After looking at the worst of what WrestleMania had to offer, it’s only fair that I look at the best as well. As I said a week ago, picking the worst WrestleMania is rather subjective. Picking the best is not only just as subjective a task, but probably even more so. Everyone’s got a favourite, from a classic like WrestleMania III with its iconic matchups like Hulk Hogan vs. André The Giant and “Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, to more modern classics like WrestleMania XXII with the feel good moment of Rey Mysterio capturing the World Heavyweight Championship. For me the best is one that had a great card from top to bottom and offered a little bit of everything, WrestleManiaXIX. (19 for those who aren’t a fan of Roman numerals)
WrestleMania XIX roared into Seattle, Washington and took over Safeco Field. The open stadium provided a much better atmosphere than Caesar’s Palace from 10 years before, as Caesar’s seemed too open and the cloudy overcast weather was a negative feature. With an open stadium like Safeco Field, you still have the feel of an arena and it is closed in enough that lighting and pyro still have the desired effect. It’s the best of both worlds.
Even a WrestleMania that’s considered the best isn’t without its drawbacks. With WrestleMania XIX it comes in the form of the “celebrities” involved. The Miller Light Cat Fight girls, two women featured in a few beer ads, had a couple of backstage chats with Stacy Keibler and Torrie Wilson which culminated in a half naked pillow fight. It was a waste of time, but fans need to go to the bathroom at some point. This part was as good a time as any.
The only other celebrity involvement was a couple of live performances from Limp Bizkit, who supplied the theme song for the show. Their performances were okay, although I don’t have the hatred for the band that most people do. For the most part I don’t mind musical performances at WrestleMania. My only real issue with Limp Bizkit was how they were introduced, as the WWE’s “favourite band in the world” which I’m sure was upon the insistence of Fred Durst. Still, hearing them perform “Rollin’” live as The Undertaker sailed down the long ramp on a motorcycle was a cool moment.
What really makes WrestleMania XIX shine for me though, and what should be the high point of any WrestleMania, is the card. As far as I’m concerned, there isn’t a bad match on it. From the fast pace of the opening Cruiserweight championship match between Rey Mysterio and Matt Hardy, the tone was set and didn’t let up.
The Undertaker was in full American Badass mode as he defended his then 10-0 Streak in what was supposed to be a tag team match with newcomer Nathan Jones. It became a handicap match when Jones was laid out prior to the event which helped put the Undertaker in a rare position of the underdog as he faced two monsters in Big Show and the man who would later become Tensai, A-Train. Show and A-Train played up their role as monsters very well and while this match isn’t a highlight of The Streak, it certainly isn’t a low point as Undertaker forged on to 11-0.
The Women’s championship was up next and it’s unfortunate that nowadays Divas matches are seen as bathroom breaks, because at WrestleMania XIX this was a match worth watching. Trish Stratus, Jazz and Victoria had a great triple threat match proving WWE could stand to take a lesson from their past. They have women on their roster every bit as talented as the three women in this match, yet they spend their time dancing and promoting reality TV. It’s no wonder WWE Divas aren’t taken seriously, but I digress. Bottom line this is a great Women’s match.
Continuing with triple threat title matches, WrestleMania XIX had a tag team Championship match that showcased a little bit of past, present and future with Los Guerreros vs. Team Angle vs. the unique duo of Chris Benoit and Rhyno. The dynamic of this match was interesting with a high flying team, a power team and a technical team. Each showcased their strengths and proved that you didn’t need a Hardy, a Dudley or a former member of The Brood to have a great tag team match in 2003.
And speaking of great WrestleMania matches, it doesn’t get any better than Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels. As a big fan of both competitors this match goes down as one of, if not my top, all time favourite match. It had a fantastic build that started months before Wrestlemania, something you don’t see as often now. The match itself was damn near perfect with each one trying to outdo the other, their similar styles meshing well. This is a match that I have trouble putting into words. I was on the edge of my seat the first time I watched it, and get pumped every time I put the DVD on. Shawn Michaels may be known as Mr. Wrestlemania for matches like the Ironman with Bret Hart and his matches with Undertaker, but this match with Jericho was the rebirth of Mr. WrestleMania. This was Shawn’s first WrestleMania match after his four year hiatus due to back problems, and he never missed a beat. He and Jericho clicked with a chemistry that can only be found at WrestleMania.
The sleeper hit of the show is a match that I was indifferent about on paper. While I don’t dislike Booker T I’ve never been a huge fan of his, and with Triple H walking in as World Heavyweight Champion I was expecting a short match, but WWE hooked me. I became invested in this match with a story that took real life personal struggles for Booker and painted the picture of an underdog fighting for redemption. Leading into this match, one of the best moments was Ric Flair telling his protégé Triple H “You are the best. At WrestleMania Booker doesn’t stand a chance!” and Triple H replying with, “Nobody told Booker T that.” With that kind of drama and emotion heading into the match, it might be a lot to deliver on, but the future COO and the five time WCW Champion did just that. Great spots and so many near falls I didn’t know who was walking out as champion. It was an unexpected hit for me.
From a short feud, to a match 20 years in the making, Vince McMahon faced Hulk Hogan. I give the production team a lot of credit for the highlight video that preceded this match. It touched on everything in their shared history including Hogan testifying against Vince in the steroid trial. It really helped set up the drama in what was a gruelling, bloody no holds barred contest that included a great cameo from “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. This was by no means a great “wrestling” match. It was a fight, but in that fight it told a fantastic story about a battle for the ages.
From one epic battle to another, The Rock faced “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in what was Austin’s last official match. This would be the third and final time the two would square off on the grandest stage of them all, and it was no less memorable than the first two matches. Whether you prefer the first encounter at WrestleMania XV, the second at WrestleMania X-7 or this one, you can’t deny that when these two face off at WrestleMania it was always magic.
The main event for the WWE Championship is a match that is often remembered for one spot. Near the close of the match, as champion Kurt Angle lay prone on the mat, Brock Lesnar went to the top rope and attempted a shooting star press, which for a man of his size was something to witness. Unfortunately, as is the case with live television, things don’t always go as planned. Lesnar missed and in the process knocked himself silly. Looking back, he’s probably lucky to be alive, and how he managed to work out a new finish on the fly in the state he was in amazes me. This match, however, is so much more than just one missed spot. It was the pure wrestling match of the show. It was a battle for supremacy and respect. It was a battle between a former Olympic gold medalist and a future UFC champion, and when the dust settled the fans were the biggest winners for having witnessed such a contest.
From the intensity and excitement of Jim Ross welcoming viewers to the show, this event had it all. Fans got a bloody street fight that settled a 20 year rivalry, an underdog’s journey of redemption, a battle of egos that became one of my favourite matches of all time, a third chapter in one of the greatest rivalries in pro wrestling history, a fantastic women’s bout that is sorely missed in today’s product, and a technical masterpiece where two men left everything they had in the ring. Looking back, there is no doubt in my mind that WrestleMania XIX was the best WrestleMania ever.
So what’s your favourite WrestleMania? Let me know using #BestWrestlemania and #LWOSwrestling
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