Posts Tagged ‘WrestleMania’

Awesome Kong’s WWE Debut, Top Stars Needed For WrestleMania

– As we’ve been covering here on the site since last week, former TNA Knockouts champion Awesome Kong is believed to have signed a contract last week with World Wrestling Entertainment. Kong confirmed the signing on Twitter, re-tweeting congratulations from her attorney saying she’s going to “kill it” in WWE.

Independent wrestling promotion Millennium Wrestling Federation is promoting Awesome Kong’s appearance for this Saturday’s event at Memorial Hall in Melrose, MA as her farewell show before she starts with WWE. Kong will wrestle J-Busta and will be accompanies to the ring by John Cena, Sr., father of WWE superstar John Cena.

After speaking with a WWE source over the weekend about Kong’s signing, the latest is that the company is reportedly trying to keep it as “under wraps” as possible. A few WWE superstars are speculating that Kong could be a mystery entrant in this year’s Royal Rumble, which takes place on 1/30. While Kong will certainly be a part of WWE’s divas division, another plan that has been discussed is for Kong to be introduced as a bodyguard/enforcer for either a WWE superstar or diva.

– WWE has reportedly reached out to Chris Jericho about returning in time for WrestleMania. Jericho is said to be enjoying his time away and does not have immediate plans to return to the company. Triple H will be returning soon to add some needed star power to WrestleMania. The Undertaker’s status is still up in the air.

With WrestleMania taking place from Atlanta and there being talk of a possible WCW tie-in at the event, Bill Goldberg’s name has come up as somebody the company might reach out to for a WrestleMania program.

WrestleMania Plans For Cena, Punk, Orton, Miz, Barrett & More

As we’ve been reporting, WWE creative is currently planning out what the top matches will be for WrestleMania 27 in April. As of late last week, WWE had a tentative WrestleMania line-up that included WWE Champion The Miz defending against John Cena and Randy Orton vs. CM Punk. We’ve had also heard that the new John Cena vs. CM Punk feud would result in a match at WrestleMania, so the company is currently discussing a few scenarios.

WWE had a major scare this week with John Cena suffering a leg injury at Tuesday night’s live event from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. While he is in a lot of pain and his condition is being monitored on a day-to-day basis, there has been no definitive word yet on whether he’ll be out of action for any significant amount of time.

There is still talk of having Wade Barrett vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania 27, if the Undertaker is healthy enough to return for a singles match. Based on what we saw on Monday’s RAW, it looks like Wade Barrett could be on his way out of Nexus, but there’s been no confirmation on his status. It’s possible he may end up on SmackDown. A babyface turn for Barrett has also been rumored, but that would likely take place after WrestleMania.

Report On WCW Tie-in At WrestleMania, Del Rio’s Latest Claim

— While the extent is unclear, with WrestleMania XXVII taking place in Atlanta, Georgia near the ten-year anniversary of the death of World Championship Wrestling, there will be some sort of tie-in involving the defunct wrestling promotion at the event.

— Alberto Del Rio claimed in an interview last week that he is actually a third generation wrestler. He said his grandfather was a wrestler, but never famous. However, it has never been claimed that Mil Mascaras and Dos Caras are sons of wrestlers.

— Lilian Garcia is auctioning off several clothing items from her time in WWE including outfits and boots. To view her items, click here.

— Ring of Honor wrestler Chris Hero celebrates his 31st birthday today.

(source: f4wonline.com)

WWE Planning For WrestleMania: Matches, Celebrities & More

With WrestleMania 27 just four months away, WWE is already working on ideas of how to make this year’s show a success. According to a source within WWE,Vince McMahon is very determined to prove that WWE is still a powerhouse player in the pay-per-view industry due to the recent success of the UFC. The source told us:

“Vince is very focused on breaking a million buys globally for ‘Mania. He’s probably more focused than he’s been in several years.”

The company wants fresh match-ups and we’ve heard of a few big matches discussed for the show. While things could certainly change between now and April, here are some matches that have been discussed:

  • WWE Champion The Miz vs. Randy Orton
  • John Cena vs. CM Punk
  • World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Christian
  • Money In The Bank Ladder Match

FANTASY BOOKING: For you fantasy bookers out there, COMMENT BELOW and tell us what matches you want to see at WrestleMania based on current storylines. REGISTER HERE if you’re not already a member of SEScoops.com.

Triple H is expected to return to action soon and will certainly be in the mix for WrestleMania.

The Undertaker had shoulder surgery on his rotator cuff back in November and is currently “hit or miss” for Wrestleania. In the event that the Dead Man is not 100%, there’s talk that he could compete in a tag team match to keep his streak going.

Vince and WWE’s creative team have been brainstorming as of late trying to come up with a big mainstream celebrity that could be part of the company’s biggest show of the year. Talk of Brock Lesnar working WrestleMania has died down since UFC President Dana White made it very clear that Lesnar is under UFC contract and would be prohibited from doing anything physical for WWE. One name that WWE was interested in is NBA basketball superstar LeBron James.

James is a WWE fan, hosted Monday Night RAW earlier this year and has been mentioned by The Miz in several recent media interviews. Unfortunately for WWE, LeBron James’ Miami Heat team has a game in New Jersey that night, which basically puts any hopes of a WrestleMania appearance to bed. WWE is said to have a few other sports stars in mind, but most of them are long shots.

WWE Looking To Run Major Angle For WrestleMania XXVII

The Undertaker had words with Brock Lesnar following the main event of last month’s UFC 121 pay-per-view event, with their brief exchange caught on camera and designed to get people talking in case a potential WWE match took place. WWE officials want Lesnar to appear in a featured role at WrestleMania XXVII, but the scenario appears highly unlikely due to UFC President Dana White insisting that Lesnar is prohibited from wrestling. Nevertheless, the idea was more than a fantasy proposition to those in WWE.

Vince McMahon was heavily invested in the idea in mid-October as he knew ahead of time that there would be a confrontation between the former wrestling rivals, though the number of people who were previously aware was small. Nobody on creative knew there would be a confrontation until after the pay-per-view, and within a few days, sans a possible referee assignment, it was believed to be a dead idea once White publicly said that Lesnar is prohibited from wrestling.

McMahon feels it will be difficult for WWE to score a grand pay-per-view buy figure for WrestleMania XXVII and therefore concocted at least three different major out-of-the-box ideas, one of which involved Lesnar. The other two ideas, while known to some in WWE, have not been reported yet.

At this point, company officials are actively pursuing individuals not involved with the professional wrestling industry and doing an outsider angle to headline the show.

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

WWE Officials Hopeful For Michaels Return At WrestleMania

Former WWE star Shawn Michaels was forced into retirement after losing his WrestleMania rematch against The Undertaker back in March and he’s been very firm that his days in the ring are over.

Michaels returned to the road last week promoting ticket sales for WrestleMania XXVII in Atlanta, Georgia. Both he and Triple H made numerous public appearances throughout the city, with HBK addressing his current WWE status in interviews. Michaels said he was happy with his career and that he went out on top. He was asked to help promote the event since most of the top WWE stars were overseas touring.

Company officials want to continue utilizing Michaels as they are hopeful he returns at the event to appear as a special guest referee for a match involving The Undertaker. Creative has a storyline in mind where Michaels would have the opportunity to gain revenge on The Deadman by ending his undefeated streak at WrestleMania. However, said plans are extremely tentative due to the SmackDown star recently undergoing shoulder surgery. It’s said to be touch-and-go on whether he’ll be healthy enough to compete in a singles match at the event.

Creative has a worst-case scenario in place which would involve him teaming with Kane in a multi-man tag team match against The Nexus where he could be protected.

(source: F4WOnline.com)

Tatanka Appearing On Raw, Sluggish Mania Ticket Sales, More

— Former WWE talent Chris Chavis (a/k/a Tatanka) was on hand for yesterday’s Ring of Honor event in Mississauga, Ontario and confirmed to Live Audio Wrestling that he was contacted by WWE official John Laurinaitis to appear on tomorrow’s “Old School” Raw in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Chavis told The LAW that he expects to work a tag match on the show and was instructed to bring his ring gear.

— Tickets for WrestleMania XXVII went on sale to the public yesterday. It’s said to be the slowest advance in years.

— With most of the WWE crew overseas, those in Atlanta promoting WrestleMania XXVII besides Shawn Michaels and Triple H were Ricky Steamboat, Evan Bourne and the Bella Twins.

sources: pwinsider.com, f4wonline

Angle Says WWE Return Is Possible, WrestleMania Seating Chart

— TNA Superstar Kurt Angle said “anything is possible” today on his Facebook account in regards to a possible return to WWE.

“A lot of you want me back in WWE. I appreciate your kind words. I love TNA but anything is possible,” he wrote. “Dixie Carter has been wonderful to me. She cares about my well being. That means more to me than anything. So I would never count out WWE, but TNA is my loyalty right now.”

— The seating chart for WrestleMania XXVII has been released online. To view it, click here.

The event is being held on April 3, 2011 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.

— The Nov. 6 episode of A.M. Raw drew a 0.52 cable rating, with 646,000 viewers. The rating is way down from the previous week’s 1.04 figure.

Game Developer Talks About SmackDown vs. RAW 2011

BUY IT HERE: SmackDown vs. RAW 2010 (Amazon.com)ir?t=se0e6 20&l=ur2&o=1

The hosts of the Monday Night Mayhem Internet radio show sent in the following recap with THQ’s Bryan Williams, a developer of the new Smackdown vs. RAW 2010 video game:

THQ’s Bryan Williams Discusses The Release Of WWE’s SmackDown vs. RAW 2011, The Changes & Improvements From Last Year’s Game (Highlighted By The All-New “WWE Universe” & “Road to WrestleMania” Modes), The Feedback Received From WWE Superstars Thus Far, Which Match Was Focused On The Most (From A Game Designer’s Perspective), Taking The Royal Rumble Online For the First Time Ever, & Which Potential Additions Could Be Made As Part Of The Forthcoming DLC Release Later This Fall

THQ’s Bryan Williams was a featured guest on this week’s live edition (10/25/10) of the award-winning Monday Night Mayhem. You can feel the “MNM Fall Tour ’10” every Monday night (at 7PM ET/6PM CT).

  • Listen Here: THQ’s Bryan Williams/Monday Night Mayhem Interview

Interview highlights courtesy of The Mayhem’s official correspondent, Paterson from New Jersey:

The changes & improvements that THQ made from last year’s game (SmackDown vs. RAW 2010) to this year’s game (SmackDown vs. RAW 2011) & why the Hell in a Cell Match, from a game designer’s perspective, was focused on the most:

“Where do you start? We’ve added so much new content to 2011, which is a major feat, because SmackDown vs. RAW 2010 had a wealth of content as well. We added dynamic physics into the game for the first time and added it to all the objects in the game: tables, chairs, & all the objects that reside under the wrestling ring. It makes all the matches, like TLC or Chairs Match, or any match involving weapons that much more lifelike & representative of what you see on Pay-Per-View or weekly television. We also revamped the Hell in the Cell Match. Fans have been asking us for years to update that experience and for good reason. It was the match that needed the most attention. We enlarged the cell and made it more of the scope of the structure.”

Taking the Royal Rumble Match online for the first time ever:

“We redid the Royal Rumble match in 2010, and this year we brought it online. You could have up to 12 human players in the match, and I gotta tell you, it’s fun as hell. Even if you get eliminated, you’ll still be able to control a Superstar coming in from the 30, so you never have that feeling like you’re just watching the match and waiting to play.”

The feedback THQ has received from SmackDown vs. RAW 2011 thus far from the WWE superstars & which ones in particular will go as far to play the game as themselves:

“Yes, they play as themselves. That’s why they get so upset when their attributes are on the lower side of things. There’s a couple of guys that I know for a fact play the game, Kofi Kingston plays the game a bit, Dolph Ziggler plays the game, Evan Bourne plays it. Those are the guys I know for a fact plays the game, and Kofi is pretty good at it.”

Which potential additions could be made as part of the DLC (downloadable content) for SmackDown vs. RAW 2011, in addition to what’s being released later this fall & which one superstar he would love to see sooner vs. later into the game itself:

“I can’t really say. There has been some talks about maybe doing another one, but a decision hasn’t been made one way or another. I think what we’re gonna do is take a wait & see approach and see how the first couple of packs do, and if there’s success, and we get a lot of people downloading the DLC’s, I think that will definitely help & urge us to do a fourth pack. I would like to do another so we could get Daniel Bryan in the game, but all these decisions are not mine to make. I could only voice my decisions and hope & pray.”

Much more is included in Bryan’s highly-anticipated Mayhem return, including his thoughts on the game’s all-new “WWE Universe” mode, what fans can expect in this year’s “Road to WrestleMania” mode, the creation upgrades from SmackDown vs. RAW 2010, plus much more! Follow The Mayhem right now on Twitter (at www.Twitter.com/FeelTheMayhem), as one lucky Mayhem follower/listener will score a copy of the game for the Nintendo Wii this coming weekend! Eight more giveaway copies are coming your way throughout the rest of the “MNM Fall Tour ’10” leading through our “2010: Year In Review” special on December 27th. Log on to the official website of SmackDown vs. RAW 2011 (located at community.smackdownvsraw.com), and be sure to follow the “SD vs. RAW” franchise on Facebook & on Twitter right now (located respectively at www.Facebook.com/WWEGames & www.Twitter.com/WWEGames).

Justin Beiber At WrestleMania? Top WWE Star Almost Quit

– Celebrity news site HollywoodLife.com is reporting that WWE is negotiating with with teen pop star Justin Bieber to sing America the Beautiful at Wrestlemania 27.

“It is so perfect! To have Justin perform in front of 70,000 plus people would just be amazing! It is so perfect”, their source said. “It’s still a work in progress but it would be a lot of fun.”

Opening WrestleMania would put Beiber in an elite club of music icons that includes Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.

– SmackDown newcomer Alberto Del Rio, who has already been thrown into a top program with Rey Mysterio, nearly quit World Wrestling Entertainment before getting called up to the main roster. Apparently Del Rio wasn’t making much money and was considering a reutrn Mexico, where he’s already a top st. Del Rio actually received bad reviews from his time spent in the WWE developmental system. (Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter).

– The WWE Smackdown taping on December 14th, 2010 will be held at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. Tickets go on sale October 16th, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

(Credit to the Wrestling Observer for the Del Rio & Syfy news)

Top WWE Star Turning Heel, MITB Affecting WrestleMania, More

(source: www.f4wonline.com)

— Current creative plans call for a top WWE star to be revealed as the mastermind behind Nexus. The main stars being pitched for the role are Triple H and John Cena. Triple H himself has wanted to turn heel for a few years but injuries to both himself and others have prevented WWE brass from pulling the trigger.

— Tonight’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view event will determine next’s year WrestleMania, in part. Should tonight’s show be considered a success in terms of pay-per-view buys, the event will be brought back as a separate event next year. If it doesn’t do well, the bout would be kept to WrestleMania.

— Last night’s WWE live event in Omaha, Nebraska featured an eight-man dual brand main event pitting John Cena, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio and Big Show against Chris Jericho, Edge, Sheamus and Jack Swagger. The match was a ruled a no decision due to interference from Nexus.

Reaction To HBK’s Retirement, Candice Michelle Profiled, More

— The general feeling among those in WWE is that Shawn Michaels is sincere about his retirement. While no one is ruling out the possibility of Michaels working a match or two down the line, many feel he believes he worked his final match on Sunday.

During his farewell speech on Raw, he acknowledged there being a temptation to return to the ring but that he was going to do everything in his power to make sure it doesn’t happen. With that being said, many feel he will ultimately give in and return for at least one more match.

— WWE.com has added former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle to its Alumni section. You can view her profile at the following link.

It’s worth noting that Michelle paid a visit to her former employer two weeks ago when the company was in Los Angeles for a SmackDown taping. She had not been backstage at a WWE event since her departure from the organization last year.

— Today marks the twenty-five year anniversary of WrestleMania.

WrestleMania XXVI Results: March 28, 2010

WrestleMania XXVI PPV Report
March 28, 2010 from Glendale, Arizona

Fighter jets fly overhead as Justin Roberts introduces Fantasia to sing America the Beautiful.

We get a slick video package highlighting WrestleMania as a place where many superstars only get one shot at making history.  Lots of feuds of tonight are highlighted, specifically Sheamus/HHH, Taker/Michaels II, Vince/Bret, and both of the Championship matches.  Money in the Bank participants are also shown.  The package is amazing.

The pyro hits in a pretty amazing display, and the crowd, of course, is hot.  Michael Cole welcomes us properly to the 26th installment of WrestleMania taking place at the University of Phoenix stadium.  The opening contes will be the match for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championships.  R-Truth is out first, rapping his way to the ring to a lot of love from the crowd.

Michael Cole just announced the Wrestlemania XXVI attendance as ‘over 70,000’

WWE Unified Tag Team Championship Match
Big Show and The Miz (c) vs. John Morrison and R-Truth

Matt Striker, Jerry the King Lawler, and Michael Cole are the announce team for tonight.  Big Show and Miz make their way to the ring, and this one is ready to begin.

Morrison and Miz will be starting things out for their teams.  Morrison is able to get a hammerlock, but Miz fights out of it and stomps at Morrison.  Miz turns his back, only to turn around into a dropkick.  Morrison slams Miz and tags out to Truth, who comes in with a top rope leg drop on Miz that’s good for a two count.  Truth does the splits to avoid a punch from Miz, and gets Miz with a back kick, but Miz tags out to Show.  Truth tries to hit Show with a cross body, but he’s caught and hit with a fall away slam instead.  Show pushes Morrison off the apron and chops Truth’s chest.  Show climbs the ropes, but Morrison hits a kick that knocks Show down.  Miz and Morrison are back in and Morrison is dominating Miz with a flap jack and a kick to the face.

Morrison tries for the starship pain but Show pulls him out of the ring. Miz tries for the SCF, but Morrison fights out. Show hits the knockout punch out of nowhere, tags in, and pins Morrison, getting the three count.

Winners and STILL WWE Unified Tag Team Champions: Big Show and Miz

Cole, Lawler and Striker run down some of the activites of WrestleMania week. John Cena on Jimmy Fallon is shown, footage of the art show, and some stuff from fan axxess is shown.

Legacy Triple Threat Match
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase

Ted Dibiase is the first man out to the ring, to a bit of heat, and Cole talks about his father’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame last night.  Cody Rhodes is the next man out to the ring, also to a bit of heat from the crowd.

Randy Orton is the last man to the ring, to a big pop from the crowd. Dibiase and Rhodes are grouped together and talking to each other when Orton enters the match.  This match will be under triple threat rules where every man is in the ring at the same time.  The bell rings, and Cody and Ted begin to stalk Randy.

Orton is able to fight off both men, keeping Rhodes on the outside with a lariat over the top, and then stomping away at Dibiase.  Orton turns his attention to Rhodes and he eats a dropkick from Ted.  Rhodes and Dibiase pound away on Orton to the displeasure of the crowd.  Rhodes and Dibiase continue, stomping away methodically, before double teaming Orton.  Dibiase holds Orton while Rhodes pounds on him, then the two switch roles for a bit.

Orton hesitates but finally puns Cody Rhodes in the head with DiBiase out of the ring.  DiBiase sneaks up from behind him but Orton hits him with the RKO.  Orton gets the cover for the win.

Winner: Randy Orton

Vickie Guerrero just cut a heel promo with the members of the heel Divas.  She drew a tremendous amount of heat.

They did a comedy segment with Santino Marella and ‘Mean Gene’ Okerlund in a towel.  Injured Diva Melina appeared, making her return to WWE TV.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane vs. Christian vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. MVP vs. Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston

The Money in the Bank ladder match is up next.  Kofi Kingston out followed by MVP, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, Shelton Benjamin, Matt Hardy, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre,  Kane and Christian. They have ladders on the ramp.  Hardy drew a huge reaction. The Money in the Bank briefcase is hanging above the ring but the ladders remain outside the ring followed up and setup on the ramp.

The match starts with chaos with action going in and outside of the ring.  Kane had control but Drew McIntyre started beating him down.  McIntyre sets the first ladder up in the ring.  Hardy pushes it over with him on it.  Evan Bourne comes in as Hardy gives McIntyre Twist of Fate.

All the participants battle on the ladder.  Evan Bourne just touched the briefcase but Kane, Hardy and Swagger fight him off.  Kane tosses Bourne to the outside onto Shelton Benjamin.  Hardy and Swagger battle it out on top of the ladder.

Evan Bourne has his hands on the briefcase, but everyone else is there and things break down pretty quickly.  Kane tosses Bourne to the outside.  Kingston tosses a ladder into Swagger and Hardy who are on another ladder.  Christian throws a ladder into Hardy and Swagger who are trapped in the corner before monkey flipping Kingston into the ladder, sandwiching Swagger and Hardy.  Ziggler pulls Christian off the ladder with a big backstabber, and tries to climb himself, but he’s pulled off by MVP, who’s in turn pulled off by Kane.  Shelton and Kofi sandwich Kane with a ladder, and he and MVP and Shelton use a ladder to sandwich Kane in the corner,  Kofi runs up the ladder, but he’s powerbombed by Kane.

Benjamin is close to gaining the briefcase, but Swagger puts him down with a ladder, before slamming the ladder into several other participants.  Bourne comes out of nowhere with a double knees to Swagger and the ladder to take him out.  Swagger is in the middle of the ladder, and Hardy and Christian both use ladders to sandwish Swagger’s midsection.  Hardy and Christian climb the ladder, while Bourne climbs the side.  Swagger pulls the ladder out from under Hardy, and Bourne kicks Christian off the other ladder before hitting Air Bourne from off the ladder onto Christian.

Bourne tries for the briefcase, but Hardy is there and he throws Bourne off the top.  Hardy is almost able to grab the briefcase, but Swagger comes up from behind, and pushes him off the top of the ladder, on top of the ladder propped up in the ring.  Swagger also falls off onto another ladder propped against the ropes.  MVP and Shelton are up on the ladder now and Shelton sends MVP off.  MVP retaliates, trying to powerbomb Shelton, but Benjamin retaliates with a hurricarana to the outside.  Kane is outside with a ladder and he hits both MVP and Shelton.  Kane is in the ring and he tries to climb the ladder, but Ziggler is in, climbing over Kane.  Kane pushes over the ladder to knock Ziggler off before throwing the ladder at Ziggler, Ziggler ducks but eats a right hand.

Kane chokeslams Ziggler on the ladder before sandwiching him in between and slamming the ladder up and down on top of Ziggler.  Kane ends up ripping the ladder apart.  Kofi sends Kane to the outside, and uses both pieces of the ladder as stilts, trying to climb all the way to the top.  McIntyre is in, knocking one of the legs away, and pushing the other, with Kofi on it, into the ropes.  McIntyre grabs a ladder and climbs, but Matt Hardy is in on the other side.  Hardy and McIntyre fight at the top with McIntyre sending Hardy to the mat.  Hardy retaliates, pushing the ladder into the ropes where McIntyre crotches himself.

Hardy climbs the ladder and gets his hands on the brifcse, but Kane pushes another ladder, with Christian on it, into Hardy’s ladder.  Kane climbs the other side, opposite Hardy and Christian, and he tries for a double chokeslam, but Christian and Hardy fight him off, only to turn their attention to each other.  Hardy tries for a twist of fate, but Christian reverses with into a reverse DDT from the top of the ladder.  Christian climbs both ladders in the middle of the ring, but Swagger pulls one away.  Christian climbs the other ladder, but Swagger is up after him.  Both men fight at the top of the ladder, but Swagger uses the briefcase, slamming it into Christian’s face.  Swagger goes for the briefcase but he has trouble unhooking it.  After what seems like forever, Swagger gets the briefcase down, and he is Mr. Money in the Bank.

Winner: Jack Swagger

Swagger poses with his briefcase at the top of the ladder, smiling and laughing.

Cole, Lawler and Striker re-cap the Hall of Fame induction ceremony the took place last night.  We get a little bit of footage, that includes highlights of the inductions of Wendi Richter, Mad Dog Vachon, Stu Hart, Gorgeous George, and Antonio Inoki.  We get a little more footage of the inductions of Bob Uecker, which was extremely funny, and Ted Dibiase, which was extremely deserved.

Howard Finkel introduces the newest inductees to the WWE Hall of Fame. A good portion of the Hart family is out to represent Stu Hart. Wendi Richter, Mad Dog Vachon, Antonio Inoki, Bob Uecker, and Betty Wagner (representing Gorgeous George), as well as Ted Dibiase are announced. Fink announces them as the Hall of Fame class of 2010, and deservedly, they get a huge pop from the crowd.

Triple H vs. Sheamus

Video package airs airs recapping their feud.  Sheamus is the first man announced, and he makes his way to the ring to a decent amount of heat from this giant crowd. Triple H is out next, to a huge pop from the crowd.  We get an awesome view of Hunter from the ramp that includes a wide shot of the arena, and it just gives you a small idea of how huge this event is.

Based on entrances alone, I don’t know how anyone could think Sheamus has a chance, since Hunter got a freaking light show and tons of pyro, and a crazy in-ring video screen, while Sheamus didn’t even have a sparkler.

Sheamus and Hunter lock up, and Sheamus backs Hunter up into the corner, where he breaks with a shove.  He tells Hunter that he’s the future and he’s the Celtic Warrior.  Hunter puts Sheamus in the corner, but also doesn’t break clean, slapping Sheamus across the face.  Hunter hits a series of right hands and he tries for the pedigree early, but Sheamus is able to fight out of it.

Sheamus sends Hunter into the corner, but quickly eats a dropkick.  Hunter hits a suplex, and follows up with a knee, but a cover only yeilds a two count for Triple H.  Sheamus rolls to the outside, and Hunter follows, slamming his head into the barricade and sending him back into the ring.  Back in the ring, Hunter goes to work on Sheamus’ legs, locking in the figure four.  Sheamus is able to get to the ropes to break the hold and he rolls back to the outside.

Sheamus beats on Hunter in the corner, slamming his thigh into Hunter’s head before choking and stomping away at Hunter.  Sheamus poses for the crowd to a lot of heat.  Sheamus continues the beatdown in the corner on Hunter, being pulled away by the ref.  Sheamus and Hunter trade right hands, with Sheamus getting the upper hand with an axe handle to the head.  Sheamus tries for the cover but he only gets two.

Hunter is back up and out of the sleeper with a back body drop.  Sheamus charges Hunter in the corner but eats a couple of his boots for his trouble.  Hunter fights out of a slam and hits a DDT to change the momentum.  Hunter and Sheamus trade right hands in the center of the ring, and Hunter gets the upper hand.  Hunter hits the high knee and he’s back in this one.  Face buster from Hunter is good for a near fall.Hunter ducks a clothesline and tries for a pedigree but Sheamus counters.  Hunter hits a neckbreaker that’s good for a two count.

Hunter puts Sheamus on the top turnbuckle and he climbs up, hitting Sheamus.  Sheamus ducks out of it, and he tries for the razor’s edge but Hunter fights out.  Sheamus tries for his big kick, but Hunter fights out.  Pedigree attempt but Sheamus fights out again and he hits his huge kick.  Sheamus goes for the pin but Hunter kicks out.

Sheamus picks Hunter up off the mat, and he puts him up on his shoulder, but Hunter fights out and connects with a big spinebuster.  Hunter goes for the pin but Sheamus kicks out at two.

Sheamus tries to roll to the outside, but he only gets to the apron.  Hunter tries to pick him up, but Sheamus fights him off and connects with a big kick to Hunter’s temple.  Sheamus crawls back into the ring and he picks up Hunter.  Hunter is playing possum, and out of nowhere he hits the pedigree.  Hunter pins Sheamus and he gets the three count.

Winner: Triple H

They show a video package recapping the CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio feud.

CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio

CM Punk is the first man out to the ring, with Serena and Luke Gallows in tow, and of course, a mic in hand.  Punk still gets a decent reaction from the crowd, probably due to his stellar work.  Punk says there’s over 70 thousand weak minded individuals that are so hopped up on pills, they think Rey Mysterio is a super hero.  They think their super hero will make the monster go away, but Punk isn’t a monster, he’s a savior, and he can lead everyone to a better place.  He can lead by example because he chooses to be drug free, and he chooses to be better than everyone.  Mysterio doesn’t have a choice.  He will be forced to join the SES, and everyone will have to accept him.  One nation, under Punk, with integrity and sobriety for all.

Mysterio’s music hits, and Punk stares down the entrance ramp.  Mysterio is finally out, with some crazy contacts that look like cat eyes or something.  Mysterio also has a long ponytail hanging from his mask and he’s dressed in baby blue gear with some neon orange streaks. Apparently Mysterio’s attire is inspired by Avatar.

The bell rings and we’re ready to start this one.  Gallows and Sarita are stalking around the outside, it distracts Mysterio, and Punk is able to use that to catch Mysterio, sending him to the mat and stomping away on him.  Mysterio tries to come back and jumps to the top, but Punk sweeps his feet out from under him.  Punk distracts the ref and Serena chokes Mysterio.  Punk tries for a baseball slide, but Mysterio flips up, and Punk crotches himself on the ring post.  On the outside, Punk gets even by slamming Mysterio into the steel ring steps.

Back in the ring, Punk pounds away on Mysterio and he tries for a pin, but Mysterio kicks out at two.  Punk locks in a rear chin lock while the SES cheers on from ringside.  Mysterio is able to fight up to his feet and out of the hold where he catches Punk with a quick kick.  Mysterio tries for a headscissors, but Punk fights it off, only to eat a springboard seated senton from Mysterio.  Mysterio hits a kick to Punk’s face, but Punk is able to surprise Mysterio with a roll up for two.  Punk catches Mysterio with a giant kick to the side of the head, but a pin is only good for two.

Punk tries for a series of pins, but it ends with Mysterio flipping out and up onto the ropes, where he comes back with a crazy springboard DDT.  Mysterio tries for the pin, but he only gets two.  Mysterio kicks Punk into the ropes and tries for the 619, but Punk catches him.  Punk tries for the GTS, but Mysterio fights out.  Mysterio springboards off the ropes, but Punk catches him in GTS position.  Mysterio fights out again and kicks Punk in the head.  Mysterio goes to the top and tries for a frog splash, but he misses.  Punk tries for the cover but he only gets two.

Punk hits the high knee in the corner, but Mysterio fights out of the bulldog and sends Punk into the ropes.  Mysterio tries for the 619, but Serena and Gallows distract him.  Punk almost hits the 619, but Mysterio fights out, hits the 619, the springboard splash, and pins Punk.

Winner: Rey Mysterio

We get a video package recapping the 12+ year Bret Hart and Vince McMahon storyline.

No Holds Barred Street Fight: Bret Hart vs. Mr. McMahon

Vince McMahon is the second entrant in the match.  He enters wearing a short sleeved shirt, and he looks pretty damn good for his age.  Vince is also carrying a mic in his hand.  Vince says Bret is in his ring, at his greatest creation, WrestleMania.  Vince says Bret deserves a WrestleMania sized screwing.  Vince says he shelled out a lot of bucks and as a result, he bought himself a lot of lumberjacks, and one of them will be a guest referee.  Vince says to just remember that Bret screwed Bret, and Vince screwed Bret, and now Vince and Hart’s entire family screwed Bret.  The Hart Dynasty makes their way out, along with Hart’s family make their way to the ring with Vince.

The Hart family surrounds the rings, but this is pretty ridiculous since everyone but the Hart Dynasty is in their formal wear from earlier.  The women are all in heels and formal dresses, and most of the guys are wearing tuxes, I think only Bruce is wearing jeans.  Bruce is in the ring, and he takes off his shirt to reveal a referee shirt.

Bruce Hart doesn’t even take off his sunglasses.  Bret can’t believe that his whole family agreed to this.  He says there isn’t much he can do, what’s done is done.  He says there’s one thing he knows about the Hart family, they got paid up front and their money is already in the bank.  Hart says there’s one thing he learned from the Montreal screwjob, and that’s a good old fashioned double cross.  The Hart family is united.  Hart knew about this coming in, and tonight, at Vince’s greatest creation, it’ll be forever remembered as the night Bret screwed Vince.  Bruce and Bret hug, and Bruce starts the match, finally with his glasses off.

Vince begs off, but Hart hits him with a right.  Hart beats McMahon all around the ring, in the corner, stomping away at him.  Hart chokes McMahon with his foor in the corner.  Vince rols outside into the Hart Dynasty, who go to work with a couple of forearms.  Hart family members are in to join, and Natalya hits Vince with a big slap.  Kidd and DH Smith stomp away at Vince, and Kidd locks in a guillotine choke before hammering away on Vince.  DH Smith picks Vince up and Kidd climbs up to the apron.  DH Smith picks Vince up, and Kidd goes all the way to the top turnbuckle.  Kidd leaps off and hits a top rope Hart attack all the way to the floor, sending Vince McMahon crashing down.

The Harts roll Vince back into the ring, and Bret goes right to work on Vince’s leg.  Vince rolls back to the outside, and he tries to crawl under the ring to avoid things, but Kidd and Smith pull him out.  Vince has a crowbar in hand when he comes back out and the Hart’s scatter.  Everyone calls Vince a coward.  Vince rolls back into the ring and he tries to hit Bret with the crowbar, but Bret ducks it, and sends McMahon to the mat, where he continues to beat him down with big elbows.  Hart grabs the crowbar and he uses it to clobber McMahon, just wailing away on him.

Hart uses the crowbar to whack McMahon right in the throat, and the Hart family rallies Bret on from the outside, banging on the mat.  Hart grabs McMahon’s legs, and the crowd goes NUTS.  Hart goes for it, but decides against it, and goes for the crowbar again.  Hart whacks McMahon a couple more times before grabbing the legs again.  Hart kicks McMahon right in the crotch, and then does it again.

McMahon pleads with Bret, but all it gets him is a couple more kicks to the groin.  someone slides a chair into Bret, and he uses it to sit down.  Bruce comes over, and Bret actually calls a time out, just to catch his breath.  McMahon crawls up to his hands and knees, and Hart is up behind him.  Hart picks up the chair, and whacks McMahon across the back, then a second time.  The crowd chants for one more, and Bret obliges with another big chair shot.  Three more, then another, and another, and Bret is just working Vince over.  Three more, another, a thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth all on Vinces legs.  Another, and another, and another, jeez, this is crazy.  Another, and Vince is just moaning and panting.

Hart grabs the leg and everyone goes crazy.  Hart wraps up the legs and pulls McMahon over, successfully locking in the Sharpshooter, which is just a beautiful sight.  McMahon immediately taps, but Hart keeps it locked in just for a bit.

Winner: Bret Hart

After the match, all the Harts get in the ring to celebrate with Bret.

The live attendance is announced as 72,219.

We get a video package about the history between these two men, all the way back to when these two became the WWE Unified Tag Team Champs and Edge injured himself.  It also covers Edge’s surprise return at the Royal Rumble (a story broken here at WNW), and the past few weeks that have led up to this match, with Jericho winning the World Heavyweight Championship, and Edge cashing in his Royal Rumble title shot.

WWE World Heavyweight Title Match
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Edge

The World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Jericho, is out to the ring first with an impressive pyro display.  It’s great to watch such a talented wrestler like Jericho walk into WrestleMania with the WHC.

Edge is the next man to make his way out, to a huge pop from the crowd and an impressive pyro display of his own.  This match is set to begin, and Canada is extremely proud right now.

Edge and Jericho lock up and start out with some chain wrestling.  Jericho locks in a headlock, and when Edge fights out, he hits a shoulderblock.  Jericho ducks a couple of clotheslines, but Edge comes back with a big flying lariat.  Edge stomps on Jericho in the corner, but when the ref breaks it up, Jericho is able to mount a comeback, putting Edge in the corner and beating on him for a bit.  Edge comes back with a back body drop, and he tries for a spear, but Jericho sees it coming and he rolls out to the floor.  Edge follows, beats on Jericho for a bit and rolls him back into the ring.  On his way back into the ring, Jericho catches Edge with a slap, and a baseball slide to send him to the floor.

Edge rolls back into the ring, and Jericho grabs right for Edge’s legs, hitting a slingshot, slamming Edge’s neck into the bottom rope.  Jericho hits a back body drop, and he tries for a cover, but Edge kicks out at two.  Jericho locks in a modified rear chin lock, and tells the referee to ask him, but Edge refuses to give up.  Edge fights up to his feet, but Jericho slams him back down to the mat head first.  Jericho kicks and slaps away at Edge’s head.

Jericho sends Edge into the corner, but when he charges in, Edge moves and Jericho’s shoulder connects with the ring post.  Edge hits a big dropkick, and tries for a back body drop, but Jericho blocks it and hits a front suplex, sending Edge into the ropes.  Jericho tries for a springboard dropkick, but Edge dodges it, and sends JEricho crashing into the announce table.  Edge launches himself off the ring apron onto Jericho with a big diving clothesline.  Edge rolls Jericho into the ring and he tries to go to the top, but Jericho catches him and the fight on the turnbuckle.  Edge is able to come out on top when he hits a front suplex from the middle rope that’s good for a two count.

Edge ducks a big boot from Jericho and slides to the outside where he sweeps Jericho’s legs.  Edge hits a crossbody from the top, but Jericho rolls through into a pin attempt for a two count.  Jericho tries for the walls of Jericho, but Edge fights it off.  Both men get a quick near fall, but a kick to the head from Jericho puts Edge down.

Jericho tries for the codebreaker, but Edge counters, catches Jericho and slamming him into the corner.  Edge goes for the spear, but Jericho counters, jumping over and rolling Edge straight into the walls of Jericho!

Jericho takes control with a blow to the back of Edge’s head.  Jericho teases the spear, setting up for it.  Edge is back on his feet, but when Jericho goes for the spear, Edge gets his foot up for a big boot.  Edge psyches himself up, and gets the crowd going.  Edge tries for the spear, but Jericho counters with the codebreaker.

Jericho crawls over and pins Edge, but it’s only good for two, another pin, another two count.  Jericho argues with the ref for a bit, but then turns back to Edge.  Jericho kicks at the back of Edge’s leg, before just stomping on the ankle.  Edge avoids another kick and he gets back to his feet, but Jericho takes him right back down into the walls of Jericho.

Edge tries to crawl to the ropes, but Jericho pulls him right back into the middle of the ring and turns it into a single leg crab, focusing on Edge’s injured leg.  Edge is finally able to crawl to the ropes, and surprise Jericho with a roll up that’s good for a two count.  Edge clotheslines Jericho over the top rope and both men go out to the floor.  Jericho is back to his feet first and he grabs his title.  Edge slams Jericho’s head into the ring apron, and Edge ends up accidentally elbowing the ref.  Jericho hits Edge with the belt, and goes for the pin, but Edge kicks out!

Jericho hits the codebreaker, and he pins Edge.  The referee counts three, and this one is over.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Jericho

After the match, Jericho goes after Edge’s leg again, but Edge fights him off and sends him into the announce table.  Edge takes apart the Spanish announce table, of course, and sets Jericho on it.  Edge climbs on the other announce table, and waits for Jericho to get to his feet, running from one table, to the other, and spearing Jericho off the table and through the ringside barricade.

They show highlights from the 26-man battle royal that took place before WrestleMania went on the air. Yoshi Tatsu won.

10 Diva Tag Match: Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly, Mickie James, Gail Kim and Beth Phoenix vs. Vickie Guerrero, Maryse, Michelle McCool, Layla and Alicia Fox

Layla, Alicia Fox, Vickie Guerrero, Maryse, and Michelle McCool are out first. Eve Torres, Mickie James, Gail Kim, Kelly Kelly, and Beth Phoenix are the next team out to the ring, and this one should be a mess.  Hopefully it’s kept fairly short as there wasn’t even a video package, because there’s really no history to this match.

Gail Kim and Vickie are going to be starting things out.  Guerrero bumps Kim back, so Kim tags in Phoenix.  Vickie finds herself in the corner, where she eats a couple of shoulders.  Eve tags in and gives her a couple more shoulders.  Kim tags in and James tags in, followed by Kelly, and they all pretty much do the same thing, beating on Vickie.  Vickie is unfazed though, screaming at Kelly Kelly.  A big slap and step up leg drop takes down Vickie, but McCool is in with a Styles Clash.  Mickie comes in and hits her big DDT, layla comes in and hits a backbreaker, Kim comes in with a sole food.  Everyone is coming in now.  Phoenix hits a giant implant buster type move on Alicia, then turns her attention to Vickie.

Phoenix puts Guerrero in the tree of woe, but McCool comes in and clocks Phoenix out of nowhere.  McCool sets it up, and talks Vickie into doing a frog splash on Kelly Kelly.  Vickie does it, and connects, but has trouble pinning Kelly.  She’s finally able to do it, and she gets a pin, scoring the win for her team.

Winners: Vickie Guerrero, Alicia Fox, Michelle McCool, Layla and Maryse

WWE Championship Match
Batista (c) vs. John Cena

We get a video package detailing the events of the past few weeks, beginning at last month’s PPV, that led up to this match.

Batista is the first man out to the ring, and he gets what sounds to be a bit of a mixed reaction from the crowd.  Batista’s entrance, of course, includes lots of pyro, and himself entering in a lone spotlight.

Cena continues his tradition of overly impressive WrestleMania entrances with another doozie, not quite as impressive as his bajillion look-a-likes entrance though.  A group of soldiers, carrying rifles, go into a drill, spinning their rifles and doing all sorts of fancy stuff.  The soldiers form themselves into an aisle, and spin their rifles as another walks through them.  This happens a second, and third time.  Cena’s music hits, and the crowd goes nuts.  Cena walks down the aisle, with the air force honor guard air team spinning their rifles as he walks past.  Cena charges down to the ring and the crowd is still going wild.

Someone made an awesome ‘South Park’ referencing ‘Batista likes fish sticks’ poster.  Batista and Cena lock up, and Batista turns it into a headlock.  Cena sends Batista into the ropes, and Batista responds with a big shoulderblock.  Cena is back up, and he takes Batista off his feet with a headlock takeover.  Batista fights back up to his feet and pushes Cena into the corner, forcing the break.  Batista goes right for a punch, but Cena ducks it and goes to work with a couple of blows to the body.  Batista responds with a big blow to the back of Cena’s head before picking him up and slamming him in the corner.  Batista beats on Cena in the corner, slamming him with a big boot to the head.

Batista continues to work over Cena’s neck, clubbing away across Cena’s neck.  Batista tries for a suplex, but Cena blocks it and comes back with a suplex of his own.  Cena beats on Batista in the corner for a bit, and he hits a sort-of bull dog, but when he goes for the pin, he only gets two.  Cena tries for the AA, but Batista fights it off, countering with a big DDT.  Batista rolls right into the cover, but Cena kicks out at two.

Batista sits Cena up and hits a big kick to Cena’s face, but it’s only good for another near fall.  Batista locks in a rear naked choke with a body scissors, trying to wear Cena down.  Cena is able to fight up, with Batista on his back, and he forces Batista off his back, and tries to break Batista’s grip.  Cena fights out of it, but gets a knee to the back.  Cena and Batista exchange right hands, with Batista getting the upper hand with a neckbreaker.  Batista gets a near fall.  There’s a lot of boos for Cena surprisingly.  Batista locks in a front chancery.”

Cena is able to fight up to his feet, and suplexes Batista off of him to break the hold.  Batista charges Cena in the corner, but gets a big boot instead.  Cena hits a couple of big shoulder blocks, a side belly to back suplex, that gets a lot of heat, and he goes for the five knuckle shuffle, but he ends up eating a spinebuster from Batista instead.

Batista calls for the Batista bomb, but Cena surprises him with the STF.  Batista is able to make it into the ropes to break the hold.  Batista hits a big spear, and he goes for the cover, but Cena kicks out at two.

Batista puts Cena in the corner and buries his shoulder in Cena’s midsection before placing him on the top rope.  Batista goes for a superplex, but Cena fights it off, turning it into a test of strength.  Cena hits a couple of head butts, and punches Batista, sending him crashing to the mat.  Cena gets to his feet and jumps off, connecting with a top rope five knuckle shuffle.  Cena goes for the AA, but Batista grabs the top rope.  Cena pulls him back, but Batista counters into the Batista bomb.  Cover, but Cena kicks out at two and Batista is shocked.

Batista is up on his feet, and he picks Cena up, trying for another bomb, but Cena counters into an AA.  Batista counters, and Cena counters into the AA again.  Cena connects with a big AA, launching Batista, but when he goes for the cover, Batista kicks out at two!

Cena climbs up to the top turnbuckle, and he jumps off, right into a big spinebuster from Batista.  Batista picks him up and tries for the Batista bomb, but Cena rolls through and goes straight into the STF.  Batista tries for the ropes, but he’s eventually forced to tap.  The crowd, who’s been pretty hostile up to this point, cheers pretty loudly.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena

After the match, Cena poses with the belt, with a big smile on his face.  They show big shots of the crowd, and I’m always just so amazed at how huge the whole event always looks.

We get a video package that’s just extremely well put together, and I’m just as excited for this match as I was to see it last year.

MAIN EVENT: Streak vs. Career: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (No DQ or Count Out)

Shawn Michaels is out to the ring first, and he looks pumped up, and extremely excited for someone who could be entering the ring for his last match. The gong sounds, and the crowd goes wild.  There’s fire for the entrance, but so far it’s away from the entranceway, thankfully.  Taker is lifted up on a platform from the entrance ramp, with lighting from underneath.  It’s especially demonic.  Taker walks to the ring to a load of cheers, and the fire hits when he’s a good distance away.

Michaels does not look intimidated as Taker gets into the ring and disrobes.  Taker and Micheals stare each other down. Michaels drags his thumb across his throat and infuriates Taker.  Taker charges Michaels, but Michaels dodges and catches Taker with a couple of chops.  Taker comes right back, hanging Michaels up on the top turnbuckle, and splashing Micheals in the corner.  Taker goes for old school, but Micheals fights it off.  Taker goes up again and he’s able to walk to ropes and connect this time.  Taker goes right for the chokeslam, but Micheals fights out of it and kicks at Taker’s knee.  Taker fights back with a big right hand.  Taker slams Michaels head into the turnbuckle, and he tries for a tombstone, but Michaels fights out and goes to work on Taker’s arm.

Taker tries for a short arm clothesline, but Michaels ducks it, and counters with a not quite solid SCM.  Taker is a bit startled.  Michaels goes right back to work on Taker’s knee, stomping away at it in the corner.  Michaels hands Taker’s leg up on the ropes and just goes to work.  Taker fights him off and gets back to his feet, pounding on him in the corner, but HBK kicks right back at Taker’s knee.  Taker sends Michaels to the outside with a clothesline over the top ropes, and he teases a dive, but Michaels sees it coming and he comes back in with a shoulder to the knee.

Michaels tries for the figure four, but Taker fights it off and sends Michaels to the outside.  Taker hits the crazy leg drop on the apron.  Back in the ring, Michaels is right back up and he goes for the figure four, locking it in.

Michaels is wearing down the Undertaker, forcing him to put his shoulders to the mat every now and then.  Taker reverses the pressure, rolling himself and HBK over and forcing Michaels to break the hold.  Both men are back on their feet and they’re trading chops and punches.  Michaels kicks at Taker’s knee, and goes to work with chops, but Taker responds with big right hands.  Michaels ducks one and hits some more chops.  Michaels hits a flying forearm to Taker, and he kips up, but he walks right into a chokeslam.  Taker pins Michaels, but HBK kicks out at two.

Taker tries for a tombstone, but Michaels slithers out of it and locks in the ankle lock.  Taker crawls toward the rope, but Michaels pulls him back into the ring and grapevines the leg to add more pressure.  Taker again is worn down to where he’s forced to put his shoulders on the mat and force a pinning predicament.  Taker is able to use his free foot to kick at Michaels and break the hold.

A medic is down to check on Michaels, but Taker throws him away and tosses Michaels back in the ring for the pin.  Michaels kicks out at two! Taker kicks at Michaels and he goes for the Last Ride, kind of connecting, but Michaels gets the pin.  Taker kicks out at two.  Michaels climbs to the top rope, and he goes for his signature elbow drop, but Taker gets his knees up to block it.

Taker locks in Hell’s gate out of nowhere, but Michaels counters into a pinning predicament, forcing Taker to break the hold.  Taker hits Michaels with a big right, but Michaels responds with sweet chin music.  Michaels goes for the pin, but Taker kicks out at two.

Michaels tunes up the band again in the corner, but another attempt is blocked by Taker, but buries his boot in Michaels stomach and connects with a proper Last Ride.  Taker goes for the cover but Michaels kicks out!

Taker is back to his feet and he immediately tosses Michaels out to the floor.  Taker begins taking apart the announce table, pulling out the monitors.  Taker is pounding on his knee, trying to knock feeling back in.  Taker sets Michaels up for the Last Ride, but Michaels gets out of it and hits SCM, sending Taker on top of the announce table.  Michaels goes up to the top turnbuckle, and he launches himself off, with a big moonsault, crashing through Undertaker and the table!

Michaels crawls over toward Taker, and he rolls him back toward and into the ring.  Both men get back up to their feet, and Michaels connects with sweet chin music.  Michaels goes for the pin, but Taker kicks out at two!

Michaels goes for SCM again, but it’s blocked and Taker hits a chokeslam instead.  Taker picks Michaels up, and connects with a big tombstone.  Taker pins Michaels, but Michaels kicks out at two!

Taker pulls down the straps, and he almost jerks his thumbs across his throat, but he decides against it.  Michaels climbs up, and Taker tells him to stay down.  Michaels crawl up, using Taker to support himself.  Michaels drags his thumb across his own throat, and slaps Taker across the face.  Taker gets angry, and immediately connects with a tombstone.  Taker pins Michaels, and that’s all she wrote.

Winner and 18-0, streak intact: The Undertaker

After the match, Taker stumbles over to the ropes, and uses them to drag himself to his feet.  Taker poses in the center of the ring, while an 18-0 graphic comes up and fireworks go off.  Fireworks also go off around the top of the arena.  Taker starts to get out of the ring, but he stops.

Refresh now for the Latest Update!

Match Made Official For WrestleMania, Superstars Rating, More

— A match between Rey Mysterio and CM Punk was made official for WrestleMania XXVI during last night’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown. The stipulation for the match is that should Mysterio lose the bout, he must join The Straight Edge Society. (Match preview)

— Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America scored an 0.89 cable rating with 974,000 viewers. The midnight replay drew an 0.16 rating with 143,000 viewers. (source: PWInsider.com)

— WWE returns to the Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia on June 11th, 2010 at 7:30 PM. Tickets go on sale April 10th, 2010 at 10 AM. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

*Spoiler* Gimmick Match Added To WrestleMania

Warning: The following contains a spoiler for Friday’s WWE SmackDown

Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk was officially announced at Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings, airing Friday night.

Here’s what looks to be the final card for WrestleMania 26, unless they add the Divas match next week:

WWE Title Match
John Cena vs. Batista

World Heavyweight Title Match
Edge vs. Chris Jericho

Career vs. Streak Match
Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker

No Holds Barred Match
Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon

WWE Unified Tag Team Title Match
John Morrison & R-Truth vs. The Miz & Big Show

Triple H vs. Sheamus

Triple Threat Match
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase

Street Fight
CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio

Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane vs. Christian vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. MVP vs. Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne vs. Drew McIntyre

News On WrestleMania Announce Team & Opening Match

– The plan right now is for Jim Ross, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler to announce WrestleMania with Todd Grisham, Matt Striker and Josh Matthews doing backstage interviews and such.

– Word is that Stu Hart’s video package for the WWE Hall of Fame is really good. It may debut on this week’s Friday Night SmackDown.

– As of this week, the decision still hadn’t been made whether John Cena vs. Batista, Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels or Edge vs. Chris Jericho would be the last match at WrestleMania. The Unified Tag Team Title match is currently scheduled to open the show with Money in the Bank going on second. Vince McMahon vs. Bret Hart would likely go somewhere in the middle of the card. Of course, all of this is subject to change.

(Source: f4wonline newsletter)

*Spoilers* Tag Title Match Another MITB Participant Revealed

WrestleMania 26

On Friday’s WWE SmackDown, Matt Hardy defeated Drew McIntyre to qualify for Money in the Bank and John Morrison & R-Truth defeated the Hart Dynasty & Cryme Tyme in a triple threat match to earn a tag title shot against ShowMiz at WrestleMania. Here’s the updated card for WrestleMania XXVI on March 28, 2010:

World Heavyweight Title Match
Edge vs. Chris Jericho

WWE Title Match
John Cena vs. Batista

Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon

Career vs. Streak Match
Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker

Unified Tag Title Match
Big Show & The Miz (c) vs. John Morrison & R-Truth

Money in the Bank
Christian vs. Kane vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Jack Swagger vs. MVP vs. Matt Hardy (1 spot remains open)

SEScoops Analysis: Expect a stipulation to be added to the Hart vs. McMahon match, such as a street fight or no disqualification. Also, Sheamus vs. Triple H appears to be a lock with Sheamus attacking the Game as RAW went off the air this week. 

WrestleMania 26 Set: Open Dome, Fire, Big Structure

University of Phoenix Stadium

The latest issue of WWE Magazine features a sneak peek at what the University of Phoenix Stadium is going to look like next month for WrestleMania XXVI.

Click here to view an interactive map of the stadium layout.

    Here are some of the details:

    – The dome in the University of Phoenix Stadium will be open, making WrestleMania XXVI an open-air event.

    – The stage will be 120 feet wide and will be elevated 8 feet above the ground. The entrance ramp and various parts of the set will be surrounded by “cauldrons of fire” that will burn high or low, depending on what the action in the ring calls for. Each cauldron burns at about 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

    – There will be a 110-foot tall structure built above the ring holding 30 tons of light, sound and video equipment – similar to the one we saw at WrestleMania 24.

    – Over 1,500 miles of cables and wire will be ran through the stadium to light the ring, stage and entrance way.

    – Close to 400,000 pieces of fireworks will be used and shot over 200 feet into the air above Phoenix.

    – A $250,000 four-sided LED big screen with 150 speakers will hang under the ring structure ensuring a great view for everyone.

    Canadian City Seeking Future Mania, Divas Title Match Update

    Devin Cutting sent in the following: The WrestleMania Vancouver Bid Committee has been formed and is attempting to bring WrestleMania to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in either 2013 or 2014. (Official Website | Facebook | Twitter)

    — To set the record straight, the tournament final for the vacant Divas Championship was scheduled to take place last week on Raw, but ultimately pulled due to time constraints. The match would have likely taken place had there not been Elimination Championship qualifying matches.

    While Gail Kim vs. Maryse has been teased tonight, it has not been officially announced.

    — Edge is featured on the cover of this week’s issue of Super Luchas magazine in Mexico, which has coverage on his in-ring return at last week’s Royal Rumble. You can view the cover at the following link.

    (credit to www.f4wonline.com for some of the information used in this report)

    WrestleMania 26 Rumored Card: New Matches Added

    This week on RAW, we may have seen the groundwork laid for one of the top matches at WrestleMania XXVI. It’s been assumed for months that Bret Hart’s return to WWE would culminate at WrestleMania in some sort of match with Vince McMahon. Bret’s physical abilities are not what they once were due to a series of concussions and a stroke several years ago, so his physical involvement would be limited and a Street Fight match was discussed.

    On RAW, Bret Hart confronted Vince McMahon and was ready to extract revenge before he was attached by none other than Batista. McMahon ordered Batista to restraint Hart and then got his own revenge on Bret Hart for something he did at Survivor Series 1997 by spitting in the Hit Man’s face. The crowd in Nashville went wild, chanting for John Cena as the show went off the air. (What Happened After RAW) The angle was red hot and unfolded with a level of excitement rarely seen on WWE television these days.

    With that match looking likely, here’s an updated list of WrestleMania matches we’ve heard talked about among WWE employees:

    Bret Hart and John Cena vs. Vince McMahon and Batista

    Edge vs. Chris Jericho

    Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker

    Triple H vs. Sheamus

    Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase vs. Cody Rhodes

    CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (Hair vs. Mask)

    Money in the Bank

    New PPV Poster & Synopsis For WrestleMania 26

    goodbye

    Pay-Per-view provider iNDEMAND has released a new propomotional poster for WrestleMania 26 on 3/28 as well as an updated preview:

    WrestleMania XXVI
    Sunday, March 28, 2010

    Synopsis: Nothing bigger, nothing more spectacular, and nothing can compare to WrestleMania. Watch as John Cena, Triple H, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, and all your favorite WWE Superstars carve out a place in history at WrestleMania XXVI, Sunday, March 28 at 7pm ET/4pm PT, live on pay-per-view. A World Wrestling Entertainment Production.

    Big Plans For The Rumble & WrestleMania, WM27 Location

    – Although plans can change very quickly in WWE, the idea over the weekend was that Triple H is the favorite to win the Royal Rumble and receive a title match against Sheamus at WrestleMania.

    His DX partner Shawn Michaels’ is expected to face Batista at No Way Out to determine who will battle the Undertaker at WrestleMania.

    At one point there was talk of Triple H and Shawn Michaels BOTH winning the Royal Rumble (ala Bret Hart and Lex Luger back in 1994), which would have allowed HBK to chose the Undertaker and Hunter to chose Sheamus as their respective WrestleMania opponents. The idea was seemingly dropped after creative came up with the idea of Hunter winning by himself.

    Then the big interbrand match at WrestleMania would pit John Cena against Batista.

    – Miami and Atlanta are the two cities being considered to host WrestleMania in 2011, according to Gary Stokan, President of the Atlanta Sports Council. Skohan told The Sports Buffet that the announcement will be officially made on Monday, the day after Sunday’s Royal Rumble PPV.

    If Miami is chosen, Sun Life Stadium, which holds approximately 76,500 fans, would host the event. If Atlanta is chosen, the Georgia Dome which holds 71,000 would host the event.

    It’s also worth noting that this year’s Surivvor Series is taking place in Miami.

    (Credit to PWInsider.com & F4Wonline.com)

    WWE Hoping For Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk at WrestleMania

    Jeff Hardy

    Jeff Hardy

    While there are a few pieces that still have to fall in place for this to happen, there is talk within WWE that Jeff Hardy will be brought back in time to wrestle C.M. Punk at WrestleMania 26.

    At the time of his departure from WWE over the summer, the general feeling within WWE was that Hardy would be back in a few months. Just weeks after he left the company, police raided Hardy’s Cameron, North Carolina home and found a staggering quantity of prescription pills, among other substances. He was arrested and charged with multiple felonies. From the police report:

    Jeffrey Nero Hardy was arrested on September 11, 2009 and charged with felony trafficking in opium, two counts of felony possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance, felony maintaining a dwelling to keep controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

    At this point, the biggest obstacle between Jeff Hardy and a WWE return are the charges he’s facing. He is due back in court on January 27th for a probable cause hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence for his case to proceed to a grand jury. The grand jury would then decide whether to prosecute Hardy for the various felonies she’s been charged with.

    With Linda McMahon’s United States Senate campaign a strong factor in what happens in WWE (ie. WWE toning down their product to TV-PG, family-friendly programming),  the feeling is that WWE would not want to bring him back until Hardy’s legal woes gets put to bed.

    MAJOR Update On WWE’s Current Plans For WrestleMania 26

    WrestleMania XXVI - March 28, 2010

    WrestleMania XXVI - March 28, 2010

    With 2009 coming to a close later this week, the road to WrestleMania takes another turn as WWE’s biggest show of the year is a mere 3 months away. Already, the card is starting to take shape with tentative plans in place for several of WWE’s top acts. Here are some rumored matches that we’d love to see:

    Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker 2:

    Several weeks ago on RAW, WWE tag champion Shawn Michaels issued the challenge to The Undertaker for a WrestleMania rematch in Arizona. While WWE had previously considered names like Vince McMahon, Chris Jericho and John Cena as possible WrestleMania opponents for the Undertaker, the current plan is for Shawn Michaels to get his wish and another chance to break the Dead Man’s winning streak. The SmackDown storyline which was building up a possible Undertaker vs. Vince McMahon showdown seems to have been dropped.

    This week on RAW, while Vince McMahon was addressing the Bret Hart rumors, Shawn Michaels came out once again and requested the WrestleMania rematch once again.While the Undertaker is sadly not in the same physical shape as he was last year, hopefully he’s got enough left in the tank to deliver one more WrestleMania classic with the Heartbreak Kid.

    Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon

    This one is just speculation at this point, but it’s a match so big you know WWE will push for it. Bret Hart’s physical condition is still unknown at this point. Whether he is physically able to even pull off a convincing street fight remains to be seen, but Bret is coming back to tie up the loose ends from Montreal 1997 and Bret getting his hands on Vince McMahon at WrestleMania once and for all is a payoff that seems irresistible.

    Triple H vs. Sheamus:

    With Shawn Michaels tied up with the Undertaker, that leaves his DX partner Triple H without a clear opponent. Fear not, as we’ve heard Triple H has been pushing to wrestle his workout partner and protege of sorts, WWE Champion Sheamus. Whether that match will be for the WWE title remains to be seen, but Triple H reportedly feels that wrestling Sheamus on the big stage of WrestleMania would help solidify him as a main event player.

    Edge vs. Chris Jericho:

    Another WrestleMania 26 match still being discussed is Edge vs. Chris Jericho. The latest on Edge is that he should be healthy by March in time to build up a Wrestleania match. Edge and Jericho were WWE tag champions before Edge was injured and Jericho cut several heel promos about how Edge was the weak link in the team, setting up a built-in feud down the road.

    Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase:

    A Ted DiBiase face turn has been rumored for months and was expected to coincide with the the release of his The Marine 2 movie, which hits stores this week. Teddy is still a heel and we’re hearing that there were talks as recent as this weekend about holding off on his face turn until the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Randy Orton has been named as a possible opponent for DiBiase, which could be a great chance elevate DiBiase.

    Bret Hart Signs With WWE: Details On His Return

    WWE Hall of Famer Bret "The Hitman" Hart

    WWE Hall of FamerBret "The Hitman" Hart

    Amid speculation that Bret Hart is in talks to return to World Wrestling Entertainment to host an upcoming edition of WWE RAW, it now appears Bret Hart’s involvement with WWE will extend well beyond a 1-night appearance. WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has signed a short-term talent contract with WWE that goes into effect on January 1, 2010 and runs until April 10th, approximately two weeks after WrestleMania 26. The news was originally reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and has since been corroborated by our own sources and other reliable sites.

    WWE had been in talks with Bret Hart for several months trying to bring him in for an extended program. There has been talk of talk of Hart returning to the ring for one match, but he will not be a full-time wrestler considering he’s 52 years old and has not wrestled since suffering head injuries (and later a stroke) a decade ago.

    The storyline that virtually writes itself is Bret Hart feuding with Vince McMahon to settle the 1997 Survivor Series screwjob once and for all. Whether Hart is able to participate in a full match or a less-taxing street fight, seeing the Hitman finally get his hands on Vince McMahon will be a sight to see.

    As reported here earlier this week, Bret’s former tag partner Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart recently said WWE was working on a new Hart Foundation DVD project. The DVD release is part of Bret’s deal.

    Bret Hart is expected to debut on the January 4th edition of WWE RAW, head-to-head with TNA’s Monday Night iMPACT! special.

    We’ll have more details on this blockbuster story in the coming days – stay tuned!