Wrestlemania 25 – the Review

WHY? JUST WHY?

 

So our belated and beleagured journey through Wrestlemania weekend comes to a conclusion with the big one…Wrestlemania 25.

We arrived at Reliant Stadium not knowing that the tag team unification match had been moved to a dark match.  Just further proof as to how far tag team wrestling has fallen in the eye of the “E” since X7.

At that event, the Dudleys, Hardys and Edge & Christian fairly stole the show with their TLC match.

Here we had the Colon taking on Morrison and the Miz in a lumberjack match in which the ring was surrounded by a bunch of guys who wouldn’t have otherwise made the broadcast.  The match was already underway when we arrived.  I was rooting for Morrison and the Miz, since I still think Morrison is the next big thing.  They lost the match, but all four guys put on a solid performance.

Then we had the obligatory introductions, countdowns and pyrotechnics.

Then we went straight into the action.

Wrestlemania Weekend – Axxess

I'm the man in the box...

 

The next stop on our much belated trip to Wrestlemania weekend finds us taking in Axxess.

Despite numerous attempts to procure press credentials for the WWF/E Hall of Fame failed, we opted to hit Axxess instead.  We knew a vast majority of the fans AND the workers would be downtown and hopefully our wait times wouldn’t be too bad.

Let me start by saying, I would LOVE to be the lightbulb salesman to the WWE.  Flashing lights of every color and brigthness greeted us as we walked through the door to see what the “E” had lined up for fans whose chose not to go to the Hall of Fame ceremony.

That’s right, we slummed it.

With Kid Rock screamed about being a warrior (I’m pretty sure “destructicity” was in the lyrics), and Kane mumbling his way through a series of fan questions, things got off to a slow start.

Then we discovered the interactive portion of the event.

Wrestlemania Weekend – Ring of Honor “Take No Prisoners”

NecroButcher v. Jimmy Jacobs

 

“Wrong Mexican!” – Stephe to the kid sitting behind us calling for the 619 during the Blue Demon match

It’s no longer timely or even especially relevant, but I promised Wrestlemania weekend coverage and I’m going to provide it.

After a flight delay, I picked Stephe up at the airport and we hauled ass downtown to the Ring of Honor “Take No Prisoners” pay-per-view taping.  This was the maiden ROH show for both of us and we were anxious to see if ROH lived up to the hype.

We apparently missed a couple of dark matches, but arrived in time to scan the merch table and find our seats before the taping began.

Here’s my take on the night’s matches.

Wrestlemania Weekend – The Booker T. Legends of Wrestling FanFest

Welcome to the show

Coverage of GonzoGeek’s Wrestlemania weekend begins right here loyal reader(s).

Friday brought us the first ever Booker T. Legends of Wrestling Fan Fest.  Since Stephe wasn’t due in until Saturday, I took this one in by myself.  I drove downtown and parked with no problem.  Then I walked to the GRB.  What I found most amusing during my stroll was the occupants of the Convention Center.  First, the Texas Library Association was having a convention.  In the next hall it was the Gun Show.  Finally, it was Booker T and Ring of Honor.  Diversity?

Stood in line, picked up my tickets and went inside.  I was greeted with the picture above.  Pretty slim pickings.

There was one line of tables on the left side of the hall and another row of vendors on the right.  Otherwise there was a lot of empty space.  This surprised me.  I thought for sure Booker would put up a ring and give some of his students some time.  Guess I was wrong.

I had four photo ops in the first session.  I got in line and took my pictures.  Enjoy.

Booking Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 25

Save us.

 

 

 

And I like you. I’ll tell you why. You said what was on your mind and then you had the guts to come in the ring and back it up. – Roddy Piper to Chris Jericho Monday Night Raw, 2/16/09

Ever since Mickey Rourke called out Chris Jericho on the red carpet at the Golden Globe awards, speculation has run rampant regarding what, if anything, Rourke’s role at Wrestlemania 25 would be.

Would he get in the ring with Jericho?

Would he merely be in attendance?

Would he appear as his character from “The Wrestler?”

Shortly after saying he would wrestle, Rouke backed off that statement.  Most thought it was because his handlers, probably rightfully so, thought it would damage his chances to at winning an Oscar (the Norbit syndrome.)

In the interim, Chris Jericho has begun a hate campaign against the Legends of wrestling.  In successive weeks, Jericho has had confrontations with Ric Flair, Roddy Piper and Ricky Steamboat.

Meanwhile, the Oscars have come and gone and Rourke did not win.

Where does that leave us?

Many think it will lead to a Chris Jericho/Steve Austin confrontation and/or match at Wrestlemania.  But reports are that Austin is extremely fragile and his neck won’t take much abuse.

So what then?

I have an idea.

I have an idea that is simple and sure to be, if not a classic, then at least an enduring Wrestlemania moment.

My idea?

Two words.

Ring of Honor “Take No Prisoners”

Blue Demon, Jr.

 

It was announced today that the Saturday, April 4, 2009, Ring of Honor show will also double as the taping of the company’s next pay-per-view, “Take No Prisoners.”

The good news is that your humble GonzoGeeks have third row seats to this show so we can cover it in detail for our loyal reader(s).

The other good news?

ROH has announced the inclusion of several luchadores, including current NWA World champion, Blue Demon, Jr., at the show.

We love us some lucha here at GonzoGeek and are looking forward to seeing it live in our own backyard.

Raw Thoughts – 2/9/09

from Raw - 2/9/09

 

Wrestlemania XXV is less than 2 months away.  With the show being right in GonzoGeek’s backyard, expect our coverage to ramp up in the coming weeks.

For instance, this past Monday I had a chance to watch Raw in its entirety for the first time in I don’t remember how long.  Thought I’d better start familiarizing myself with the status quo as we head into the mother of all events.

Here are my thoughts…

WWE Hall of Fame 2009

As we here at GonzoGeek continue to prepare for the WWE’s invasion of Houston in April, our attention turns today toward the annual Hall of Fame induction.

The WWE established the Hall of Fame as a way of recognizing contributions of those who have gone before.  That can mean a wrestler like Ric Flair or a media celebrity like Pete Rose.

Now, when Stephe and I attended Wrestlemania XVII, we noticed that, by and large, the Texas wrestlers won their matches.  Be that coincidence or not, it happened.  That gave me an idea.

Given that this is the Golden Anniversary of Wrestlemania and the event is being held in Texas, it seems like a good year to get some Texas icons in the hall.

That being said, here are my humble suggestions for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.

Wrestlemania XXV: Hulk vs. Stone Cold?

Well maybe not. Interviewed Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 16, 2008, on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show (Sirius satellite radio, Howard 101), Terry “Hulk” Hogan said that he had not been contacted by anyone regarding such a match.

Still, that’s a far cry from saying, “No. Nothing like that is going to happen,” or some other actual door-closing comment.

Maybe Mr. McMahon can scrape together enough cabbage.

The Road to Wrestlemania 25

Begins today.

Tickets are purchased. Section 125 Row B.

We’re gonna be 2 rows off the field.

In case you need it, the internet presale code for Ticketmaster is wm25tx

WHOO!