A Preview of WrestleMania?

This month is the month every single superstar has been waiting for…The month of WrestleMania! Battles will be won, friendships will be lost, feuds will end, and title reigns will begin. The most anticipated match is the World Heavyweight Championship match between the current champion, A.J. Styles, and the winner of the Title Tournament, Sting.

            A.J. Styles is a man who has proven himself to be the greatest superstar in HwC…until Sting. A.J. is not only a double champion, but he was the winner of the 2005 Royal Rumble. Holding both the World and United States Championships, A.J. is a force to be reckoned with. He hasn’t lost a single match since his debut, and was even allowed to choose his own opponent at the last Pay Per View, No Way Out. AJ’s got the proverbial “cross-hares” locked on him from every single superstar, including Sting.

            Sting’s popularity has grown tremendously over the past few weeks, along with his intimidation. His matches in the past couple weeks have been nothing short of phenomenal, which is not good for A.J. This is the first major threat for A.J. in many weeks. Not only that, but Sting also has an undefeated winning streak. He hasn’t lost a match, even winning two matches in a single night. So there’s one question to ask every one of you. Was Sting’s win last week against JBL a preview of WrestleMania? Or was AJ’s win against Randy Orton a foreshadowing of things to come? I guess we’ll just have to find out for ourselves at WrestleMania.

“The Legend Killer’s” first test

Randy Orton has called himself the “Legend Killer” since the days of WWE. He has defeated such legends as Shawn Michaels, Jimmy Snuka, and Sgt. Slaughter. But does he have what it takes to put an end to The Undertaker’s WrestleMania winning streak? That will be answered at WrestleMania itself. Orton got himself into this when he made an open challenge to any superstar, hungry for a fight. Undertaker was quick to accept the challenge, claiming that he will give Orton the “match of his life.” It was set in stone when the boss himself, Vince Russo, came out and chose a date. The Undertaker is a monstrosity, a brute, a phenom, and Orton’s bark may not be as bad as his bite. We’ll find out if the Legend Killer can live up to the hype the Sunday of WrestleMania, when he takes on one of the biggest legends of them all, The Undertaker.

WrestleMania Moments

Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m good ol’ J.R.! I’m here to give you my top ten WrestleMania Moments and Matches. Over the years, WWE has put on over Twenty infamous WrestleManias, making for a tough decision when narrowing down all of the moments and matches to ten. Here are my pics…don’t be upset if one of yours isn’t on there.

10) Benoit’s Dream

            Chris Benoit defeated not one legendary wrestler, but two, both Triple H and Shawn Michaels, in a triple threat match for HHH’s World Heavyweight Championship. Now, I believe WWE rushed Benoit’s popularity too quickly, but I have to give this extraordinary man credit where credit is due.

9) Three Strikes and You’re OUT!

            This is a memorable moment for everyone. Good Ol’ Pete Rose, a famous ball player…and an infamous gambler. He got what was coming to him three times when Kane Tombstoned him straight to hell!

8) Hey, Hey, Hey, Goodbye!  

            The fans at Wrestlemania XX were more than happy to ship out Brock Lesnar and Goldberg, “cheering” them on with chants such as “You Sold Out.” The New York fans also sang the “Goodbye” song that we’ve grown to know oh-so well.

7) …Didn’t Tap Out.

            Stone Cold Steve Austin faced Bret Hart in a match that had been talked about for months afterward. During this submission match, special referee Ken Shamrock called for the bell when Austin passed out due to blood loss. Bret continued to attack Austin after the match because he was simply frustrated. Fans started booing Bret, so Shamrock stopped him with a suplex. Bret left the ring as fans booed him out of the arena. Austin got up and the fans cheered him. Austin, never tapping out, gained much respect after this match.

6) Seeing Shooting Stars

            It was Brock Lesnar taking on Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship. Kurt Angle went into this match a courageous man, with neck injuries up to his…neck. But the real shocker that night was when Brock Lesnar risked his career and possibly his life when he climbed the turnbuckle. He attempted a Shooting Star Press. You could say it ended a bit less than pretty. He missed Kurt Angle, only getting his shoulder. His body almost curled up like a slinky. He went on to win the match, but was out of it the entire time.

5) Hulkamania’s Still Runnin’ Wild!

            At WrestleMania X8, Hulk Hogan walked to the ring as a heel and left the ring as a babyface. The Rock walked in as a face, but was booed from the Toronto crowd during the match. Hogan got cheered after every move he did. Although the Rock won the match, Hogan and Rock left the ring together as a new friendship was born.

4) The Macho Man is No More…

            It was a career match with the loser never to wrestle again. Three special moments happened in a span of five minutes. Warrior won the match after Savage had the upper hand in the feud for five months. Sensational Sherri turned on Savage after the match because she was going to be unemployed too (she joined Ted DiBiase later in the night). Miss Elizabeth ran in and saved her man and both reunited. It wasn’t, however, the last time we’d see Savage…by a long shot.

3) HBK Gets More Than a Slap in the Face…

            Shawn Michaels put up his world championship in what was thought to be his last match. Mike Tyson was the ringside enforcer for the match and sided with Michaels when he joined Degeneration X. Tyson counted to three when Austin pinned him with the stunner. Tyson raised Austin’s hand and a new WWF Champion was crowned. Austin’s first WWF Title win marks as one of the most memorable moments, but Tyson’s appearance belongs in the list. Tyson decked Michaels after being confronted.

2) Timber…!

            It was 93,173 fans in attendance that night of March 29, 1987. Hogan was taking on Andre the Giant for his World Title. Near the end of the match, Hogan decided to do the unthinkable. After much struggle, Hogan slammed Andre the Giant and was able to retain the WWF Title. Not only that, but this was the first time on WWF TV that Andre was pinned in his then-17 year career. It was passing of the torch from Andre to Hogan. Hogan even landed a leg drop, despite tearing every muscle in his back.

And the #1 WrestleMania Moment/Match is…

1) The Hitman loses to the Iron Man…

            WrestleMania…63 Minutes…Iron Man Match…Sudden Death! Shawn Michaels won his first ever World Heavyweight Championship against Bret Hart in sudden death when an Iron Man match ended in a 0-0 Tie. Bret’s frustrated anger was silenced with a superkick that echoed throughout the arena. Legends truly are made at Wrestlemania, and this is no omission.

D-Generation Ex?

D-Generation X, One of the most dominating forces in all of wrestling history. From pulling pranks to kicking ass, D-Generation X has always been a stable that no one wanted to mess with. D-Generation X has always been known for causing trouble. But lately, however, the only trouble D-X has been causing has been within the group itself. Triple H and Shawn Michaels have bickered greatly these past couple of weeks. Triple H has been going on a power trip about “his time,” “his world championship shot,” and “his leadership of D-X.” Shawn Michaels doesn’t back down when he has been offended, and has told Triple H straight forward about his power trip. HHH did apologize, and has seemed to come back down to earth, but for how long?