[jonesy]

^ Just an in general question, would it be more satisfying if you guys bought a whole load of DVDs at once, or would you rather increase your collection bit by bit?

Btw, I honestly can't see why Trips/Orton is "overrated". TheClique is the only guy I've seen give it such a high rating, the average rating is ****1/4.

On some of the matches that have been listed:

Cena/HBK II - ****1/4
Cena/HBK/Edge/Orton - ****1/4-1/2
Cena/Umaga - Need to rewatch
Trips/HBK Vs Edge/Orton - ****
HBK/Orton (survivor Series) - ***1/2
Taker/Batista - Wrestlemania ****1/4
HBK/Cena - Wrestlemania - Need to watch again
Umaga/Trips - Cyber Sunday ***1/2-3/4
HBK/Edge - Street Fight ****
Edge/Orton - RAW ***3/4
Trips/Orton - No Mercy ****1/4

[Word]

WWE Armageddon 2007 Review

MVP vs. Rey Mysterio - United States Title - ***

This match should of been something special but was decent, bordering on solid. MVP is a very good athlete along with the high flyer Rey Mysterio. Rey had some good spots but MVP came into the match not wanting to perform. The ending wasn't the best although it does set up a future match hopefully with Hardy involved. On a side not people have hated the endings on most of the matches at Armageddon but mostly there is a reason for it, I will try and justify why I think the ending was done that way.

CM Punk & Kane vs. Mark Henry and Big Daddy V - **

To start off I didn't think this match deserved to be on the card. I thought it would be a 3 minute disaster. It was far from that. The match was given 10 minutes and all men were given time to perform. Yes it was slow at times but the addition to Punk added an element on tempo. The ending was kind of cool and was good to Punk go over clean.

Mr Kennedy vs. Shawn Michaels - ***1/2

For me this was Kennedy's make or break match. I think at times he looked good but Michaels did a good job of carrying him. Both men were selling well and the ending was good. It made both Kennedy and Michaels look strong. Kennedy did well, but he certainly shouldn't settle down. He needs a lot of work in the ring and this will come in time. I see him getting a push around the summer of next year.

Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy - Number One Contenders Match - ***1/2

Psychologically this was MOTN. Triple H demanded Jeff to fight. Although Triple H lost he still remained the stronger opponent in the match. Jeff would get a series of moves in and pick up momentum. Triple H would then effortlessly stop him in his tracks. The finish wasn't that bad as Jeff looked over but countered for the win. The crowd were over on both superstars but this added an element of confusion because when Jeff won they didn't know what to do. The crowd was dead which is what hurt this match. Some people would have this match at ***3/4 but I'm keeping at the ***1/2 mark.

Finlay vs. Khali - *1/2

To start off I though this would be horrible just the the ECW Tag match but it wasn't. Khali dominated with some good shots on Finlay to make to crowd cringe. Khali dominated well throughout. Hornswaggle then came in to help Finlay for the win. The ending wasn't great as he had to cheat to win but hey, to best Khali unless your Cena it's the only way. The match could of been better with more time but was just a filler for the Orton/Jericho match.

Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho - WWE Title - ***1/2

People have shit on this match a lot. I like it, a lot. The match gave good temp and both men looked very good including Jericho considering it was his first PPV back after two years. Call him Blandy Borton if you like but his title reign has been good although he has been carried by top athletes such as Triple H and Shawn Michaels. The crowd were really into it and looked like they though Jericho was actually going to do it. They did some outside ring work where Jericho was thrown into JBL which led to the disqualification. The match was intended to keep Jericho and Orton solid, neither men shouldn't of gone over. This should of happened the next night on RAW though. I don't like disqualifications that much, they do shit on a match just like Michaels/Mankind back in 1996 ( I think). Anyway I'm sticking Orton/Jericho, Hardy/Triple H and Kennedy/Michaels all at ***1/. They were all very good matches but were not worthy of anything more. People overrate the matches I think especially the Hardy/Triple H match just because he won.

Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James - Womens Title - *1/2

Mickie looked very strong in the match. She wore down and beat up Beth well with very good moves. Beth was always going to win. The match was good and was given a decent amount of time. Hopefully this match will be at Wrestlemania as they can give a good match. I would like to see this re-match again.

Batista vs. Undertaker vs. Edge - World Heavyweight Title - N/R

I honestly do not know what to give this match. I think it will be the most controversial match of the year. It should of been great, really really great and it started off that way. Edge running from the two monsters and Undertaker and Batista themselves fighting to get at him. The match should a lot of brawling outside the ring with Undertaker dominating. The match was going so well until Edge stop fighting and hid. The two impostors came out and just added confusion. I thought it would go well but it was awful. Michael Cole got me more confused than anyone. He can obviously see them in front of him but will only make reference when the cameras are on them. Its silly really. Anyway the match ended like Survivor Series with Undertaker taking the steel chairs to the head only for Edge to counter and win. Ending was poor, I thought Batista would kick out. Less time on ECW Tag matches are more time on probably the biggest Smackdown main event of the year. It failed to deliever. *** - ***1/2 I would give it. A re-watch would help me.

Overall - ***1/2

Good but nothing great tbh. Everything was decent and nothing was great but it could of been. Although I slated the card before hand it had chance to be great but it wasn't. The main event should of been a lot better along with the opener and the WWE title match. I wish the match didn't end in a DQ but it did. Oh well. Cyber Sunday, Survivor Series, Armageddon have all been solid. Good work by WWE, they just need to go that one step further.

[Austin101]

Just going to remind everyone once again that I'm going away for a week starting Saturday and I will resume my Wrestlemania Reviews when I get back.

So Wrestlemania 17 will be my last review for another WEEK incase anyone was wondering....thought I'd say it one last time with my review.

When I do return I will move into X8-23, followed by KOTR 93-02 and then PPV's like Backlash (99, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05) Unforgiven (98, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006), Armageddon (99, 2002, 2003, 2005), some other WCW PPV's and the like!



------------------------------------------------------------------



Austin101's "WWF Wrestlemania X-7" Review:



I've watched this event more times then any event in Wrestling history, and there's a reason......


-Live on PPV on April 1, 2001 at the sold out Astrodome in Houston Texas.


-Jim Ross is with Paul E. Heyman who does a fabulous job (they both do) on the night for commentary. This is the FIRST and ONLY time the two would do Wrestlemania together.


-Lilian Garcia sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful" before the show for the 2nd straight year.


-This event marked the second time that the WrestleMania main event featured The Rock and Steve Austin (the first was at WrestleMania XV. A third match would also take place at WrestleMania XIX in Austin's last match).


-This event holds the record for most title changes at a single WrestleMania with 5. The WWF Championship, Tag Team Championship, Women's Championship, European Championship and Hardcore Championship titles all changed hands. (If you exclude Wrestlemania 2000's Hardcore match)


-This WrestleMania took place only about a week after the World Wrestling Federation announced the purchase of long time rival promotion, World Championship Wrestling.


-Bobby "The Brain" Heenan called his first WrestleMania match in eight years alongside "Mean" Gene Okerlund when the two called the Gimmick Battle Royal.


-Due to his unexpected departure from the company a month earlier, this was the first WrestleMania not to feature Jerry "The King" Lawler as a commentator since WrestleMania X.


-"My Way" by Limp Bizkit was the events theme song although it is changed on the Anthology set.

-Sunday Night HEAT match: X-Factor (Justin Credible and X-Pac) defeated Steve Blackman and Grand Master Sexay when X-Pac pinned Steve Blackman at 2:46.


-This was the first WrestleMania held in the state of Texas. A record-breaking attendance for the Reliant Astrodome of 67,925 resulted in gross receipts of $3.5 million. Not to mention the amazing buyrate as to be expected in the peak of the attitude era headlined by it's to biggest draws.


-This show is often considered the best Mania ever, or almost always top 5 by most people.




Onto the matches......







1) Y2J Chris Jericho vs William Regal to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship


A great way to begin the show.

Very fun opener between two mid-card to main event wrestlers that come ready to fight. I like the way this feud was booked as both these characters are hillarious to watch, on the mic and very technically sound and entertaining in the ring.

Good bumps in this match, some stiff shots and nice counters as well.

This would be Regal's first of two back to back Mania's. (Three if you count how he opened the show on Sunday Night Heat at WM X-9 with Storm vs the Dudleyz)

The "Spot of Pee" storyline heading into this match was pretty hillarious, as was Jericho's "Dressing as Doink" the Raw before the event as well.


Jericho pinned Regal following a Lionsault at 7:08 to retain the Intercontinental Championship.


A very solid contest and for an opener it was pretty great. It got the Texas crowd jacked up and there was even some damn fine wrestling in the match.



** 3/4





2) Tazz and The APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq) (w/Jacqueline) vs The Right to Censor (The Goodfather, Val Venis and Bull Buchanan) (w/ Steven Richards)


One of the first few moments Bradshaw was ever over in his entire career. It happened in Texas with his great promo backstage before the match that gets the crowd ready for a match they'd otherwise not care about.


Bradshaw pinned Goodfather after a HUGE Clothesline From Hell at 3:53.


Despite the RTC always getting X-Pac heat, the crowd was always happy to see them lose. Especially when a Texas crowd sees a fellow Texan clothesline the hell out of them for the win.

JR: "A great start for Texas.....Could THAT be a sign of things to come!?



* 1/2





3) Kane vs Raven vs The Big Show in a Triple Threat Hardcore Match for the WWF Hardcore Championship


If anyone watches the shoot promo by Raven on youtube he goes in depth on how the whole "Cart" incident was botched. He was never supposed to drive it into the fence backstage. And he improvised Kane running him over and got actually hurt.

Still though this match comes off not only great but fun and that's the main thing here.

Kane pinned Big Show after a Leg drop off the stage at 9:18 to become the new WWF Hardcore champion.

A very cool ending to a very good hardcore title match.



** 3/4





4) Eddie Guerrero (w/ Perry Saturn) vs Test for the WWF European Championship


Waaaaay better then anyone expected. Test has just retired and this is probably one of the best matches if not the best of his entire career.

When I first watched it I didn't think to much of it, but every time since I enjoy it more and more as it was a very good match, and especially a match for the European title.

The Anthology set edits out Eddie's trip off the ring apron which was very funny, but I can see why they did it.

Guerrero pinned Test after hitting him with the title belt at 8:30 to become the NEW European champion.


Extremely solid.



***





5) Chris Benoit vs Kurt Angle


Another good match is on the way. (Clearly considering who was in it)

Angle with a good promo on the way to the ring to ensure he gets booed in this match. (As Benoit had JUST turned face)

Very good pop for Benoit though despite just turning babyface and the match began.

Houston was very respectful and they applaud each time, each wrestler tries to out do the other one on the mat.

A lot of back and forth work between these guys as to be expected as they used a number of amateur holds with a WWF style for the most part.

Great action to say the least and VERY entertaining. Although of course it doesen't hold a candle to the five star classic at the 03 Rumble for the WWE Title between both of them.

Hillarious spot where Benoit smacks the ref who is knocked out and says "Come on Ref, What the Hells the Matter with you!?" I laugh at that every time. I miss him....infact I miss both of them. I don't think either of them are truely "There" anymore.

Angle ended up pinning Benoit with a roll-up using Benoit's tights for leverage at 14:02, and it seemed like it came out of no where. If this match had gone at least another 6 minutes with a better climax it had the potential to be an absolutely classic.

But the first half of the match alone makes up for it and it is still pretty great. I'm a fan of it for sure as it was very technically sound and the mat wrestling was top notch. Four stars for me. Best match of the night to this point.


****





6) Chyna vs Ivory for the WWF Women's Championship


The only truely bad match of the night. But hey, it was quick and the right person won and it actually had months of build up.

Either way it was still bad though and the defenition of a squash despite Ivory beginning the match working on the neck of Chyna which she injured.

Chyna pinned Ivory after a Gorilla Press Drop at 2:39 to become the NEW Women's Champion. And She did it at WRESTLEMANIA! Right JR?

It's to bad no one could really challenge Chyna except Lita after this and then she left the WWF as the champion until they brought the belt back at Survivor Series 01, where Trish won the 6 pack challenge.


1/2*






7) The Owner of WCW Shane McMahon vs The Owner of the WWF and the XFL Vince McMahon (w/ Daddy's Little Girl Stephanie McMahon) (w/Mick Foley as special guest referee) in a Street Fight


For me the show was great up until this match, but from this point on this is where it's just absolutely phenominal and puts the whole event over the top.

Shane didn't have the "Here comes the $$$$moneyyyyyyyyyy$$$$" theme just yet so he walked out to "No Chance" which is a great theme in it's own right. It's just kind of strange when both competitors in a match come out to the same entrance music when one is face and one is heel. In the old days entrance themes told a lot about a performers allignment but perhaps I'm nitpicking a little to much.

Cool sign that said "Family night 04/01/01"...

I also loved Shane's shirts he'd have made for him for his singles matches against Test at Summerslam 99, X-Pac at Wrestlemania 15, The Big Show at Backlash 01, etc.

None of those matches (although were all great in there own right) and better then expected were as good as this one.

Shane-O-Mac says "Hello to the WCW guys (and Stacy) in the Press box" which gets a chorus of boo's. On the live feed you can't see them till later, but on the Anthology they edit it so that you can see them right away. How thoughtful.

After a whole shit load of brawling, table bumps, chair shots, and interferences Shane pinned Vince after a Coast-to-Coast dropkick through a garbage can at 14:12. This was the first of many times Shane did this move and definately the best. (As all original moves are usually ALWAYS the best.) Linda McMahon who is all of the sudden back to normal looks like my Grandma on the outside of the ring after this Shane on Vince bump. Her facial expression is great.

This match had all the elements to even be four stars. But at the end of the day I'm not going to rate it that high. This match was amazing and more then surpassed EVERYONE'S expectations. But it wasn't just the match itself that adds to the rating, it was all the interactions with Trish/Stephanie/Foley and more importantly Linda rising out of her chair which got one of the biggest pops ever. All this with a hot crowd made it extremely enjoyable.



*** 3/4






8) Edge and Christian vs The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) (c) vs The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) in the 2nd ever Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWF Tag Team Championship


Here we go again, another classic on the horizon.

One of the key elements to this TLC contest was that during the match, Lita interefered on behalf of the Hardy Boyz, Spike Dudley interfered for the Dudley Boyz, and Rhyno interefered for Edge & Christian.


In the end Rhyno helped Edge and Christian win by climbing a ladder and retrieving the belts hanging above the ring at 15:42. The crowd was probably mad that Edge and Christian won yet ANOTHER match like this and it ended a little to quickly some thought. I thought the length was just fine considering all of the bumps and the fact those four bodies couldn't take more punishment in all honesty.

Great TLC, my all time favourite. I can't decide if it's the greatest TLC ever, but it's my favourite. Edge's spear on Jeff followed immediately by the Matt and Bubba double bump when Rhyno pushed them off the huge ladder through four tables on the outside was UNBELIEVABLE.

And those two bumps happened back to back.

There's about seventy five other bumps I didn't even mention includng Jeff doing the swanton bomb on Spike and Rhyno from the top of the ladder on the outside through a table. (For the 2nd straight Mania)

It seems to hurt Jeff a lot more then his opponents but either way it was sick.

Great TLC match, one that will be remembered forever. I remember going to high school the next day and everyone was talking about two things.

1) Stone Cold turning "BAD" as the kids called it at school, everyone thought he would stun McMahon the next night on Raw. I didn't as I knew they'd never end A Mania like that for the storyline to switch the next night. Even the next night on Raw when they teased that it may have happened I knew in the back of my mind that it wouldn't.

2) The "Ladder" match as the casual fans at school called it. It seemed like everyone at my high school either ordered it or went to a friends house to watch it.

And with all the things that happened on this show that is really special. This match followed the amazing Shane-Vince match and that in itself is amazing, and it took it to a whole other level.

A Classic to be sure that will stand the test of time forever. One of the funnest matches in the history of Wrestlemania.





**** 1/4






9) Gimmick Battle Royal featuring: Luke Williams, Butch Miller, Duke Droese, The Iron Shiek, Doink the Clown, Nikolai Volkoff, Tugboat, The Goon, Earthquake, The Gobbledygooker, Hillbilly Jim, Brother Love, Michael Hayes, One Man Gang, Kamala, Kim Chee, Jim Cornette, Repo Man, and Sgt. Slaughter.


Doink got the best pop here, Slaughter next, and Hillbilly Jim. (likely because it was in Texas for Jim)

This match reeked of pure nostalgia.

Great to see Dok Hendix...er, I mean Freebird Micheal Hayes come out singing and flappin his arms as he used to wrestle in this state a long time ago in the early-mid 80's in WCCW.

I loved the Goon but maybe that's because I'm Canadian. I don't think he's to over with the American crowd but bring the Goon to Canada and I bet the pop would be huge. I also loved Duke the Dumpster so it was good to see both of them.

I was always under the impression that this match was brutal but watching it again I realized it was only three minutes long, and it wasn't very bad at all. Especially when you got the Brain doing commentary for the first time at Mania since Mania 9. And also when you consider that all these men are old and out of shape for the most part.

Decent ending with the Shiek winning and Slaughter attacking him. A lot of boo's when Doink when out (as there was in the battle royal on Raw not to long ago for the 15th anniversary.)

So the Iron Sheik won by eliminating Hillbilly Jim last at 3:05.

After the match Slaughter locked a Cobra clutch on The Iron Sheik with the Brain screaming "He's not gonna forget 10 years ago!"

A lot of fun and that is why it gets a 2 out of 5 for nostalgia and entertainment purposes alone.



**





10) The Undertaker vs "The Game" Triple H


Motörhead performed "The Game" live during Triple H's entrance. He points and then walks down the long aisle to the ring and this entrance is also one of the best ever at a Wrestlemania, IMO.

Who would of thought that ANOTHER tremendous entrance was on the way when Taker biked down to the ring at an amazing speed to match the Game's special entrance.

The match did not take long to start as The American Bad Ass and the Cerebral Assassin exchanged blows outside of the ring area. This was the best match up in my honest opinion that the two ever had together. Funny spot where The Game falls on a table that easily snaps as the fans boo and realize if they didn't already know, "HEY....those tables don't look very hard to break after all." But no doubt it still hurts.

This one after the brief back and forth action outside the ring actually goes inside the ring for a good 5 minutes with some wrestling moves and a lot of flat out brawling as well.

But the best was yet to come brawling wise and that's when they left the ring area. I usually hate when matches do that as it is somewhat harder to follow from a fans stand point psychology wise. But anytime you got two verteran workers like the deadman and the game doing it, it's fine. Much like Hart and Austin at Mania 13 when they went to the crowd area, it was fine because those two workers you can always buy into what they trying to accomplish and it makes for great viewing.

They went all the way to where the music guy is and a couple of good bumps and chair shots down there.

A very phsyical war in a feud where you felt the intensity was very real.

It looked as if The Deadman was going to lose for the first time at Wrestlemania when Hunter hit Taker with a sledgehammer after Taker had him in the air for a last ride but Taker kicked out to a huge pop.

Taker caught Triple H in the air after he was giving him right handed blows in the corner and picked him up for the last ride this time that worked. Undertaker pinned Triple H after this Last Ride at 18:17 for the win.

Look who's 9-0 at Wrestlemania!



Such a fun brawl, and a great brawl with an amazing ending and some pretty good Wrestling as well. This match is excellent and some people have it rated both lower and higher then four stars, I'll settle in the middle with an even four.




****






11) Main Event- Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock in a No Disqualification match for the WWF Championship



This has got to be my favourite entrance in Wrestling history.


You might think, "But why? It's pretty normal." Sure, it's very normal but not only is Austin my all time favourite, but this is my favourite theme ever (The disturbed version) and his BMF Walk out in Texas in the main event of the best event ever was so bad ass. Not only that but it seemed like he was foreshadowing his heel turn with the expressions on his face both in the ring and on the way down the long aisle in Houston. Just, excellent.

So the Texas crowd was for Austin at least 70-30 here, which is no surprise. The Rock had his share of fans as a heel at Wrestlemania 15 and 19 in the bouts with Steve. Any time you get two popular mega stars like this the crowd is bound to be split. But in this case it was very notable when The Rock applied his first offensive maneuver of the match (A swinging neck braker) who the texas crowd was for.

The build up to this match was absolutely phenominal and it added to the matches rating. The look of Austin into the mirror was unreal before the match and you just had to get butterflies for this one.

The My Way Video package even added to the match more then any other match I've ever seen for any ppv.

The story where Austin needed to do everything in his power to get back on top of the WWF and surpass The Rock was so evident in the match. He did things like pulling out his HEEL Million Dollar Dream move in this match. His desperation to win became more and more clear each time he performed a big move. The Blade job by The Rock wasn't to great but both men were busted open like crazy for most of the match.

I've never heard a crowd that loud from the beginning of the match to the end maybe to this day. I can't even put into words how big of a match this was and how fun it is to go back and watch it. This is about as fun as Pro-Wrestling gets, at least for me and many others I know.

Both men did a sharp shooter in this match which was funny. Good spot when The Rock had it on and Austin's face looked very similar to when he was suffering to Hart's at Wrestlemania 13.


I get a sick feeling when I see Vince walk to the ring as I know for me at that very moment the Attitude Era was over. From Wrestlemania 13 to when I saw Vince walk down that long entrance way that it was all over. It had it's positived and negatives in the long run but I still wish something different had happened as Stone Cold was a mega hero to me for all those years but I guess that's what it was meant to be. It was meant for Austin to turn his back on his fans (Which is basically what a heel turn is all about), it's no lie but I was actually wearing a Austin 3:16 shirt while watching this event in my home.

After the match I felt betrayed and that was probably the last time in my life I was a mark, and treated the storylines like they actually were REAL. I wasn't a little kid but I was hurt. I knew Wrestling and the storylines were fake since the late 80's but in 2001 I was genuinely hurt. That just proves to me that they told a brilliant story. Whether the booking and storylines were great after that is irrelevant, on this night at Wrestlemania 17 the story they told was maginificent. An absolute classic both storyline wise and in the ring by two of the greatest to ever set foot in the ring, with the greatest wrestling promoter of all time involved in the whole act. All this in the MAIN EVENT of Wrestlemania, The Greatest Wrestlemania ever.....wow, just wow. That's all that can really be said.



Austin pinned Rock after hitting him sixteen times with a steel chair at 28:06 to become the WWF Champion. A Texas crowd still popped not seeming to care he turned heel. That and the fact they had to change Austin's character into a pussy in order for him to get booed was part of the reason business would do bad following this and that the Heel Turn was considered a failure.

Steve Austin himself says if he could go back and change things (in his book) he probably would. But he also said that without the heel turn there would have been a lot of great moments that wouldn't of been able to happen. And I'd agree.

So for that reason alone this heel turn is not only historic it is great to see two guys that absolutely hated each other shake hands after the main event of the biggest Mania ever.




**** 3/4






------------------------------------------------------------------




Final PPV Rating for Wrestlemania 17 = 10/10



Okay, okay. You might say "But not every match was perfect? How does it deserve a 10." Well this is why. When your event feels as if it is the final show case of the attitude era (and in all likelyhood was), it takes place in a huge dome with a great atmosphere, it starts well, the middle is well, and ends magnificent, and the whole show is a big load of fun.....it's not only the greatest Wrestlemania ever but the greatest Wrestling event of all time to watch. Then it is a 10/10. I've always thought the only two bad parts were the 6 man tag with the RTC and Ivory vs Chyna. Well Ivory vs Chyna was kept extremely short and the right person won, and the 6 man tag was pretty short good for what it was, and the right team won. Then there's fun battle royals, good segments, historic moments, heel turns, amazing matches, you name it this event had it. That is why Wrestlemania 17 will likely be my only PPV I ever rate 10/10.



Feedback appreciated as always if you want to discuss.....





Up Next From Austin101: "WWF Wrestlemania X-8"


(Do take note: (If you haven't read already) that this review (WM 18) will not be up until I get back from holidays in about a weeks time, then I will resume with this one, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and then follow right into the King of The Ring Anthology in the same format!)




(stay tuned at that time.....)


Thanks for reading and have a happy holidays everyone!






-Austin101

[generalwilkie]

Originally Posted by Austin101

Just going to remind everyone once again that I'm going away for a week starting Saturday and I will resume my Wrestlemania Reviews when I get back.

So Wrestlemania 17 will be my last review for another WEEK incase anyone was wondering....thought I'd say it one last time with my review.

When I do return I will move into X8-23, followed by KOTR 93-02 and then PPV's like Backlash (99, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05) Unforgiven (98, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006), Armageddon (99, 2002, 2003, 2005), some other WCW PPV's and the like!



------------------------------------------------------------------



Austin101's "WWF Wrestlemania X-7" Review:



I've watched this event more times then any event in Wrestling history, and there's a reason......


-Live on PPV on April 1, 2001 at the sold out Astrodome in Houston Texas.


-Jim Ross is with Paul E. Heyman who does a fabulous job (they both do) on the night for commentary. This is the FIRST and ONLY time the two would do Wrestlemania together.


-Lilian Garcia sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful" before the show for the 2nd straight year.


-This event marked the second time that the WrestleMania main event featured The Rock and Steve Austin (the first was at WrestleMania XV. A third match would also take place at WrestleMania XIX in Austin's last match).


-This event holds the record for most title changes at a single WrestleMania with 5. The WWF Championship, Tag Team Championship, Women's Championship, European Championship and Hardcore Championship titles all changed hands. (If you exclude Wrestlemania 2000's Hardcore match)


-This WrestleMania took place only about a week after the World Wrestling Federation announced the purchase of long time rival promotion, World Championship Wrestling.


-Bobby "The Brain" Heenan called his first WrestleMania match in eight years alongside "Mean" Gene Okerlund when the two called the Gimmick Battle Royal.


-Due to his unexpected departure from the company a month earlier, this was the first WrestleMania not to feature Jerry "The King" Lawler as a commentator since WrestleMania X.


-"My Way" by Limp Bizkit was the events theme song although it is changed on the Anthology set.

-Sunday Night HEAT match: X-Factor (Justin Credible and X-Pac) defeated Steve Blackman and Grand Master Sexay when X-Pac pinned Steve Blackman at 2:46.


-This was the first WrestleMania held in the state of Texas. A record-breaking attendance for the Reliant Astrodome of 67,925 resulted in gross receipts of $3.5 million. Not to mention the amazing buyrate as to be expected in the peak of the attitude era headlined by it's to biggest draws.


-This show is often considered the best Mania ever, or almost always top 5 by most people.




Onto the matches......







1) Y2J Chris Jericho vs William Regal to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship


A great way to begin the show.

Very fun opener between two mid-card to main event wrestlers that come ready to fight. I like the way this feud was booked as both these characters are hillarious to watch, on the mic and very technically sound and entertaining in the ring.

Good bumps in this match, some stiff shots and nice counters as well.

This would be Regal's first of two back to back Mania's. (Three if you count how he opened the show on Sunday Night Heat at WM X-9 with Storm vs the Dudleyz)

The "Spot of Pee" storyline heading into this match was pretty hillarious, as was Jericho's "Dressing as Doink" the Raw before the event as well.


Jericho pinned Regal following a Lionsault at 7:08 to retain the Intercontinental Championship.


A very solid contest and for an opener it was pretty great. It got the Texas crowd jacked up and there was even some damn fine wrestling in the match.



** 3/4





2) Tazz and The APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq) (w/Jacqueline) vs The Right to Censor (The Goodfather, Val Venis and Bull Buchanan) (w/ Steven Richards)


One of the first few moments Bradshaw was ever over in his entire career. It happened in Texas with his great promo backstage before the match that gets the crowd ready for a match they'd otherwise not care about.


Bradshaw pinned Goodfather after a HUGE Clothesline From Hell at 3:53.


Despite the RTC always getting X-Pac heat, the crowd was always happy to see them lose. Especially when a Texas crowd sees a fellow Texan clothesline the hell out of them for the win.

JR: "A great start for Texas.....Could THAT be a sign of things to come!?



* 1/2





3) Kane vs Raven vs The Big Show in a Triple Threat Hardcore Match for the WWF Hardcore Championship


If anyone watches the shoot promo by Raven on youtube he goes in depth on how the whole "Cart" incident was botched. He was never supposed to drive it into the fence backstage. And he improvised Kane running him over and got actually hurt.

Still though this match comes off not only great but fun and that's the main thing here.

Kane pinned Big Show after a Leg drop off the stage at 9:18 to become the new WWF Hardcore champion.

A very cool ending to a very good hardcore title match.



** 3/4





4) Eddie Guerrero (w/ Perry Saturn) vs Test for the WWF European Championship


Waaaaay better then anyone expected. Test has just retired and this is probably one of the best matches if not the best of his entire career.

When I first watched it I didn't think to much of it, but every time since I enjoy it more and more as it was a very good match, and especially a match for the European title.

The Anthology set edits out Eddie's trip off the ring apron which was very funny, but I can see why they did it.

Guerrero pinned Test after hitting him with the title belt at 8:30 to become the NEW European champion.


Extremely solid.



***





5) Chris Benoit vs Kurt Angle


Another good match is on the way. (Clearly considering who was in it)

Angle with a good promo on the way to the ring to ensure he gets booed in this match. (As Benoit had JUST turned face)

Very good pop for Benoit though despite just turning babyface and the match began.

Houston was very respectful and they applaud each time, each wrestler tries to out do the other one on the mat.

A lot of back and forth work between these guys as to be expected as they used a number of amateur holds with a WWF style for the most part.

Great action to say the least and VERY entertaining. Although of course it doesen't hold a candle to the five star classic at the 03 Rumble for the WWE Title between both of them.

Hillarious spot where Benoit smacks the ref who is knocked out and says "Come on Ref, What the Hells the Matter with you!?" I laugh at that every time. I miss him....infact I miss both of them. I don't think either of them are truely "There" anymore.

Angle ended up pinning Benoit with a roll-up using Benoit's tights for leverage at 14:02, and it seemed like it came out of no where. If this match had gone at least another 6 minutes with a better climax it had the potential to be an absolutely classic.

But the first half of the match alone makes up for it and it is still pretty great. I'm a fan of it for sure as it was very technically sound and the mat wrestling was top notch. Four stars for me. Best match of the night to this point.


****





6) Chyna vs Ivory for the WWF Women's Championship


The only truely bad match of the night. But hey, it was quick and the right person won and it actually had months of build up.

Either way it was still bad though and the defenition of a squash despite Ivory beginning the match working on the neck of Chyna which she injured.

Chyna pinned Ivory after a Gorilla Press Drop at 2:39 to become the NEW Women's Champion. And She did it at WRESTLEMANIA! Right JR?

It's to bad no one could really challenge Chyna except Lita after this and then she left the WWF as the champion until they brought the belt back at Survivor Series 01, where Trish won the 6 pack challenge.


1/2*






7) The Owner of WCW Shane McMahon vs The Owner of the WWF and the XFL Vince McMahon (w/ Daddy's Little Girl Stephanie McMahon) (w/Mick Foley as special guest referee) in a Street Fight


For me the show was great up until this match, but from this point on this is where it's just absolutely phenominal and puts the whole event over the top.

Shane didn't have the "Here comes the $$$$moneyyyyyyyyyy$$$$" theme just yet so he walked out to "No Chance" which is a great theme in it's own right. It's just kind of strange when both competitors in a match come out to the same entrance music when one is face and one is heel. In the old days entrance themes told a lot about a performers allignment but perhaps I'm nitpicking a little to much.

Cool sign that said "Family night 04/01/01"...

I also loved Shane's shirts he'd have made for him for his singles matches against Test at Summerslam 99, X-Pac at Wrestlemania 15, The Big Show at Backlash 01, etc.

None of those matches (although were all great in there own right) and better then expected were as good as this one.

Shane-O-Mac says "Hello to the WCW guys (and Stacy) in the Press box" which gets a chorus of boo's. On the live feed you can't see them till later, but on the Anthology they edit it so that you can see them right away. How thoughtful.

After a whole shit load of brawling, table bumps, chair shots, and interferences Shane pinned Vince after a Coast-to-Coast dropkick through a garbage can at 14:12. This was the first of many times Shane did this move and definately the best. (As all original moves are usually ALWAYS the best.) Linda McMahon who is all of the sudden back to normal looks like my Grandma on the outside of the ring after this Shane on Vince bump. Her facial expression is great.

This match had all the elements to even be four stars. But at the end of the day I'm not going to rate it that high. This match was amazing and more then surpassed EVERYONE'S expectations. But it wasn't just the match itself that adds to the rating, it was all the interactions with Trish/Stephanie/Foley and more importantly Linda rising out of her chair which got one of the biggest pops ever. All this with a hot crowd made it extremely enjoyable.



*** 3/4






8) Edge and Christian vs The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) (c) vs The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) in the 2nd ever Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWF Tag Team Championship


Here we go again, another classic on the horizon.

One of the key elements to this TLC contest was that during the match, Lita interefered on behalf of the Hardy Boyz, Spike Dudley interfered for the Dudley Boyz, and Rhyno interefered for Edge & Christian.


In the end Rhyno helped Edge and Christian win by climbing a ladder and retrieving the belts hanging above the ring at 15:42. The crowd was probably mad that Edge and Christian won yet ANOTHER match like this and it ended a little to quickly some thought. I thought the length was just fine considering all of the bumps and the fact those four bodies couldn't take more punishment in all honesty.

Great TLC, my all time favourite. I can't decide if it's the greatest TLC ever, but it's my favourite. Edge's spear on Jeff followed immediately by the Matt and Bubba double bump when Rhyno pushed them off the huge ladder through four tables on the outside was UNBELIEVABLE.

And those two bumps happened back to back.

There's about seventy five other bumps I didn't even mention includng Jeff doing the swanton bomb on Spike and Rhyno from the top of the ladder on the outside through a table. (For the 2nd straight Mania)

It seems to hurt Jeff a lot more then his opponents but either way it was sick.

Great TLC match, one that will be remembered forever. I remember going to high school the next day and everyone was talking about two things.

1) Stone Cold turning "BAD" as the kids called it at school, everyone thought he would stun McMahon the next night on Raw. I didn't as I knew they'd never end A Mania like that for the storyline to switch the next night. Even the next night on Raw when they teased that it may have happened I knew in the back of my mind that it wouldn't.

2) The "Ladder" match as the casual fans at school called it. It seemed like everyone at my high school either ordered it or went to a friends house to watch it.

And with all the things that happened on this show that is really special. This match followed the amazing Shane-Vince match and that in itself is amazing, and it took it to a whole other level.

A Classic to be sure that will stand the test of time forever. One of the funnest matches in the history of Wrestlemania.





**** 1/4






9) Gimmick Battle Royal featuring: Luke Williams, Butch Miller, Duke Droese, The Iron Shiek, Doink the Clown, Nikolai Volkoff, Tugboat, The Goon, Earthquake, The Gobbledygooker, Hillbilly Jim, Brother Love, Michael Hayes, One Man Gang, Kamala, Kim Chee, Jim Cornette, Repo Man, and Sgt. Slaughter.


Doink got the best pop here, Slaughter next, and Hillbilly Jim. (likely because it was in Texas for Jim)

This match reeked of pure nostalgia.

Great to see Dok Hendix...er, I mean Freebird Micheal Hayes come out singing and flappin his arms as he used to wrestle in this state a long time ago in the early-mid 80's in WCCW.

I loved the Goon but maybe that's because I'm Canadian. I don't think he's to over with the American crowd but bring the Goon to Canada and I bet the pop would be huge. I also loved Duke the Dumpster so it was good to see both of them.

I was always under the impression that this match was brutal but watching it again I realized it was only three minutes long, and it wasn't very bad at all. Especially when you got the Brain doing commentary for the first time at Mania since Mania 9. And also when you consider that all these men are old and out of shape for the most part.

Decent ending with the Shiek winning and Slaughter attacking him. A lot of boo's when Doink when out (as there was in the battle royal on Raw not to long ago for the 15th anniversary.)

So the Iron Sheik won by eliminating Hillbilly Jim last at 3:05.

After the match Slaughter locked a Cobra clutch on The Iron Sheik with the Brain screaming "He's not gonna forget 10 years ago!"

A lot of fun and that is why it gets a 2 out of 5 for nostalgia and entertainment purposes alone.



**





10) The Undertaker vs "The Game" Triple H


Motörhead performed "The Game" live during Triple H's entrance. He points and then walks down the long aisle to the ring and this entrance is also one of the best ever at a Wrestlemania, IMO.

Who would of thought that ANOTHER tremendous entrance was on the way when Taker biked down to the ring at an amazing speed to match the Game's special entrance.

The match did not take long to start as The American Bad Ass and the Cerebral Assassin exchanged blows outside of the ring area. This was the best match up in my honest opinion that the two ever had together. Funny spot where The Game falls on a table that easily snaps as the fans boo and realize if they didn't already know, "HEY....those tables don't look very hard to break after all." But no doubt it still hurts.

This one after the brief back and forth action outside the ring actually goes inside the ring for a good 5 minutes with some wrestling moves and a lot of flat out brawling as well.

But the best was yet to come brawling wise and that's when they left the ring area. I usually hate when matches do that as it is somewhat harder to follow from a fans stand point psychology wise. But anytime you got two verteran workers like the deadman and the game doing it, it's fine. Much like Hart and Austin at Mania 13 when they went to the crowd area, it was fine because those two workers you can always buy into what they trying to accomplish and it makes for great viewing.

They went all the way to where the music guy is and a couple of good bumps and chair shots down there.

A very phsyical war in a feud where you felt the intensity was very real.

It looked as if The Deadman was going to lose for the first time at Wrestlemania when Hunter hit Taker with a sledgehammer after Taker had him in the air for a last ride but Taker kicked out to a huge pop.

Taker caught Triple H in the air after he was giving him right handed blows in the corner and picked him up for the last ride this time that worked. Undertaker pinned Triple H after this Last Ride at 18:17 for the win.

Look who's 9-0 at Wrestlemania!



Such a fun brawl, and a great brawl with an amazing ending and some pretty good Wrestling as well. This match is excellent and some people have it rated both lower and higher then four stars, I'll settle in the middle with an even four.




****






11) Main Event- Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock in a No Disqualification match for the WWF Championship



This has got to be my favourite entrance in Wrestling history.


You might think, "But why? It's pretty normal." Sure, it's very normal but not only is Austin my all time favourite, but this is my favourite theme ever (The disturbed version) and his BMF Walk out in Texas in the main event of the best event ever was so bad ass. Not only that but it seemed like he was foreshadowing his heel turn with the expressions on his face both in the ring and on the way down the long aisle in Houston. Just, excellent.

So the Texas crowd was for Austin at least 70-30 here, which is no surprise. The Rock had his share of fans as a heel at Wrestlemania 15 and 19 in the bouts with Steve. Any time you get two popular mega stars like this the crowd is bound to be split. But in this case it was very notable when The Rock applied his first offensive maneuver of the match (A swinging neck braker) who the texas crowd was for.

The build up to this match was absolutely phenominal and it added to the matches rating. The look of Austin into the mirror was unreal before the match and you just had to get butterflies for this one.

The My Way Video package even added to the match more then any other match I've ever seen for any ppv.

The story where Austin needed to do everything in his power to get back on top of the WWF and surpass The Rock was so evident in the match. He did things like pulling out his HEEL Million Dollar Dream move in this match. His desperation to win became more and more clear each time he performed a big move. The Blade job by The Rock wasn't to great but both men were busted open like crazy for most of the match.

I've never heard a crowd that loud from the beginning of the match to the end maybe to this day. I can't even put into words how big of a match this was and how fun it is to go back and watch it. This is about as fun as Pro-Wrestling gets, at least for me and many others I know.

Both men did a sharp shooter in this match which was funny. Good spot when The Rock had it on and Austin's face looked very similar to when he was suffering to Hart's at Wrestlemania 13.


I get a sick feeling when I see Vince walk to the ring as I know for me at that very moment the Attitude Era was over. From Wrestlemania 13 to when I saw Vince walk down that long entrance way that it was all over. It had it's positived and negatives in the long run but I still wish something different had happened as Stone Cold was a mega hero to me for all those years but I guess that's what it was meant to be. It was meant for Austin to turn his back on his fans (Which is basically what a heel turn is all about), it's no lie but I was actually wearing a Austin 3:16 shirt while watching this event in my home.

After the match I felt betrayed and that was probably the last time in my life I was a mark, and treated the storylines like they actually were REAL. I wasn't a little kid but I was hurt. I knew Wrestling and the storylines were fake since the late 80's but in 2001 I was genuinely hurt. That just proves to me that they told a brilliant story. Whether the booking and storylines were great after that is irrelevant, on this night at Wrestlemania 17 the story they told was maginificent. An absolute classic both storyline wise and in the ring by two of the greatest to ever set foot in the ring, with the greatest wrestling promoter of all time involved in the whole act. All this in the MAIN EVENT of Wrestlemania, The Greatest Wrestlemania ever.....wow, just wow. That's all that can really be said.



Austin pinned Rock after hitting him sixteen times with a steel chair at 28:06 to become the WWF Champion. A Texas crowd still popped not seeming to care he turned heel. That and the fact they had to change Austin's character into a pussy in order for him to get booed was part of the reason business would do bad following this and that the Heel Turn was considered a failure.

Steve Austin himself says if he could go back and change things (in his book) he probably would. But he also said that without the heel turn there would have been a lot of great moments that wouldn't of been able to happen. And I'd agree.

So for that reason alone this heel turn is not only historic it is great to see two guys that absolutely hated each other shake hands after the main event of the biggest Mania ever.




**** 3/4






------------------------------------------------------------------




Final PPV Rating for Wrestlemania 17 = 10/10



Okay, okay. You might say "But not every match was perfect? How does it deserve a 10." Well this is why. When your event feels as if it is the final show case of the attitude era (and in all likelyhood was), it takes place in a huge dome with a great atmosphere, it starts well, the middle is well, and ends magnificent, and the whole show is a big load of fun.....it's not only the greatest Wrestlemania ever but the greatest Wrestling event of all time to watch. Then it is a 10/10. I've always thought the only two bad parts were the 6 man tag with the RTC and Ivory vs Chyna. Well Ivory vs Chyna was kept extremely short and the right person won, and the 6 man tag was prett