The Michaels/Taker Mania Series

[Xero]

Which would you say was the better match?

[Jeritron]

Wrestlemania 25 took a lot of people off guard. I think most were expecting a great match, but not the match we ended up getting. I think some people's opinion of it can be based on the fact that it didn't have nearly the expectations of this years.

This years easily met or surpassed expectations.
Also, they really worked in a lot of amazing things I noticed that make it an incredible sequel. Shawn and Taker at various points did things that acknowledged their "mistakes" from last year. Shawn didn't try the moonsault in the ring. Taker refrained from the dive over the top.
So many great spots and counters. The facebuster on the Last Ride, and the knee block to the elbow drop were amazing.

Very rarely does a rematch meet or live up to the expectations. There's an effect where people build things up so huge in their minds, they reach mythic status and nothing can even compare, even when it does.
Even with that handicap, I think tonight's match met or surpassed expectations.
The epic hype worked to it's advantage. It allowed it close the show. It had a HUGE match feel. And of course, the career vs streak stipulation added immensely to the matchup.

Overall, I think the matches were probably about equal in terms of the in ring action, but I felt a far better story was told this time around.

Last years story was about two legends squaring off for the first time in years. It was about the match.
This years story was about both of their legacies and careers, and at the same time all about the epic rematch. It was about Shawn needing to snap the streak, and refusing to quit. The finish was incredible. Last years was more abrupt, but this years was more dramatic.

This match seals this as one of the greatest sagas of wrestling. Even with only two matches, the whole story told in both is incredible.
It's now the defining rivalry/storyline in both of their careers, I think.

[Jeritron]

I almost prefer to class the two matches together, as a series. I think each is made better by the other. Like if someone asks me my favorite match of all time I'd want to say these two as one whole.


Jericho vs Michaels is my other favorite match, which would normall be tied with each of these two probably. But if I can combine both, it's easily my favorite of alltime. It's a SAGA damnit!

[Juan]

Jerry nailed it

[Heros Welcome]

Couldn't have said it any better Jeri.

Perfect!

[Jeritron]

I've never really viewed a wrestling match as a sequel, but in this case I really do consider this to be such.
And it was a fucking epic one at that.

I almost would compare this to Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back. Yea, I'm comparing wrestling to Star Wars on the internet. Probably the nerdiest thing I've ever done, but I'm going to do it...

The first is the first. It was the original, and always will be. In many ways, it's the classic.
But the second is equal to, and in many ways superior to the first. It advances the whole thing to a whole new level. Way more dramatic. It's in many ways better, but wouldn't have been what it was without the first.

I love them both, but I probably like Part 2 better. This goes for both cases in the analogy by the way.

[Jeritron]

Although if this was the first of the series, it would actually be just as good. It couldn't have had the same story worked in there, or the same finish though.

[The Franchise]

Right now I'd say last years was better but I have a feeling after a few more watches and given time, I might find WM 26 better.

Also great post by Jeri. :y:

[Jeritron]

I can't believe I thought ending Shawn Michaels career this way would be a downer. Going into this match, I figured another final match against HHH next year made more sense because of their history.
But after this match I really don't think it does. Initially I probably thought this because I figured it wouldn't close the show, and would feature a more basic finish. But now based on how it went, I think the Taker matchup is more fitting. Plus nobody will care as much about him facing Hunter.

I think the fact that it closed the show, and he got to be alone in the ring really puts it over as more legitimate, and less anticlimactic. Definitely not anticlimactic at all now.
If they really put over his retirement tomorrow night and have a special sendoff, I think it should stay that way.

I'll believe it when I see it (thanks to others), but based on Shawn's reaction I really think it could be it. We shall see.
If he does "one more" I won't cry as much foul as Flair, because he's way younger and more able. I think the sendoff will seal it one way or another though.