[A-DoubleBaby!]

Originally Posted by mrchrisieclass

I agree with alot of this, this thread is for the purists and not alot else. The Bryan/Sheamus match was great booking but everyone gives it a dud cuz it featured 1 move, nobody takes into account how clever the whole thing was but then they praise how clever the Taker/HHH match was

OK I've got to hear this. Pleeeease explain to me how the WORLD CHAMPION losing in one move is great booking.

[sharkboy22]

Originally Posted by A-DoubleBaby!

OK I've got to hear this. Pleeeease explain to me how the WORLD CHAMPION losing in one move is great booking.

This I would love to know too. Let's hear how clever it was to squash the most over guy in the match.

[TankOfRate]

BOOM

Danielson/Sheamus - *****. Excellent match, workrate, storytelling, psychology galore. Sheamus' beautiful underdog victory brought tears to my eyes. What a Wrestlemania moment. We, the fans, were so fortunate to be able to witness such a bout. *wipes tear from eye*

Orton/Kane - *1/2 Could not get into this match. Watched it live, couldn't engage with it. Watched the replay, still couldn't engage with it. The "story" leading in was weak, and just a way of throwing both of them onto the card. Not a bad match, just dull and uninspired.

Rhodes/Show - *1/2 I had somewhat high hopes for this one, as I love Cody and I think the build-up to this match was great. The actual match failed to interest me. It's the Big Show curse. Again, wasn't bad, just never really picked up. There were a few nice Cody-gets-thrown-around spots though. Cody losing was quite disappointing. A Big Show title reign sounds unbearable and Rhodes was definitely beginning to pick up steam as a champion. I was really hoping he would hold it for longer and do more with it.

Divas – 1/2* Pointless match, unforgettable, a waste of a spot and a total waste of a champion. Kudos to Maria for wrestling hurt, but I just did not enjoy watching Beth and Eve try to guide her through the match. I don't think anyone involved performed well, which is a shame because I like Eve and usually expect more from Beth. The Kelly Go Round was nice though. Really the only positive thing I can say.

Taker/HHH - **** I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed this match. I wasn't expecting much from it, but the way it built up and concluded was fantastic. All three of them sold the story perfectly, and from the middle onwards, I just loved it.

Johnny/Teddy - **1/2 I enjoyed this one, weirdly enough. I was looking forward to it to begin with, and it pretty much met my expectations. I wish it was an elimination match and less clusterfucky, but there were some great performances from most of those guys. I wasn't expecting a clinic, just a fun, gimmicky match in contrast to the srs business of the other matches.

Jericho/Punk - **** My favourite of the night. These two worked unbelievably well together, which should come as a surprise to no one. The tension in the beginning was fantastic and the way it built up throughout was even better. I wish we got more of this, like, the up-and-coming young guys being given the opportunity to show that they can hang with the big guns. Great stuff.

Rock/Cena - ***1/2 I... just didn't enjoy this match. It just never really clicked for me. There were a few "THIS IS AWESOME~!" moments, but overall, I just struggled to get truly invested in it. Really good match nonetheless, just not my cup of tea.

'Mania was... interesting. Robbed of a world title match, let down by okay to mediocre undercard matches, but the main events were great. Mania will always be Mania, and I guess it's too much to ask for a great card from top to bottom. At least it's all over now. I'm looking forward to what comes next. I think that's mostly my favourite aspect of Wrestlemania.

[MachoMadness1988]

Originally Posted by KingCal

<3 Tagged Classics. Thought most of the IYH shows are garbage outside of one match . The 13 & 16 collection is the only one really worth owning lol.

All the more reason there needs to be a best of in your house set. Im going to try and collect them all and just make my damn own.

[Brye]

Storytelling in Punk/Jericho was amazing. Loved the beginning with Punk snapping and Jericho trying to get the DQ win. Then it just went into an epic match.

[sharkboy22]

John Cena vs The Rock
Had that match been done on any other night given a build of let's say 3 weeks to 2 months, then that match could have easily been ***3/4, heck why the hell not ****. But this was a year's build. This was Wrestlemania. This is Once In A Lifetime.

First off, let me say where this match went wrong from the beginning. There was no staredown. I could be wrong (I had a very shitty stream) but I don't recall one. How do you do a match such as this one with no staredown? You just don't. There was supposed to be a staredown. Cena was supposed to taunt You Can't See Me and Rock was just supposed to reply with the Just Bring It.

Nonetheless,I liked the opening. The exchange of holds was good. It was a test of strength to see who the better man was. But somehow the match just turned into nothing but rest holds and never really kicked into second gear. They were just going through the motions. What Cena vs Rock was lacking was INTENSITY. After the exchange of holds when both men realized they could have gotten the better of each, it was supposed to be an intesne staredown and both men were just supposed to start trading blows.

The match was supposed to spill to the outside with an intense brawl. We're talking slamming into steel steps, Rock bottom through the table and there wasn't a damn the ref could have done about it because this was Rock vs Cena bitch. This was Once In A Lifetime.

I liked the ending. I liked how Cena got all ocky and it cause him the match but it's obvious that it's setting up for a rematch. I thought this was Once In A Lifetime? The question is, is part II at Summerslam or next year's Mania. I personally believe that Part II (God forbid, Part III) doesn't need to be the main event. It doesn't. Let's be honest here. Part II could easily go on as the third to last match. I think it'll be better if it is.

But that's neither here nor here. Point is, Cena/Rock was not a bad match. When you strip away the fact it had a year's build, it happened at Mania and well it's Cena/Rock you have a pretty good match. But when you factor all those points, then you have a very, very disappointing match.

***1/2

[greendayedgehead]

Originally Posted by TankOfRate

BOOM

Danielson/Sheamus - *****. Excellent match, workrate, storytelling, psychology galore. Sheamus' beautiful underdog victory brought tears to my eyes. What a Wrestlemania moment. We, the fans, were so fortunate to be able to witness such a bout. *wipes tear from eye*

MOTY obviously, and the other matches rank as follows

2) Triple H vs Undertaker (w/ Shawn Michaels)
I can't really put it into words right now, except for this match had "Wrestlemania moments" up to its ears.

3) Rock vs Cena
And it's close behind too. I posted more about it in the match thread, but this was one of my favourite finishes of all time.

4) CM Punk vs Jericho
It's not fair that Chris Jericho knows how to play his role so well yet still gets cheered more than the babyface champion. This was very enjoyable, especially with their use of submission holds

5) Kelly Kelly and Maria Menenous vs Beth Phoenix and, uh...
I don't even care. I marked for Kelly Kelly's top rope thing, and there was a false finish in there that made me jump. And then I realised I just jumped at a diva's match.

6) Team Teddy vs Team Laurinitus
I wasn't expecting much because a twelve man tag is bound to be clusterfucked, and they pulled it off pretty well I guess. Santino was good, as was Ziggler, Miz, Ryder. I don't remember much besides the after match nonsense. Hoeski

And there was also Kane vs Orton and Rhodes vs Show. Both were rather underwhelming, but I liked Big Show's reaction to winning the title. I suppose Cody's moving on from that, but the IC title hasn't looked better in a long time IMO.

[Wrestlinfan35]

After re-watching.

Bryan/Sheamus - What the fuck, WWE?
Orton/Kane - **
Divas - *3/4
Rhodes/Show - **1/4
Triple H/Undertaker - ****1/4
Team Johnny/Team Teddy - ***
Punk/Jericho - ****
Rock/Cena - ***1/2

[MachoMadness1988]

WTF? Punk V jericho was FAR from boring. Maybe it lacked intensity but that is because of Hell in a Cell which was great. That sucked a lot out of the crowd IMHO. Punk V Jericho was as good as I thought it would be. A 4 star at worst and probably a 4.5 star classic. Rock/Cena was way better thn I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be a huge clusterfuck. So happy Rock beat that PG Wahlberg wannabe. I seriously thought there was no way in hell he would put Rock over.

Overall a pretty good WM. The Bryan/Sheamus match was a huge slap in the face to Bryan.

[PsychoPriest]

Wrestlemania 28
Sheamus/Bryan - DUD
Kane/Orton - **1/2
Show/Rhodes - **
Diva Tag - *
Hell in a Cell - ****1/2
Team Teddy/Team Johnny - ***
WWE Title - ****1/4
Rock/Cena - ****