**~~official Wrestlemania 25 Discussion Thread~~**

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:dance::dance::dance:
 
Eh. I haven't liked Taker since the Biker gimmick. Muthafucka takes 5 damn minutes to walk his old as to the ring! Good match, though.
 
9782776


Rey fast, JBL furious

For months, John “Bradshaw” Layfield had promised that he would accomplish something never before achieved at a WrestleMania that’s been 25 years in the making. On the final week before WrestleMania, he vowed to deliver “the most decisive victory in WrestleMania history.” And the vessel on whom he would carry out his claims was Rey Mysterio.

Well, JBL certainly lived up to his words in Houston’s Reliant Center Sunday night. And he did so in an astonishing 21 seconds, in front of more than 70,000 fans. The problem? He was on the losing end.

That’s right, WWE Universe – if you headed to the kitchen or Reliant Stadium concession stands for a beverage break, it’s quite conceivable that you actually did miss the ring official slap down a three-count that would award Rey Mysterio his first Intercontinental Championship … and in essence, send the Longhorn Loudmouth into a frenzy that resulted in him quitting right on the spot.

Truly, no one expected such an historic moment quite so quickly, especially considering the significant height advantage enjoyed by JBL. Mysterio – the David to JBL and his Goliath-sized ego – had no such benefits heading into his first WrestleMania since 2006, when he captured the World Championship. In fact, one could argue that Rey had even less of an advantage this time around; after all, the match had been set weeks in advance, giving JBL plenty of time to prepare. And even though Rey defeated JBL on Raw less than a week leading up to WrestleMania, one had to believe that the Wall Street media maven would know precisely how to counter the “Ultimate Underdog.”

Then again, JBL also probably thought that he would have been in this fight much longer than 21 seconds on Sunday night, particularly after several minutes of declaring himself a "hero" to the Lone Star hero - a point vociferously debated by the fans he passed by en route to the ring. And when JBL nailed the Joker-themed Mysterio in the face with a boot before the bell even sounded, his historic victory seemed all but certain. But the bell did ring, and within those 21 seconds, Rey caught his opponent completely off-guard, nailing him with an immediate 619 inside the ropes and a Frog Splash off the top rope.

The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania was the latest example in which Rey Mysterio proved to be the ultimate bane in JBL's otherwise pampered existence. It was Mysterio who had forced the Longhorn Loudmouth into a premature retirement on SmackDown back in May 2006. And on a Sunday night in Houston, less than three years later, he would do so again … and this time, judging from JBL’s irate reaction afterward, for good.

With that, more than 70,000 fans in Reliant Stadium welcomed Rey Mysterio as their newest Intercontinental Title holder Sunday night in Houston, and also made it abundantly clear that JBL would always be remembered in his final and most historic match in WWE history. Especially since they’d only need to remember less than a minute of it.
 
9789608


Matt: The better Hardy?

Matt Hardy’s mission to conquer his brother Jeff was completed at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, in a dream match for the WWE Universe that was unquestionably a nightmare scenario for the Hardy family.

Poised to make another extraordinary WrestleMania moment at the expense of his older brother, Jeff’s attempted 16-foot ladder leap resulted in his crash, burn and Extreme Rules Match defeat.

In WWE.com’s weeklong “Dueling Diaries” feature (LINK!) that followed both rival siblings, Matt claimed that Jeff’s risk-taking would be his undoing. And, tonight at WrestleMania, these words resonated truth.

Resembling a brothers’ quarrel on their trampoline years back in Cameron, N.C., but with lethal and hazardous objects strewn about, the Hardys fought vehemently without any restrictions or disqualifications.

The Charismatic Enigma returned the steel chair crack across his brother’s skull from the Royal Rumble, the fateful night in which Matt cost Jeff the WWE Championship. Jeff also drove Matt’s sandwiched body through two tables – after the purple-faced warrior propelled his body from the top rope onto the structure to the Reliant Stadium floor.

But, this day would be Matt Hardy’s personal evolution and time to unlock his true destiny, as signified by the key emblazoned on his tights.

The enigmatic Superstar found momentum after a torrent of innovative attacks on his brethren. Then, in front of more than 70,000 in attendance, Jeff ascended the rungs of a ladder – a familiar item – then leapfrogged over an even taller ladder to the mat, just short of Matt’s face. This was just enough for the malicious Hardy sibling to lock Jeff’s neck within a steel chair for a Twist of Fate that collapsed the weapon around his painted throat.

A count of three later, Matt’s arm was raised as the better Hardy for at least this night – an event for the ages: The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania.
 
9790276


Vaunted: Deadman Alive



Streaks are made to be broken.

Whoever conjured that old cliché obviously knew nothing of The Undertaker. After an epic battle pitting shadow against light, The Demon from Death Valley was finally able to bury the soul of “Mr. WrestleMania,” Shawn Michaels. A triumph of darkness, the victory propels Undertaker’s WrestleMania winning streak to an unprecedented 17-0.

As more than 70,000 sets of eyes focused on the ring inside Houston’s Reliant Stadium, vendors twiddled their thumbs and bathroom breaks were put on hold during the classic confrontation that had the international crowd fixed to their seats.

Having never defeated HBK, Undertaker set a deliberate and destructive pace, which seemed to pay dividends early in the match. Then again, Michaels enjoys quite a reputation for stamina and managed to recapture the momentum before moving outside the ring.

That’s when The Deadman leaped over the top rope, taking aim at HBK. But just as Undertaker was about to land atop Michaels with the full force of his nearly 300 pound frame, HBK darted aside and pulled a cameraman into Undertaker’s path. After a near count-out, The Phenom dragged himself back into the ring, and the legendary Superstars traded some of the most lethal maneuvers in their arsenal.

In the end, though, the Undertaker would administer a second and final Tombstone to bury Michaels and secure his place in the annals of WWE history.

Though he lost, Michaels is to be commended for his efforts, never flinching from the daunting task before him. Unlike many of his predecessors, Michaels seemed unafraid to face The Phenom on WWE’s grandest stage, girded by both devotion and confidence.

For his part, Undertaker never once lost sight of his goal: Keeping his WrestleMania record unblemished. Now, in light of his monumental victory, Undertaker can rest – perhaps not “in peace” – but at least until he’s called on to defend The Streak at next year’s WrestleMania.
 
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