Wrestlemania 23: Live Coverage
This post is in reverse chronological order with the main event listed first continuing backwards:
WWE Champion John Cena def. Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels is entering first for the final match of the night and he is all blinged out. John Cena arrives to the arena in a black Ford Mustang crashing through a glass Wrestlemania 23 logo as his theme hits. Cena looks absolutely pumped up as he enters the ring.
The bell has rung and we are ready for the final match of the night for the WWE championship. They are staring each other down as Michaels sits perched on the ring post. They meet at the center of the ring and Michaels delivers a slap to get the action going. Looks like they’re getting down to action finally. HBK with a side headlock.
Cena misses some shots and Michaels counters with some punches sending Cena into the ropes. Michaels still in control putting Cena to the mat with a headlock getting a 1 count in the process as Michaels continues running the match. A few more 1 counts here and there but Cena counters and delivers a big clothesline.
Michaels gets control again and unleashes some punches but Cena escapes and puts him over the ropes. HBK pulls Cena over and outside the ring. Michaels flips off the ropes and onto Cena and the announcer’s table. Michaels controlling again as they are back into the corner of the ring as Cena staggers around the ring.
Cena is getting his knee attacked by HBK as he continues to control so far. Michaels kicks the knee of Cena trying to get an upper hand while Michaels continues to deliver forearms to Cena. The match is dead and needs to pick up. Cena finally comes back with some blows to HBK as the two trade blows back and forth with Cena knocking Michaels back.
HBK delivers a shoulder to Cena’s torso in the corner of the ring with Michaels remaining in control so far. Cena continues to throw some blows but as Michaels goes for the Cena the Champ ducks out of the way with Michaels getting cut open as his head hit the ring post. Cena on top throwing blows. Cena takes him down multiple times with some shoulder blocks.
Cena delivers a 5 knuckle shuffle to Michaels but he gets up. Cena goes for the FU but HBK scrambles out and is thrown to the corner. Sweet Chin Music connects on the referee on accident who is out cold. Cena gets Michaels in the FU but it’s countered with a DDT by HBK and both are laid out in the middle of the ring without a referee.
Shawn Michaels is getting the steel steps ready for a move. Big piledriver by HBK to Cena on the steel steps. Cena and Michaels both have big gashes with lots of blood to go around. They are back in the ring with the ref still out but another referee comes to the ring but HBK only gets a 2 count before Cena kicked out.
Cena gets taken down by HBK off the ropes as Michael’s gets up and climbs the ring post to the top rope and jumps onto Cena. Michael’s complete face is bloody as he prepares sweet chin music but Cena comes out of no where and takes him down before he could connect. Cena and Michaels trading blows back and forth as both struggle to stay up. Cena gets Michaels in the FU but he reverses into a craddle and a 2 count but the champ escapes.
John Cena delivers a huge FU to HBK but he kicks out in 2 yet again. The crowd is back into it again. Shawn Michaels is on the top of the ring post as Cena delivers punches. John Cena gets ready to deliver and FU but they seperate after a flurry of elbows by HBK. Cena goes for an STFU and Michaels looks for sweet chin music but neither connect as Michaels earns another 2 count.
The STFU us locked in and Michaels is trying to reach the ropes as Cena has to break his hold. The ref yells at Cena then he turns right into a super kick to the head as Michaels tries for the pin but Cena kicks out yet again in 2. Referee counts to 9 but they both get up and lock up. Cena gets the STFU yet again and Shawn Michaels taps out in the center of the ring. Cena retains the WWE title.
After the match between Cena and Michaels the two look at each other as HBK walks off while Cena salutes him as he leaves.
(Intermission)
More promos for the last match of the night as we head towards the end of the biggest yearly event in sports entertainment. Cena has an edge in the WWE poll for who they thought was going to win the final match of the evening.
Women’s Champion Melina vs. Ashley(In progress…Keep refreshing)
Lumberjills entered first followed by the challenger Ashley is a goofy looking outfit. And now it’s Melina making her entrance with a fur coat/indian headress looking thing.
Melina goes out of the ring first but gets tossed right back in. Melina with a boot to Ashley in the corner as the crowd is dead silent. Reversal with Ashley getting Melina in the corner but Melina regains control. Melina with a 2 count on Ashley as she puts her boots into Ashley’s back.
Melina breaks the hold and Ashley counters with some forearm counters. Ashley flips Melina and goes to the second rope but misses on the elbow and Melina gets a 2 count. Ashley gets control and the roll upfor a 2 count then a quick reversal and gets the 3 count. All the divas start to brawl in the ring after what was the worst match I’ve EVER paid for in my life.
(Intermission)
Stone Cold just stunned Donald Trump while they were celebrating the win and Austin leaves the ring with Trump laid out. Before the PPV there was a dark match between the team of Carlito and Rick Flair against Chavo Guerrero and Gregory Helms in a lumberjack match with Carlito and Flair getting the win.
Battle of the Billionaires: Bobby Lashley def. Umaga
The barber’s chair is rolling down to ring side. Mr. McMahon’s music just hit and the chairman is heading to the ring. The IC Champ Umaga is next as he heads to the ring accompanied by Armando Estrada. Trump’s coming out now as money drops from the ceiling to accompany his entrance. McMahon is giving Umaga a pep talk as Trump looks confident he will win. Lashley’s coming out now with what seemed like malfunctioning pyrotechnics. Last but not least to make his entrance is special guest referee Stone Cold Steve Austin.
And we’re off, Umaga and Lashley trade punches and Lashley unleashes a flurry but Austin pulls Lashley away. Lashley counters with an aerial maneuver and Lashley for the pin but it’s called off as Lashley foot is on the ropes. After pulling Estrada into the ring Lashley tosses him out of the ring then ducks Umaga’s charge as the Samoan Bulldozer lays outside the ring.
Umaga counters and sends Lashley out of the ring but they are put back in. Umaga lands on Lashley and gets a 2 count from Austin. Umaga is working him against the ropes and doesn’t break the hold so he hits Umaga to break the hold. Umaga does it again so Austin pulls Umaga away by his hair. Umaga keeps working Lashley as Trump and Donald banter.
Samoan drop from Umaga on Lashley but no count. Lashley picks up Umaga but falls and Umaga gets a 2 count. Lashley knocks McMahon off the side of the ring but gets taken down yet again by Umaga. Trump continuing to root for Lashley. Lashley throws Umaga from the top bu Umaga counters and both are down with the 10-count going.He counts to 9 but stops to get them to continue to fight. Lashley goes off the ropes at Umaga but gets taken down and gets beat on in the corner by Umaga.
Umaga doesn’t stop yet again and is pulled off by his hair but Umaga delivers a Samoan spike to Austin. Shane McMahon is in the ring now and he and Umaga are double teaming on Lashley. A trash can is pulled out from under the ring and lined up on Umaga. Shane kicks it from the opposite ring post to Umaga’s head. Shane takes off his shirt to reveal a referee’s shirt as Umaga climbs to the top rope and nails Lashley. He gets the two count but Austin is back and pulls Shane out of the ring and into the steps.
Umaga gets Austin again with the spike as Donald Trump tackles Mr. McMahon. Austing is up yet again and ducks an attempted spike and Stone Cold delivers a stunner then Lashley goes for the spear and picks up the 3 count.
Austin goes out of the ring to get Mr. McMahon and throws him into the ring then Shane tries to help his dad but Stone Cole but crushes him with punches and an eventual stunner. Mr. McMahon tries to run away but Lashley chases him down and hauls him back to the ring. Another stone cold stunner this time to Mr. McMahon who is getting strapped into the barber’s chair by Austin and Lashley. Trump and Lashley buzz Mr. McMahon bald.
Great to watch all this happen as they buzzed his hair and are now shaving his head. Great TV.
(Intermission)
First promo for Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando just aired with an orange title to coincide with the Citrus Bowl venue. We have a promo clip for the Battle of the Billionaires on now.
ECW Originals def. New Breed
ECW Originals enter first through the crowd then New Breed comes in from the main entrance.
Sabu works Matt Striker first the Sandman gets a near fall. Dreamer gets tagged in for the Originals and Elijah Burke in for the New Breed. Back and forth again and Marcus Cor Von gets tagged in then out and he and Elijah Burke team on Dreamer. Burke goes for the win but Sabu breaks it up. Kevin Thorne is in now for the new breed and he works on Dreamer some more.
Thorne with a big slam then goes for the pin fall but he doesn’t get it as Sabu breaks it up again. Cor Von gets in again but only gets a 2 count on Tommy. Elijah Burke in again but Dreamer finally gets to the corner and tags RVD in. Striker gets tagged in and RVD goes off the top rope at Thorne then does a couple of moves to Striker who was laid out in the ring. Dreamer back in to go at Striker but he’s taken out by Burke who is taken out by Sandman.
RVD hits the 5-star frog splash and then gets the pin on Matt Striker to pick up the win for the ECW Originals.
(Intermission)
A little skit with Stephanie McMahon and Mr. McMahon but noting special
Undertaker def. Batista
Batista is first out with massive pyrotechnics going off. Hard to tell crowd response with his welcome music on but he’s definitely the underdog in the eyes of the fans. Lots of people proceeding with fire-lit torches before Undertaker makes his way out. Pyrotechnics blow open a door and ‘Taker’s bell sounds and the music is kicking in along with lights and smoke. Undertaker is just now visible and is starting down the ramp. By far the best entrance yet of Wrestlemania 23.
Taker’s streak is officially on the way as the match gets underway. Even at first but Batista puts Undertaker over the top rope. Ref is yelling for them to get in but Batista puts Undertaker into the ring steps and Undertaker is thrown back into the ring followed by Batista. Batista still controlling the match delivering punches to Batista until ‘Taker lands a boot but he gets taken down with a clothesline and Batista gets a 2 count.
Undertaker gets a flurry of punches from his knees then gets up and gets some big ones onto Batista. ‘Taker has him cornered and is running into him before picking him up for snake eyes and a boot to the head. ‘Taker covers and Batista kicks out. Undertaker off the top rope still controlling the match getting his hand on Batista’s throat but it’s broken and Batista comes back strong until Undertaker pushes him to the mat.
Undertaker on the apron with Batista’s head over edge as ‘Taker jumps onto Batista taking him outside the ring. Undertaker jumps over the top rope taking out the World Champ. ‘Taker is in control of this one as he hits Batista at ring side.
Batista reverses and throws Undertaker towards the table and into some steel chairs and continues assaulting the challenger as he lays on the ground. Batista starts to clear off an announcers table as Undertaker stagers up. ‘Taker is laid on the table and the animal starts delivering punches. Batista picks up Undertaker and powerslams him through a table. Batista continues to deliver punches. They go back in the ring and Batista goes for the pin but it’s kicked out.Batista goes for the bomb but Undertaker pushes him hard into the corner. Batista counters and goes for a pin but it’s kicked out of yet again.
Batista lines up for another Batista Bomb but Undertaker reverses and gets Batista in a Tombstone Pile Driver and gets a 3 count. Undertaker is the new World Heavyweight Champion.
(Intermission)
Donald Trump is one the phone talking about how bad he is being treated. Next to him is former miss USA what’s her name. Boogeyman comes out from behind the couch but Trump is not amused and asks Boogeyman for a sandwich. Something about a worm sandwich and the skit’s done. 80,103 in attendance tonight setting a new record for Ford Field. The HOF class of 2007 is introduced to the crowd as well.
United States Champion Chris Benoit def. MVP
MVP enters first with a group of cheerleaders both are clad in red, white, and blue. Chris Benoit’s music hits and he does the calm and cool routine walking to the ring with his belt over his shoulder. Bell sounds and here we go.
Match starts with both locking up in the middle of the ring. MVP flips Benoit over but Benoit goes for submissions. Another reversal and MVPis on top of Benoit looking for Benoit to tap but Benoit escapes. Benoit goes for a cross face and sharp shooter but MVP counters and is controlling the flow so far. MVP works on Benoit’s arm but Benoit finally gets up and goes after MVP.
They keep going back and forth with MVP controlling the match almost entirely. Benoit is cut a little but gets a hold of MVP and gets 3 german suplexes in a row. Benoit goes to the top ropes but MVP gets up. Benoit with a suplex from the top with a near fall but MVP gets out and goes after Benoit again and gets a 2 counts. MVP gets 2 more 2 counts but continues to work on Benoit’s arm.
After the work MVP gets another 2 count before Benoit kicks out. A reversal and MVP is nearly locked in the cross face but is playing up the weak arm. MVP getting some nice boos from the crowd. He keeps going for pins and comes up with another 2 count. Benoit puches away and hits 2 more german suplexes but MVP reverses. Now we get some more german suplexes from Benoit.
Benoit to the top rope and gives a headbutt to MVP and Benoit is one top and gets the 3 count to remain the United States Champion
(Intermission)
Cryme Tyme and Eugene doing a backstage segment with Extreme Expose that is absolutely terrible. Eugene starts dancing with two old women. Some “King of Style” or something starts dancing until Dusty Rhodes comes out to start dancing. There’s about 20 people dancing now in a terrible skit. “Damn!!!”is uttered and the skits finally done.
The Great Khali def. Kane
Both wrestlers have entered and the match is underway. Khali towers over Kane but has no skill. I’d hate to see Kane job here. Khali sends Kane over the ropes but Kane counters to get back in the ring. Kane uses his right hand to go for a closeline but Khali just stands into it and takes Kane down. Khali pulling Kane up and putting him down with punches and kicks. Kane is trapped in the corner with Khali delivering elbows.
Kane finally reverses and delivers a bunch of right hands to Khali in the corner. Khali temporarily gets out but Kane goes to the top rope but Khali doesn’t fall. Kane puts Khali into the ropes and goes for more kicks. Kane goes under the ring and gets the “See no Evil”hook but can’t get Khali with it as it is left on the ropes. Khali is undoing the turnbuckle but Kane gets a low blow with the chain.
Kane slams Khali to the mat and gets a 2 count but Khali pushes him off. They trade blows and Khali gets a double handed chokeslam on Kane. Ref does the 3 count while Kane is down and Khali picks up the win. The fighting is continuing as Khali chokes Kane with the hook chain but leaves Kane in the ring.
Mr. Kennedy wins the Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Jeff Hardy is first to enter followed by King Booker and Finlay. The stage is HUGE and the commentators have added that there are more fans on hand for this than the Super Bowl in the same venue. CM Punk and Mr. Kennedy have entered now as well. Kennedy just did his microphone entrance. Matt Hardy and Randy Orton have just entered. Edge is last out and we are about to get under way.
The case is lowered and the wrestlers all stare at it. Jeff Hardy starts the action and Mr. Kennedy flees to get a ladder but Orton chases him down and attacks him. Finlay does a huge jump on all the wrestlers. Edge gets alone and climbs to the top but is pulled down as is Jeff Hardy who tries next. Booker pulls the step ladder out and several people get hit with it. Nice suplex outside the ring by CM Punk on Edge.
Booker’s getting the crowd going but the Hardy’s team up and use ladders to take down Booker. Hardy’s are both working with the ladders together. The go for the se-saw ladder move on Edge but Finlay pushes Jeff off the post. Edge reverses Matt and puts him into a pile of ladders. Kennedy goes off the top at Matt Hardy but Matt avoids it and Kennedy hits the ladder. Jeff with a swanton off the top onto Kennedy.
Matt and Jeff both go for the case and fight then get knocked down by Finlay. Edge does about 6 spears in a row to everyone but CM Punk finally puts him into the corner. Punk spinning the ladder around connecting with a few. Edge spears him and takes out Punk and 3 others. Edge is bringing another ladder into the ring with everyone else outside. He sets it up and starts to climb but Randy Orton tips him over the top rope.
Jeff Hardy with a suplex on Orton. Jeff climbing the ladder and Matt tells him to go after Edge. Hardy jumps from the top onto Edge and breaks the ladder. Absolutely huge move that looked awesome on TV. They’re strpping Edge to a stretcher and Jeff is still down. Orton on a roll using big RKOs on everyone trying to challenge him.
Punk sets up a ladder but Orton climbs up as well and they’re fighting towards the top. Orton with an RKO on Punk from the top of the ladder. Booker taking advantage and climbs the ladder but Orton is back up. Booker takes him down from the ladder and climbs again.
Matt Hardy takes Sharmell and Booker comes to her defense. Hardy reverses with a twist of fate but Finlay hits the Celtic Cross on Hardy onto a ladder. Finlay is too exhausted and Hornswoggle comes out to climb up to get the case for him but Kennedy climbs up another ladder and crushes Hornswoggle off the ladder. Finlay comes back after Mr. Kennedy but CM Punk takes him down.
Mr. Kennedy and CM Punk duke it out on the top of the ladder. Punk knocks down Mr. Kennedy but Kennedy comes back and takes Punk down. Kennedy climbs the ladder and retrieves the case. Mr. Kennedy is the Mr. Money in the Bank and has earned a title shot any time in the next year.
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