Wrestlemania XXVI

Wrestlemania opens with Fantasia singing America the Beautiful. This is followed by a Wrestlemania video package.

ShoMiz vs. John Morrison and R-Truth for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship will open the show.
My Prediction: ShoMiz wins the match.
Morrison and Miz start things off in the ring. Miz takes control at first, but Morrison soon catches him with a spinning kick and covers with Miz kicking out at 2. Morrison hits Miz with a scoop slam, he tags in R-Truth and we see a dancing leg drop from Morrison, followed by a diving leg drop from Truth. This gets them a 2 count, but Miz kicks out. Miz goes after Truth, who gets to use his splits dodge and hits Miz with a kick. Show tags himself in and Truth goes after him, but when Truth goes for a cross body, he gets caught and Show hits him with a fall away slam. Show taunts Morrison and shoves him off the apron. He climbs up on the second rope, but before he can go for the dive, Morrison gets back on the apron and kicks Show causing him to fall to the mat. Truth goes for the cover, but only gets a 2 count. Both men tag in their partners and Morrison takes control of Miz again. Miz avoids a shoulder block in the corner and goes for the sunset flip, but Morrison gets up and hits Miz with a knee. Morrison goes for Starship Pain, but Show pulls Miz out of the ring. Truth dives onto Show who catches him and puts him back first into the ring post. Miz goes for a pin on Morrison, but Morrison kicks out at 2. Miz goes for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Morrison counters and gets a 2 count. Show makes the blind tag, and when Morrison goes for the Flying Chuck Kick, Show catches him with the big right hand. Show makes the pin and ShoMiz retain the Titles.

Move of the Match: There were a lot of great moves, but Show’s knockout punch from the outside was an intelligent and strategic move. I’ve got to say there were a lot of great moves, but I’m going to call the Knockout punch the best.

1 for 1

They play a package highlighting the Wrestlemania week events.

Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase vs. Cody Rhodes
My Prediction: Orton picks up the win over the other members of Legacy.
The match begins with DiBiase and Rhodes double teaming Orton. Orton rolls out of the ring, and when Rhodes comes after him, he slides back in and attacks DiBiase. Orton has control for a brief time, but DiBiase and Rhodes are able to take control and double team Orton again. They hit a series of tag team maneuvers, which include each man taking turns holding Orton so the other can hit him. They hit a double suplex on Orton, and trap him in the corner. Orton manages to fight back and first singles out Rhodes in the corner, he gets control for a brief time, but DiBiase catches him with a clothesline. They hit the high low. Rhodes goes for a knee drop and while he climbs up for a moonsault, DiBiase goes for the cover. Rhodes stops him and they argue. Rhodes throws DiBiase out of the ring and hits an Alabama slam on Orton, but DiBiase breaks up the fall and hits Rhodes. Rhodes and DiBiase fight inside and outside the ring. Orton starts to get up on the other side while they fight. Orton throws DiBiase out of the ring and goes after Rhodes. He hits powerslams on both men. Backbreaker on Rhodes, but DiBiase pulls him out of the ring. Rhodes goes for a dive and Orton moves so that only DiBiase gets caught. Orton hits a double rope hung DDT on Rhodes and DiBiase. Orton starts to go for the RKO, but decides to back up and Punts Rhodes instead. DiBiase hits the ring and goes for Dream Street, but Orton counters, hits the RKO and gets the win with a 3 count on DiBiase.

Move of the Match: There were a lot of great moves in this match. From the High/Low, to the Alabama Slam, to Orton’s Punt, but when it comes down to it, I’ve got to name the RKO on DiBiase the move of the match because he countered Dream Street and hit it seemingly out of nowhere.

2 for 2

They play the obligatory “DO NOT Try this at home” video.

Josh Matthews is backstage and introduces Vicki Guerrero. Vickie says this will be her first Wrestlemania match and she will create a moment that will live forever. She brings in Jillian who sings badly, causing the rest of her team to leave. Santino comes in and bites into a Slim Jim which causes Jillian to turn into Mae Young (who kisses him). Another bite turns Mae into Mean Gene, and a third bite turns Gene into Melina who leaves with Santino.

Money in the Bank (Kane vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Evan Bourne vs. MVP vs. Christian vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy vs. Drew McIntyre)
My Prediction: Kofi wins the match.
Kofi has some unique braids for this match, MVP looks pumped, EvanBourne is excited for the match, Jack Swagger comes out wearing a new red white and blue robe, Shelton Benjamin seems calm and reserved as he makes his way to the ring, Matt Hardy gets a pretty good pop as he makes his way to the ring, Dolph Ziggler also looks ready to get things started, Drew McIntyre comes out to boos and takes his time coming out to the ring, Kane comes out sporting a black eye, and finally Christian comes out signaling that he intends to win and looking up at the ladders on the ramp. The match starts out with an all out brawl. There are men fighting all around the ring. McIntyre catches Kane with a big kick, and when MVP slides a ladder into the ring, McIntyre tries to climb it, but gets pushed over by Hardy. Bourne comes in and hits McIntyre with a high knee. MVP catches McIntyre in the corner with a Player’s Boot that sends McIntyre out of the ring. They set up the ladder, and pretty much everyone keeps pulling off the guy climbing it and trying to climb it themselves. Bourne nearly gets the briefcase, but Kane, Swagger and Hardy stop him, then Kane chokeslams him out of the ring onto Benjamin and MVP. Swagger and Hardy fight at the top of the ladder and Kofi knocks it over by hitting it with another ladder. Christian sets up Hardy and Swagger in the corner, throws a ladder at them, and then sends Kofi into the ladder with a monkey flip. Christian starts to climb the ladder, but Ziggler jumps up and hits a modified Zig Zag off the ladder. MVP pulls Ziggler off the ladder and tries to climb it, but gets caught by Kane. Kofi, MVP, and Shelton hit Kane in the corner with a ladder, then Kofi runds up the ladder onto Kane’s shoulders and begins punching him. Kane powerbombs Kofi onto the ladder. MVP catches Kane with the Player’s Boot, but gets caught by Paydirt from Shelton. Shelton climbs up, but Swagger hits him with a ladder. Swagger knocks everyone off the ring apron, until Bourne comes off the top rope and drops Swagger. Hardy and Christian Then catch Swagger between two ladders. Christian, Hardy and Bourne all climb up. Hardy gets knocked down and Christian goes for the Killswitch on the ladder, but Bourne fights out. Bourne knocks Christian down and hits Air Bourne from about halfway up the ladder. Evan climbs back up, but just as he reaches the briefcase, Hardy climbs up and stops him from unclasping it. Hardy manages to take Bourne off the ladder with a hip toss, Swagger climbs up behind him and pushes him over onto the ladder that is still laid across the standing ladder and the top rope. MVP climbs the ladder and collides with Benjamin. MVP tries to powerbomb Benjamin out of the ring, but Benjamin counters with a huracanrana and both men go down. Kane tries to climb the ladder, but Ziggler climbs up over him, Kane pushes the ladder knocking Ziggler off. Kane then hurls the ladder at Ziggler, but Ziggler ducks and it flies out of the ring. Kane chokeslams Ziggler on a ladder that Kofi brings into the ring, then traps Ziggler in between the two halves and beats him with it until it breaks. Kofi catches Kane with Trouble in Paradise and transforms the two halves of the ladder into a pair of stilts. He gets part way up until McIntyre comes in and stops him sending him out of the ring. Drew climbs another ladder, but Hardy stops him from taking the briefcase. Hardy knocks Drew off the ladder and racks him on the top rope. Hardy almost takes down the briefcase, but Christian is able to stop him. Kane climbs up and the three fight at the top of the ladder. Kane goes down and after a fight, Hardy goes for a Twist of Fate, but Christian counters with an inverted ddt off the top of the ladder. Christian climbs back up, but Swagger follows him. Swagger hits Christian with the briefcase, knocking him off the ladder. With no one else in the ring, Swagger unhooks the briefcase to become Mr. Money in the Bank.

Move of the Match: There were too many moves in this match to call one move the move of the match. I’d say my top moves would include the Chokeslam on the ladder, the Zig Zag off the top of the ladder, and Christian’s combo move sending Hardy into Swagger, the ladder into Hardy, and Kofi into the ladder.

2 for 3

They play a video promo for Extreme Rules. After that video, they play a video package of the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Following the video package, they bring out the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2010.

They play a package for Sheamus vs. Triple H. Now it’s time for the match.
My Prediction: Sheamus puts up a good fight, but Triple H wins.
The two lock up, and then Sheamus tells Triple H that he is the future. Triple H answers Sheamus with a series of punches. Triple H goes for the Pedigree, but Sheamus escapes. Sheamus takes control, but Triple H is able to fight back. Triple H gets control and Sheamus rolls out of the ring. Triple H brings him back in and catches him with a chop block. Triple H locks Sheamus in the figure four leg lock, but Sheamus grabs the ring ropes. On the outside, Triple H goes after Sheamus who sends him into the ring steps. Sheamus catches Triple H in the ring and hits him with 2 of his side slam backbreakers. Sheamus catches Triple H with a double axe handle and gets a 2 count. Sheamus gets Triple H in a chin lock with a knee to the back. Sheamus hits a powerslam and goes to a submission hold. Triple H starts to get up and Sheamus locks in a sleeper. Triple H gets his second wind and catches Sheamus with a back suplex. He catches Sheamus with a few kicks out of the corner and hits a big ddt. Both men trade punches and Triple H follows up with the high knee. He follows up with a knee facebuster. Triple H looks for the Pedigree, but Sheamus counters. Triple H gets Sheamus with a neckbreaker for a 2 count. Triple H mounts Sheamus in the corner, but Sheamus ducks out and tries to go for the crucifix powerbomb out of the corner. Triple H slides out and ducks the pump kick and again goes for the Pedigree, but again, Sheamus counters. Sheamus hits the pump kick, but only gets a 2 count. Sheamus goes for the Crucifix again, but Triple H fights out and catches Sheamus with a spinebuster. Sheamus hits Triple H with the pump kick again. He goes to set Triple H up for the Crucifix, but Triple H suddenly hits him with the Pedigree. Triple H pins Sheamus and wins the match.

Move of the Match: A lot of great moves in this match. Sheamus hit his side slam back breaker twice and hit the Pump kick twice. But in the end, the move of the match has to be Triple H’s Pedigree. This is always a great move, and the way Sheamus took it just made it look incredibly effective.

3 for 4

They play a Mysterio/Punk video package. Punk comes out giving one of his speeches. Rey comes out in Avataresque attire.
My Prediction: Mysterio wins (either cleanly or by DQ).
The match opens with Gallows threatening to interfere. Punk takes control and after he hooks Mysterio up on the ropes, Serena chokes Mysterio. Punk goes for a baseball slide, but Mysterio lifts himself up and Punk slides into the ring post. Mysterio goes for his wheelbarrow bulldog on the outside, but Punk counters sending Mysterio face first into the steps. Mysterio gets back into the ring at 9. After Punk has some offense, Mysterio starts fighting back with a seated senton, but gets caught with a powerslam when he goes for a crossbody. We see Mysterio go for a huracanrana but get sent back down and caught with a big kick. Punk goes for repeated covers, but Mysterio keeps fighting out. Mysterio catches Punk with a modified ddt type move. He sets Punk up for the 619, but Punk catches him. Punk goes for the GTS, but Mysterio escapes. Mysterio goes Frog Splash, but Punk moves. Punk covers, but Mysterio kicks out. Punk hits the high knee in the corner, but can’t hit the bulldog. Mysterio sets him up and goes for the 619, but Serena jumps up on the ropes and grabs Punk stopping Mysterio. Luke Gallows gets up on the other apron. Punk goes for the GTS again, but Mysterio hits a huracanrana sending Punk into Gallows and setting up Punk on the ropes. Mysterio hits the 619 followed by the splash to win the match.

Move of the Match: There were a lot of great moves in this match as well. However, I think that of all the moves in the match, I’d have to give the move of the match to Mysterio’s flipping modified ddt move.

4 for 5

Bret Hart/Mr. McMahon video package. No holds barred match.
My Prediction: Bret Hart gets his long overdue revenge on Mr. McMahon.
Vince comes out and says he bought himself a whole bunch of lumberjacks and a guest referee. Out comes the Hart Dynasty with other members of the Hart Family. Vince comes into the ring and Bruce Hart comes in as the Special Guest Referee. Bret informs Vince that the Harts told him Vince was trying to buy them and announces that Wrestlemania XXVI will be remembered as the night “Bret screwed Vince.” Bret takes the fight to Vince doing as much damage as he can. Vince gets out of the ring and the Harts beat up on him. The Hart Dynasty dominates Vince, and hit a modified top rope Hart attack on the floor. They pick up Vince and send him to the ring. Bret goes after Vince’s leg and he tries to escape under the ring. The Harts pull him out, but he comes out with a crowbar. Bret gets his hands on the crowbar and targets Vince with it. Bret grabs Vince and teases the Sharpshooter, but decides to do a little more damage first. Bret hits Vince with a few low blows and David Hart Smith hands him a chair. Bret sits in the chair for a short rest while Vince tries to get up. Vince finally gets up an Bret nails him in the back with the chair. Bret then nails him repeatedly with the chair. Bret continually targets the lower back and legs of Vince with the chair. After having done the damage with the chair, Bret locks in the Sharpshooter, and Vince taps immediately, but Bret holds it a little longer to continue the pain on Vince.

Move of the Match: For moves performed by the competitors in the match, this has to go to the Sharpshooter. If we include the other Harts however, I’d give it to the Top Rope Hart Attack by the Hart Dynasty.

5 for 6

They announce that Wrestlemania XXVII will be held in Atlanta, GA.

Edge/Jericho video package. And it’s time for the match.
My Prediction: Edge picks up the victory over Jericho.
Edge and Jericho go back and forth with both men trading who has the advantage. Edge is able to finally begin to take control of the match, but Jericho catches Edge with a cheap shot and takes back control. They once again trade off and Edge goes for the spear, but Jericho slides out of the ring. Edge attacks Jericho on the outside, but when he tries to reenter the ring, Jericho catches him with a kick, and then with a baseball slide that sends him out of the ring. Jericho manages to control Edge for a while. This continues until Jericho goes for a corner shoulder block and Edge sends him into the ring post. Jericho comes off the ropes and Edge catches him with a kick, but Jericho responds by throwing him onto the ropes. Jericho goes for the triangle dropkick, but Edge avoids it, and then knocks Jericho off the ring apron to the floor. Edge follows up with a flying clothesline to Jericho. Edge starts to climb the ropes, but Jericho goes after him and they fight on the top rope. Edge hits a diving gourdbuster on Jericho. He follows with a cover for a 2 count. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho, but Edge fights him off. Edge goes up top for a cross body, but Jericho rolls through for a 2 count. Edge once again counters the Walls of Jericho, and then goes for a sunset flip from the ropes. Jericho goes for the Codebreaker, but Edge counters and prepares for the spear. Jericho counters and locks in the Walls of Jericho. Edge is able to counter and get a small package for 2. Jericho takes Edge down and goes for the Lionsault but Edge has moved. Edge takes him down for another 2 count. Enzuigiri from Jericho and another 2 count. Edgecution from Edge for a 2 count. Jericho catches Edge with a kick and a diving forearm to the back of the head. Jericho decides to spear Edge, but Edge counters with a big boot. Edge sets up for a spear of his own. Jericho counters the spear with a codebreaker, but only gets a 2 count. Jericho targets the previously injured leg of Edge. Jericho is able to once again lock in the Walls of Jericho. Jericho decides to go from the Walls to a single leg crab on the surgically repaired left leg. Edge is able to reach the ropes and Jericho breaks the hold. Edge rolls up Jericho for 2 and clotheslines him out of the ring. Jericho grabs the title, but Edge stops him. The referee gets knocked down and Jericho hits Edge with the championship belt. Jericho covers, but Edge kicks out. Edge gets up and Jericho hits the Codebreaker. Jericho pins Edge to retain the title.

Move of the Match: Lots of great moves in this match, but my personal favorite was Edge’s Gourdbuster move off the ropes on Jericho. The move was not at all what I was expecting and was very impressive.

5 for 7

After the match, Edge flips out on Jericho. He sets Jericho up on one announce table, then climbs up on the other. Jericho gets up and Edge spears him off the announce table, through the barricade into the timekeeper’s corner.

They play clips of the 26 Man Battle Royal before Wrestlemania when live. The match was won by Yoshi Tatsu.

10 Diva Tag Team Match: Layla, Alicia Fox, Vickie Guerrero, Maryse and Michelle McCool vs. Eve Torres, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim and Beth Phoenix
Note: I did not predict this match as it had not been announced before I left for the weekend. Because I did not have a chance to predict it I will not count it in my prediction stats.
Vickie starts out with Gail Kim. Gail tags in Beth. Beth picks up Vickie and brings her over to their corner, and tags in Eve. Eve takes a few shots and tags in Gail. Gail takes a few shots and tags in Mickie who takes a few shots and tags in Kelly. Kelly hits the K2 on Vickie and goes for the pin, but Michelle comes in and hits the Faith Breaker on Kelly. Mickie hits Michelle with her ddt, Layla hits Mickie with her neckbreaker, Gail Kim catches Layla with the Eat Defeat, Maryse uses the French Kiss on Gail, Eve hits Gail with her flipping senton, Alicia hits Eve with her scissors kick, Beth hits Alicia with the Glam Slam. Beth goes after Vickie, but Michelle catches her with a big kick. Vickie hits a diving splash on Kelly (not quite the frog splash she was going for, but close). Vickie covers Kelly and after not getting the pin the first time, she puts all her weight on Kelly’s shoulders and gets the pin.

Move of the Match: Every diva hit their finisher in the match, so it’s hard to say, but I’ve got to give it to the Glam Slam, because that is one of the most impressive diva’s finishers.

They play the John Cena and Batista video package. Cena Makes one of his traditional Wrestlemania entrances proceeded by a performance by the United States Airforce Honor Guard Drill Team.
My Prediction: Batista gets the win and keeps the title to continue the feud.
Cena and Batista go at it. They start with Batista in control, but Cena soon takes the advantage. Cena catches Batista with punches in the corner, but Batista fights back and takes Cena down. Batista gets the facewash in the corner and sets him up on the apron. Batista goes after the head and neck with his attacks on the apron. Cena counters a suplex attempt with a suplex of his own. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Batista counters with a nearly vertical ddt. Batista gets Cena in a rear naked choke hold. Cena manages to stand and break Batista’s hold. Cena and Batista exchange blows. Batista catches Cena with a neckbreaker. Batista has Cena in a front chancery, but Cena breaks the hold. Cena goes for the 5 Knuckle Shuffle, but Batista catches him with the spinebuster. Cena counters an attack and locks in the STF. Batista reaches the rope. Batista catches Cena with the spear and covers for 2. Batista goes for a superplex, but Cena blocks him. Cena knocks Batista off and hits a variation of the 5 Knuckle Shuffle from the top rope. Batista counters the Attitude Adjustment and hits the Batista Bomb, but Cena kicks out at 2. The two men repeatedly counter each other and Cena hits an Attitude Adjustment, but Batista kicks out at 2. Batista counters a dive into a powerbomb, then looks for the Batista Bomb, but Cena counters and locks in the STF. Batista can’t reach the ropes and taps out. Cena wins the WWE Championship.

Move of the Match: Lots of great moves in this match. Still, if I had to choose one, I’d have to call the STF the move of the match.

5 for 8

Another promo for extreme rules, and it’s time to preview the main event, Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker.
My Prediction: Undertaker retires Shawn Michaels.
HBK repeatedly counters Taker to start the match, but Taker soon counters an attack to hit Snake Eyes. Taker goes for Old School and connects on Michaels. He goes for the Chokeslam early, but Michaels gets out and goes after Taker’s knee. Taker is able to take control again and sets up for a tombstone, but Michaels goes after his arm and knee. Michaels goes for a superkick, but Taker avoids it. Michaels continues to dominated Taker by targeting the knee. Taker finally starts to fight back, but Michaels again kicks the knee. Taker goes for the dive on HBK, but Michaels slides into the ring and delivers a shoulder to Taker’s knee. Michaels tries to use the figure four, but Taker stops him. Taker sends Michaels back first into the ring post. Taker hits the apron leg drop, but hurts his knee in the process. Michaels locks Taker in a figure four leg lock to apply pressure to the legs. Taker is finally able to roll over putting the pressure on Michaels. Taker and Michaels trade blows. Michaels takes Taker down and gets the Kip Up. Taker chokeslams Michaels and gets a 2 count. Taker goes for the Tombstone, but Michaels goes to the Ankle Lock. Michaels pulls Taker to the center of the ring and grapevines the leg. Taker is able to kick Michaels and break the hold. Michaels clotheslines Taker out of the ring and goes for a crossbody on the outside, but Taker catches him. Taker hits Michaels with a Tombstone on the outside. Taker rolls Michaels back into the ring and cover him, but Michaels kicks out at 2. Taker picks up Michaels and goes for the Last Ride, but Taker goes down and Michaels takes advantage to drive Taker’s face into the match. Michaels goes for the elbow drop, but Taker lifts his legs. Taker goes for Hell’s Gate, but Shawn counters into a jackknife cover for 2. Michaels hits Sweet Chin Music, but only gets a 2 count. Michaels goes for Sweet Chin Music again, but Taker counters and hits Michaels with the Last Ride. Michaels kicks out just before 3 to continue the match. Taker tosses Michaels out of the ring, then comes out and tears apart the announce table. Taker goes for the Last Ride through the announce table, but Michaels counters and sends Taker onto the table with Sweet Chin Music. Michaels climbs to the top rope and puts Taker through the announce table with a moonsault. Michaels slides Taker into the ring and hits Sweet Chin Music. He covers Taker, but Taker kicks out just short of 3. Michaels sets up for another Sweet Chin Music, but Taker catches him and chokeslams him. Taker picks up Michaels and hits the Tombstone. He covers, but Michaels kicks out before 3. Taker brings down the straps and is about to signal that it’s over, but he stops and says to Michaels, “Stay down.” Shawn gets up and slaps Taker. Taker grabs him, hits a second Tombstone, and covers him to win the match.

Move of the Match: I don’t think I can choose a move of the match for this one. There were so many impressive and amazing moves from both men. There were flashy moves, impressive powerful moves and moves that showed incredible skill from both men.

6 for 9

Taker does his signature taunt as 18-0 appears on the Titantrons. He starts to leave the ring, but pauses and returns to look down at Michaels. In a show of respect, Taker pulls Michaels to his feet and the two men shake hands and hug. Taker leaves the ring and Shawn shows his appreciation to the fans as they cheer for him. Shawn stands in the ring repeatedly thanking the fans, and then makes his ways up the entrance ramp greeting fans on both sides. Michaels kneels at the top of the ramp, looks up to the sky and exits as Wrestlemania ends.

Just one extra note. While I’m sad to see HBK retire, I’ve got to say that if ever there was a way a wrestler like Shawn Michaels should go out, it is with a match like this one. A match that will go down as one of the Greatest Matches in Wrestlemania history.