|Date: March 30, 2008
|Venue: Citrus Bowl |City: Orlando, Florida
|Attendance: 74,635 |Buys: 1,024,000
|Brands: Raw, Smackdown & ECW

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

Wrestlemania 24 promises to be bigger than ever and it certainly has a card worthy of the biggest show of the year. The WWE Championship will be on the line as Randy Orton is set to defend the title against both John Cena and Triple H in a triple threat match. Randy Orton lost to the 2008 Royal Rumble winner John Cena at No Way Out by disqualification on the same night that Triple H earned a shot at the WWE by winning an Elimination Chamber match. John Cena would get the opportunity to get back into the Wrestlemania main event the next night on Monday Night Raw if he could beat Orton and the man handed the referee’s shirt for that match was Triple H. Triple H had the opportunity to screw Cena but chose to make the count which meant Cena was added to the Wrestlemania main event. Since then, all three men were given an episode of Raw to General Manage and all three men used the power to get the better of their two opponents with Triple H teaming Cena and Orton against the whole Raw roster.

The World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line when Edge defends against the man that won number one contendership in an Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out, The Undertaker. Both men walk into Wrestlemania undefeated (Edge did lose in the Money In The Bank ladder match last year) but neither men have lost directly. Undertaker has since found himself out-numbered to Edge, his buddies Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins and familia member Chavo Guerrero. Undertaker would help Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels as they battled the four men in a cage match. Edge held a burial of Undertakers undefeated streak on Smackdown last week, a ceremony that ended with The Undertaker chokeslamming Edge through a casket. The ECW Championship is also set to be defended tonight as Chavo Guerrero puts his title on the line against the winner of a pre-show 24 man battle royal. The battle royal will be competed by the likes of Kane, Mark Henry, The Great Khali, Chuck Palumbo, Tommy Dreamer, Snitsky, World Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly and one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions The Miz.

A match that has been bringing a lot of attention to the WWE is The Big Show against boxing superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather. This all began when Mayweather leapt into the ring at No Way Out and punched Big Show in the face, busting him open the hard way. Big Show would then challenge Mayweather to a match for Wrestlemania and Floyd accepted. Since then The Big Show has beat Mayweather sized wrestlers in exhibition matches and at their weigh-in, which bizarrely occurred three weeks ago, Big Show threw Mayweather into a crowd of wrestlers. Also tonight, Ric Flair, who was inducted into the Hall Of Fame the night before, puts his career on the line again against the man he had challenged, the man he said it would be an honour to be retired by, Shawn Michaels. Michaels reluctantly accepted the challenge and since then he has saved Ric Flair on multiple occasions, something that Flair has taken exception to. Something else Ric has taken exception to is Shawn Michaels comparing The Nature Boy to Old Yeller, the dog that became too old and needed taking around the back of the woodshed. Could this match mark Ric Flairs last ever in the WWE?

A yearly tradition at Wrestlemania is the Money In The Bank ladder match and this year will be no different. There are seven superstars in the match this year which will feature last years winner Mr Kennedy who qualified by defeating Val Venis, the creator of Money Im The Bank Chris Jericho has also qualified when he defeated Jeff Hardy. Chris Jericho has since beaten Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental Championship and Jeff Hardy himself qualified for MITB by defeating Snitsky but Hardy would later fail a drug test which has taken him out of the match altogether. The other men to qualify for the match were Shelton Benjamin who beat Jimmy wang Yang, Carlito who defeated Cody Rhodes, MVP who beat Jamie Noble, CM Punk who defeated Big Daddy V and John Morrison who qualified by beating his tag team partner, The Miz. In a special challenge match it will be Raw against Smackdown as Umaga takes on Batista.

A few weeks ago on Raw, John “Bradshaw” Layfield attacked Hornswoggle before revealing that Hornswoggle isn’t Vince McMahon’s son, but Hornswoggle is in fact Finlay’s son. Finlay admitted that this was true but not before Layfield attacked Hornswoggle in his hospital bed. Finlay and JBL are now headed for each other as they prepare to do battle at Wrestlemania in a Belfast Brawl. Also tonight there is a bunnymania tag team match between the newest Playboy cover girl Marie and her partner Ashley (who is filling in for the injured Candice Michelle) and the team of Melina and the WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix. Snoop Dogg is scheduled to be the master of ceremonies for the match and all of the other WWE Divas will be surrounding the ring as lumberjills.

In the pre-show battle royal for a shot at the ECW Championship later on in the show, Kane defeated Deuce, Domino, Jim Duggan, Stevie Richards, Elijah Burke, The Miz, Shannon Moore, Jimmy Wang Yang, Jesse, Trevor Murdoch, Festus, The Brian Kendrick, Lance Cade, Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes, Jamie Noble, Chuck Palumbo, The Great Khali, Hardcore Holly, Tommy Dreamer, Snitsky, Mark Henry and Val Venis.

The show kicks off with some planes flying over the arena and then John Legend singing America The Beautiful. A video package then plays and it dramatically builds tonights show, first focusing on Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels and then the likes of Edge and John Cena. A lot can change in a year. Jim Ross then welcomes us to Wrestlemania and we are ready to go! I love the arena feel already.

Finlay vs. John “Bradshaw” Layfield – Belfast Brawl

This is a first time PPV meeting between these two men. Bradshaw has a 1-6 record at Wrestlemania whilst Finlay is 0-2. As JBL makes his entrance a video package is played showing how this match came about. Finlay is joined by Hornswoggle. Finlay then runs down to the ring but runs right into Layfields boot. JBL then lays into Finlay on the outside but Finlay reverses an Irish whip, sending Bradshaw into the ring steps. Finlay throws JBL into the ring and the bell officially rings. Finlay grabs a trash can and throws it at Layfield. JBL grabs the trash can and smashes Finlay with it. JBL then hits Finlay with a tray and a trash can lid before knocking down the Irishman with a clothesline. JBL throws the ring steps into the ring and looks to piledrive Finlay on them but Finlay hits a back body drop. Finlay beats JBL with the tray for the first near fall of the night. JBL gets back into it with a big boot and then stomps on Finlays hand.

Layfield lays into Finlay with some big right hands. Bradshaw then grabs the shillalah but Hornswoggle attacks him from behind with a kendo stick. Finlay then leathers JBL with a shillalah, knocking him out of the ring. Finlay rolls JBL back into the ring and kicks a trash can into his face. Finlay then pulls a table out from under the ring and rolls it into the ring. Finlay has only ever competed in Money In The Bank ladder matches at Wrestlemania before. He knocks JBL down with a clothesline after setting a table up in the corner of the ring. JBL rolls out of the ring and gives Hornswoggle a slap but Finlay rolls out of the ring, smashes JBL into the announce desk a few times and then rolls him back into the ring. Layfield rolls out of the ring the other side and Finlay dives out at him but Bradshaw smashes him with a trash can lid. Back in the ring and JBL gets a near fall. Bradshaw then launches a trash can out of the ring at Hornswoggle! Layfield picks up another trash can and nails Finlay with it.

Layfield sets up for a clothesline form hell but Finlay nails him with a trash can before repeatedly smashing his face with a trash can lid. Finlay then hits the Celtic cross before throwing JBL into the table set up in the corner. Finlay pins Layfield who kicks out at two, Finlay grabs a trash can lid but JBL sees him coming and hits Finlay in the knees with a kendo stick. Layfield then hits Finlay with a clothesline from hell which is enough for the three! John “Bradshaw” Layfield wins the match! A big win in a fun match to open Wrestlemania 24.

Rating: 6.5/10

Kim Kardashian, a special guest hostess for tonight, is backstage hyping up the Money In The Bank ladder match when Mr Kennedy interrupts and claims he will be winning the match for the second year in a row.

Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk vs. Carlito vs. MVP vs. John Morrison vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Mr Kennedy – Money In The Bank Ladder match

I’m surprised that they’ve placed this right after the Belfast Brawl. Shelton Benjamin gets a lot of pyro. As Wrestlemania records go, Chris Jericho is 2-4, CM Punk is 0-1, Carlito is 0-1, MVP is 0-1, John Morrison makes his Wrestlemania debut tonight, Shelton Benjamin is 1-3 and Mr Kennedy is 1-0. Jeff Hardy was also supposed to be in this match but he was suspended due to failing a drug test. Chris Jericho is the Intercontinental Champion, MVP is the United States Champion and John Morrison is one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions. Plenty of upper midcard guys in this match along with Chris Jericho who is the most experienced guy in the match. MVP grabs a ladder early on and takes everyone out with it. Jericho then brings in a bigger ladder and lays MVP out with it.

John Morrison throws a ladder at Jericho and then heads to the top with a ladder and lays out Carlito, MVP ,Shelton Benjamin and CM Punk with a moonsault assisted with the ladder! Mr Kennedy sets up a ladder but Chris Jericho stops him from climbing it. MR Kennedy won the MITB last year. Jericho slingshots Mr Kennedy who lands on the ladder but John Morrison comes out of nowhere and hits Kennedy with some right hands. Shelton Benjamin sets up another ladder and climbs it but Morrison hammers him off it. Kennedy then looks to superplex Morrison off the top of the ladder and Shelton Benjamin hits a sunset flip powerbomb which causes the suplex from Kennedy. Benjamin climbs the ladder but Carlito pushes him onto the top rope. Benjamin balances on the top rope but can’t get the next spot right as he jumps on to the ladder and it collapses.

Shelton Benjamin lays into CM Punk and then climbs the ladder but Punk scoops him off the ladder and hits him with a GTS! Punk then climbs the ladder but Kennedy hits a running senton bomb onto a ladder on Punk. Carlito climbs the ladder but MVP hammers him off. MVP then looks to hit a running boot but Carlito gets out of the way and nails him with a ladder. All of the men in this match have either been Intercontinental, United States or ECW Champion. Only Jericho has been WWE Champion. Benjamin climbs the ladder again but Kennedy lifts up the ladder forcing Benjamin out of the ring and through a ladder on the outside! Shelton has been taken out. Mr Kennedy, Carlito and Jericho all climb the ladder but MVP pushes it over. Morrison then throws a ladder at MVP. Morrison sets up a ladder and climbs it but Jericho attacks him from behind and then locks in a walls of Jericho on the top of the ladder!

Mr Kennedy sets up another ladder and climbs to the top before slugging it out with Jericho. CM Punk and Carlito then springboard onto the ladders. CM Punk and Kennedy then fall down. Jericho hammers Carlito down but Carlito climbs up the other side and hits Jericho with a backstabber off the ladder! MVP is the first man back up and he sets up the ladder, climbs to the top but Matt Hardy appears out of nowhere! Hardy hits a twist of fate on MVP off the ladder to a huge ovation. Chris Jericho grabs a ladder and jabs anyone that moves with it. He then gets a ladder caught in another ladder which John Morrison tries to climbs up but Jericho and Carlito make sure he doesn’t get to the top. Jericho then climbs up a ladder in the middle of the ring but Carlito climbs the other side and spits in his face! Carlito reaches for the briefcase but Mr Kennedy pushes him off onto a ladder below! CM Punk then jabs Mr Kennedy off the top of the ladder!

Jericho hits a codebreaker on CM Punk using a ladder which takes out the former ECW Champion. Jericho climbs up a ladder and he’s all alone but CM Punk shakes the ladder. Punk gets to his feet but Jericho hits him with right hands. Punk climbs the ladder and both men slug it out on the top. Jericho smashers Pink with the briefcase but Punk then pulls Jericho’s foot through the ladder! Punk climbs up and grabs the briefcase to win the match! The ending was a bit flat but it’s a very popular result in any case. CM Punk is Mr Money In The Bank! A fun match.

Rating: 7.5/10

We’re given a shot of John Cena, Randy Orton and Triple H who are all getting ready for their match later.

There’s a Hall Of Fame ceremony VT up next. All of the hall of famers come out and enjoy their moment.

Todd Grisham is backstage with Snoop Dogg. Snoop says he has found someone who he has so much in common with, Festus. Santino shows up and says their better not be any funny business later. Snoop then picks up a ring bell and rings it causing Festus to wake up and chase off Santino. Snoop says he got the ring bell from a friend, Mick Foley. Foley has a blinged up Mr Socko.

Batista vs. Umaga – Raw vs. Smackdown match

Teddy Long and William Regal are in the ring representing their respective brands. This is a first time PPV match between Umaga and Batista. Batista is 2-1 at Wrestlemania, Umaga is 0-1. The two men hammer each other as the bell rings. Umaga misses with a splash in the corner and Batista knocks him out of the ring. Umaga lost to Bobby Lashley last year whilst Batista lost to The Undertaker. Umaga gets back into the ring and hits some right hands and then a spinning heel kick. Umaga kicks Batista out of the ring before rolling him back in and hitting him with a splash for a near fall. This match has had one of the quietest builds going into this show. Umaga hits a couple of hard Irish whips and then applies a nerve hold. Umaga breaks the hold and powerslams Batista before going up to the middle rope and attempting a diving headbutt but Batista gets out of the way. Batista then attempts a slam but he can’t get Umaga up. Batista has been getting a few boo’s in this match.

Umaga applies a nerve hold to Batista once again but Batista gets out of it only to run into a Samoan drop which earns Umaga a near fall. Umaga tries for the Samoan spike but Batista blocks it. Umaga hits a headbutt then misses with a splash in the corner. Batista hits a spinebuster and then motions for the Batista bomb which he just about hits! Batista hooks the leg and gets the three! Batista wins the match for brand supremacy. Poor match in reality.

Rating: 4/10

We’re shown Floyd “Money” Mayweather getting ready backstage with his team.

Chavo Guerrero (c) vs. Kane – ECW Championship match

This is a first time PPV meeting between these two men. Kane is 4-5 at Wrestlemania, Chavo Guerrero is 1-1. ECW General Manager Armando Estrada makes the announcements for this match. Kane isn’t strictly an ECW competitor, he’s a Smackdown guy but he won the battle royal on the pre-show to earn this match. Kane comes out from underneath the ring. Chavo runs right into a chokeslam and Kane pins him for the three! Kane wins the match in a bout 8 seconds! Kane is the new ECW Champion!

Rating: N/A

Some actress comes out, screams a lot and then points out the 50 make-a-wish kids that won the opportunity to come here tonight. Raven Symone apparently.

There’s a video package up next, which by the sad tone of it suggests that this is Ric Flairs last match.

Mike Adamle is backstage with Ric Flair. Flair simply says that his gameplan is….to be the man.

Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair – Ric Flair’s career on the line

This is the second pay per view match between these two men. Ric Flair won the first one back at Bad Blood 2003. This is the 100th PPV that Shawn Michaels has wrestled on. Shawn Michaels is 5-9 at Wrestlemania, Ric Flair is 1-3. Jim Ross says that there will never be anyone like Ric Flair again. Flair is definitely losing. The3se two men have a combined age of 100 at this point. There’s a bit of chain wrestling between the two in the early going with Michaels applying a hammerlock and Flair reversing the hold. Flair hits a hiptoss and struts across the ring. Flair screams at Michaels about being old yeller and so Michaels slaps him in the face. Flair fires back with some chops but Michaels then hits some of his own. Flair hits a reverse elbow and a knee drop but Michaels hits an elbow of his own to a few boo’s from the crowd. Michaels heads to the top but Flair throws him across the ring. The amount of times that has happened to Ric in the past. Flair heads to the top and hits a cross body for a near fall!

Flair hits a kneebreaker but Michaels kicks him to the outside. Shawn then hits a baseball slide and then a moonsault but Flair gets out of the way and Michaels hits the announce desk hard. Michaels looks like he hurt himself there. This is Flair’s second singles match at a Wrestlemania event, he lost to The Undertaker six years ago prior to this. Back in the ring and Flair gets a near fall. “Mini Naitch” Charles Robinson is the referee for this match. Flair hits a double underhook suplex for a two count. Ric hits a standing vertical suplex for a near fall. Michaels hits a swinging neckbreaker and then back body drops Flair out of the ring. Michaels heads to the top and hits a moonsault to the outside on Flair! 14 of the 28 superstars that competed at Wrestlemania last year are competing on these years card. flair and Michaels slug it out in the middle of the ring until Michaels knocks Flair down with a flying forearm.

Michaels hits a couple of inverted atomic drops and Flair bumps like only Flair can. Shawn then slams Flair and heads to the top and hits a flying elbow drop. Michaels then motions for sweet chin music but hesitates so Flair takes him down and locks on the figure four! Michaels reverses the pressure but Flair quickly gets to the ropes to break the hold. Both men get to their feet and there’s some quick chain wrestling from the two. Flair hits a hard Irish whip and then a chop block to take Michaels down. Flair looks to lock on the figure four but Michaels rolls him up for a near fall. Flair then locks on the figure four! Michaels gets to the ropes and Flair has to break the hold. Out of nowhere Michaels hits sweet chin music! Michaels covers Flair who kicks out with a split second to go! Shawn Michaels is first up and he motions again for sweet chin music. He screams at Flair to get up but Flair slowly gets up to his knees. Michaels pulls Flair up to his feet and Flair hits Michaels with a low blow! The referee doesn’t see it and Flair pins Michaels for a near fall.

Flair is first up to his feet but Michaels takes him down and locks on the figure four! Flair gets to the bottom rope and pulls off the turnbuckle pad. The referee puts the pad back on but behind his back, Ric Flair pokes Michaels in the eye! Flair then rolls Shawn up for a two count. The two men get up to their knees and chop it out before getting up to their feet and continuing the chops. Michaels hits another sweet chin music out of nowhere and instead of pinning Flair, Michaels backs off to the corner. Michaels motions for sweet chin music again, says “I’m sorry, I love you” and then hits Flair with sweet chin music for the three. Shawn Michaels wins the match and retires Ric Flair tonight. Michaels heads straight to the back leaving Flair to take in his final moment. Flair gets a huge standing ovation and he goes out to celebrate with his wife and kids.

Rating: 8.5/10

Todd Grisham is backstage with Edge who says that he’ll be making history tonight. Edge talks about being in the audience for Wrestlemania 6 and watching his hero, Hulk Hogan, lose. Tonight it will be the same for a fan in the crowd hoping for Undertaker to win.

Maria & Ashley vs. Beth Phoenix & Melina – Playboy Bunnymania Lumberjill match

The lumberjills are out first with master of ceremonies Snoop Dogg. Mickie James, Jillian Hall, Michelle McCool, Katie Lea Burchill, Layla, Eve Torres, Cherry, Maryse, Victoria and  Kelly Kelly are the lumberjills for the evening. As for the girls in the match tonight, Melina is 1-0, Ashley is 0-1 and both Beth and Maria make their Wrestlemania debut tonight. Candice Michelle was supposed to be in this match but she got injured and was replaced by Ashley. It’s a shame for Candice, she’s better than both Maria and Ashley in the ring, she’s come a long way in the past year. Melina beat Ashley at last years Wrestlemania. Santino accompanies Beth Phoenix and Maria to the ring. The last three Wrestlemania’s have had the same theme of “babyface diva poses for playboy, heel diva doesn’t like it”. Beth Phoenix is the Women’s Champion but that title isn’t on the line tonight. This is the only tag team match tonight.

Beth Phoenix and Ashley start the match and Ashley kicks it off with a hurricanrana. Beth throws Ashley into her corner and Maria tags herself on. Maria and Ashley double team Beth who tags out to Melina. Maria throws Melina out of the ring and the likes of Mickie James, Kelly Kelly and Eve throw Melina back in. Maria hits a splash in the corner and then a bronco buster on Melina for a one count. Maria tags in Ashley and Maria drops Melina on the top turnbuckle. Ashley hits a flying head scissors on Melina and then a clothesline. Ashley then hits a facebuster out of the corner on Melina who doesn’t really sell it. She gets up and pushes Ashley into Beth Phoenix’s boot. Melina throws Ashley out of the ring and the heel divas lay into Ashley before throwing her back into the ring. Melina tags Beth who applies a bearhug to Ashley. Beth breaks the hold, hits an elbow drop and then tags in Melina.

Melina hits a moonsault off Phoenix’s shoulder for a near fall. Luckily Ashley kicked out because Maria was too slow to break it up. Melina tags Beth Phoenix in and the lights go out. You can just about see what’s going on. I think Maria hit a flying head scissors. She then hits a neckbreaker and goes to the top, hitting Beth with a cross body for a near fall. A spotlight is on the ring now. Beth hits a double armed slam but Maria counters it into a bulldog for a near fall. Melina then grabs Maria and Beth goes for a spear but Maria moves and Beth hits Melina! Ashley hits a cross body on Melina on the outside and Maria hits a bulldog off the top on Beth! Maria pins Phoenix but Santino grabs Maria’s leg! Jerry Lawler then goes round and lays out Santino! In the ring Beth Phoenix hits a fishermans suplex on Maria and that’s enough for the three! Beth Phoenix and Melina win the match! Pretty bad. After the match santino goads Maria but Snoop Dogg lays out santino with a clothesline! Snoop then makes out with Maria!

Rating: 3.5/10

There’s a video package next for the WWE Championship match between Randy Orton, Triple H and John Cena.

Randy Orton (c) vs. John Cena vs. Triple H – WWE Championship match

This is a first time triple threat match between these huge stars. Randy Orton is 1-3 at Wrestlemania, John Cena is 4-0 and Triple H is 5-6. A brass band plays Cena out to the ring. A poll voted on by the fans has John Cena as the 52% winner. Only 8% think that Randy Orton will win. Orton and Triple H’s entrances aren’t as flashy as Cena’s, is than an omen? The bell rings and right away Randy Orton nails Triple H with the WWE Championship belt. Orton and Cena then go at it until Triple H gets back to his feet and throws both men out of the ring. Triple H then lays into Randy Orton on top of the ECW announce desk. Triple H rolls Orton back into the ring and locks on a sleeper but Cena gets back into the ring and gets both men up on his shoulders! Triple H slides down and low blows Cena but Helmsley then walks into a backbreaker from Randy Orton. Orton hits Triple H with right hands as he stands above both opponents.

Orton hits Cena with a knee drop for a near fall and then gives Triple H a knee drop for a two count. Orton heads for the top but Cena gets up there with him, sets him up for a superplex but Triple H gets Cena up on his shoulders and Orton dives off the top with a cross body on Cena. Cena gets up to his feet and puts Orton on his shoulders but Randy counters it with a pinfall. Triple H then takes Cena down with a clotheslines and Orton takes triple H down with a clothesline. Orton then hits both John Cena and Triple H with a DDT off the second rope. He pins Cena for a near fall and then pins Triple H, also for a near fall. Orton has lost his last three Wrestlemania matches. He attempts an RKO on Cena but Cena counters it and throws Orton onto Triple H. Cena then hits a modified bulldog on Orton before going to the top and hitting a top rope fame-asser on the champion. Cena then tries for an STFU but Orton rolls out of the ring. Cena chases but Orton throws Cena into a ring post.

Orton gets back into the ring but Triple H instantly lays into him before targeting his left leg. Cena gets back in the ring but Triple H drops him with a clothesline. Orton then hits the RKO out of nowhere on Triple H! Triple H rolls out of the ring and Cena takes Orton down, locking on an STFU! Triple H actually helps Orton get to the ropes. Triple H then drags Cena out of the ring and throws him into the ring steps. Triple H then applies an Indian deathlock to Randy Orton and that’s broken up by Cena. Cena throws triple H out of the ring and then locks the STFU back on Orton! Triple H gets back in the ring and locks a crossface on Cena but Cena gets to the ropes. Triple H and John Cena get to their feet and slug it out with the crowd firmly behind Triple H. Cena hits a running shoulder charge, clothesline and sideslam. Cena hits the five knuckle shuffle and then sets up for the FU but Triple H slides down and sets up for a pedigree with Cena counters. Triple H counters an STFU and hits a facebuster, clothesline and spinebuster.

Randy Orton is getting to his feet on the apron but Triple H hits him with a chopblock. Cena then gets Triple H up for the FU but Triple H counters it and nails Cena with a pedigree! Randy Orton then comes out of nowhere and punts Triple H in the face! Orton falls on top of Cena and gets the three! Randy Orton retains the WWE Championship tonight!

Rating: 8/10

The Big Show vs. Floyd “Money” Mayweather

Apparently the only way to win this match is by pinfall, submission or knockout. Mayweather makes his WWE debut tonight whilst The Big Show has a 1-6 record at Wrestlemania. Big Show’s only win came in a tag team match two years ago. Mayweather is wearing some ridiculous shorts. He’s also wearing boxing gloves. Mayweather uses his speed in the early going to avoid Big Show. Floyd then hits some lefts and rights in the corner before ducking away from Big Show. To be fair this is how Mayweather fights everybody. He does hit Big Show with a right hand to the face. He hits a few more as Big Show starts to become frustrated. Mayweathers cornermen gives Floyd some water. Big Show then smashes him off the apron and drags one of the other cornermen into the ring and hits him with a big chop! Big Show once fought Akebono in a sumo wrestling match at Wrestlemania. Big Show blocks one on Mayweathers punches and then attempts to stomp on his hand but Mayweather pulls his hand out of the way.

Big Show sits Mayweather up in the corner and Floyd hits Show with some big right hands. Mayweather then locks on a sleeper and the crowd boo. Big Show goes down to one knee but gets back up to his feet and snapmares Mayweather to the mat. Big Show then stomps on Floyd’s fist which enrages Mayweathers handler. Big Show hits Mayweather with a brutal chop and the crowd chant for one more. Big Show steps on Mayweathers back but Mayweather gets back up to his feet and hits some kicks. That has no affect though and Big Show sidewalks slams the boxer. Big Show then legdrops Mayweathers arm and stands on him. Big Show hits a big headbutt and then an elbow drop. Big Show looks to hit a second but Mayweathers entourage pull him out of the ring and walk him to the back. Big Show is in pursuit though and he takes out all of Mayweathers entourage. Big Show takes Mayweather back to the ring where he looks to chokeslam him but one of Mayweathers crew smashes Big Show with a chair! He gets a chokeslam but Big Show turns into Mayweather who batters him with a chair!

Big Show grabs Mayweather by the throat but Mayweather hits him with a low blow and then three more chair shots! Mayweather takes off his glove and pulls brass knucks off his mates chain! Mayweather then smashes Big Show in the face with the brass knucks and the referee counts Big Show out for ten! Floyd Mayweather wins by knockout! This match was better than I thought it would be. But I had very low expectations.

Rating: 5.5/10

Kim Kardashian is out to announce the attendance record of 74,635. It’s big she says, really big.

There’s a video package next for The Undertaker and Edge.

Edge (c) vs. The Undertaker – World Heavyweight Championship match

This is a first singles match between these two men. Edge has a 5-1 record at Wrestlemania, Undertaker has a 15-0 record. Edge’s only Wrestlemania defeat came in last years Money In The Bank match. Edge is accompanied by Vickie Guerrero who is wheeled out by Teddy Long. Vickie gives him a good luck kiss and she is then wheeled back. This is the first closing match at Wrestlemania to not feature either John Cena or Triple H in five years. Undertaker tries some mind games in the early going but Edge lays into him with some right hands only for Undertaker to take the advantage and clothesline Edge out of the ring. Undertaker follows Edge and drops him on the top rope before smashing the world Heavyweight Champion into the top turnbuckle. Undertaker hits an Irish whip but then runs into a boot. Undertaker takes the advantage with a clothesline for the first near fall of the night. Undertaker attempts old school but Edge counters it, pulling Undertaker down to the at but Undertake rolls through, turning it into an arm drag.

Undertaker hits a running knee in the corner and ends up hurting himself as he rolls over the top and out of the ring. Undertaker then tries to get back into the ring but Edge spears him off the apron. Edge then hits a baseball slide to stop Undertaker from getting back into the ring. This is the first time Edge has closed Wrestlemania. Edge hits a neckbreaker on the top rope which again knocks Undertaker out of the ring. Undertaker finally gets into the ring and Edge hits him with a shoulder charge in the corner and then drops an elbow. Edge lays in some boots and right hands but The Undertaker fires back, attempting a powerslam but can’t get Edge up. Edge hits a dropkick and then goes to the top but Undertaker pushes Edge to the outside. Undertaker then flies over the top rope and knocks Edge down! Undertaker then hits his trademark legdrop on Edge on the apron before dragging him back into the ring for a near fall.

Undertaker attempts the last ride but he can’t get Edge up. Undertaker bounces off the ropes but runs into a big boot which earns Edge a near fall. Edge stomps Undertaker out of the ring and then drops him on the barricade. Undertaker beat Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship at last years Wrestlemania. Back in the ring and Edge locks on a half crab. Undertaker kicks his way out of it and the two men then slug it out in the middle of the ring. Undertaker wins that slugfest then hits a splash in the corner and snake eyes but then runs into a dropkick for a near fall. Edge goes up to the middle rope but Undertaker catches him and tries a chokeslam but Edge counters it. Undertaker again tries for a chokeslam but again Edge counters it, this time into a DDT for a near fall. Edge motions for a spear but Undertaker kicks him in the face and then chokeslams him for a near fall. Undertaker then attempts old school again but Edge crotches him and hits the challenger with a superplex for a near fall.

Edge hits Undertaker in the corner Undertaker counters it into the last ride only for Edge to counter it and take Undertaker down with a neckbreaker. Undertaker fights back and hits the last ride but only for a two count. Undertaker hits a big boot and then old school before attempting a running boot but Edge gets out of the way and Undertaker nails the referee! Edge takes Undertaker down and then lays into him with right hands. Edge then leaves the ring and grabs one of the TV cameras before smashing it into Undertakers face! Edge crawls over to wake up the referee but accidentally shoves him out of the ring. Edge sets Undertaker up for a tombstone but Undertaker counters it and hits Edge with the tombstone! He pins the champion but it takes Charles Robinson about ten minutes to run down the aisle because it’s so long. And by the time he gets in the ring Edge kicks out! Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder then show up but Undertaker chokeslams Hawkins into Ryder on the outside! Undertaker turns around into a spear from Edge! Edge covers the challenger but Undertaker kicks out!

Edge motions for a spear and he hits another one! But Undertaker then locks Edge in the hells gate submission hold! Edge taps out! Undertaker wins the match and the World Heavyweight Championship!

Rating: 7.75/10

And that was Wrestlemania 24. It felt like a solid enough show with a few dud matches but generally good quality throughout and you would expect nothing less on the biggest show of the year. The opening match was a fun one between John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Finlay. It was like an old school no disqualification match. Maybe not old school but attitude era. I was surprised that Layfield won as I fully expected Finlay to get revenge on Bradshaw for what he did to Hornswoggle. I would assume that there are bigger plans for JBL than there are for Finlay. I can see another match between these men in the near future.

CM Punk defeated six other men to become Mr Money In The Bank. He’s a great choice but I think he’s got this opportunity because Jeff Hardy failed a drug test. Punk is definitely over but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the first man to unsuccessfully cash in the contract. The match itself was a great one and guys like Shelton Benjamin and John Morrison showed their athleticism. There were some awesome spots, most notably with Shelton Benjamin crashing through the ladder on the outside. Punk takes the win though and hopefully he’ll be using it on Raw or Smackdown rather than ECW. Batista beat Umaga in a predictable and dull match. Batista has been in and out of the main event scene over the past year and he needs freshening up so I think a heel turn would be good for him. He was always going to win this match, Umaga isn’t the unstoppable monster from two years ago, he’s lost to the likes of John Cena, Triple H, Bobby Lashley, Santino and now Batista. I’d swap the brands of these two, Umaga could be a great first opponent for The Undertaker.

Next up Kane beat Chavo Guerrero for the ECW Championship. There isn’t much to say about this, Kane won in 11 seconds. Chavo wasn’t a great champion to be honest and being that Kane is (also) a Smackdown guy, I don’t know how this’ll work. I don’t like the talent swap so hopefully they put an end to that. Kane is definitely a worthy champion though and with ECW focusing on giants and monsters, it makes sense for him to be champion. Shawn Michaels beat Ric Flair in a match that hasn’t seen this much emotion since Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage at Wrestlemania 7. Flair is now officially retired at the hands of Shawn Michaels and this whole storyline has been done wonderfully. It’ll be a shame to see Ric Flair go but it is about time. It’d be nice to see him continue in some capacity, whether that is as a manager or general manager.

Bunnymania was next. It’s now a yearly tradition that whichever diva poses for playboy must then wrestle at Wrestlemania regardless of talent. Maria and Ashley were carried through the match by Melina and Beth Phoenix who were the eventual winners. I guess they didn’t think Phoenix vs. Maria was strong enough for the biggest show of the year. This wasn’t great. Let’s move on. Once again a Randy Orton WWE title defence doesn’t close the show. Randy retained his title against Triple H and John Cena which means for the first time in 8 years the winner of the Royal Rumble does not win a world title at Wrestlemania. I don’t mind this result, it could have gone any of three ways but Orton deserves a good run as WWE Champion. He has gone through the entire Raw main event scene now so I wonder who his next contender will be? CM Punk?

Floyd Mayweather beat The Big Show in an pretty entertaining match. It wasn’t a classic but it was a lot better than I thought it would be. Mayweather won the match which was a surprise or was it? Would they have paid Mayweather all that money if he wasn’t going to win? I guess he was always going to win. It was a creative finish, I liked Mayweather using the knucks of his mates necklace, it worked well. It’ll hurt Big Show a bit but he’s come back from worse. Then in the main event The Undertaker defeated Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship. This was a classic Wrestlemania main event, there was a little bit of controversy but in the end Undertaker beat Edge cleanly in about half an hour. Undertaker’s streak wasn’t coming to an end. I liked Edge as champion but Undertaker deserves a good run after his last run came to a premature end.

Overall Rating: 64.06/100 (ranked 42nd out of 222)

Match Of The Night: Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels
Worst Match Of The Night: Maria & Ashley vs. Beth Phoenix & Melina
Surprise Of The Night: JBL beats Finlay
Worst Booking OF The Night: N/A
Superstar Of The Night: The Undertaker
Wrestlemania 24 Will Be Remembered For: Ric Flairs final match