WWE Confidential March 22, 2003

March 30, 2003

WWE Confidential March 22, 2003

Before I even delve into Confidential, I would like to plug my WrestleMania 2 review over at The Smart Marks. No one thought that any writer could devote eight pages to that show, but I pulled it off, so do me a favor and check it out.

Keeping with the WrestleMania theme, this episode of Confidential is devoted to "The Granddaddy of Them All". When was the last time the WWE used that phrase? More specifically, we will learn about the history of the show and Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan will be talking about their upcoming match.

To kick the show off this week, current and past WWE staff members comment on the WrestleMania.

Gerald Brisco: The concept was first thought of in a meeting at Titan Towers. He mentions that one year earlier another promotion tried to do a similar show and failed. He is either alluding to the NWA's Starrcade or one of those joint-promotion shows under the AWA banner. I'm not really sure. Brisco knew that if anyone could pull off a show like this it would be Vince McMahon.

Bruce Prichard: Originally thought it was the craziest idea he ever heard. He thought it was horrible for the business if wrestlers mingled with actors.

Gerald Brisco: There were doubts going into the show concerning production, the live aspect, and the Closed Circuit TV theaters.

Bruce Prichard: Although he was against the show, he still laid down the money to see it.

Gerald Brisco: He was at a Closed Circuit venue in Florida and was shocked to see thousands of people show up. It all snowballed from there.

Bobby Heenan: (Canned Footage) WrestleMania was the greatest thing he ever saw.

Jimmy Snuka: (Canned Footage) His favorite event was the first WrestleMania even though he didn't compete. All he did was accompany Hulk Hogan and Mr. T to the ring, but it was unbelievable just to be a part of the show.

This segment was mildly interesting. Nothing really fascinating was said though. It was just a bunch of comments that you would expect to hear.

Segment 1: .5/1

WrestleMania Retro - Shawn Michaels: HBK will always remember his elaborate entrance at WrestleMania XII when he glided from the upperdeck to the ring. Vince McMahon always said that he would never make his talent do anything that he himself wouldn't do, so he even rode the gliding mechanism. Shawn appreciated him doing that. I agree that it was a nice gesture, but where was he on May 23, 1999?

The same HBK-WrestleMania video package that was shown on Raw is re-aired here. The video was very good on Monday, but it wasn't necessary to show it twice.

Segment 2: 1/2

WrestleMania Moment: Gennifer Flowers interviewing the Rock at WrestleMania XIV. That was one hilarious segment.

Next up, the Superstars comment on celebrities appearing at WrestleMania.

Chris Jericho: No one took wrestling seriously until the celebrities got involved. They brought in the media and the mainstream attention.

Shawn Michaels: People didn't have to be asked to be a part of WrestleMania, they wanted to do it.

Ric Flair: He bets that agents suggested celebrities take part in WrestleMania because it would expose them to a large audience.

Jesse Ventura: Fans like to see celebrities at sporting events because it makes them feel important. For they share a common interest with a celebrity.

Bobby Heenan: Like many of the boys at the time, he didn't think it was right. This is wrestling.

Gerald Brisco: He was never concerned that the celebrities would outshine the wrestlers.

Bruce Prichard: They turned non-fans on to wrestling.

A few of the Superstars say who their favorite celebrity was.

Shawn Michaels: Willie Nelson

Ric Flair: Reba McIntyre

Undertaker: Pete Rose

Bruce Prichard/Gerald Brisco: Lawrence Taylor, he respects the business.

Shawn Michaels: Ends the segment by saying that celebrities add to the mystique of WrestleMania, but it really all comes down to the Superstars.

This was a much better segment, as it showed two different trains of thought. Those who were for bringing in mainstream stars and those who were not.

WrestleMania Retro- Big Show: He first saw WrestleMania III. As a big kid, he was rooting for Andre. He adds that the feeling of main eventing the biggest show of the year in 2000 is indescribable.

Segment 3: 2/3

This year’s WrestleMania Press Conference was held at the ESPN Zone in Manhattan. Eric Bischoff and Stephanie McMahon both comment on X-9. It is announced that The Miller Lite Cat Fight Girls would be at the show. Vince McMahon, "That is gonna be fun." Hey, I'm all for it as long as they are given less than five minutes. As for Limp Bizkit, well that's another thing. Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, Triple H, Booker T, and Steve Austin were also in attendance. They all hyped their respective matches and the show itself. Vince says that every WrestleMania has it's own personality and X-9 is all about athleticism. Yeah, you're two years too late on that one Vince. Austin mentions that it is great to be back and he is very happy. Hogan and McMahon tease some tension, which Steph feels the need to over sell. McMahon says the tension is very real and that it is great for him to "physically vent on Hogan in a socially accepted way". Hogan thinks that he saw uncertainty on McMahon's face. These press conferences are always ridiculous because no one ever breaks kayfabe.

Segment 4: 2.5/4

WrestleMania Retro- Spike Dudley- First saw WrestleMania 2 and loved it. Look at that coincidence...

A bunch of Superstars comment on arguably the biggest match of all-time in Hogan vs. Andre.

Bruce Prichard: Thought Vince McMahon lost his mind when he held the event at the Pontiac Silverdome.

Gerald Brisco: Stunned by the size of the crowd.

Matt Hardy: This was the first real mega-event. You couldn't see either Hogan or Andre losing, which is what drew in so many people.

Gerald Brisco: Both the press and fans bought into the "Could he (Hogan) do it?" mentality.

Bobby Heenan: Never really took notice of the number of people who were there until he came out. It was great to be a part of history.

Jesse Ventura: The greatest WrestleMania ever. Hell, they outdrew the Pope who was giving out a free mass.

Ric Flair: The show was headlined by the two biggest stars in the business at that time.

Bruce Prichard: When Hogan failed at slamming Andre EVERYONE thought it was over.

Chris Jericho: You sort of knew Hogan would win, but you really didn't.

Bruce Prichard: The business in 1987 was much bigger than anyone gave it credit for.

Shawn Michaels: That show set the standard for years to come.

After watching all the clips from that match, it still gives me goosebumps.

WrestleMania Retro- Bubba Ray Dudley: He first saw WrestleMania I and his favorite match was TLC 2 at X-7.

Segment 5: 3.5/5

The show ends quite badly. We get a segment devoted to the Big Show's appearance on Hollywood Squares. He was too tall to fit in his square, so they had to make special accomadations. Backstage, Mama from Mama's Family or whatever the hell that show was called, gives Show a spanking. Just what I have always wanted to see... To cap it off, the Big Show chats with the producer Henry Winkler, who he worked with in The Waterboy.

Next week: Jimmy Hart comments on McMahon vs. Hogan. I guess the rumors of him getting signed were true.

Segment 6: 3.5/6

Fun show this week. They should do theme shows more often. The PPV histories would be a welcome addition to the show.

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