WWE Wrestlemania 26
March 28, 2010
Glendale, Arizona
Report by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
– Eight time Grammy-nominated R&B artist Fantasia sang “America The Beautiful” to kick off the show.
– A video package runs highlighting all of the scheduled matches tonight at Wrestlemania and how tonight will reveal even more “wrestlemania moments.”
– A graphic opening then hits welcoming us to Wrestlemania 26. We go live to Glendale at the University of Phoenix stadium where a huge display of pyro goes off. Over 70,000 fans are in attendance tonight.
– R-Truth is out first to kick off the show.
WWE Unified Tag Team Championships
Big Show & The Miz (c’s) vs. John Morrison & R-Truth
We start with Miz and Morrison. Morrison gets in a few quick shots and tags in R-Truth. Truth drops Miz with a big spin kick and Miz tags in Big Show. Big Show with a big fallaway slam on Truth. Big Show tries going up top, but Morrison catches him with a big kick to the head. Truth covers for a two count. Tags to Morrison and Miz. Morrison lights up Miz with a series of side kicks and face plants. Morrison with a big knee to Miz’s head near the corner. Morrison attempts hits Starship Pain, but Big Show pulls Miz out. Truth jumps over the top at Big Show, but Big Show catches him and throws Truth into the steel ring post. Back in the ring, Morrison gets a close two count on Miz. Big Show tags himself in as Miz kicks Morrison in the head. Big Show catches Morrison with a right hand knockout and gets the pinfall.
Winners & STILL WWE Unified Tag Team Champions: Big Show & The Miz
– A video package runs highlighting all of the Wrestlemania weekend events.
Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase vs. Cody Rhodes
The bell rings. Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes both go after Randy Orton. Orton kicks both away and runs to the other side of the ring. Orton rolls out, Rhodes bites, Orton rolls in, clotheslines DiBiase and then clotheslines Rhodes back out. Orton with a dropkick on Rhodes. DiBiase with a dropkick on Orton. Rhodes and DiBiase then gang up on Orton. Orton attempts a comeback, but Rhodes and DiBiase continue to cut him off. Rhodes drops a knee over Orton and DiBiase jumps down for a cover. Rhodes breaks it up and gets in DiBiase’s face asking what he is doing. Rhodes tosses DiBiase out of the ring and then goes after Orton hitting a modified Alabama Slam. Rhodes goes for the cover and DiBiase breaks it up this time. DiBiase drops Rhodes with a big right hand. Rhodes tackles DiBiase. They roll out of the ring brawling as Orton recovers in the ring. They roll back in, Rhodes is hitting rights, DiBiase turns it around and gets in some rights. Orton is up and is leveling both with clotheslines. Orton with powerslams on both DiBiase and Rhodes. Orton starts to fire himself up as the crowd cheers. Orton with a backbreaker on Rhodes. DiBiase pulls Orton out and hits a few rights. Rhodes comes flying over the top rope, Orton rolls back in and Rhodes takes out a busted open DiBiase instead. Both Rhodes and DiBiase are recovering and getting back into the ring on the ring apron when Orton grabs both, pulls them in slightly and hits a huge double DDT. Orton starts to pound his fist down on the ring and stalk Rhodes. Orton then backs up and kicks Rhodes right in the head. DiBiase is watching, gets in the ring, attempts Dream Street, Orton breaks it up and hits an RKO on DiBiase. Orton covers and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Randy Orton gets up on the corner and poses. They lowered an impressive slate of HD screens to sit just above the ring mat displaying Orton’s “RKO” in letters behind him. We see a replay of the finish.
– A WWE “Don’t try this at home” promo airs.
– Backstage, Josh Mathews is with the “heel” Divas of Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool, Maryse, Layla and Alicia Fox. Guerrero is wearing a big “EXCUSE ME” jump suit. Vickie said she will create her own Wrestlemania moment tonight. She calls in Jillian Hall to sing “You’re simply the best.” They all walk away and Santino shows up. He plugs Slim Jim as the sponsor saying anything is possible when you snap into a Slim Jim. Santino takes a bite, Mae Young shows up. Another bite, Mean Gene shows up (in a dress). Another bite and Melina shows up.
“Money in the Bank” Ladder Match
Kofi Kingston vs. Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Matt Hardy vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. MVP vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kane vs. Christian
Christian got a big reaction and was the final entrant. Bell rings and everyone begins brawling. MVP tosses Christian out. Hardy is going after Swagger with kicks. McIntyre is hitting Kane with kicks in the corner. MVP tossed in a ladder and is pulled back out by Christian. McIntyre sees this, sets it up, starts climbing and Hardy breaks it up hitting a Twist of Fate on McIntyre. MVP with a running kick to McIntyre. Ladder is back up, Bourne is up top grabbing the briefcase, Kane pulls him off and chokeslams him over the top rope into Benjamin. Hardy and Swagger are up top now. Kingston knocks that ladder over with a ladder of his own sending Hardy and Swagger to the ropes. Christian with a monkey flip on Kingston into a ladder in the corner. Christian sets up a ladder, kicks Ziggler away, but Ziggler climbs back up and pulls Christian off to the mat with force. Ziggler sets the ladder back up, climbs and MVP knocks him off. MVP is climbing up and Kane pulls him off. Benjamin and Kingston push ladders into the body of Kane. A ladder is pushed into Kane keeping him in the corner.
Kingston tries to scale up it, trips, Kane catches him and powerbombs him on top of the ladder. Benjamin with Pay Dirt on MVP. Benjamin dropkicks the ladder into the face of McIntyre. Benjamin is climbing up now and Swagger knocks him off with another ladder. Swagger uses his ladder as a weapon, but Bourne breaks that up with a flying knee to the head off the top on Swagger. Hardy grabs a ladder, Christian does as well, they jab Swagger in the middle of a ladder with their ladders. Hardy and Christian keep the ladders sandwiched into the ladder that is set up. They climb up and Hardy is knocked off by Swagger. Bourne is up, trying to give Bourne a Killswitch on the ladder, Bourne breaks it dropping Christian face first into the ladder and then hits a Shooting Star Press off the ladder onto Christian! Bourne is back up, Hardy cuts him off and then Hardy lifts Bourne up and over as Bourne lands on the mat with force. Hardy is reaching up and Swagger isn’t far behind. Swagger knocks Hardy off and Hardy flips into the other ladder that was setup back first!
A bigger ladder is setup. MVP and Benjamin are climbing up. Benjamin knocks MVP off. MVP gets back up, goes behind Benjamin, puts him on his shoulders and Benjamin gives MVP an huracanrana over the top rope to the outside. Kane is up with a ladder on the outside and he takes out Benjamin and MVP. Kane rolls back in, Ziggler jumps on his back, climbs over him, gets up top, Kane jumps down and pushes the ladder over sending Ziggler face first into the ropes. Kane with shots to Ziggler and then a chokeslam to Ziggler on top of a ladder! Kane then puts Ziggler inside the ladder and slams it down over his body. Kane ends up snapping the ladder into two separate pieces. Kingston with Trouble in Paradise on Kane. Kingston uses the ladder as stilts and balances both climbing up both sides to get higher. McIntyre is in and breaks it up. McIntyre grabs a ladder from the outside, pulls it inside and sets it up. McIntyre is climbing. Hardy is in and McIntyre sends him face first into the ladder to knock him off. Hardy pushes the ladder over and McIntyre crotches himself on the ropes.
Hardy is climbing up the ladder and Kane is trying to hit him with another ladder. Hardy kicks Kane away. Christian is now in and pushes himself over onto the ladder Hardy is on using Kane’s ladder. Both ladders are setup side by side now. Hardy is reaching for the briefcase. Kane climbs up both, grabs both by the throat, Christian and Hardy break it up sending Kane back down to the mat. Hardy and Christian exchange shots. Christian with an inverted DDT on Hardy off the ladder to the mat below! Christian is climbing. Swagger is in to break it up. Christian lands on his feet and scales the other ladder. Christian has the briefcase in his hand. Swagger is up and taking right hands from Christian. Swagger knocks Christian away off the ladder sending the briefcase into the face of Christian. Swagger reaches up and gets the briefcase (it took him a good few seconds to unhook the briefcase).
Winner of the “Money in the Bank” briefcase: Jack Swagger
– A promo for the “Extreme Rules” PPV on April 25 airs.
– A video package airs highlighting last night’s Class of 2010 WWE Hall of Fame.
Triple H vs. Sheamus
The bell rings and both lock up right away. Sheamus pushes Triple H to the corner, breaks it up and then pushes Triple H away. Sheamus yells at Triple H saying he is the future. Triple H comes back locking up, pushing Sheamus into the corner and getting in a quick slap. Triple H goes for the Pedigree early and Sheamus quickly breaks away. Sheamus with a few right hands and Triple H fires back with a big clothesline and suplex combo. Triple H drops a knee over the head of Sheamus, covers and Sheamus kicks out after two. Sheamus rolls out of the ring right away and Triple H follows. Triple H with a few shots in on Sheamus, tosses him back inside the ring and locks on a figure four. Sheamus gets to the ropes to break it up. Sheamus with kicks to Triple H in the corner. Triple H fights to his feet and gets in a few rights. Sheamus levels Triple H again with a big clothesline, cover and Triple H kicks out after two. Sheamus with a big shoulder powerslam into a cover and Triple H kicks out after two. Sheamus goes to work on the left arm of Triple H and working his lower back.
Sheamus switches holds to a sleeper as Triple H gets to his feet. Triple H counters with a big back suplex on Sheamus. Triple H with a DDT on Sheamus. Sheamus with a high knee on Triple H. Triple H comes back with a jumping high knee of his own. Triple H with a knee to the face, cover and two count on Sheamus. Triple H pushes Sheamus into the corner and then hits a quick neckbreaker. Triple H mounts Sheamus in the corner, Sheamus breaks it up, attempts a Celtic Cross, Triple H dodges, dodges a big boot, attempts a Pedigree, Sheamus counters out and Sheamus levels Triple H with a running big boot. Sheamus covers and Triple H barely kicks out after two. A frustrated Sheamus gets back to his feet and picks up a lifeless Triple H. Sheamus lifts Triple H to his shoulders, Triple H fights off and gets in a big spinebuster on Sheamus. Cover and Sheamus kicks out at two. Sheamus catches Triple H with a kick to the head on the ring apon. Sheamus crawls back inside the ring, picks up Triple H, Triple H kicks Sheamus in the gut and hits the Pedigree to get the pinfall.
Winner: Triple H
After the match, Triple H celebrated his win in the ring. We see a quick replay of the finish. Back live, Triple H takes one last look at the crowd in attendance and salutes them. Triple H heads up the ramp slapping hands with a few fans. Matt Striker asked, “What is next now for Triple H?”
Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk w/ Luke Gallows & Serena
Mysterio paid tribute to the movie “Avatar” with his costume this year. Gallows and Serena were distracting Mysterio early on in the match. Punk got Mysterio up in the tree of woe and got in a few kicks to the body. Big spot saw Mysterio slide out under the bottom rope, Punk caught him and dropped him down face first into the steel ring steps. Punk with big right hands to Mysterio when he rolled back inside just under the 10 count. Mysterio with a springboard body splash on Punk. Mysterio attempted a springboard cross body, but Punk countered. Punk caught Mysterio with a huge kick to the head. Mysterio with an impressive spot where he jumped off the top rope holding into the arm of Punk and flipped through into a DDT. Mysterio springboards onto Punk, Punk catches him on his shoulders, Punk looks for a GTS, Mysterio counters out, kicks Punk away, goes up to the top turnbuckle, jumps and misses a frog splash attempt. Punk covers and gets a two count. Serena prevents a 619 attempt grabbing Punk. Mysterio finally connects with a 619 sending Punk into Gallows. Splash by Mysterio and he gets the pinfall on Punk.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
– A video package airs highlighting the events between Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Vince McMahon since Hart’s return to WWE on January 4.
No Holds Barred
Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs. Vince McMahon
Before the match, Vince McMahon got on the mic and said as the creator of Wrestlemania, he thinks Bret deserves a “Wrestlemania sized screwing!” He said he decided to go and buy himself a whole bunch of lumberjacks tonight. McMahon added, “Just remember, Bret screwed Bret. And Vince screwed Bret. And now Vince and your entire family screwed Bret.” The Hart Family, DH Smith, Natalya, Tyson Kidd and the rest of the Hart family walk down the ramp and head towards the ring. Bruce Hart gets in the ring and is wearing a referee shirt so he will act as referee tonight. Bret gets on the mic and asks if they all really agreed to this. He said if he knows one thing about the Hart family, they definitely like their money and probably cashed them in already. Bret said what Vince doesn’t know is the Hart family told him all about it and tonight will be known as the night “Bret screwed Vince.”
The bell rings and Hart goes after McMahon hitting some big right hands. Bret drags McMahon’s face over the top rope and gets in some more stiff right hands. Hart with kicks to Vince in the corner and then starts choking him. Bret throws Vince out and members of The Hart Dynasty get in a few shots along with other Hart family members getting shots in. DH Smith and Tyson Kidd double team Vince hitting a Hart Attack. They toss Vince back inside and Bret gets in more shots. Vince rolls out and tries getting away from the Hart family by crawling under the ring. Vince pulls out a crowbar and the Hart family backs off. Vince gets back in the ring, tries to hit Bret with the crowbar, Bret ducks and gets in some shots to the body. Bret drops an elbow over the head of Vince. Bret grabs the crowbar and starts hitting Vince over the back with it. Bret then grabs Vince’s legs, teases a Sharpshooter, but breaks it up and wants the crowbar again. Bret gets more shots in on the lower back of Vince, turns him back over and this time kicks him right in the crotch. Bret does this a second time and then gets in a few more kicks. More stomps by Bret on Vince. DH Smith then slides a steel chair into the ring. Bret sets it up and Bret takes a seat. Vince gets back to his feet, Bret grabs the chair and cracks it over Vince’s back. Bret with another shot to Vince’s back. More shots by Bret using the chair on Vince. Hart then locks on the Sharpshooter and Vince taps out.
Winner: Bret “The Hitman” Hart
After the match, Bret Hart continues to keep the Sharpshooter locked in as the bell rings. Bret finally lets go and starts celebrating his win. The rest of the Hart family gets into the ring to help Bret celebrate.
– A promo for Wrestlemania 27 next year on April 3, 2011 in Atlanta.
– Announced attendance tonight: 72,219.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Edge
Edge with a quick shoulder block takedown on Chris Jericho. Edge with kicks to Jericho in the corner. Jericho catapults Edge neck first into the bottom rope and follows with a quick back suplex. Jericho applies a headlock and screams at the referee to ask Edge. Edge gets to his feet and tries to go for the ropes, but Jericho holds on and slams Edge down on his head. Both are up top and Edge lands a big right. Jericho falls back, but gets back up and Edge faceplants him off the top turnbuckle to the mat below. Pinfall counters between the two and Jericho breaks it up with a huge kick to the head on Edge. Jericho gets the Walls of Jericho locked in. More back and forth between Edge and Jericho. Jericho catches Edge with a big kick to the back of the head. Jericho with a cover and Edge kicks out at two. Edge with a big DDT on Jericho, cover and Jericho kicks out at two. Jericho back up in the corner, teases a Spear, Edge is up, Jericho charges and Edge catches Jericho with a big boot. Edge backs up and is now ready for a Spear. Jericho is up, Edge charges and Jericho catches Edge with a Codebreaker. Jericho is now going after the injured achilles tendon of Edge and applies a single leg boston crab. Edge starts screaming out in pain. Edge gets to the bottom rope just barely to break it up. Quick rollup by Edge for a close two count. Both fall to the outside and Jericho is up first. Jericho has the World Heavyweight Championship belt in hand, pulls Edge’s head down over the top rope, Edge bumps into the referee the referee and Jericho clocks Edge with it. Jericho throws the belt away, rolls back in, covers Edge and Edge somehow kicks out. Jericho yells at Edge to get up. Jericho with a Codebreaker on Edge. Jericho hooks the leg and gets the pinfall.
Winner & STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Jericho
After the match, Chris Jericho celebrates with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in hand. An upset Edge then goes after Jericho and tosses him into one of the announcers tables. Edge clears off both announce tables and tosses Jericho up on the one closest to the barricade at the timekeepers area. Edge gets up on the WWE table, runs with force and spears Jericho off the spanish announce table into the barricade. Edge returns to the ring and poses as his music hits. WWE officials attend to Jericho who is favoring the back of his head.
– We see highlights of Yoshi Tatsu winning a Battle Royal earlier in the night.
10 Divas Tag Team Match
Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Eve, Gail Kim & Beth Phoenix vs. WWE Women’s Champion Michelle McCool, WWE Divas Champion Maryse, Layla, Alicia Fox & Vickie Guerrero
Highlights were Kelly Kelly kicking Vickie Guerrero and hitting a quick powerslam. Michelle McCool walked in and hit a Styles Clash on Kelly Kelly. Mickie James with a DDT on McCool. Layla took out James. Kim took out Layla. Maryse with a DDT on Kim. Eve Torres takes out Maryse. Alicia Fox takes out Eve. Beth Phoenix takes out Fox with her facebuster. Beth was about to go after Vickie when McCool got involved. Vickie literally skips across the ring, goes up to the top turnbuckle and hits a Hog Splash (as Michael Cole called it). Vickie then pancaked Kelly Kelly a few times and got the pinfall.
Winners: WWE Women’s Champion Michelle McCool, WWE Divas Champion Maryse, Layla, Alicia Fox & Vickie Guerrero
– A video package runs highlighting the events between Batista and John Cena.
WWE Championship
Batista (c) vs. John Cena
A huge group in the front row have a huge “CENA SUCKS” sign. The bell rings and they circle. Lock up and Batista gets in a headlock. Batista hits the ropes and connects with a big shoulder block. Cena with a headlock takedown on Batista. Cena with a series of rights and lefts to Batista in the corner, but Batista fires back with a big forearm to the head. Cena comes back with a big suplex on Batista. Cena attempted an Attitude Adjustment early, but Batista countered with a huge DDT. Batista follows that with a big kick to Cena’s head and then jumps on his back to apply a chinlock. Punching exchanges between Cena (fans boo) and Batista (fans cheer). Cena attempts an STFU on Batista and gets him down. Cena pulls back with force. Batista is able to reach out and get to the ropes to break it up. Batista then responds immediately with a spear on Cena, covers and Cena kicks out at two. Both are up on the top turnbuckle and doing a power of strength. Cena cracks Batista with a big right hand sending him back down to the mat. Cena rises to his feet on the top turnbuckle, jumps and connects with a five knuckle shuffle off the top that barely connects. Batista responds right away with a huge Batista Bomb, cover and Cena barely gets a shoulder up after two. Batista goes for a second Batista Bomb, Cena counters, Batista counters, Cena counters and connects with the Attitude Adjustment. Cena hooks the leg and Batista barely kicks out after two. Cena can’t believe it. Cena goes back up on the top turnbuckle, jumps and Batista catches him executing a spinebuster. Batista grabs Cena, attempts a Batista Bomb, Cena rolls through and gets the STFU applied. Batista taps. The crowd errupts in Arizona.
Winner & NEW WWE Champion: John Cena
After the match, John Cena is handed the WWE Championship and he holds it up in celebration. We see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, Cena walks down the steel steps and poses with his title next to the “WE HATE CENA” people. Cena gives a big smile. Cena gives one last pose at the end of the ramp.
– A video package airs highlighting the events between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels leading into tonight’s Streak vs. Career match.
Streak vs. Career
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
The bell rings and HBK goes after Taker with some big chest chops. Taker with snake eyes and a big boot combo on HBK. Taker with a big charge to HBK in the corner, works over the left arm of HBK, tries to go up top, but HBK keeps cutting him off. Taker eventually gets up on the ropes and hits Old School. Taker favors his hip/knee after he connected with that. Taker attempts a chokeslam, but HBK counters and gets in a few big kicks to the leg. Taker attempts a Tombstone early, but HBK counters off and works over the left arm of Taker. Taker clotheslines HBK over the top rope to the outside. HBK is back in, looks to apply a figure four and Taker kicks him away through the ropes back to the outside. Taker picks up HBK and drives him back first into the steel ring post. Taker tosses HBK up to the ring apron and drops a leg over HBK. When Taker returns to the ring, HBK tackles him and gets the figure four applied. HBK pulls back with force as Taker is in pain. Taker finds a way to break the hold by turning over and forcing HBK to let go.
HBK with some chops to Taker. Taker responds with right hands. More chops from HBK. More rights from Taker. HBK with a flying forearm on Taker. HBK flips up, but Taker is up first and hits a chokeslam. Cover and HBK gets a shoulder up after two. Taker attempts a Tombstone, but HBK counters out and gets an Ankle Lock applied. Taker reaches out for the bottom rope, gets close, HBK pulls Taker farther out to the middle and falls back to apply more pressure. Taker with big kicks to the head of HBK to break up the submission. Both are back up on their feet and HBK clotheslines Taker over the top rope. HBK with a springboard cross body onto Taker, but Taker catches HBK, flips him up on his shoulder and connects with a Tombstone on the outside! Taker tosses HBK back inside the ring, covers and HBK kicks out after two. Taker has HBK up for the Last Ride, goes to throw HBK down, but HBK counters in mid air and drops Taker with a facebuster. HBK takes the advantage going up top, jumps and attempts a flying elbow, but Taker counters getting his knees up.
Taker then grabs HBK and locks on Hell’s Gate. HBK rolls through into a pinfall and gets a close two count. Both fight to their feet and HBK connects with Sweet Chin Music. HBK covers Taker…1…2…Taker gets a shoulder up just barely before the three. HBK backs up to the corner, starts tuning up the band, Taker is to his knees, HBK attempts Sweet Chin Music, Taker blocks it, gets HBK up for the Last Ride, connects, Taker covers HBK…1…2…HBK somehow finds a way to get a shoulder up. Taker can’t believe it as he uses the ropes to get to his feet. Taker grabs HBK and tosses him over the top rope to the outside. Taker then starts clearing off the WWE announce table. Taker picks up HBK, gets him up for the Last Ride, HBK counters off and connects with Sweet Chin Music on Taker sending Taker on top of the announce table. HBK rolls back inside the ring, goes up to the top turnbuckle, executes a moonsault and lands across the ankle and knees of Taker crashing through the table. HBK grabs a lifeless Taker and rolls him back inside the ring.
HBK rolls inside. Both men use the ropes to get to their feet. HBK with Sweet Chin Music on Taker. HBK covers…1…2…Taker gets a shoulder up. HBK can’t believe it. HBK is back up and is tuning up the band. Taker dodges another Sweet Chin Music attempt and connects with a chokeslam. Taker has HBK up, attempts a Tombstone Piledriver and connects. Taker covers HBK…1…2…HBK gets a shoulder up. Taker kicks HBK and is frustrated. Taker is on his feet and is looking down at HBK. Taker drops the straps, is about to signal for the end, but stops himself. Taker yells at HBK to stay down. HBK gets to his knees and signals for the end himself. HBK slaps Taker. An enraged Taker grabs HBK, hits the Tombstone once again and covers HBK…1…2…3. The Undertaker remains undefeated at Wrestlemania at 18-0. The career of Shawn Michaels is over.
Winner: The Undertaker
After the match, we see a replay of the finish. A spent Undertaker falls against the ropes and fights to his feet. Undertaker takes a knee and poses as blue light fills the ring as a huge display of pyro goes off in the entrance area. Pyro also shoots off above the stadium. Shawn Michaels is still down in the middle of the ring. Undertaker stands over him and picks Michaels up. Undertaker says, “You are one tough son of a bitch.” Undertaker extends his hand and they hug. Undertaker leaves the ring and Michaels stays inside. The crowd starts a loud “HBK” chant. Shawn Michaels receives a huge ovation from the crowd in Arizona. A loud “THANK YOU SHAWN” chant starts up. HBK falls to his knees and thanks the crowd.