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2003 - WWE held WrestleMania XIX before 54,097 fans at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. Here is Mike Johnson's report on the show:

WrestleMania XIX

March 30, 2003

Location: Seattle, Washington
Arena: Safeco Field
Announced Attendance: 54,097

Results:

*WWE Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy pinned Rey Mysterio.

*The Undertaker beat The Big Show & A-Train (9:45) in a Handicap match when he pinned A-Train. Nathan Jones was scheduled to be Taker's partner but was "laid out" in the back by Show and Train while chasing Nunzio who "stole his wallet." Jones would soon be gone from the company.

*In a good match, Trish Stratus beat Victoria and Jazz in a Triple Threat match to win the WWE Women's Title when she pinned Victoria.

*WWE Tag Champs Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas (Mania debuts) defeated Chris Benoit & Rhyno and Eddie & Chavo Guerrero when Benjamin pinned Chavo. They ended up being given the sign to go five more minutes during the bout, so they ended up changing gears midway, which you can see watching the show. This was Benoit and Rhyno's return to Wrestlemania after their neck injuries and the debut of Haas, who did his late brother Russ proud. Haas even flew out his mentor Jim Kettner to the show as a show of thanks, which was a classy thing to do.

*In the return of the "Showstopper" to Wrestlemania Shawn Michaels pinned Chris Jericho in his first Mania bout since Wrestlemania 14. This was a tremendous back and forth match with tons of near falls.

*WWE World Champ Triple H pinned Booker T with a pedigree.

*Hulk Hogan pinned Vince McMahon in a Streetfight. Roddy Piper showed up and teased hitting Vince with a pipe but laid out Hogan instead.  Piper then flipped off both men before leaving. McMahon bled a gusher here. Hogan pinned Vince with a legdrop and then stood over him as Shane McMahon came out to check on his father.

*The Rock pinned Steve Austin with a rock bottom in what turned out to be Austin's retirement match.

*Brock Lesnar pinned Kurt Angle to win the WWE championship with a F-5. Lesnar had missed a shooting star press attempt and crashed down face first on the mat, nearly knocking himself out. Angle called an audible to finish the match. As it stood, Angle was working with a broken neck. When it was all said and done, both men ended up in the hospital but it was a tremendous match given the circumstances.

Celebrities: Ashanti was brought in to sing "America the Beautiful" . Limp Bizkit performed two songs, the Wrestlemania theme and the Undertaker's old "Rollin'" theme song to bring him to the ring. The Miller Lite Catfight Girls of commercial fame were brought in for several campy segments with Stacy Keibler and Torrie Wilson culminating in a lame catfight on a couch on the stage of the building, ending with Jonathan Coachman being pinned.

Notes: This was the first Wrestlemania after the "brand split". They set a new Safeco Field attendance record with the show. WWE World Tag Champs Lance Storm & Chief Morley (Val Venis) beat Kane & Rob Van Dam when Storm pinned Van Dam in a Sunday Night Heat match. The Dudleys were listed as Kane and RVD's opponents in the program to the show, but were actually in the corner of the champions. Austin ended up in the hospital due to stress and other issues the night before the show. Much of the PPV was filmed and ended up being used as part of the excellent "Mania before the Mania" documentary voicedover by Jesse Ventura that was aired to build to Wrestlemania XX.

Booker T on Wrestlemania XIX: "WrestleMania is something I'd worked all year for, never knowing if it was going to happen. When I finally found out I was going to be in the main event portion for Raw against Triple H for the world title at Mania, it meant everything. That was one of my final goals in the wrestling business to headline WrestleMania. And that night we had a great bout and left everything we had right in the middle of the ring. The fans got everything that they could out of that match except me walking out with the world title! Losing the match wasn't a disappointment at all because I don't look at my career in terms of wins and losses. I look it at that as long as I gave the fans something that they can remember for a long time, then that is the only thing that really matters to me." (London Sun Interview, May 2003)

Trish Stratus on Wrestlemania XIX: "....at WrestleMania XIX you had 54,000 people cheering us. I won the title back that night and it was amazing. I'd wrestled in front of that many people before the year before at Mania in my hometown of Toronto but I'd never won in front of that many people before, and all those people wanted me to win. Me, Jazz and Victoria really worked our butts off and I think it was as good as the men's bouts. I am proud to say that most of the time our matches are on a par with the men's, and I think we work as hard as they do." (London Sun article, 2004)

Mike Johnson: Production-wise I loved this show. There were some great stuff here just from a visual standpoint including the exploding pyro for Shawn Michaels' entrance. Kurt Angle proved he was the man once and for all having an excellent match with Brock Lesnar, working with a broken neck. Lesnar nearly ending up with one of his own was one of the more frightening things I've ever seen live at a show. There was an awesome Jericho vs. Michaels match on here that ranks as my favorite matches of 2003. Rock vs. Austin didn't touch their previous two Wrestlemania matches but was such a fun bout given the circumstances. It was a fitting last match to Austin who did the right thing with a clean loss to his greatest rival. Hogan vs. McMahon was fun, especially the appearance of Roddy Piper. Although Piper's run here afterwards was poor (Sean O'Haire? Why?), this was a true Wrestlemania moment. There was misuse of talent here as well though. Brian Kendrick's push was killed after building to his Wrestlemania debut and they shifted gears to Rey Mysterio. Kendrick would quit the company within a year. The Dudley Boyz didn't have a match on the show and they were workhorses for the tag division. Rob Van Dam worked on Heat. It was mind boggling then and now how some of the talent was used. Still, this was a great PPV.

Jess McGrath: I would say Mania 19 was better than 18 but not as good as 17. They had several good matches on this show, including Angle-Lesnar, Rock-Austin, Hogan-Vince, and Michaels-Jericho. I was not as big a fan of Angle-Lesnar as some others were. They were working a mat wrestling match in a domed stadium at Wrestlemania. That made no sense to me. Of course, Angle was limited by what some suspected at the time might be a career ending neck injury, and the fact that he went in there and still had a great match does speak volumes for his ability and his guts. Same with Austin, who still had an excellent bout with Rock despite it being what was (so far) his last career match. I admire tremendously the way he put Rock over clean, which was smart business since Rock was headlining next month's PPV with Goldberg.

Buck Woodward: I remember being annoyed with a lot of things early in the show. ... I was annoyed that the World Tag Team Champions were relegated to Heat, and had a commercial taken during their bout. ... I was annoyed that Hardy-Mysterio got less than six minutes. ... I was annoyed that Nathan Jones was on the card, but I was overjoyed that he got beat up and didn't do much. ... It was nice to see the women's title match get more time than they traditionally do at Mania. ... Benjamin, Haas, Benoit, Rhyno, Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero in one match, and you give them less than nine minutes? That should be illegal. ... Michaels vs. Jericho was arguably the second best WWE match of the year (behind Benoit-Angle at the Rumble). ... Triple H vs. Booker T was good, but not great. ... As much as I was disturbed by the hype over McMahon vs. Hogan overshadowing everything else, I'd be lying if I didn't say the Roddy Piper run-in didn't pop me. ... The Miller Lite Catfight Girls crap was just that. ... Limp Bizkit made me wish Men On A Mission were back rapping. ... It was interesting to see Austin put over Rock, even though Rock was going to be spending less time wrestling. After two Mania wins over him in the past, Austin returned the favor to The Rock. ... If not for the botched Shooting Star Press, Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle would probably be considered one of the best Wrestlemania main events ever. The ironic part of it is, from the time Brock Lesnar debuted, I said he should save the Shooting Star Press for a really important match. When Wrestlemania approached, I said that he should use the Shooting Star to beat Kurt Angle, never do it again, and let that move stay in the highlight reels forever. In hindsight, I wish I hadn't been so right with my prediction.

Dave Scherer: This was a lot better show than the previous year's, and I remember enjoying it a lot. There were a lot of good bouts as well as seeing what has been Steve Austin's last match and Brock Lesnar surviving a truly scary landing on his Shooting Star Press.

2003 - Michael Modest defeats Yoshinobu Kanemaru for the NOAH GHC Junior Heavyweight Title in Fukuoka, Japan, ending Kanemaru's second reign.

2004 - WWE taped the 242nd episode of SmackDown! and the 97th edition of Velocity at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. SmackDown! aired on UPN on April 1 and got a 3.2 rating. The results were:
- In a dark match, Carly Colón defeated Paul London.
Velocity:
- Mark Jindrak pinned Shannon Moore after the Mark of Excellence.
- Rico (with Miss Jackie) pinned Jamie Noble.
- Orlando Jordan pinned Brent Albright with the Flatliner.
- Billy Gunn pinned Danny Basham (with Doug Basham) after the Fameasser.
SmackDown!:
- Big Show pinned WWE Tag Team Champion Rikishi in a Kurt Angle Great American Award qualifying match, after the chokeslam.
- Spike Dudley and Rey Mysterio defeated Chavo Classic and WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, when Spike pinned Chavo, Jr. with the Acid Drop.
- Charlie Haas and Rob Van Dam fought to a double-countout in a Kurt Angle Great American Award qualifying match, but Angle came out and said Haas won on points.
- Booker T pinned Hardcore Holly in a Kurt Angle Great American Award qualifying match with a roll-up and a handful of tights.
- The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) defeated Akio and Sakoda, when D-Von pinned Akio after the 3D.
- WWE United States Champion John Cena defeated The F.B.I. (Nunzio and Johnny Stamboli) in a handicap Kurt Angle Great American Award qualifying match, by pinning Stamboli after the FU.
- The show closed with Kurt Angle announcing that JBL was the fourth and final Great American Award nominee. The winner of the Great American Award would receive a WWE Title match.

2004 - Rory Fox defeats El Temor for the Heartland Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2007 - Ring of Honor held All Star Extravaganza III at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Expo Center in Detroit, Michigan. The results were:
- Adam Pearce (with Shane Hagadorn) defeated Colt Cabana, Chris Hero (with Larry Sweeney and Tank Toland) and Matt Sydal in a Four Corners Survival match.
- FIP Florida Heritage Champion Erick Stevens defeated Alex Payne in a Do or Die match.
- Masaaki Mochizuki defeated Davey Richards.
- Jimmy Jacobs and Lacey defeated B.J. Whitmer and Daizee Haze in an Anything Goes Mixed Tag Team match.
- FIP Tag Team Champions The Briscoes (Jay and Mark) defeated ROH World Tag Team Champions Naruki Doi and Shingo to win the title, beginning their fourth ROH reign.
- Yamato defeated Pelle Primeau.
- Brent Albright (with Larry Sweeney) defeated Nigel McGuiness.
- Homicide defeated Christopher Daniels.
- FIP Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong defeated Jack Evans.
- CIMA, Dragon Kid, Ryo Saito and Susumu Yokosuka defeated Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, Delirious and Rocky Romero in a Dragon Gate Rules match.

2007 - Alex Arion and Max Bauer defeat Jason Blade and Kid Mikaze in Lowell, Massachusetts for the Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team Title.

2008 - Wrestlemania 24 takes place, featuring Ric Flair's final match (to date). Here is the original report from the show:

24-Man Battle Royale

The Battle Royale is being broadcast on WWE.com, but is not being shown as the pre-show for the PPV.  They had all the wrestlers come out to the same generic music, and had their names read off as they came down the aisle.  Joey Styles and Tazz called the action. I am sure I will miss a few eliminations, as they are using a pretty small screen on WWE.com to show the action.

As soon as the bell rang, Festus went nuts and attacked everyone.  Deuce was eliminated by a Festus kick, then Domino was tossed out by Festus with a hiptoss.  Great Khali tossed out Hacksaw Duggan, to a chorus of boos.  Stevie Richards was eliminated by a double jumping knee by Elijah Burke.  Kane grabbed Burke and tossed him over the top rope.  Miz was eliminated by a Jamie Noble head scissors.  

Mark Henry backdropped Shannon Moore and Jimmy Yang at the same time.  Trevor Murdoch eliminated Jesse  Festus tossed out Murdoch by dodging a charge.  Festus was eliminated by Lance Cade.  Brian Kendrick used a flying bodypress and took himself and Lance Cade over the top and out of the match.  

Mark Henry launched Kofi Kingston over the top rope to eliminate him.  Chuck Palumbo tossed out Jamie Noble, who stood on the bodies of wrestlers on the floor to avoid elimination, only to be kicked back down (and out) by Palumbo.  Khali then eliminated Palumbo.  Everyone remaining in the ring teamed up to eliminate Khali. 

Snitsky tossed out Hardcore Holly, and I believe Mark Henry tossed out Tommy Dreamer, although it was hard to tell from the angle they were using.  It came down to Kane, Mark Henry and Snistky.  Henry eliminated Snitsky, and we were down to two.  Henry pressed Kane over his head, but Kane floated over and hit a kick to the head to send Henry over the top rope.  Kane is the winner. 

Winner: Kane.

Wrestlemania 24 opened with a military flyover (which was actually taped shortly before the show went live).  John Legend sang "America, The Beautiful" While the upper decks don't look totally full, there are definitely a lot of people there.  It's also very cloudy, and when they used one of the wide shots, you could see water on the camera lens. 

They showed a video package focusing on the events of the past year surrounding the WWE Title, the World Title, Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels and Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather. Jim Ross welcomed us to the show, and they went to the ring for the first match.

Belfast Brawl: Fit Finlay vs. JBL.

Lilian Garcia is wearing a really great dress.  Sorry, I'll try to focus on wrestling.  As JBL made his entrance, a video package recapped the Vince McMahon-Hornswoggle storyline.  Finlay walked out on the stage, then waved out Hornswoggle, to a big pop.  Finlay sprinted to the ring and JBL kicked him as he tried to climb in.  They brawled on the floor, with JBL throwing right hands.  Finlay reversed a whip and sent JBL into the ring steps, then into the ring, and the bell ran to officially start the match.  Finlay hit a sit-down splash and a series of rights.  Finlay went under the ring and pulled out trash cans, lids and kendo sticks.  JBL grabbed a can and blasted Finlay with it.  JBL then used a trash can lid and a cookie sheet to blast Finlay.  JBL hit a short-arm clothesline, then threw a section of ring steps into the ring.  JBL kicked Finlay in the head, then went for a piledriver on the ring steps, but Finlay backdropped him off. 

Finlay hit a kick to the head, then blasted JBL with the cookie sheet twice.  Finlay then held the metal pan against JBL's head and punched it.  Finlay went for the first cover of the match and got a two count.  Finlay hit a right hand, but JBL responded with a boot to the face, then stomped Finlay's hand.  JBL threw a series of punches in the corner, then kicked Finlay in the head.  JBL grabbed the shillelagh, but Hornswoggle ran in and hit JBL with a kendo stick.  JBL was distracted by the shot, and that allowed Finlay to pick up the shillelagh and blast JBL with it.  JBL fell to the floor, but Finlay rolled him back in.  Finlay put the trash can on JBL's head, then stomped it.  Finlay went under the ring and pulled out a table.  Finlay propped the table in a corner, then went to whip JBL into it.  JBL reversed the whip, and Finlay got thrown into a corner without a table.  Finlay charged out and blasted JBL with a clothesline.  JBL rolled to the floor, and grabbed Hornswoggle.  Finlay jumped out of the ring and bounced JBL's head off the Raw announce table over and over.  They went back into the ring, but JBL rolled out the other side.  

Finlay dove through the ropes for a tope, but JBL blasted him with a trash can lid.  JBL rolled Finlay into the ring for a two count.  JBL picked up a trash can and threw it out of the ring, nailing Hornswoggle on the floor with it.  JBL picked up another can and blasted Finlay with it. JBL went for a Clothesline From Hell, but Finlay picked up a can and blasted him with it.  Finlay hit a rolling Samoan Drop for a two count, then threw JBL into the table in the corner.  Finlay picked up the ringsteps to hit JBL, but JBL grabbed a kendo stick and blasted Finlay in the leg with it.  JBL then hit a Clothesline From Hell to get the win at the ten minute mark. 

Winner: JBL 

Kim Kardashian was backstage, telling us about the Money In The Bank Ladder match.  Kennedy interrupted, saying he would be the first man to win Money In The Bank two years in a row.  Her mic sounded low. 

Money In The Bank: Ken Kennedy vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Jericho vs. Carlito vs. MVP vs. CM Punk vs. John Morrison.

All announce teams are in on this one.  John Morrison entered first, then Carlito, then Shelton Benjamin, then CM Punk, then Ken Kennedy, then MVP, then Chris Jericho, with the last two getting big pyro displays.  Then again, I guess all pyro will be big tonight.  I will do my best to keep up with this one. 

At the bell, everyone ran out of the ring for ladders, except MVP.  As guys tried to get back in with ladders, MVP would knock them out of the ring.  Finally, Jericho got in, and both men had ladders in their hands. Jericho and MVP jousted, with Jericho getting the better of it.  MVP rolled out, and Morrison came in and hit Jericho with it.  Morrison then took a ladder and moonsaulted off the top rope, hitting Punk, Carlito, MVP and Benjamin with the ladder on the floor.  Kennedy and Jericho squared off in the ring, and Jericho catapulted Kennedy into a ladder.  Kennedy jumped onto the ladder and climbed up for the briefcase.  Morrison came off the top rope onto the ladder, throwing another ladder at Jericho.  Morrison and Kennedy slugged it out on the ladder.  Benjamin set up another ladder and climbed up next to them, but was knocked down.  Kennedy went to superplex Morrison off the ladder, and Benjamin climbed up his ladder and gave Kennedy a sunset flip powerbomb, sending both men to the mat.  

Benjamin climbed the ladder, but Carlito tipped it over.  Benjamin landed on the top rope on his feet and tipped the ladder into Carlito. Benjamin then tried to jump onto the ladder, but it collapsed.  Punk climbed a ladder, but Kennedy pulled him down.  Punk knocked him out of the ring, then tried to climb again.  Benjamin tried to stop him, but Punk gave him a GTS.  Kennedy gave Punk a rolling Samoan Drop onto a ladder.  Carlito tried to climb up, but MVP knocked him down, then gave Kennedy a running kick.  MVP missed a running kick on Carlito, and Carlito hit MVP with a ladder shot to the leg.  Carlito went to climb a ladder, but Benjamin pulled him down.  Benjamin hit Carlito with a spinkick.  Benjamin went to climb the ladder, but Kennedy and Carlito tipped the ladder.  Benjamin went head over heels off the ladder, crashing through a ladder that was bridged at ringside.

Jericho, Carlito and Kennedy all climbed the ladder, but MVP knocked it over.  Morrison then blasted MVP out of the ring, then climbed a ladder.  Jericho climbed up to fight him, then applied a Walls Of Jericho across the top of the ladder.  Kennedy set up another ladder and climbed up.  Jericho dumped Morrison, then fought Kennedy on top of the ladders.  Punk and Carlito both springboarded from opposite sides of the ring and onto the ladders.  Punk and Kennedy came crashing off one ladder.  Carlito pulled Jericho off the other ladder with a Backstabber, and both men rolled to the floor.

MVP got into the ring and realized everyone was laid out by him.  MVP climbed up the ladder, and went for the briefcase.  Matt Hardy emerged from the crowd, to a monster pop.  Hardy climbed up the ladder and blasted MVP with punches.  Hardy gave MVP a Twist of Fate off the ladder to the mat.  The place as going nuts for Hardy.  Hardy ran back out through the crowd.  Jericho and Carlito started fighting, and two ladders got tangled together.  Morrison tried to climb the tangled ladder, but Jericho and Carlito tipped him off it and he fell to the floor. Jericho climbed the ladder, but Carlito sit apple in his face.  Kennedy knocked Carlito off the ladder and he landed back first on a ladder that was propped in a corner.   Kennedy went to climb up, but Punk knocked him down with a ladder.  Jericho gave Punk a Codebreaker with a ladder. 

Jericho climbed the ladder, but Punk struggled up it, shaking the ladder.  Jericho kicked Punk in the head, yelling "stay down".  Punk climbed up and punched it out with Jericho.  Punk tripped Jericho and tied him in a Tree of Woe in the ladder.  Punk climbed up and grabbed the briefcase at the 15 minute mark.

Winner: CM Punk.

CM Punk now has a guaranteed WWE Title shot against the championship of his choice, good for one year.

They showed John Cena, Randy Orton and Triple H, backstage in their respective dressing rooms. 

A video package on last night's WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony was shown.  Howard Finkel was introduced to bring out the WWE Hall Of Fame "Class of 2008".  Jack & Gerald Brisco, the children of Gordon Solie, Rocky Johnson (who got a nice pop), Peter Maivia's wife and daughter, Mike Graham (son of Eddie Graham), and Mae Young (to a huge pop) were introduced to the crowd.  Mae teased that she was going to take off her clothes, by Mike Graham stopped her.  Ric Flair was represented by his four children, Ashley, Megan, David and Reid. 

Snoop Dogg was interviewed backstage.  Snoop said he was having "the time of his life".  Snoop said he found someone he sees "eye to eye with".  The camera panned over to Festus.  Snoop said they love the same music, movies and cars.  Santino interrupted, saying Snoop better not try any funny business during the Playboy Bunnymania match.  Snoop pulled out a bell, rang it, and Festus freaked out and chased off Santino.  Snoop was asked where he got the bell from, and he said he "knew someone".  Mick Foley entered, delivering a Snoppizzle version of "Bang, Bang" and "Have A Nice Day".  Snoop walked off, and Foley pulled out a Mr. Socko complete with "bling". 

Batista vs. Umaga.

Smackdown Assistant General Manager Theodore R. Long introduced Batista, while Raw General Manager William Regal introduced Umaga.  The sun has set now in Florida, and the full effect of the entranceway and lights in the stadium is pretty cool.  Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are calling this match.

They started slugging it out at the bell, and Umaga shoved Batista to the mat.  Umaga went for a charge in the corner, but Batista moved out of the way and knocked Umaga to the floor with a shoulderblock.  Batista hit some shots as Umaga got on the apron, but Umaga hit a thrust to the throat.  Umaga went for a backdrop, but Batista kicked it away.  Umaga returned fire with a spin kick.  Batista rolled to the apron and Umaga hit a front kick that knocked Batista to the floor.  Umaga rolled Batista back into the ring and hit a splash to the back for a two count.  Umaga whipped Batista hard into the turnbuckles twice.  Batista threw some punches, but Umaga took him down with another thrust into the throat.

Umaga applied a nervehold, then slammed Batista.  Umaga went to the second rope, but missed a diving headbutt. Batista lifted Umaga for a slam, but fell under the weight and Umaga got a two count.  Umaga hit a kick to the back, then went back to the nervehold.  Batista elbowed out, but Umaga hit a headbutt and a Samoan Drop for a two count.  There's fans in the front rows chanting "U-U-Umaga".  Batista blocked a whip and hit some punches.  Batista hit a boot to the face, and the crowd actually booed Batista.  Umaga grabbed Batista and went for the Samoan Spike, but Batista blocked it and threw Umaga into the corner.  Umaga went over the turnbuckles and hit the ringpost.  Batista hit a spinebuster, and there was a pop, so Batista still has his fans.  Batista hit a Batista Bomb, falling backwards as he delivered it due to Umaga's size, and got the pin at the eight minute mark.

Winner: Batista.

Floyd Mayweather was shown hanging out backstage with his posse.  They went over the Tale Of The Tape for his match with Big Show, noting how ridiculously lopsided it is.

They recapped the end of the Battle Royale from earlier today.  ECW General Manager Armando Estrada was introduced to the crowd, and handled ring introductions for the ECW Title match.

ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero vs. Kane.

Kane entered through the crowd and was standing behind Chavo as his music played.  Chavo turned around and saw Kane standing there.  The bell rang.  Kane hit a chokeslam and pinned Chavo.  The bell rang again. 

Winner and New ECW Champion: Kane.

They showed the Wrestlemania commercial with Carlito, Maria and the seagull.  I guess we needed to be reminded what show we paid $55 to see tonight.

Raven Symone was introduced to the crowd.  She told the crowd that WWE has been granting wishes with the "Make-A-Wish Foundation" for 20 years, and today they granted their biggest wish ever, bringing in 50 Make-A-Wish Kids from 50 States.  They showed the kids, who were seated in a section called "The Circle Of Champions" and the crowd gave them a round of applause.

They showed a video package on the events leading to Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels.

Mike Adamle interviewed Ric Flair backstage.  He asked Flair what his gameplan is for tonight.  Flair simple responded, "My gameplan?  To be the Man. Whoo!"

Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels.  If Ric Flair loses, he must retire.

Shawn Michaels came out first, to a mixed reaction, although he had his supporters.  There was a long pause before Ric Flair's music hit.  Flair strutted out with a huge blue and silver robe.  Fireworks went off in the air for his entrance.  It was spectacular.  Charles Robinson is the referee, Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler are the announcers.

They reached to lock up, the Flair combed his hair back and let out a "Whoo"!  They locked up, then Flair shoved Michaels into the ropes and Michaels hit a shoulderblock.  Flair grabbed a headlock and switched into a hammerlock.  They traded reversals, then went into some mat wrestling.  Michaels elbowed out of a hammerlock, and Flair hit a hiptoss.  Flair strutted and let out a "Whoo!"  They stared each other down, then locked up again.  They went into a corner and Michels shoved Flair.  Flair shoved back and said "Old Yeller, huh?"  Michaels slapped Flair.  Flair had some blood come from his mouth.  Michaels said "You can leave now".  Flair said "First blood, brother".  They traded punches and chops in a corner, then Michaels went for a backdrop, but Flair kicked it away.  Flair hit a backdrop and delivered a kneedrop to Michaels' head.  Michaels came back with a back elbow as Flair charged in at him.

Michaels went to the top rope, but Flair slammed Michaels off the top rope.  There's a switch.  Flair went to the top rope, and Michaels went to slam him off, but Flair punched him away.  Flair hit a top rope bodypress for a two count.  Michaels grabbed a headlock, but Flair hit a shinbuster.  Flair went for a figure four, but Michaels kicked him away.  Flair fell through the ropes and to the floor.  Michaels hit a baseball slide kick.  Michaels went for an Asai moonsault, but Flair moved and Michaels crashed through the Raw announce table at ringside.

Michaels managed to crawl back into the ring, and Flair whipped him into a corner.  Flair whipped him into the opposite corner, then hit a back suplex.  Michaels kicked out at two.  Flair punched Michaels in his ribs, which Michaels was now favoring.  Flair hit a double underhook suplex for a two count.  Flair stomped the ribs.  Flair hit a few chops, and Michaels tried to punch back, but Flair hit a delayed vertical suplex, to a pop, for a two count.  Flair tried for another two count.  They traded punches and chops, and Michaels started to get the better of it.  Flair shoved Michaels into the ropes and went for a backdrop, but Michaels hit a neckbreaker.  Michaels backdropped Flair over the top rope and to the floor.  Michaels went to the top rope and barely moonsaulted a standing Flair on the floor.  Flair and Michaels crawled back into the ring at a nine count.

They traded chops, as JR noted that if Michaels had hit the bullseye with the moonsault, Flair wouldn't have been able to get back in the ring.  Michaels hit a flying forearm and kipped up.  Michaels hit a reverse atomic drop, then a second.  Flair did a reverse Flair flop.  Michaels slammed Flair, then went to the top rope and hit a flying elbowdrop.  Michaels set up for a superkick, stomping in the corner.  Michaels went for it, then stopped short and just stared at Flair.  Flair grabbed Michaels by the leg, tripped him to the mat and applied a figure four leglock.  Michaels struggled in the hold, then managed to reverse it.  Both men got to their feet, and Michaels chopped Flair.  They went to the mat, and Michaels tried for a bridge, but couldn't get it.  Flair backdropped Michaels, but Michaels turned it into a sunset flip for a two count.

Michaels chopped Flair, but Flair reversed a whip and sent Michaels into the corner.  Flair then hit a chopblock to the back of the leg.  Flair went for the figure four again, but Michaels grabbed a small package for a two count.  Michaels went for an enzugiri, but Flair ducked it and applied the figure four leglock.  Michaels tried to inch towards the ropes, but Flair inched them back into the center of the ring.  Michaels rolled the figure four, but Flair rolled it back.  Michaels finally made the ropes to break the hold.  Flair stomped Michaels' leg near the ropes.  Flair let out a "Whoo!", then walked into a superkick by Michaels.  Michaels crawled onto Flair, but Flair got a shoulder up at the two count, to a pop.

Michaels struggled to his feet, and measured for one more superkick.  Flair wasn't getting up off the mat.  Michaels screamed for him to get up, then prepared for the kick again, stomping in the corner.  Flair wasn't getting up.  Michaels went to pull Flair up off the mat, and Flair hit a low blow mule kick, out of view of the referee.  The crowd popped for it.  Flair covered Michaels for a two count.  Flair went to grab Michaels, but Michaels tripped Flair and applied his inverted figure four.  Flair screamed in pain, struggled and made the ropes.  Michaels pulled Flair back toward the center of the ring, and a turnbuckle cover came off in Flair's hand.  As the referee took the cover away, Flair poked Michaels in the eyes.  Flair rolled up Michaels with a handful of tights for a two count.

Flair and Michaels exchanged chops, with Flair getting the better of it.  Flair hit several shots, then Michels snapped off a superkick, decking Flair.  Michaels lined up for another superkick, and looked like he was going to cry.  Flair got to his feet, and gestured for Michaels to bring it on.  Michaels said "I'm sorry, I love you." and nailed Flair with a superkick for the pin at the twenty one minute mark.

Winner: Shawn Michaels.

Michaels rolled out of the ring and headed up the aisle.  Flair got to his knees in the ring, crying.  Michaels' music stopped.  Flair got to his feet, and the Citrus Bowl gave him a huge ovation.  Flair went to ringside and kissed members of his family.  He walked up the aisle, and the place kept exploding into ovation after ovation. Flair turned at one point and said "I love you" to the crowd. Flair stopped at the stage, turned and gave a final wave, tears coming from his eyes, and walked off.  Ric Flair's career has ended.

Backstage, Edge cut a promo about being a kid that went to Wrestlemania to see his hero, Hulk Hogan, and had his dream crushed when Hulk Hogan lost.  Edge said tonight, he would crush the dreams of those that believe in the Undertaker by ending his streak. 

They set off a ton of pyro to kick off the "second half" of Wrestlemania. 

Playboy Bunnymania Lumberjack Match: Maria & Ashley vs. Beth Phoenix & Melina. 

The other Divas, dressed in street clothes, came out on the stage.  Snoop Dogg came out and drove a pimped out golf cart to the ring with the Divas following him on foot (or, in Cherry's case, on skates). Wow, you'd be surprised how many Divas can't dance.  I mean, Victoria is supposed to be awkward, what is up with the others?  Snoop got on the mic and lead the crowd in some "Whoo's" in honor of Ric Flair. Maria and Ashley were introduced first.  Maria looks like she belongs in a Sci-Fi movie with funky hair, makeup and outfit.  They grinded up against Snoop after entering the ring.  Santino Marella led in Maria and Beth Phoenix.  Maria had giant fans, like a old-style fan dancer.  There were giant inflatable Playboy Bunny logos on the stage. Ashley started off with Phoenix, then tagged in Maria for a double hiptoss.  Melina tagged in and Maria tossed her to the floor.  Melina was shoved back in and Maria hit a reverse splash in the corner.  Maria gave Melina a Bronco Buster.  Maria pulled Melina out of the corner for a two count.  Ashley tagged in and did a headscissors and a clothesline.  Ashley, very slowly, set up and hit a facebuster.  Melina shoved Ashley into a punch by Phoenix.  Ashley was thrown to the floor and the heel Divas beat her up and tossed her in.  Phoenix tagged in and Melina catapulted Ashley into a bearhug by Phoenix.  Melina tagged back in and Phoenix tossed Melina into a moonsault onto Ashley.  Maria broke up the pin.  Maria got a tag as Beth Phoenix tagged in.  The lights went out in the stadium.  Unfortunately, they didn't stay off.  They got spotlights on the ring, and Maria was going at it with Phoenix.  Maria hit Phoenix with a bulldog.  There was a brawl at ringside, and Maria was left along with Phoenix in the ring.  Maria had a cover, but Santino reached in to break it up.  Jerry Lawler went over and decked Santino with a right hand.  In the ring, Phoenix hit Maria with a fisherman's buster to get the pin at the five minute mark. 

Winners: Beth Phoenix & Melina.

Post-match, Santino stood over Maria, but Snoop came in and nailed Santino with a clothesline.  Snoop then started making out with Maria in the ring, to the dismay of Santino. 

A video package on the WWE Title match was shown. 

They appear to still be having some lighting issues, but the ring and entranceway is lit.   

WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena.

A marching band played John Cena's music as he came to the ring first.  It was revealed that Cena won a WWE poll to predict the winner of this match.  Cena got 52%, Triple H got 40% and Randy Orton got 8%.  Cena was getting a mixed reaction.  Triple H had a more traditional entrance, as did Orton. 

Orton grabbed the belt at the bell and hit Triple H with it, since it is a no DQ match.  Orton and Cena then went at it briefly, but Triple H got back in as Cena was tossed out. Triple H took Orton to the floor and bounced his head off an announce table.  Triple H applied a sleeper on Orton.  Cena came in and lifted both men for an FU, but Triple H slid off and hit Cena in the gut with a kick.  Orton gave Triple H a side backbreaker.  Orton went back and forth, stomping both opponents.  Orton hit Cena with a kneedrop for a two count, then gave Triple H a kneedrop for a two count.  Orton went to the top rope, but Cena met him there and went for a superplex.  Triple H pulled Cena off the ropes onto his shoulders and Orton gave Cena a flying bodypress.  Cena rolled through the bodypress, and put Orton in FU position.  Orton floated out of it and into a sunset flip for two.  Triple H nailed Cena with a clothesline, then Orton nailed Triple H with a clothesline. 

Orton set up Triple H and Cena and hit a double DDT.  Orton covered Cena for a two count, then covered Triple H for a two count.  Looks like some of the lights are coming back on now.  Orton measured both men for RKO's.  Orton went for it on Cena, but Cena shoved Orton off, and Orton landed on Triple H.  Cena gave Orton the Throwback, then hit a top rope Rocker Dropper on him.  Cena went to put Orton in the STFU, but Orton crawled out of the ring.  Cena chased Orton around the ring, and Orton suckered Cena into a shove into the ringpost.  Orton got back into the ring, and Triple H ambushed him.  Triple H put Orton's leg across the middle rope and drove his knee into it.  Triple H yanked on Orton's leg.  Cena dove in, but Triple H dodged him.  Orton hit Triple H with an RKO, and Triple H rolled to the floor.  Cena grabbed an STFU on Orton.  Orton struggled towards the ropes and Triple H pulled Cena to the floor and threw him into the ringsteps. 

Triple H got into the ring and put Orton in an Indian Deathlock.  Cena came in and hit Triple H to break up the hold.  Cena whipped Triple H across the ring and Triple H floated over the top rope and to the floor.  Cena put Orton in an STFU, but Triple H got in and kicked Cena.  Cena wouldn't break the hold, so Triple H had to pry his arms off.  Triple H put Cena in a Crippler Crossface.  Cena struggled to the ropes, finally making the bottom rope to force a break.  Cena and Triple H got up and exchanged punches.  Fans were solidly behind Triple H.  Cena hit a shoulderblock and a clothesline, then a back suplex into a powerbomb.  Cena did the "You Can't See Me" and hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle fistdrop.  Cena went for the FU, but Triple H floated out and set up for a Pedigree.  Cena tripped and went for an STFU, but Triple H rolled over and kicked Cena away. 

Triple H hit a facebuster on the knee, a clothesline, and a spinebuster.  Triple H hit Orton in the leg with a chopblock as he got on the apron.  Triple H turned back to Cena, and Cena lifted him for an FU. Triple H blocked it and hit Cena with a Pedigree.  Orton ran in and kicked Triple H in the head, then covered Cena for the pin at the fourteen minute mark. 

Winner: Randy Orton. 

A commercial for Backlash aired. 

Big Show was shown in the back getting ready for his match.  A video package on Show vs. Floyd Mayweather was shown. 

Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather. Anything Goes, match can end via pinfall, submission or knockout.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler are calling this one.  Big Show came out alone, in his usual wrestling attire.  Floyd came out with his posse.  He was wearing fingerless gloves, but with more padding than UFC gloves.  Fireworks went off for his entrance, and fake (at least, I assume fake) money shot out from the stage.  Floyd had long, fur and leather pants on, and sneakers.  

At the bell, Floyd circled the ring and dodged Big Show as he came towards him.  Floyd hit a series of shots to Show's midsection while Show swung in the air two feet above Mayweather's head.  Floyd hit a jab to Show's head.  They repeated the sequence, with Show moving in and Floyd hitting some jabs to the face before Show backed up.  Floyd had one of his second's get on the apron and give him a large goblet to drink from.  Big Show knocked him off the apron, then grabbed the second, yanked him in the ring, and blasted him with a chop to the chest.  

Floyd went for a punch, Show caught it, put Floyd's hand on the mat and went to stomp it, but Mayweather pulled his hand away.  Show grabbed Floyd by the throat and lifted him up, but Mayweather hit him with a punch or two, then jumped on his back and tried to choke him down.  Show teased snap maring him over the top rope, but didn't.  Mayweather kept his choke on, and the fans booed as Show predictably went down on one knee.  Show got back to his feet and broke free.  Show put Floyd on the mat and stomped on the forearm of Mayweather.  Floyd sold it like he had his arm broken.  Floyd's posse protested what Show was doing.  

Show put Floyd in a corner and chopped him hard on the chest.  The crowd chanted "One More Time".  Show stood on Floyd's back.  Floyd tried kicking Show in the gut.  Show gave Mayweather a side slam, and the crowd popped.  Show legdropped Floyd's arm, then stood on his stomach.  Floyd tried to battle back with punches to the gut, but Show headbutted him down.  Show hit an elbowdrop.  Show called for one more, and the crowd was behind him.  Floyd's seconds pulled him out of the ring before Show could hit the move.  Floyd's posse took Mayweather up the aisle, but Show gave chase and started knocking everyone down.  Show grabbed Floyd and dragged him back to the ring by his throat.  Show hit a knee to the gut and threw Floyd back into the ring.

One of Mayweather's handlers came into the ring and Show decked him.  Show lifted Mayweather for a chokeslam, but another handler came in and hit Show with a chair.  Show no sold it, and gave the handler a chokeslam.  Mayweather picked up the chair and hit Show a few times with it.  Show got back up and grabbed Mayweather by the throat.  Mayweather hit a few more chairshots.  Mayweather went to one of his downed handlers and pulled a set of brass knucks from a chain around his neck.  Mayweather nailed Show with the brass knucks.  Show started to get up on the bottom rope a bit, but was unable to get up for the 10 count, ending the match at the twelve minute mark. The crowd groaned.

Winner via knockout: Floyd Mayweather.

Kim Kardashian announced that 74,635 fans were in attendance tonight, a Citrus Bowl record.

The excellent Undertaker-Edge video package from Smackdown was shown.

World Champion Edge vs. The Undertaker.

This will shock you.  Undertaker had an awesome entrance. Edge also had a big entrance, and came out alone.  Edge then waved out Vickie Guerrero, who was wheeled out by Theodore R. Long.  Edge kissed her, then Teddy wheeled her to the back while Edge walked down the aisle alone.  As Edge got halfway down the aisle, he stopped and there was a huge fireworks display. 

They faced off at the bell, and Undertaker made a throat-slashing gesture.  Edge went right at him with punches, but Taker reversed a whip into the corner and hit a clothesline.  Taker clotheslined Edge over the top rope and to the floor. Undertaker chased him back into the ring, and Edge tried to stop him on the apron, but Taker yanked him throat first across the top rope.  Back in the ring, Undertaker hit a clothesline for a two count.  Taker hit a short-arm shoulderblock, then went to the top rope for the Old School ropewalk.  Edge yanked Taker down, but Taker held on and armdragged Edge.  Taker hit a headbutt in the corner and choked Edge.  Undertaker hit a jumping knee in the corner, but his momentum took him over the top rope and he fell to the floor.

Taker got on the ring apron, and Edge hit a shoulderblock that sent Taker off the apron and into the security wall.    Edge hit Taker with a baseball slide kick, then went after him and rammed him back first into the ring apron.  Edge took Undertaker up on the apron, then gave him a neckbreaker across the top rope.  Taker fell back to the floor and Edge posed in the ring.  Edge hit a headbutt to the back, then a series of shots in the corner before hitting a shoulderblock to the ribs.  Edge dropped a pair of elbows to the gut, then kicked Taker repeatedly.  Taker fire back with a punch and headbutt, then lifted Edge for a slam, but his back gave out and Edge fell on top for a two count.

Edge hit some punches and a standing dropkick.  Edge went to the top rope, but Undertaker shoved him off and sent Edge falling down hard to the floor.  Undertaker hit the ropes and launched over the top rope into a tope, blasting Edge on the floor.  Undertaker put Edge in the ring, he head hanging off the ring apron, and kicked him in the head. Undertaker dropped a legdrop across Edge's chest on the apron, then pulled him into the ring for a two count.  Undertaker set up for a Last Ride powerbomb, but his back gave on him and he couldn't lift Edge.  Edge hit a kick to the head for a two count.  Edge took Undertaker to the floor, then dropped him back first across the security wall.  Undertaker landed in the front row. 

Edge rolled Undertaker into the ring for a two count.  Edge pounded Taker's back and applied a single leg crab.  Edge drove his knee into Undertaker's back.  Undertaker managed to turn the hold and roll up Edge for a two count, but Edge got back on top and tied up his legs, but Taker managed to kick him away.  Edge hit some shots to the back, but Taker returned fire with punches.  They traded shots, with the crowd cheering Taker's punches and booing Edge's.  They went back and forth, with Taker finally getting the better of it.  Taker hit two avalanches in the corner, then hit Snake-Eyes.  Undertaker set up for the running boot to the face, but Edge countered with a dropkick. 

Edge went to the second rope, but jumped into an Undertaker choke.  Edge kicked Taker to escape it.  Edge went for a clothesline, Undertaker ducked and grabbed the chokeslam again, but Edge countered it mid-move and hit an Implant DDT for a two count.  Edge went for a spear, but Undertaker blocked it with a knee to the head.  Undertaker hit a chokeslam for a two count. Undertaker went for the Old School ropewalk, but Edge crotched Taker in the corner.  Edge delivered a superplex and crawled onto Undertaker for a two count.  Edge pounded Undertaker in a corner, but Taker pulled Edge out in position for the Last Ride powerbomb.  Edge floated out of it and hit a neckbreaker for a two count.

Edge went for a backdrop, but Undertaker kicked it away.  Undertaker picked up Edge and hit the Last Ride powerbomb.  Undertaker covered Edge, but Edge kicked out at two.  Undertaker called for the Tombstone.  Undertaker lifted Edge, but Edge floated over and hit a reverse facebuster, driving Taker down on the back of his head, for a two count. Edge went for a whip, but Undertaker reversed it and hit a kick.  Undertaker went for Old School again, this time hitting the top rope forearm to the back of the head.  Undertaker went for a running kick, but Edge moved and Taker kicked the referee, knocking him down.  Edge gave Undertaker a reverse DDT, then punched him on the mat.  Edge yelled "It ends, Deadman".  Undertaker reached up from the mat and grabbed Edge by the throat.  Edge kicked Undertaker between the legs to block it. 

Edge went to ringside and grabbed a television camera,  Edge got in the ring and blasted Undertaker with it. Edge went to revive the referee, who rolled off the apron and to the floor.  Undertaker sat up in the ring.  Edge called for a tombstone and picked up the Undertaker, but Undertaker reversed it and nailed Edge with the tombstone piledriver.  Referee Charles Robinson, who had a long way to run, came down the aisle and into the ring.  Edge kicked out at the two count.  Undertaker looked stunned.  Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins ran down.  Taker met them at the apron and knocked one off, then chokeslammed the other one on top of him at ringside.  Edge hit Undertaker with a spear, but Taker kicked out at two.  Edge went for another spear, but Undertaker caught him in the gogoplata (or, as I call it, the Bloody Shin Choke or, if you're Michael Cole "That submission maneuver").  Edge struggled, then tapped out at the twenty five minute mark.

Winner and new World Champion: The Undertaker.

Undertaker posed with the belt in the ring and a huge fireworks display went off to end the show.