RVD gets off to a hot start against the champ. Regal quickly goes for his brass knuckles (and takes an uncomfortable long time to get them), but RVD sees it and kicks them out of his hand. Regal begs for mercy and gets none. RVD kicks down Regal and goes for the Five Star Frog Splash, but comes up empty. A high knee by Regal gets 2. RVD comes back with a pair of nearfalls. Regal hits his neckbreaker, but only gets 2 from it. RVD attempts rolling thunder, but Regal gets his knees up. Regal follows that up with his double underhook powerbomb and gets a nearfall. Regal starts to put on the Regal Stretch, but RVD reverses it into a small package for 2. Regal goes for another powerbomb, but RVD drives him back to the corner. Regal avoids a spin kick and gives RVD a half-nelson German suplex. Cool. Regal goes outside and picks up his knux. The referee sees them and takes them away. However, Regal grabs another pair from his tights. When he turns around, RVD kicks him in the face. RVD then goes up and nails the Five Star Frog Splash. RVD covers and scores the victory. New champ!

Bottom Line: A match that was not without its charm, but needed to be developed more to be great. I liked how the ending played out, but it just came out of nowhere. Regal needed to beat down RVD further, but fail to beat him. Then, in frustration, he goes for the knux and you can start the end sequence at that point. Even though the match had problems, having RVD win is a good way to kick off the show. ** ½

- Lillian Garcia asks Christian why he turned on DDP. Christian tells her that after DDP helped him get back to his winning ways, he had no use for him anymore. Well, at least Christian had a use for him for a while, unlike the WWF, which has seemingly not cared for him ever since he arrived.

Which do you think is more embarrassing: DDP’s current motivational speaker gimmick or being a driver for Rhythm and Blues the last time he was at Skydome? Christian is announced as now hailing from Tampa to irk the Toronto crowd. Christian stomps away on DDP when he gets into the ring. DDP retaliates with a gutbuster and a clothesline that sends Christian to the floor. DDP now attacks Christian around ringside. As DDP does a 10-punch count, Christian gives him a low blow and then drops him across the turnbuckle. Christian knocks DDP off the apron and into the guardrail. DDP tries to crotch Christian on the post, but gets pulled into it himself. Christian applies an abdominal stretch. When DDP escapes, Christian hits him with a backbreaker. Christian goes up top, but gets slammed off by DDP. A powerbomb by DDP gets 2. Christian tries for the Unprettier, but DDP escapes and attempts the Diamond Cutter. Christian shoves him to the corner to avoid it. DDP goes for it again, but this time Christian reverses it into a reverse DDT for 2. As Christian tries to pick him up, DDP puts him in a small package for 2. Then DDP connects with the Diamond Cutter and pins him for 3.

Postmatch: DDP mocks Christian for losing, which causes him to have a temper tantrum.

BL: A pretty “meh” match if you ask me. This had no real flow and had too much punching and kicking. I’m really surprised DDP won here. The WWF clearly had no hopes for him and I thought the basis of this feud was for Christian to end his losing streak. This was just altogether lame. * ¾

- As Jonathan Coachman interviews The Rock, he asks Coach if he’s followed Hulk Hogan’s “demandments” today. When Coach says he didn’t say his prayers, The Rock makes him do them right now. After Coach gives some irreverent prayers, The Rock mocks him and boots him away. That was funny and all, but this is Wrestlemania. Leave the comedy for Smackdown. It’s time to show you mean business.

I have no idea how Goldust became the #1 contender for this title. Before Maven arrives, Goldust gets some gold trash cans from under the ring. Goldust abuses Maven around ringside to begin. Maven tosses Goldust a trash can and then dropkicks it in his face. Maven cradles Goldust and gets 2. Goldust finds a shovel and nails Maven in the throat with it. Goldust sets a trash can up in the corner and then whips Maven into it. He gets a nearfall from that. Both men hit the other with trash can lids and go down. Suddenly Spike Dudley runs out with a referee and covers Maven for 3. Crash Holly comes out and chases Spike through the crowd. Soon Maven and Goldust run after them as well.

BL: Since these antics continue through the night, it’s unfair to judge this match. The match was a big nothing, although Maven’s bumping was impressive in the short time they were out there.

- The story for tonight’s main event is told through a live performance by Drowning Pool. However, the footage is only shown on the big screen and the television audience is forced to watch Drowning Pool play. So, we really don’t learn anything about the match and have to hear another crappy song? Next!

- Backstage, as Crash and Spike fight, Al Snow charges at them on a golf cart. They avoid him and he goes crashing into a convenient wall of cardboard boxes. Spike gets away from Crash, but out of nowhere, the Hurricane flies in and kicks Spike. He covers him and gets the 3 count. New champ! Cute segment.

Seeing Angle this low on the card and in such a crap match on the biggest show of the year makes me sick. SICK! According to J.R., Angle blames Kane for him not being in tonight’s main event. That’s a pretty flimsy set-up for a match, if you ask me. As Kane sets off his corner pyro, Angle clocks him with the ringbell. Kane tries to come back, but Angle drops him with a German suplex. Kane goes to chokeslam Angle, but he holds onto the ropes. Kane misses a charge, but then elbows Angle when he tried to charge him. Angle comes back with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Angle kicks away at Kane’s head. A back suplex by Angle gets 2. Kane stops Angle’s onslaught with a sidewalk slam. Angle escapes a suplex and then delivers three German suplexes. That gets 2 ¾. Angle goes up top and delivers a top rope clothesline. He tries for a second, but this time Kane clotheslines him on his way down. I get the feeling Angle wasn’t supposed to hit the first one. Kane starts to mount a comeback. A tilt-a-whirl powerslam by Kane gets 2. Kane chokeslams Angle and covers, but Angle manages to get his hand on the rope. Kane tries for the Tombstone, but Angle escapes and starts to pull off Kane’s mask. As Kane readjusts it, Angle gives him the Angle Slam. Somehow, Kane kicks out at 2. Down goes the straps and Angle applies the ankle lock. Kane shoves him off, but Angle quickly reapplies it. Kane gets to the ropes and then gives Angle an enziguri. Kane goes up top, but Angle pops up and suplexes him off. Angle attempts the Angle Slam, but Kane escapes. Then Kane tries for another chokeslam, but Angle manages to reverse it and roll him up. Angle puts his foot on the ropes and keeps Kane down for 3.

BL: Angle managed to do more than was expected with Kane, but it still wasn’t fantastic. There was a lot of punching and kicking, as well as some sloppiness. The ending sequence especially suffered from not being crisp. However, Angle’s intelligence throughout the match was really appreciated by me and helped improve this match. Thank goodness the right guy went over. ***

- As the Hurricane lurks around backstage, he hears someone coming, so he grabs a broom and hides behind a screen. It turns out to be some random women, who start undressing. We then get the “hilarious” silhouette boner joke and the girls freak out. It turns out they’re the Godfather’s hos, as he runs in and chases the Hurricane away. Glad to see the writers had time to write a few segments for their own and Lawler’s amusement.

Interesting trivia note: In the build for this match, Flair and Taker were brawling and Flair accidentally hit a “fan”. That fan is none other than current WWE star, Paul London. The two slug it out with Flair getting the upper hand. The fight goes outside and Flair tackles Taker on top of the announce table. Taker catches Flair jumping off the apron and then rams his back into the post. Back inside, Taker whips Flair and he fails to complete his corner bump. They try it again and this time he makes it over. Then Taker boots him off the apron. Taker attacks Flair over by the timekeeper’s table and busts him open. Back in the ring, Flair has a crimson mask and can barely stand. Flair mounts a small comeback with a handful of chops. Taker puts Flair up in the corner and then delivers a superplex. That gets 2. Taker legdrops Flair across the apron. He covers him, but picks him up at 2. Flair avoids a legdrop and then starts chopping away on Taker. Taker tries for Old School, but Flair pulls him down. Flair can’t follow up, however, as Taker nails him with a sidewalk slam. Taker crotches himself on the top rope when Flair avoids his big boot. On the outside, Flair finds a lead pipe strapped to Taker’s bike and wears him out with it. Now Flair beats up Taker with a sign. Taker’s bleeding now and Flair punches open the cut further. Taker tries to chokeslam Flair, but Flair kicks him low. Flair then slaps on the figure four leglock. While in the hold, Taker grabs Flair by the throat. Taker gets up and delivers a chokeslam. That gets a nearfall. Frustrated, Taker grabs the ref and shoves him to the corner. Taker grabs the lead pipe, but Flair kicks him. Flair whips Taker and suddenly Arn Anderson pops in the ring and gives him a spinebuster. Awesome spot! Flair covers, but Taker kicks out at 2. Taker grabs Anderson, beats him up and then puts him in a Dragon sleeper. Flair comes from behind and nails him with a chair. Flair gives him a couple more shots, but then Taker boots him. Taker tries to give Flair the Last Ride, but then changes him mind and delivers a Tombstone. That easily gives Taker the win. Taker improves to 10-0 at Wrestlemania!

Postmatch: Taker clotheslines the referee just for the heck of it and then shows us he’s 10-0.

BL: This was a bit slow at times, but otherwise a good bloody brawl. J.R. did a really good job of selling the drama in this match. The Anderson appearance was a nice surprise, even though it was all in vain. Flair showed he still has it and made for a really good opponent for Taker at ‘Mania. *** ¼

- Booker T tries to show Michael Cole that he is intelligent, despite what Edge might say. He explains that his high school thesis was on Einstein’s “Theory of Relatives”. Cole then has the gall to correct him. If Cole was so smart, he would know better than to correct the five-time WCW champion.

This match was established when Booker got upset that he lost the chance to star in a Japanese shampoo commercial to Edge. I wish I were joking. We get a slugfest to start between these two. Booker drops Edge across the top tope and then kicks him. That combo gets 2. Booker clotheslines Edge to the outside and continues his assault. A missile dropkick by Booker gets a nearfall. Booker goes up again, but Edge crotches him. Then Edge delivers a hurricanrana. Edge avoids the scissors kick and does the Edge-o-Matic for 2. Edge gets another nearfall with a top rope spinning heel kick. Booker tries to roll up Edge, but Edge reverses it and catapults him into the corner. Edge goes for the spear, but Booker leapfrogs him and Edge crashes into the post. Booker kicks Edge down and then gives us a Wrestlemania Spinaroonie. The scissors kick by Booker somehow only gets 2. Edge escapes the Book End and spears him. Now that only gets 2. Edge then treats us to his weaker version of the Spinaroonie. The two go through a reversal sequence, which ends with Edge hitting the Edgecution. That’s enough to put Booker away for good.

BL: This was your typical Edge match for the time. There was nothing really wrong with it, but it wasn’t very interesting or exciting either. The crowd was pretty flat for this one, considering one of the participants was a hometown boy. I suppose a nothing match is the perfect capper to a nothing feud. **

- The Hurricane continues lurking backstage when Coach approaches and asks some inane question. As the Hurricane finishes answering, Mighty Molly flies in. As they head to the Hurricycle, she waffles him with a frying pan. She then pins him for 3 to become the new Hardcore champion. It’s every sidekick’s dream come true!

Here’s another waste of good talent. Why should Austin be fighting the lowest member of the nWo? Being this low on the card is also a slap in the face to Austin. Hall is joined by Kevin Nash at ringside. Austin wastes no time in attacking Hall and doing some mudhole stomping in him. Austin delivers the Lou Thesz Press and F.U. elbow. After receiving some rough turnbuckle treatment, Hall bails to the floor. As Nash goes to check on him, Austin nails him from behind. Back inside, Hall clotheslines Austin and gets 2. As Hall chops away on Austin, Nash removes a turnbuckle pad. Now Hall whips Austin into the exposed corner. With the referee distracted, Nash attacks Austin on the floor. Hall gives Austin some rough turnbuckle treatment and then hits him with a fallaway slam. That gets 2. It’s almost a handicap match as Hall and Nash take turns hitting Austin without the ref seeing it. Austin stops Hall’s attack with a spinebuster. Hall punches away on Austin, but Austin hits him with a Stunner out of nowhere. Austin covers, but Nash pulls the referee out of the ring and punches him. Hall and Nash attack Austin, but he manages to come back and give them both Stunners. Austin covers, but there’s no referee. Finally, one arrives, but when he starts to count, Nash drops an elbow on him. Austin clotheslines Nash out of the ring. Hall grabs him and attempts the Outsiders’ Edge, but Austin backdrops him out of the ring. Now a slew of referees come down and escort Nash to the back. Austin goes for another Stunner, but Hall escapes and shoves Austin into the exposed corner. Then Hall hits Austin with a Stunner of his own. The referee slowly gets in the ring and can only make a 2 count. Hall tries for another Stunner, but now Austin shoves him into that corner. Austin then delivers two Stunners to Hall to put him down for 3.

BL: You could tell that Austin’s heart wasn’t into this and it hurt the match. I’m not saying this could have been a 5-star classic, but they didn’t even give this the old college try. Hall was treated like a joke and it took Nash’s presence to even make this close to being compelling. Perhaps a little foresight on the bookers part could have prevented this. ** ½

- We then get the requisite video package from WWF Access. The highlights this year include some idiots doing the “We’re not worthy” chant to Bradshaw (those are the Internet dorks he’s always talking about) and fans touching a bust of Stacy Keibler’s legs and ass (I wonder how long it took to sanitize that thing after this was over?).

Saliva performs the Dudleyz’ theme as they come out. So APA wins tag team turmoil last month, yet the Hardyz and Dudleyz still get a shot at the titles? Sounds fair. The APA decide to start off with Billy and Chuck. Bradshaw attempts the fallaway slam on Chuck, but Billy stops him. So Bradshaw gives him one instead and goes back to work on Chuck. Now Billy and Chuck have isolated Farooq. Farooq powerslams Billy and tags Bradshaw. Bubba comes in and manhandles both of the champs. Billy tags D-Von, who gets double-teamed by APA. Things quickly get out of hand with everyone coming in. Bradshaw delivers the Clothesline from Hell to Billy, but turns around and receives a 3-D. D-Von pins him to eliminate the APA. The Hardyz come in and double-team everyone. Meanwhile, the Dudleyz set up a table on the floor. Inside, Jeff hits Bubba with the corkscrew moonsault. Stacy gets on the apron to show Jeff her assets. Jeff slaps her ass, then kisses her and shoves her to the ground. Yeah, like him kissing a girl is believable. The distraction causes Jeff to get hit with the Doomsday Device. Then Bubba gives Chuck the Bubba Bomb. The Dudleyz make frequent tags to work over Jeff. Jeff hits D-Von with a reverse DDT and then finally tags Matt. Matt takes out both Dudleyz and then nails Billy and Chuck as well. Bubba tries for a senton bomb, but Matt avoids it. A second rope legdrop by Matt gets 2. The Dudleyz attempt the Wassup Drop, but Billy shoves D-Von off the top rope and through the table. The Hardyz hit Bubba with the Twist of Fate/swanton bomb combo and pin him to end the Dudleyz’ night. Chuck catches Matt with a superkick and gets a long 2 count. The Hardyz connect with Poetry in Motion on both Billy and Chuck. Chuck receives the Twist of Fate/swanton bomb combo, but as the referee tries to get Matt out of the ring, Billy nails Jeff with the Fameasser. Matt clotheslines Billy out of the ring, but Chuck crawls over and covers Jeff for 2. As Chuck argues with the ref, Billy comes back in and clocks Jeff with one of the tag belts. Chuck covers again and this time gets the victory.

BL: Bad news - I had to endure a Billy and Chuck match and see them retain. Good news - their participation in the match was kept to a minimum. That left us with the other three teams doing the same stuff that they always do. That’s not necessarily bad, it’s just not groundbreaking. **

- Scott Hall tells Nash that Austin got lucky, but that they won’t let the same thing happen twice in one night. Hulk Hogan then comes in and asks that they stay in the back because he wants to prove he can do this on his own. As long as there’s plenty of booze and/or cough syrup backstage, I’m sure Hall is fine with that.

- Mighty Molly is running around frantically backstage, when all of a sudden, she gets a door slammed in her face. We then see it was Christian who did it. He covers her and wins the Hardcore title. Maybe he can stop throwing tantrums now.

The two staredown and the crowd seems to be more pro-Hogan. They lockup and Hogan shoves down The Rock, which gets a huge pop. They lockup again and once again Hogan’s power wins out. Hogan poses and the crowd just eats it up. The Rock finally clotheslines Hogan down and the crowd boos. The Rock tells Hogan to “bring it”, which just riles up the crowd more. A slugfest breaks out and is won by The Rock, who knocks Hogan to the floor. Back inside, Hogan puts his head down and gets kicked. The Rock goes for the Rock Bottom, but Hogan fights out of it. Hogan now gives The Rock some rough turnbuckle treatment. The Rock gets whipped to the ropes, but comes back and tackles Hogan. The boos get louder for The Rock. A back suplex by Hogan gets 2. Hogan locks The Rock in an abdominal stretch and then cradles him for 2. Hogan really takes it to The Rock now by repeatedly scratching his back. LOL at The Rock’s selling of that. Hogan mounts The Rock in the corner and then bites him. The Rock comes back and chops away on Hogan. As The Rock charges out of the corner, Hogan catches him with a chokeslam. Hogan takes off his wrist tape and chokes The Rock with it. The fight spills to the floor where Hogan attacks The Rock all around ringside. The Rock grabs a chair, but the referee takes it away from him. That allows Hogan to clothesline The Rock. Back inside, Hogan sidesteps The Rock and throws him into the referee. The Rock connects with a spinebuster and then locks on the Sharpshooter. Hogan taps, but there’s no referee. As The Rock tries to revive the referee, a “Rocky sucks” chant begins. Hogan goes low on The Rock and then gives him the Rock Bottom. Cool. That gets a nearfall. Hogan takes off his weight belt and whips The Rock with it. The Rock DDTs Hogan and then whips him with the belt. The Rock hits the Rock Bottom and covers, but Hogan kicks out. Here comes the Hulk up and the crowd is going apeshit. Hogan boots The Rock and gives him the legdrop. Hogan covers, but somehow The Rock kicks out at 2. Hogan boots The Rock again, but misses a second legdrop. The Rock then gives Hogan two Rock Bottoms. The Rock puts the exclamation point on it with a People’s Elbow and pins Hogan 1-2-3.

Postmatch: The Rock and Hogan shake each other’s hands in mutual admiration. Then Hall and Nash come out and attack Hogan. The Rock comes back in for the save. Hogan and The Rock clear the ring and stand tall. Well, so much for the nWo. They had a good run aka one month.

BL: Workrate be damned, you can’t help but like this match. The crowd atmosphere was just off the chart for this match. Everything that Hogan did, the Toronto fans just ate it up. This was something special that will probably never occur again. Credit The Rock for trying to heel it up for the fans’ sake and for maximizing Hogan’s abilities. Both men came out looking like winners in this match. ****

- The loser at WWF NY is…the Big Show. They don’t even talk to him; they just show him interacting with the crowd. All I can say is…ouch.

- We set a new Skydome record with 68, 237. Nice going Canucks.

Jazz attacks Lita before Trish even makes it to the ring. Trish comes in and teams up with Lita against Jazz. Jazz gets Trish in a half-crab, but Lita breaks it up. Jazz suplexes Lita and then boots Trish out of the ring. A hurricanrana and a spinning spinebuster by Lita get a nearfall on Jazz. Jazz perches Lita up top, but Trish stops her from doing anything further. Trish rolls through a high crossbody by Lita and gets 2. Trish knocks down Jazz and then bulldogs Lita for another nearfall. Jazz gets a pair of nearfalls on Trish and Lita. When Lita breaks up a cover by Trish, they get in each other’s face. The two slug it out and then Lita hits an ugly backdrop. Lita gives Jazz the Twist of Fate and then slams Trish next to her. Lita goes for the moonsault, but Trish gets her knees up. Trish lays some vicious chops in on Lita. Now Trish and Lita collide in the corner. Jazz tries to take advantage, but gets backdropped out of the ring. Trish goes for a bulldog, but Lita shoves her off and into the corner for another ugly looking spot. Lita climbs up top, but Trish crotches her. Jazz knocks Trish off the apron and then hits Lita with a top rope fisherman’s suplex. That’s enough to pin her for the win.

BL: The most glaring thing about this match was Lita’s sloppiness. There were a couple of times where I really felt like Trish had injured herself trying to take Lita’s bumps. That really hurt what was an otherwise fine match. A fine match for the women, that is, which is usually a few ticks below a fine men’s match. ** ¼

- Christian runs out of the arena and starts to get into a cab when Maven comes out and rolls him up for 3. Maven then gets in the cab and drives away the same way as he came to the arena; as the Hardcore champ. This made for some fun interludes throughout the show.

HHH is played out to his crappy non-Motorhead theme played live by Drowning Pool. Stephanie McMahon, still angry at her ex is in Jericho’s corner for the match. Jericho immediately tries going after HHH’s injured leg, but HHH won’t let him. HHH backdrops Jericho and gives him a pair of clotheslines. HHH hits Jericho with a high knee, but injures his leg in the process. Now Jericho backdrops HHH to the floor. Jericho climbs up top and taunts the crowd, but HHH gets up and throws him off and into the barricade. HHH clears off the Spanish announce table, but then Jericho kicks him in his bad leg. Jericho brings HHH back into the ring and continues to attack that leg. HHH tackles Jericho out of the corner and now tries to attack one of his legs. HHH puts Jericho in a figure four leglock, but Stephanie rakes HHH’s eyes to get the hold broken. HHH grabs Stephanie and brings her to the apron. Jericho charges at HHH, but nails Stephanie on accident. HHH brings Stephanie into the ring and attempts to give her a Pedigree, but Jericho nails him with a missile dropkick. Jericho rams HHH’s leg into the post and then when the referee isn’t looking, Stephanie kicks HHH in the leg as well. Jericho continues his abuse on HHH’s leg, including putting him in a figure four around the post. As Jericho continues to put torque on HHH’s leg, HHH manages to boot him off and send him into the post. HHH connects with a neckbreaker and then clotheslines him for 2. HHH hits Jericho with a facebuster, but hurts his leg in the process. A spinebuster by HHH gets 2. Jericho stops HHH’s momentum by whipping him out of the ring. Jericho puts HHH on the announce table and tries to apply the Walls of Jericho, but HHH blocks it. Now HHH goes for the Pedigree on the table, but Jericho reverses it and backdrops HHH through the Spanish announce table. Back in the ring, Jericho hits the Lionsault, but somehow HHH kicks out at 2. Jericho tries for his crappy bulldog, but HHH shoves him off. Then HHH attempts the Pedigree, but Jericho hits him in his leg. Then Jericho gets HHH in the Walls. HHH gets close to the ropes, but Jericho pulls him back. A second attempt allows HHH to get to the ropes. Jericho grabs a chair, but HHH boots it in his face. Then HHH DDTs Jericho on the chair. That all happened while Stephanie distracted the referee. HHH covers and gets 2. Stephanie comes in the ring, grabs the chair, and tries to use it. However, the referee grabs it away from her. As she argues with the ref, HHH grabs her and gives her the Pedigree. Nice sell job by Stephanie, by the way. As the ref tries to roll Stephanie out of the ring, Jericho blasts HHH with the chair. He covers and gets 2 ¾. Jericho attempts to give HHH the Pedigree, but he escapes and catapults Jericho in the corner. Jericho manages to hop onto the ropes. However, when he leaps back off, HHH kicks him and gives him the Pedigree. Just like that, HHH pins him and becomes the new undisputed champion.

BL: And thus ends the Jericho experiment. I’m torn on this match. On one hand, I appreciate the psychology behind working HHH’s leg over. That should have made the match dramatic and compelling. However, having said that, this had to be one of the most anti-climatic Wrestlemania main events in quite some time. It was brutally clear that HHH was coming out the champ here. Not just because the face usually prevails at Wrestlemania, but because of the way Jericho was treated as a champ leading up to this match. All of Jericho’s work on HHH’s leg is just for naught because the audience is just sitting there waiting for HHH to hit the Pedigree and win. This was proven by the lack of crowd response in the arena. A well worked match, but sorely lacking in the drama department. *** ¾

Final Thoughts: I’m not sure if it came out in this review, but I hate this Wrestlemania. There are so many problems with this show. My biggest pet peeve is the misutilization of talent. It was as if once they locked in The Rock vs. Hogan, they didn’t care about the other feuds because they knew they would get a strong buyrate. The other problem is that his show felt like one big mid-card that was leading to a main event that never happened. Most of the matches were good, but nothing was blow-away great. Finally, while I don’t feel any matches got severely slighted, too much time was given to the musical acts. It’s one thing if they put on a good performance, but neither Saliva nor Drowning Pool added anything to the show. Watch The Rock and Hogan match, as it has some historical significance, but skip the rest of the show.

Next time, whatcha gonna do when nostalgiamania runs wild on you?