper w/Torrie Wilson and Hulk Hogan w/Stacy Keibler.

- Video package for Batista/HHH which is actually quite underrated.

World Heavyweight Championship - Triple H © w/Ric Flair vs. Batista
This is followed up by ANOTHER shitty live performance from Motorhead. Jesus, the lyrics aren't hard motherfucker. Don't sing it at all. Match started off with some random wrestling moves from both men despite this needing to be a flat out brawl. Flair made his presence felt, choking Big Dave. Batista got dominated for the first 10 minutes or so. Quite surprising considering it *is* Batista. The crowd is pretty into the match, but it's gotta be the live atmosphere because this match is crap. I have to admit liking it upon first viewing, but 2 years later, I have to to say, it's not anything. HHH is busted open via catapult into the ringpost. Flair makes a run in and tries to cheapshot with the WHC but gets a spinebuster for his efforts. HHH nails it though. Awesome spot as HHH tried to hit the Pedigree, but Batista muscled out of the move and hit the Celtic Cross. Big Dave hulked up and gave HHH the thumbs down. Batista Bomb to follow and that's all she wrote. The match picked up in the final 10 minutes or so, but overall, the match is still a big heaping helping of meh. It's funny -- each match in their series was better than the previous encounter. **1/2
Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Batista

Batista poses with fireworks and all that good shit to close the show.

Overall, the show was good. It's actually underrated, IMO. Four of the matches were good to great and while the two matches one would by the event for (the main events) were crap, the rest of the show more than made up for it. Angle/Michaels is worth the buy alone, however Eddie/Rey, MITB, Orton/Taker and the segments all make this an above average Mania. However, some of the negatives were strong, so I'll be fair. However, it lacked that special something to place it in the upper echelon of Wrestlemania history.

Rating: 3/5

Totally agree about the Angle / HBK match, and I'm probably the only one on this board, but I love that match.

Its been too long since I watched Angle/HBK to give it a proper rating, but I think I pegged it around **** at the time (ditto for their Vengeance rematch).

This is a show I've been meaning to review for a while. It is actually one of my favorite Wrestlemania's, even though the two main events were disappointing. The matches were significant enough to make up for their lack of quality.

A complete Dud for JBL/Cena? It may not have been a five-star classic, but it wasn't that bad.

Yeah, it was at least * B)

Cena/JBL was quite possibly the most boring match I have EVER seen. It's so stale, and so plodding and unexciting and everytime I've seen it, I have failed to sit through it without stopping and doing something else. It's 10 minutes long but feels like a 10 hour headlock. Terrible, terrible match.

Ya' know what we need? More people to do reviews of stuff that was recently reviewed and posted here, just days prior to YOUR submission!!

So please do WWF UK Rampage and ECW December to Dismember next!!

D2D was a communication mistake, and I have no intension of recrapping UK Rampage '93.

Yeah, but your WM21 recap was posted about a week before this one. Aside from this being all "Cage-ified", it's essentially a repeat.

Why he couldn't simply add his comments to your thread, rather than create a self-promoting second thread..I'll never know.

Oh... that was beyond anyone elses control. My only repeats have been D2D and Backlash 2005, which both happend with Rowe... great minds think alike, perhaps? :D

Jeeeezus you're a little whiny bitch.

People actually add content to this barren fucking wasteland, and then you cry about it? Fuck off.

While I agree that Cage should be commended for contributing, I would barely call this folder a barren wasteland, especially if we're comparing it to TCE, which has nothing outside of Cage, that Andy dude, and myself.

Sorry, I meant DWB in general, not the reviews folder.

k, I won't contribute anymore since it's such a crime to review the same show someone else did... <_<

No, please keep contributing, there aren't any rules against multiple people doing the same show. Hell, there aren't even any rules at all.

For the sake of comparison, there were 108 posts at TCE today.

There have been 89 (well, 90 now) here today.

I know this place isn't the most lively place on the net, but its been consistently a fun place to post for over two years now. It gets quiet here, but that has rarely ever been a problem.

I wasn't comparing anything, but have fun with that bag of worms you just opened.

Cagey, don't get upset, but did you look before you posted your review? I'm not registered at your board, but I have the feeling that this same exact thing is posted over there.

Here's my issue with it. On several boards (not just wrestling, but boards on any topic), I see guys who run around and post the exact same thing on each board. Copy n' paste to board #1, then copy n' paste to board #2... you get the idea. In a sense, it's almost like spam, albeit a very very very low form of it (at least a person's doing it and not an automated script). Honestly, if you had done a copy n' paste job of something that wasn't posted six days prior, I would've been oblivious and had no issue with it. I'd just recommend that you do a little looking before posting, that's all. So don't pout about it, camper.

I'm not being a hyprocrite because I sometimes post reviews on my crappy site, then post 'em here. That's two completely different things and this is the only board I post reviews on.

Calm down, ladies. :D

What can of worms? I wasn't knocking TCE, I was just pointing out that DWB isn't a barren wasteland.

Someone has a bug in the ass today... or last night.

Go Fuck Yourself. This place isn't barren, nor is it a wasteland, outside of Scrooge's posts.

Or always. Jamie is becoming a thorn around here.


For the record, I appreciate multiple reviews of the same show to get see it from more than one viewers bias. I also don't mind someone from our board copying and pasting reviews to multiple sights. I mean, Cage is an active member of the site. I'd understand the issue if it was some random member who never posted here other than to paste his stuff, but that isn't the case. I say review on Cage.

For the record, I post my reviews on the same 3 boards. It used to be 2, but one of them (obviously not this) branched off and I kept my allegiance to both.

Yeah, I post my reviews here, at TCE, and at JD Storm's board. I just like getting feedback from different places, and I don't think three boards is that excessive.

Like I said, I would find no issue with that, as you are the most active member on the forum. Besides, when you write something, I'm assuming you want the largest number of people to read it.

As long as you contribute to the board. I only post on ones I'm a regular at, not where I show up once a month just to do that.

Hey! What did I do to you today?

Pretty sure he was talking to jamie.

No, the posts comment. I know it was a joke, but it's my thing to react in that manner.

Oh, i thought you should feel complimented to have your posts called a barren wasteland. I've called them worse.

... You have?! You... good music listening... bastard!