WrestleMania XXVI

OK let's get down to business.

John Morrison & R-Truth vs Big Show & The Miz: Decent enough opener for a Wrestlemania. There was nothing really noteworthy about this match. It was an adequate match, nothing more & nothing less... 5/10

Randy Orton vs Cody Rhodes vs Ted DiBiase: Decent match with good storytelling. I don't agree with Orton being a face (it didn't work last time), but I guess he can always go back to being a heel if this face run fails. The crowd were really into him though. The big question now is what will become of Legacy as I'm sure DiBiase Jr will go after Orton & I have a feeling that Rhodes will get pushed to the side... 6.5/10

MITB Ladder Match: As far as I'm concerned (spot wise), this was the most disappointing ladder match to date. Also, Shelton Benjamin was non- existent in this match which was a huge disappointment as people have come to expect a show stealing performance from him in MITB ladder matches. On the positive side though, the outcome surprised EVERYBODY. I thought for sure that Christian might get this one, but I was wrong. The All American American is Mr Money in the Bank... 6.5/10

Triple H vs Sheamus: I personally believe that it's about time the previous generation stopped bitching about how the younger generation needs to step up & actually step aside & allowed the new generation to do so. Triple H is passed his prime & has no future in the mainevent picture. In the next few years the WWE will be relying on people like Randy Orton & Sheamus (2 men who Triple H has robbed of their Wrestlemania moments). It was a good match however & Sheamus still came out looking strong, but he should've gone over... 6/10

CM Punk vs Rey Mysterio: A very good wrestling match. As well performed as any wrestling match on the card. Rey Mysterio is up there with the greatest in ring performers of all time & CM Punk's stock is continuing to rise as one of the WWE's top performers... 7.5/10

Bret Hart vs Vince McMahon: On this occasion what one needs to remember is a man who was robbed of an appropriate ending to his wrestling career. This match showed everybody for the first time just how bad Bret Hart's stroke was as his movement was VERY limited & the Hart Dynasty was brought in to carry a lot of the match. The crowd was watching a man who had given everything to them & never had the chance to say goodbye properly. The reception he received when he struggled to put on the sharpshooter & then celebrated with his family in the ring was a fitting farewell to the Excellence of Execution & arguably the greatest of all time.

Edge vs Chris Jericho: I'm not buying Edge as a face. Not because he isn't a good face, but because he's too good at being a heel. However this was a good match. The ending was also a surprise as I don't think that many people expected Y2J to leave as champion. There was also a good spot after the match where Edge speared Y2J through the barricade. However, he got a mixed reaction from the crowd which may indicate that people do not fully buy Edge's face persona... 7/10

10 Diva Tag Match: Crap... 2/10

Batista vs John Cena: A pretty pointless entrance from John Cena. The match was actually not that bad considering the limited ability of both men. They have good chemistry together. Despite Cena's lack of ability, his strength will always continue to amaze me. He is quite clearly pound for pound the strongest WWE superstar. Despite a botched reversal into a powerbomb from Batista (a repeat of the finish from their Summer Slam match), the match was a pretty solid effort from both men... 6/10

Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels: One of the most anticipated matches in WWE history. It didn't disappoint. I don't remember being this tense during a match. Shawn Michaels' catalogue of classics is just unparalleled. His moonsault from the top turnbuckle through the announce table was breathtaking & don't get me started on The Undertakers jumping tombstone piledriver. What happened after was one of the greatest endings to a Wrestlemania ever (or at least up there with Wrestlemania 8 & 17)... Match 8.5/10... Occasion 9.5/10

Overall it was a decent show. The commentating was VERY lacklustre & they better have JR back next year. It wasn't spectacular until the last match... 7/10

This is the first program I wanted to watch with my brand new TV: as often with me, I evolved from Stone Age to XX century at once: for example, my computer went from Windows 95 to XP. There, I leave a 15 inches TV to a full 47, so my screen gets nearly 8 times bigger!

I choose this wrestling show to welcome it for several reasons: I remember that my grandfather watched the french broadcast a very long time ago, that my father watched it on Canal + on Saturday nights (Hulk Hogan, Andre the giant,..) and now it's a hobby that I share with the kid. In fact, that's him who falls first with cards and I followed him. One year ago, I couldn't name any wrestlers whereas now, I can recognize Bastita, Undertaker, Mark Henry,CM Punk It's a good show for kids because they are introduced with the violence of the world on a light dose and with morality: there are rules for the fights and you can tell why there are bad guys and good guys! Those wrestlers are role models for kids and I applause when I see they participate in reading challenge (actually, our sports models in France go to hookers!).

In addition, it is scripted like a show, with cliffhangers, suspense, comedy and artistic wardrobes and names! On a different level, I admit that I envy those wrestlers because they are strong, in perfect health while my body is weak and tired. I have always fantasied about having my soul in a bigger, taller body just to see if people would behave differently. That would be a great experience to define what are we? To go back to the ring, if the fights are great (and sometimes funny), it's a pity that it isn't more sports oriented. I don't understand how the games are chosen, how many belt are there and we can't figure how many fights, win, loses have made the wrestlers.

Beginning with WrestleMania XXVI, we will see how up I go....

This years wrestlemania improved over last years. I thought it was a very solid show but still disappointing in some ways. ( no spoilers in this review.)Below indicate match ratings: 10/10 perfect. 9/10 superb 8-10 great 7/10 very good 6/10 solid 5/10 decent 4/10 mediocre 3- 1/10 awful, or horrible 0/10 abysmal.

Match #1- Unified tag team championship match miz and big show vs. r truth and Morrison- This was a solid opener but only lasted like 3 1/2 minutes. These wrestlers deserve better . At least 3-5 minutes more. 5/10 Miz and show retain the titles.

Match#2- Triple Threat match randy Orton vs. Ted debiase Jr. vs. Cody Rhodes- Although this match was very predictable, the crowd was really into it. This had good storytelling which kept the match going. Everybody was cheering Orton for almost the whole time. Orton is victorious. 9 minutes. 6/10

Match #3- 10 men money in the bank ladder match- This was of course a very good ladder match but there are some let downs. I didn't see Shelton Benjamin barely in this match nothing spectacular. Also there were no shock or AWE moments as expected with 10 wrestlers in this match (too many wrestlers even though it might look like a cool idea). predictable and a little disappointing. However, Evan Bourne stole the show definitely check this kid out. the most underrated wrestler in the WWE. There are some awesome spots in this match. Not as good as MITB Ladder matches in 2006 or 2008. 13 3/4 minutes. 7/10. Jack Swagger is Mr. Money in the Bank. Should have let Evan Bourne win.

Match #4- Triple H vs. Scheamus- This kind of surprised me a bit. I did not think this was gonna be any good but it actually was. HHH looked good in the ring and him and Scheamus had a good story the veteran vs. the next WWE star. 12 minutes. 7/10 HHH wins.

Match #5- Cm punk vs. mysterio- Man! what an awesome match! It had a great finish! But only lasted 6 minutes are you kidding me shame on you Mr. Mchmahon This should have lasted at least 6 minutes longer if it did then i would have rated it a 9. But unfortunately- 7/10. Mysterio wins.

Match #6- Bret Hart vs. Mr. Mchmahon- This has got to be the most disappointing big wrestlemania match of all time. This totally broke down the show even though the crowd was still alive but i was not! The Hart dynasty carried this match as well as Mr McMahon still looking goofy but they just cant save this match. Bret Hart looked awful and totally unprepared and out of shape for this match. He was supposed to end his career on a high note. Bret Hart of course wins. Boy, am i just disappointied.11 minutes. 2/10

Match #7- Edge vs. Chris Jericho - WH title match- This got me back into the show and it was a great match. As well as a great ending. 16 minutes. Chris Jericho surprisingly wins. 8/10

Match #8- 10 diva tag team match - Awful but i enjoyed it more than hart vs. McMahon match. Should have never been on the card though. 3 minutes. 3/10

Match #9- WWE Title Match- Batista vs. John Cena- this was like stone cold vs.the rock at WM 15. These guys are definitely the two big stars after the great attitude era. John Cena wins. Very good match - 7/10

Match #10- Streak vs. career match Undertaker vs. Shawn Micheals- What a way to end the show and what a way to end a career. These guys have got to be the best performers in WWE history. After Mr. Mchmahon did not put last year's match as the main event finally he gave them what these great legends deserve. Micheals was amazing and spectacular and Taker was scarily moving and phenomenal. The entrances were just superb and the atmosphere in the night was incredible. Taker should never lose at Wrestlemania and it was the most respectful result HBK has retired and Taker might never retire as he goes 18-0. This is one of the greatest main events to end a wrestlemania and a ppv. Unforgettable and emotional main event. 9.5/10 23 1/2 minutes.

Taker vs HBK highly carried the show. I wish this was the greatest wrestlemania though and I hope their will still be another great wrestlemania to come in the near future. This is my last wrestlemania to buy on PPV.

Best result: Undertaker goes 18-0 Worst result: Jack Swagger wins money in the bank. Best match of the night: Undertaker vs. Shawn Micheals. Worst match of the night: Bret Hart vs. Mr. McMahon

Overall: 7/10

Two matches in this reviewer's opinion saved Wrestlemania, John Cena and Batista and The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels were first class efforts.

However let's get the bad out of the way first. Bret Hart vs Vince McMahon was a terrible match and the storyline were Bret screwed Vince with his family was really lame not to mention confusing. I know Hart had a stroke in 2002 and hasn't wrestle in 11 years, but I nearly fell asleep during this erm match. Fans popped when Hart locked on the sharpshooter the first time, but they gave up when Hart began teasing using the move on McMahon, they couldn't be bothered and I didn't blame them. Fans did cheer when Hart won but I think they cheered because the colossal bore ended and they were relieved.

The 10 diva tag match was a shambles. Which road agent was in charge of this match? Having Vicky Guerrero perform a 'frog splash' off the top rope on Kelly Kelly was pathetic and she even botched that as well! This reviewer would have preferred to see a match between Beth Phoenix and Gail Kim vs Michelle McCool and Layla.

The Money in the Bank Ladder Match had far too many participants (10), ideally 6 would have had been enough and it felt overly rehearsed. It did have it's moment's for instance such as Matt Hardy hip tossing Evan Bourne off the top of the ladder, Kane choke slamming Dolp Ziggler on the ladder and Kofi Kingston using the ladder as stilts. However I feel the WWE picked the wrong superstar to win. It wasn't long ago Jack Swagger was feuding with the comical Santino Marella on Superstars, it's way too soon to put the belt on him and as I write this he cashed in his briefcase from Chris Jericho and won the World title. Winner should've been Christian.

And the Unified Tag Team title match pitting defending champion's The Miz and Big Show against R Truth and John Morrison was met by silence from the fans in Glendale, Arizona and get this, fans cheered Miz and Show when they won.

But Wrestlemania had it's bright moments as well, The CM Punk vs Rey Mysterio was very good, would have been even better if it was allocated 5 more minutes, Chris Jericho vs Edge was a good match even though some fans cheered Jericho, Randy Orton vs Ted DiBiase vs Cody Rhodes was a cool match (fans have caught on to the Orton face turn) and in a shocker Triple H carried Sheamus to a decent match! The real gems are mentioned on the top of this piece. After months of stellar promo's on Raw, John Cena and Batista had a great match surprisingly which ended when Batista tapped to Cena's STF which unfortunately looked terrible on Batista, Cena was obviously not applying any pressure and his arms were not clearly touching his chin/neck.

And The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels had another classic match. The whole HBK stuff was awesome when he done the throat sign to the Taker, the look on his face was priceless and the tombstone was great at the end. I just can't believe that Michaels won't wrestle ever again but after watching this match I can safely say Mark Calaway and Michael Hickenbottom are the 2 best performers ever in the history of the WWF/WWE.

Overall grade - A-

I am a unabashed WWE fan, since childhood I have been a fanatic. From Hogan, The Rock, HBK, Undertaker and Triple H have been my idols. WrestleMania is WWE's greatest event, so one expects the moon from this event. Unfortunlatey, I only got to see a mirage!

Coming right away to the Highlights, 3 matches that stood-out were: Career vs Streak, The Legendary HBK vs The Unbeatable Phenom was just superb. Even though one won't get to his Mr.WrestleMania wrestler anymore, one thing is for sure: There was, there is, and there ever will be only one Shawn Michaels. He's a freaking LEGEND! Taker was also amazing in the match. Triple H defeating the Celtic warrior was a excellent match. The Money In The Bank was a match worth-watching. The winner, Jack Swagger, stole the show with a energetic performance.

Minuses: Hart vs Mcmahon. Awful match! Hart and Mcmahon screwed us man! Cena was getting beaten up by Batista, every week be4 WM took place. Cena should've kicked his ass more than what he did. Y2J retaining the title against EDGE was a complete down. EDGE rules, he can't lose! Orton's win was so so predictable, one could just skip it! CM Punk was wasted.

WrestleMania has lost it's sheen. But, I'll watch WWE till I live. So, let's forget the minuses of the show, and remember the pluses only!