|Date: March 28, 2010
|Venue: University Of Phoenix Stadium |City: Glendale, Arizona
|Attendance: 72,219 |Buys: 960,000
|Brands: Raw & Smackdown

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

Get All Fired Up. It is time for the biggest show of the year and this is the 26th edition of Wrestlemania. There are no less than ten matches scheduled for this four hour spectacular so let me run down the card for you. Shawn Michaels has been craving a rematch with The Undertaker following last years great match. The Undertaker would not accept and following losses for Michaels in the Royal Rumble and in Elimination Chamber qualifying, Michaels went down the route of costing The Undertaker the World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber. Undertaker would then accept the challenge made by Shawn Michaels for Wrestlemania as long as Michaels would agree to put his carer on the line. Michaels accepted and the match is made, career vs. streak.

The WWE Championship is set to be defended tonight and John Cena just had to beat Batista to get a shot at his title. Batista would hit John Cena with a low blow to intentionally get disqualified which set up the match for Wrestlemania. Batista would tell the world that he wanted to face John Cena again, fed up with how Cena is seen as the face of WWE at the expense of Batista. Edge won the 2010 Royal Rumble match and the night after Elimination Chamber Edge attacked Chris Jericho and told his former partner that he wanted to face him at Wrestlemania.  Since then Edge has teased Jericho about the amount of times that he has speared the World Heavyweight Champion and told Jericho that he would spear him once more at Wrestlemania. Jericho told Edge that he’s still injured and Jericho will do everything he can to injure Edge permanently.

Bret Hart returned to the WWE a couple of months ago and Vince McMahon embarrassed Bret by kicking him in the groin. Bret would then request a match with Vince at Wrestlemania, something that McMahon would turn down. Hart would then go on to stage a car crash in which Bret broke his leg and it was this injury that would cause Vince to change his mind and accept the match with Hart for Wrestlemania. Bret would then reveal that the car crash was faked and at Wrestlemania, Bret would beat Vince at 100% health. The Unified Tag Team Championships will also be on the line as The Big Show and The Miz, who defeated DX for the titles, defend against John Morrison and R-Truth. Morrison and Truth won a triple threat tag team match against The Hart Dynasty and Cryme Tyme to earn their shot. IT’ll be former partners colliding with The Miz and John Morrison on opposing sides with new partners.

Money In The Bank returns and it’s the biggest one yet as there are no less than ten competitors, all of which had to qualify to get into the match. Christian beat Carlito, Dolph Ziggler beat John Morrison and R-Truth in a triple threat match, Kane defeated Drew McIntyre, Shelton Benjamin beat CM Punk with help from Rey Mysterio, Jack Swagger beat Santino, MVP beat Zack Ryder, Matt Hardy then beat Drew McIntyre who was given a second chance, Evan Bourne beat William Regal, Drew McIntyre was give a third chance to qualify by Vince McMahon and this time beat local competitor Aaron Bolo and finally Kofi Kingston qualified by beating Vladimir Kozlov, totally 10 competitors. There will also be a ten diva tag team match as Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres and Gail Kim take on Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool, Layla, Alicia Fox and Maryse.

At Elimination Chamber, Triple H pinned Sheamus causing him to lose the WWE Championship. Following DX’s loss to The Big Show and The Miz, Sheamus attacked Triple H, bitter about what had happened at Elimination Chamber. Sheamus would then challenge Triple H for a match at Wrestlemania, a challenge Triple H accepted. Legacy imploded at Elimination Chamber with Ted DiBiase pinning Randy Orton following Cody Rhodes handing him a weapon. Randy Orton turned on his Legacy team-mates the night after Elimination Chamber which led to a triple threat match being announced between the three for Wrestlemania. Also tonight CM Punk goes one on one with Rey Mysterio. CM Punk has embarrassed Mysterio in front of his family which led to Mysterio accepting Punks invitation for a match. Rey would lose to Luke Gallows because of CM Punk which meant that if Mysterio loses to Punk tonight, he will have to join the straight-edge society.

In a dark match prior to the event Yoshi Tatsu won a 26 man battle royal consisting of Finlay, Mark Henry, Trent Barreta, Caylen Croft, The Great Khali, Carlito, Vance Archer, Tyler Reks, Zack Ryder, Goldust, JTG, Shad Gaspard, DH Smith, Tyson Kidd, Mike Knox, Chris Master, Chavo Guerrero, Santino Primo, Slam Master J, Luke Gallows,Vladimir Kozlov, William Regal, Jimmy Wang Yang and Kung Fu Naki.

The show kicks off with Fantasia singing America The Beautiful. I’m not sure who Fantasia is but I’m fairly sure she has nothing to do with Mickey Mouse.

A video package then plays focusing on the relentless pursuit for perfection and the Wrestlemania moment. There’s no hyping of a specific match but the likes of Edge and Chris Jericho, Triple H and Sheamus, Undertaker and Shawn Michaels and John Cena and Batista feature prominently.

There’s a big shot of the stadium and Michael Cole welcomes us to Phoenix, Arizona. There are a lot of people in attendance, over 70,000!

Show-Miz (The Big Show & The Miz) (c) vs. John Morrison & R-Truth – Unified Tag Team Championship match

This is a first time match between these two tag teams. As Wrestlemania records go, Big Show has a terrible 1-8 record, The Miz makes his Wrestlemania debut tonight, John Morrison is 0-1 and R-Truth also makes his Wrestlemania debut tonight. I love Show-Miz’s music. It’s a great remix of both mens entrance music. Former partners John Morrison and The Miz start the match  and it’s an early advantage to Morrison who tags in R-Truth who hits a legdrop off the top for a two count. Truth hits a dropkick and Miz tags in Big Show. Big Show catches Truth and hits a fallaway slam before swatting Morrison off the apron. Big Show goes up to the middle rope but Morrison kicks him down to the mat which gets R-Truth a two count. Truth tags in Morrison and big show tags in Miz. Morrison hits a couple of clotheslines, a dropkick and a flapjack. Morrison rolls through a sunset flip and kicks Miz in the chest before looking for starship pain but Big show pulls Miz out of the ring.

R-Truth dives out at Big Show but Show catches him and throws him into the ringpost. Miz looks for a skull-crushing finale on Morrison but Morrison counters it for the first near fall of the night. Big Show tags himself in and hits Morrison with a huge right hand which is enough for the three. Wow, the opener is over very quickly. I like Show-Miz retaining but I think this match could’ve been given more time. Pretty disappointing for that reason.

Rating: 3.75/10

There’s a VT showing some of the events from this week including a reading contest and fan access.

Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase

This triple threat match pits the three former members of Legacy against each other. Rhodes and DiBiase make their Wrestlemania debuts tonight but Randy Orton has a 2-4 record at the biggest event of the year. It’s an interesting spot for Orton who main evented Wrestlemania last year and was in the WWE Championship match the year before too. Rhodes and DiBiase stand side by side as the bell rings and it starts out as a handicap match. Orton does well to separate them and lays into DiBiase after clotheslining Rhodes out of the ring. Orton then hits Rhodes with a dropkick allowing DiBiase to dropkick Randy. Rhodes and Dibiase stomp away at Orton, much like Randy does to his opponents. DiBiase holds Orton for Rhodes who lays into the former WWE Champion with right hands.

Dibiase and Rhodes hit a double suplex on Orton and then continue to lay into their former mentor with right hands and stomps. Orton fights back with right hands of his own but DiBiase lays him out with a clothesline. Cody hits a kneedrop on Orton and then heads to the top for a moonsault but DiBiase pins Orton which Rhodes breaks up. Rhodes and DiBiase look like they’re no longer on the same page and Rhodes throws Ted out of the ring. Cody then hits an Alabama slam on Orton and DiBiase breaks up the pinfall. Rhodes and Dibiase now get into it and roll out of the ring exchanging right hands. The two then get back into the ring. Orton disposes of DiBiase and then hits Rhodes with clotheslines. Orton hits both men with powerslams and the crowd are right behind Orton. He hits Rhodes with a backbreaker but DiBiase pulls him out of the ring as the crowd beg for an RKO.

Rhodes takes out DiBiase with a suicide dive. Orton then hits both Rhodes and Dibiase with a double hangmans DDT. Randy kicks DiBiase out of the ring and then motions for an RKO on Cody. Orton then changes his mind and sets up for a punt which he hits on Rhodes! DiBiase gets back in the ring and looks for dream street but Orton counters it with an RKO and pins DiBiase for the three! Randy Orton wins the match which again is the right result. Not a bad triple threat match. A massive 360 degree LRD board lowers from the ceiling with the RKO logo on as Orton celebrates his victory. I’ve never seen that before!

Rating: 5.75/10

Kofi Kingston vs. M.V.P. vs. Matt Hardy vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Christian vs. Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger – Money In The Bank Ladder match

Ok so Wrestlemania records, Kofi Kingston is 0-1, MVP is 0-3, Kane is 5-6, Shelton is 1-5, Christian is 3-3, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger and Evan Bourne make their Wrestlemania debut tonight. Evan Bourne looks for his first PPV victory tonight. Matt Striker incorrectly tells us that Shelton Benjamin has appeared in every Money In The Bank ladder match, he hasn’t, he missed one. This is the biggest MITB ladder match to date, ten superstars up from eight. Some great mid-card talent in this match. All ten men get right into it leaving Drew McIntyre and Kane in the ring. MVP slides a ladder into the ring and McIntyre sets it up. Matt Hardy pushes Drew off the ladder and then hits him with twist of fate. MVP then hits a running boot on McIntyre, kicking him out of the ring. Everybody attempts to climbs the ladder and Evan Bourne gets close but Kane pulls him down and then chokeslams him out of the ring.

Matt Hardy and Jack Swagger slug it out at the top of the ladder until Kofi Kingston knocks then both off. Christian throws a ladder at Matt Hardy and then monkey flips Kofi Kingston into him. Christian then climbs a ladder but Dolph Ziggler zig-zags him off. Ziggler then climbs the ladder but MVP pulls him down. MVP climbs the ladder but Kane pulls him down. MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Kofi Kingston triple team Kane until Kane throws Kofi into a ladder. MVO kicks Kane out of the ring and Shelton Benjamin hits MVP with pay-dirt. Benjamin sets up a big ladder and climbs it but Swagger jabs him off with another ladder. Swagger hits anyone that he sees with a ladder until Evan Bourne dives off the top and takes him out. Bourne climbs a ladder but Jack Swagger knocks him down. Christian and Matt Hardy double team Swagger with ladders before climbing a ladder along with Evan Bourne. Swagger pulls the rug from out beneath Matt Hardy and Bourne knocks Christian down before hitting him with a nice shooting star press.

Matt Hardy and Evan Bourne climbs the ladder before Hardy hiptosses Bourne down. Swagger then pushes Hardy down onto another ladder. MVP climbs the ladder now but Shelton Benjamin meets him at the top and knocks him down. MVP then looks for a powerbomb but Benjamin hurricanrana’s MVP and both men go flying out of the ring. Kane then takes them both out with a ladder. Kane climbs the ladder in the ring but Dolph Ziggler climbs over Kane to the top of the ladder. Kane then pushes the ladder over before picking it up and throwing it. That very nearly went into the front row. Kane chokeslams Ziggler onto a ladder and then beats Ziggler with the ladder. Kofi Kingston hits Kane with trouble in paradise and then grabs both side of a broken ladder and uses them as stilts! Kofi then climbs up the ladder but Drew McIntyre throws him to the outside.

Drew McIntyre sets up a ladder and climbs it pretty quickly but Matt Hardy climbs up the other side and the two men slug it out. McIntyre sends Hardy to the ground but Matt then pushes over the ladder crotching Drew on the top rope! Hardy climbs up the ladder but Kane sets up another ladder next to him. Hardy has his hands on the briefcase but there’s a strange spot with Kane pushing a ladder with Christian on it next to Hardy. In results in Christian and Hardy sending Kane back down to the canvas. Hardy looks for a twist of fate off the top of the ladder but Christian counters it with an inverted DDT. Christian is up first and climbs the ladder but Jack Swagger pulls him down. Christian climbs another ladder but Swagger goes up with him and smashes the briefcase into Christians face. Swagger then gets the briefcase to win the match! A pretty surprising result tonight! Jack Swagger is Mr Money In The Bank! A good match but way too many people in it. It should be 8 competitors maximum.

Rating: 6.75/10

There’s a VT next for the Hall Of Ceremony. Mad Dog Vachon, Wendi Richter, Stu Hart, Gorgeous George, Antonio Inoki, Bob Eucker and “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase were the inductees this year. The class of 2010 all come out to the stage.

There’s a video package next for Sheamus and Triple H.

Triple H vs. Sheamus

This is a first PPV meeting between these two men. Triple H has a 6-7 record at Wrestlemania whereas Sheamus makes his Wrestlemania debut tonight. Sheamus has a great PPV record so far, he’s won three of his four PPV matches. Sheamus’ first three PPV singles matches have been against John Cena, Randy Orton and Triple H, you don’t get much bigger than that. Triple H doesn’t have an elaborate entrance but he does have the 360 degree screen thing in the ring. Sheamus over-powers Triple H in the early going and berates him but Triple H powers back and slaps Sheamus in the face. Triple H goes for the pedigree early but Sheamus quickly gets out of the way. Triple H hits a clothesline and a suplex before hitting a kneedrop for a one count. Sheamus rolls out of the ring but Triple H follows and smashes Sheamus into the barricade. Back in the ring and Triple H hits a chopblock and then locks on a figure four! Sheamus gets to the ropes to break the hold and then once again rolls out of the ring.

Sheamus throws Triple H into the ring steps and then into the barricade before rolling The Game back into the ring. Sheamus hits a backbreaker and then stomps away at Triple H in the corner. The two men slug it out but Sheamus drops Triple H with an axe handle for a two count. Sheamus applies a chinlock and then hits a powerslam for a two count. Sheamus applies an armbar but Triple H gets out of it with a side suplex. Triple H continues the advantage with a DDT and the two men get to their feet and slug it out. Triple H hits a high knee and a facebuster and then looks for a pedigree but Sheamus counters. Sheamus looks for the crucifix powerbomb but Triple H slips down. Sheamus then attempts a brogue kick but Triple H ducks it and attempts a pedigree but Sheamus gets out of it and hits the brogue kick for a near fall.

Sheamus looks to hit a crucifix powerbomb but Triple H fights out of it and hits a spinebuster for a near fall. Sheamus hits another brogue kick from the apron and both men go down. Sheamus drags Triple H to his feet but Triple H was playing possum and hits a pedigree out of nowhere! That’s enough for the three! Triple H beats Sheamus tonight. Pretty slow paced match, nothing spectacular but solid none-the-less.

Rating: 6/10

There’s a video package up next showing the recent history between Rey Mysterio and CM Punk.

Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk – If Rey Mysterio loses he must join the Straight-Edge society

This is a second PPV match between these two men, CM Punk beat Rey Mysterio at Armageddon 2008. Rey Mysterio has a 3-2 Wrestlemania record, CM Punk is 2-1. CM Punk is joined by Luke Gallows and Serena and berates the crowd as he makes his entrance. Rey Mysterio is in Avatar inspired Wrestling gear. Mysterio gets distracted by Luke Gallows as the bell rings and CM Punk takes advantage. Rey manages a drop toe hold though and goes to the top but Punk hacks him down, tying him up in a tree of woe. Serena then gets involved behind the referee’s back. Rey avoids a baseball slide and Punk hits the ringpost. but Punk gets back into it, smashing Mysterio into the ring steps. Mysterio has won his last three Wrestlemania matches. Punk applies a sleeper with his back to camera which is unusual. Rey gets out of it and lays in some right hands and then a springboard seated senton. Rey attempts a springboard cross body but Punk counters with a powerslam for a two count. There’s some quick counters from both men, this match has a great pace to it so far.

CM Punk hits a big kick to the head of Rey Mysterio for a two count. Mysterio hits a springboard DDT for a two count and then sets up for a 619 but Punk catches him and looks to hit a go to sleep but Rey gets out of that and looks for a springboard moonsault but against Punk catches Rey. Rey slips down onto the apron, kicks Punk and then heads to the top and pays homage to Eddie Guerrero before missing with a frog splash. Punk hits a high knee in the corner and then looks for a powerbomb but Mysterio counters with a head scissors, setting Punk up for a 619 again. Serena then lays herself across Punk which stomps Rey. Luke Gallows gets up on the apron and Rey dropkicks Punk into Gallows, before hitting a 619 and then the splash for the three! Rey Mysterio beats CM Punk tonight! Good match between these two. Not given a lot of time but very enjoyable with what they were given.

Rating: 7.25/10

There’s a video package showing the history between Bret Hart and Vince McMahon.

Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon – No Holds Barred match

This is a first PPV meeting between these two men. Bret Hart has a 7-6 record at Wrestlemania whilst Vince McMahon is 0-3. Vince McMahon comes out and lets Bret know that money buys anything and he’s bought a load of lumberjacks and a special guest referee. McMahon then introduces Hart’s family! The likes of Bruce Hart, Smith Hart, Natalya, DH Smith, Tyson Kidd and more all come out. Diana Hart still looks great by the way. Bruce Hart gets in the ring and takes off his short to reveal a referee’s shirt. Bruce always liked to be heavily involved. Bret then reveals that the Hart’s will have got paid up front and Vince is victim to a double-cross! Bret lays into Vince as the bell rings with right hands and then a headlock. Bret not as smooth as he used to be. Hart hits stomps and then chokes Vince with his boot. Vince escapes the ring where David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd lay into Vince! Smith Hart and Natalya also get some jabs in!

DH Smith holds McMahon up and Tyson goes up to the top and hits a top rope Hart Attack! Vince gets thrown back into the ring where Bret works away ay Vince’s leg. Vince escapes the ring and tries to crawl under the ring but he gets pulled back out. But Vince has a tyre iron! Everyone backs off and Vince gets back into the ring, takes a swing and a miss at Bret and Bret goes back to laying in right hands. Bret then grabs the tyre iron and hits Vince with it multiple times. Bret then looks to lock on the sharpshooter but instead Bret breaks the hold, grabs the tyre iron off Tyson Kidd and goes back to work on Vince with it. Bret then sets up a chair in the ring and sits down on it. Vince gets to his feet so Bret folds up the chair and smashes Vince with it lots and lots of times. Bret then sets up for the sharpshooter and locks it on! Vince McMahon taps out and it’s Bret Hart with the win tonight! Awful match though sadly. The Hart family celebrate in the ring after the match. Just spotted a “Vince fears Dixie” sign!

Rating: 1.5/10

There’s a video hyping the location for Wrestlemania 27, Atlanta, Georgia. That’s wCw territory!

Justin Roberts announces tonight’s attendance is 72,219. Probably exaggerated.

There’s a video package showing the recent history between Edge and Chris Jericho.

Chris Jericho (c) vs. Edge – World Heavyweight Championship match

Unbelievably this is the first ever PPV singles match between these two veterans of the company. Jericho has a 3-5 record at the event, Edge has a 5-3 Wrestlemania record so opposite sides of the coin. Edge has the cool 360 degree screen which looks like a rocket taking off as steam comes out of the bottom. Jericho applies a headlock in the early going, screaming “ask him” which I always find hilarious. Edge gets out of it and hits a shoulder charge. Edge hits a flapjack and motions for a spear but Jericho dives out of the ring. Edge follows and smashes Jericho off the ring apron before rolling him into the ring. Jericho is a step ahead of Edge and takes the advantage, baseball sliding Edge back out of the ring. The World Heavyweight Championship has been defended at Wrestlemania 7 times and 6 of those times it has changed hands. Jericho hits a suplex for a two count and then applies a sleeper.

Chris Jericho breaks the sleeper and then goes back to work on Edge in the corner. Jericho misses with a shoulder charge and hits the ringpost and Edge follows it up with a spinning heel kick. Jericho suplexes Edge onto the top rope and then looks for a springboard dropkick but Edge gets back in the ring and knocks Jericho off the apron. Edge hits a clothesline off the apron and then rolls Jericho back into the ring. Edge heads to the top but Jericho meets him up there, looking for a superplex but Edge counters it into a face first superplex of his own. Edge goes up to the middle rope and hits a sunset flip for a two count and we get some quick covers from both men before Jericho kicks edge in the face. Jericho looks for the codebreaker but edge counters it. Edge then motions for a spear but Jericho counters it and locks on the walls of Jericho! Edge gets out of it and rolls Jericho up for a two count.

Jericho hits an enzeguri for a near fall and then looks for a bulldog but Edge counters it with an impaler DDT. Jericho hits a boot and then jumps off the middle rope with a big right hand to the back of the head. Jericho then motions for a spear of his own but Edge knocks him down with a big boot. Edge motions for another spear of his own but Jericho counters it with a codebreaker! Jericho gets a near fall and then takes a running punt at Edge’s leg. Jericho looks to re-injure Edge’s metatarsal, taking shots at it and then locking on the walls of Jericho! Edge gets out of the hold and rolls Jericho up for a near fall. The two men then battle to the outside where Jericho grabs the World Heavyweight title belt but Edge rolls him back towards the ring before he can use it. Jericho knocks Edge into the referee and then smashes Edge with the World Heavyweight Championship belt! Jericho makes the cover but can’t believe it when Edge kicks out at 2!

Jericho hits another codebreaker and pins Edge for the three! Chris Jericho beats Edge tonight! This is the third year in a row that the winner of the Royal Rumble match has not won the title match at Wrestlemania. After the match Edge takes revenge on Jericho, spearing him off the announcers table! Interestingly there are a few boo’s for Edge.

Rating: 7/10

We’re shown some highlights from the 26 man battle royal that occurred before the event which was won by Yoshi Tatsu.

Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim & Eve Torres vs. Michelle McCool, Layla, Maryse, Alicia Fox & Vickie Guerrero – Ten diva tag team match

Well this match seems to have been added to the card. I expect it to be over pretty quickly. Some Wrestlemania records then, Beth Phoenix is 1-1, Mickie James is 1-1, Kelly Kelly is 0-1, Gail Kim is 0-1, Eve Torres is 0-1, Michelle McCool is 0-1, Layla is 0-1, Maryse is 0-1, Alicia Fox is 0-1 and Vickie Guerrero makes her Wrestlemania debut. Most of the divas in this match are looking for their first PPV victory tonight, namely Gail Kim, Eve Torres, Layla, Maryse and Alicia Fox. The faces rush to the ring and the heels scarper just leaving Vickie Guerrero in the ring. Vickie then starts the match against Gail Kim, Vickie shoves Gail who tags in Beth Phoenix. Beth forces Vickie into the faces corner and tags in Eve Torres who lays in some boots and shoulder charges. Eve tags Gail back in who hits some kicks and tags in Mickie James who continues the barrage. Mickie tags in Kelly Kelly who chokes Vickie with her boot.

Vickie screams at Kelly who knocks her down and hits her with a legdrop. Kelly pins Vickie but Michelle breaks it up with a facebreaker. Mickie James then hits Michelle with a tornado DDT. Layla drops Mickie with a backbreaker and Gail Kim hits Layla with eat defeat. Maryse gets involved and hits Gail with a DDT and Eve Torres comes in and hits a senton on Maryse. Alicia Fox hits Eve with a scissors kick but in comes Beth Phoenix who drops Alicia. Michelle drops Beth Phoenix with a running boot. Michelle then tells Vickie to go up to the top for a frog splash. Guerrero goes to the top and hits the worst frog splash on Kelly that I have ever seen. Vickie pulls Kelly’s legs so far up that Kelly’s shoulders come off the canvas. Jesus Christ. Vickie pins Kelly Kelly again and this time gets the three. Awful. A win for the heels tonight.

Rating: 1/10

There’s a video package next for John Cena and Batista.

Batista (c) vs. John Cena – WWE Championship match

This is the third PPV meeting between these two men and Batista has won the last two. John Cena has a 5-1 record at Wrestlemania, Batista is 3-1. The WWE Championship hasn’t changed hands at Wrestlemania in five years. John Cena has an impressive entrance led by navy seals. We get an awesome shot of Cena as he runs to the ring. Both of these men won their first World titles on the same night back at Wrestlemania 21, this match has a big fight feel. Batista knocks down Cena in the early going and Cena replies with a headlock takedown. Cena hits Batista with lefts and rights but Batista reverses an Irish whip and knocks Cena down with a clothesline to the back. Batista hits Cena with a running boot and then looks for a suplex but Cena counters it with one of his own. There’s a “Batista loves fish sticks” sign in the background. Cena hits a bulldog for a two count and then looks for an attitude adjustment but Batista counters it with a DDT for a two count.

Batista applies a sleeper which Cena manages to break out of. The two men then exchange right hands until Batista hits a neckbreaker for a near fall. Batista applies a front facelock and Cena gets out of it with a back body drop. Cena hits a couple of shoulder charges and a side suplex and the crowd boo as he sets up for a five knuckle shuffle, which he doesn’t hit as Batista takes him down with a spinebuster. Batista motions for a Batista bomb but Cena counters it into an STF! Batista gets to the ropes to break the hold and then drops Cena with a spear. Batista then attempts a superplex but Cena pushes him off and hits a five knuckle shuffle off the top! Cena sets up for an attitude adjustment but Batista counters it with a Batista bomb! Batista hooks the leg but Cena kicks out at 2! Cena finally hits an attitude adjustment and this time Batista kicks out at 2! Cena goes back up to the top and looks for a legdrop but Batista kind of catches him with a powerbomb. Batista looks for a Batista bomb but Cena counters it with a sunset flip and then locks on the STF! Batista taps out! Cena wins the WWE Championship! Decent match between these two.

Rating: 7/10

There’s a trailer for Shawn Michaels new DVD which seems strange to release before this match with The Undertaker.

There’s a video package next showing what led to the following match between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – Shawn Michaels career on the line

This is the fifth PPV singles match between these two men, Shawn Michaels has won 2 of the previous 4, The Undertaker has won 1 and they drew the other. Shawn Michaels is 6-10 at Wrestlemania, The Undertaker is 17-0. The two men go toe to toe as the bell rings and Shawn Michaels angers Undertaker which causes Undertaker to come quickly out of the blocks. He hits snake eyes and a running big boot before hitting a splash in the corner and knocking Michaels down with old school. Undertaker looks like he tweaked his ankle there. He looks for a chokeslam but Michaels counters it. Undertaker goes back to work with right hands and then looks for a tombstone but Michaels counters it. Michaels attempts to lock on a crossface but Undertaker makes sure that doesn’t happen. Michaels ducks a clothesline and nearly hits sweet chin music.

Shawn works on the left knee of Undertaker but Undertaker drops him with a right hand and then clotheslines him out of the ring. Undertaker then looks to dive out of the ring but Michaels slides back into the ring and takes his opponent down. Undertaker kicks Michaels out of the ring as he tries to lock on a figure four. Undertaker rams Michaels into the ringpost and then hits a legdrop on the apron. Back in the ring and Michaels takes Undertaker down and locks on a figure four! Undertaker reverses the hold but Shawn Michaels manages to break it. The two men get to their feet and slug it out until Michaels hits a flying forearm. Michaels first singles win at a Wrestlemania came at Wrestlemania 8 against the master of the flying forearm, Tito Santana. Undertaker hits a chokeslam for a two count and then sets up for a tombstone but again Michaels counters it.

Shawn Michaels locks on an ankle lock but Undertaker kicks his way out of it. Michaels then clotheslines Undertaker out of the ring before hitting a springboard cross body but Undertaker catches him and hits a tombstone on the outside! A doctor comes to check on Shawn Michaels but The Undertaker tosses him aside and rolls Michaels back into the ring. Undertaker pins Shawn who kicks out at two. Undertaker looks for a last ride but there’s a bit of a counter from Michaels who hits a facebuster for a two count. Shawn then heads to the top for a flying elbow drop but Undertaker gets his knees up! Undertaker then looks to lock on the hells gate but Michaels counters it with a bridging pinfall for a two count. Michaels then hits sweet chin music out of nowhere! But Undertaker kicks out. Michaels looks for a second sweet chin music but Undertaker blocks it and hits the last ride for a near fall!

Undertaker throws Shawn Michaels over the top rope, out of the ring. He then takes apart the announce desk and looks to hit a last ride through it but Michaels slips down and hits sweet chin music onto the desk! Michaels then crawls up to the top rope and hits a moonsault on Undertaker, putting him through the table! Just caught his legs there. Michaels rolls Undertaker back into the ring and hits him with sweet chin music! Michaels hooks the leg but Undertaker kicks out! Michaels looks for another sweet chin music but Undertaker blocks it and hits a chokeslam! Undertaker sets up for a tombstone and this time he hits it! He pins Shawn Michaels who kicks out at two! Michaels uses Undertaker to get to his feet as Undertaker screams “stay down”. Michaels then does the throat-cutting sign with his thumb and slaps Undertaker. Undertaker hits another tombstone, actually jumping with this one! He pins Shawn Michaels and gets the three! Undertaker beats Shawn Michaels tonight, continuing his undefeated streak at Wrestlemania and ending Shawn Michaels career. After the match The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels embrace and Michaels is given the spotlight as the show comes to a close.

Rating: 9.5/10

And that was Wrestlemania 26. For some reason this show didn’t quite click for me. It was interesting to start the biggest show of the year with a math that barely lasted three and a half minutes. The Big Show and Miz retained their Unified Tag Team Championships against the make-shift team of John Morrison and R-Truth. I guess this served its purpose but it was pretty disappointing. Not that it was a match anybody was really looking forward to. They should’ve swapped this and Money In The Bank. Or this and the Mysterio/Punk match. Next up Randy Orton beat Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase in a triple threat match. Although a win for either of the other two guys would have been a huge rub, I think this was the right result. Orton has been in the WWE Championship match the last two years, this is quite the drop for him. Legacy get a big rub just being in a match with Orton at Wrestlemania. I could potentially see a tag team match in the future with Legacy against Randy and somebody else…

Money In The Bank was next and this match was pretty chaotic. There were way too many guys in this match and I actually think it works better with 6 guys. You just don’t get to see much of the competitors in the match. I can barely remember more than one spot from anyone in the match. Jack Swagger won the match which was pretty surprising as he hasn’t really been pushed as of late. He’s a great fit for the United States Championship but this is a big push, I hope they give time to build him up. I think the match will always be remembered for Evan Bourne’s shooting star press off the ladder. Triple H beat Sheamus in a match you’d pretty much expect. It was a fairly standard match, not a terrible match but nothing out of the ordinary. I did like the finish though with Triple H playing possum and then hitting a pedigree out of nowhere. I’m guessing this’ll be the end of this feud considering the finish but it is a feud that feels like it is just getting started.

Rey Mysterio and CM Punk were up next and they put on a really good match. I enjoyed the pace of this one, you could tell thy weren’t given a lot of time but wanted to get a lot in and especially after the last match, the pace felt quick. It was Rey Mysterio that got the win and although his win doesn’t really mean much, it does mean that he won’t be joining the straight-edge society. The problem with that is that a lot of people would have liked to see a change in Mysterio’s gimmick even if he wouldn’t have properly turned heel. Rey won though in a really solid match. I’d like to see more from these two. Bret Hart and Vince McMahon were up next and this was terrible although not as terrible as I remembered. The lumberjacks probably did as much work as Bret Hart and Bret breaking the sharpshooter because he was wrapping up the match too early came across really badly. I don’t know, this was just bad and it’s a shame really because Bret Hart was so good. It’s a shame his career ends in a whimper. Vince has now faced Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania. As well as his own son.

Chris Jericho retained his World Heavyweight Championship against Edge which surprised me. I definitely thought Edge would take the title. Remember when winning the Royal Rumble would guarantee you the WWE Championship? I guess this does mean that the feud will continue which isn’t a bad thing. Jericho cheated tonight which keeps the feud alive. I guess the two will continue into Extreme Rules with a gimmick match. The women were up next and the ten women tag team match put ten of WWE’s finest in one match together. Vickie Guerrero adds more to the match than you think, it makes the match more entertaining and actually makes it more intriguing. The heels won and if you’ve noticed the monumental push of Michelle McCool then you won’t be surprised. Kelly Kelly took the fall to Vickie Guerrero and of all of the divas Kelly probably wouldn’t have minded. The frog splash was the worst thing I’ve ever seen. Not a great match but they were only given three and a half minutes so what do you expect.

John Cena beat Batista in a solid match. I think I would have preferred to have seen Batista win this match and the feud continue. I think there are a lot of legs in this feud especially with Batista as a heel. Cena wins though, as he often does, and has another WWE Championship reign. It makes you wonder whether Batista needed the title run but it was impactful at Elimination Chamber. Good match between these two. The show-stealer ended the show though with The Undertaker beating Shawn Michaels and retiring him from the WWE. This was another great match from these two, although not quite as good as last years match, it was still an epic. The final tombstone was a big one was Undertaker leaped into the air. It’s the end of Shawn Michaels career which is sad as he was still putting on the best matches in the company so you know he could have gone for a while longer. A great match between these two though.

Overall Rating: 55.5/100 (ranked 161st out of 250)

Match Of The Night: The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
Worst Match Of The Night: Ten diva tag team match
Surprise Of The Night: Jack Swagger wins Money In The Bank
Worst Booking Of The Night: N/A
Superstar Of The Night: Shawn Michaels
Wrestlemania 26 Will Be Remembered For: The final match of Shawn Michaels