WE MADE IT PEOPLE!!! For 22 straight days I’ve counted down every single Wrestlemania and now we’ve finally reached the end. Before I go ahead with the recap of Wrestlemania 23 lets just go over the main thing you should have learned about Wrestlemania in the past 22 days. Wrestlemania is never ever good from top to bottom for every match as good as Stone Cold vs Brett Hart there are at least 3 matches as bad as Kane vs Khali in fact any Wrestlemania with more then 3 great matches on the card should be considered a classic. With that said lets get to Wrestlemania 23.

Wrestlemania 23 set an all-time attendance record of 80,103 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The show also had one of the highest Wrestlemania buyrates ever with 1.2 million buys. The event was also the largest audience to assemble for a WWE event since SummerSlam 1992, which attracted 80,355 to Wembley Stadium in London, England. Aretha Franklin performed “America the Beautiful” at the start of the event, reprising her role from twenty years earlier at Wrestlemania III. Believe it or not this is the 5th consecutive Wrestlemania without an Intercontinental Championship match on the card and the 4th with the IC Champion being active on the card. Chris Benoit made his final Wrestlemania appearance when he defeated MVP to retain the United States Championship. Donald Trump made his third Wrestlemania appearance this time as apart of the show in the infamous Hair vs Hair match with Vince McMahon.

The Wold Heavyweight Championship match put The Undertaker’s 14 and 0 Wrestlemania streak against the champion Batista. After an exchange of several devastating attacks, including a Batista Bomb, Undertaker sealed his victory with a Tombstone Piledriver to keep his Wrestlemania streak alive. This was the fourth year in a row that the World Heavyweight Championship has changed hands at Wrestlemania. In the evenings final match Shawn Michaels took on John Cena for the WWE Championship this was Cena’s third year in a row competing for the WWE Championship in the main event. Like the previous two years John Cena would come out victorious bring his Wrestlemania record to 4 and 0.

The Date:

• April 01, 2007

The Card:

• United States Championship
  Chris Benoit defeated MVP
• The Great Khali defeated Kane
• Money in the Bank Ladder Match
  Mr Kennedy defeated Edge, CM Punk, King Booker, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Finlay and Randy Orton
• Hair vs Hair Match
  Bobby Lashley (w/Donald Trump) defeated Umaga (w/Mr. McMahon)
• ECW Originals defeated New Breed
• Women’s Championship Match
  Melina defeated Ashley
• World Heavyweight Championship Match
  Undertaker defeated Batista
• WWE Championship Match
  John Cena defeated Shawn Michaels

Celebrities in Attendance:

• Aretha Franklin
• Donald Trump
• Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner
• Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith
• Miss Teen USA 2006 Katie Blair
• Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera
• Members of the Detroit Tigers
• Thomas Hearns
• Dominik Hašek
• Rev. Run of Run DMC

After the break see the Money In The Bank Ladder Match, MVP vs Chris Benoit(c) for the United States Championship, The Undertaker vs Batista(c) for the Wold Heavyweight Championship and Shawn Michaels vs John Cena(c)………………

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Tickets sold out in under two minutes for Wrestlemania 22 in Chicago, Illinois. Wrestlemania 22 marked the first Wrestlemania not to feature the winner of the Royal Rumble in the final match of the night since Wrestlemania XV in 1999. CM Punk made his Wrestlemania debut as one of the “gangsters” in John Cena entrance. Bobby Lashley also made his Wrestlemania debut in the Money In The Bank Ladder Match.

The World Heavyweight Championship match was a triple treat that featured Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton and the champion Kurt Angle. This was Randy Orton’s first time competing in the main event at Wrestlemania. The match at just 9 minutes and 18 seconds was the shortest for a world championship in Wrestlemania history. Rey Mysterio pinned Randy Orton for the victory giving him his first World Heavyweight Championship.  Mysterio at only 5′8 and 165lbs would go down in history as the smallest World Heavyweight Champion in history. Because the pin fall was scored on Randy Orton this made the third time Kurt Angle would lose a championship at Wrestlemania without submitting or being pinned.

In the WWE Championship match Triple H faced off against the champion John Cena although Cena was being booked as a babyface the majority of the capacity crowd was against the WWE Champion. After 22 minutes and 2 second Cena forced Triple H to submit with the STFU. This was the second time Triple H would tap out in the main event at a Wrestlemania the previous time being against Chris Benoit at Wrestlemania XX.

The Date:

• April 02, 2006

The Card:

• United States Championship
  John “Bradshaw” Layfield (w/Jillian Hall) defeated Chris Benoit
• World Tag Team Championship Match
  Kane and The Big Show defeated Carlito and Chris Masters
• Hardcore Match
  Edge defeated Mick Foley
• Money in the Bank Ladder Match
  Rob Van Dam defeated Shelton Benjamin, Ric Flair, Finlay, Matt Hardy and Bobby Lashley
• Casket Match
  The Undertaker defeated Mark Henry
• No Holds Barred Match  
  Shawn Michaels defeated Vince McMahon
• The Boogeyman defeated Booker T and Sharmell
• Playboy Pillow Fight
  Torrie Wilson defeated Candice Michelle
• Women’s Championship Match
  Mickie James defeated Trish Stratus
• WWE Championship Match
  John Cena defeated Triple HUndertaker w/ Paul Bearer def. Kane
• Triple Threat World Heavyweight Championship Match
  Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton and Kurt Angle

 Celebrities in Attendance:

• Michelle Williams
• Joe Theismann
• P.O.D.

After the break see the Money In The Bank Ladder Match, Mick Foley vs Edge in a Hardcore Match, Mickie James vs Trish Stratus(c) for the Women’s Championship, Rey Mysterio vs Randy Orton vs Kurt Angle(c) for the World Heavy Weight Championship and Triple H vs John Cena(c) for the WWE Championship…………..

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Wrestlemania 21 took place from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California the event was the first Wrestlemania at the Staples Center, but the fifth to take place in the Southern California metropolitan area. Tickets sold out in less than one minute for the event, making it the fastest ticket sell-out in the company’s history as well as the fastest ticket sell-out at the Staples Center.

Wrestlemania 21 featured a “Dream Match” between Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels the two all-time greats had never faced each other prior to the event. Big Show faced Akebono in the first ever Sumo Match in WWE history. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper hosted a Wrestlemania edition of Piper’s Pit for the first time since Wrestlemania V. The Undertaker improved his Wrestlemania record to an amazing 13-0 against Randy Orton. And the very firt Money In The Bank Ladder Match took place between Edge, Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Benoit, Christian and Kane. For the first and only time at a Wrestlemania both the WWE and World Heavyweight Championship changed hands as John Cena defeated JBL and Batista defeated Triple H, respectively.

The Date:

• April 03, 2005

The Card:

• Rey Mysterio def. Eddie Guerrero
• Money in the Bank Ladder Match
  Edge def. Chris Benoit, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Jericho, Christian and Kane
• Interpromotional Match
  Undertaker def. Randy Orton
• Women’s Championship Match
  Trish Stratus def. Christy Hemme w/ Lita to retain
• Interpromotional Match
  Kurt Angle def. Shawn Michaels
• Sumo Matach
  Akebono def. Big Show
• WWE Championship Match
  John Cena def. JBL to become new champion
• World Heavyweight Championship Match
  Batista def. Triple H to become new champion

Celebrities In Attendance:

• David Arquette
• Motörhead
• Adam Sandler
• Rob Schneider
• Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top
• The Black Eyed Peas
• Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins
• Anthony Kiedis of The Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Ice Cube
• Carmen Electra
• Sylvester Stallone
• Marg Helgenberger
• Matt Groening
• Will Sasso

After the break see the special Pipers Pit segment featuring Stone Cold, the first Money In The Bank Ladder Match, Kurt Angle vs Shawn,Rey Mysterio vs Eddie Guerrero Michael, John Cena vs JBL(c) for the WWE Championship and Batista vs Triple H(c) for the World Heavyweight Championship…………

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Wrestlemania returned to “The World’s Most Famous Arena” with Wrestlemania XX this was the third time Madison Square Garden hosted the event. The United States Championship was defended for the first time in Wrestlemania history when Big Show faced off against John Cena who was making his Wrestlemania debut. As a result of a pre-match stipulation, Molly Holly had her head shaven clean by Victoria when she was unable to capture the Women’s Championship. The Rock made his very last appearance as a competitor in the WWE at Wrestlemania XX when he re-united the Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection in a Handicap Match against Evolution (Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair). After an extended absence, Paul Bearer returned to WWE at Wrestlemania XX when a accompanied The Undertaker to the ring for his match against Kane.

Chris Benoit had been waiting 18 years to finally get a shot at the World Championship after winning the Royal Rumble the then SmackDown! Superstar decided to jump ship to the RAW brand to face Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. Shawn Michaels interrupted the contract signing, though, and hit Benoit with the Sweet Chin Music. With Benoit knocked out, Michaels signed the contract. General Manager Eric Bischoff settled the controversy and made the match a Triple Threat Match. During the epic battle Triple H looked ready to lock in the Pedigree on Benoit but Benoit somehow reversed it into the Crippler Crossface, and with Michaels out on the floor, Triple H tapped out. This was Benoit’s second time winning the World Heavy Weight Championship but was his first and only time holding it since both the title and Benoit moved to the WWE.

The Date:

• March 14, 2004

The Card:

• United States Championship
  John Cena def. Big Show to become new champion
  
• Fatal Four Way World Tag Team Championship Match
  Booker T & Rob Van Dam def. La Resistance, Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade and the Dudleys to retain
• Christian def. Chris Jericho w/ Trish Stratus
• Handicap Match
  Randy Orton, Batista & Ric Flair def The Rock & Mick Foley
• Playboy Evening Gown Match
  Sable & Torrie Wilson def. Stacy Keibler & Miss Jackie
• Cruiserweight Open
  Ultimo Dragon def. Shannon Moore; Jamie Noble def. Ultimo Dragon; Jamie Noble def. Funaki; Jamie Noble def. Nunzio; Billy Kidman def. Jamie Noble; Rey Mysterio def. Billy Kidman; Rey Mysterio def. Tajiri; Chavo Guerrero w/ Chavo Classic def. Rey Mysterio to retain
• Goldberg def. Brock Lesnar (Stone Cold was special guest referee)
• Fatal Four Way WWE Tag Team Championship Match
  Scotty 2 Hotty & Rikishi def. Basham Brothers, World’s Greatest Tag Team and APA to retain
• Women’s Championship Match
  Victoria def. Molly Holly to retain
• WWE Championship Match
  Eddie Guerrero def. Kurt Angle to retain
• Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer def. Kane
• Triple Threat World Heavyweight Championship Match
  Chris Benoit def. Triple H and Shawn Michaels to become new champion

Celebrities in Attendance:

• Donald Trump
• Pete Rose

After the break see John Cena vs The Big Show(c) for the United States Championship, Brock Lesnar vs Goldberg with special guest ref Stone Cold, Kane vs The Undertaker, Kurt Angle vs Eddie Guerrero(c) for the WWE Championship and Chris Benoit vs Shawn Michaels vs Triple H(c) for the World Heavyweight Championship……………

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Wrestlemania XIX was held in Seattle, Washingtona that night the WWE set an attendance record for at Safeco Field with 54,097 fans from all fifty states in the venue. Wrestlemania XIX saw the Wrestlemania debut of Rey Mysterio, Victoria, Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, Chavo Guerrero and Brock Lesnar. Hulk Hogan picked up his first Wrestlemania win since 1993 when he defeated Mr. McMahon in a Street Fight. The WWE Tag Team Championship was defended for the first time in Wrestlemania history when the Self-Proclaimed World’s Greatest Tag Team successfully defended the titles against Los Guerreros and Rhyno & Chris Benoit. The World Tag Team Championship was defended on Sunday Night HEAT just prior to WrestleMania XIX. In the match Chief Morley & Lance Storm successfully defended against Kane & Rob Van Dam.

When The Rock battled Stone Cold at Wrestlemania XIX, it marked the third time these two greats battled each other at Wrestlemania. It was the first time The Rock came out victorious. This match was a swan song for both Stone Cold and The Rock as it was the final time they would face each other in the ring and was the final Wrestlemania appearance as an active member of the WWE roster for both. Stone Cold has not wrestled since Wrestlemania XIX, The Rock would have his last singles match as a member of the WWE roster month later at Backlash when he was defeated by Goldberg.

Wrestlemania XIX was the first time that both the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship were on the line on the same Wrestlemania card. In the World Heavyweight Championship match, Triple H defeated Booker T to retain his title. In the WWE Championship match, Brock Lesnar who was the first superstar since Ric Flair to make his Wrestlemania debut in the main event defeated defending champ Kurt Angle.

The Date:

• March 30, 2003

The Card:

• Cruiserweight Championship
  Matt Hardy def. Rey Mysterio to retain
• Handicap Match
  Undertaker def. Big Show and A-Train
• Triple Threat Women’s Championship Match
  Trish Stratus def. Jazz and Victoria to become new champion
• Triple Threat WWE Tag Team Championship Match
  Team Angle def. Los Guerreros and Chris Benoit & Rhyno to retain
• Shawn Michaels def. Chris Jericho
• Cat Fight
  Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson and the Miller Light Cat Fight girls went to a no contest
• World Heavyweight Championship Match
  Triple H w/ Ric Flair def. Booker T to retain
• Street Fight
  Hollywood Hogan def. Mr. McMahon
• The Rock def. Stone Cold
• WWE Championship Match
  Brock Lesnar def. Kurt Angle to become new champion

Celebrities In Attendance:

• Limp Bizkit
• Miller Lite Catfight Girls
• Ashanti

After the break see Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels, The Rock vs Stone Cold in there final confrontation, Booker T vs Triple H(c) for the World Heavyweight Championship, and Brock Lesnar vs Kurt Angle(c) for the WWE Championship……………….

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Wrestlemania X8 a.k.a Wrestlemania XVIII marked only the second time the legendary event was held outside the United States (both held in Toronto’s SkyDome). Wrestlemania X8 was Diamond Dallas Page’s second Wrestlemania in the SkyDome. DDP was also a part of Wrestlemania VI when he drove the car that took The Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine to the ring. For the second year in a row, William Regal opened Wrestlemania with a Intercontinental Championship match this time against Rob Van Dam. Regal who lost the previous years Wrestlemania opener to Chris Jericho would lose again this year to Van Dam. Two Hall of Fame stars returned to Wrestlemania at Wrestlemania X8, Hulk Hogan took on The Rock for his first Wrestlemania appearance in nine years and Ric Flair battled The Undertaker for his first Wrestlemania appearance in ten years. Both superstars would be defeated in there Wrestlemania return match.

Wrestlemania X8 was the first and only time the “Undisputed Championship” was on the line at a Wrestlemania when Chris Jericho took on Triple H in the main event. Jericho also had to like his chances because Triple H was hobbling into Wrestlemania with a bum quadriceps. After returning from a serious quad injury, Jericho reinjured Triple H’s leg in the weeks heading into their main event match. But The Game was able to prevail, Triple H was able to hit the patented Pedigree for the win and the Undisputed Championship. Triple H’s reign on top only lasted a little over a month before he lost the WWE Championship to Hollywood Hogan at the Backlash.

The Date:

• March 22, 2002

The Card:

• Intercontinental Championship
  Rob Van Dam def. William Regal to become new champion
• European Championship
  Diamond Dallas Page def. Christian to retain
• Hardcore Championship
  Spike Dudley, Hurricane, Mighty Molly, Maven and lastly Christian all scored pinfalls to become Hardcore Champion during the night
• Kurt Angle def. Kane
• Undertaker def. Ric Flair
• Edge def. Booker T
• Stone Cold def. Scott Hall w/ Kevin Nash
• Fatal Four Way Elimination Match for World Tag Team Championship
  Billy & Chuck def. The Hardy Boyz, the APA and the Dudleys
• Icon vs. Icon Match
  The Rock def. Hollywood Hogan
• Triple Threat Women’s Championship Match
  Jazz def. Lita and Trish to retain
• Undisputed Championship Main Event
  Triple H def. Chris Jericho w/ Stephanie McMahon

Celebrities In Attendance:

• Drowning Pool
• Saliva

After the break see The Rock vs Hulk Hogan in an Icon vs Icon match, Ric Flair vs The Undertaker, Stone Cold vs Scott Hall and Triple H vs Chris Jericho for the Undisputed Championship………..

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Wrestlemania X-Seven a.k.a. Wrestlemania XVII was the first Wrestlemania held in the state of Texas at the Astrodome on April 1, 2001. That night the WWE established a new all-time record for the facility at 67,925 fans. or the second Wrestlemania in a row, Edge & Christian captured the World Tag Team Championship in a match that also included the Dudleys and the Hardy Boyz. Like Wrestlemania 2000’s version, it was a Ladder Match, but this time it also included tables and chairs, officially making it the first TLC Match in Wrestlemania history. Wrestlemania X-Seven marked the Wrestlemania in-ring debut of the man who conceptualized the event, Vince McMahon, when he took on his son Shane. Also that night Chyna made her Wrestlemania in ring debut and defeated Ivory to win the WWF Womans Championship.

At Wrestlemania X-Seven for the second time “Stone Cold” Steve Austin would square off against The Rock in a Wrestlemania main event. Stone Cold won their previous main event at Wrestlemania XV, and the partisan Texas crowd was clearly on the Rattlesnake’s side for this rematch. The intrigue in the classic bout grew as Vince McMahon made his way to ringside. Vince soon revealed his reason for being there siding with the Texas Rattlesnake and helping his once bitter rival Stone Cold regain the WWF Championship. With this victory over The Rock Stone Cold’s Wrestlemania record moved to 3-0 while The Rock’s dropped to 0-3.

The Date:

• April 01, 2001

The Card:

• Intercontinental Championship
• Chris Jericho def. William Regal to retain
• Bradshaw, Faarooq & Tazz def. Right To Censor
• Hardcore Championship Triple Threat Match
  Kane def. Big Show and Raven to become new champion
• European Championship
  Eddie Guerrero def. Test to become new champion
• Kurt Angle def. Chris Benoit
• Women’s Championship
  Chyna def. Ivory to become new champion
• Street Fight
  Shane McMahon def. Mr. McMahon (Mick Foley was special guest referee)
• Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match for World Tag Team Championship
  Edge & Christian def. the Dudleys and Hardy Boyz to become new champions
• Gimmick Battle Royal
  The Iron Sheik def. Brother Love, Bushwhackers, Jim Cornette, Doink, Duke “The Dumpster” Droese, Earthquake, Gobbledy Gooker, Goon, Michael Hayes, Hillbilly Jim, Kamala, Kim Chee, One Man Gang, Repo Man, Sergeant Slaughter, Tugboat and Nikolai Volkoff
• Undertaker def. Triple H
• WWE Championship Main Event
  Stone Cold def. The Rock to become new champion

Celebrities in Attendance:

• Motorhead
• Jeff Bagwell
• Moises Alou

After the break see the TLC match for the Tag Team Championship, Shane vs Vince in a Street Fight, Triple H vs The Undertaker and Stone Cold vs The Rock(c) for the WWF Championship………… (more…)