WWE - Wrestlemania XXI (2005)

[center] [left]April 3, 2005 was the night of the 21st annual installment of the wrestling spectacular. Nine matches were contested in an evening that many will remember for a lifetime. The DVD showcases all the highs and lows of the evening, and includes some great Extras that can only be found on the set. Disc One - The Undercard [center] [left]The opening match was a battle of friends, tag team partners, and co holders of the Tag Team Championship. The match was quickly paced and had some great spots. Mysterio won after a busted up finish. Score: 8 (of 10) [center] [left]How do you get six guys involved in WrestleMania that didn't have a spot? Put them all in a ladder match. This match never failed to disappoint. Granted, it was a glorified garbage/spotfest, but we saw some moves that we'll likely never see again (Benjamin's run up the ladder and flying clothesline). Benoit should win an Oscar for his selling in this one as anyone watching would have assumed he was a bodyslam away from dying. Edge wins after slamming Benoit with a chair and grasping the briefcase that hold the World title contract. Score: 9/10 [center] [left]This match stole the thunder from the previous ladder match and surpassed everyone's expectations. People were wondering going in to this one if Orton was the one to end Taker's undefeated streak at Mania. WWE Creative should be commended that they chose the right decision.In a back and forth battle, Taker wins after he reverses a tombstone piledriver. Score: 9.5/10 How do you reward fans after a truely great match? Put on a Women's title match between a great female wrestler and a talentless pair of boobs. Poor match that took the fans out of the show. Score: 2/10 [center] [left] How does Shawn Michaels do it? For that matter, how does Kurt Angle do it? These two guys are past their prime, but they put on perhaps the greatest match ever in WrestleMania history. It's at least on par with Steamboat/Savage, The Stone Cold/Rock series, or Piper/Hart. These two had the fans on the edge of their seats and put on a clinic for all to see. Angle and Michaels developed perfect ring psychology and the match was allowed to tell a story. Could very well be a match of the year contender. Angle won after slapping on an Ankle Lock for the submission win. Score: 10/10 Sadly, this is where the night took a turn for the worst. Gone was the excitement from the previous matches. Gone was the passion in the ring. The WWE was content to trot out three lackluster matches to easily spoil a great evening. Big Show vs. Akebono - Sumo Match This match meant absolutely nothing and only served to further alienate fans that were gung ho for the night's Main Events. Score: N/A Disc Two - The Main Events Finally, we move onto the Main Events and we are further disenchanted. John Cena vs. JBL This match was one of the worst WWE Championship matches in the history of Mania. Both Cena and JBL phoned in a lackluster performance. The match ended in just over 10 minutes after a Cena FU. Score: 4/10 [center] [left]Uninspired, unmoving, and the start of the biggest flop since The Ultimate Warrior. Triple H simply can not carry a big man to a Main Event matchup. Granted, Trips is a great performer, but when his head is not in it, he fails to deliver. The fans barely reacted when Batista was named the winner and new World Champion. Score: 5/10 Disc Two Extras - *All the WWE WrestleMania film parodies are included. *Promotional Spots for the four top matches. *Outtakes and bloopers for the film parodies. *WrestleMania Week Activities. *Interpromotional Battle Royal *Motorhead Unplugged with Triple H. Disc Three - 2005 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceromony Inductees - "Cowboy" Bob Orton Nikolai Volkoff The Iron Shiek "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart "Rowdy" Roddy Piper Hulk Hogan Overall, it's a great set filled with some of the best matches of the year. The Hall of Fame disc is worth the price alone. [/left] [/center] [/left] [/center] [/left] [/center] [/left] [/center] [/left] [/center] [/left] [/center]