I attended Wrestlemania 25 weekend.  Had a blast, mostly. I went to Thursday and Friday's Fan Axxess. Displays were pretty cool.  I did just about everything, including getting a tattoo, being in Undertaker's graveyard, imitating a Superstar's entrance (Did Edge's), looked at the HIAC, saw memoribilia from WWE.  Very cool.  On Thursday, Rey and Cena did Q & A sessions.  On Friday, DX (HHH and HBK) and Edge did Q & A sessions.  The questions were pretty much fluff questions from fans who put them on cards and from the interviewer.  Jimmy Hart and some guy interviewed Cena and Rey and Howard Finkel interviewed Edge and DX.  Was disappointed that the guys doing Q and As didn't do autographs, but oh well. I met Christian and Katie Lea.  Lea was ok and looked like she didn't want to be there. Christian was very sweet.

The HOF ceremony was way too short. Very lame that the presenters got 3 minutes and the inductees got 10. Didn't like that at all. They also said they would throw out catcallers and hecklers. Good luck with that.  Edge and his girlfriend looked amazing.  HHH, HBK, Orton, and their wives looked great too. I liked Austin's speech the best.  Show was just over in 2 1/2 hours. I would have liked to have heard some stories.

Here is my review of Mania itself:

I attended the event live. Here is my opinion: 
 
I give the show a slight Thumbs Up. I enjoyed the show. It wasn't one of the 
great WMs like 3, 17, etc. However, it was not a horror story either. 
 
Best Match: Undertaker vs Michaels 
 
Worst Match: That Diva Battle Royal. 
 
I can not say enough about the HBK/Taker match. A Match of the Year candidate 
for sure.  Very exciting match and I just think this was one of both HBK's and 
Taker's best matches.  I loved the near falls. I loved each guy kicking out of 
each other's finishers.  This match SHOULD have gone on last.  Nothing could 
really top it.  Great match.  
 
Worst Match:  That Diva Battle Royal was a cluster****.  Just horrible.  First, 
the divas plus Santino came out with NO introduction.  Here was Kid Rock (more 
on that) playing and out comes the divas!  No one knew which Diva was which.  
Just ridiculous. I just thought they should have been announced.  I am also 
tired of Santino's act. It was cute at first, but now it is getting ridiculous. 
 
The rest of the card was a bit hit or miss, but here goes: 
 
Rey vs JBL:  A bit anticlimatic.  Rey beats JBL lickity split, then JBL quits. 
Just very weird. 
 
MITB:  I thought this match was good.  I liked it quite a bit.  I just think 
someone else beside Punk should have won.  
 
Jericho vs the Legends: The best part was when Steamboat was in the match.  
STeamboat was not bad for a retired guy. Glad to see Jericho win. I thought he 
deserved it after being put in this nutty idea for a match. It was pretty 
decent.  Post match bit with Rourke was ok.  Not thrilled with Jericho having to 
be hit by an out of shape actor. 
 
Jeff Hardy vs Matt Hardy: Very good match.  Both guys worked hard.  I was very 
surprised that Matt won.  I enjoyed alot of the spots in the match, especially 
the one where Jeff jumps off the ladder but misses, opening the door for Matt to 
win. 
 
Triple Threat: I thought this was a pretty good match, actually. Sorry it had to 
follow Michaels/Taker. Edge did a very good job with what he had to work with.  
IMO, Cena is no Michaels as far as workrate.  Show is a plundering big guy. Show 
hurt the match some, but overall, all three guys did a good job.  I am sorry, 
but I thought Cena's entrance with the identical Cenas was tacky. 
 
The Main Event, Randy Orton vs HHH:  Pretty decent match. However, I was very 
puzzled at no Legacy running in, and no McMahon family running in.  The ending 
came out of nowhere, even though I kind of guessed if HHH was gonna win despite 
this silly stipulation was to knock the ref out and use the sledgehammer when 
the ref is down. Predictable.  
 
Other: I am sorry, but Kid Rock did NOT belong on the show.  I just didn't see 
how he fit.  WWE is PG, correct? So why was Kid Rock out there with somewhat 
scantily clad girls onstage with him?  Very contradictary if you ask me.  Just 
did not see Kid Rock's purpose. 
 
Loved, LOVED the bit with Stone Cold and that ATV or whatever. Very cool. 
 
Overall, a pretty good show. Not an enthusiastic thumbs up, but thumbs up 
slightly. 
 

The Broncos have decided NOT to trade their cry baby QB Jay Cutler and just cut him.  Cutler will be joining WWE and will be a participant in the Dival Battle Royal since Cutler is acting like a Diva.

Ok, you got me, APRIL FOOL'S.  LOL

Hey, if WWE can pull a joke like the Vickie Pregnancy bit, so can I. :) 

 I also would like to wish Randy Orton, who is one of my favorites, a HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY. WOW. He is getting up there. :)  He still looks hot.  :)  Happy Birthday man!

Got big news! The Denver Broncos have decided NOT to trade cry baby QB Jay Cutler, but they are gonna cut him and Cutler will join the WWE!!! He will also make an appearance at Mania and be a participant in  the Diva Battle Royal since he is acting like a diva.

Ok, you all got me: APRIL FOOL'S.  LOL

Hey, if WWE can pull a joke like the Vickie Pregnancy bit, so can I. :) 

 I leave for Houston tomorrow and I am very excited about it.

Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the "LEGEND KILLER"

Well, the buid to this PPV has been not too good.  Silly stuff like the love triangle and ****. 

Anyway, I will be in attendance for my SIXTH Wrestlmania in a row.  I will leaving Thurs and will start my festivities at Axxess on Thurs (Cena and Mysterio are the highlighted guests) and then Friday night (HBK, HHH and EDGE are gonna be there. So can not wait.) I then go to the HOF Sat Night.  Then the grandaddy of them all: MANIA.

Here are my predictions:

HHH (c) vs Orton for the WWE Title

Buildup has been up and down for this.  You would think ORton would win. However I do not like the stip.  It seems like HHH could lose without doing the job. Does not help ORton to win like that, IMO.

Prediction: With the exception of one match, this match and the others are too close to call.

A baby face winning the title usually end Mania (with the exception of 2000 when HHH won as a heel) to give the crowd a "happy ending."  It depends on what they do with match placement and what happens in the Triple threat (I have a sick feeling I know what will happen there).  If this is the final match, I do not know......I have a hard time believe a mega heel like Orton winning would be the happy ending they want.   They could do a swerve where Stephanie turns on her hubby.  They could do a double turn ala Hart/Austin at Mania 13 and have Orton wind up the babyface and HHH turn heel (I Have been PRAYING for HHH to be heel again).  With the way this match has been booked, anything can happen. This should be a very good match.

Prediction: Depending on the three way, I think HHH retains.

HBK vs the Undertaker: Mr. wrestlemania vs The Streak.  Well, this is the only match that has a feel of Mania to it.  It should be a great match and should steal the show. Great buildup too. It will be interesting to see who the crowd favors in this match.  They will be torn, as will I  as I love them both.

Prediction: Unfortunately for my all time favorite wrestler, The Heartbreak Kid, this match is going to the Undertaker. 

Edge (c) vs Big Show and John Cena: This match is the wild card.  Edge, unfortunately for me and millions of Edgeheads, is once again taking some time off.  I am thinking with his new shirt being released, it may not be as long as before, but we will see. He is nursing knee injuries amongst others. I am also nursing a knee issue so we will both need some rest. I will be awaiting his return though.  John Cena is also supposed to be doing a movie in June or July so he could have a short reign if they decide to put the belt on him.  Show does not belong in this match. Period.

That being said, I do think this could be a good match, despite the silly love triangle.  Edge always puts on a great show in a big match situation.  Cena can put on a good show if he wants to.  Show should be used as little as possible.

Prediction: I just think it would be a mistake to put the belt on Show, who loses ALOT.  I think John Cena will walk out of the PPV as Champion.  If this goes before HHH/Orton, maybe Big Show, but I am pretty confident that Cena is winning this puppy.

Women's Battle Royal:  I do not care one iota who wins this probable mess. 

Prediction: Pick a name any name. LOL  I will say, for the heck of it, Gail Kim.  Got no idea and could not care less

MITB Ladder match: The way it is booked, it seems like no one cares about these guys.  I think it could be better than people think despite Kane and Mark Henry being in there.  There is enough workers to make this a passable match to a good match.

Prediction: I am just guessing here. Christian takes this match.

Jeff vs Matt Hardy:  Paint by the numbers feud between two people that no one wants to see feud.  Went too far with the dog, but what else is new? Should be a very good match.

Prediction: Jeff wins this match.

Tag Team Unification Match (Lumberjack): Colons vs Miz and Morrison: Feud is so so.  I am not feeling this match. Could be good. 

Winners: I will say Miz and Morrison take this bout.

IC Title Match between JBL (c) and Rey Mysterio.  This was just put together and I think it could be decent.

Prediction: JBL wins and retires as champ in his homestate of Texas.

Y2J vs a bunch of legends who should stay retired, er Piper, Steamboat, and Super Fly Snuka.  Flair is in the corner of the legends.  This is gonna be a clusterfudge (can't say what I really want due to the censors).  Plain and simple. Poor Jericho. He deserves way better than this.  He has to eliminate each one to win.  I have a feeling Flair and Mickey Rourke who is supposed to be in attendance are getting involved. 

Prediction: Head is thinking Legends. Heart is saying Jericho. I am going with the heart (Jericho).  I am pulling for Jericho.

I am pretty sure that is the entire card.

The card could wind up being better than it is on paper. IT is just the buildup is horrible.  Also sad to see WWE lowering ticket prices.  I predict about 700,000 buys worldwide for this PPV.

I am sure you all know that Tazz is no longer with the WWE. He will be on SMackdown this Friday for the last time.  I enjoyed his work, both as a wrestler and as commentator.  I will miss him. I have met Tazz and he is very cool. Good luck Tazz. God Bless

Will type up a report when I get back Monday. Take care and enjoy Wrestlemania!!

Here is my review of the "go home" Raw before Mania:

Show was just ok. Not great as a "go home" show though.

Good:  Edge/Cena promo.  Edge's post match beatdown.  Chris Jericho's promo (post match). Santino's act (hilarious). Nice to see Vince return.

Bad:  Diva battle royal.  The match with the MITB participants. Orton's promo....sorry, I love my boy Orton, but the promo was putting me to sleep.  Vince Mahon beating a younger guy up.  Cena vs Show. The stipulation for Orton/HHH.  I do suspect, and I love Hunter but this sounds like a way for HHH to lose without doing the job.  I hope it is a swerve.  Would be a horrible way to finish a match and the PPV as I am guessing this match will go on last.

The build up to the PPV has not been great.  I would be surprised if the PPV gets 800,000 buys.