For once, the main event was the best match of the night. This was pretty good, with no pre-match catch phrases, just some good old-fashioned wrestling. Since HBK appointed a referee (Wight was arrested and Mankind was in the hospital), and it was no DQ, Rock and Austin went through all of the refs like candy. However, Mankind ran out just in time for Austin to hit the Stunner and become a 3x WWF Champion.
Rating: ***1/4
As Kane made his entrance, the Chicken Suit returned after picking a fight with Vinnie Pazienza earlier. He jumped on Kane's back, and pounded him until Kane ripped off its mask to reveal Pete Rose! Kane then proceded to do the same thing to Rose that he did to him last year (Tombstone). HHH made his way out, and they had a pretty decent match. I couldn't believe Kane executed a pescado! Midway through the match, Chyna came down and brought a chair into the ring. Instead of hitting HHH, she hit Kane! The ref called for the DQ and HHH Pedigree'ed Kane on the chair. HHH and Chyna then embraced, and DX was back together... or were they?
Rating: ***
Test and D'lo were the last two in the Battle Royal on Heat, automatically giving them a tag title shot. It was a short match, but good. Test and D'lo actually worked pretty well together. Test reminds me a lot of Kevin Nash, but much more athletic. The end came when all four were brawling. Test seemed concerned about Ivory for some reason and went to check on her. As D'lo was about to deliver a powerbomb, Owen came off the top rope with a missile dropkick, and Jarrett rolled up D'lo for the pin.
Rating: ***
I couldn't believe this match was actually decent! I expected Shane to be squashed in thirty seconds, but he actually kept up with X-pac. X-pac had to fend off the Stooges while making his entrance, then he made short work of Shane with a spinning heel kick. After a Bronco Buster attempt failed, Test pulled him to the outside and took a few shots. Shane missed a Corporate Elbow, but attacked him with a belt. Outside the ring, the Greenwich Posse lent a hand for Shane, but X-pac took out all of them. X-pac regained control and whipped Shane with the same belt. X-pac hit the Bronco Buster and the X-Factor, but Test pulled him off of Shane. HHH and Chyna made their way down, seemingly to help out X-pac, but instead kicks him in the midsection and delivers the Pedigree! Where the hell did that come from!? Shane is rolled onto X-pac for the three count. Afterward, the Outlaws came down to help out X-pac and were destroyed by Test and HHH.
Rating: **3/4
Decent opener, as far as openers go. It was a far cry from what Philly is used to in a Hardcore match. Gunn took a wicked stairs bump, and a chair shot. He also used a hockey stick on Bob Holly and Al Snow used Head and a broom. He then brought a table into the ring, but was tossed through it by Billy Gunn. Gunn hit the Famiser (sp?) and covered him, but Holly interrupted the count and covered Snow, becoming the first 2x Hardcore Champion.
Rating: **3/4
This match was all Wight at the beginning, with a side Russian legsweep and blocking the double arm DDT and slamming Mankind into the steps. Shortly into the match, Mankind produces Socko, which he applies three times to Wight. The third time, he jumps on Wight's back, but Paul merely falls backward, putting all his weight on Mankind. Wight set up two chairs and chokeslammed Mankind through them! The ref calls for the DQ, and Mr. McMahon came to the ring to ask Wight what he thought he was doing. When Wight had enough, it looked like he was going to chokeslam McMahon, but let go. Vince slapped him, and Wight knocked him out with one punch. After the match, McMahon said he wanted the police to arrest Paul Wight.
Rating: **1/2
Interesting facts: Except for Roaddog, the current champion, each man has held the IC belt before. Not only that, none of these men have ever won a WrestleMania match. The first elimination occured when Shamrock had Venis in an Ankle lock. Val didn't tap, and rolled to the outside, where Shamrock beat on him some more. Realizing they were going to get counted out, Shamrock made a beeline for the ring, but didn't make it in time. Down to 'Dogg and 'Dust. After a few minutes, Goldust was going to Irish Whip Road Doggy Dogg into the ropes, but it was reversed, and Ryan Shamrock, not watching, grabbed his ankle. Goldust turned around and caught James for a powerslam, but Jesse turned it around for the three count. Goldust then dumped Ryan, much to the Blue Meanie's delight.
Rating: **1/4
I never thought I'd see a Sable match anywhere but at the bottom of this review, but she seemed a bit better than usual. Nothing really memorable except the end. When Tori missed a cross bodyblock and hit the ref, down came Nicole Bass! She slammed Tori, exchanged a glance with Sable and left. Sable finished off Tori with the Sablebomb.
Rating: **
They could have at least put UT in the cell with someone who could take bumps. This was just bad. The crowd was dead throughout the whole match. Even having the Undertaker blade couldn't make it exciting. UT eventually made his WrestleMania record 8-0 by Tombstoning the Bossman and ending his undefeated WrestleMania streak (4-0). Down come the Brood from the ceiling. They ripped a whole in the Cell and dropped a noose in. UT tied it around Bossman's neck (and that SWAT Team outfit he wears, but that ruins the whole effect... shhh..) Then they showed Paul Bearer with the controls to raise the Cell and they raised the Cell and hung the Bossman.
Rating: *1/2
There was nothing really wrong with this match, but it was just too short. What can I say? Gunn got his ass kicked by Butterbean before the first round ended. Gunn was knocked silly, and the whole world watched his career die. Before the match, they announced one of the judges Gorilla Monsoon... my God, what happened to him? He looks like he lost about two hundred pounds! After the match, the Chicken Suit made its first appearance, challenging guest ref Vinnie Pazienza to a fight.
Rating: *
Overall Rating: ***1/4
Decent, but not good enough for the biggest PPV of the year. That's all I got to say. That's all for now.