Wednesday, December 26, 2012

WrestleMania Time Machine: WrestleMania 24


In the months leading up to WrestleMania 29 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, we'll be taking a look back at the best and worst of WrestleMania's past.


w/ Alex Archer & Violet Buttle
Date: March 30, 2008

Venue: Citrus Bowl (Orlando, FL)

Attendance: 74,635

On Commentary: Michael Cole & Jonathan Coachman (SmackDown), Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler (Raw), Joey Styles & Tazz (ECW)

Main Event:  Edge vs. The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship


Alex's Opinion

Best: ECW didn't have a very strong showing at this WrestleMania (see below), but CM Punk was their one shining star as he won his first MITB Ladder Match.  The match itself was good and had a ton of fun spots (John Morrison + ladder = quality).  I really enjoyed Matt Hardy making his reappearance by delivering a Twist of Fate to MVP off a ladder.

Worst: If anyone had any doubts about where ECW was heading, look no further than the title match between Kane and Chavo Guerrero.  It only took Kane 11 seconds to hit a chokeslam and leave WrestleMania as champion.  In my opinion, squash matches at WrestleMania are a big mistake, even if it's just to get the shock of a quick title change.

Violet's Opinion

Best: I love Money in the Bank matches, and this one from WrestleMania 24 was no exception. It was filled with the dangerous and exciting spots that Money in the Bank matches are known for, but it was the outside interference from a returning and previously injured Matt Hardy that really helped this match stand out.  Hardy entered the ring, climbed a ladder, executed a Twist of Fate on MVP, and left. This may have caused MVP the briefcase, but it didn't end the match. After battling with Jericho, CM Punk managed to win the briefcase for the first time.

Worst: Guerrero dropped the belt to Kane after the Big Red Monster came out from under the ring and chokeslammed the champion. And that was it. The match was over in 11 seconds. Not the best way to execute the only ECW match on the card, right?

Full Results

John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated Finlay in a Belfast Brawl (8:35)

CM Punk defeated MVP, Carlito, Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, Mr. Kennedy, and John Morrison in a MITB Ladder Match (13:55)

Batista defeated Umaga (7:06)

Kane defeated Chavo Guerrero for the ECW Championship (:11)

Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair (20:23)

Beth Phoenix & Melina defeated Maria & Ashley in a Lumberjill Match (5:56)

Randy Orton defeated Triple H and John Cena in a Triple Threat Match to retain the WWE Championship (14:09)

Floyd Mayweather defeated The Big Show via KO (11:36)

The Undertaker defeated Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship (23:50)

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