The anticipation was high, the expectations even higher. WrestleMania 25, celebrated as the 25th Anniversary of the iconic wrestling event, had promised fans something truly exceptional. However, as the grand event unfolded, it became clear that the hype might have outweighed the reality.
Before the main event took center stage, a historic tag team dark match was held between WWE Tag Team Champions Primo and Carlito Colon and World Tag Team Champions The Miz and John Morrison. The stakes were high as the winners would be crowned the first-ever Unified Tag Team Champions in history. The match, as seen on the WrestleMania 25 DVD, was indeed entertaining. Still, it left a bitter taste as the talents involved were upset about not making it onto the main card, giving way to less thrilling matches.
The annual Money in the Bank Ladder Match kicked off the show, with standout performances by Kofi Kingston, Christian, and Shelton Benjamin. However, the unexpected win by CM Punk left many fans underwhelmed, despite the long-term benefits it would bring to his career.
The 25-Divas Battle Royal aimed to determine the first-ever Miss WrestleMania, with fans hoping for some surprise returns from past Divas. Unfortunately, these returns were overshadowed by a lengthy music performance by Kid Rock, and the match itself left much to be desired, ultimately won by Santino Marella in drag as “Santina.”
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Chris Jericho’s match against established legends Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka saved the show from disappointment. Y2J’s performance showcased his talents, but his placement on the card left fans wanting more.
The Extreme Rules Match between Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy displayed their chemistry but was overlooked due to a lack of promotion. Matt Hardy’s victory, despite subsequent injury, was a positive outcome.
In contrast, the Intercontinental Championship match between JBL and Rey Mysterio was a mere 21 seconds long, a disappointing choice for WrestleMania.
The most anticipated match of the night, Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker, delivered a breathtaking showdown. It was arguably the match of the night but was not given the main event status it deserved.
The World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat Match between Edge, Big Show, and John Cena was predictable, lacking chemistry, and had an odd build-up. John Cena’s win seemed inevitable.
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Finally, the WWE Championship main event between Triple H and Randy Orton was criticized for its lack of excitement and a finish involving a banned sledgehammer. Overall, WrestleMania 25 failed to live up to its 25th-anniversary hype and was considered by many as one of the worst-executed WrestleManias in recent memory.
While not every WrestleMania can be a grand slam, this particular edition left fans and critics alike wanting more from the milestone celebration.
