WrestleMania X8 (18)

- March 17th 2002, Toronto, Canada.
- Attendance - 68,237
- Buyrate - 1.60 (Interestingly the same as Rumble of '02)

- Icon vs. Icon as Goldust faces Maven.

Intercontinental Title - William Regal (c) Vs. Rob Van Dam
 Regal has brass knucks but Van Dam kicks them away, an early 5 Star misses but Rob does gets a 2 as he counters a european uppercut to a backslide. Woah nice neckbreaker variant by Regal. Rolling Thunder is blocked and Regal gets a 2 off of a powerbomb as he is in control. Monkey flip by Van Dam, I think he was going for one moments earlier but miscommunication stopped it. Van Dam may be dead after a beautiful half nelson, german suplex by Regal man that was sweet, he gets more knucks from his trunks but is heel kicked and 5 Star Frogsplashed for 3 at 6:18. **1/2 - Styles Clash here *starts humming AJs old theme* It wasn't bad by any means but not really, really good either. Bumped it 1/2 for the neckbreaker and suplex.

European Title - DDP (c) Vs. Christian
 Christian was having temper tantrums, well he is Canadian *waits for cheap pop from American readers*, DDP tried to help him but Christian didn't dig that. Interesting tidbit DDP appeared at two 'Manias both of which were Toronto's. Whether it was WCW, WWF or Yoga I find DDP irritating (Not as much anymore). Christian attacks from the start but Page hits the first big moves a gutwrench rib-breaker. 10 corner punches by Page but Christian flapjacks him into the turnbuckle. Abdominal stretch by Christian, last time somebody submitted was 1921, haven't been able to use that joke for a few reviews now. Christian is thrown off the top, discus forearm and a spinning powerbomb gets DDP 2. Christian avoids a Diamond Cutter then reverse DDTs out of another one for 2, good nearfall there. Diamond Cutter does hit though at 6:10 for 3. **1/2 - Better than I thought it'd be that's for sure as DDP is DDP and I don't think Christian was really good as singles guy yet, crowd were into it aswell near the end (imagine that a crowd being drawn in through the work what a novel concept). Happily proved wrong I was. (Editors Note - I revoke my DDP cheap shot as I do like the guy now, though there were moments of hesitation or slight mistakes on recent viewings)

Coach catches up with The Rock.

Hardcore Title - Goldust Vs. Maven (c)
 Goldust attacks prebell, he lobs Maven into the barricade. He goes to slingshot him into a trashcan but misses, Maven dropkicks said trashcan in Goldust's mush. Golden shovel is retrieved and seesawed into Mavens ribs. Double trashcan lid shots then Spike Dudley runs down pinning Maven for 3 at 3:18. Post Match- He is chased through the crowd by Crash Holly, Goldust and maybe Maven. * - Just used to set up an ongoing thing that progresses through this Mania, you'll see soon.

Drowning Pool play over a video about HHH/Y2J but I don't care so Fast Forward time. After that we go backstage where Al Snow attempts to run down Crash and Spike, Hurricane Helms swings from camera left and pins Spike for the Hardcore Title.

Kurt Angle Vs. Kane
 Kurt is rocking his alternate black attire tonight. Masked Kanes last 'Mania appearance as he was only on HeAt at 19. Kurt attacks pre-bell with the ringbell then hits a german. He uses the ropes to avoid a Chokeslam. Belly-to-bell, clothesline and a belly to back suplex by Angle who has started the match better than Kane who hasn't had much offense so far. Sidewalk slam by Kane but Kurt soon strikes back with multiple germans for a 2 count. Big boot, back body drop as Kane is gathering momentum, Chokeslam but Kurt gets a rope break. Kurt avoids a Tombstone by pulling Kanes mask leading to an Angle Slam but it only gets 2. Ankle Lock is applied, the only move to make Kane submit at that time but he enziguris out of it. Kane heads up top but Kurt hits his running suplex off the top, he avoids a Chokeslam and gets 3 from a sloppy roll up at 10:39. *** - I enjoyed it, Kane to be fair brought his game aswell so Kurt didn't carry him to a good match. No real story to it though. (Editors Note - I can't remember there being much story to the whole angle either why were they wrestling?).

No DQ - Undertaker Vs. Ric Flair
 Not sure why Deadman wanted the match with Flair but when he said no Taker beat up Arn Anderson and David Flair so Ric accepted the match, he was also arrested and kicked off the WWF board. Short haired 'Mania debut for Taker. Ducks and punches by Naitch. Flair tries his corner flip, emphasis on tries. Punches to a seated lair busts him open. Flair is beaten down for a while then fires of some chops, is that his blood on the camera? Undertaker hits a superplex and I mean super as Flair looked to be about 30ft high. Flair's hair has gone like Guiles from Street Fighter, wasn't he portrayed as the main guy in the film, which is BS as Ryu is the main dude whilst Sagat is the best, Hadouken!. Old School is countered, I think Taker called Ric a 'piece of shit'. Ric misses a boot and is crotched over the top rope, Ric retrieves a lead pipe from Takers bike, WrestleMania does Cluedo, Taker gets busted by it. Figure Four is applied, Taker breaks it by grabbing Flairs throat. Chokeslam gets 2. Spinebuster out of nowhere by Arn Anderson, I mean literally out of nowhere. They try a Last Ride but Deadman cant get Flair up for it so he decides to go back to his roots and Tombstones Ric for 3 at 18:46. *** - Again I liked it more than I thought I would however I did feel it was dragging towards the end, but like I said I did enjoy it. Taker is 10-0 as of 2002.

Booker-T Vs. Edge
 This is the infamous Shower Endorsement feud. Edge got to endorse a hair product in Japan which Booker didn't like, I'm not making that up people. Edge gets a hometown pop, he was here in the audience for 'Mania 6 and now he's performing, nice little feel good story there. Spinkick gets Booker 2 then he clotheslines Edge to the outside. Alabama Slam by Booker who then heads up top but is, kind of, hurricanraned down, that could've gone seriously wrong for Booker there. Edge-a-matic gets 2 as does a spinning heel kick from the top. They both do a Spin-A-Rooni, Edge does one after getting 2 from a Spear. Edge-A-Cution, Impaler DDT, gets 3 at 6:30. ** - RAW match really, Edge must've been disappointed as this was his home town, I bet can't believe this happenin' in his own town.

Hurricane Helms gets cracked by a frying pan due to his sidekick Might Molly, she is the new Hardcore Champion. Robin wouldn't do that to Batman .... or would he?

Stone Cold Vs. Scott Hall (w/Kevin Nash)
 Welcome back to the midcard Steve, not seen you for a few years, his first generally pointless 'Mania match since WM 12. With these two in there i'd prefer a drinking contest. Oh jesus Nash is here with Hall. Stomps then Thesz Press by Steve who then attacks Nash ringside, probably injuring him. Irish whips with follow up clotheslines by Hall. Nash gets some cheap shots in. Stunner out of nowhere but Nash pulls the ref out. Austin Stunners the pair of fools. Outsiders Edge is avoided with a backdrop over the top. Hall gets 2 from a Stunner. Two Stunners to Hall, that is the most ridiculous Stunner bump i've ever seen get 3 at 9:51. *1/2 - That sucked the life out of  WrestleMania. Austin looked like a regular member of the roster for the first time in years. His heart wasn't in it I don't think. At the next PPV, which I would review had I not lost the VHS tape, Hall was demoted to facing Bradshaw .... maybe it's a good thing I lost the tape. (I've since read that Hall was supposed to win and this caused the brand split but Austin refused .... what a guy)

We get clips of Axxess.

WWF Tag Titles - Billy/Chuck (c) Vs. Dudleyz Vs. Hardyz Vs. APA
 Dudz have a live version of their theme which is a dud, Buh Buh does the air guitar. Just think 2 years later Bradshaw would be WWE Champion, scary isn't it. Bradshaw beats on the Champions but at 3:20 he is 3Dd out of the match. Hardyz come in fighting everyone then Dudleyz set up a table at ringside. Jeff Hardy slaps Stacey Keiblers behind then kisses her, she's with Dudleyz. Buh Buh and Billy Gunn hit Doomsday Device on Jeff who has been beaten down for a while. This match is starting to drag. Lukewarm tag to Matt, soon after D-Von goes for Wassssup but is pushed through the table he set up earlier at ringside. Buh Buh is Twist Of Fated and Swantoned out at 11:50ish. Gunn and Palumbo retain their titles the cheap way with a belt shot to Jeff at 13:50ish. *1/2 - Boring and it dragged especially in the middle part. These last two matches have marshed my mellow man.

Hogan tells Nash and Hall he doesn't want their help but they're all we do what we want, unfortunately that doesn't include to wrestle good matches.



The Rock Vs. 'Hollywood' Hulk Hogan
 Don't let the Hollywood fool you he is the face here the crowd goes wild and during the match he plays up to them, all about Hogan you see. This is the true main event really and everyone knew but not everyone could accept it which is why it aint top billing, these days this would headline 'Mania. Hogan shoves Rock from a tie up as crowd pops, flip these Toronto jabronis off Rock please. Hogan is almost punched over the top but he fails to get over so rolls under the ropes. Rock Bottom is avoided as Hogan is again taking control. Abdominal stretch is applied, last time that won a match was what 1972? Ref Bump! as Rock is knocked into him. Sharpshooter is applied and Hogan is tapping but there's no ref. Rock Bottom by Hulk gets 2. They take turns whipping each other with Hogans belt. Rock Bottom gets 2, now he's Hulking Up, meant to be a heel though remember, Big Boot and Leg Drop only get 2 though. Rock hits two Rock Bottoms and a Peoples Elbow for 3 at 16:19. Post match Hogan and Rock shake hands which brings Hall, Nash out where they attack Hogan but Rock makes the save. Then Hogan poses for the fans. Is this crowd the reason Hogan got the belt at Backlash a month later? ***1/2 - People think wrestling is just about in-ring but for me WWE is also about the spectacle and story as well. So this match gets *** yes work wise it wasn't very good but there's more to it than that, same reason I gave Andre/Hogan *** for WM III, diss Hogan all you want but he knew how to work a crowd better than anybody.

Big Show is at WWF New York, have to pay him his $1,000,000 a year for something I suppose.

Womens Title - Jazz (c) Vs. Lita Vs. Trish Stratus
 Poor ladies but then again the women are used as crowd breathers a lot you know the matches after the big ones so the crowd can recover. Trish is rocking Canadian attire. Hmmm Brunette Vs. Blonde Vs. Redhead. Jazz boston crabs Trish then double chicken wings Lita, did Hogan/Rock overrun as they seem to be rushing here as I don't think Wally West could keep up. Trish chick kicks and bulldogs Lita but Jazz breaks the pin. Lita backdrops Trish who does a corkscrew landing. Twist Of Fate to Jazz, Trish is now thrown into the ringpost and her knee gets stuck, that could've been serious. Jazz gets 3 with a Fisherman's suplex at 6:15 on Lita. *1/2 - Not very good and the crowd was suffering from post big match syndrome.

Christian is leaving in a taxi but is rolled up by Maven for 3 then Maven takes his taxi as well.

Undisputed Title - Chris Jericho (c) (w/ Stephanie McMahon) Vs. Triple-H
 Really it's about HHH Vs. Steph and Jericho along with the Undisputed Title(s) are irrelevant. Some group butcher HHHs theme with a live version. Hunters left leg is bandaged. Last PPV appearance of my fave WWF Title unless HHH didn't have the Undisputed title at Backlash as I honestly cant remember. High knee but Hunter but it hurts his knee then Jericho is thrown off the top into the barricade. Chop block by Jericho but now HHH is targeting Jerichos knee with several elbows, he applies a Figure Four but Stephanie breaks it. Jericho hits a missile dropkick then wraps Hunters leg around the ringpost. More knee work by Jericho leads to a ringpost Figure Four. This feels like it's gone at least a half hour but we've just hit the 10 minute mark. HHH is backdropped through the announce table. Lionsault gets 2 but HHH fights out of a Walls attempt but Y2J does apply it after countering a Pedigree. This must be the most heat less main event (or at least a Top 5). HHH Pedigrees Steph thus waking the crowd up. JR says at some point ' The greatest show of intestinal fortitude' I guess he was talking to us fans for sitting through this. Pedigree ends it at 18:40. ** - Jericho had a sound psychology strategy but it was boring. Fans didn't care for it though to be fair that may be due to Hogan/Rock which should've main evented here.

24 / 55 - Was going relatively good until we hit Austin/Hall then it was downhill from there with the only bump up being Hogan/Rock. This is a 'Mania of two halves with the first half being okay then second being poor. Thumbs in the middle here but it's by no means a must see WrestleMania.