Overall, I think that this was an improvement from last year's Mania. 22 was awesome, this was just better. It had so much good and it still remains one of my favourites.
The opening match was the epic Money in the Bank bout, where Mr. Kennedy defeated CM Punk, Randy Orton, Finlay, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, King Booker, and Edge. Of course Kennedy was not a worthy winner, so Edge beat him for it weeks later. It was long, but sweet. 8.5/10
Kane and the Great Khali was a forgettable and bad match. Glad I haven't seen it since this ppv aired. 2.5/10
Next up was Chris Benoit retaining his US title against MVP. It was Benoit's last Mania before his suicide later that year. Any match featuring Chris Benoit is a match I love. 8.5/10
This was around the time that the World Heavyweight Championship's value was diminishing. I don't get why they placed it in the middle on this epic night. There was a great backstory with great wrestlers for a valuable prize. So the writers must've known the match would deliver. It did deliver! Match of the night and of the year. 10/10
Now we come to RVD, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, and Sabu--ECW Originals--take on Kevin Thorn, Marcus Cor Von, Matt Striker, and Elijah Burke--The New Breed. The Originals won in one of the best ECW moments since Vince brought it back. Vince didn't know what to do with ECW since it was not his creation, but this is an example of one of its high points. 8/10
Next is the Battle of the Billionaires Hair match. This caught the biggest media attention since it involved Donald Trump. Of course Trump and Vince would not wrestle, so Trump got Bobby Lashley and Vince got Umaga to wrestle, and Stone Cold was guest referee. Awesome match! Lashley won and they actually showed Vince getting his head shaved! 10/10
The second-last match saw Melina beating Ashley Massaro for the Women's Title. Not a very good match, but the lumberjills and the competitors are no longer around, so it is cool to see the old-timers back again. 7/10
Now come to John Cena facing Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship. Not as good as last year's and about 10 minutes too long, but still great. 9/10
Overall 8/10
The opening match was the epic Money in the Bank bout, where Mr. Kennedy defeated CM Punk, Randy Orton, Finlay, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, King Booker, and Edge. Of course Kennedy was not a worthy winner, so Edge beat him for it weeks later. It was long, but sweet. 8.5/10
Kane and the Great Khali was a forgettable and bad match. Glad I haven't seen it since this ppv aired. 2.5/10
Next up was Chris Benoit retaining his US title against MVP. It was Benoit's last Mania before his suicide later that year. Any match featuring Chris Benoit is a match I love. 8.5/10
This was around the time that the World Heavyweight Championship's value was diminishing. I don't get why they placed it in the middle on this epic night. There was a great backstory with great wrestlers for a valuable prize. So the writers must've known the match would deliver. It did deliver! Match of the night and of the year. 10/10
Now we come to RVD, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, and Sabu--ECW Originals--take on Kevin Thorn, Marcus Cor Von, Matt Striker, and Elijah Burke--The New Breed. The Originals won in one of the best ECW moments since Vince brought it back. Vince didn't know what to do with ECW since it was not his creation, but this is an example of one of its high points. 8/10
Next is the Battle of the Billionaires Hair match. This caught the biggest media attention since it involved Donald Trump. Of course Trump and Vince would not wrestle, so Trump got Bobby Lashley and Vince got Umaga to wrestle, and Stone Cold was guest referee. Awesome match! Lashley won and they actually showed Vince getting his head shaved! 10/10
The second-last match saw Melina beating Ashley Massaro for the Women's Title. Not a very good match, but the lumberjills and the competitors are no longer around, so it is cool to see the old-timers back again. 7/10
Now come to John Cena facing Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship. Not as good as last year's and about 10 minutes too long, but still great. 9/10
Overall 8/10