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Professor Wrestling: 'WrestleMania 24' Thoughts

Winners, Losers, Legends

POSTED: 11:25 pm EDT April 3, 2008
UPDATED: 7:39 am EDT April 4, 2008

Listen up!

Class is in session.

Did you happen to see "WrestleMania 24?" If not, you missed a pretty entertaining show -- with two solid title matches and a five-star contest between Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair. My final thoughts on the card in a just a minute, but first -- it's my pleasure to announce the WINNER of the "WrestleMania 24" contest, where you had to pick the matches.

Podcast: 'Old School, New School' -- Episode 71

As usual, I was swamped with entries, but there was only one person who got nine correct guesses out of 10. His name is James Pepin, and he wins a double-DVD set of "Royal Rumble" matches from the past decade. Way to go James!

For the rest of you who didn't win: A huge thanks for taking time to enter!

Now, down to other business -- my final thoughts on this year's big show. Let's take it match by match:

WWE Championship Match: Randy Orton (c) vs. Triple H vs. John Cena
Orton won this affair, as I predicted. I thought it was a fine match with plenty of solid action. Hunter and Cena didn't need to win the belt, kids. They're established stars. Orton, even though he's the champ, is still an unknown commodity in the mainstream entertainment community. WWE needs to build him up more to make him a household name. A big "WrestleMania" win was the right move.

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Edge (c) vs. Undertaker
This one started out a bit slow, but I really thought it picked up great steam and had a satisfying finish. Undertaker's crazy choke hold came out of nowhere to finish Edge off. And the best thing about the match? No Vickie Guerrero!

Challenge Match: Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather
To tell you the truth, I thought this one would be a real dud. I was wrong. Mayweather gets the Good Sport Award for his fine acting throughout the match. I was really surprised how well he told a story in the ring, and was pleased that he used wrestling dirty tricks (chair shots, brass knuckles) to get the win. A solid spectacle.

Career Threatening Match: Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels
I'm a dope. I'll admit it. I thought Flair actually had a chance to win this one. They had me that bamboozled. During the match I kept saying, "They have to let him win!" But Flair didn't, and that was the right thing to do. I've never witnessed a better wrestling match, and I've seen zillions. That's how good this was. Almost better: Flair's retirement ceremony the next night on "Raw." Class, it's required tear-jerker viewing. Kudos to Flair and Michaels for putting on such a great match.

Challenge Match: Batista vs. Umaga
The problem with this match going in was that there was nothing at stake. Pride in your TV brand? Who cares? Batista and Umaga didn't, that's for sure. These two have been around long enough to deliver quality matches, but this one seemed mailed in. I didn't pay for that, boys.

Money In The Bank Ladder Match: C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Carlito vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. John Morrison
Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Like the Flair match, I kept on saying, "This is great." Every contestant got a few minutes in the spotlight with crazy spots, and Punk was a worthy winner. Big thumbs up, as usual.

24-Man Battle Royal, Winner Faces ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero
I didn't like the fact that the battle royal, won by Kane, was in the pre-show. If it's listed as part of the paid "WrestleMania" package, I want to see it. The pre-show is for eating pizza and settling down. I felt a bit ripped off by that. I also felt cheated when Kane pinned Chavo in a squash during the show. Trim some backstage junk or a pointless promo (Carlito versus the seagull) and give me more wrestling time.

Belfast Brawl Match: JBL vs. Finlay
This was OK, but it should have been better. I'm not a big fan of matches where guys hit each other with garbage cans, Kendo sticks or the dreaded cookie sheet. A bit lame for my taste, but at least it was short and JBL got the decisive victory.

BunnyMania Lumberjack Match: Maria and Ashley vs. Beth Phoenix and Melina
This was terrible. It's time to get rid of the whole Playboy thing -- and just have a quality women's match. WWE should have spent the weeks leading up to "WrestleMania" finding someone who could give Phoenix a decent match. TNA can put on a compelling women's title match. Why can't WWE?

That's it. My final thoughts on "WrestleMania 24." What? You want more? Then you'll have to download the Professor Wrestling podcast. It's called "Old School, New School" and we're on our 71st episode. Man, time flies. This week, it's all "WM24" -- with a special focus on Ric Flair. Download it exclusively right here.

That's it!

Class is dismissed!

(Professor Wrestling is a masked employee of Internet Broadcasting, hailing from Parts Unknown. Got a question, comment, complaint? E-mail him right here. )


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