STW - WrestleMania 24 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Let’s discuss 15 years ago - WrestleMania XXIV!

We’re coming out of No Way Out which we covered in the archives.

The night after No Way Out - after Orton slapped a referee to retain his WWE Title over John Cena, William Regal announces Cena will take on Orton in the main event - and if Cena wins - Hunter will get his WrestleMania title shot in a 3-way against these two men. Did you favor a one-on-one match at WrestleMania or were you OK with doing the 3-way considering how big all 3 were at the time?

You had to fit Cena onto the card once he returned from injury so quickly - was anything else thought about for him besides the WWE title match do you remember?

Also Jeff Hardy would defeat Snitsky to become a member of the Money in the Bank match…but we’ll get to that more later.

On that Raw - from the Torch

Mike Adamle introduced Shawn Michaels from mid–ring. Tonight he got through the letters “WWE” without tripping. He said Michaels has a special Hall of Fame announcement. Michaels said he’s proud to announce that the greatest of all time and the inspiration for him getting into this business, Ric Flair, would be inducted this year. He said he’s proud to call him a friend. Vintage clips aired of Flair’s career. A choked up Michaels said nobody deserves it more than he does. He asked fans to join him in a “Whoo!” He let out a whoo, but admitted beforehand it wasn’t his thing. He’s right about that.

This is quite the announcement…but no Ric out there for it. Any idea why?

Big Show and Mayweather have a segment where it’s not known from the verbiage who is supposed to be the heel and the babyface. When Mysterio is injured - how is it decided who will play the role of heel? Is it an issue to have Mayweather be a heel considering the size difference between the two?

Was the WWE expecting the audience to cheer Mayweather because of the size of star he was?

The Vince - Hornswoggle cage match that was heavily promoted - never actually took place - thank god. Finlay would stop it before the match would start but JBL would appear out of nowhere and attack. Vince would take his belt off and whip Hornswoggle and leave before JBL would take up the beating. Everyone in the back enjoyed this didn’t they?

It’s odd in this time frame to not have Vince heavily involved in a story - as this kind of writes him away from all of it. Was it just a card that didn’t need Vince?

Cena does beat Orton and is added to the main event - so the Raw title match is set - Randy Orton defending against Triple H and John Cena. But let’s be honest - Cena’s big return after a massive injury - this feels underwhelming does it not? Was he not gone long enough for his return to really mean something?

Ric’s first appearance regarding his Hall of Fame induction announcement - takes place on ECW. Do you think there’s any type of fair criticism regarding this program and how it was presented on television?

The Edge - Undertaker story heavily includes Edge not just wanting to defeat him at WrestleMania and retain his title but ending the Undertaker’s streak. Undertaker has said in recent interviews there was a lot of talk of putting Edge over at this WrestleMania and Edge refused. Do you know that to be the story?

Besides that - and let me run this card down quickly - SmackDown is kind of a waste land at the time. This show featured Shelton Benjamin beating Jimmy Wang Yang, Jesse & Festus defeating Deuce & Domino, Big Daddy V beating Shannon Moore, Batista pinning MVP, this isn’t a lot of top level stuff going on outside of Batista. Was the brand going through some issues with star power?

The show would also feature Chuck Palumbo beating some guy named Matt Jackson…

But the bigger story was that Rey Mysterio has a torn bicep - gutted through his match with Edge at No Way Out - and then wrestles a 9 minute match with Chavo Guerrero - getting the win mind you - before Vickie calls out Big Show to attack Rey.

From the Torch

Show threw Ray into the corner, then crushed him there with a charge into the corner. Show then stood on Rey’s arm as Rey screamed in agony. He switched to twisting and squeezing Rey’s arm, then chokeslamming him. The announcers went silent during this beating. Show stared at the camera as the show ended. Good angle to send Rey away and get strong heel heat on Big Show.

Kudos to Rey for doing the angle - but man what a risk to further this story Bruce?

The WrestleMania press conference takes place in Los Angeles where the full mainstream media attends and the announcement is made for Mayweather vs. Show - but the fans who attend there boo Mayweather heavily and chant “De La Hoya” at him according to the Torch. You run this big heat angle on SmackDown to really put over Big Show - and then this happens. Are you there? Is this when you knew Mayweather was going to be a heel?

It’s also reported that Mayweather would get $20 million - and it’s said by Vince himself at the press conference. This is just posturing is it not?

It gets a lot of mainstream media coverage - which is what the hope and plan was for was it not?

The SmackDown TV deal - which is reported as down to MyNetWorkTV and WGN Superstation is won by MyNetworkTV. How close was it to going to WGN and how do you think it would’ve affected the WWE?

Also at this time - John Cena cuts a promo on the Rock about how Rocky won’t give back to the wrestling business to the UK Sun. When this interview comes out - does it send shockwaves that Cena is taking shots at Rock publicly in the media or was this a - this is something the company wants him to say to get Rock to come back type of thing?

The next week on Raw after Jeff Hardy had already qualified for Money in the Bank - Chris Jericho defeats him to earn a spot in the muatch as well. At this point did the WWE know Jeff was going to be suspended?

From the Torch

After an oddly meaningless match between Shawn Michaels and Lance Cade, Flair made a full ring intro. Michaels bowed at his feet. Flair thanked the fans for their ovation as Michaels dabbed a white towel against his bleeding nose. Flair said Michaels is absolutely incredible, sounding like James Lipson (”Inside the Actor’s Studio” host) gushing over a movie star he’s interviewing. He said being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame is undoubtedly the highlight of his career. He said there’s only one thing that could make Flair’s career even better, “and that would be to wrestle the man whose name is synonymous with professional wrestling.” He said that’s the “Showstopper” Shawn Michaels.

Michaels said he meant every word he said last week, but he also must know that several months ago Vince McMahon made an edict that the first match he loses, he must retire. He said he has done some things in his career he is ashamed of that he has to live with. He said he’ll take on almost anything, but he won’t be known as the guy who ended Flair’s career. “I can’t take that and I don’t want it,” he said. There was a mix of cheers and a few scattered boos in the crowd. Flair said that’s not where he was going with it. “End my career? If I wrestle you, is that a given?” Michaels said that’s not necessarily the case.

These two are good out there - but Michaels not wanting to end Flair’s career - it provides a feel good story but there’s no heat really until the end of this. What say you?

There’s also a video announcing Peter Maivia & Rocky Johnson would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Odd timing with that being right after Cena’s interview about Rocky isn’t it?

A match for brand supremacy is set up between William Regal & Vickie Guerrero where Regal chooses Umaga for Raw and Vickie chooses Batista for Smackdown. There was nothing else for these two guys at the time was there?

From the Torch

The hype for the fight between The Big Show and Floyd Mayweather has been a letdown thus far. Monday night on Raw, a clumsy, overly long segment early in the show exposed Mayweather as a fish out of water in the WWE environment.

Big Show was matched against a boxer Brandon “The Thrill” Hill. Hill was announced at 5–7 and 150 pounds. Ross said Mayweather is 5–8 and 147. He added that Mayweather is also 39–0 in boxing with 25 knockouts. Show towered over the skinny Hill. He patted him on the face with his fist before the match, angering Hill and his cornermen. Show absorbed Hill’s body punches, no sweat, then shoved him into the corner and gave him a big boot to the face. Ross asked if this would be Mayweather’s fate at WrestleMania. Show then lifted and powerslammed Hill, stood on his chest, and got a three count victory.

Afterward, Big Show told Mayweather that he’s going to ruin him. He said he better save the 20 million dollars they’re giving him for WrestleMania because it’ll be the last money he makes. Mayweather said he broke his nose last time and he’ll break his jaw next time. He laughed and said, “WrestleMania is Money Mayweather all the way.” He said he is the “main event and the main attraction.” He said he’s willing to die at WrestleMania. He said he’s there to stay and he has to deal with him. The tone of his comments was flat, uninspired, and worst of all, unconvincing.

Is this angle falling flat on its face? Was there anything that could save it?

Wade would also say this:

WWE knew it was a mess and nobody was happy with how this played out. On ECW TV the next night, highlights were heavily edited.

Is Vince back there just wondering what the hell was going on?

From the Torch

WWE changed up the front page of its website on Feb. 29 to include new sections of “WWE  news” and “Industry news.” In the Industry News section, they’re pulling news stories from pro wrestling websites, including Jason Powell’s prowrestling.Net, and republishing the stories on their website. It’s WWE’s latest idea to “own” the wrestling news, and follows statements from WWE executives in their latest conference call with investors about bringing more eyeballs to their website to counteract less–than–desirable unique visitors to the site by creating what they believe will be the ultimate destination point on the Internet for wrestling fans.

How did this get approved?

On Raw Shawn & Flair would team up to defeat Cade & Murdoch and the slow build continues when Michaels says, “I love you. You know I do, but you need to understand something. This is WrestleMania, and I am the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels, the Show Stopper. If you keep pushing for this match at WrestleMania, you leave me no choice—it is your show that is going to be stopped.” He dropped the mic and left the ring. Flair stared back at him.

Behind the camera - were either nervous?

Mr. Kennedy had been in the main event the week before teaming with Randy Orton and losing to Triple H & John Cena. Then on this Raw - Cena defeated Kennedy in 9 minutes. Did Kennedy take the heat for John’s injury like Ken’s said in a lot of interviews in the past?

From the Torch

Jerry Lawler stood mid–ring to unveil Maria’s Playboy cover. He announced Snoop Dog would M.C. Bunnymania at WrestleMania. Maria and Candice Michelle came out. When Lawler revealed the Playboy cover, it had cut–out Santino Marella faces pasted over her face, boobs, and crotch. Santino came out laughing, saying when fans try to imagine Maria naked now, they’ll see his face in their mind and have “an erectile dysfunction.” Maria stood up to Santino. When he grabbed her arm, Lawler intervened and knocked Santino out of the ring. The crowd chanted “Jerry, Jerry.” An even bigger cover unrolled from the rafters, unvandalized.

This…this is something Bruce.

JR interviews Mayweather by satellite as I’m assuming this was the easiest way to get Mayweather through an interview to get across what you all were trying to accomplish. Was he getting frustrated by the reactions of the crowd? Was he tough to manage?

JBL and Finlay are supposed to have a match but Vince showed up instead of JBL and asked Finlay to confirm that he conspired with Vince’s family to fool him into thinking Hornswoggle was his son - Finlay admits it - and that month long storyline is just now rendered…stupid?

JBL attacks Hornswoggle in his hospital bed but with the lights turned out so you can only hear it.

Is the who’s Vince’s son angle one of the worst you can remember the WWE doing?

Over on Smackdown - Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins & Edge take on Undertaker in a 3-on-1 handicap match but first Edge interviews Flair on the Cutting Edge. It’s a weird dynamic as Edge is putting over Shawn Michaels and that he’ll retire Flair - like Shawn is a heel. Was Shawn worried about being a heel during this process?

Kim Kardashian is announced as being the guest hostess for WrestleMania. Any idea how or who put this deal together?

From the Torch

(5) Edge & Zach Ryder & Curt Hawkins beat Undertaker. In the end, Taker fended of attacks from Ryder and Hawkins. He went for a submission on Edge. Ryder and Hawkins made the save. Taker chokeslammed both of them at once. Edge surprised Taker with a spear and scored the three count.

This had to be quite the thrill for Ryder & Myers didn’t it?

What did Taker think of those two?

A lot of plans get blown up when the WWE officially announces that Jeff Hardy is suspended for 60 days for violating the Wellness Policy. It’s reported that Jeff sat down with Vince & John Laurinaitis on Raw from Milwaukee where Jeff would go out - lose the IC title to Chris Jericho and then be removed from Money in the Bank. Jeff’s demons rear their ugly head again - at really the worst time for it in his career. It’s long been rumored he was to win Money in the Bank and there was talk of him becoming WWE champion. What do you remember of this - was that the plan - chat me up.

The Raw that featured this was a 3-hour special - how difficult at the time was it to produce 3 hours of the show compared to the normal 2?

Flair & Michaels have another promo battle and you can see Ric’s confidence is building up every week. Ric’s talked about how Shawn would help him and motivate him. Was this the Ric you thought you were getting in 2002?

Also on this Raw…randomly…Taker defeats Mark Henry in a casket match. Yup. Moving on…

From the Torch

Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff vs. Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham was scheduled next. Jillian Hall came out and sang (poorly) the Rotunda & Windham theme song of "Born in the USA." Then the match was called off for absolutely no reason.

I mean thank god it was right?

There’s a weigh in on this show between Big Show & Floyd which is comical but for the first time - Mayweather gets involved physically without him doing it. Big Show launches Mayweather out of the ring into a group of people outside to catch him but Floyd comes up grabbing his elbow and the sports world held its collective breathe that anything could jeopardize Mayweather’s boxing career. Was that the plan for him to sell like that? Was anyone worried backstage? Was it tough to have him involved in a physical nature like this? Any limits?

Vince is announced with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame…was this a big deal to him? Did you go?

On the next Smackdown - Shawn & Ric team up to take on Edge, Chavo, and the Edgeheads in a 4-on-2 handicapped cage match. This…I don’t know…

From the Torch

In the end, the lights went out just as it appeared Edge was crawling toward the open cage door to escape and win. When the lights came on, Undertaker was standing mid-ring. Edge didn't know where he was, but he had a bad feeling. He slowly turned around. Taker grabbed his throat. Hawkins and Ryder double-teamed Taker. Taker ducked their clothesline and gave them a double chokeslam. Edge, meanwhile, climbed the side of the cage to escape. Taker grabbed him. Chavo grabbed Taker. Taker threw Chavo into the side of the cage, then gave him a Tombstone. Edge reached the top of the cage and dropped down to win the match with Taker in pursuit.

It was the right finish to let Edge score some points on Taker, giving Taker a reason to want revenge. The downside to this match was Michaels and Flair were discarded at the end, which demeaned their substantial place on WrestleMania.

Hard to disagree isn’t it?

Sadly there’s some real life news to report regarding Jeff Hardy that same night - as just 3 days after his suspension a fire breaks out at his house in Cameron, NC.

From the Torch

Hardy's home burned to the ground and his pet dog was lost in the fire. His valuable artwork and all material possessions were also lost.

Jeff Hardy and his girlfriend were not home at the time of the fire. Jim Ross wrote on jrsbarbq.com on Saturday that Matt Hardy arrived on the scene after seeing smoke from a distance, but he was too late to save anything in the home.

Did you talk with Jeff at the time about this? Were you in contact with him? Was it a worry about with these two things happening back to back his demons would come out again?

From the Torch

WWE.com reported late Monday night after Raw that Candice Michelle injured her left shoulder during the divas tag match on Raw. They believe that Candice also re-injured her clavicle that caused her to be out of action for several months. Candice was sent to a Lafayette-area hospital for X-rays to determine the severity of the injury.

WWE trainers said she separated the scar tissue that was still healing from the original injury. Candice will have her upper shoulder and clavicle re-evaluated later in the week to determine the severity of the re-injury. Candice said she still plans on being part of WrestleMania. Considering it will be one of the biggest paydays of her career, she'll probably do everything she can to participate in the BunnyMania match of Beth Phoenix & Melina vs. Maria & Candice.

Was it important to her to get to that match considering the spotlight of it?

From the Torch

WWE announced the hiring of George Barrios as new CFO (chief financial officer) on March 17. Barrios, the former VP and Treasurer of the New York Times, will be replacing Frank Serpe, who is retiring after 21 years with WWE. Barrios will take the position effective March 24.

Barrios recently returned to the WWE after some time away. What did you think of the hire at the time?

What can you tell us about Frank Serpe who retired?

Of course with Ric set to retire…Vince wanted to have one last match with him didn’t he?

Flair would get the win in 10 minutes after bleeding and splashing Vince through a table for the pin. This was all Vince’s idea wasn’t it?

From the Torch

Kim Kardashian spoke about being guest host for WrestleMania 24. Big Dick Johnson danced for her. She said he's not allowed at WrestleMania.

Kim obviously was not the level of star she is today but Big Dick Johnson didn’t really go anywhere did he?

The main event on that Raw - as booked by Triple H - on screen not backstage to be clear - was John Cena & Randy Orton would take on the entire Raw roster which was 17 wrestlers total. This visual - it had to be playing havoc with production did it not?

I wouldn’t say go out of your way to watch this - but Cena & Orton defeat 17 dudes before Hunter comes out and hits a Pedigree on both before the show ends - because Hunter must pose.

The Main Event of Smackdown features Taker defeating Chavo but the story is after the match.

From the Torch

Afterward, Edge, Hawkins, and Ryder jumped into the ring and attacked Taker. Taker fended them all off and sent up a chokeslam on Hawkins and Ryder, but Edge speared Taker and made a scary face and swung the chair and nailed Taker in the head as Taker protected himself a bit with his hands and arms; still a big thud noise resulted. Edge then placed Taker's head on a chair flat on the mat, then he stood over Taker with another chair and yelled something about ending his streak, then smashed him with the chair. "It's over this year!" he yelled over Taker's body on the mat.

Edge is really getting some great heat on Taker during all this isn’t he? Was this surprising or not really?

Sadly Candice Michelle was pulled and replaced by Ashley. Just the last remaining woman to put in that spot isn’t it?

The next Raw features an almost 30 minute segment on the microphone between Randy Orton, Umaga, JBL, Big Show, Triple H, John Cena - to set up an 8 man tag match.

But what this Raw is really remembered for is the promo between Ric Flair & Shawn Michaels.

Michaels starts to put over Flair before Flair shouts Shut Up and says nobody needs to tell him who he is anymore. Michaels looks dumbfounded as Flair has finally snapped -

Flair brings out the NWA title and tells Shawn that it’s the title that he grew up admiring - starts yelling about Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat before he starts telling Shawn that he thinks Shawn has lost respect for him. But Ric picked Shawn at WrestleMania - and he wants to prove that he can still be the Nature Boy. He wants the best - the showstopper - and all that. Shawn promises him that he’ll give it to him at Mania…

Flair thinks the promo is over before Shawn calls him back to remind him of a story of “Old Yeller.”

He promises to Ric that on Sunday he’s going to take him, Old Yeller, behind the woodshed and put him out of his misery.

Ric snaps - rips off his shirt - stomps on his coat jacket - yells “OLD YELLER” slaps Shawn getting an audible gasp from JR on commentary who’s been silent the whole time - slaps him again - and Shawn promises to give him his best to end the segment.

My god Bruce - what a promo - it’s what this story needed at the end didn’t it?

Ric gets the win in the main event as well as Randy Orton - even though he’s champion - taps out to the Figure Four right in the middle of the ring on the go-home Raw for WrestleMania. Randy had no issues with that did he?

Bruce - the Hall of Fame had quite the class in 2008.

The Brisco Brothers inducted by JBL, Gordon Solie by Jim Ross, Eddie Graham by Dusty Rhodes, Mae Young by Pat Patterson, Rocky Johnson & Peter Maivia by the Rock and of course Flair inducted by HHH. What memories do you have of the Hall of Fame ceremony?

When it was over - did it run through your mind - that this could be the last Hall of Fame ceremony you would attend as a member of the company?

Talk to me about the Citrus Bowl and how much of an issue it was getting that stadium up to par.

Doing an outdoors show in Florida is risky with the weather - did you have any concern?

It is the first Mania to be held in the southeast part of the country - long overdue for it was it not?

The show is down in pay-per-view buys from the most purchased WrestleMania ever at that point - WrestleMania 23 - the battle of the billionaires which you can check out in our archives over at somethingtowrestle.com - but still garners over 1,000,000 buys. Pretty damn successful wouldn’t you agree?

The show kicks off with a pre-show match where Kane won a 24-man battle royal to earn an ECW title shot against Chavo Guerrero. Chavo as ECW champion - what say you?

From the Torch

1 –– JBL vs. FINLAY (w/Finlay)

JBL came out of retirement to work the opening match at WrestleMania? Not a bad way to kick off the show, though. Hornswoggle made a surprise return to be with Finlay. Ross and Lawler narrated video recaps and went further than usual to reset the backstory of the match compared to the typical WWE PPV event, with the idea being that many people watching haven’t been following the storylines on TV. Finlay dove through the ropes toward JBL on the floor, but JBL bashed him mid–flight with a trash can lid at 7:00. JBL threw a trash can hard and fast at Hornswoggle on the floor. Finlay fired back with repeated trash can lid shots and then threw JBL head–first into a table propped in the corner. The table broke in half. Finlay made the cover. JBL kicked out to “ohhs” and “ahhs” from the fans. JBL would win with a clothesline from hell.

WINNER: JBL in 9:00.

STAR RATING: **

Wade points out an interesting point - JBL came out of retirement to work the opening match? Was there a bigger story for JBL?

What did you think of the match?

“2 –– MVP vs. CARLITO vs. C.M. PUNK vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. MR. KENNEDY vs. CHRIS JERICHO—Money in the Bank Ladder Match

There’s an amazing array of spots, including Morrison moonsaulting off the top rope with a ladder in hand to the outside, Shelton sunset flipping Kennedy & Morrison off a ladder to the mat, Kennedy hitting Punk with a mic check on a ladder, Matt Hardy returning to attack MVP, but this is the match that really announces CM Punk into the main event.

For the finish from the torch:

Jericho climbed the ladder. Punk climbed the other side. Jericho tried to fight him off. Punk persisted to the top. He knocked Jericho down a step. The two grabbed the ladder at the same time. It ended up swinging away from them. Jericho hit Punk in the face with the ladder. Punk then yanked Jericho off the ladder. He hung from one leg upside down. Punk reached for and grabbed the briefcase to win.

WINNER: Punk in 14:00.

STAR RATING: **** –– Good version of that match. They really went all–out with risky and innovative spots with the ladders. Maybe too risky at times.

Jericho never won the match after coming up with the concept, but having him be a part of this match is important to keep it all together isn’t it?

Why Punk instead of the other guys?

Any reason another man wasn’t added to it after the Hardy suspension?

What was Matt like to deal with in his return coming off Jeff’s issues?

Snoop Dogg is in the back doing promos with Santino, Festus & Jesse and Mick Foley. This is quite the cast of characters isn’t it?

“3 –– BATISTA vs. UMAGA

Batista avoided a Samoan Spike and Umaga sailed into the corner. Batista then a spinebuster to Umaga. He grabbed the top rope, shook it, stomped the mat, and set up a Batista Bomb. It didn’t work out well, though, as he fell backwards as he did it. Cole sold it as if it was a normal Batista Bomb. Batista winced and held his back, but made the cover and scored the clean pin.

WINNER: Batista in 7:00.

STAR RATING: 3/4* –– Forgettable filler. Neither seemed inspired after a promising opening two minutes. But at least that settles it— Smackdown is superior to Raw, right?”

This just didn’t hit, did it? What do you think the issues were?

“4 –– CHAVO GUERRERO vs. KANE –– ECW Hvt. Title match

ECW G.M. Armando Estrada introduced the match—thus earning his WrestleMania paycheck. Chavo had no idea that Kane showed up behind him. Kane immediately chokeslammed Chavo as soon as he turned around and scored an instant three count. Styles said history was made. He wondered if the match length set a new record.

WINNER: Kane in 0:05 to capture the ECW Hvt. Title.

STAR RATING: n/a—Poor Chavo. What a WrestleMania memory”

I don’t want to say Kane deserved a WrestleMania moment like this - but he did didn’t he?

“–– RIC FLAIR vs. SHAWN MICHAELS—Career Threatening match

Flair shoved Michaels into the corner, chopped him hard in the chest, and shouted, “Old Yeller, huh? Old Yeller, huh?” Michaels slapped him stiffly across the face. Flair bled from the lip. Flair said, “First blood, brother.”

Michaels went for a moonsault on Flair off the ring apron, but Flair moved and Michaels landed hard on the announce table. The edge of the table didn’t give and Michaels clutched his ribs in serious pain. Man, that looked bad. They replayed it several times.

Michaels hit a top rope elbow, then stomped the mat and signalled for the Sweet Chin Music superkick. Flair stood up, Michaels moved in toward him with his foot raised, but then he stopped in his tracks. Flair yanked Michaels to the mat and applied a figure–four mid–ring.

Flair took a deep breath and even strutted for

a second. Michaels surprised Flair with a superkick flush to his chin. Flair went down like he was shot. Michaels draped his arm over Flair. Flair lifted his shoulder just as Ross asked, “Is this it?” The crowd erupted with cheers. Ross said, “Flair’s wrestling life is continuing.” Michaels tried to stand, but his left leg gave out on him. Michaels stomped the mat and waited for Flair to get up. Flair stayed down. Michaels shouted at him to stand up. He stomped the mat again. Flair this time began to stand up, but slowly. Michaels showed frustration. He walked over to Flair and lifted him. Flair then mule kicked Michaels. The crowd popped. Flair made the cover and scored a near fall. Ross called it an “amazing wrestling match.”

Michaels, out of nowhere, kicked Flair upward into his chin, dropping him again. Michaels sat up, looked over at Flair, and backed up into the corner to help himself up by the ropes. He waited for Flair stand up and was going to stomp the mat. He broke down emotionally and looked down. Flair stood up and asked Michaels to kick him. Michaels did. Flair went down. Michaels covered him. One–two–three. Michaels then immediately wrapped his arm around Flair and had some words for him. Flair lay on his back crying. Michaels then quickly rolled out of the ring, sat on the apron, and walked to the back to let Flair have the post–match spotlight.

Michaels’s music played for another minute. Flair sat up balling. They cut to his kids in the front row who were bawling. Flair stood up and was given a standing ovation as he walked to the back.

STAR RATING: ***** –– That couldn’t have been done better. Twenty minutes of history. A mistimed flip or a failed bridge up didn’t matter here. This was just tremendously executed.”

Bruce - nothing like it before - nothing like it since - not sure anything will ever be like it again.

How emotional are you when it’s over? What’s the feeling backstage? Walk me through it all.

Somehow from this we go to…the Lumberjack Bunnymania match…

6 –– MELINA & “GLAMAZON” BETH PHOENIX (w/Santino Marella) vs. ASHLEY & CANDICE MICHELLE –– Lumberjack Bunnymania match

Snoop Dogg handled ring intros. Lawler tried to talk Ross into getting excited during ring intros. Ross pretty much no–sold Lawler. Four minutes into the match, the lights went out. Back in the Monday Night War era, we’d all be wondering where Eric Bischoff and the NWO were at this moment. Emergency spotlights came on and shined on the women so they could see what they were doing. Santino yanked Maria off of a pin attempt. Lawler said he had enough and he got up and walked over to Santino. He punched him for a big pop. Glamazon hit Maria from behind with a double sledgehammer, then fisherman suplexed her for the win. They cut to a shot of Snoop watching from his throne at ringside. Santino walked into the ring to raise the arm of Melina and hug his team. Melina trash talked Maria, then bailed out of the ring. Santino stayed in the ring to gloat. Snoop clotheslined Santino, then kissed Maria to wake her up. Santino protested at ringside.

WINNERS: Glamazon & Melina in 5:00.

STAR RATING 3/4 * - Fine for what it was.

Good use of Snoop Dogg. It was just a chance to catch your breath after the emotions of Flair vs. Michaels.”

When this takes place - the power goes out - does all hell break loose in the back?

Was that the highlight of all this?

“7-JOHN CENA VS TRIPLE H VS RANDY ORTON

The finish -

Hunter pounded away at Cena. Cena fought back with clotheslines and a side slam. He played to the crowd and absorbed their cheers and boos. As the camera went wide, he went into the five–knuckle shuffle routine followed by an FU attempt. Hunter slipped out and went for a Pedigree. Cena slipped out. Hunter kicked him into the corner turnbuckle. Hunter gave Cena a facebuster and clothesline, then a spinebuster. Ross asked if we were on the cusp of a new WWE Champion. Hunter clipped Orton from behind as he began to make his way back into the ring. Cena snuck up on Hunter for an FU. Hunter escaped again and hit the Pedigree. The ref made the cover, but Orton gave punted Hunter to break up the pin. Orton then covered Cena for the three count. Well, people who gambled on this match and thought they “knew” the outcome are out a few bucks. Surprise finish, and it also explains this match’s placement on the show third–from–the–top.

WINNER: Orton in 14:00.

STAR RATING: **** –– Another really good match. Non–stop action, tough to keep up with at times. Well–timed and really well–executed with some inventive spots. Surprise finish helped, even if it disappointed a lot of fans cheering for Hunter or Cena. Another five minutes and it’s four–stars–plus.”

Why Orton here? You bring Cena back - and two months in a row he loses.

“8 –– THE BIG SHOW vs. FLOYD MAYWEATHER

Mayweather showed his speed and agility, ducking under and running around Show in the opening seconds. Show backed him into a corner. Mayweather ducked and began throwing a barrage of body punches. Show looked upset, but Ross said they didn’t seem to have an adverse effect on Show. Mayweather took a shot at Show and connected on his jaw. Show kept his distance from that point on. Show looked more irritated than hurt.

Show caught a Mayweather punch, powered him to the mat, and stomped toward his hand. Mayweather moved his hand. Show caught Mayweather again seconds later and lifted him in the air. Mayweather threw three roundhouse punches to stagger show. He then jumped on Show from behind and choked him.

Show’s face went blue, but he eventually powered his way out of it, then he flipped him to the mat and stomped on his left forearm. Mayweather grabbed his arm in pain. His cornermen stood up and protested. The ref ordered them to back off. Show held Mayweather in the corner, told the crowd to quiet down, and then slapped Mayweather hard across the chest. Mayweather went down and winced and gasped for breath. Show smiled. Show then stood on his back as the crowd chanted and cheered for Show. Mayweather’s cornermen again surrounded Mayweather at ringside and protested.

As he went for another move, Mayweather’s cornermen yanked Mayweather out of the ring by his legs. The leader said the fight is over. His men began carrying him away. Show pursued them up the aisle. He knocked over Mayweather’s cornermen and caught up to Mayweather. He grabbed Mayweather and dragged him back toward the ring. He facelocked him and forearmed him.

Mayweather was nearly dead weight. Another cornerman charged into the ring. Show punched him. Show then lifted Mayweather with one arm by the throat. Another cornerman hit Show with a chair. Show chokeslammed him. Mayweather then swung a chair into Show’s gut as Show turned around. He bashed him across the back. When he went for another chairshot, Show grabbed him by the throat. Mayweather escaped with a low kick. He picked up the chair and hit Show over the head with it three times, the last two completely unprotected. Mayweather took off his boxing gloves and pulled out brass knuckles. He then punched Show in the jaw and dropped him out cold. Show tried to beat the ten count, but couldn’t. Mayweather was declared the winner. Ross said Mayweather went 40–0. As Mayweather celebrated his way backstage, Show got up and stared him down from the ring.

WINNER: Mayweather in 12:00.

STAR RATING. ***1/4 - You know what, that wasn’t

bad at all. I suspect there will be wide spectrum of opinions, but Show looked tougher overall based on how it played out. Mayweather, though, won based on the no–DQ rules. For expectations being set low, Mayweather did his part well.”

Until recently…is this one of the best celebrity matches the company ever had?

“9. EDGE vs. UNDERTAKER - World Heavyweight Title Match

Edge ducked a Taker big boot, and the boot hit the ref instead. Edge then gave Taker a reverse DDT. He caught his breath while sitting on his knees. He stood over Taker and trash talked him. Taker reached up and grabbed his throat. Edge low–blowed out of it, then rolled to the floor. Edge knocked a cameraman down and stole his camera. He unplugged it and brought it into the ring. He charged at Taker and KO’d him with a camera. Edge tried to check on the ref, but as he shoved him, the ref fell to the floor. Edge looked over at Taker, who sat up. Edge did the throat slice signal with his thumb, then lifted Taker for a Tombstone. Taker countered with a Tombstone. He covered Edge, but there was no ref. Charles Robinson sprinted to the ring. That was a long run. He slid into the ring and counted to nearly three, but Edge kicked out. Cool sequence. The long run to the ring was a nice touch. Zach Ryder and Curt Hawkins ran to the ring. Taker fought them off. Taker actually chokeslammed one of the off the ring apron onto the other on the floor. Edge recovered and speared Taker. Coach declared the streak over, giving away that Taker was going to kick out because there’s no way he’d be allowed to call the real finish ahead of time. Sure enough, Taker kicked out at 23:00. Edge hit another spear. Taker, though, surprised Edge with his new figure–four headlock sleeper. Edge struggled to reach the ropes with his leg, but couldn’t quite get there, then he tapped out. The crowd exploded. They got their happy ending. A massive fireworks show played out as Taker held his newly won title. Cole thanked everyone for watching WrestleMania.

Winner: Undertaker in 24:00

STAR RATING - ****1/2 - A bit slow early, but for good reason, as they went long.

A WrestleMania–main–event–worthy performance from both with really dramatic near falls at the end.”

Edge & Taker had quite the match and Charles Robinson run down the ramp is so well remembered. Are these the matches Taker always wanted since you saddled him with all those stiffs in the beginning of the streak?

Back to my question a little bit ago - did you think this was going to be your last WrestleMania?

What say you on the show - thumbs up?