This was a strong show, mostly because the three main events delivered. The undercard wasn't too bad, and the show had a great atmosphere.
World Heavyweight Championship Match: Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Sheamus - This was a disgrace! An 18-second Championship match?! Are you kidding me?! Bryan is distracted for one second, then Sheamus wins the Championship with a Brogue Kick just like that?! To do this is bad enough, but at a WrestleMania?! Unacceptable! RATING: DUD
Randy Orton vs. Kane - This match was okay, but it was a TV quality match for the most part. These guys don't have much chemistry, and the wrestling was mostly basic. It did get good in the last few minutes, though. Kane wins with a second Chokeslam. RATING: **1/2
Intercontinental Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. The Big Show - This wasn't too bad for a big man vs. little man match. It didn't overstay its welcome, which is definitely nice. The Big Show gets his WrestleMania moment by winning the Championship with a Knockout Punch. RATING: **3/4
"End Of An Era" Hell In A Cell Match with Shawn Michaels as Special Guest Referee: Triple H vs. The Undertaker - In-ring wise, this match is epic, but it's the storytelling and pure emotion that make the match the classic that it is. HBK's involvement made it that much more dramatic. These two titans engaged in an absolute war that will never be forgotten and truly felt like "the end of an era." The Undertaker wins with a second Tombstone and goes 20-0 at WrestleMania. RATING: ****3/4
12-Man Tag Team Match to Determine The General Manager of Both Raw and Smackdown: Team Johnny vs. Team Teddy - This match was entertaining for what it was. A nice way to cool down after the epic battle we just witnessed. Team Johnny wins, and John Laurenhitis becomes manager of both brands, which didn't last long. RATING: **1/2
WWE Championship Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Chris Jericho - This was a fantastic back-and-forth technical contest. Punk and Jericho have amazing chemistry, and the match got especially exciting and dramatic toward the end. I rate this just slightly below their match at Extreme Rules a few weeks later. CM Punk retains his Championship by submission with the Anaconda Vice. RATING: ****1/4
The Rock vs. John Cena - The most hyped match in WrestleMania history, it was everything we expected from a spectacle and atmosphere standpoint and far surpassed expectations from an in-ring standpoint. The Rock is in just as good if not better condition than before, and Cena was a great opponent for him. The finisher kick-outs were also very well done. The Rock wins after Cena attempts a People's Elbow with a Rock Bottom. RATING: ****1/4
This show is far superior to the show the previous year. It's mostly the three big matches (particularly HHH/Taker) that make this a show worth checking out.
RATING: B+
World Heavyweight Championship Match: Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Sheamus - This was a disgrace! An 18-second Championship match?! Are you kidding me?! Bryan is distracted for one second, then Sheamus wins the Championship with a Brogue Kick just like that?! To do this is bad enough, but at a WrestleMania?! Unacceptable! RATING: DUD
Randy Orton vs. Kane - This match was okay, but it was a TV quality match for the most part. These guys don't have much chemistry, and the wrestling was mostly basic. It did get good in the last few minutes, though. Kane wins with a second Chokeslam. RATING: **1/2
Intercontinental Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. The Big Show - This wasn't too bad for a big man vs. little man match. It didn't overstay its welcome, which is definitely nice. The Big Show gets his WrestleMania moment by winning the Championship with a Knockout Punch. RATING: **3/4
"End Of An Era" Hell In A Cell Match with Shawn Michaels as Special Guest Referee: Triple H vs. The Undertaker - In-ring wise, this match is epic, but it's the storytelling and pure emotion that make the match the classic that it is. HBK's involvement made it that much more dramatic. These two titans engaged in an absolute war that will never be forgotten and truly felt like "the end of an era." The Undertaker wins with a second Tombstone and goes 20-0 at WrestleMania. RATING: ****3/4
12-Man Tag Team Match to Determine The General Manager of Both Raw and Smackdown: Team Johnny vs. Team Teddy - This match was entertaining for what it was. A nice way to cool down after the epic battle we just witnessed. Team Johnny wins, and John Laurenhitis becomes manager of both brands, which didn't last long. RATING: **1/2
WWE Championship Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Chris Jericho - This was a fantastic back-and-forth technical contest. Punk and Jericho have amazing chemistry, and the match got especially exciting and dramatic toward the end. I rate this just slightly below their match at Extreme Rules a few weeks later. CM Punk retains his Championship by submission with the Anaconda Vice. RATING: ****1/4
The Rock vs. John Cena - The most hyped match in WrestleMania history, it was everything we expected from a spectacle and atmosphere standpoint and far surpassed expectations from an in-ring standpoint. The Rock is in just as good if not better condition than before, and Cena was a great opponent for him. The finisher kick-outs were also very well done. The Rock wins after Cena attempts a People's Elbow with a Rock Bottom. RATING: ****1/4
This show is far superior to the show the previous year. It's mostly the three big matches (particularly HHH/Taker) that make this a show worth checking out.
RATING: B+