Random Thoughts: WrestleMania 19

[StraightEdge for Life]

I had only started watching wrestling a few weeks before Mania, but I saw the event on PPV and was absolutely pissed when Booker T lost to Triple H, but at that time I was only 9 and didn't know that wrestling was booked.

 

[X]

The match definitely had the greatest Harlem Hangover in history. I mean, Book's leg landed right across HHH's face. I know that shit had to fucking hurt, and that alone makes up for all the crap HHH got away with during that feud (especially since Booker would get his deserved World Title run a few years later, anyway).

Yes! I loved that spot, I remember marking out because he really didn't use the Hangover very often once he was signed to the WWE.

I liked the match a lot. I thought it was a great feud. The only probelm was the awkward finish. I don't mind Triple H going over Booker. Triple H is better and there's nothing wrong the the champion getting a successful title defense. I think just getting the title shot at mania was a big enough push for Booker.

But the way the feud was booked, I mean Booker really HAD to win that match. The whole redemption thing, cleaning up his life and the rich arrogant prick trying to fault him for it, really the only acceptable outcome to that feud should have been Booker beating Triple H. Having Triple H win was just bizarre, it's like they were sending the message that yep Booker is just nothing but a criminal who doesn't deserve a title shot. The bad guys should never win the main event match at 'Mania IMO, that's the big blowoff match. Having the heel win like that just killed Booker's credibility instantly and he hasn't been able to recover since, despite the WHC title reign as King Booker.

We agree on our top two manias. I'm right there with you with 19 as my favorite and 17 a close second.

Yeah, not counting the nostalgia factor though. If we throw that in nothing will probably ever beat Wrestlemania 14 for me, being like ten years old and watching my new hero Austin defeat my old hero HBK, that was such an awesome mark-out moment for me. I have so many fond memories of 97-01 in the WWF, that was the peak of my childhood markdom I'd say.

Poor kids today, to think this is the era they get to grow up on while the rest of us were lucky enough to grow up watching the 80s-early 00s WWF.

I loved the match, and I found the entire angle to be entertaining. But that doesn't mean it didn't make me a bit uncomfortable from time to time.

Definitely, there were serious racist implications about the whole thing. That's what made Booker's loss even more puzzling. Well maybe not puzzling because it's Hunter so it's no shock to see him refusing to put someone else over at 'Mania, but just deflating.

 

[The Brain]

But the way the feud was booked, I mean Booker really HAD to win that match. The whole redemption thing, cleaning up his life and the rich arrogant prick trying to fault him for it, really the only acceptable outcome to that feud should have been Booker beating Triple H. Having Triple H win was just bizarre, it's like they were sending the message that yep Booker is just nothing but a criminal who doesn't deserve a title shot. The bad guys should never win the main event match at 'Mania IMO, that's the big blowoff match. Having the heel win like that just killed Booker's credibility instantly and he hasn't been able to recover since, despite the WHC title reign as King Booker.

That's a great point. Most people just say Booker should have won because Triple H was holding people back. That's usually the only argument so I just say Triple H was better than Booker T and was a more worthy champion. Looking closer at the feud it would have made sense for underdog to pull off the big win. I still like the match and feud regardless of the outcome but your reasoning for wanting Booker to win is better than most other people's.

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

The match was very good. It's a personal favourite of mine. It's booked practically perfectly...except the end which is awful. Booker should've won and Triple H took far too long to pin Booker.


The Mania of WrestleMania was excellent BTW for those of you who haven't watched it.

 

[Y-2-Jay]

The Mania of WrestleMania was excellent BTW for those of you who haven't watched it.

What he said.

To the people who have not seen it, its a 100% legit non scripted documentary its really strange seeing the real backstage of the WWE. Funny moment: HHH just walks past Hogan and shakes everyone elses hands LOL what a douchey move.

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

Plus Jesse Ventura does the narration.

 

[Coco]

You got this video as well shows why Trips overturned the decision.

That's still ******ed. The guy who isn't Ric Flair but liked to pretend he was at that time isn't going to elevate a new face because he "isn't Stone Cold Steve Austin." Absolute garbage.

 

[The Rob]

This was the first WrestleMania I watched as a fan, and it still remains one of my favourites. Shawn Michaels/Chris Jericho, Hogan/McMahon & Rock/Austin were three classic matches in my opinion. When Vince pops if his bloody face over the top of the apron still remains one of my favourite Mr. McMahon moments because it looked like he was truly possessed.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Having Triple H hit the pedigree and then spend about five minutes lying around before going for the cover is always good for a chuckle.

 

[Y-2-Jay]

Plus Jesse Ventura does the narration.

Very true his voice fit that documentary hell Vince should get him back for some more voice overs.

 

[Coco]

Having Triple H hit the pedigree and then spend about five minutes lying around before going for the cover is always good for a chuckle.

Not as funny as Shawn Michaels spending five minutes in the ankle lock at WrestleMania 21.

 

[Jackal960]

As a wrestling match people prefer to watch Austin-Rock WM 17 but out of the 3 WM matches i always enjoyed this one at WM19. I loved the storytelling, legends exchanging their gimmicks and a classic finish with Rock coming near to Austin and talking to him, just classic!

It was a great booking idea to give Brock and Angle the main event, but the crowd i guess were a bit tired of the excitement of all those great matches before that. By the time of the main event that WM was already history!

 

[King Patrick Star]

I've said this before on another thread, but it just fits better here.

My favorite Pay Per View of all time is WrestleMania XIX. It had 4 Main Events (in my opinion 5, including HBK vs. Y2J) including 2 World Title matches and 2 matches featuring Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the Rock. 2 Tag Team Title matches, a Triple Threat for the WWE Tag Titles featuring 3 great teams and a Sunday Night Heat World Tag Team Title match (how many PPVs have / had a Dark match / Sunday Night Heat match for any Championship??). It had a great Cruiserweight match to start the show with Matt and Rey. It had a really good Women’s Title match, which is just so hard to find these days, showcasing 3 very talented women. The Undertaker beat not one, but two opponents to add to his streak. Last but most definitely not least, Stacey and Torrie in a Pillow fight with two other hot chicks!! I don’t think there is any other PPV in history that tops WM XIX. There was at least one thing wrong with every other PPV ever. Even WM XIX’s “Dark” match was awesome.

...

I have to mention, in this little rant / rave, the Superstars in the Title matches. Triple H, Booker T., Kurt Angle, and Brock Lesnar. That card was stacked from top to bottom with 23 World Champions on the card. Every match had a former, or at the time, soon to be, World Champion. I just feel that every WM after XIX had its share of let downs. WM X8 comes in a very close second in my opinion, very close.

To add to this, I don’t believe there has been a better WM card from I to X8 and from XX to this year’s XXVII. Regardless of what the WWE tries to put out this year, it can’t possibly compare to XIX.

 

[Shocky]

19 Is my personal favorite Wrestlemania.

Jericho vs. Michaels was an instant classic, and easily a top 5 Mania match of all time.

Triple H vs. Booker was such bullshit. Booker should have won the damn match, but Triple H did everything he could to bury him. I like the match, but I get absolutely livid watching the end of the match. Triple H taking about a half an hour to cover Booker T after the pedigree insults the intelligence of anyone that has watched this business.

Rock vs. Austin was my personal favorite of the three. I find the Mania 15 match damn near unwatchable, and the 17 match is simply too over the top to be enjoyable on my end.

Brock vs. Angle wasn't their best match, but still a good match. The shooting star press is still sick to watch to this day.

Mania 19 only suffered from incorrect match order. The WWE has done a better job recently of breaking up the bigger matches.

 

[King Patrick Star]

19 Is my personal favorite Wrestlemania.

Jericho vs. Michaels was an instant classic, and easily a top 5 Mania match of all time.

Triple H vs. Booker was such bullshit. Booker should have won the damn match, but Triple H did everything he could to bury him. I like the match, but I get absolutely livid watching the end of the match. Triple H taking about a half an hour to cover Booker T after the pedigree insults the intelligence of anyone that has watched this business.

Rock vs. Austin was my personal favorite of the three. I find the Mania 15 match damn near unwatchable, and the 17 match is simply too over the top to be enjoyable on my end.

Brock vs. Angle wasn't their best match, but still a good match. The shooting star press is still sick to watch to this day.

Mania 19 only suffered from incorrect match order. The WWE has done a better job recently of breaking up the bigger matches.

You’re absolutely right. I didn’t even think that could be something to think about, but yes, you are right. The order I would have gone with is:

Main Attraction matches
1. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho (Raw)
2. The Undertaker vs. Big Show and A-Train (Smackdown)
3. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock (Raw)
4. Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon- Street Fight (Smackdown)

Intermission match
5. Stacy Keibler/Torrie Wilson vs. the Miller Lite Girls (Intermission, but I would not have missed that match!! HA!!)

Championship matches
6. Trish Stratus vs. Victoria(c) vs. Jazz – WWE Women's Title (Raw)
7. Matt Hardy(c) vs. Rey Mysterio- WWE Cruiserweight Championship (Smackdown)
8. Lance Storm and Chief Morley (c) vs. Kane and Rob Van Dam – World Tag Team Championship (Raw)
9. Shelton Benjamin/Charlie Haas(c) vs. Eddie/Chavo Guerrero vs. Benoit/Rhyno – WWE Tag Team Championship (Smackdown)

Main Event matches
10. Triple H (c) w/ Flair vs. Booker T – World Heavyweight Championship (Raw)
11. Kurt Angle (c) vs. Brock Lesnar – WWE Championship (Smackdown)

Alternating Raw and Smackdown matches would also alternate the commentators. I also wouldn’t have a dark match, but that’s just me.