Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[Andrew]

Wade Barrett, Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara are all out with serious injuries at the moment. Mysterio is probably the closest to returning after his surgery but the others won't be ready in time for Wrestlemania.

[Lean]

Yeah, if they were healthy the lineups could have been better.

EDIT:

Any of you guys seen this?

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

That was pretty well done. Hope HHH has a sense of humour, otherwise the door might not be open for a return after all.

Christian's out of the tag match at Wrestlemania but Miz and McIntyre are in for Team Johnny. Booker T rounds out Team Teddy.

[deihatein]

I don't mind Daniel Bryan losing as long as he keeps saying YES! YES! YES!

[Andrew]

I have a feeling both champions will retain, though if I had to pick one title to change I'd say it will be the WWE Championship. I wouldn't mind that, I think a win will really solidify Daniel Bryan's place in the company while Punk is already one of the top three guys with Cena and Orton, with previous wins at Wrestlemania (including back to back MITB victories). As such, I don't think a loss would hurt him too much. I'd like to see his feud with Jericho have an extended run too, with him eventually winning the belt back if he were to lose it at Wrestlemania.

[deihatein]

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

Michael Cole's laugh is incredibly annoying, not to mention the inconsistency in his character where he's entertained by R-Truth one second and then glad he's getting beaten up the next. I wish Vince would re-think the current approach to commentary already.

[Andrew]

Seems I'll be taking in Wrestlemania free next week. As I just mentioned in the Livejournal thread, I won a Main Event contest, with the prize pack including free all-week access to Wrestlemania events. Suits me.

[Lean]

You win sir. You win.

[koberulz]

Seems I'll be taking in Wrestlemania free next week. As I just mentioned in the Livejournal thread, I won a Main Event contest, with the prize pack including free all-week access to Wrestlemania events. Suits me.

I hate you.

Every year they run things like that, and I'm ineligible under the whole 'employees of the promoter and their families' clause.

[Andrew]

That's a shame. No chance of getting any freebies through those aforementioned connections?

[koberulz]

We were getting a staff discount on the Foxtel itself, but that ended four or five years ago when my parents split up and I don't pay that bill anyway.

[Andrew]

Fair enough.

phpBB [video]

Hashtag!

[JaoSming]

there is a $2 iPPV going on in 2 and a half hours, I dont know if I'm in the mood to watch some indie stuff tonight, but I do know the DGUSA guys are talented
http://www.wwnlive.com/

[Andrew]

Well, Wrestlemania just got off to a bad start. 18 seconds for a World Heavyweight Championship match? What a waste of one of the best workers on the roster. To think the Divas are going to get more time than that match. Just a bad idea all around.

[JaoSming]

yep

yep.JPG

but seriously, that was dumb, especially since they had such a good dark match last WM. I hope there is a rematch or something later.....

[Andrew]

Not holding my breath but that would make up for it somewhat. Orton/Kane was alright...Deadliest Catch segment got more time than Sheamus/Bryan which is ridiculous, but Ron Simmons made the bit.

[JaoSming]

[Lean]

I won't be seeing it until the mid-week but, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT WHC MATCH?!? I was expecting it to be the show stealer.

[Andrew]

Hell in a Cell...wow.

That was truly epic. Loved the fact they brought out JR to announce and kept the feud with Cole to a minimum. Amazing match, brutal and well worked, fantastic psychology and some really cool spots. That's going to be tough to top, Jericho/Punk's in-ring abilities will carry them well enough and Rock/Cena has so much hype but the tag match is doomed.

Awesome. Just awesome.

[JaoSming]

Couldn't have said it better Andrew, even the wife enjoyed that match.

[dare]

The match ain't going to be air here in the Philippines dammit

[Andrew]

Punk/Jericho was pretty good, though the crowd was kind of dead. Not surprising after Taker/HHH though. Loved Jericho's heel schtick in that one..."HEY PUNK...HOW'S YOUR FATHER?!?"/"HOW'S YOUR SISTER?!?". Great chain wrestling at the end there too.

[JaoSming]

great main events, but I was mentally spent after Taker/HHH

[Andrew]

I know what you mean. Great finish to the PPV though.

Rock going over Cena is probably going to catch a fair amount of criticism because it's a part-timer going over the current face of the company, but Cena's been built up so much and wins so often that frankly, I don't think it matters. There's always the potential for a Summerslam rematch, or a rematch next year if the Rock is on board with that. It doesn't seem that unfeasible.

As for the match itself, I thought it was pretty good. A bit slow in parts but it picked up the pace as it went along, some really good close falls, impressive spots and a fine finish. For me it lived up to the hype, no complaints about how that went down. The introductions were overly long and not really to my liking but I forgot about them as soon as the match started, so it's all good.

Overall, I thought it was a strong Wrestlemania. Not perfect, I don't know that I'd call it the best until I've had more time to reflect on it and past Wrestlemanias I've really enjoyed, but it's right up there for me. That controversial opening match made for a very rocky start and too much time was given to skits and music, but aside from that the matches were about as good as they could be, with some really cool moments. I watched it for free having won that contest, but had I bought it I'd feel like I got my money's worth.