Notes From A Mania Observer

[haVoc 0]

Yeah, I felt bad for Pete Rose as well. He shouldn't have been there in the first place, though.

 

And Donald Trumps hair makes me sick.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Me and everyone else here want to thank you for the proper sendoff you gave Goldberg and Brock.

Speak for yourself.

[deancoles 0]

I was very surprised at the pop that Valentine got during the Hall Of Fame thing.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I was very surprised at the pop that Valentine got during the Hall Of Fame thing.

Yeah, so was I.

 

Guess MSG really likes The Hammer.

 

Even though he and HHH look VERY similar

[AndrewTS 0]

First Mania I actually watched live, and saw it up the campus with the projector playing it on a HUGE ASS SCREEN so even in far shots the wrestlers were life-sized.

 

Now, match by match observations from yours truly. And first...everyone around me was jealous of the Harlem Boys Choir...actually allowed to get in the ring. And how many of them are even really wrestling fans anyway?

 

Don't have to be.

 

Friend near me: We're in a Michael Jackson fantasy!

 

- Cena was DAMN over...maybe just because he had the first match, but still. When Big Show was doing his slow, methodical wrestling...a fun "YOU'RE NOT ANDRE" chant broke out from where I was. I personally liked how they actually had Big Show "Toughen Up" from the first F-U...and the chain/knucks spot was classic.

 

I hate Cena, and that was an odd opener choice, but it served its purpose.

 

- Glad to see Mean Gene and Heenan made the show. NOT glad to see Mae Young though...even if it was a fun interlude segment.

 

Moolah and Mae get funnier EVERY FUCKING TIME I SEE THEM! I SWEAR! I NEVER GET TIRED OF THAT GAG!

 

- Jericho got a good face reaction from the crowd. Though a lot of us were wondering what was up with Christian's tights tonight. Nice to see Christian bust out a few new moves...and I marked big time for him using the Texas Cloverleaf. Oh...and Slutty, evil Trish >>>>>> Face Trish ANYDAY IMO.

 

Agreed about Trish. Christian should combine the Cloverleaf with the Liontamer for a wicked submission of his own.

 

- HURRICANE AND ROSEY MADE MANIA...sorta. To coin a term, the crowd was ELECTRIC for the Rock and Sock Connection...despite opinions of them here.

 

- OK...I may get some flak for this...but I really liked the Handicap match. It wasn't the greatest wrestling classic, of course...but seeing Rock and Flair mix it up...as well as Foley beating up his old boss was cool too. Yes...most of the enjoyable parts of the match, at least to me...were when Flair was in the ring. Though...Orton's Mania RKO I think was his best yet.

 

Mick sucks, Orton sucks, Flair still rules, but I laughed my ass off at Orton winning (out of nowhere with that RKO). However, it was stupid to show Mick's PUSSY ROLL DOWN THE STAIRS! Mick, you rolled down 3 times that many in the empty arena, and got back up. What happened, wimp?

 

- The one thing I'll say about the "Evening Gown Match"...best line of the night from the crowd...."WASTE OF TIME!"

 

Stacy and Jackie are officially retarded. When Sable and Torrie stripped, they should have told the ref to ring the bell and raise their hands, because that's the rules, you know?

 

I was disappointed to hear guys around me hooting and hollering. Didn't so much as spring a boner for this mess. Nope, not even for Stacy, who was wearing underwear that I might see my 13-year-old niece go swimming in. Was that supposed to be sexy?

 

Jackie acting like a prude--yeah, right.

 

Also, am I the only one that saw Torrie deliberately tugging down Jackie's drawers to catch a glimpse at her fuzz/tuna surprise? Torrie, you filthy fucking whore!

 

Worst of all, Torrie's a BORING filthy fucking whore. Trish has been heel one night and she's already a million times more interesting than Whorrie has ever been.

 

- Cruiserweight open was too short, but fun while it lasted. I do feel sorry for Ultimo though...on the biggest stage of them all...he trips while making his entrance. What is he, Goldberg now?

 

He also slipped while in the ring and looked sloppy as hell. I think he was celebrating making the Mania card with too much sake.

 

- Why is it that at both Smackdown and WrestleMania...I get a view where I have to look at Rikishi's ass!?

 

That's what you deserve for cheering Foley.

 

I loved the guy in the front row giving Scotty the finger.

 

- Last but not least, the BIGGEST mark out of the night: The ascencion of the Crippler to Immortality.

 

Just about all of us agree. That was fantastic.

[AndrewTS 0]

I was very surprised at the pop that Valentine got during the Hall Of Fame thing.

Yeah, so was I.

 

Guess MSG really likes The Hammer.

 

Even though he and HHH look VERY similar

Some marks near me agreed Mr. Ugly looks like he could be HHH's dad.

 

I'm surprised the crowd didn't chant negative things at him. Then realized the crowd was probably 90% smarks, so since hes an awesome wrestler, he's forgiven.

 

They still chanted "YOU FUCKED UP!" at Eddy and Angle for the botched Double Underhook Superplex attempt.

[Eclipse 0]

I saw the crowd turn around at one point during the Goldberg match. Was that the fight everyone is talking about?

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I saw the crowd turn around at one point during the Goldberg match. Was that the fight everyone is talking about?

Yes, it was.

 

I was directly in front of...well, by 10 or 15 rows...that fight.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

I was very surprised at the pop that Valentine got during the Hall Of Fame thing.

Yeah, so was I.

 

Guess MSG really likes The Hammer.

 

Even though he and HHH look VERY similar

At Hooters Valentine got a big pop too, but since he's from Seattle that might be why.

[bob_barron 0]

Okay-

 

Here's my LIVE REPORT!!!

 

Before the show going in I saw Big from TE and Harvey Wippleman.

 

I was seated in section 40 Row L. In front of me were these two kids who were totally cool and was laughing at all of my smart ass comments.

 

I was dissapointed there was no Heat match.

 

The crowd just went insane during America the Beautiful and when the show began. I had goosebumps and it officially sunk in what I was witnessing.

 

Cena v. Show:

 

Match was WAY too long. I really don't see why people act like Big Show is good now. He still seems to suck in my book. Cena was very over and he knew when to make his comebacks and all that so the match had good heat. I thought his rap was good even though him playing to the crowd at the beginning was cheesy. I enjoyed the ending.

 

4-way:

 

I chanted 'Garrison Cade', 'Let's Go Cade', 'We Want Cade' and all this other stuff and everyone around me was cracking up. No one gave a shit about them- it was sad. I don't know why they didn't just make it Dudleyz v. Book/Rob since La Res and Cade/Jindrak did absolutely nothing. Decent match.

 

Jericho v. Christian:

 

This was really good and I could tell they were trying really really hard and I appreciated it. I hated the ending and the heel turn but the crowd was into it. Really good stuff.

 

Rock-n-Sock v. Evolution:

 

Rock's pre-match promo was awesome. Even though I think Batista is terrible- I really enjoyed this match. Foley's elbow off the apron, Rock and Flair going at it, Flair doing the Flair Elbow- GOLD. The ending was a big letdown for me as I really didn't want to see Foley to job again. I can't believe Rock came back just to job to Evolution. A very well worked match if a bit slow at times. Crowd was really into it.

 

The Hall of Fame thing was very classy. Pete Rose getting booed was funny stuff. Jessie looks really weird.

 

The first ever Playboy interpromotional tag team evening gown match:

 

I went to the bathroom and ran into Hillbilly Jim. Then I called my friend as I promised I'd call her when the first ever Playboy interpromotional tag team evening gown match was on. I came back and the match ended a few seconds later.

 

Cruiserweight open:

 

What was the point of having those guys on there? I would've made it a 6-pac match with Rey, Kidman, Ultimo, Tajiri, Noble and Chavito.

 

These guys were pretty much sent out there to die and I felt bad. Some really nice spots though even though it was poorly booked.

 

Goldberg v. Lesnar:

 

Oh.

My.

God.

 

I figured it was going to be uhly but I didn't know it was going to be this ugly. The crowd chanted:

 

You Sold Out, Boring, Take it Home, You Both Suck, Austin, This Match Sucks, We Want Bret, We Want Hogan, and refund. This was worse then Jeff Hardy at ROH.

 

Austin looked bored the whole time. It was hilarious watching MSG shit all over both guys and the match. A fan dressed as Hogan was doing Hogan stuff the whole match which distracted everyone.

 

Austin stunning everyone got a huge pop. I really wish I could've heard how JR and King spun this match.

 

Goldberg's entrance SUCKS live.

 

SD! tag titles-

 

I can understand not giving the belts to WGTT since no one gave a shit about the match and no one would give a shit about a title change. Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi were booed for the most part. It was sad seeing them get booed doing the post match dance knowing that 4 years ago that got a gigantic pop.

 

Victoria v. Molly-

 

Whatever. Victoria took forever to cut off her hair which pretty much killed the crowd's interest. I feel bad for Molly Holly. She shaved her head and no one cared.

 

Eddy v. Angle-

 

This was excellent. Goldberg v. Brock killed the crowd and this brought them back. The crowd was appreciative of all the matwork and Angle had a lot of fans. The finish was genius.

 

Taker v. Kane-

 

If I actually cared about Old School Undertaker I'd probably be upset but I never got why people wanted Old School Taker back anyway. Taker got a Jesus pop- it was so loud. Paul Bearer coming back was really cool. Thankfully they kept this really short so the crowd didn't figure out that both guys still suck hard. Crowd booed Taker's Last Ride attempt.

 

Benoit v. HBK v. HHH-

 

Oh. My. God. Probably the best match I've ever seen live and certainly the most emotional. I was on Shawn's ass the whole match cracking everyone up and just having a great time. I had about 1000 heart attacks and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. When HBK hit Benoit with Sweet Chin Music I almost renounced my faith in God. When HHH went for the Pedigree I was breathing so heavily and was feeling really queasy. Benoit had that crossface on for what seemed like a year. We kept chanting tap tap tap tap and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I was so worried HBK would come back in or HHH would counter or something bad would happen. HHH tapping was surreal. The Garden EXPLODED and we just went crazy. I was hugging, high fiving and getting all emotional over what I had seen. The greatest thing I've ever seen at a wrestling show. Matches like that are why I watch wrestling.

 

Eddy and Benoit's family coming out was a really nice touch and I just was amazed at what I was witnessing.

 

God Bless Benoit.

 

Oh and after the show who did I run into????

 

THE DAMES!~

 

Dames cried when Benoit won the title and he says hi to everyone. He'll have internet again in a few weeks.

[DangerousDamon 0]

Eh.

 

I'll take Evil Slut Trish any day.

I'd rather take Evil Slut Trish AND Molly at the exact same time, but that's just me.

[NYU 0]

For those that went to Mania but got to watch pieces of the PPV on television....

 

.....doesn't it seem like the crowd was MUCH, MUCH louder in the arena than they were on television? I'm not sure if WWE had a problem with the mics or something else, but it seems like TV didn't really give the crowd justice when it came to crowd reaction. I know that there is usually a dropoff in the loudness of the crowd between being there live and watching it on television, but it just seems MSG was a lot quieter on TV than they actually were.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

NY Untouchable: I think they do that so you can hear the announcers talking and wrestlers trash talking towards each other as well.

 

That's just my opinion though.

[bob_barron 0]

How loud was the crowd for Brock v. Goldberg and Benoit winning on PPV?

 

For those who were at the show- did HBK get a big pop coming out? I was peeing

[ChrisMWaters 0]

How loud was the crowd for Brock v. Goldberg and Benoit winning on PPV?

 

For those who were at the show- did HBK get a big pop coming out? I was peeing

The crowd was EXTREMELY loud during the Goldberg/Lesnar match. When the two actually were getting slammed onto the mat at times in the match, the chants drowned out the sounds of the bodies hitting the mat.

 

As for HBK, he got a good reaction during his entrance...but it paled compared to Benoits.

 

EDIT: Oh, and Benoit's winning...DEAFENING.

[NYU 0]

How loud was the crowd for Brock v. Goldberg and Benoit winning on PPV?

 

Well, the reactions for Brock and Goldberg could be heard on TV and everything but it just seemed a little hushed. The chants seemed to echo LOUDLY through the arena but, on television, they just seemed.....there. Same with the reaction for Benoit. The arena went absolutely insane when Benoit won, but the loudness of that reaction didn't translate well on television. It just seemed like another customary pop for a title win.

 

For those who were at the show- did HBK get a big pop coming out? I was peeing

 

HBK did get a fairly big pop, although there were some boos following the initial cheers.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

I'm not quite sure what NY Untouchable is talking about. The crowd was very loud on television (well, the webcast anyways).

[Guest deadbeater]

Yeah, I felt bad for Pete Rose as well. He shouldn't have been there in the first place, though.

 

Many New York fans still don't forgive Rose for Barreling into Bud Harrelson like he did to break up a double play during the 1969 playoffs.

 

After Howard Dean's "heeyah!" speech, I would think that muting crowd reaction would stop. Guess not.

[bob_barron 0]

I'm not quite sure what NY Untouchable is talking about. The crowd was very loud on television (well, the webcast anyways).

Good to hear.

 

The whole sequence with Benoit having the crossface locked in, HHH about to tap, powering out only for Benoit to hang on and see the Game tap is something I'll never forget.

 

What a show

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I'm not quite sure what NY Untouchable is talking about.  The crowd was very loud on television (well, the webcast anyways).

Good to hear.

 

The whole sequence with Benoit having the crossface locked in, HHH about to tap, powering out only for Benoit to hang on and see the Game tap is something I'll never forget.

 

What a show

Plus, pretty much everyone in the arena chanting TAP, TAP, TAP, TAP! over and over again worked as well.

[bob_barron 0]

Yea- the minute he locked it in me and my friend started chanting that. I'd like to take credit for it...but I won't.

 

No one picked up on my We Want Paul chant during the Cruiser Open.

 

We also chanted Holy Shit when Lesnar locked in the bearhug