WrestleMania 23 Thoughts
WrestleMania 23 was the 23rd annual WrestleMania that took place on April 5, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit Michigan. Unique fact about this WrestleMania is that 20 years ago, WrestleMania III took place in Michigan as well (though it was in Pontiac, Michigan). This show at the time was the most brought PPV in wrestling history holding the record for 6 years until WrestleMania 28 surpassed it. The PPV featured stars from Raw Smackdown, and for the first time ECW (which was rebooted as a WWE Brand in the summer of 2006). Both shows featured two big World Title matches as two hot rising stars who were the big babyfaces of their respective brand were defending their belts against two future legends. What made it interesting was that both matches had tremendous build up with no heel turns of a Face vs. Face feud heading up to the PPV. Another feud was dubbed the Billionaire vs. Billionaire as Donald Trump and Vince McMahon had chosen two stars to represent them in a match where the loser would be going out as a bald billionaire.
The Good - Both title matches were as good as expected. Back in this time Cena and Batista were questionable wrestlers but credit to both Undertaker and HBK they made them look really great in the match ups. Shawn Micheals vs. John Cena was the match of the night in my opinion with so many scary bumps that kept the crowd open. Undertaker vs. Batista was excellent as well. I think the chemistry between these 2 going one on one for first time helped them in the future have even better matches. I was surprised at the time this wasn't the main event though. Aside from the title matches Lashlay vs. Umaga with Austin as the Referee was pretty fun too. It was obvious that all the drama around it with interfering and Trump and Vince collision helped boost this match. Seeing Vince get his hair shaved really did put the crowd up in laughs. It's also weird seeing Donald Trump in a storyline on wrestling now in days since he's a controversial person in the country (America) today. Last the Money in the Bank Ladder Match was a phenomenal show opener. It's in my opinion one of the Top 5 Money in the Bank Matches of All Time. So many OMG moments of Stunts never pulled before.
The Meh - The All Grown Up segments were awkward. The Tagline of the show doesn't really other me but the kids portraying young wrestlers felt a little silly. The Card order was a little confusing too. Like Undertaker vs. Batista took place waaay too early. I honestly didn't think that having it back to back with one of the other 2 big matches would have caused a tired crowd. Chris Benoit vs. MVP was a decent match that could have been better
The Bad - Kane vs. Khali is honestly pretty bad. I don't find it an embarrassment of the card but it was certainly a sleeper due to The Great Khali's slow paced movement. Props to Kane for trying and the bodyslam was good. Ashley vs. Melina was the worst thing of the show. It was an abomination as Ashely still needed to work on her skills. She even got a dozen boos for her performance. Sadly this was always the Divas division back in this period.
Overall - I'm gonna be honest, this was one of my first WrestleManias as a kid and Nostalgia just can't go away so it's obvious that to me, this show is far better than what it really is (if that makes sense). Terrific build up, awesome & funny moments, and Great matches puts this show as one of the best WrestleManias of the Ruthless Agression era.
Score - 9 out of 10: Awesome
0 = Terrible : 1 = Bad/Lackluster : 2 = Decent : 3 = Good : 4 = Awesome : 5 = One of the best of all time:
1. Jeff Hardy vs. King Booker vs. Finlay vs. CM Punk vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Matt Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge: Money in the Bank (Ladder Match) - 4.5/5
2. Kane vs. The Great Khali - 1/5
3. MVP vs. Chris Benoit: United States Championship - 2.5/5
4. Undertaker vs. Batista: World Heavyweight Championship - 4/5
5. ECW Originals vs. New Breed - 1.5/5
6. Umaga vs. Bobby Lashlay - 3/5
7. Melina vs. Ashley: Women's Championship (LumberJills Match) - 0/5
8. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels: WWE Championship - 4.5/5
Best Match - Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena
Worst Match - Ashley vs. Melina
Most Memorable Moment - Jeff Hardy's dive off the ladder on to Edge
Top 5 Performers
1. Shawn Michaels
2. Batista
3. Undertaker
4. John Cena
5. Jeff Hardy.
WrestleMania 23 was the 23rd annual WrestleMania that took place on April 5, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit Michigan. Unique fact about this WrestleMania is that 20 years ago, WrestleMania III took place in Michigan as well (though it was in Pontiac, Michigan). This show at the time was the most brought PPV in wrestling history holding the record for 6 years until WrestleMania 28 surpassed it. The PPV featured stars from Raw Smackdown, and for the first time ECW (which was rebooted as a WWE Brand in the summer of 2006). Both shows featured two big World Title matches as two hot rising stars who were the big babyfaces of their respective brand were defending their belts against two future legends. What made it interesting was that both matches had tremendous build up with no heel turns of a Face vs. Face feud heading up to the PPV. Another feud was dubbed the Billionaire vs. Billionaire as Donald Trump and Vince McMahon had chosen two stars to represent them in a match where the loser would be going out as a bald billionaire.
The Good - Both title matches were as good as expected. Back in this time Cena and Batista were questionable wrestlers but credit to both Undertaker and HBK they made them look really great in the match ups. Shawn Micheals vs. John Cena was the match of the night in my opinion with so many scary bumps that kept the crowd open. Undertaker vs. Batista was excellent as well. I think the chemistry between these 2 going one on one for first time helped them in the future have even better matches. I was surprised at the time this wasn't the main event though. Aside from the title matches Lashlay vs. Umaga with Austin as the Referee was pretty fun too. It was obvious that all the drama around it with interfering and Trump and Vince collision helped boost this match. Seeing Vince get his hair shaved really did put the crowd up in laughs. It's also weird seeing Donald Trump in a storyline on wrestling now in days since he's a controversial person in the country (America) today. Last the Money in the Bank Ladder Match was a phenomenal show opener. It's in my opinion one of the Top 5 Money in the Bank Matches of All Time. So many OMG moments of Stunts never pulled before.
The Meh - The All Grown Up segments were awkward. The Tagline of the show doesn't really other me but the kids portraying young wrestlers felt a little silly. The Card order was a little confusing too. Like Undertaker vs. Batista took place waaay too early. I honestly didn't think that having it back to back with one of the other 2 big matches would have caused a tired crowd. Chris Benoit vs. MVP was a decent match that could have been better
The Bad - Kane vs. Khali is honestly pretty bad. I don't find it an embarrassment of the card but it was certainly a sleeper due to The Great Khali's slow paced movement. Props to Kane for trying and the bodyslam was good. Ashley vs. Melina was the worst thing of the show. It was an abomination as Ashely still needed to work on her skills. She even got a dozen boos for her performance. Sadly this was always the Divas division back in this period.
Overall - I'm gonna be honest, this was one of my first WrestleManias as a kid and Nostalgia just can't go away so it's obvious that to me, this show is far better than what it really is (if that makes sense). Terrific build up, awesome & funny moments, and Great matches puts this show as one of the best WrestleManias of the Ruthless Agression era.
Score - 9 out of 10: Awesome
0 = Terrible : 1 = Bad/Lackluster : 2 = Decent : 3 = Good : 4 = Awesome : 5 = One of the best of all time:
1. Jeff Hardy vs. King Booker vs. Finlay vs. CM Punk vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Matt Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge: Money in the Bank (Ladder Match) - 4.5/5
2. Kane vs. The Great Khali - 1/5
3. MVP vs. Chris Benoit: United States Championship - 2.5/5
4. Undertaker vs. Batista: World Heavyweight Championship - 4/5
5. ECW Originals vs. New Breed - 1.5/5
6. Umaga vs. Bobby Lashlay - 3/5
7. Melina vs. Ashley: Women's Championship (LumberJills Match) - 0/5
8. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels: WWE Championship - 4.5/5
Best Match - Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena
Worst Match - Ashley vs. Melina
Most Memorable Moment - Jeff Hardy's dive off the ladder on to Edge
Top 5 Performers
1. Shawn Michaels
2. Batista
3. Undertaker
4. John Cena
5. Jeff Hardy.