Where do I even begin with that Mania? Was it the best ever? No, that title still belongs to Mania 17. However, was it top five of all time? Yes, I seriously believe yes. Let's get into the matches:
Sheamus vs Bryan: Zero Stars. Seriously, what the fuck was this? Can someone honestly explain to me what the point of this was? You build up Bryan for four months. He finally starts going over with the fans. Hell, did you see those "YES" signs in the audience tonight? HE WAS OVER! Now? Jesus christ, now, he has just been bitchsmacked right back down the ladder. I am so disappointed about this, and I really hope Bryan gets a rematch at Extreme Rules, and whips Sheamus' ass.
Orton vs Kane: 2 Stars. Not bad, but not all that great either. I have never been a very big fan of Orton's work, but tonight it was okay. The chokeslam off the top was pretty awesome though.
Cody Rhodes vs Big Show: 1 1/2 Stars: Liked the match, loved the fact that Cody was smart and went for the legs. Hated the ending. Having Big Show win the title does nothing for him. However, having Cody win, and keep the title, only elevates his stock even more and puts him in the main event picture. I am very disappointed.
Diva's Match: 1 1/2 Stars: Simply for Kelly Kelly. Did you see that move she pulled off the top, and that counter to the Glam Slam? Say what you want about Kelly's in-ring ability, but god damn, she works her ass off to get better and better.
HIAC: 5 Stars: What can be said about this match? The emotional highs and lows of this match had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I absolutely believed that the SCM/Pedigree combo was going to end the streak. Call me naive, but with all the recent reports of an HBK/HHH match at Mania next year, I could definitely see that being the finish. So happy it didn't end there though, and we got the end we did. Honestly, let all three of these guys retire, and have this be the match they ride out into the sunset on. The curtain call at the end brought me to tears. What an amazing sight.
Team Johnny vs Team Teddy: 2 1/2 stars: I understand why Johnny won, and so I am not to bothered by that, and I love the fact that The Miz was the one who got the pinfall, but I still wish this match had gone on longer. Did Otunga even get into the ring? Loved the spot with Kofi, Ryder, and Truth? flying over the top at the same time. Yeah, good, but not great. Wish it had gone longer.
CM Punk vs Chris Jericho: 4 1/2 stars: What a fantastic fugging match. Loved Jericho trying to get Punk disqualified at the beginning. Love the pace and flow of the match. It took a while for the fans to get into it, but once they did, Punk and Jericho had them in the palm of their hands and proved why they are two of the best in the ring and lead them on another emotional journey. That ending sequence was ridiculously awesome and creative, and I can't imagine the match ending in a better way. Definitely lived up to the hype in my mind.
Rock vs Cena: 4 1/2 stars: After a year of hype, this match lived up to it and then some. Absolutely shocked that Rock won, but not bothered by it. Loved the fact that both guys pulled out all the stops to win. When was the last time we saw Rock do a flying cross body? Loses half a star from me for the quick ending. I would have loved to have seen one of them tap. Just saying.
Overall: 4 stars: This was a three match show to me, and all three matches met my expectations and then some. This Mania had the potential to be one of the best ever, and while it fell short of Mania 17 to me, it is definitely one of the top five ever in my eyes, probably only behind Mania 19 as well, to me. Though, I am sure other people would put other ones ahead as well. Yeah, this was just a great show to me, and I am glad I spent the 55 bucks on it.
