The Shimmy 08.25.08: WrestleMania XXV Report (Part Two)

The following content was written by Thoughts from the Top Rope’s Daniel Wilcox, so all credit goes to him. To read the Free-for-All pre-show explanation for the matches you are about to see, check out Part One written by yours truly.

Dead air, FBI warning, and again…

Yes sir, we promised you a great evening…ANDRE THE GIANT…WRESTLEMANIA…Hulkamania is running wild….Rest in peace…If ya smellllll…You’re FIRED…Gimme a hell yeah…It’s not over…The world is watching!

WWE welcomes teen sensation Miley Cyrus as she sings “America the Beautiful.”

We get a WrestleMania video package highlighting the main feuds as well as a quarter of a century of WrestleMania.

Michaels Cole, JBL and Jerry Lawler are commentating for Raw, Tazz and JR for SmackDown and Matt Striker and Todd Grisham for ECW.

World Tag Team Championship Match: William Regal & Paul Burchill© vs. Finlay & Hornswoggle

Regal and Finlay start, and lock up and go to the corner. No clean break as Regal drills Finlay with a forearm, but Finlay responds in kind. Scoop slam by Finlay, followed up an elbow drop. Finlay grabs a keylock now but Regal works his way to his feet and arm drags his way out of it. Burchill comes in off the tag and charges into a drop toehold. Finlay grabs a side headlock, gets sent to the ropes but comes back with a shoulder block. Finlay hits the ropes again but Regal takes a swipe at him, and the distraction allows Burchill to catch him with a Northern lights suplex for 2. Tag to Regal, who comes in and hits a big knee drop and gets 2 more. Regal drives his forearm into the face of Finlay. Both men up and Finlay tries to fight back, but Regal takes him down with a side headlock takeover. Burchill in now and drops a knee into the back of the neck. Burchill puts the boots to Finlay, picks him up and then hits a Hangman’s neckbreaker for 2. Regal back in now and pummels Finlay with forearm shots. The referee pulls Regal away, but he breaks free and catches Finlay with a running knee lift. Regal covers, and Hornswoggle comes into break it up with a low dropkick! Regal gives chase to Hornswoggle, they go around the ring and Horny runs Burchill. They toss him in and stalk him in the corner, but he goes between their legs and the champs then run into a double clothesline by Finlay. Burchill rolls to the floor and Finlay grabs Regal, and hits the Celtic Cross! One…two…thr-NO! Burchill placed Regal’s foot on the bottom rope! Finlay thinks for a moment and then goes after Burchill, but he gets up neck-first on the top rope. Finlay staggers backwards and Regal hits him with the REGALPLEX! Regal’s still hurt, so he has to tag out, but Burchill comes in and gets a near fall. Burchill grabs a chinlock, and wrenches it. Finlay fights to his feet and elbows out, then hoists Burchill into a fireman’s carry and hits the Finlay Roll! Hot tag both sides! Horny ducks a clothesline and dropkicks Regal’s knee, and then hits a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Horny catches Regal with a stunner and covers, but Burchill is now and grabs him. Finlay spears Burchill and the fall to the floor. Hornswoggle goes to the top rope now, but Regal is up and drills him with a forearm. Burchill has the referee distracted, so Regal pulls out a pair of brass knuckles! But Horny thinks fast and spews GREEN MIST! Finlay in and drills Regal with the shillelagh! Finlay knocks Burchill off the apron with a right, and Hornswoggle comes off the top with the Tadpole Splash for the win @ 10:35!

Winners and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Finlay and Hornswoggle

The new champs celebrate in the ring with their titles, and they dance.

The Money in the Bank match is next, and we get footage of Kofi Kingston qualifying the pre-show Battle Royal earlier on.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match: MVP vs. Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk vs. Big Show vs. R-Truth vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Carlito vs. Kofi Kingston

They all target Big Show as the bell rings, but he fights his way out of the corner. Carlito tries a monkey flip, but Show blocks that, sits Carlito on the top rope and palms him to the floor. Jericho catches Show with an enziguri, and Punk drills him with a knee to the jaw in the corner. Show staggers to the middle of the ring, and Shelton springboards but Show catches him, and press slams him out onto Carlito! Show hits Jericho and Punk with a double clothesline, and then Kofi and Truth get the same. MVP has a ladder though and drives it into the head of Show, who finally goes down. MVP sets up the ladder and climbs, but Punk pushes the ladder over, sending MVP out to the floor! Punk’s not done with MVP yet though, and hits a suicide dive! Shelton in now and leans the ladder against the middle and charges, Kingston intercepts him and backdrops him onto the ladder! Kingston heads to the top rope now though, and R Truth goes up on the other side, and they dive out onto Punk, MVP and Carlito! Big Show stands alone in the ring now and the crowd cheers him on. He sets the ladder up and begins to climb, and looks out at the stack of bodies on the floor. The crowd wants him to do it… but Jericho drills Show in the back with a chair, which just pisses him off. Show comes down and head butts Jericho, but Benjamin catches Show with a kick. Jericho hits Show with a chair shot and scurries up the ladder, and Shelton follows. They exchange right hands, but Show is up and tips the ladder and sends Jericho and Shelton onto the mass of bodies on the floor! Big Show repositions the ladder now and slowly begins to climb, but Punk catches him with the springboard clothesline to knock him off! R Truth rushes in now and hits Punk with a super kick and he begins to climb. Shelton springboards onto the ladder though, hooks Truth and hits a superplex from the ladder! On the floor, Carlito lays a ladder across the ring apron and barricade. Kofi comes over but Carlito catches him with a knee, whips him towards the ladder but Kofi baseball slides under it, then pushes it back into Carlito’s ribs. Kofi leaps onto the ladder and sentons onto Carlito! Jericho is up on the top rope now and has a ladder. He leaps off, bringing the ladder down across the gut of Big Show! Jericho lays a ladder down in the middle of the ring and rolls Show onto it, but misses a Lionsault try and just drills the ladder! Show up and puts the ladder on his head and spins around! MVP gets drilled! Kofi springboards and the spinning ladder takes him out in mid air! Punk up, and he gets drilled with it! Jericho hits a low dropkick though to stop Show, and hits with a Codebreaker with the ladder still around his head! Jericho sets up the ladder and begins to climb, and Carlito goes up the other side. They slug it out, but Jericho comes out on top and manages to lock in the Walls of Jericho on the ladder spot! Jericho lets go and Carlito falls, giving Jericho a clear path, but Shelton tips the ladder and Jericho comes down on the top rope! Shelton climbs now, but Punk tips the ladder, only Shelton steps steadily on to the top rope! Punk dropkicks the ladder right into Shelton though, and Benjamin takes a fall to the floor! On the floor, MVP and Kingston brawl by the ladder set up by across the barricade. Kofi charges, but MVP elevates him and Kofi comes down across the ladder. MVP goes up to the apron, and tries to suplex Kofi onto the ladder, but Kofi reverses and suplexes MVP into the ring. Kofi springboards, gets caught and MVP powerbombs him through the ladder! Kofi is dead. MVP walks into a boot from R-Truth, and then Truth hits a scissors kick. D’Lo Brown is here, and hits Truth with a spinebuster! D’Lo positions a ladder in the corner, climbs up, and hits a Frog Splash on Truth! Carlito brings another ladder into play now, and climbs it. Punk goes up with him and they brawl. Shelton is up and has a ladder and he climbs, and MVP grabs a third and sets it up in the middle. MVP goes up and brawls with Shelton. Punk catches Carlito with a roundhouse kick, and Carlito falls out to the floor! Big Show is up and tips over MVP’s ladder, sending him into the ropes! Big Show starts to climb Shelton’s ladder now, so Shelton leaps all the way over to Punk’s ladder! They slug it out but Big Show is nearing the top now. Benjamin nails Punk with a kick of his own and Punk falls down. Benjamin is too far away from the belts though, so he hops down… and leans his ladder against Big Show’s! The crowd rise in anticipation as Shelton hits the ropes, sprints up the ladder, leaps and Show catches him in mid-air! CHOKESLAM! Shelton is out! Jericho and Punk are both up now, and together, they tip Big Show’s ladder! Show bounces off the top rope, so Punk hits him with a knee! MVP in, and drills him with a running big boot! Show is down, and Jericho hits the Lionsault!

MVP, Punk and Jericho stare down and look up to the title as they realize they are the only three left in the hunt. All three slug it out! Punk whips Jericho to the corner, but MVP drills him from behind. MVP sends Punk to the corner but Punk catches Jericho with the knee to the face, and takes out MVP with a clothesline as he bulldogs Jericho! Punk positions the ladder and climbs, but doesn’t get far as MVP catches him a low blow! MVP pulls Punk down and stands over him. He picks him up and sets up for the Playmaker, but Punk spins out, gets MVP up, and nails the GO2SLEEP! Punk realizes Jericho is half way up the ladder and scurries up there. Jericho and Punk slug it out on the ladder, and Jericho gets the better of it and goes up further. Punk catches him with a forearm to the gut and bounces Jericho’s head off the top of the ladder. MVP is at the foot of the ladder now and crawls up behind Punk. Punk pummels Jericho with rights and Jericho slumps a bit further back down the ladder. MVP helps Punk go further up electric chair style, but then shoves him over the top of Jericho, only for Punk to catch Jericho and hit a sunset flip powerbomb! MVP goes up, Punk recovers in time to head up the other side, but MVP is already there and retrieves the briefcase @ 19:58!

Winner and 2009 Mr. Money in the Bank: MVP

Punk slumps back down at the foot of the ladder as MVP celebrates.

Umaga vs. Mark Henry (w/ Tony Atlas)

Umaga yells gibberish early, which seems to unsettle Henry who seeks advice from Atlas. Henry steps up to Umaga and they go nose to nose, and Henry shoves Umaga! That doesn’t go down well as Umaga drills Henry with an uppercut that knocks him back into the corner. Umaga pummels Henry into a seated position and then backs off in preparation for the avalanche, but Henry smartly rolls to the floor. Umaga goes out after him but gets caught with a cheap shot, and Henry whips Umaga into the steel steps. Henry now bounces Umaga’s head off the steel and rolls him back in. Both men back in now and Henry chokes Umaga in the corner with his boot. Henry tells the referee to back off, which allows Umaga to recover and hit Henry with a head butt. Henry head butts back but with little effect. Umaga hits a head butt now, and now Henry. Henry hits a series of head butts in a row, sending Umaga down to one knee. Henry hits the ropes but Umaga catches him with a spinning heel kick! Umaga heads to the middle rope. Tony Atlas crawls up on the apron but retreats under a threatening look from Umaga. Umaga comes off but misses the flying head butt. Henry takes over and grabs a bear hug. Umaga is just too big and hits a head butt to get out of it, but then runs into a vertical splash by Henry and Umaga goes down. Henry hits a splash now and covers for 2. Henry whips him into the corner but Umaga avoids a running splash. Umaga grabs Henry by the throat, but Henry clubs the arm away and picks Umaga up for the slam, only for Umaga to fall back on him for a two count. Both men to their feet now and they slug it out. Umaga drills him with a headbutt and hits a SAMOAN DROP! Atlas is on the apron now, so Umaga grabs him by the throat. Henry up, and hits Atlas with a charge as Umaga gets out of the way. Thrust kick by Umaga wobbles Henry, but Umaga finishes with the Samoan Spike to pick up the 3 @ 9:46!

Winner: Umaga

We get a video package showing highlights of the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony held the previous night.

Howard Finkel introduces the Hall of Fame Class of 2009. Paul Boesch‘s family come out first, followed by Lacey Von Erich, accepting on the behalf of Kerry Von Erich. Next out is Tully Blanchard, followed by Michael Hayes, Buddy Roberts, and Jimmy Garvin, The Fabulous Freebirds.Jesse is with them representing Terry Gordy. The Funks, Terry and Dory Jr. are out next. And finally, Stone Cold Steve Austin takes the stage. The crowd gives them a standing ovation.

Intercontinental Championship Match: Santino Marella© vs. Kane

Marella talks trash as he makes his way to the ring, stating he doesn’t know much about the Big Red Machine, but this guy looks more like Big Red Riding Hood. What is his name again? Jane? Santino gets in the ring and tells “Jane” to listen to him, but Kane drills him with an uppercut as the bell rings. Kane sends Santino to the corner and hits him with a clothesline, followed up by a sidewalk slam. Kane goes up top, and hits the flying clothesline! Kane grabs Santino and finishes him with chokeslam @ 0:29!

Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Kane

Kane celebrates another quick Mania title win. Half way up the ramp, he decides that he’s not done with Santino, and comes back to the ring to hit him with a second chokeslam.

We see clips of The Miz and John Morrison’s problems over recent weeks after they both became number one contenders.

In the back, Todd Grisham asks Miz and Morrison if they aim to get along tonight. Morrison says they have had their problems, but they are still a team. Miz promises that one of them will walk out as ECW Champion tonight, and the one who doesn’t will just be happy for the new champ.

ECW Championship, Triple Threat Match: Matt Hardy© vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz

Miz and Morrison have a discussion before the match gets under way, and shake hands. They make towards Hardy who ducks a clothesline and comes back with a double clothesline. Hardy shoots Miz off but gets telegraphed, and Morrison hits him with a neckbreaker. Morrison whips Matt into the corner, but Hardy comes back ducks Morrison and spears Miz and fires off with rights. Morrison grabs him but Matt goes for the Side Effect, and that’s blocked. Hardy tries for the Twist of Fate now but Miz chop blocks him, allowing Morrison to get a jack-knife roll up for 2. Miz asks what he’s doing, and Morrison apologizes. They shake again and put the boots to Hardy. Morrison goes out to the apron, so Miz catapults Hardy into his forearm, but Morrison doesn’t come over with the elbow. Miz tosses Matt aside and asks Morrison what’s up, and Morrison drops him with a forearm, and then comes over the top with a slingshot elbow on Miz! Morrison mocks Miz allowing Hardy to roll him up for 2. Both men up quickly and Hardy ducks a clothesline and comes back with a crossbody for 2. Hardy slugs away at Morrison but the Shaman of Sexy comes back with a thumb to the eye. He sets up for the Moonlight Drive, but Miz comes from behind and scores a roll up for 2. Morrison catches Miz with a forearm, Miz comes back with a knee but gets back dropped over the top and to the floor! Morrison goes up top, but Hardy splits his legs and puts him in the tree of woe. Miz on the apron now and drills Hardy with a forearm and goes up top, but Morrison pops up and grabs Miz, and launches him into Hardy, who catches him and powerbombs him! Hardy stacks Miz up for 2, and then Morrison catches Hardy with a corkscrew moonsault block! That gets him a two count. Morrison recovers and picks up Hardy, only to suffer a jawbreaker. Hardy clotheslines Morrison to the floor and hits a PLANCHA! They get to their feet and slug it out, and Miz comes off the top and wipes both men out! Miz picks Morrison up and cracks him with a right hand. Morrison fights back with a forearm that rocks Miz, so Miz drives Morrison back-first into the guardrail. Miz goes onto the apron and dives off, but Morrison moves and Miz hits the guardrail. They slug it out again, but Matt Hardy comes off the top rope with a MOONSAULT to take out both of them! Hardy rolls Miz back in, and Miz backs off in the corner but then pulls Hardy into the middle turnbuckle. Hardy pulls himself up in the corner, allowing Miz to hit his running clothesline, but Hardy catches him and hits a Side Effect out of the corner! One…two…thr-NO! Morrison breaks it up. Morrison drops Hardy with a DDT and then positions him by the corner. But he misses the split-legged corkscrew moonsault! Hardy to the middle buckle, and hits an elbow drop to the back of the head! Morrison blocks the Twist of Fate and shoves Hardy into Miz, who low bridges Hardy to the floor. Morrison swings wildly and misses and Miz catches him with a backslide for 2. Both men up, Morrison ducks a clothesline and hits his springboard kick! One…two…thr-NO! Miz kicked out. Hardy is back up on the apron now, so Morrison goes over but Hardy catches him and snaps his neck off the top. Morrison gets caught by the Reality Check by Miz! Miz knocks Hardy off the apron and covers Morrison for 2. Miz whips Morrison to the corner and misses his running corner clothesline, and he gets stuck in second rope tree of woe. Morrison goes to the apron, slingshots in, changes direction in mid air, and catches Miz with a dropkick! Morrison pulls him to the middle of the ring and covers for 2. Both men eventually get to their feet and slug it out. They pick up the pace and both come back off the ropes and clothesline each other! Hardy heads up to the top rope and catches both men with a diving leg drop! Hardy grabs Morrison, but he counters out of the Twist of Fate and hits a STO backbreaker, then a Russian leg sweep! He covers but only gets 2. Hardy reverses a whip and sends Morrison to the corner. Hardy hits the running clothesline and bulldog combination, taking Miz out with a clothesline at the same time! Hardy clotheslines Miz out to the floor, but turns around into a boot by Morrison, and he hits the Moonlight Drive! Miz runs into to break up the cover though! Morrison is pissed and charges at Miz but gets low-bridged to the floor. Miz spends too much time talking trash to a fallen Morrison and turns into a Twist of Fate from Hardy for the 3 @ 14:27!

Winner and STILL ECW Champion: Matt Hardy

We get a promo highlighting the Shawn Michaels-Undertaker feud.

Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker

A “HBK” chant is soon drowned out by an “Undertaker” one as the two staredown. They step to the middle of the ring and Michaels slaps Taker! Michaels backs into the corner and uses the referee as a shield as Taker advances. Taker tosses the ref aside and Shawn thumbs Taker in the eye and lights him up with chops. Rights by Shawn now, off the ropes, but gets caught by the throat. Taker hoists him up for the ‘Slam but Shawn counters into a victory roll for 2. Both men up, Shawn ducks a clothesline and hits the ropes but runs right into a huge big boot. Michaels rolls to the floor but Taker goes right after him, and tosses him into the steel steps. Taker grabs Shawn and launches him across the announce table into the lap of Tazz at ringside. Taker climbs on the table and fires off with rights from the mount position now. The referee tries to order Taker back into the ring but gets scared off again. Shawn leaps off of the table into the waiting arms of Taker, who then drives Shawn back-first into the ring post. Taker rolls in and out of the ring to break the count, and then clotheslines the ring post when Shawn moves out of the way. Michaels grabs Taker’s leg and hits shinbreaker on the steel steps! Michaels catches his breath, then picks Taker up and whips him into the steps knees-first! Shawn puts the boots to Taker’s legs and then rolls him back into the ring. Taker pulls himself up in the corner but Shawn wraps his leg around the ring rope and kicks away at it, chopping Taker between kicks. Shawn grabs the leg and hits a dragon screw, and follows up by locking Taker in Shawn’s inverted Figure 4! Taker struggles towards the ropes but eventually he gets there. Michaels wastes no time going right back on the assault, pummeling Taker in the corner, but the Deadman comes back with right hands of his own. He strikes Shawn all the way to the opposite corner and reigns down with rights and lefts. Taker scoops Shawn up and hits Snake Eyes, but comes off the ropes and gets caught with a low dropkick to the knee! Michaels waits for Taker to pull himself up again and then hits a chop block. Shawn drops Taker’s knee across the bottom rope and cannonballs down on it. Michaels drags him into the middle of the ring and goes for the Figure 4, but Taker kicks Shawn in the ass and sends him shoulder-first into the ring post! Taker takes advantage and wrenches the arm, drives a series of elbows to the shoulder and then goes to the top, looking for Old School, but Michaels arm drags him back down! Taker falls all the way to the floor. Michaels goes out to the apron and looks for the Asai Moonsault, but Taker moves out of the way and Shawn crashes and burns. Taker back in, measures Shawn and hits the SUICIDE DIVE over the top rope! Taker rolls Shawn into the ring, then repositions him on the apron. Taker drives a pair of elbows into the face of Michaels, then hops up onto the apron looking for the leg drop, but Shawn moves out of the way and Taker hurts his knee again. Shawn goes out, tosses Taker in, and then locks in the Figure 4! Taker fights but he’s in the middle of the ring. Taker leans forward and grabs Michaels by the throat, but Shawn breaks the grip with elbows. Taker’s shoulders get counted down a few times but he comes back and throws a few rights, connecting with Shawn’s jaw, forcing him to break the hold. Michaels drags Taker up and puts him up on the tope turnbuckle, then follows, looking for a superplex. Taker fights out though with shots to the gut, and then grabs Michaels by the throat. Shawn tries to block it, but Taker hits a chokeslam from the top rope! Both men are down as the referee begins to count. He gets to 5 when Taker sits up. Taker gets up and calls for the Last Ride. Shawn back drops out of it though, but Taker blocks the super kick, catches Shawn by the throat, only for Michaels to counter with a kick to the gut and hit a DDT! Michaels heads to the top rope, and connects with the flying elbow drop! He goes to the corner and tunes up the band now. Taker to his feet, ducks the kick, scoops Shawn up on his shoulder, Michaels slides off… SWEET CHIN MUSIC! Michaels can’t capitalize though. He slowly gets to his feet but Taker sits up! Taker gets to his knees, but Shawn is on him with right hands. Taker up to one knee now, Shawn with rights. Taker is up and Shawn is still firing off. He hits the ropes, ducks a clothesline from Taker and they take each other out with clotheslines! JR poignantly asks “now what?”

Taker sits up, gets up and stumbles around the ring. KIP UP by HBK! But Taker grabs him and hits the TOMBSTONE! Taker can’t cover immediately though and the referee begins to count them. At 4, Taker drapes an arm over Michaels, one…two…thr-NO! Shawn kicked out. Taker pulls himself up and grabs a lifeless Michaels and sets him up for the Last Ride, but Shawn gets a double leg takedown and locks in the SHARPSHOOTER! Taker fights and crawls towards the ropes, but Shawn pulls him back to the center. Taker begins to face and the referee drops his hand once, twice, but not a third time. Taker, rejuvenated, makes one last try for the bottom rope and he gets there! Michaels is frustrated now but tunes up the band once more… Taker ducks the kick but gets Shawn in an electric position. He spins him around and hits the LAST RIDE! One…two…thr-NO! Taker is pissed off now and scares the referee out of the ring. Taker tosses Shawn into the corner and pummels him with right hands. Taker grabs the arm and locks in the Gogoplata! Shawn fights but begins bleeding from the mouth, but manages to stack Taker onto his shoulders and Taker is forced to break the hold as the referee counts his shoulders down. Taker goozles the referee, but gets caught with SWEET CHIN MUSIC! One…two…thre-NO! Michaels is absolutely bewildered now. Michaels mounts Taker and drills him with rights and lefts, but tires himself out, and Taker uses Shawn’s breather to grab him by the throat. Michaels fights back with right hands until the grip is broken. Shawn rolls off and tunes up the band. Taker up, ducks Chin Music and goozles Shawn, but he counters the chokeslam attempt into the Crossfacce! Taker fights but is in the middle of the ring. He rolls through it though! Taker grabs Shawn and tries for the Last Ride, but Michaels drops down and tries for Sweet Chin Music – and gets it – but Taker doesn’t go down! He only staggers and shakes it off and Shawn is stunned. Taker takes advantage of the hesitation to scoop Michaels up and hit the Tombstone! One…two…three! Taker goes 17-0 @ 33:15!

Winner: The Undertaker

Taker does his signature pose before leaving the ring and raising his arm at the top of the entranceway.

We get a video package for WrestleMania XXVI, which will be held at Wembley Stadium, London, England! (Andy Clark Note: Yeah, nice try, Wilcox!)

Back to the ring and Shawn Michaels pulls himself up to a standing ovation. He refuses referee’s assistance and walks to the back of his own accord as the fans chant “HBK!”

We see Triple H and Floyd Mayweather walking in the back, and that leads us into a video package for the upcoming tag team match.

Triple H & Floyd Mayweather vs. Rey Mysterio & Stone Cold Steve Austin

Triple H starts with Austin. They stare down and Triple H gives Austin the finger, so Stone Cold proceeds to open a can of whoop ass with a bunch of rights hands sending The Game into the corner, and it’s mudhole-stompin’ time. Austin gives Mayweather the finger and tags in Rey. Mysterio hits The Game with broncobuster! Triple H staggers up and Rey hits his wheelbarrow into a bulldog and covers for 2. Austin in off the tag and drops an elbow and covers for 2, and when Triple H kicks out, he gets in the mount position and fires off with more rights. Austin sets Triple H up top and tries to deliver a superplex, but Floyd comes in and pulls Austin down and gets in his face. They talk trash but the distraction allows The Game to come off the middle turnbuckle with a double axe handle to the back of Austin. Triple H holds Austin’s arms behind his back and Mayweather drills Austin with rights, and then slaps him! The referee forces Mayweather out of the ring, but that allows Austin to tag in Mysterio. Rey hits a springboard cross body, comes off the ropes and hits a head scissors take down. Triple H blocks a monkey flip and dumps Rey face first onto the top turnbuckle. Triple H sets up for the Pedigree, but Austin comes in and clotheslines him. Rey reaches for the tag but Mayweather distracts the referee so he doesn’t see it. The ref forces Austin out of the ring and that allows Mayweather and The Game to hit a double suplex. Triple H stomps away at Rey in the heels’ corner then tags out. Mayweather slaps away at Mysterio and then he hits a scoop slam, and drops a couple of elbows for 2. Triple H back in and he just shoves Rey around, but Mysterio comes back with forearm shots, ducks a clothesline but gets nailed with a big spinebuster! Tag to Floyd now, and he goes up to the top rope, and Triple H launches him onto Mysterio! Mayweather covers and gets 2. Getting cocky now, he slams Rey again and goes to the middle rope. He takes too much time giving Austin the finger though, and Rey meets him up there. They exchange rights, Rey gets the advantage and hits a frankensteiner on Mayweather! Both men crawl towards their corners and get tags! Austin takes down The Game with a couple of clotheslines, whips him to the corner and hits another clothesline. He shots Triple H off but gets caught with the face buster. Austin back drops out of a Pedigree attempt, but Triple H shoves Austin into Mysterio to block a Stunner. Triple H drills Austin with a high knee. Mysterio hits a springboard dropkick sending The Game to the floor, but turns around into a big right hand from Mayweather! Mayweather talks trash, so Austin drills him with a right of his own. Rey sets Mayweather in position for the 619 and Austin holds him in place, but The Game pulls Austin to the floor from the outside and then pulls Mayweather out of harm’s way. Triple H whips Austin into the ring steps and helps Mayweather to his feet, but Rey catches them both with a somersault plancha! Rey tosses The Game back in and hits a springboard-seated senton! Rey drop toeholds Triple H into the middle rope, but The Game avoids the 619 and clotheslines Rey. Triple H looks up the ramp to see Mayweather walking away from the ring. The Game yells at him but Austin spin Triple H round and delivers a series of rights. Austin shoots him off and hits the Thesz Press and mounted punches! The Game staggers up but Rey catches him with a rana that sends him into the middle rope… 619! The Game turns around into a Stone Cold Stunner! Rey hits the springboard frog splash and covers for 3 @ 15:22!

Winners: Stone Cold Steve Austin & Rey Mysterio

Austin and Mysterio celebrate and in true Austin-fashion, they share a few beers in the ring as the Texas crowd shows its approval.

In the back, Jeff Hardy finds Matt Hardy and congratulates him on his big ECW Championship win. Matt thanks him and Jeff says let’s hope it’s a good night for both of ‘em. Matt tells him he has to stop hoping and praying and he has to start believing. He didn’t win the Royal Rumble by a fluke. He’s headlining WrestleMania for a reason. Matt says they’ve amazed fans with their ladder matches and high-flying antics before, but no one ever believed they would amount to anything more than where they were a year ago. Matt has proven that they can win big singles gold, and Jeff can do it too. Matt says everyone out there believes in him, but that’s irrelevant if Jeff doesn’t believe in himself. Jeff says he missed WrestleMania last year because of his stupidity, but by being here tonight, he’s proved to himself that he can overcome obstacles. No one thought he’d last this long, but here he is, in the main event of WrestleMania. Jeff says he will do whatever it takes to win the WWE Championship. Matt asks what if it’ not enough. Jeff says it will be enough.

BunnyMania II: Kelly Kelly & Mickie James vs. Natalya & Beth Phoenix
Special Referee: Trish Stratus; Lumberjacks are Michelle McCool, Candice Michelle, Maria, Melina, Eve, Katie Lea Burchill, Victoria, Maryse, Lena Yada and Layla

Awkward moment as Stratus checks them for weapons as Mickie seems to enjoy it. Mickie and Natalya start and Natalya works the arm and hits a hammerlock slam. Phoenix in and whips Mickie into the corner but runs into an elbow. Beth blocks the Mickicanrana and tosses Mickie to the floor where the heels put the boots to her before tossing her back in. Mickie fights back with a jawbreaker to Beth and tags in Kelly. Kelly comes off the top with a crossbody block! That gets 2. Kelly snaps a satellite head scissors. Beth tags out but gets caught with a drop toehold. Kelly hits the ropes but Victoria trips her and pulls her out and the heels do a number on her. Trish goes out and they back off and Trish helps Kelly into the ring. Natalya works over Kelly’s knees with elbow drops. Beth in now and continues the work, wrapping Kelly’s leg around the ropes. Trish has to force her off though and Beth talks trash to Trish. Kelly scores 2 off a roll up, ducks a clothesline and hits a neckbreaker! Mickie gets the tag and cleans house with clotheslines. She catches Beth with a neckbreaker for 2. Mickie goes up top but Maryse grabs her foot. Maria pulls her down sparking a brawl between the lumberjacks. Mickie hits Thesz Press off the top but Natalya breaks the cover. She tosses Mickie to the corner but gets caught with the Mickicanrana. Beth drills Mickie from behind but Kelly dropkicks her to the floor. Natalya up now and drills Kelly, and locks in the Sharpshooter! Kelly refuses to tap but is in the middle of the ring. Mick Kick! Natayla rolls to the floor. Beth hits Mickie with a neckbreaker and covers for 2. Beth gets in Trish’s face now and shoves her. Trish shoves back and Beth retaliates, but Trish ducks a clothesline and hits a Chick Kick! Kelly covers and scores the pin @ 9:21!

Winners: Kelly Kelly & Mickie James

Trish raises the winners’ hands and Mickie hugs Trish before pulling away awkwardly. Mickie turns away but Trish grabs her hand and pulls her into a kiss! Trish leaves the ring, leaving Mickie and Kelly to celebrate with the other face lumberjacks.

We get a video package highlighting the Cena vs. Batista feud.

John Cena vs. Batista

They stare down and talk trash in the middle of the ring as the fans explode into dueling chants of “Let’s go Cena,” and “Cena sucks!” Cena and Batista erupt into a brawl as they exchange right hands right from the opening bell. Cena soon blocks a right and gets Batista up on his shoulders, but The Animal slides off, shoves Cena away, boots him in the gut and looks for the Bomb, but Cena drops down and picks the leg and looks for the STFU, but Batista scrambles away and gets to his feet. The fans are on their feet and the two stare down again. They go face to face and talk trash again. Cena hits the ropes and hits a shoulder block to no effect. Batista comes off the ropes now but Cena leapfrogs him, only for Batista to get a shoulder block on the second attempt. Batista tackles Cena and takes him into the corner and drives his shoulder into the gut of Cena over and over. To the opposite corner now and Batista charges into a big boot. Cena goes to the middle rope and comes off with his diving leg drop. Cena covers for 2. Rights by Cena now, off the ropes and misses a shoulder tackle. Batista scoops him up and hits a powerslam and covers for 2. Batista sends Cena to the corner again but Cena avoids a charge and Batista goes shoulder-first into the ringpost. Cena rolls him up and gets 2. Both men up, Batista misses a clothesline and Cena hits a dropkick sending The Animal out to the floor. Cena goes to the apron and leaps off, but Batista catches and throws him onto his shoulder, but Cena slides off and shoves Batista into the ring post again! Cena rolls Batista in and hits the Throwback! Cena covers but only gets 2. Cena heads to the top rope now, but Batista is up and drills him with a right. Cena blocks a superplex attempt for a while, but Batista pummels him and then hits the superplex. Batista covers and gets just 2. Cena crawls to the ropes to pull himself up but Batista chokes him with his boot. Batista scoop slams Cena in the middle of the ring and hits a leg drop for 2. Batista in the mount position now and fires off with rights. Cena slugs his way back into it from the floor and has Batista reeling. Cena comes off the ropes but eats a big boot. Batista goes for the Bomb, but Cena back drops out of it! Clothesline by Cena. He follows up with a second, and then hits the spinout powerbomb. “You can’t see me!” Cena hits the ropes but Batista is up and drills him with a clothesline! Batista covers and gets 2. Batista whips Cena hard into the turnbuckle. Cena falls at Batista and Batista gives the thumbs down, but Cena trips the leg and locks in the STFU! Batista is in the middle of the ring but he fights. He crawls and gets to the bottom rope, but Cena won’t let go. The referee has to pull Cena off and Cena gets in the referee’s face. The ref asserts his authority, and Cena turns around into a SPEAR from The Animal! One…two…thr-NO! Batista gives the ref a mouthful now but goes to the top rope. Cena heads him off with right hands though and goes up with him. Batista drills him with a forearm and gives the thumbs down. Batista Bomb off the top? Batista goes for it but Cena blocks and drills Batista with shots to the ribs. Cena counters and gets Batista in the fireman’s carry! FU? No, Batista slides off and gets Cena in an electric chair, but Cena gets a victory roll for 2! Both men up and drill each other with clotheslines! The referee counts and gets to 7 before they get to their feet. They slug it out as the crowd yells “boo” and “yay”, in favor of Cena! Cena quickly grabs Batista and lifts him up for the FU, but Batista counters and shoves Cena chest-first into the turnbuckles. Boot by Batista, sets him up, BATISTA BOMB! One…two…thr-NO! Batista is stunned as the crowd explodes. Batista pounds the mat in frustration. He shakes the ropes and gives the thumbs down. He gets him up for another Bomb, but Cena counters and head scissors Batista to the floor, shades of the 2005 Royal Rumble! Cena hangs onto the apron though and goes up top, and hits a flying crossbody to the floor! Cena rolls Batista back in and now he connects with the Five Knuckle Shuffle! STFU! Batista crawls towards the ropes but Cena has it locked in tight, Batista is going nowhere. Batista begins to fade and the referee drops the arm twice, but Batista holds on. He stretches and wraps a hand around the bottom rope. Cena lets go and waits for Batista to get. Batista uses the ropes to pull himself up, and Cena tries for the FU, but Batista grabs onto the top rope. Cena tries to FU to the floor but Batista lands on the apron and drills Cena with a forearm. Batista goes up top and hits a flying shoulder tackle! Cena up, SPINEBUSTER! One…two…thr-NO! Batista positions Cena for the Batista Bomb, but takes too much time and Cena pops up and hits the FU! One…two…three! Cena wins @ 19:48!

Winner: John Cena

Cena celebrates after the match. Batista is up and they stare down. Cena offers the hand and Batista contemplates it, but eventually they shake. Batista leaves Cena in the ring to celebrate his win.

We get replays from the match.

Backstage, Edge walks and bumps into Randy Orton. They exchange pleasantries and Orton points out how far they’ve come. Edge wishes Orton luck and says he may need it. Orton asks what that’s supposed to mean and Edge just says that Jeff Hardy won’t be easy to beat. Orton says of the two of them, he fancies his own chances more than Edge’s. Edge says he hopes they both leave with their titles in tact. Orton says not to worry about him, and to worry about Kennedy.

Mr. Kennedy makes his way to the ring for the WWE Championship Match. His microphone lowers. “Tonight. Tonight is the night the critics will be silence and grudges going back two years will be settled. Tonight is the night that history and legends are made. Tonight is the Showcase of the Immortals, the Granddaddy of ‘em All. Tonight… is WrestleMania 25 but most of all, tonight is the night of MISTAAAA KENNEDAAAAAY!…. Kennedy!”

WWE Championship Match: Edge vs. Mr. Kennedy

Edge swaggers to the middle of the ring for the lock up, quickly goes behind and takes Kennedy down by the legs, rides him and slaps the back of his head a bit. Both men up and Kennedy shakes it off. They circle and lock up again, this time Edge grabbing a side headlock and taking Kennedy over. Edge wrenches in on it before letting go and getting up, again cockily circling Kennedy. They lock up once more and this time Edge forces Kennedy back into the corner, and gives him a playful slap on the face. They go to the center again and Kennedy wants a test of strength. Edge goes to lock up but Kennedy catches him with a kick to the gut. Kennedy gets a side headlock takeover of his own, but Edge quickly reverses, stacking Kennedy up for a near fall. They stand off again and Kennedy is frustrated. Edge gets on his hands and knees and asks Kennedy to try and out wrestle him, so Kennedy just punts Edge in the ribs. Edge rolls to the floor to recuperate, but Kennedy hits a dropkick between the bottom and middle ropes to knock Edge into the guardrail. Kennedy chops Edge then follows him around ringside and bounces his head off of the announce tale, yelling “KENNEDY!” with each shot. Kennedy launches Edge over the rail and into the front row, then breaks the referee’s count. Kennedy hops up onto the guardrail and leaps off onto Edge! They brawl up the aisle way amongst the fans, Kennedy in control, and then all the way back down again. Edge manages to get a thumb to the eye and then back drops Kennedy back onto the arena floor. Edge leaps off of the barricade now and clotheslines Kennedy. Edge breaks the count this time and then strips off the announce table. Edge rolls Kennedy on to the table and breaks the count again. Kennedy fights back on the announce table now, but Edge looks set to hit the DDT. Kennedy fights back grabs Edge and hits the MIC CHECK ON THE ANNOUNCE TABLE! Both are hurt but Kennedy manages to roll himself back into the ring. Edge is out though, so Kennedy has to grab him and throw him back in. Edge is busted open now. Kennedy covers but gets just 2. Edge tries to pull himself up in the corner but Kennedy puts the boots to him and hits the facewash. Kennedy pulls Edge to the middle and covers for 2. Edge tries to crawl away again but Kennedy puts the boots to him until the referee pulls him away. Edge manages to snap Kennedy’s neck over the top rope though. Edge goes to the top rope and hits a big missile dropkick! Edge covers and gets just 2. Edge picks Kennedy up and sends him to the corner and follows up with a spear in the corner. Edge sets Kennedy up on the top rope and tries for a superplex, but Kennedy blocks it, so Edge instead hits the Impaler DDT from the top! Edge takes a long time getting across for the cover but eventually does, albeit for just a 2 count. Edge goes back up top and now he gets met by Kennedy, firing off with forearm shots. Edge quickly knocks Kennedy back down though and comes off with a cross body, but Kennedy rolls through and scores a near fall. Both men quickly up but Edge drills Kennedy with a big boot. Kennedy crawls to the apron where Edge then proceeds to pummel him with forearms. Kennedy returns a favor to Edge by hanging his neck up on the top rope, but Edge recovers quickly and spears Kennedy, sending him flying into the guardrail. Edge goes out and tosses Kennedy onto the ring apron and then goes up there with him. Edge sets to hit a spear on the ring apron, but runs into a knee from Kennedy. Kennedy grabs him and drops him with a DDT on the apron! Kennedy pushes Edge in and covers for 2. Kennedy sets Edge up across the top turnbuckle and goes up there, looking for the Green Bay Plunge, but Edge elbows out of it and hits a bulldog from the top rope! Edge scampers across and covers for one…two…thr-NO! We get replays of some of the big moves Kennedy has taken so far, the Impaler off the top, the spear from the apron and that bulldog off the top. Edge sets for the Spear now… Kennedy pulls himself up… Edge charges… Kennedy leapfrogs out of the way and Edge hits the buckle. MIC CHECK! Kennedy is still hurt though, but gets across and covers, one…two…thr-NO! Kennedy picks him up and looks for another Mic Check, but Edge hooks the top rope and Kennedy falls on the back of his head. Edge backs up, Kennedy is up and… SPEAR! One…two…thr-NO! Edge is literally pulling his hair out now, as the fans are rabid with a loud “Ken-e-dy!” chant. He stomps around not knowing what to do, but eventually goes to the corner and sets again. Kennedy pulls himself up and Edge hits a second SPEAR! Edge covers and gets the 3 @ 19:45!

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Edge

Edge celebrates clutching his title to his chest. Edge leaves holding the title aloft. The referee helps Kennedy up and he gets a big ovation from the crowd.

We get a video package hyping the main event.

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy

They lock up and go to the corner. No clean break though as Orton shoves Jeff. They lock up again and to the corner they go, but this time Jeff clocks Orton with a series of rights. Hardy comes off the ropes with a couple of clothesline and sleeper slams. Orton catches him with a knee though and drills him with a European uppercut. Jeff has to hold onto the ropes to stand after that one. Orton charges but Jeff back drops Orton all the way to the floor! Hardy goes to the apron and waits until Orton is almost up, then runs along the ring apron and looks for a Whisper in the Wind to the floor, but Orton moves out of the way and Hardy lands flat on his back! Orton scoops Jeff up and he is almost lifeless. Orton rolls him back into the ring and covers, but Hardy just gets a shoulder out at the last second. Orton moves Jeff to the corner and goes to the floor, and bends Jeff around the ring post for as long as the referee will allow. Back in and Orton kicks away at Hardy who is still out of it. Hardy’s playing possum though, and surprise Orton with a dropkick. Jeff goes for his rope-assisted corner dropkick, but Orton rolls out of the way and Jeff again lands flat on his back. Orton takes over again, shoots Jeff off and catches him in a sleeper! Jeff fades pretty fast and the referee checks on him. The hand drops once… twice… a thr-No! Hardy tries to fight back with elbows but Orton has it in tight. Hardy hits a jawbreaker but still no use! Orton switches it up into his over-the-back backbreaker! Jeff is limp now and Orton covers for 2. He’s still smirking though; no frustration. Orton sets Jeff up on the top rope. He goes up and looks for a superplex, but Jeff fights back with shots to the ribs and pushes him off. Jeff stands up and calls for the Swanton, but Orton pushes the referee into the ropes. Orton goes up, grabs Jeff and hits that superplex and covers, one…two…thr-No! Orton’s smirk is fading now as he quickly grabs a body scissors and pulls away at the face and hair of Hardy just for fun. Hardy elbows out of the body scissors though and both men pull themselves up by the ropes. Jeff catches Orton with a jawbreaker and then a corkscrew mule kick, sending Orton back into the corner. Hardy hits his rope-assisted corner dropkick and pulls Orton back into the middle of the ring and covers for just 2. Hardy goes up top but Orton rolls out of the way of the Swanton Bomb! Orton has a smirk on his face now as he realizes he is in firm control. He looks for the RKO but Jeff lifts him up and dumps him to the floor! Jeff regains his composure as Orton gets to his feet, and hits a PLANCHA! They both struggle to their feet but Orton drives Hardy back first into the barricade, then hits a Russian leg sweep into the barricade! Jeff’s back is killing him right now. Orton rolls Jeff in and circles him, stomping away at Jeff’s arms and legs and head. Orton picks him up and looks for the over-the-back backbreaker again, but Hardy counters into a back suplex! Both men up and exchange right hands. Hardy ducks a right and runs up the buckles but Orton’s quick and knocks his legs out from under him and Jeff gets crotched. Orton puts him in the tree of woe, drops down and screams in Jeff’s face, saying he’s going to end his hopes, his dreams, and his career. Orton puts him back up and climbs the buckles, but Hardy elbows out of a back superplex attempt and knocks Orton back down. Jeff stands up and connects with WHISPER IN THE WIND! One…two…thr-NO! Hardy is up and stalks Orton. Orton pulls himself up. Jeff looks for the Twist of Fate, but Orton spins out and nails the RKO! Orton covers, one…two…thre-! NO! Jeff got a foot on the rope! Orton is pacing around the ring now but eventually settles on an idea. Orton sets and is poised for the punt, but Hardy catches his leg, stands up, spins him around and hits the Twist of Fate! Hardy heads up top but Orton catches him with a European uppercut. Orton turns his back to Jeff and sits up on the top turnbuckle. Orton grabs Jeff’s head and leaps, but Hardy shoves him off. SWANTON BOMB! One…two…three! Hardy wins the title @ 22:59!

Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Jeff Hardy

The crowd explodes for the title win! Hardy gets the belt and celebrates in the crowd. He sees Matt Hardy in the ring applauding him. Jeff goes back in the ring and hugs his brother. Matt raises Jeff’s hand and they both hold their titles aloft. They hug again before Matt leaves Jeff to take in the moment as confetti starts to rain down upon the ring. Hardy drops to his knees clutching the title as the show closes.

A highlight video rolls of the tremendous events of WrestleMania XXV.

And we are out! Thank you all for joining me in what was a really fun edition of The Shimmy, and much thanks to Daniel Wilcox for putting so much work into this project. Until next time, don’t die. Clark…out.