Wrestlemania 23
April 1st 2007

Stars from ten years ago challenge the current generation for world championships and we are promised to have a bald billionaire. Welcome to the 23rd edition of Wrestlemania!

Good opening package for the show, making good use of the “all grown up” catch phrase. They are airing live from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, with over 80,000 fans in attendance. This is a huge night for the WWE, especially as business has been down over the past five years.

Aretha Franklin performs “America, The Beautiful.” This is good and all, but I am lucky to have the benefit of fast forwarding.

Another video package follows the musical performance. I am starting to see why they only had room for eight matches this year.

Our hosts for the evening are Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler for Raw, Michael Cole and JBL for Smackdown, and Joey Styles and Tazz for ECW.

“Money in the Bank” Ladder match:
Jeff Hardy vs. King Booker (with Sharmell) vs. Finlay vs. CM Punk vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Matt Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge
Complete chaos is underway as the match begins. Kennedy and Orton head straight to a ladder at ringside and brawl. Everyone is soon brawling by the ring, giving Finlay a chance to leap off the turnbuckle with a flying crossbody. Edge is up first and tries to sneak his way up a ladder for the briefcase, but is cut off by Matt Hardy. Orton and Finlay both try flying up the ladder, but are knocked down. Jeff Hardy attempts to reach the suitcase, but is cut off by Kennedy. Booker goes for a ladder under the ring, but unwittingly drags out the step ladder belonging to Hornswoggle. The action is everywhere. Edge tries to put CM Punk through a ladder at ringside, but it is reversed into a snap suplex. In the ring, Booker gains dominance, dishing out spinebusters to all who come near. We get a Wrestlemania spinaroonie from the King. Jeff Hardy takes a ladder and knocks down Booker, but gets jumped by Edge. Matt Hardy dishes the side effect to Edge. Jeff and Matt set Edge up for a double team, but Finlay makes a save. Edge suplexes Matt onto the ladders! Kennedy plants Matt on a ladder and misses the Kenton Splash! DAMN! Jeff hits the swanton on Kennedy. The Hardys knock Orton down with a ladder and keep Booker from entering the ring. They both climb the ladder and exchange shots at the top. Finlay knocks the ladder over and clotheslines everyone who comes near. Finlay grabs a ladder, but is speared by Edge. Edge dishes spears out to everyone, but misses CM Punk, who leaps over him! Punk whirls the ladder around over his shoulders, taking out several opponents. Edge spears Punk, who falls back with the ladder hitting Orton and Finlay. Edge drags a monster ladder to the ring, and everyone else is down. Edge starts climbing, but Orton grabs his leg and pushes the ladder over. Edge hits the outside mat! Jeff Hardy hits a face first suplex on Orton. The Hardys work together, with Matt setting Edge on a ladder propped up on the ring and barricade. Jeff climbs to the top of the ladder in the ring and delivers the NASTIEST LEG DROP in ages! Edge and Jeff are both dead, with Edge being taken out on a stretcher. Orton runs in and dishes out RKO’s left and right. Orton climbs the ladder, but CM Punk runs in with a ladder, knocking him down. Punk climbs his own ladder, but Orton climbs the other on. They exchange strikes, and Orton RKO’s Punk off the ladders!

King Booker takes advantage and climbs the ladder himself, but Orton gets up and tries to repeat the RKO off the ladder, but it is countered into the Bookend! Booker tries to climb again, but Matt Hardy joins him. Sharmell interferes, grabbing Matt’s leg. Matt threatens to give her the twist of fate, forcing Booker to come save her instead of grabbing the brief case. Hardy slams Booker and climbs the ladder again. Kennedy is back and tips the ladder, causing Matt to hit the canvas back first. Finlay is back, and knocks Kennedy down. Finlay hits the Celtic cross on Hardy onto the ladder! Finlay is busted open, and struggles to climb the ladder. Hornswoggle enters the ring to a huge pop. Hornswoggle climbs the ladder for Finlay. Kennedy returns and climbs up to join Hornswoggle, who slaps him in the face. Kennedy puts him on his shoulders and swantons off the ladder! HOLY CRAP! Meanwhile, Finlay climbs the ladder again, but is drop kicked off by CM Punk. Punk climbs the ladder himself, but Mr. Kennedy joins him. They exchange shots at the top. Punk hits a lightning kick, knocking Kennedy down. Punk has the brief case, but Kennedy knocks him down with another ladder. Kennedy climbs the ladder and manages to unhook the brief case, and wins the match at 19:11! This match was a complete war, and gave each participant a chance to shine, ****1/4. I would have scored this higher had the finish been a bigger bump.
Winner: Mr. Kennedy

The Great Khali vs. Kane
The man who was considered too incompetent to be on last year’s Summerslam gets to be on Wrestlemania this year. Fabulous. Kane doesn’t have his meat hook for his entrance, which is pretty depressing. Oh well. Bell rings and they immediately tie up, with Khali knocking Kane to the canvas. Kane punches Khali, but gets pushed down again. Khali misses a clothesline, and Kane gets some shots, but is thrown through the ropes. Khali poses and gets booed heavily. Kane climbs up and drops Khali neck first onto the ropes. Khali recovers and drops Kane with some clotheslines. Khali slams Kane and clenches the back of his neck for a rest hold. Kane fights out, but Khali slugs him down again. Khali stomps on the cornered Kane, and hits some forearm shots. Choking by Khali. Kane reverses the cornering and hits a fury of strikes. Khali shoves Kane down, but Kane hits another running shot. Kane goes up top and hits the flying clothesline, but Khali won’t fall over. Kane hits Khali, who gets tied up in the ropes. Kane takes the chance to repeatedly strike Khali. Kane fetches his meat hook, but Khali is free. They exchange shots. Khali hits that “brutal” side chop of his. Khali destroys a turnbuckle padding, but Kane uses the chain of the meat hook for a low blow, which the ref missed. Kane then POWER SLAMS Khali! Kane goes for the cover, but Khali kicks out. Kane signals the Chokeslam, but Khali grabs Kane by the throat. Kane runs back into Khali’s grasp and is the victim of the double handed Chokeslam. Khali covers Kane with his foot and wins the match at 5:33. This was one of Khali’s stronger performances, and the power slam made me happy, ¾*.
Winner: The Great Khali

After the match, Khali takes the meat hook and chokes Kane with the chain part.

Backstage, Cryme Tyme is trying to cheer up the newly bald Eugene. This starts a dance off, featuring the ladies from ECW’s Extreme Expose. Eugene is more happy to see Mae Young and the Fabulous Moolah. They are joined by Slyk and Dusty Rhodes. Sgt. Slaughter, Jimmy Hart, and IRS join the fray. Ricky Steamboat leaps in, winks at the camera, and the festivity continues. And not surprisingly, Ron Simmons offers his commentary of “DAMN!” Really fun segment, with the spirit of last year’s classic “freaks” segment.

United States Championship:
Chris Benoit © vs. Montel Vontavious Porter
Sadly, MVP doesn’t get his inflatable entrance prop, but he has cheerleaders. Fair trade, I guess. They tie up and shove each other around. They do some nice chain wrestling, with MVP ultimately getting a headlock. Benoit pushes him into the ropes, but is dropped with a side tackle. Benoit goes for a suplex, but MVP counters and pushes Benoit to the floor. MVP talks some trash, prompting Benoit to aggressively go for the Crossface. MVP blocks the Crossface and the match restarts. They tie up and MVP blocks the Crossface attempt again. MVP dishes out a fireman’s carry into a headlock attempt, but Benoit bridges into an arm bar. MVP tries to bait a test of strength, but goes for a kick instead. MVP runs into Benoit’s elbow and gets planted on the top rope. Benoit hits some chops, and tries a superplex, which is blocked. MVP hangs Benoit on the top rope and then targets Benoit’s arm. MVP goes for the cover, but doesn’t quite get a two count. Benoit fights back with a chop, but MVP keeps control. MVP misses a kick and Benoit capitalizes with a trio of German suplexes. Benoit climbs to the top, but MVP joins him and hits a superplex! Benoit barely kicks out of the following cover attempt. MVP continues working the arm of Chris Benoit, and shoves him into the turnbuckles. Back suplex by MVP for another cover attempt. MVP locks onto Benoit’s arm, twisting it in a rather unpleasant fashion. Benoit strikes his way to freedom, but runs into MVP’s boot. MVP gets another close fall. Benoit reverses a scoop slam and tries to get the Crossface again, but it is once again blocked. MVP gets the scoop slam and gets the ballin’ elbow drop. Benoit kicks out of another close cover. MVP whips Benoit into the corner but misses a running big boot. Benoit dishes out two more German suplexes, but MVP blocks the third. Benoit blocks a suplex from MVP and hits another trio of German suplexes! Benoit goes high risk and hits the flying head butt! Benoit makes the cover and pins MVP to retain the title at 9:20! Benoit really clicked with MVP, bringing him up to his level, and the result was a really good little match. I would have loved to see this go another five-ten minutes, ***1/4.
Winner and still United States Champion: Chris Benoit

Backstage, Donald Trump is on his cell phone, bad mouthing Mr. McMahon and complaining about the lack of hospitality he’s been getting. He is then joined by the Boogeyman. He tells Trump that he’s going to get him, but Trump just wants a sandwich. He promises Boogeyman some worms. Boogeyman offers a worm sandwich. This was better than letting Boogeyman on the card again.

The show takes a break to look back at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This segment eats up several minutes, but it is cool seeing some of the legends who aren’t usually around.

World Heavyweight Championship:
Batista © vs. The Undertaker
Theodore Long is in the ring to do the introductions. Batista comes out to a mixed reaction and jogs to the ring. That’s awful dangerous for a guy like Batista. Let’s face it, no one really wants Batista to be the one to end Undertaker’s streak at Wrestlemania. Undertaker has his druids make their annual appearance, as they pose on the stage with torches. Some pyro goes off and Taker’s music hits. Undertaker gets a tremendous reaction from the fans, I probably would have had this match go on last had I been the booker.

Batista spears Undertaker to kick things off. Batista pummels Taker into the corner. Taker grabs Batista and throws him into the corner and fires away with his own strikes. Batista reverses the corner and hits some aggressive shoulder thrusts. Batista whips Taker into the opposite turnbuckle and hits a clothesline. The brawl spills into the ringside area and they exchange shots. Batista whips Taker into the steel steps and returns to the ring to break the count. Batista drags Taker back to the ring and goes high risk. Batista hits a flying clothesline! Color me impressed. Batista hits some strikes, runs into Taker’s boot, and hits a big clothesline for a near fall! Batista hits some more shots and gets a power slam. Undertaker blocks a shot and hits several jabs to Batista’s gut. They exchange shots again, with the crowd responding favorably to Taker’s strikes and negatively to Batista’s. Undertaker gains control with his corner splashes, snake eyes onto the turnbuckle, and running kick to the head. Undertaker gets a drop kick and a near fall. Undertaker goes for “old school” and hits it perfectly. Taker signals the Chokeslam, but Batista blocks it. Batista gets some hard shots, but Undertaker knocks him down again for a near fall. Taker hits some jabs, knocking Batista to ringside. Taker knocks Batista’s head into the steps and drapes him on the apron. Taker does his elbow to the jaw, kick to the head, and leg drop off the apron spot. Batista stumbles to his feet, while Undertaker hits a flying dive over the ropes onto the floor! Both men are down for several seconds, but Taker keeps control, throwing Batista around the barricade. Batista reverses an Irish whip, and sends Undertaker crashing into some chairs by the announce table. Batista makes sure to break the count-out, but keeps pummeling on the fallen Dead Man.

Batista dismantles the announce table and sets Taker onto it. Batista climbs onto the table and hits a running power slam through the opposite table! WHOA! Batista drags Taker to the ring for a cover, but it is only a near fall. Batista aggressively continues pummeling Undertaker. Batista is clearly angry now, which is awesome, and goes for the Batista Bomb. Taker pushes him into the corner and hits elbow shots. Batista counters a whip and hits a belly to belly suplex into another near fall! Batista corners Undertaker again and gets some turnbuckle shots. Undertaker counters into the Last Ride! Batista barely kicks out of the following cover! Batista comes back with a power slam. Undertaker ducks a clothesline and hits the Chokeslam! Batista barely kicks out! Undertaker then goes for the tombstone, but Batista escapes and hits the spear! Batista hits the Batista Bomb and the streak appears to be over! Undertaker kicks out at the last possible second! Batista goes for another bomb, but Undertaker counters! Undertaker misses a clothesline, and Batista goes for what looked like a snake eyes. Undertaker then traps Batista and hits the Tombstone Pile Driver and covers him for the victory at 15:47! This match was beautiful, it was Taker and Batista having a 15 minute fight with no dead spots. Batista was vicious here, something he should try being more often, because this match surprised the hell out of me, ****.
Winner and new World Champion: The Undertaker

Backstage, Vince McMahon is admiring himself, and Stephanie brings in her baby to visit grandfather. Vince coos the baby in a rather creepy fashion. Vince promises to bash in Donald Trump’s head. Stephanie isn’t very amused by this, as she feels he is scaring the baby. We see this from the baby’s perspective, by the way. Vince then sniffs and claims the baby took a “Trump.” Well, that was certainly different.

Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Sabu, and Sandman vs. Elijah Burke, Marcus Cor Von, Kevin Thorn (with Ariel), and Matt Striker
Well, this match features seven guys I would have never predicted making it to this card, so huzzah. The ECW Originals make their entrance through the audience, gaining a very favorable reaction from the fans. This match is not extreme rules, which makes no sense, but whatever. Striker and Sabu start the match, with Striker getting a hard shot, but soon suffers some springboard offense by Sabu. Sabu plants Striker on the ropes and tags in Sandman, who hits a big leg drop! Sandman goes for the cover, but Cor Von breaks it up. Tag is made to Burke, but he runs into an arm drag. Dreamer is tagged in, and they double team Burke. Burke reverses an Irish whip, sending Dreamer into Cor Von’s boot. Cor Von tags in and dominates Dreamer in the corner. Hard Irish whip into the turnbuckles by Cor Von and an overhead belly to belly suplex. Burke tags in and he and Cor Von back body drop Dreamer. Burke hits the Elijah Express on Dreamer and goes for the cover, but Sabu breaks it up. Thorn tags in and keeps control of Dreamer with a chinlock. Dreamer fights out, but Thorn thrusts him to the corner. Dreamer gets a boot up, but gets caught with a sit-down powerbomb cover, with Sabu making the save again. Cor Von tags in and hits a nice suplex into a cover on Dreamer. Dreamer kicks out, and gets trapped into another chinlock by Cor Von. Dreamer escapes into the ropes and reverses a suplex. He ducks a Burke clothesline and hits a combination neckbreaker/DDT on Burke and Cor Von. RVD and Striker are both tagged in, and RVD cleans house. RVD quickly goes top rope for a frog splash on Striker, but ends up kicking Kevin Thorn instead. RVD hits a big monkey flip on Striker, to some huge face heat. RVD connects with rolling thunder on Striker, but is pulled out of the ring by Cor Von. Sabu leaps off the ropes onto Cor Von. In the ring, Dreamer gets a DDT on Striker, but is jumped by Burke. Sandman joins the fray, falling to the floor. In the end, RVD hits the five star frog splash on Striker and pins him at 6:28. This really should have been extreme rules, but it worked anyway. The ECW guys celebrate how far they’ve come, and bask in their Wrestlemania victory, **.
Winners: Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Sabu, and Sandman

Luckily, the hype package for the “Battle of the Billionaires” isn’t included on the copy I am watching. I get straight to the match.

Battle of the Billionaires:
Bobby Lashley (with Donald Trump) vs. Umaga (with Vince McMahon and Armando Alejandro Estrada)
Guest referee: Stone Cold Steve Austin
Umaga charges, but Lashley stands his ground. They exchange shots, and Lashley gains the advantage. Austin pulls Lashley off a cornered Umaga, demanding a break. The distraction, allows Umaga to gain a kick and whip Lashley to the corner. Umaga misses a splash, and Lashley delivers a flying shoulder block. Lashley goes for the early cover, but Umaga’s foot is placed on the ropes by Estrada. Lashley dumps Estrada into the ring and hits the running power slam. Estrada is thrown out of the ring by Lashley, who then ducks in time for dodge a rampaging Umaga. Umaga hit the floor hard, that was a hell of a bump! Umaga quickly gets up anyway and returns to the ring to exchange shots with Lashley again. Lashley gains the upper hand again and charges, but this time Umaga side steps and Lashley suicide dives to the bare floor! That was another impressive bump. Umaga drags Lashley to the ring, hits a splash, and gets a cover attempt. Umaga then resorts to choking, but Austin ends it. Umaga chokes again anyway, and Austin needs to pull him off by the hair. Umaga stares Austin down too long, and Lashley tries to mount a comeback. Umaga drops Lashley with a clothesline. Umaga methodically stomps and splashes Lashley. Lashley tries to mount another comeback, but Umaga stops him with a Samoan drop. Lashley attempts a power slam, but falls under Umaga’s weight and is almost pinned. Vince hops up on the apron to try and give orders, but Lashley knocks him down. Umaga hits an inverted DDT on Lashley. Umaga goes high risk, but Lashley throws him off the turnbuckle. A large portion of the crowd is booing Lashley, just thought I would mention that. Umaga and Lashley are both down, so Austin starts counting, but stops before ten.

Meanwhile, Shane McMahon runs in to check on his dad. In the ring, Lashley and Umaga are finally on their feet again and are brawling. Umaga takes control and corners Lashley on the ground. Austin hooks Umaga’s eyes to force him to break, Shane leaps up to argue, and the distraction allows Umaga to hit Austin with the Samoan Spike! The crowd is not happy about this and lets Umaga know it. Shane starts getting shots in on Lashley, but gets caught in a bear hug. Umaga saves Shane from the beating, and they drop Lashley back into the corner. Running ass shot by Umaga. Vince tosses a trash can in the ring, and they set it up on Lashley so Shane can do the Van Terminator. Shane connects with the high risk move and takes his shirt off to reveal a ref uniform underneath! Umaga goes high risk and hits a splash. The cover is interrupted by Stone Cold, who drags Shane to the floor and destroys him. Austin returns to the ring and is hit with another Samoan Spike from Umaga. Vince is talking trash, finally prompting Trump to tackle him! In the ring, Umaga tries another Samoan Spike on Austin, but misses and eats a stunner! Lashley hits the spear and Austin delivers the three count, giving Lashley the win at 13:03! This was overbooked nonsense, but it was a lot of fun, **3/4.
Winner: Bobby Lashley

After the match, Shane eats a couple of stunners from Stone Cold. Vince tries to crawl away to avoid losing his hair. He waves goodbye and tries to exit, but Lashley grabs him and carries him to the ring over his shoulder. They force Vince to feel Austin’s bald head. Wow, they are being mean about this, eh? Austin hits the stunner on Vince. They finally dump Vince into the barber seat, which give me hope that we’ll never have to see one on Raw again. Vince and Lashley take razors and start shaving away. Someone with a sense of humor starts playing “ball headed blues” over the house speakers. This goes further than I thought it would, as Lashley spreads shaving cream over Vince’s head, they are getting every last hair on his head. When they are finished, Stone Cold gives Trump a stunner too. Why? Because he’s the rattle snake, bah gawd, who knows when he’ll strike! Lashley attends to Trump, though I wouldn’t want to help someone who called me “Bobby Lindsey.”

WWE Women’s Championship:
Lumberjill match:
Melina © vs. Ashley Massaro
Pretty much all of the divas in the company are serving as Lumberjills. Ashley doesn’t have London and Kendrick with her, as Melina is without Johnny Nitro. They lock up and Ashley gains the upper hand. Melina flees to ringside, but is quickly tossed back in. Melina recovers and chokes Ashley with her boot in the corner. Ashley reverses the cornering and chokes Melina with her boot as well. Melina then chokes Ashley on the ropes and then spins her around by the legs. Ashley hits the mat hard, and escapes a cover attempt. Melina delivers a rather nice modified bow and arrow submission spot. Ashley escapes and fires away with forearm shots. The sloppiest monkey flip ever by Ashley. Ashley goes for the elbow drop, but Melina dodges and gets a close fall. Ashley rolls up Melina, but Melina counters and bridges into a roll-up of her own for the win at 3:13. Well, this was disappointing, even by Ashley’s standards, but Melina’s submission hold nudges this up to ¼*.
Winner and still Women’s Champion: Melina

After the match, the lumberjills trap Melina in the ring with Ashley and a huge diva brawl breaks out.

HBK and Cena get a nice hype package for their match. HBK makes his entrance and doesn’t get the monster pop I was expecting him to get. Cena’s entrance is pretty elaborate, with pre-taped footage of a car speeding recklessly into Ford Field. The car breaks through a glass Wrestlemania 23 sign, and Cena steps out, having suffered no serious injuries. Since this is Wrestlemania, there is a huge portion of fans here to boo Cena.

WWE Championship:
John Cena © vs. Shawn Michaels
A fan leaps into the ring before the match starts, and is quickly escorted out. HBK waves to the fan as he’s escorted out, which is pretty funny stuff. The bell rings, but HBK stalls by sitting on a turnbuckle, acting like he doesn’t care about the match. HBK offers Cena a handshake, but Cena doesn’t want to, seeing as he was just super kicked on Raw. HBK slaps Cena instead and knocks him down. HBK taunts Cena DX-style, and the match finally begins. Side headlock by HBK turns into an armbar. Cena reverses and HBK blocks a suplex. HBK ducks some shots from Cena and knocks him down again. They back into their separate corners, and the match restarts. Cena is beginning to realize that he is in big trouble with this title defense. They lock up again, and HBK wrenches Cena’s arm and hits some shoulder thrusts. HBK swings Cena into a side headlock. Cena fights to his feet, but HBK whips him back down without breaking the headlock. Cena gets to his feet, pushes HBK into the ropes, misses two clothesline attempts, but finally connects with a third try. HBK goes down hard, and the crowd boos Cena heavily. They take a breather, and Cena soon runs into a Lou Thesz press. Cena dumps HBK onto the apron, but HBK drops Cena neck first on the ropes. HBK then hip tosses Cena over the ropes to the floor! Knife edge chop by HBK and an enziguri. HBK then hits an Asai moonsault off the ropes onto Cena, landing on the table! HBK directs Cena back to the ring and hits more punches and chops. Irish whip into the turnbuckle with authority by HBK, but Cena blocks a rampaging HBK. Cena is knocked down again.

HBK decides to target Cena’s left knee. HBK aggressively swings the knee into the ring post. Cena uses the ropes to stand up, but HBK tackles the knee. HBK continues to work the knee, taking a break to hit the occasional chop. The referee even bothers to ask Cena if he can continue. HBK chops Cena into the corner, but Cena punches him away. Michaels tackles Cena in the corner, who is still acting like he cannot stand. They exchange chops and punches, with the crowd showing favoritism towards HBK. HBK tries another tackle, but Cena dodges, with HBK hitting the ring post head-first. HBK is busted open! Cena then stops selling the leg and hits a clothesline and repeatedly punches HBK on the mat. Shoulder block by Cena and suplex. Cena considers selling his knee for a second, but reminds HBK that “you can’t see me.” Five knuckle shuffle by Cena. Cena goes for the F-U, but HBK escapes and hits a chop. Cena sends HBK into the turnbuckle. HBK goes for the Sweet Chin Music, but accidentally takes out the referee instead. Cena goes for the F-U again, but HBK counters with a DDT. HBK is angry now and pulls Cena to ringside and positions him for a piledriver on the steps. He actually hits the move too! HOLY SHIT! I can’t believe Cena took that bump! HBK drags Cena back to the ring, and Cena is bleeding from the back of his head now. Another referee runs in for a cover, but Cena somehow kicked out! HBK is furious now, and goes high risk. HBK connects with the elbow drop and signals Sweet Chin Music. Cena charges with a clothesline, knocking HBK down before he can deliver the kick. They barely make it to their feet and exchange shots. Cena then catches HBK in an F-U position, but HBK counters and rolls Cena up, but only gets a two count. HBK shoots Cena into the ropes, and Cena catches him and hits the F-U at long last! Cena is slow to get the cover, and HBK kicks out.

Cena plants HBK on the top turnbuckle. Cena tries to F-U HBK off the top, but it’s blocked. HBK throws Cena to the floor and HBK flies off with a flying crossbody. Cena catches him and rolls him into another F-U. HBK blocks by landing on his feet. Cena looks for the STFU, but HBK blocks. HBK gets an inside cradle, and Cena barely kicks out. HBK misses an enziguri, and Cena locks on the STFU. HBK must appear to be superhuman and is trapped in the hold for a long time before making it to the ropes. The ref scolds Cena for being reluctant to break the hold, giving HBK a chance to strike with the Sweet Chin Music! HBK slowly gets the cover, and Cena kicks out at two. Both men are down for several seconds, but use each other to prop themselves to their feet. Cena tries for the F-U, but it is countered, so Cena locks the STFU on again! HBK finally taps out at 28:22! John Cena has retained the WWE Championship at two consecutive Wrestlemania’s! Aside from the nonsense with the working the knee in the early going, this was an awesome match, especially the final ten minutes when either man could have easily and convincingly gone over at any moment, ****1/2.
Winner and still WWE Champion: John Cena

After the match, Cena humbly celebrates his title defense and is close to tears. Cena asks HBK for a hand shake, but HBK blows it off and leaves. Cena salutes him anyway.

The closing video package plays, a fitting tribute to a great show.

Final thoughts: My initial thoughts to the results of this show was that it wasn’t as good as it could have been, but that was far from true. With three matches making it to the **** mark, this is one of the best pay-per-views I’ve seen and probably the best WWE show since Vengeance 2005. Everything on the card either lived up to the expectations or exceeded them, making this a worthy Wrestlemania. The entire show had a big time feel to it.

Heavily recommended.