WrestleMania XXVI

[Lizard King Lives]

And now for my thoughts.

Wow.... what a hell of a match and what a way to end WrestleMania. I don't think I'll ever forget the image of Undertaker and Shawn Michaels shaking hands out of my head. That was arguably one the best WrestleMania moments I've ever seen. Both truly are class acts and deserve all the respect they get and more. Definately this was the best match of the night and rightfully deserved the main event. I cant say if this match was better than last year but it definately delivered, this will probably be one of my favorite matches ever.

As for the rest of the card it had its hits and misses. The Divas match was BIG miss. This match was horrible and didn't deserve any of the time it recieved on the PPV. The match was a huge botchfest and the ending was terrible. Thats all I can really say as there isn't much to talk about with this match.

The Bret Hart/Vince McMahon match was also a huge disappointment, and was nothing but a job-out to Vince McMahon. I know Bret Hart has suffered a stroke and obviously isn't the same Bret Hart he used to be but this match was a total McMahon beat down and it totally drained all the energy and emotion it had going into it.

The Legacy Triple Threat match was okay. The match was way too short and only served as the official end of Legacy a Orton won. DiBiase and Rhodes really didn't gain much from this match except a WrestleMania debut.

MITB was good. It wasn't spectacular like previous ones but it was good. Jack Swagger winning was totally unexpected and makes me wonder what they're gonna do with him now. Other than the end it was an OK match.

The Cena/Batista match was alright. It wasn't great like other matches that they've had against opponents but it was a solid match for what it worth and who was involved. The end was pretty set and anyone could have predicted Cena to win. So this match was alright i guess.

The World title match was better than the WWE title match. Both Edge and Jericho delivered and put on a great match. Did it steal the show, probably not, but it was definately the second best match of the night. This match had some great spots and had you going back and forth as to who would win. Although I expected Edge to win I can't say i'm surprised that Jericho won, it gives this feud something to build on now. Either way they both make great champions. All in all this match was really good and very enjoyable.

The Punk/Mysterio match was predictable as I didn't see Mysterio really losing this one. The match it self was good it had alot of good action and both competitors looked strong.

The other two matches were good but could've been better had they been given more time. Sheamus looked good in his match against HHH, at least better than he has against Cena. The Tag match was a good match too. Although I would have liked to see JoMo and Truth win, I kind of expected Show Miz to retain as I don't think they're dropping the titles anytime soon.

Overall it was a good WrestleMania, It wasn't great like past Mania's but it was good. Taker vs. Michaels once again made this PPV worth watching and put on one hell of a show. It's sad to see Shawn go but something had to give and this time it was the career.

[Antony]

Well all I can say is an era of a fabulous career has ended, last year I rooted for Taker to win. But I have to admit this year I was pulling for Shawn, I think deep down I knew Taker would win. But apart of me just wanted to believe, Shawn could do it but I was wrong. They are both two of my all time favourites, both had a certain spark which they brought to the ring and to see on go is truly heartbreaking. I hope to see Shawn again but I doubt it, I think Shawn is the kind of guy that has too much respect for his opponent to come back after losing such an important match.

From what i've seen on wwe.com, I loved the respect shown between the two legends. They have been in the game for about the same time, and they truly are great!

Leading up to Wrestlemania, I have been in the process of creating a Shawn Michaels website. I was in doubt whether I should proceed considering the outcome. But to me I think it's fair to say, I am going to continue with the site in honour to the 25 year career of the Heartbreak Kid!

[Nick]

First off, I would like to announce that the Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker rematch was by far, the best match that the WWE has ever scripted, period! Too many Last Rides, Chokeslams, Tombstone Piledrivers, Sweet Chin Musics to count. I feel kinda sad about Michaels leaving us though. It's for the best, he's a little bit older than Undertaker anyway, but he had a lot more energy left in him. I also applaud Undertaker and Shawn and shaking hands and hugging after the match.

[TG007]

Woo whata ppv.. Fantasia did an pretty good job..My cousins were laughing at her huge mouth..but i didnt pay that any mind..

Starting the show with ShoMiz and Mortruth was a good idea in my opinion....personally that match bored the hell outta me...and im glad they had it first and got it over with.....Any match where Show wins by punching the other guy in the temple, is a crock of shit in my eyes..but it was a quick match so i tolerated it. 5.5/10

The triple threat was back and forth, and pretty good..i was kinda wanting Dibease or RKO to win at the end of the day..Im sorry but in my opinion Cody is a little wimp...Not having knee pads, makes him look like he's got chicken legs..and those boots....reminded me of 70's-80's wrestlers... 8/10

The backstage bit, with Santino was great in my opinion...My Family LOL'd....i giggled..hehe, good way to promote Slim Jim.

MITB was good...I kinda had deja vu when Kane kinda got ladder sandwhich'd..lol....I'm glad Swagger won..I think he has alot of potential..Good match....kinda suprised me..8/10

HHH's match didnt suprise me that much...I think they couldve done abit better in that match..at one point i think i may have been snoozing...7/10

619 vs Jesus wanna be... I think i barfed up pizza when punk showed his chest....WAX THAT DAMN JUNGLE ON YOUR CHEST....shesh....Other than that bit of sickness...okay i match i suppose...i wouldve like to have seen something else done with 619's family..7/10

Hitman vs. Vince...Gooood match..i liked the lumberjack bit..I would have liked to have seen Vince put up a little better of a fight, but very good match for Bret..9.5/10

I was really hoping for Edge to win this bit, but mabey at the next ppv..as i dont see it changing hands on SD..pretty good match...I liked the fan sign with spear wrote all over it...very cute.lol...
8/10

The Diva's match was okay..The Hogsplash was sickish, but whatev...I hope they continue on with Vickie and Beth and the rest...7/10

I really liked how Cena came out..very nice....Im kinda glad he got the title....i just hope that asstista dont bring it up much more...but i have a feeling we'll never hear the end of it.... 9/10



Taker's match was AMAZING...It was WAY better than last years..I had my doubts about it, but it proved me wrong...Everything in that match AW'd me....and the sign of respect after the match just about made me cry...10/10 easily.. .

RIP HBK... 18-0...yyeeeaaaa boyyyy..lol


I will kinda miss Shawn though...I kinda wanted to cry..

[Antony]

First off, I would like to announce that the Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker rematch was by far, the best match that the WWE has ever scripted, period! Too many Last Rides, Chokeslams, Tombstone Piledrivers, Sweet Chin Musics to count. I feel kinda sad about Michaels leaving us though. It's for the best, he's a little bit older than Undertaker anyway, but he had a lot more energy left in him. I also applaud Undertaker and Shawn and shaking hands and hugging after the match.

Michaels is a few months younger that Taker mate, his birthday is 10 days after mine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Michaels. I nearly cried seeing them shake hands Nick, I just felt so much admiration for both of them. It was sad to see either man lose really, and they proved that age means nothing.

[KaneTakerfan4life]

A very enjoyable WrestleMania. The only thing missing from this show was Jim Ross; at the very least, he should've called the Main Event .

Taker/Shawn was terrific and I'm really glad it ended up going on last. Great drama from start to finish. The final Tombstone at the end was just wicked. Loved the gesture by 'Taker at the end .

'Taker's entrance attire was awesome.

Batista/Cena was solid though I felt their match at SummerSlam '08 was a bit better. That said, this was good and I really got into it towards the end.

The Triple Threat match was better than I thought it would be. Nice to see the punt make its 2010 debut. I wonder where Ted and Cody go from here. I assume Cody goes away for a bit to sell the punt and one of them gets drafted to SmackDown.

HHH/Sheamus was very enjoyable. No surprise at the outcome. That said, it still seemed a bit strange to see Hunter appear so early on the card.

Money in the Bank was great as always. I was surprised to see Swagger get the win; I didn't realize he was a closet Kurt Angle fan . Meanwhile, I read today that Kane broke Bret Hart's record by appearing in his 13th consecutive WrestleMania match (including the pre-show match he had at WreslteMania XIX in 2003). It probably doesn't mean a whole lot but I found that fact interesting. Quite a feat by the big guy .

Edge/Jericho was very entertaining. Nice to see Jericho retain the title and get a big win at 'Mania. Edge's spear through the barricade was epic.

Bret/Vince was a total letdown and I'll leave it at that. Granted, I wasn't expecting a five-star classic by any means but still.

Punk/Rey was good while it lasted but I felt the needed more time. I liked Rey's Avatar-themed attire.

I wish ShoMiz/MorTruth didn't end up being a squash. It was actually shaping up to be a decent match before the abrupt finish.

I liked some of the signs at WrestleMania; "Norway hates Cena," "This match was sponsored by the AARP," "Batista likes fishsticks," etc. Got a kick out of those.

Show grade: B-.

[TG007]

by the way...and for the win....I LOVED TAKERS OUTFIT.....nom nom LAWL

[Lucinda]

Honestly, I couldn't really enjoy/care about most of the show...until the last match of course. I remember Batista/Cena being okay, nothing spectacular, or course. But I spent most of that match trying to get my heart rate down to less than over 9000 bpms, haha. Actually, I missed the whole first half of the show because I had fallen asleep...and then woke up like, "OMG SHAWN."

But I think, as a whole, this Wrestlemania was OK (not including the ending, which was like its own show). Just OK, nothing amazing (except for the AMAZINGLY BAD Diva's Match). The Main Event really made the whole show for me, and yes, I am completely biased.

[Veritas]

For me, it was about the Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon match. At first I didn't get exactly what the point of the Hart family being there was, but after tonight's Raw I realized why: Bret's left hand is barely functional. If you get a chance to watch the end of the tag team match, you'll see (I think it's DH Smith) that whoever's beside him has to hold his left hand up. The left side of his face is slack too.

So what we saw from Bret was the most he could physically do in the ring. I've said all along that all I wanted to see was Vince in the Sharpshooter, and I saw it. Everything else was just icing on the cake.

ShoMiz and MorTruth? What was it, like 2 minutes long? Terrible.

MITB was quite good as usual. Shorter with less spots than last year. This is the sort of match that could really have been great if they had ladder guys like Jeff Hardy and Edge in it. Seems like the younger guys they had in it (Swagger, Kofi, Evan Bourne) just aren't ladder guys.

As a side note, I'm pretty sure that Jack Swagger has fake teeth, and that's why he lisps and talks funny.

I thought Hunter was going to put over Sheamus, and I'm sad he didn't, but it's clear they'll have the feud continue. Expect to see more of this from HHH In the future. Someone has to put over the new guys, and it can't be Shawn anymore. I thought this was a good match.

Jericho and Edge was a good match, but nothing special. Same with Cena and Batista. Technically good, no huge spots, more than a little boring in places.

I went to the corner store during the Divas match. I'll watch it later, but probably just salivate over Beth and Mickie a bit.

As for Taker-Shawn...well, I was actually sort of disappointed with it. They took it outside of the ring, what, twice? And no chairs, no objects, nothing other than a tombstone and a backflip onto the table. Taker tore up his arm a bit, and the ending was good, Shawn's last defiance...but. It wasn't spectacular technically, nor compared to what both men can do.

It was, however, incredible emotionally. I wonder what Taker said to HBK at the end there, when they shook hands.

[Antony]

For me, it was about the Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon match. At first I didn't get exactly what the point of the Hart family being there was, but after tonight's Raw I realized why: Bret's left hand is barely functional. If you get a chance to watch the end of the tag team match, you'll see (I think it's DH Smith) that whoever's beside him has to hold his left hand up. The left side of his face is slack too.

So what we saw from Bret was the most he could physically do in the ring. I've said all along that all I wanted to see was Vince in the Sharpshooter, and I saw it. Everything else was just icing on the cake.

ShoMiz and MorTruth? What was it, like 2 minutes long? Terrible.

MITB was quite good as usual. Shorter with less spots than last year. This is the sort of match that could really have been great if they had ladder guys like Jeff Hardy and Edge in it. Seems like the younger guys they had in it (Swagger, Kofi, Evan Bourne) just aren't ladder guys.

As a side note, I'm pretty sure that Jack Swagger has fake teeth, and that's why he lisps and talks funny.

I thought Hunter was going to put over Sheamus, and I'm sad he didn't, but it's clear they'll have the feud continue. Expect to see more of this from HHH In the future. Someone has to put over the new guys, and it can't be Shawn anymore. I thought this was a good match.

Jericho and Edge was a good match, but nothing special. Same with Cena and Batista. Technically good, no huge spots, more than a little boring in places.

I went to the corner store during the Divas match. I'll watch it later, but probably just salivate over Beth and Mickie a bit.

As for Taker-Shawn...well, I was actually sort of disappointed with it. They took it outside of the ring, what, twice? And no chairs, no objects, nothing other than a tombstone and a backflip onto the table. Taker tore up his arm a bit, and the ending was good, Shawn's last defiance...but. It wasn't spectacular technically, nor compared to what both men can do.

It was, however, incredible emotionally. I wonder what Taker said to HBK at the end there, when they shook hands.

From what I made out and thought was said, was " You are one tough son of a bitch". I think thats what he said but don't bank me on it Veritas lol

[Veritas]

I just watched it again, and I'm pretty sure he said "You did a great job on this match, man." In addition - I'm pretty sure he was close to tears. We imagine it is an emotional moment for Shawn, retiring - but what about those around him, people who always expected Shawn Michaels to be there? The Undertaker and Shawn go back a long way. You get the feeling they never much like each other, at least back in the 90s (based on what Shawn said last night), but there is a ton of respect between those two men.

This retirement will have a greater effect on WWE than any retirement since Stone Cold's, and probably more than his. The game changes, there's one old timer left.

[Luke]

Well I've not seen WrestleMania yet, I have yet to be made aware of a copy on the Internet to watch for free, lol. I did follow the live play-by-play on Sunday night though. It could just be my interpretation, but it would seem that there are a few grumbles out there that the length of the matches was pretty short, perhaps with exception to Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho vs. Edge. Did this affect the pace and/or quality of any of the matches in your opinion?

I would still be interested to see Money in the Bank, just to see it for what it is and how that played out with 10 competitors, and obviously Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, but it doesn't sound like any of the other matches were particularly spectacular, which is disappointing because I felt WWE had done a really good job of hyping WrestleMania XXVI and getting me all excited, so, Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels aside, did the rest of the PPV deliver? Are there any matches that I should not discredit as I pursue my search for footage online?

[Veritas]

Luke, do you need a torrent for it?

[Insanity_X]

It's on youtube I expect.

[Luke]

Luke, do you need a torrent for it?

Torrent? How does that work?

It's on youtube I expect.

I couldn't find it on YouTube, Insanity.

[Insanity_X]

http://www.dailymotion.com/xMaCfllY_340- It'll be up there soon enough, he's uploaded the rest of Wrestlemania so it should pop up there within a day or so.

[Luke]

http://www.dailymotion.com/xMaCfllY_340- It'll be up there soon enough, he's uploaded the rest of Wrestlemania so it should pop up there within a day or so.

Thanks for the link, Insanity. No Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels as yet but I will keep on checking.

[Insanity_X]

Update: part 1, part 2, part 3.

enjoy.

[Luke]

Update: part 1, part 2, part 3.

enjoy.

Again, thanks for the link, Insanity. Awesome match. 'Taker's coat was pretty cool, it was a good look, kind of Lord of Darkness come gothic boxer. I enjoyed the Money in the Bank match, too; was still fun watching Swagger snatch the briefcase even though I knew he'd already won.