To some, it seems as though I have the unenviable task of recalling, quite possibly, one of the WORST WrestleManias of the last 10 years. From Jersey Shore’s Snookie stealing Dolph Ziggler and John Morrison’s thunder, to THE MIZ of all people competing in a GOD AWFUL Mania main event, it’s almost gospel that there’s not much WrestleMania-ness when it comes to WrestleMania 27.
However unlike my reviews on WrestleMania 15 and WrestleMania 21…I have nothing but good memories when it come’s to Atlanta Georgia’s edition of WWE’s “Show of Shows”.
How is this possible?
Well, I was there live in Altlanta, sitting three rows from the ring…that’s why!!
Looking back on my MASSIVE financial investment in a WrestleMania Platnium Travel Package years ago, I can honestly say it was the best 4-figure sum I have ever spent. In fact, this was the event that encouraged me return to WrestleMania 3 MORE TIMES (including next Sunday at in San Jose, California for WrestleMania 31).
But why, seeing as though a majority of what was on Mania 27 was utter crap!?
The answers lie in the power of WWE’s live events.
Much like it is now with Monday Night RAW, television content might be lackluster at best, yet WWE continues to sell out their arenas all the way up to any WrestleMania. When it came to WrestleMania 27 back in 2011, tickets for the event went on sale of September of the previous year, selling out quickly after that. Without even knowing the creative direction or match card, I joined the thousands that clambered for tickets and the “WrestleMania Experience” that went along with them.
And that’s what it’s all about: being a part of an EXPERIENCE. WWE are the masters of creating a buzz and an “in-the-moment” atmosphere that accentuates what we love about pro wrestling. Sure, many fans may gawk at the logic holes in storylines and the “over-the-top” promo packages WWE release every Mania season depicting fans loosing their lunch. I instead choose to smile because I know that you have to be a “WrestleMania Live” veteran to appreciate the fact that when it comes to that first bell sounding for that first Mania match, terrible storylines are forgiven and those “melodramatic” promo packages become ultimate reality.
Being almost front row in the Georgia Dome for WrestleMania 27 dealt me a crash course into what a WrestleMania live experience was all about. For the first time in my life, I got to witness my 2 childhood heroes The Rock and Steve Austin pose 5 feet away from me. In a moment I will never forget as long as I live, I felt the adrenaline rush of 60,000 + fans buy into a perfectly executed near-fall, as Triple H almost ended The Streak via The Undertaker’s own tombstone. In a touching “I Was There Moment”, I sat back and enjoyed Edge compete in his final professional wrestling match against Alberto Del Rio in an excellent opener. Finally, WWE delivered one last gift in the form of a mid-air RKO on an oblivious CM Punk during their encounter.
What more could I ask for in one night?!
I could easily sit here and rip this show apart. Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes under-delivered. Wade Barret’s The Core should of been given more time to showcase what they had. Hell, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler had ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to be given so much time!
Instead, ill leave you with this:
Back when I was growing up, the adverts for WWF/E’s house shows would always drill home the tagline: “There’s nothing like seeing the WWF/E LIVE!”. To this day, in the face of incredible amounts of bad publicity concerning their content, Vince McMahon continues to be the ultimate showman. My long lasting love for WrestleMania stemmed from the iconic spectacle that was WrestleMania 27 to the degree that I concur with there being “nothing like seeing WWE Live”.
If you are a true pro wrestling fan…you owe it to yourself to spend the money, travel to wherever you need to go and EXPERIENCE what i’m talking about.
MATCH RESULTS:
#1 World Championship: Edge (c) With Christian def Alberto Del Rio With Ricardo Rodriquez
Atlanta wanted a Del Rio title change, which made Edge’s shocking victory all the more unexpected. A solid, heel environment opener.
#2 Cody Rhodes def Rey Mysterio
Yes, the build for this one was solid and yes, Rey’s Entrance was spectacular. But when all was said and done, this match lacked that WrestleMania feel. An encounter where most just sat on their hands live.
#3 Big Show, Kane, Kofi Kingston and Santino Marella def The Corre
(Wade Barret, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, Ezekiel Jackson)
I remember checking my phone for 30 seconds, looking up, then witnessing Big Show deliver his Knockout Punch for the ‘W’. Another shame, seeing as there was a ton of talent – Wad Barret * wink wink* ready to show the world why they belonged in WWE
#4 Randy Orton def CM Punk
As a massive CM Punk fan going into Atlanta, I lost my Sh*t seeing the man himself in person. Technically, this match his all the right notes and sent me home happy with that “must-see-live-before- you-die”mid-air RKO by Orton.
#5 Michael Cole (With Jack Swagger) def Jerry “The King” Lawler via DQ (Steve Austin as special guest referee)
Looking back, i think seeing Steve Austin up close blinded me to the horrors that was this match. Again, the story was fantastic leading to this…but it had no right going 20 minutes!!! We popped big for Austin and Lawler in the building, but soon after, we were dead silent.
#6 The Undertaker def Triple H
The epitome of the phrase “WrestleMania Worthy”. I don’t know what was better: having undertaker’s sweat and blood splash on me as he got put through an announce table? Or being a part of a 60,000 person audience being duped by Triple H Tombstone near fall!? Say what you will about the match, but this one live single handedly got me hooked on WWE LIVE.
#7 Jersey Shore’s Snookie, John Morrison and Trish Stratus def Dolph Ziggler and LayCool (Layla and Michelle McCool) (with Vickie Geurerro)
After Taker/HHH, no one had any energy for this celebrity-riddled 6-person tag. We popped for Snookie hitting her handspring elbow…and that’s about it!!!
#8 WWE Championship: The Miz (c) def John Cena
While this match was the absolute pits, there’s nothing quite like expecting John Cena to win the WWE Championship…only to have him not achive this thanks TO THE ROCK!! Being a fan fully entrenched in the “Cenanough”camp, I was almost reduced to tears as The Miz pinned John to retain his title. In fact, if you look close enough when Miz defeats Cena, you can see a man in a great T-Shirt in the bottom left hand corner of the screen go bananas…that would be me!