WWE WRESTLEMANIA 23 4/1/07 Coverage
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Wrestlemania!!! This will be typed up live and posted after I get home since there are no wireless connections near me. This will also be slightly different coverage since I want to watch some matches instead of looking at a computer screen.
Awesome video package and they have Aretha Franklin sing “America the Beautiful”. They do wide shots of the stage and it is huge! Speaking of huge, Aretha Franklin got up from the piano and she is about half the size of the ramp...April Fools! The full “All Grown Up” video comes on after.
Money in the Bank starts us out. We get shortened entrances for all men involved and the video wall at the top of the ranp rocks! Finlay went up to the top turnbuckle and splashed onto everybody but Edge on the outside. We get some nice weapon shots with ladders and all 3 announce teams are talking in this match. Edge just suplexed Matt Hardy onto some ladders and it made an interesting sound. Kennedy tries a Kenton Bomb on Matt on a ladder but Matt moves and Jeff hits a Swanton on Kennedy. Edge has now speared everybody. Orton stops Edge from grabbing the briefcase. Jeff has a shot at getting the briefcase but he flies off to hit Edge on another ladder (which breaks it in half) to ear the “Holy Crap!” of the match. Orton RKOs Punk from the top of the ladder then tries the same to Booker but he gets a Bookend from the top of the ladder. Sharmell comes in to help Booker by holding Matt’s leg but he grabs her and makes Booker come down to keep him from putting Twist of Fate on her. Finlay hits the Celtic Cross on Matt onto a ladder. Hornswaggle and Kennedy are now on the ladders. Kennedy gets a Celtic Cross from the ladder on him then Finlay throws a ladder at him. CM punk dropkicks the ladder Finlay is on, climbs up the ladder but Kennedy comes up but Punk knocks him down. Kennedy hits Punk off then grabs then briefcase. Awesome opener with more great spots than I could get in here.
Video package of Austin’s film.
Backstage with Kennedy. He says all the champs should watch their back.
Kane Khali is now up. Lawler talks about being in the ring with both Andre and Khali. Kane gets an awesome flaming entrances which will probably be the only great thing in this match. I can’t help but think of the “rant” Alan did on the WM podcast for this match and cringe. Kane comes off the top with his clothesline but can’t get him down so he big boots him and Khali gets tangled in the ropes. Kane goes out to grab his hook but Khali is helped out of the ropes and stops him. Kane gets the WM3 homage bodyslam and gets 2. Khali hits his double handed chokeslam and gets the one footed pin. Postmatch beatdown is Khali choking Kane with the chain on his hook.
Backstage with Eugene and Cryme Time. Highly entertaining segment with a lot of WWE Legends showing up and Simmons gets his word in.
Benoit and MVP for the US Title is up. MVP is impressing me with some nice chain wrestling and good counters. Benoit gets the 3 Germans on MVP but MVP catches him on the top, goes for a suplerplex but Benoit uses the momentum on the mat for a nearfall. Benoit hits 2 more Germans, MVP floats over but Benoit reverses and gets 3 more in and hits the Diving Headbutt for the pin. Better match than I expected.
Backstage with Trump. Boogeyman shows up and the lady that’s with Trump runs off but Trump is unphased. He tells Boogeyman to get him a sandwich.
Video package of the 2007 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
80,103 is the new Ford Field attendance record. Lillian introduces The Fink to announce this years inductees.
World Heavyweight Championship is up next. All of us watching agree that it’s odd to have this match at 7:20pm Central time. Druids come out from the sides of the entrance ramp for Undertaker’s usual awesome Mania entrance. Batista comes off the top with a big shoulder block for a nearfall. Big legdrop from Taker gets 2 then goes Old School. Another legdrop on the ring apron to Batista followed by an awesome suicide dive. Batista just powerslammed Undertaker into an announce table! Undertaker fights back and hits the Last Ride for 2. Batista hits his Powerbomb for a nearfall, waits too long for a 2nd and Undertaker capitalizes and hits the Tombstone to become 5-Time World Heavyweight Champion and remain 15-0 at Wrestlemania. It may have been odd but it worked.
Backstage with Vince and Stephanie. Stephanie has a baby carriage with her and they cut to a camera in the carriage as Vince cuts a promo on Trump. He sniffs and says “She just took a Trump!”
Originals vs. New Breed is up now. Sandman actually hit a nice springboard legdrop on Striker. Nice combination move from Dreamer on Burke and Corvon. Finish is RVD hitting the 5 Star Frog Splash on Stryker.
Battle of the Billionaires is up now. The barber chair and accessories come down the ramp to their own entrance music. Only Vince McMahon could do that. Austin exerting his authority early. Lashley takes his frustration out on Estrada then moves out of the way of Umaga who flies out of the ring. Umaga now returns the favor. Lashley tries to fight back but Umaga hits a Samoan Drop. Vince gets on the apron to distract Austin but Lashley knocks Vince off. Austin got to a count of 9 but he stops and says no count outs. Shane is now at ringside. He distracts Austin which allows Umaga to get the Samoan Spike on Austin. Shane and Umaga are now double teaming Lashley. Vince throws a trash can in and Shane goes for his WM 17 spot. Shane takes his dress shirt off and reveals a referee shirt. Shane goes for a pin but Austin pulls him out, goes back in and gets another Spike. Trump goes after Vince while Umaga tries for another Spike on Austin but he blocks it and gets a Stunner which allows Lashley to Spear Umaga for the pin. Vince tries to run but Austin catches him. Shane comes in to try and buy time for Vince to sneak off but Lashley catches him and carries him back. Vince backs into Austin in the ring, gets a Stunner and they strap him in. Vince is crying as Lashley and Trump shave him. They now put shaving cream on his head and shave him completely bald. Lashley puts a mirror up for Vince to see and he falls over in the chair then out of the ring. Austin then gives Trump a Stunner and leaves.
We see a video for some dark match that Flair and Carlito were in.
Women’s Championship is up now. Melina has definitely one upped Ashley by having a hotter outfit. Finish is Melina winning with a bridge. Post match is all the Diva’s going at it with the Face Diva’s standing tall in the ring.
WWE Championship is up now. HBK in firm control so far. HBK hip tosses Cena to the outside then springboard moonsaults onto Cena on an announce table. HBK now focusing on Cena’s knee. HBK goes for SCM but Cena ducks and hits the ref. Cena tries for the FU but HBK counters with a DDT. HBK takes Cena to the outside and piledrives Cena into the ringsteps! Another ref comes down and HBK gets 2. HBK sets up for SCM again but Cena explodes with a clothesline. Another attempt at an FU but HBK rolls him up for 2. Cena finally hits the FU but takes too much time getting over to him and gets 2. Cena tries for an FU on the top but HBK fights back, does a crossbody block, Cena catches him and they roll around for a bit with HBK getting a nearfall. Cena now has the STFU on but HBK gets to the ropes. Cena argues with the ref which allows HBK to hit SCM but he also takes too long and gets 2. Cena gets the STFU in again and gets the submission. Cena catches up with HBK on the ramp but HBK keeps walking. We end the show with the usual recap video. The funny thing here is that they put the recap of the World Title match right before the WWE Title match.
I am working 5pm to 10pm tonight but I will record RAW so I can cover it the same way Tuesday.
Awesome video package and they have Aretha Franklin sing “America the Beautiful”. They do wide shots of the stage and it is huge! Speaking of huge, Aretha Franklin got up from the piano and she is about half the size of the ramp...April Fools! The full “All Grown Up” video comes on after.
Money in the Bank starts us out. We get shortened entrances for all men involved and the video wall at the top of the ranp rocks! Finlay went up to the top turnbuckle and splashed onto everybody but Edge on the outside. We get some nice weapon shots with ladders and all 3 announce teams are talking in this match. Edge just suplexed Matt Hardy onto some ladders and it made an interesting sound. Kennedy tries a Kenton Bomb on Matt on a ladder but Matt moves and Jeff hits a Swanton on Kennedy. Edge has now speared everybody. Orton stops Edge from grabbing the briefcase. Jeff has a shot at getting the briefcase but he flies off to hit Edge on another ladder (which breaks it in half) to ear the “Holy Crap!” of the match. Orton RKOs Punk from the top of the ladder then tries the same to Booker but he gets a Bookend from the top of the ladder. Sharmell comes in to help Booker by holding Matt’s leg but he grabs her and makes Booker come down to keep him from putting Twist of Fate on her. Finlay hits the Celtic Cross on Matt onto a ladder. Hornswaggle and Kennedy are now on the ladders. Kennedy gets a Celtic Cross from the ladder on him then Finlay throws a ladder at him. CM punk dropkicks the ladder Finlay is on, climbs up the ladder but Kennedy comes up but Punk knocks him down. Kennedy hits Punk off then grabs then briefcase. Awesome opener with more great spots than I could get in here.
Video package of Austin’s film.
Backstage with Kennedy. He says all the champs should watch their back.
Kane Khali is now up. Lawler talks about being in the ring with both Andre and Khali. Kane gets an awesome flaming entrances which will probably be the only great thing in this match. I can’t help but think of the “rant” Alan did on the WM podcast for this match and cringe. Kane comes off the top with his clothesline but can’t get him down so he big boots him and Khali gets tangled in the ropes. Kane goes out to grab his hook but Khali is helped out of the ropes and stops him. Kane gets the WM3 homage bodyslam and gets 2. Khali hits his double handed chokeslam and gets the one footed pin. Postmatch beatdown is Khali choking Kane with the chain on his hook.
Backstage with Eugene and Cryme Time. Highly entertaining segment with a lot of WWE Legends showing up and Simmons gets his word in.
Benoit and MVP for the US Title is up. MVP is impressing me with some nice chain wrestling and good counters. Benoit gets the 3 Germans on MVP but MVP catches him on the top, goes for a suplerplex but Benoit uses the momentum on the mat for a nearfall. Benoit hits 2 more Germans, MVP floats over but Benoit reverses and gets 3 more in and hits the Diving Headbutt for the pin. Better match than I expected.
Backstage with Trump. Boogeyman shows up and the lady that’s with Trump runs off but Trump is unphased. He tells Boogeyman to get him a sandwich.
Video package of the 2007 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
80,103 is the new Ford Field attendance record. Lillian introduces The Fink to announce this years inductees.
World Heavyweight Championship is up next. All of us watching agree that it’s odd to have this match at 7:20pm Central time. Druids come out from the sides of the entrance ramp for Undertaker’s usual awesome Mania entrance. Batista comes off the top with a big shoulder block for a nearfall. Big legdrop from Taker gets 2 then goes Old School. Another legdrop on the ring apron to Batista followed by an awesome suicide dive. Batista just powerslammed Undertaker into an announce table! Undertaker fights back and hits the Last Ride for 2. Batista hits his Powerbomb for a nearfall, waits too long for a 2nd and Undertaker capitalizes and hits the Tombstone to become 5-Time World Heavyweight Champion and remain 15-0 at Wrestlemania. It may have been odd but it worked.
Backstage with Vince and Stephanie. Stephanie has a baby carriage with her and they cut to a camera in the carriage as Vince cuts a promo on Trump. He sniffs and says “She just took a Trump!”
Originals vs. New Breed is up now. Sandman actually hit a nice springboard legdrop on Striker. Nice combination move from Dreamer on Burke and Corvon. Finish is RVD hitting the 5 Star Frog Splash on Stryker.
Battle of the Billionaires is up now. The barber chair and accessories come down the ramp to their own entrance music. Only Vince McMahon could do that. Austin exerting his authority early. Lashley takes his frustration out on Estrada then moves out of the way of Umaga who flies out of the ring. Umaga now returns the favor. Lashley tries to fight back but Umaga hits a Samoan Drop. Vince gets on the apron to distract Austin but Lashley knocks Vince off. Austin got to a count of 9 but he stops and says no count outs. Shane is now at ringside. He distracts Austin which allows Umaga to get the Samoan Spike on Austin. Shane and Umaga are now double teaming Lashley. Vince throws a trash can in and Shane goes for his WM 17 spot. Shane takes his dress shirt off and reveals a referee shirt. Shane goes for a pin but Austin pulls him out, goes back in and gets another Spike. Trump goes after Vince while Umaga tries for another Spike on Austin but he blocks it and gets a Stunner which allows Lashley to Spear Umaga for the pin. Vince tries to run but Austin catches him. Shane comes in to try and buy time for Vince to sneak off but Lashley catches him and carries him back. Vince backs into Austin in the ring, gets a Stunner and they strap him in. Vince is crying as Lashley and Trump shave him. They now put shaving cream on his head and shave him completely bald. Lashley puts a mirror up for Vince to see and he falls over in the chair then out of the ring. Austin then gives Trump a Stunner and leaves.
We see a video for some dark match that Flair and Carlito were in.
Women’s Championship is up now. Melina has definitely one upped Ashley by having a hotter outfit. Finish is Melina winning with a bridge. Post match is all the Diva’s going at it with the Face Diva’s standing tall in the ring.
WWE Championship is up now. HBK in firm control so far. HBK hip tosses Cena to the outside then springboard moonsaults onto Cena on an announce table. HBK now focusing on Cena’s knee. HBK goes for SCM but Cena ducks and hits the ref. Cena tries for the FU but HBK counters with a DDT. HBK takes Cena to the outside and piledrives Cena into the ringsteps! Another ref comes down and HBK gets 2. HBK sets up for SCM again but Cena explodes with a clothesline. Another attempt at an FU but HBK rolls him up for 2. Cena finally hits the FU but takes too much time getting over to him and gets 2. Cena tries for an FU on the top but HBK fights back, does a crossbody block, Cena catches him and they roll around for a bit with HBK getting a nearfall. Cena now has the STFU on but HBK gets to the ropes. Cena argues with the ref which allows HBK to hit SCM but he also takes too long and gets 2. Cena gets the STFU in again and gets the submission. Cena catches up with HBK on the ramp but HBK keeps walking. We end the show with the usual recap video. The funny thing here is that they put the recap of the World Title match right before the WWE Title match.
I am working 5pm to 10pm tonight but I will record RAW so I can cover it the same way Tuesday.
Labels: Old Country Give and taker, Pay Per View Coverage, Wrestlemania 23, WWE
posted by Wade Wallenstein at 4/02/2007 07:06:00 AM
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