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I don't want to sound like too much of a smark, but I got really bummed out when it came time for the WWE Championship match, mainly because I realised that Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan had been bumped. As I was most curious about this match (not the most hyped, but the most curious), I felt short-changed out of something I was personally paying to see. I really feel like this was a shitty thing for the WWE to do. Especially when we get so many fucking hype videos promoting how great the WWE. Yeah, man -- we ordered the fucking show -- can we see it now?
I understand entirely why The Rock opened the show. Probably the hottest open they could go with, but it felt...weird. It wasn't bad, just seemed to drag. They easily could have gotten The Rock out and just say "Welcome to WrestleMania!" Done. People pop, and I still get to see Sheamus vs. Bryan.
Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio was a pretty good match. I found it weird that it curtain jerked, but the WWE has put World Title matches as openers before, just never at Mania. I was pulling for Del Rio, and he impressed me here, but I understand why the WWE don't want to Brock Lesnar the guy. He needs some revenge, though, and he needs to look like a fucking beast on a mission. Ricardo Rodriguez always entertains me.
Of the backstage segments, I liked the one between The Rock, Eve Torres, Mae Young and Steve Austin; and I liked the one featuring Snoop Dogg, Roddy Piper, William Regal, Chris Masters and Zack Ryder. I think they could have very easily scrapped the Pee-Wee Herman bit, though.
Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio was my favourite match of the night. Cody Rhodes arrived as a star here, and people noticed it. The kid should now have a rocket strapped to his back.
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk was a good match that I felt really used the skills of both guys really well. Punk looked savvy and dangerous, and didn't get hurt by putting over the big babyface at all.
Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole was a lot of fun. Could it have ended earlier? Sure, but I understand why it went on as it did. Cole winning was to build up his heel heat, and to remove Josh Mathews from commentary so JR and King could have centre stage.
Also, I'd like to point out this is where I became really hyped about Bryan vs. Sheamus, because I thought we'd get JR calling a Daniel Bryan match. So yeah, that made me feel extra ripped off.
The Undertaker vs. Triple H was a good match, don't get me wrong -- but it felt weird. It's like they went too fast into the big shit. It's funny, because a lot of anti-smark smarks love throwing around the term "spot-monkey," but this match was essentially all spots. That's not a criticism, as I felt it also gave the match it's life -- just a funny obserservation. Ultimately, what elevates this match beyond "Oh! He kicked out of another finisher!" is that there was an awesome story tying the spots together (as in any match). It wasn't told by the dissection of a body part, or physical pacing; but rather the desperation and imagery The Undertaker and Triple H used.
I feel that it could almost be compared to Shawn Michaels' most recent matches at WrestleMania -- including his one against Ric Flair -- in that imagery was used so powerful to tell more of a narrative than most matches.
The Snooki stuff was bearable because I love John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler, and Trish Stratus and Layla were fucking smoking. Snooki got me to chuckle when she accepted the boos. I wish I had gone with "splash" in Tipsters, like I had originally predicted. This was short, sweet, and the guys did very little, but enough. Plus, they'll be in the news. Awesome for them. Also gotta love Morrison making sure he's shown by getting right in there with Snooki. Smart man. He also looked like more of a star tonight.
The WWE Championship main event was done about as well as it could have been. The match itself wasn't that great, but people were burned out by this point anyway. It was time to end the show. The draw didn't bother me, because I knew it wouldn't end like that, but also because it itself would have told the story -- John Cena didn't lose, but he couldn't beat The Miz at WrestleMania. It'd be weak, don't get me wrong -- but I made peace with it. Then The Rock gave Cena the Rock Bottom and all was good in the world. Also, Cena's entrance baffled me. The guy must be a Christian or something. But it totally felt out of place. The Miz's however, was perfect.
The Corre vs. Super Faces went so quick I forgot about it. I understand why it did, and the way it broke down explained how it could end so quickly, but I do think The Corre really need to recover. And even if they haven't been impressing people backstage, or whatever -- they are still the fucking champions of your company. Don't make your champions look like idiots.
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