Notes from the Wrestlemania press conference

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

Mike Johnson attended the WWE Wrestlemania XX press conference this afternoon at Planet Hollywood in New York City, and called in the following notes:

 

The big story was the fans in attendance, with three interesting moments created by them. First, when Vince McMahon began talking about the brand extension, the fans booed him.

 

The second incident was when Paul Heyman came out, and a loud 'ECW' chant began. In fact, it was so loud that the proceedings virtually stopped. Triple H made a comment saying "This is Wrestlemania, not a bingo parlor", while Heyman grinned. Heyman later told Triple H that he grew up in New York watching the greats defend what is now the WWE Title at Madison Square Garden, not the title belt that Triple H holds now.

 

The third incident was when Brock Lesnar came out, with the fans chanting and yelling at Brock about why he is leaving the company. No mention was made of it by Brock, Vince, or anyone else on the panel, but Brock was glaring at the portions of the crowd where the chants and yells were coming from.

 

Here's a recap of the conference:

 

- The press conference mostly consisted of the wrestlers cutting promos at the podium, followed by a very brief question and answer session.

 

- The press conference was hosted by Jonathan Coachman, with Paul Heyman introducing the Smackdown matches, Eric Bischoff introducing the Raw matches, and Vince McMahon introducing the "inter-brand" matches.

 

- Shawn Michaels remarked that he would be the "showstopper" again this year, Chris Benoit noted that he had worked his whole career for this match, and Triple H stated that he would retain his title.

 

- Kane, dressed in streetclothes and sunglasses, said that he "buried his brother before" and that he would do it again at Wrestlemania. His match with the Undertaker was announced by Vince McMahon as an "inter-brand" match, so it would appear Undertaker is staying with Smackdown and Kane is staying with Raw.

 

- Eddie Guerrero spoke of his love of the business, while Kurt Angle stated that he hasn't been this excited for a match since the Olympics.

 

- John Cena did a rap about how he is going to be the "new Repo Man", because he planned on stealing the show. Big Show cut a promo about retaining the U.S. Title.

 

- The Divas appeared, but said nothing of worth.

 

- Brock Lesnar commented that he was 'next', and would destroy Goldberg. Goldberg said that Wrestlemania would be the pinnacle of his career. Steve Austin said if the two got out of line Sunday, it wouldn't be a one-on-one match, but rather he would take both men down.

 

- Only three questions were taken before the wrestlers were split off for individual interviews. McMahon was asked who would be singing 'America The Beautiful' on Sunday, and Vince revealed that it would be the Harlem Boys Choir. Vince was asked if he expected Wrestlemania to become as big an event as it has, and Vince said yes, pointing out that wrestling needed a 'Superbowl' or 'World Series' type of event to give every year a beginning and an end. When asked if any former wrestlers would be appearing on the show, Vince gave the usual "You never know what will happen" response, but did mention that the Hall of Fame inductees from Saturday would be part of the show.

[cbacon 0]

The second incident was when Paul Heyman came out, and a loud 'ECW' chant began. In fact, it was so loud that the proceedings virtually stopped. Triple H made a comment saying "This is Wrestlemania, not a bingo parlor", while Heyman grinned. Heyman later told Triple H that he grew up in New York watching the greats defend what is now the WWE Title at Madison Square Garden, not the title belt that Triple H holds now.

Yowza! I want to see a clip of that

[muzz 0]

 

The second incident was when Paul Heyman came out, and a loud 'ECW' chant began.  In fact, it was so loud that the proceedings virtually stopped.  Triple H made a comment saying "This is Wrestlemania, not a bingo parlor", while Heyman grinned. Heyman later told Triple H that he grew up in New York watching the greats defend what is now the WWE Title at Madison Square Garden, not the title belt that Triple H holds now.

Yowza! I want to see a clip of that

That got a, "Ho ho! Look out!" from me.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Heyman and Trips trading barbs = awesome.

[Guest KJ Brackish]

Does that mean tonight we're going to see the thread.

 

'Two WWE Employee's Get Into A Hotel Scuffle' later tonight or tomorrow.

 

I'm guessing Heyman and HHH are gonna have some words. Just a thought.

 

DFA

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Does that mean tonight we're going to see the thread.

 

'Two WWE Employee's Get Into A Hotel Scuffle' later tonight or tomorrow.

 

I'm guessing Heyman and HHH are gonna have some words. Just a thought.

 

DFA

Or more like HHH will be having Heyman clean his boots for the next two months.

[geniusMoment 0]

Why would WWE care? They are thinking of bringing back ECW, this is just a benefit to them.

[Highland 0]

- Brock Lesnar commented that he was 'next', and would destroy Goldberg. Goldberg said that Wrestlemania would be the pinnacle of his career.Steve Austin said if the two got out of line Sunday, it wouldn't be a one-on-one match, but rather he would take both men down.

 

Prophecy, ladies and gentlemen.

[Downhome 0]

Don't make anything out of HHH/Heyman thing. It just sounds to me like two guys in character, just like everyone else. Of course Heyman is going to take a shot at HHH, they are on "competing" brands, with the original WWE title being on Heyman's Smackdown.

[Eclipse 0]

WOW. What a surreal moment that ECW chant, and Heyman dissing HHH....LOL

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Don't make anything out of HHH/Heyman thing. It just sounds to me like two guys in character, just like everyone else. Of course Heyman is going to take a shot at HHH, they are on "competing" brands, with the original WWE title being on Heyman's Smackdown.

Yeah but, with as many shots as HHH takes on SD and their champ how often does someone on SD get to dis HHH and call his belt fake.

[NoCalMike 0]

Nice(or maybe not) that some fans are still more passionate about a fed that has been dead for a couple of years now then with the current WWE product, now before I get lambasted, I know it isn't the "majority" of fans, but still it is nice to see ECW is not forgotten.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

- Brock Lesnar commented that he was 'next', and would destroy Goldberg. Goldberg said that Wrestlemania would be the pinnacle of his career. Steve Austin said if the two got out of line Sunday, it wouldn't be a one-on-one match, but rather he would take both men down.

 

-

.....and in the end there was Austin.

 

THE END.

[Guest Repo Man Reborn]

Don't make anything out of HHH/Heyman thing. It just sounds to me like two guys in character, just like everyone else. Of course Heyman is going to take a shot at HHH, they are on "competing" brands, with the original WWE title being on Heyman's Smackdown.

I won't make anything out of it until the main event at WMXX when Triple H is posing in the ring after beating Benoit and Heyman hits the ring for no apparent reason and gets the pedigree.

[Guest JMA]

If Austin does stun both Goldberg and Lesnar and declares himself the winner there is a big chance the MSG crowd will boo him. Or they may cheer. Who knows?

[Guest Choken One]

Likely they will cheer him

 

It's a marky yet slightly smark crowd...They already hate Goldberg for leaving, hate Lesnar for quitting and being a heel in general...

 

Not everyone there is like us and Austin is still pretty over...Austin will def. get a HUGE Pop.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I say screw the match and just have Austin thumbwrestling himself.

 

I mean, that's what this feud has been for the last couple of weeks; Austin playing with himself on TV

[NoCalMike 0]

Hasn't the "Austin stuns both men and declares himself the winner" finish already happened before, though?

[Guest Choken One]

1998. Judgement Day.

 

Austin got "fired" afterwards.

 

Ironic.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

1998. Judgement Day.

 

Austin got "fired" afterwards.

 

Ironic.

Maybe Vince will take away his sheriff badge this time.

[Guest Repo Man Reborn]

1998. Judgement Day.

 

Austin got "fired" afterwards.

 

Ironic.

Maybe Vince will take away his sheriff badge this time.

Yeah, and Austin will come back with a cowboy hat this time.

 

 

 

Austin's character is staler than two-day old bread.

[Guest JMA]

I find it more funny that Austin walked out because he was being put in a match with Brock, and now Brock is walking out because he was going to be put into a feud with Taker.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Heyman could talk circles around HHH any time he wanted too.

 

I'm glad Brock got shit. Vince has put a lot of money and hype behind him and he pulls this.

[Guest Askewniverse]

1998. Judgement Day.

 

Austin got "fired" afterwards.

 

Ironic.

Maybe Vince will take away his sheriff badge this time.

Badge? Austin don't need no stinkin' badge!

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

They booed the brand extension.

 

Awesome.

[Scroby 0]

I don't think the Brand Extension got booed, I think it was more Vince getting booed. The article just makes it sound like the brand extension got booed. Damn I wanna see Heyman just do one shoot interview, just one.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Get the ECW Cyberslam 2000 Q&A for a good Heyman shoot

[Guest Jimbo]

"The second incident was when Paul Heyman came out, and a loud 'ECW' chant began. In fact, it was so loud that the proceedings virtually stopped. Triple H made a comment saying "This is Wrestlemania, not a bingo parlor", while Heyman grinned. Heyman later told Triple H that he grew up in New York watching the greats defend what is now the WWE Title at Madison Square Garden, not the title belt that Triple H holds now. "

 

I apologize for being incredibley inarticulate, but...

 

Hell fucking yes

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I don't think the Brand Extension got booed, I think it was more Vince getting booed. The article just makes it sound like the brand extension got booed. Damn I wanna see Heyman just do one shoot interview, just one.

It seems quite clear that they booed the brand extension.

 

It doesn't say "Vince came out, and they booed him throughout his appearance".

 

It tells you right when they started booing.