To end my list of my favourite 10 matches...
1 - Hulk Hogan vs The Ultimate Warrior (WrestleMania 6) Champion vs Champion, Title for Title.
I marked out for this match from the second it was first teased. At the 1990 Royal Rumble when the ring was cleared and the Warrior turned slowly to face the Hulkster on the other side of the ring, the pause, the look, then the first blows.
As I said earlier I was a Lil' Warrior, and I was pretty much the only one of my friends back in the day that was, so that made me pull for Warrior even more.
It was a great match, despite the limitations of the two men involved, the first time two championships had being on the line in one match, the first time faces had gone against each other, and WWE should be commended for that bravery, allowing the fans to choose who they supported, rather than having a defined good guy, bad guy role for the biggest match of 1990 was a risk.
And of course my guy won, so that helps it top my list.
I didn't like (then or now) that Hogan came in the ring with the belt while Warrior was celebrating, and that the camera followed him out, and was more angry when I heard he did it on purpose to steal the Warriors moment, but that's the Hulkster for you.
Cody Rhodes interview:
Cody Rhodes says he does not mind part time stars coming back for Mania...
"But next year, at WrestleMania 30, it's a personal goal ... and I know Dolph (Ziggler) is the same way, Wade (Barrett) is probably the same way, that it's not about bringing anyone back. Let these guys go home. They did everything they possibly could, let them go home. They're going to go off into the sunset heroes and having had great matches, but new stars are moving forward. Sports entertainment has to evolve or it won't continue."
He also confirmed he wants the feud with his Brother (Goldust) to happen...
"Yeah, it'll happen. I just don't know when and I don't know where. He doesn't know when and he doesn't know where, but I know it'll happen. There are certain things, and I don't mean to sound cocky or braggadocios, but there are certain things I know have to happen while I work for this company, and that's one of them."
Personal Note...
I don't know why they couldn't do it this year, it's not like his match this year is pivotal to his WWE career.
TNA meets WWE:
Dixie Carter says she met Stephanie McMahon this week, and wished her and her family good luck with tonight's event.
Ric Flair:
TMZ report Ric Flair was very frail and shaken when he arrived at the WWE hotel yesterday, but the love and support he received from the roster has lifted his spirits greatly.
WWE name new gym:
It will be called the WWE Performance Centre.
WWE to announce deal:
WWE will announce tonight that they are forming a partnership with the Special Olympics.
Hall Of Fame report:
Terry Funk starts the show, he will induct Mick Foley.
He introduces Foley, CM Punk holds an ''Applause'' sign.
Mick remembers his legendary Hell In A Cell Match, and acknowledges that many wrestlers do not like his ring style, but says they can't question his passion.
He thanked The Undertaker for his landmark rivalry with the dead man, and joked he never tweets him.
He thanked many others, including Triple H and Shane Douglas.
Foley's speech lasted for over 30 minutes, but had a great end, he said his biggest regret was never pinning Chris Jericho. At this Jericho jumped up from his seat onto the stage and dropped to his back, Foley dropped an elbow and covered him, then CM Punk came up onto the stage to hit the 123.
Foley ended by saying this moment was the best of his career.
This speech has been described as the best induction speech ever.
Stephanie McMahon comes out to induct Trish Stratus (She has new theme music).
Stephanie commends Trish for breaking barriers, such as main eventing Raw vs Lita, and says She has more Mania moments left in her.
Trish enters and thanks a long list of fellow female workers, Including Jazz, Lita, Beth Phoenix, Gail Kim, Mickie James, Victoria, and Stephanie, also thanking Finlay for his work with the Diva's.
She jokes about her poor early matches.
She pulls out the pen that she used to sign her WWE deal and thanked Jim Ross.
She joked about ''Get the F out'', saying they changed the name to stop the Panda's getting P*ssed Off.
She tells Lita she loves her, causing Lita to get very emotional.
She thanks Vince for everything he has done.
She says She retired because her Mother was suffering from cancer, and She wanted to be there with her, She is now clear of the illness.
She thanks her husband, Causing the crowd to boo him loudly.
Trish tells them to stop being mean, and they chant his name.
She then made a huge announcement, She is Pregnant, and will give birth in September.
Stevie Ray comes to the stage to induct Booker T.
Stevie talked about Booker's passion, saying even when he was in jail every visit started with discussions about wrestling.
A thank You Booker chant starts as he enters.
Booker thanks Sycho Sid for getting him his WCW deal.
He remembered Sherri, saying Harlem Heat were nothing until She came along.
He remembers joining WWE, and Linda McMahon's first comment to him...
"We got you now."
He thanks Taker for advice at his first WrestleMania, and Sting for his input into his career.
He talks about his wife, and dares the crowd to boo her.
He shouts now I'm Immortal, Can You Dig That Sucka!!! and hits a spinaroonie.
Maria Menounos Emerges to induct Bob Backlund:
Unfortunatley Menounos was booed and heckled because her speech went on too long, causing her to become emotional and fight back tears at one point.
Bob Backlund entered.
His speech was said to be a ramble, and the crowd started to get restless.
He called on Triple H to sign more amateur wrestlers.
He went on so long, Vince McMahon cut his mic and came out to pull him off stage.
Vince stays out to induct Donald Trump, who is roundly booed.
Vince says he is very important in the history of WrestleMania.
He says they should both run for President.
He says he is still embarrassed about having his head shaved at Mania 23.
Donald Trump enters and is booed for the duration of his speech.
He challenges Vince to a one on one match at WrestleMania 30, which Vince is apparently legit considering. (barf).
John Cena promo airs, and receives more boos then anyone else all night.
Arnold Schwarzenegger enters to induct Bruno Sammartino.
He is full of jokes, and banter, and says he is extremely proud to be doing this.
Bruno Enters to a great ovation and a ''Bruno'' chant.
He recalled many stories about his past, including the Nazi's his Mother, and his Wife.
He says he never took so much as a painkiller during his career, and that he still trains 6 days a week.
He thanked Madison Square Garden.
He thanked the fans, and become emotional, saying he is nothing without them.
The show ends with every one coming out for a final bow, Vince and Bruno shook hands and embraced before leaving the stage.
In another note Re HOF, many past stars attended, including Rob Van Dam (More on him later).
Others at the show included...
* Bobby Heenan
* Diamond Dallas Page
* Jake The Snake Roberts
* Nikolai Volkoff
* Ivan Koloff
* MVP
* Mil Mascaras
* Dos Caras
* Bret Hitman Hart
* Bob Orton
* Ron Simmons
However notable by his absence WWE Champion The Rock no showed the ceremony for the second consecutive year.
Dolph Ziggler teases cashing in:
"We forget that eight months ago I was trying to cash it in on every Monday, Friday, Sunday, and every time it ended with my teeth getting kicked down my face," Ziggler replied. "I eventually got fed up with that and said, "The next time I do this, it has to happen. Let's make it count," and that's what I'm looking forward to. One of these times it's going to happen. Maybe it's Sunday."
Top 5 Wrestler / Celebrities:
In an ESPN poll the top 5 WrestleMania celebs were listed...
5 - Pete Rose
4 - Mike Tyson
3 - Mr. T
2 - Snooki
1 - Cyndi Lauper
Ex WWE stars talk returns:
Rob Van Dam said at the HOF that...
"There's always a chance."
He could come back, then expanded on his comments with...
"The reason that I've been really quiet as far as my (TNA) contract goes, the people that really don't know, really don't know. The only person that knows is me. I do have plans to return very soon and wrestle on TV, and it won't be with any (independent) promotions. I will be wrestling with either TNA or WWE very soon."
Maria Kanellis also discussed a WWE return...
She says She wants to be at her man's (Mike Bennett) side when he reaches his goal of making it to WWE, and then discussed her chance to appear at tonight's show (With a subtle dig at the person that killed the match???)...
"I was one of the girls that they called. We were fine on all the details. I've owned my name since I was a little girl, so that wasn't a problem for me. WWE was totally cool with everything, but the storyline just fell through; I was excited about it."
Couple of backstage rumours:
Christian will return soon as a face.
The Undertaker says he is interested in Brock Lesnar being his final opponent next year.
Dolph Ziggler says winning MITB has been a ''Hindrance'' to his career.
CM Punk hits out at at WWE (Again):
He said he did not enjoy the matches vs The Rock, and that the 4 way match for a chance to face Taker was ''Stupid''.
More Pre Mania news:
El Generico has had to have his Axxess match stopped after suffering a suspected broken nose.
A fan said he asked The Undertaker to sign a pic as Paul Bearer, and that he was very touched by the request.
Notes from WrestleCon, from PWI:
"Fantastic event. Longest lines for Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan.
"Highlights for myself included Maria and Lita. Maria couldn't be more beautiful and Lita was not only hot, but didn't mind chatting for a few minutes. Very cool.
"Great to see Kevin Nash, Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine, Ted Dibiase Sr., Goldust, Earl Hebner and more.
"It was not so good to see Terri Runnels. Little miss Diva freaked when anyone tried to take a picture they didn't pay for. Same for Mickie James, but she wasn't as rude as Terri.
"Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, sadly, looks nothing like himself. I never would have recognized him without the sign behind him. I don't know what health problems he is dealing with, but they are taking their toll.
"Jake Roberts looks fantastic. Wanted too much for a picture but regardless, he looks to be in much better shape. Thanks DDP."
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