My impressions, match by match...
Eddie vs. Rey -- Eddie is actually a good opponent for Rey. Some people don't realize Eddie can be just as agile as Rey for his size. The better athlete Rey's with, the more unorthodox he can get. I was happy with the outcome, but surprised it didn't end with Eddie's heel turn. I guess they want to build that slower.
Ladder Match -- Some great moments here. Shelton really shined with his T-bone of Edge off the ladder and then using it as a ramp to clothesline Jericho. Benoit's headbutt was the "holy shit" moment of the night. I'm surprised Edge won. Not because of what's gone on inside the ring lately, but outside of it. Word is management is VERY unhappy with the whole Edge/Lita/Matt Hardy triangle. Edge was the one guy I DIDN'T think would win because of the backstage stuff. Kind of a weak ending with the chair to the back being all he needed to get the briefcase uncontested, but otherwise a decent match.
Taker vs. Orton -- They should have let Orton come in first. Let the bigger entrance be last. This match COULD have been so much better. Orton didn't sell half the moves properly, and not just the big stuff. He couldn't even take an Irish whip properly tonight. I think he was still hung over from partying after daddy's induction ceremony last night. Still, the reversal of the chokeslam into the RKO was memorable, as was his attempted tombstone before Taker pulled a reversal of his own. The undefeated streak is intact.
HBK vs. Angle -- I was surprised by the outcome, but not disappointed. This match had a VERY slow buildup, and it was disappointing the table didn't break for them, but once they got going it lived up to the hype. HBK took a long ass time to tap out, which is true to his character whether we like it or not. I'm glad Angle just walked out when it was over and didn't try to decimate HBK further. I called the reversal of sweet chin music into the ankle lock and my friends wondered if I read the script or something since I called Hogan's earlier appearance too.
Trish vs. Christy -- I was surprised Trish retained. I was afraid they would try to legitimize the Diva Search travesty by putting Hemme over. Thankfully they didn't. The math was mercifully quick with no interference from that slut Lita.
Sumo Match -- Big fat waste of time. They spent about ten minutes with pomp and circumstance, then about ten seconds wrestling. It was funny to see the contrast of Akebono's flab jiggling to Show's solid frame.
Cena vs. JBL -- Similar to when Cena dropped the US title to Orlando Jordan, you got the feeling JBL was saying goodbye to the belt before the match. I was pleasantly surprised with JBL's performance in this match considering most of the time he displays minimal talent in my eyes. He wasn't a lumbering oaf tonight and that's the best compliment I can give him. The offense was pretty even, legitimizing JBL's run and Cena's right to challenge. Cena's celebration might have been muted, but it was still pure Cena going into the crowd with the belt.
Batista vs. HHH -- LOVED Hunter's entrance. I'm sorry Nowhereman couldn't hear the music well. I was at a bar watching this on the big screen and the speakers actually picked up the live band quite well. Again though, Batista should have come out first. A good match with the champion proving his mettle early, then the turning point on the steel steps giving the Animal a victory. The only question is how long until he drops the belt right back to Trips?
Other -- Piper's Pit was hilarious. Loved how he pretended to get sloshed. Carlito didn't sell the stunner very well, but Roddy did even worse. The Hall of Fame stuff was overblown. They took their bows last night. This is a long show even without that, so just get to the matches. I called Hogan taking down Hassan, just didn't know Eugene would be there or that it wouldn't be an official match. I agree Eugene should have posed with Hogan, at least briefly, but I guess Hulkster's ego is too big for that.
I've never watched a Wrestlemania, and while the show wasn't perfect, I walked away happy and will watch the next one should the opportunity present itself. Sorry for the long post.
