Wrestlemania 26 Recap

OK, I wasn’t going to write this one so soon after the show, but after a few chats with friends, a few (angry) Emails about yesterday’s Predictions and noticing the way some people are talking about the show across the Net – I feel compelled to say a few things, so may as well go all out.

First, I’ll answer a couple of the Emails I received – always fun. First off, got this lovely note from someone calling themselves WJ:

“Why in the hell are you always ragging on the women in the WWE? Every time I see you mention them, you always seem to be saying they don’t belong in the ring”

Well WR – You couldn’t be more wrong. There are some quite talented female Wrestlers out there – and yes, a few happen to be in the WWE. If I seem negative about the WWE “Divas” it’s because by and large, their talent is squandered – meaning it is valued somewhat less than their “looks”. If the WWE took them seriously, so would I. Face it, ANY company that has a “Miss Wrestlemania” match being won by a man, and a 10 Woman match being won by Vickie Guerrero deserves the ridicule I heap on them. With all due respect to Vickie – she doesn’t belong in a ring because REAL workers like Mickie James, Beth Phoenix & Gail Kim have worked for years to become credible – and her inclusion demeans all of their hard work. To have her (Or Carlito from last year) win just makes it worse. So if I am rough on that Division – it’s not because of them, it’s because Creative doesn’t know what they are doing in that area.

Next, someone calling themselves “Renegade Sux”:

“look dude your predictions dont make any sinse edge is gonna destroy jericho because of his big mouth that just shows how much you know”

First “Sux” – Punctuation and spelling are your friend, and they want you to visit. I never said Edge wouldn’t beat down on Y2J, I said Jericho was going to retain. So i guess you’re right in a way – Edge did beat Jericho down. Aside from that, Jericho won, Edge lost. Guess I know a little, eh?

Last, a quick note from John that I received after the show ended:

“HAHA Mysterio beat Punk”

Yes John, he did. I was wrong, I admit that freely. Just because I think an extended program would be a better way to go doesn’t mean the WWE has to do so – in fact, their programs seem to be getting ever shorter. I still stand by my opinion that my choice was the better one, but I was wrong.

So, how did I do with my Predictions anyway? By my count I got 7 right out of 10, a 70% score. Sure, my reasoning was off in several places – but of the 3 I missed, 2 of them were matches where inside knowledge would have been the ONLY way I could have guessed correctly. And one of those 2 was a mockery of a match, so honestly – who cares if Vickie Guerrero “won”?

What I really want to focus on though is what I am reading around the Net. The general consensus seems to be that this year’s WM was somewhat lacking, and in general, I agree. Thing is, it was also enjoyable – and that’s the important thing, not if my favorite workers won. Let’s look at specific messages I’ve seen though – names are removed to respect anonymity, but I feel sure if they read this, they’ll know who they are.

1) “Shawns entrance last year was better”

Without a doubt. To be honest, there was ZERO chance that Shawn & the UT were going to top last year’s match – and that includes entrances. Don’t get me wrong – it was a good match, without a doubt the best of the night in my opinion. The thing is, IF Shawn had retired last year, I’d be singing his praises up and down, alongside that of the Taker. But this year, good as it was – it never came close to matching the event these two put on last year. While a nice touch at the end (a definite nod to the HBK retiring Flair match), it reminded me TOO much of HBK/Flair. Flair went out of the WWE in what I consider the manner befitting Flair. Shawn deserved something else entirely. Not exactly sure what WOULD be fitting – this to me just wasn’t it.

2) This place is on fire for Cena and Batista!

Did we see the same show? The silence of the crowd for the majority of their match was deafening. Oh, maybe if you were there in person, and your section was loud, I can see it – but honestly, ALL the matches seemed to be quiet, a fact that shames me – my Hometown can do better than that piddly noise they were making.

3) batista vs cena? dont care. yawn.

Finally, a sensible person.

4) Jericho and Edge stole the show.

While a matter of taste, I happen to agree to a point. I’d say realistically that it is tied with the HBK/Taker match which is amazing – that match had more emotion riding on it. HBK/Taker told a better story in the ring, but Jericho/Edge had the action & the uncertainty factor.

5) OMG!! What a beating Vince just got!! I think Brett can finally feel like he got revenge!! Ouch!!

Definitely. In fact, I think Vince allowed himself to take that “beating” was his way of burying the past, so the Hart Family could finally start to heal after so much tragedy and heartache. Now all we need is for Owen to take his rightful place along Stu & Bret in the WWE Hall of Fame.

6) Bret should’ve saved his swerve for the end

Dear God, yes. At the start like that, it ruined the psychology (What little this type of match would have). Towards the end, say if Vince grabbed a chair and Ref hart took it away, handing it to Bret.

7) the only good match was the undertaker and shawn michaels

Based on what? Seriously here, if that was the best to you, what were you watching besides WM?

Well, that’s enough for today – but let me finish with this. Shawn Michaels may come back as some are mentioning (“Nobody ever retires from a Retirement Match”), but I tend to doubt it. He was born in Arizona, in a town named Chandler (Actually Williams Field AFB – where I was born less than a year later) – so his Retiring from a match in Arizona makes perfect sense if you consider it’s where he “started” so to speak.

Regardless if he returns or not – Thanks Shawn for all the hard work over the years. It’s nice to see you walk away because it was “time” instead of losing your smile.