Just under half an hour to go folks, until WrestleMania kicks off.The latest rumours suggest that we'll be opening with the Tag Titles and closing with the Career v Streak match.
Should be a good one, see you soon!
23:49 - Reports are coming in that the dark match is a 26-man Battle Royale. I'm watching a bit of Jersey Girl on BBC One until the show starts.
23:56 - The adverts are on Sky Box Office now, so the show is about to start.
23:58 - First snack of the night: Pretzels.
23:59 - Yoshi Tatsu wins the Battle Royale. It's WRESTLEMANIA TIME kids!
00:00 - Fighter jet fly-over. Fancy. Fantasia sings "America The Beautiful".
00:05 - Slim Jim! Oh yeahhh!
00:06 - Tag titles to open. What's up? What's up? What's up?
00:08 - Commentators are Cole, Lawler and Striker.
00:14 - ShoMiz retain in a short match due to the Knock Out Punch off a blind tag. Call it *1/2
00:17 - Legacy EXPLODES next. DiBiase is out first.
00:18 - Cody's flesh coloured trunks are deeply disturbing to me.
00:25 - Is it just me or was Cody's knee drop really funny? Also, Priceless turns on each other, Shocker!
00:28 - DOUBLE HANGING DDT!
00:29 - Punt to Cody, RKO to Ted, Randy wins, Priceless still has no heat.
00:30 - That drop down screen is good stuff. Match was **. Not a fantastic start to the show.
00:33 - Vickie Guerrero is still the best heel in WWE. The rest of the female heels can, on the other hand, fuck right off.
00:35 - Money In The Bank time. Kofi's hair has gone deeply stupid.
00:36 - Savannah is the guest ring announcer, in case anyone cares.
00:42 - Kane chokeslams Bourne to the outside.
00:43 - First slow climb of the match from Ziggler.
00:46 - Air Bourne off the ladder. Which was deeply stupid because Evan coukld have easily grabbed the case otherwise.
00:50 - Kofi Kingston is using ladder-stilts. That's just stupid.
00:54 - Jack Swagger wins. That was out of the blue. **3/4. Someone really needs to pick the pace up soon.
00:57 - Hall of Fame Package. Uecker has some decent lines. DiBiase's laugh still rules.
00:59 - And Antonio Inoki makes it to WrestleMania.
01:05 - Let's see if Sheamus and the Tripper can get us over ***
01:13 - Apparently Ric Flair references are still allowed in the WWE. Either that or Cole is going to be fired tomorrow.
01:17 - Sheamus really has stepped up his game (no pun intended). He's looking like a veteran.
01:18 - HHH avoids a Super Razor's Edge and a Pump Kick. Sheamus avoids the Pedigree.
01:22 - They need to drop these dead spots. It's killing the crowd.
01:23 - Trips wins with the Pedigree. That finish was rather sudden considering the pace of the rest of the match, but it still got us ***.
01:25 - That Slim Jim ad was fucking creepy.
01:28 - Punk v Mysterio now.
01:31 - Rey has an Avatar costume this year. Meh.
01:35 - Rey just took a Wheelbarrow Buster to the steps. Ouch.
01:39 - Punk dodges the Frogsplash. Running knee, Bulldog is avoided.
01:40 - And Serena prevents the 619. Rey gets it on the other side and defeats Punk with a splash. Could have been so much better: ***.
01:43 - Bret v Vince next.
01:49 - Vince is cutting a promo. It's now a Lumberjack Match, with the Hart family as Lumberjacks. Oh yeah, that's not going to backfire AT ALL.
01:53 - Bruce Hart is refereeing. Wearing sunglasses.
01:55 - IT WAS A SET-UP ALL ALONG, BAH GAWD!
01:57 - The Dynasty hit a Hart Attack to the floor. Vince is taking a kicking.
02:00 - This is getting boring very quickly. Please get to the finish.
02:06 - Vince taps to the Sharpshooter. They could had this take up half the time and got a better Punk/Rey match. 1/2*
02:08 - WrestleMania 28 is coming from... Atlanta.
02:13 - Jericho v Edge next. Decent video package but not great.
02:20 - Sexton Hardcastle reference from Striker. That's a bit out there.
02:23 - Edgecution off the top gets 2. Crowd are very muted for this match.
02:25 - Jericho counters a Spear into the Walls. Nicely done.
02:29 - Jericho counters another Spear with the Codebreaker. Still only gets 2.
02:31 - Looks like Taker and Shawn may have to save their second consecutive Mania.
02:33 - Jericho retains with a belt shot and a Codebreaker. That was unexpected. **3/4.
02:34 - Edge is going a bit crazy. Spear off the announcer's table and through the security wall. Err, ouch.
02:39 - Battle Royale recap lets me run to the bathroom. Women are out next.
02:45 - Vickie wins with Frogsplash. Far smaller reaction that I expected.
02:46 - Cena/DAVE~! next. We close with Career v Streak then. Good choice.
02:50 - DAVE~! is out first. Wonder what John's wacky entrance will be this year?
02:52 - The Air Force? Seriously? Fuck me.
02:54 - RAPADOOOOO!
02:55 - Massive "CENA SUCKS" sign behind John-boy. Heh.
02:58 - Cena is getting some pretty big boos early on.
03:02 - Fans are pretty solidly behind Batista here. Wrestling has been pretty basic so far.
03:04 - Cena slips out of a Demonbomb and goes for the STF/Dry-hump.
03:08: BIG Attitude Adjustment but it only gets 2. Cena's having doubts, but the kids are rallying behind him.
03:10 - DAVE taps out in another underwhelming match. John is the Champ - but will Swagger Cash In? Match was **1/2. The Main Event has a mountain to climb here.
03:14 - Taker/Shawn hype package, so looks like Swagger isn't cashing in.
03:18 - Shawn's out first. Standard entrance for him, but I suspect we'll be having some Druids for the Taker.
03:20: DONG! Lights out! Taker rises out of the floor - no Druids, but a cool robe.
03:25 - SHAWN opens with the throat cut gesture. Taker doesn't take too kindly to that.
03:20 - HBK is targeting the knee, which seems to be working. Figure Four is blocked though.
03:33 - CHOKESLAM gives up the first big near-fall of the match.
03:34 - HBK slips out of a Tombstone and grabs an Anklelock. Now Grapevined. Could UT actually tap out?
03:35 - Taker catches a Moonsault to the floor and hits a TOMBSTONE ON THE FLOOR. Taker needs to get Shawn back inside though.
03:37 - UT throws a doctor aside and rolls HBK back inside. Two count only.
03:38 - Last Ride fails when Undertaker's knee buckles. Savage Elbow from Shawn eats knee.
03:39 - Hell's Gate countered to a roll up... 2 count. SWEET CHIN MUSIC. Near fall.
03:41 - Taker is prepping the announce table.
03:42 - Michaels avoids a Last Ride through the table and hits a Superkick. MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP AND THROUGH THE TABLE.
03:44 - Taker cannot stand. Lawler thinks his leg is broken and given the impact of that Moonsault, he may well be right.
03:44 - SWEET CHIN MUSIC... for 2!!!!
03:45 - CHOKESLAM! Taker's leg is in serious trouble here (or this is the best sell job in history).
03:46 - TOMBSTONE. Shawn KICKED OUT. Taker is reduced to talking to himself.
03:48 - Taker goes to do the cut-throat gesture... and notices blood on his arm. Taker looks to give Shawn mercy... Shawn slaps him in the face... TOMBSTONE WITH AUTHORITY! Taker wins, and Shawn is DONE.
03:50 - Replays show Taker actually JUMPED on that Tombstone. Wowzer.
03:52 - Taker helps Michaels to his feet. Handshake... and a hug. Undertaker actually hugged HBK.
03:53 - Shawn gets his moment in the sun, and is close to tears.
The match is almost impossible to rate. Might have to wait and give it another viewing tomorrow. I'll give it **** for now.
03:56 - And we fade out on Shawn walking off the stage.
----
Overall, it was a good show, but didn't really live up to it's potential. Still, worth a watch to see Shawn's final match if nothing else. Surprised Swagger didn't Cash In either. I'd give it a C overall.
Should be a good one, see you soon!
23:49 - Reports are coming in that the dark match is a 26-man Battle Royale. I'm watching a bit of Jersey Girl on BBC One until the show starts.
23:56 - The adverts are on Sky Box Office now, so the show is about to start.
23:58 - First snack of the night: Pretzels.
23:59 - Yoshi Tatsu wins the Battle Royale. It's WRESTLEMANIA TIME kids!
00:00 - Fighter jet fly-over. Fancy. Fantasia sings "America The Beautiful".
00:05 - Slim Jim! Oh yeahhh!
00:06 - Tag titles to open. What's up? What's up? What's up?
00:08 - Commentators are Cole, Lawler and Striker.
00:14 - ShoMiz retain in a short match due to the Knock Out Punch off a blind tag. Call it *1/2
00:17 - Legacy EXPLODES next. DiBiase is out first.
00:18 - Cody's flesh coloured trunks are deeply disturbing to me.
00:25 - Is it just me or was Cody's knee drop really funny? Also, Priceless turns on each other, Shocker!
00:28 - DOUBLE HANGING DDT!
00:29 - Punt to Cody, RKO to Ted, Randy wins, Priceless still has no heat.
00:30 - That drop down screen is good stuff. Match was **. Not a fantastic start to the show.
00:33 - Vickie Guerrero is still the best heel in WWE. The rest of the female heels can, on the other hand, fuck right off.
00:35 - Money In The Bank time. Kofi's hair has gone deeply stupid.
00:36 - Savannah is the guest ring announcer, in case anyone cares.
00:42 - Kane chokeslams Bourne to the outside.
00:43 - First slow climb of the match from Ziggler.
00:46 - Air Bourne off the ladder. Which was deeply stupid because Evan coukld have easily grabbed the case otherwise.
00:50 - Kofi Kingston is using ladder-stilts. That's just stupid.
00:54 - Jack Swagger wins. That was out of the blue. **3/4. Someone really needs to pick the pace up soon.
00:57 - Hall of Fame Package. Uecker has some decent lines. DiBiase's laugh still rules.
00:59 - And Antonio Inoki makes it to WrestleMania.
01:05 - Let's see if Sheamus and the Tripper can get us over ***
01:13 - Apparently Ric Flair references are still allowed in the WWE. Either that or Cole is going to be fired tomorrow.
01:17 - Sheamus really has stepped up his game (no pun intended). He's looking like a veteran.
01:18 - HHH avoids a Super Razor's Edge and a Pump Kick. Sheamus avoids the Pedigree.
01:22 - They need to drop these dead spots. It's killing the crowd.
01:23 - Trips wins with the Pedigree. That finish was rather sudden considering the pace of the rest of the match, but it still got us ***.
01:25 - That Slim Jim ad was fucking creepy.
01:28 - Punk v Mysterio now.
01:31 - Rey has an Avatar costume this year. Meh.
01:35 - Rey just took a Wheelbarrow Buster to the steps. Ouch.
01:39 - Punk dodges the Frogsplash. Running knee, Bulldog is avoided.
01:40 - And Serena prevents the 619. Rey gets it on the other side and defeats Punk with a splash. Could have been so much better: ***.
01:43 - Bret v Vince next.
01:49 - Vince is cutting a promo. It's now a Lumberjack Match, with the Hart family as Lumberjacks. Oh yeah, that's not going to backfire AT ALL.
01:53 - Bruce Hart is refereeing. Wearing sunglasses.
01:55 - IT WAS A SET-UP ALL ALONG, BAH GAWD!
01:57 - The Dynasty hit a Hart Attack to the floor. Vince is taking a kicking.
02:00 - This is getting boring very quickly. Please get to the finish.
02:06 - Vince taps to the Sharpshooter. They could had this take up half the time and got a better Punk/Rey match. 1/2*
02:08 - WrestleMania 28 is coming from... Atlanta.
02:13 - Jericho v Edge next. Decent video package but not great.
02:20 - Sexton Hardcastle reference from Striker. That's a bit out there.
02:23 - Edgecution off the top gets 2. Crowd are very muted for this match.
02:25 - Jericho counters a Spear into the Walls. Nicely done.
02:29 - Jericho counters another Spear with the Codebreaker. Still only gets 2.
02:31 - Looks like Taker and Shawn may have to save their second consecutive Mania.
02:33 - Jericho retains with a belt shot and a Codebreaker. That was unexpected. **3/4.
02:34 - Edge is going a bit crazy. Spear off the announcer's table and through the security wall. Err, ouch.
02:39 - Battle Royale recap lets me run to the bathroom. Women are out next.
02:45 - Vickie wins with Frogsplash. Far smaller reaction that I expected.
02:46 - Cena/DAVE~! next. We close with Career v Streak then. Good choice.
02:50 - DAVE~! is out first. Wonder what John's wacky entrance will be this year?
02:52 - The Air Force? Seriously? Fuck me.
02:54 - RAPADOOOOO!
02:55 - Massive "CENA SUCKS" sign behind John-boy. Heh.
02:58 - Cena is getting some pretty big boos early on.
03:02 - Fans are pretty solidly behind Batista here. Wrestling has been pretty basic so far.
03:04 - Cena slips out of a Demonbomb and goes for the STF/Dry-hump.
03:08: BIG Attitude Adjustment but it only gets 2. Cena's having doubts, but the kids are rallying behind him.
03:10 - DAVE taps out in another underwhelming match. John is the Champ - but will Swagger Cash In? Match was **1/2. The Main Event has a mountain to climb here.
03:14 - Taker/Shawn hype package, so looks like Swagger isn't cashing in.
03:18 - Shawn's out first. Standard entrance for him, but I suspect we'll be having some Druids for the Taker.
03:20: DONG! Lights out! Taker rises out of the floor - no Druids, but a cool robe.
03:25 - SHAWN opens with the throat cut gesture. Taker doesn't take too kindly to that.
03:20 - HBK is targeting the knee, which seems to be working. Figure Four is blocked though.
03:33 - CHOKESLAM gives up the first big near-fall of the match.
03:34 - HBK slips out of a Tombstone and grabs an Anklelock. Now Grapevined. Could UT actually tap out?
03:35 - Taker catches a Moonsault to the floor and hits a TOMBSTONE ON THE FLOOR. Taker needs to get Shawn back inside though.
03:37 - UT throws a doctor aside and rolls HBK back inside. Two count only.
03:38 - Last Ride fails when Undertaker's knee buckles. Savage Elbow from Shawn eats knee.
03:39 - Hell's Gate countered to a roll up... 2 count. SWEET CHIN MUSIC. Near fall.
03:41 - Taker is prepping the announce table.
03:42 - Michaels avoids a Last Ride through the table and hits a Superkick. MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP AND THROUGH THE TABLE.
03:44 - Taker cannot stand. Lawler thinks his leg is broken and given the impact of that Moonsault, he may well be right.
03:44 - SWEET CHIN MUSIC... for 2!!!!
03:45 - CHOKESLAM! Taker's leg is in serious trouble here (or this is the best sell job in history).
03:46 - TOMBSTONE. Shawn KICKED OUT. Taker is reduced to talking to himself.
03:48 - Taker goes to do the cut-throat gesture... and notices blood on his arm. Taker looks to give Shawn mercy... Shawn slaps him in the face... TOMBSTONE WITH AUTHORITY! Taker wins, and Shawn is DONE.
03:50 - Replays show Taker actually JUMPED on that Tombstone. Wowzer.
03:52 - Taker helps Michaels to his feet. Handshake... and a hug. Undertaker actually hugged HBK.
03:53 - Shawn gets his moment in the sun, and is close to tears.
The match is almost impossible to rate. Might have to wait and give it another viewing tomorrow. I'll give it **** for now.
03:56 - And we fade out on Shawn walking off the stage.
----
Overall, it was a good show, but didn't really live up to it's potential. Still, worth a watch to see Shawn's final match if nothing else. Surprised Swagger didn't Cash In either. I'd give it a C overall.
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