"Then. Now. Forever."
The WWE intro leads us into the big dance, the grandest stage of them all – WrestleMania 29!
The National Guard is on the stage acting as the color guard as Lillian Garcia performs a rendition of America the Beautiful to kick off the show. The massive crowd in the MetLife Stadium is red hot for tonight's historic WrestleMania event.
"WHEN IS A TRULY AWE-INSPIRING MOMENT BORN?"
"ONE THAT CAPTURES OUR IMAGINATION..."
"AND TAKES HOLD OF OUR EMOTIONS..."
"IT'S BORN FROM GRANDEUR, FROM SPECTACLE
"AND IT'S IN THAT MOMENT, WHEN TIME, SEEMS TO STOP!"
"AS WE HOLD OUR BREATHS...AND A LEGACY BEGINS..."
"THROUGH RESILIENCY THAT IS UNMATCHED..."
"AND A FORCE THAT CANNOT BE STOPPED"
"THROUGH AN UNMEASURABLE GREATNESS..."
"AND A WILL, THAT'S UNBREAKABLE"
"TONIGHT, AT THIS GLOBAL EVENT, THIS UNIVERSAL STAGE WHOSE STORIED PAST IS RIVALED ONLY BY THE PROMISE OF A BIGGER FUTURE"
"A MOVEMENT WILL RISE..."
"A CENATION WILL HOLD THE LINE..."
"AND A ONE MAN ARMY WILL STEAL THE SHOW"
"MILLIONS WILL BE WATCHING FROM AROUND THE WORLD, WAITING, ANTICIPATING FOR THAT NEXT BREATHTAKING MOMENT"
"THE STAGE IS SET..."
"THE TIME IS NOW."
"HISTORY IS AT HAND"
"THIS IS WRESTLEMANIA!"
Μichael Cole is the first to welcome us to WrestleMania 29 alongside the Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler and the Legendary JBL as pyro work explodes all over the MetLife Stadium.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper's legendary theme song sounds to kick the night off. The Hall of Famer comes out along with the WWE Tag Team Champions, Wade Barrett and Drew McIntyre, the villainous team known as the Ruthless Barrage. Piper cuts a promo on their way to the ring.
"If it isn't the good ol' New Jersey crowd! How honored you guys must be to have the biggest show of them all, the grandest stage of entertainment, WrestleMania in your city. I mean really, what else can you people really be proud of? Your city is nothing more than a cesspool of criminals and illegals. Which by the way, I pretty much doubt they even speak English. I mean seriously, what else is there for you to brag about? Manhattan has the Liberty Island, Brooklyn has Astroland, Massachusetts has the Harvard University...and you...? Well you've got the Jersey Devil!"
Piper and the Ruthless Barrage finally get in the ring as the crowd boos them.
"And just like each and every one of you, our opponents tonight are nothing more than a bunch of savages, thinking that they can take on a WWE Hall of Famer and the greatest tag team of this generation when it's pretty obvious that they aren't even worthy of licking our boots! Tonight we put an end to this disaster of a family known as the "Usos & Daddy", tonight at the biggest WrestleMania of all time we crush the Anoa'i Family...just like the Cowboys crushed the New York Giants!"
The Usos now come out to make their grand entrance.
"Le Manu Samoa e ua malo ona fai o le faiva
Le Manu Samoa e ua malo ona fai o le faiva
Leai se isi Manu oi le atu laulau
Ua ou sau nei ma le mea atoa
O lou malosi ua atoatoa
Ia e faatafa ma e soso ese
Leaga o lenei manu e uiga ese
Le Manu Samoa
Le Manu Samoa
Le Manu Samoa e o mai I Samoa
Le Manu!"
"When we say "UCE", you all say "O"
"UCE"
"O"
"UCE"
"O"
"TURN IT UP!"
Now Rikishi comes out as well and Father & Sons make their way down to the ring to a big pop from the red-hot crowd in the MetLife Stadium.
WWE Tag Team Championship
The Ruthless Barrage (c) & Roddy Piper vs. The Usos & Rikishi
The bell rings and Wade Barrett will start the match against Jimmy Uso. They lock up, and Barrett powers him to the corner. Barrett punches Jey in the ribs, but Jimmy comes back with some right hands of his own. Jimmy hits the ropes, and Barrett shoulder blocks him down. Barrett punches him in the ribs before tagging in Drew McIntyre.
McIntyre shoves Jimmy down, taunting him before punching him. Jimmy tries to fight back, but McIntyre punches him in the ribs. They hit the ropes, and Jimmy hits him with a running cross-body block followed by a jumping heel kick. Jimmy punches him, and Jey tags in. Jey hits a running forearm to the face before punching him. Jey then hits the 10 punches in the corner. McIntyre reverses a whip, and he dropkicks Jey down.
Barrett is tagged in, and he kicks away at Jey. Barrett chokes him on the ropes and forearms him in the back before he applies a neck vice. Jey tries to fight up, but Barrett keeps him grounded as Rikishi guides the crowd to get behind Jey. Jey finally fights up and goes for a body slam, but Barrett elbows out and hits a back suplex for the first nearfall in the match.
McIntyre tags in, and he chops Jey. Jey gets a burst of energy, and he punches back but Drew soon comes back, and he punches Jey down. Barrett tags in, and he drops an elbow as Piper taunts the crowd. Barrett then body slams him down, he rips at his face before going for an elbow drop, but Jey moves. Jey pulls himself up, and Barrett avalanches him in the corner. Barrett goes for another back suplex, but Jey flips through, crawls through the legs, and tags in Jimmy.
Jimmy hits some running forearms, followed by a flapjack as Barrett charged off the ropes. Jimmy goes for a sunset flip, but Barrett stays up. Barrett goes for a leg drop, but Jimmy moves. Jimmy then hits a running dropkick to the face for a two count. Barrett pushes him away and goes for a back body drop, but Jimmy flips through. Jimmy then dropkicks him out of the ring. Barrett returns to the ring frustrated and Piper tags himself in!
Piper takes off his belt and tosses it at Jimmy before pointing at Rikishi! Piper wants Rikishi! Jimmy grands his wish and tags in his father. Rikishi comes in smiling and Piper quickly makes the tag to McIntyre as the crowd loudly boos. McIntyre gets in and has a staredown with Rikihi. They go nose to nose until Barrett gets on the apron to cause a distraction. Rikishi knocks him off the apron but gets jumped from behind by McIntyre.
McIntyre kicks away at Rikishi in the corner before delivering a series of clotheslines in the corner. Rikishi blocks an irish whip and pulls McIntyre into a belly to back suplex! Rikishi gets the crowd pumped up as he connects with a pair of right hands on McIntyre before hitting the ropes and dropping him with a massive clothesline. Barrett comes in but runs into a back body drop. Rikishi sends McIntyre into the corner and splashes him with his butt. Rikishi then comes off the ropes with a shoulder block.
Barrett again comes from behind and along with McIntyre they try to hit a double suplex on the big Samoan, however, Rikishi counters into a double suplex of his own! The tag team champions roll out of the ring and then the Usos connect with stereo suicide dives to take them out at ringside! Rikishi brings Piper into the ring the hard away and forces him to sit in the corner. Rikishi goes for the Stinkface but Piper quickly crawls out of the ring. Piper then pulls a coconut from under the ring. He used a coconut like this one to hit Jimmy Snuka years ago and he also used it to hit one of the Usos last month. Piper gets on the apron and shouts at Rikishi that this will go to his head tonight. McIntyre now again attacks Rikishi from behind. McIntyre hits the ropes and Rikishi catches him with a Samoan drop! Jimmy gets the tag from his father but Barrett pulls him out of the ring and sends him crashing into the steel steps!
McIntyre gets out and he sends Jimmy into the apron before hitting a running elbow. McIntyre throws him into the ring, and he drops some elbows for a two count. McIntyre picks him up and sends him into the corner before hitting an uppercut. McIntyre taunts the fans before Barrett tags in. Barrett stomps away at him before pressing his knee into Jimmy's face. Barrett knocks Jey off the apron before walking into a right hand from Jimmy.
Jimmy punches him, but Barrett soon knees him in the midsection. Barrett drops a knee on the ribs and in the back before sending him to the corner. Barrett forearms the chest before propping him up on the top rope and then he clubs away at Jimmy’s ribs. Jimmy is hung up in the tree of woe, and Barrett kicks away at him. Barrett goes for a running shoulder thrust, but Jimmy sits up. Jimmy then pulls himself up to the top rope, and he hits a corkscrew plancha!
Jey and McIntyre are tagged in, and Jey hits him with a cross-body block. Jey kicks him before having a whip reversed. Jey hits a pair of clotheslines and a kick to the midsection before hitting an uppercut. McIntyre blocks a kick and spins him, but Jey comes right back with a spinning pele kick. Jey then hits a running hip block to the head in the corner. Jey hits it a second time, and Barrett breaks up the pinfall!
Jimmy quickly attacks Barrett, but he’s soon thrown out of the ring. Jey then throws Barrett out. McIntyre goes for a roll up, but Jey rolls through so McIntyre then big boots him down for a nearfall. Piper cannot believe that Jey kicked out. McIntyre sends him to the corner, and he runs into a boot. Jey jumps over him and hits a missile dropkick! Jey connects with a Samoan Drop, and he goes to the top rope but Barrett gets on the apron, and Jey kicks him off.
Jey then hits Barrett with a cross-body plancha to the outside! McIntyre then annihilates Jey with a suicide dive of his own! Jimmy gets in the ring, and he then takes McIntyre out with a leaping plancha! Jimmy gets his brother up, and he throws McIntyre into the ring. Jey goes to the top rope and goes for a Superfly Splash, but McIntyre gets the knees up. McIntyre goes for a Future Shock DDT but Jey counters into a roll-up for a nearfall. Jey then catches him with a superkick out of nowhere for a nearfall
The crowd is really into the match as they’re clapping for both men to get up. Barrett blind tags in as Jey sends McIntyre over the top rope. Barrett gives Jimmy a back body drop out of the ring, and Jey rolls Barrett up for a nearfall. Barrett quickly blocks a kick and shoves him to the corner. Barrett then levels Jey with the Wasteland! Piper wants the tag and he gets it. Piper covers Jey but Jey kicks out at 2,5! Piper is shocked! Piper goes to tag in Barrett but Jey sweeps the leg and pulls Piper away from his corner. Rikishi tags in and he finally gets his hands on Piper!
Piper tries to beg him off but Rikishi knocks him down with a headbutt. Rikishi goes for a splash off the ropes but Barrett gets a cheap shot in. Rikishi then knocks Barrett off the apron. Piper tries to sneak out of the ring but Rikishi pulls him back in and lifts him up with a gorilla press before simply dropping him down to the mat. Rikishi then puts Piper in the corner and connects with the Stinkface! The Stinkface on Piper and the crowd loves it!
Rikishi starts dancing in the ring as Piper rolls around disgusted. Barrett and McIntyre get in the ring and they attack Rikishi but Rikishi bumps their heads against each other! The Usos come in and they superkick the Ruthless Barrage out of the ring. Jey then catches McIntyre with a suicide dive at ringside. Jimmy goes to do the same but Barrett catches him with a Bull-Hammer elbow from the apron! Barrett then sends Jey crashing to the barricade.
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Piper goes to hit Rikishi with the coconut but Rikishi grabs his arm to block it. Rikishi takes the coconut and he goes to use it but the referee takes it away because otherwise he would have to DQ Rikishi. As the ref gets rid of the coconut, Piper delivers a low-blow to Rikishi! Barrett sneaks in the ring and hits Rikishi with the Bull-Hammer elbow! Barrett rolls out of the ring as Piper covers Rikishi...
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Winners & Still WWE Tag Team Champions: Roddy Piper & The Ruthless Barrage!
Roddy Piper's theme hits as the crowd boos heavily. Barrett helps up McIntyre at ringside and they are handed their titles by the referee. They get in the ring and they celebrate with Piper as we get highlights from the match leading to the controversial finish. Back live, The Usos are in the ring checking on their father as he tries to come back to it. The Ruthless Barrage walk up the ramp celebrating and taunting the crowd. Barrett and McIntyre hold Piper up in their shoulders as Piper holds up both tag team titles belts.
Backstage, Josh Matthews interviews the "Rattlesnake" Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin says "What" everytime Matthews tries to ask him a question. Austin then says that all questions will finally be answered tonight. Who is the better Icon, HBK or the Rock, will Austin call the match down the middle, will the match even have a winner, all that will be answered tonight. He says that tonight all hell is gonna break loose but it's going to happen the way it should be.
Matthews asks him if he can make a prediction for the winner of the Dream match. Austin says, in one corner you have HBK Shawn Michaels and in the other corner, the Brahma Bull The Rock. It's the elite of the elite and he's got the best sit in the house. As a prediction, he predicts that the best man will win.
The All American American Jack Swagger comes out driving a big 18-wheeler down the ramp. Swagger now has a new theme song as he heads to his big US Championship Match against Shelton Benjamin tonight. Swagger gets in the ring waving a US Flag around. The All American American gets a rather heated reaction from the crowd in New Jersey.
The Gold Standard comes out next making his 8th WrestleMania appearance and the first after three years of absence. The US Champion makes his way down to the ring clapping hands with fans in the front row as he will look to even the score tonight with the All American American.
This rivalry started back at the Survivor Series PPV four months ago where Swagger defeated Benjamin to capture the title. His 2nd US Title reign wasn't meant to last though as the All American American suffered a severe knee injury the next night on Raw during Shelton's return match for the title. Swagger would go on to blame Benjamin for his injury and vow to win back the title he never lost when he returned. Tonight, will Jack Swagger make good of his word or will Shelton Benjamin even the score with his rival?
United States Championship
"The Gold Standard" Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. "The All American American" Jack Swagger
The bell rings as they circle the ring and lock up. Swagger powers him to the corner, and Benjamin pushes him away. They circle the ring again and lock up. Swagger applies a waistlock, but Benjamin turns it on him. They fight for position as Benjamin gets a side headlock applied. Swagger then drives him to the corner and drops him with a straight right hand. Swagger punches away at him, and Shelton comes back with some chops.
Swagger reverses a whip, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Benjamin clotheslines him, but Swagger only goes to a knee. Swagger reverses another whip, but Shelton hangs on to the ropes. Swagger charges, and Benjamin back-drops him on the apron. Shelton then knocks him off with a pele-kick sending him to the floor. Benjamin then connects with an amazing moonsault off the ropes taking out Swagger on the outside!!!
Both men are down as the crowd chants "This was Awesome". Back in the ring, Swagger reverses a whip sending Shelton to the corner and hits a running knee to the midsection. Swagger stomps the midsection and screams, "I'm better than you!" Swagger under-hooks the arms while screaming some more. Benjamin fights to his feet and takes him down with a back suplex. Swagger is still quick to his feet as he takes Shelton down with a vicious clothesline for a nearfall.
Swagger rubs his face into the mat before applying a front face lock. Benjamin fights up and takes him down with a scoop slam for a nearfall. Benjamin kicks and punches him in the corner. Swagger reverses a whip to the corner, clips the ankle, and applies the Patriot Lock. Shelton kicks him off and gets an inside cradle for a nearfall. Swagger then takes him down with a belly-to-belly suplex for a nearfall.
Swagger now splashes him in the corner. Swagger goes to suplex him, but Benjamin counters into a DDT for a nearfall. Benjamin kicks him in the head a few times before hitting the ropes but Swagger surprises him with a flapjack. Swagger goes for the Gutwrench Powerbomb, but Shelton counters into a roll-up attempt. Swagger counters that counter into the Patriot Lock. Benjamin reverses out of it and sends Swagger to the outside.
Benjamin takes Swagger down with a baseball slide before sending him into the ring steps. Benjamin puts him in the ring, goes to the top rope, and hits a cross-body block for a nearfall. Benjamin knees him in the face a bunch of times until Swagger pulls him face first into the turnbuckle. Benjamin sidesteps him attempting a splash and goes for a Paydirt, but Swagger holds him up. Swagger throws him into the corner, and Benjamin crashes hard. Swagger then connects with a Gutwrench Powerbomb! Swagger with the cover...
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and Benjamin pulls a shoulder up! Swagger can't believe that Shelton kicked out. Swagger goes for the Patriot Lock but Shelton rolls through sending Swagger face-first into the top turnbuckle. Benjamin goes for Paydirt but Swagger holds on to the ropes to block it and he applies the Patriot Lock! Benjamin tries to claw his way to the ropes but Swagger pulls him back to the center of the ring. Benjamin refuses to tap as the crowd gets behind him. Benjamin pulls himself up on one leg as Swagger continues to hold on to the other. Benjamin throws a few right hands, Swagger let's go of the hold and Benjamin hits the Dragon kick for a nearfall!
Swagger uses the ropes to pull himself up, Benjamin charges and Swagger catches him with a belly to belly suplex sending him over the top rope and to the outside! Swagger follows him and rams him back-first into the ring apron. Swagger puts him back into the ring and hits a Swagger-Bomb for a close nearfall!
Swagger nows keeps Shelton grounded with a sleeper-hold. The crowd gets behind Shelton again as the US Champion manages to fight to his feet and elbow his way out of the hold. Swagger however hits a German suplex to stop Benjamin's momentum! Swagger stomps down at Benjamin, he gets out of the ring, pulls Shelton's leg towards the ring post and he slams the foot against it! Benjamin screams in pain as Swagger returns to the ring and taunts him.
Swagger then pulls him up and hits a vertical suplex for another nearfall. Swagger sends him hard into the corner, he charges but Shelton moves and Swagger goes shoulder-first into the steel ring post! Benjamin then hits the T-Bone suplex for a close nearfall! Both men are down as the referee counts them. They get up trading punches with the crowd cheering Shelton and booing Swagger. Swagger reverses a whip to the ropes and eats a shoulder block. Benjamin hits a pair of clotheslines before sending him to the corner and charging to a back elbow. Swagger then runs into a spinebuster!
Both men are down again. They use each other to get up and Swagger goes for the Gutwrench Powerbomb but Shelton counters into a sunset-flip attempt. Swagger blocks it and sits on Benjamin's shoulders for a very close nearfall! That's how Swagger won the title at Survivor Series! Swagger then quickly locks in the Patriot Lock! Shelton counters into a small-package for a yet another close nearfall! Benjamin then catches Swagger with a dropkick. Benjamin begins to slowly make his way to the top rope. Swagger jumps up in the corner and brings Shelton down with a super belly to belly suplex off the top! Swagger hooks both legs...
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And Benjamin kicks out! Benjamin is still alive! Swagger punches the mat in frustration as the crowd chants "This is Awesome". Swagger gets up and pulls the straps down a la Kurt Angle. Swagger now puts Benjamin on the top turnbuckle. Swagger goes to hit another super belly to belly suplex but Benjamin fights back and punches Swagger off. Benjamin then connects with a sunset-flip into a powerbomb but his foot gives in and he is unable to hit the powerbomb!
Swagger jumps off of Shelton's shoulders but lands awkwardly on his knee - the same knee that was injured four months ago. Swagger now complains about his knee to the referee who keeps Benjamin away. Shelton turns his back to check on his foot so Swagger pushes the referee away and charges at Benjamin. Shelton is quick to duck under a clothesline and connect with the Paydirt! Benjamin hooks the leg...
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Winner & Still United States Champion: Shelton Benjamin!
After the match, the Gold Standard is handed the US title by the referee as we see highlights from the match leading to the finish. Benjamin celebrates in the corner as Swagger regroups at ringside looking pissed off. Cole talks about how Benjamin saw through Swagger faking a knee injury and was able to upset Swagger while JBL on the other hand complains about Shelton Benjamin faking a foot injury so he could drop Swagger like that to purposely cause him another knee injury. The score between the two competitors is now even as Shelton Benjamin proudly holds the US Title up in the air.
Video Package Highlights the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony
Howard Finkel is in the ring and introduces the Hall of Fame class of 2013:
Bruno Sammartino - Mick Foley - Trish Stratus - Booker T - Bob Backlund
A video package runs focusing on John Cena's work with Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Y2J Chris Jericho makes his way down to the ring for the following Intercontinental title match up. We get highlights from the Pre-Show Battle Royal where Chris Jericho emerged victorious to secure his spot in this title match. If the first ever Undisputed WWE Champion can beat Big E Langston tonight he will break his own record by becoming a 10 time Intercontinental Champion!
The Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston comes out next making his WrestleMania debut, it is a completely rare honor for a young superstar to make thier first WrestleMania appearance as Champion. Big E gets a decent crowd reaction as he is set to defend the title that he won two months ago at No Way Out.
Intercontinental Championship
"The Master of the Five Count" Big E Langston vs. "The Ayatollah of Rock'N Rolla" Chris Jericho
Referee Charles Robinson calls for the bell as the Veteran Y2J shakes hands with the Champion Big E. They circle the ring and lock up. They fight for positioning before Langston powers him to the corner and gives a clean break. They lock up again, and Jericho applies a side headlock. Langston whips him off and shoulder blocks him down. Jericho quickly slides back and out of the ring before anything else can happen. Jericho is now displaying a heelish style as he takes his time before getting back into the ring.
They lock up again, and Langston applies a side headlock this time but Jericho fights up and whips him off. Jericho leapfrogs him, and Langston takes him down with a shoulder block. Jericho gets out of the ring again to regroup as the crowd boos. Jericho takes a few moments before getting in the ring. Jericho kicks and clubs Langston down before punching him in the face a few times. Jericho relaxes on the ropes and looks at the crowd. Jericho then stomps his face before picking him up to knee him in the midsection. Jericho uppercuts him before wrenching the arm and head-butting him. Jericho hits the ropes, and Langston takes him down with a shoulder block for a one count.
Langston punches Jericho in the ribs a few times before wrenching the arm and elbowing him in the shoulder blade. Langston then applies an arm bar, but he soon releases it and he punches him in the ribs again before powering him to the corner. Langston his some shoulder thrusts in the corner before punching him in the ribs again. Langston hits some more shoulder thrusts before Jericho gets a knee up. Langston is stunned, and Jericho takes advantage by clubbing and chopping his chest.
Langston soon begins to not sell the blows and that intimidates Jericho. Jericho hits the ropes and Langston pops to his feet and gives him a backbreaker! Langston then picks him up and hits another backbreaker for a nearfall! Langston picks him up, and Jericho punches him in the face a few times. Langston reverses a whip to the corner and hits a running shoulder thrust. Langston goes for the Big Ending, but Jericho slides off and gets out of the ring to regroup. Jericho tries to attack while Langston is posing for the crowd, but he catches him with a clothesline.
Jericho rolls to the apron, Big E charges but Jericho moves and Langston goes through the ropes and crashes to the floor outside by himself! Jericho stomps at Langston before sending him hard into the barricade. Jericho puts him back into the ring and gets a nearfall. Jericho goes for Lionsault but Langston moves out of the way. Jericho lands on his feet, Big E rolls to the apron and Jericho catches him with the springboard triangle dropkick to send him back to the floor! That's how Jericho won the battle royal earlier tonight.
Jericho gets Langston back into the ring and gets him trapped in a chin lock. Langston fights up, and he elbows out. Langston hits the ropes, and Jericho catches him with a dropkick to the chest for a two count. Jericho then goes back to the chin lock but Langston fights up and elbows out again. Langston punches him and hits the ropes, but Jericho throws him out of the ring yet again. Jericho gets out of the ring and sends him into the steel steps. Jericho picks him up and smashes his face off the steps before putting him into the ring for a nearfall. Jericho applies a chin lock, but Langston fights up again. Jericho quickly sends him into the corner, and he runs into Langston’s elbow. Langston then takes him down with a clothesline.
Langston gets himself fired up, and he drops Jericho with a pair of clotheslines and a belly-to-belly side suplex. Langston jumps over him twice but he misses with a big splash. Jericho goes for the Lionsault but Langston gets his knees up. Jericho holds on to the legs and applies the Walls of Jericho! Langston tries to fight his way to the ropes but Jericho brings him back to the center of the ring. Langston is able to eventually power out and kick Jericho away. Jericho chop blocks him down and goes for the Walls again but Langston uses his strong legs to kick him away again.
Jericho runs into a belly to belly suplex. Langston again misses with the splash off the ropes and then Jericho misses with the Lionsault as well before Langston finally connects with the big splash off the ropes! Langston gets a nearfall. Big E gets pumped up as he pulls the straps down. Langston goes for the Big Ending but Jericho elbows out of it and hits a facebuster. Jericho follows up with the Lionsault for a nearfall. Jericho now goes to the top rope and waits for Langston to get up. Jericho leaps but Langston catches him in mid-air and hits the Big Ending! Langston hooks the inside leg and gets the pinfall!
Winner & Still Intercontinental Champion: Big E Langston!
After the match, Langston celebrates the biggest victory of his career as he retains the Intercontinental title in his WrestleMania debut over the legendary Chris Jericho! We get highlights from the match leading to the finish. Back live, Big E celebrates in the corner to a nice pop from the crowd. Jericho is on his feet now and he has a staredown with Langston. Jericho gets in Langston's face and they have a few words for each other. Eventually, they shake hands and they embrace in the ring before Jericho holds up Langston's hand to perhaps "pass the torch" to the Intercontinental Champion.
Josh Matthews is with HBK Shawn Michaels backstage. Shawn is asked about his match against the Rock tonight. Shawn says that tonight the entire world is watching the greatest WrestleMania of all time. That's why Shawn Michaels couldn't be anywhere else but here. He says that tonight champions have been and will still be crowned, bragging rights will be put on the line and careers will change forever.
Tonight however is also the night where Shawn Michaels will meet the Rock in a match over a decade in the making. Two Icons will collide for a once in a life time event, never before and never again. He says that no matter who comes out on top, this will be the greatest main event match in WrestleMania history. And by the time his score with The Rock is settled we will know who is the greatest performer at WrestleMania.
Back in the ring Lillian Garcia explains the rules of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. The first man to climb the ladder and retrieve the briefcase will be the winner and will earn a title match against the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at the time and place they choose.
The Mexican Aristocrat Alberto Del Rio comes out first in a Classic '89 Rolls Roys. Del Rio won his first WWE Title by cashing in his MITB Briefcase two years ago which means that he has quite the experience in this type of match. Can the former two time WWE Champion win his second MITB tonight?
"The Awesome One" makes his fifth WrestleMania appearance tonight and much like Del Rio, The Miz has some expereience with this kind of contest. Back in 2010, The Miz won the MITB Briefcase and went on to cash it in later that year to win his first and only WWE Championship which led him to headline WrestleMania 27. Could tonight be The Miz's night...again?
Making his first appearance in a WrestleMania contest is the spectacular Tyson Kidd. This will be the first time that young Tyson will attempt to win Money in the Bank as he has yet to capture a major title in his young career in the WWE.
"The Dreadlocked Dynamo" Kofi Kingston is making his fifth WrestleMania appearance and is entering his sixth Money in the Bank Ladder match as he has been unsuccessful in capturing the coveted briefcase so far. Tonight could be the night that Kofi Kingston shocks the World and wins it all to become a MITB Veteran!
And here comes a true MITB Veteran, in Christian. Captain Charisma is the only man in tonight's contest to compete in the first ever MITB Ladder Match back at the historic WrestleMania 21, making this his fifth MITB Ladder Match appearance even though Christian is a well known Ladder Match specialist as well, making him perhaps the favorite to win tonight.
And here comes, last but not least, the rookie Roman Reigns making his WrestleMania debut and competing in his first MITB Ladder Match ever. Reigns makes a unique entrance through the electric crowd in the Metlife Stadium, sporting a new black ring attire which includes some kind of a protective vest and also to a new theme song. Reigns will surely be the wild-card here tonight.
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Alberto Del Rio vs. The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Christian vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Roman Reigns
Everyone has a ladder in hand as the bell rings. They all sandwich Del Rio and knock him out of the ring. Miz launches Kidd under the bottom rope to the outside as Christian knocks Kingston to the outside. We have a stand off between Christian and Miz with tiny ladders. Reigns then takes them both out with a leaping double clothesline. Reigns now is trying to setup a ladder when Del Rio and Kingston climb up both sides and then throw it at Reigns. They take out Reigns then with a double dropkick.
Kidd springboards off the ladder when Del Rio and Kingston play tug of war. Christian sets up a small ladder and starts climbing when Miz cuts him off. Christian throws the ladder at Miz sending him to the outside. Christian then connects with a dive over the top rope on both Miz and Reigns! Del Rio then connects with a flip dive over the top rope as well over Christian, Miz and Reigns. Attempting to make his presence felt, Kidd takes out everyone with a suicide dive of his own. A large ladder is setup at ringside so Kofi Kingston climbs up and he connects with a cross-body on everyone at ringside! Huge reaction in New Jersey for that spot!
The large ladder is setup in the ring and now both Miz and Kingston are up top. Kofi with a kick to Miz and Del Rio then knocks the ladder over and both Miz and Kingston crash and burn. Miz is favoring his knee screaming in pain. Del Rio is knocked off another ladder by Reigns. Del Rio and Reigns are both on the ladder now as Kidd and Christian scale over them. Kidd and Christian both pull out double huricarana’s on Del Rio and Reigns respectively, off the ladder!!
Kidd springboards to the ladder over Christian but Christian then connects with a back suplex to Kidd off the ladder! Christian sets up a ladder in the corner and Kingston dropkicks it into Christian’s chest when he slides under and stands up. Del Rio then hits a step-up enziguiri to Kingston. Del Rio then springboards off the ladder and hits a double foot-stomp over Kingston. Kidd comes from behind and knocks Del Rio to the outside.
Kidd pulls the big ladder and begins to climb but Christian climbs behind him and drops Kidd off the ladder with an inverted face-lock backbreaker! Del Rio jumps over a ladder causing it to fly up into Christian’s face. Reigns sets up a second tall ladder near the other one and starts climbing. Reigns and Kingston are now up with Del Rio. Reigns knocks Kingston off and then Reigns and Del Rio begin to exchange shots. Christian and Miz bring two ladders close by climbing up.
Everyone is now climbing up at the top of their respective ladders reaching for the briefcase that is now dangling over them. Del Rio is sent face first into a ladder in the corner by Miz as Christian kicks Reigns down. Christian reaches up but Miz cuts him off, and connects with a big superplex off of the ladder!!! Miz is hopping down the ramp on one leg. Miz is climbing up when Kidd cuts him off. Kidd then connects with a sunset flip powerbomb on Miz off the ladder!!
Kidd is climbing up the ladder and reaching now but Del Rio cuts him off. Kidd kicks him away but Del Rio gets quickly back up on the other side. Kidd uses the briefcase to hit Del Rio in the face with it, thus knocking him off the ladder for good. Kofi now uses a ladder to knock Kidd off the big ladder. Kingston sets the smaller ladder between the big one and the ropes. Kofi climbs onto the side of the small ladder and hits a super Boom-Drop on Del Rio!!
Miz comes back with a the Skull Crashing Finale to Kingston. Christian then hits the Spear on Miz! Christian begins to climb up and Kidd quickly joins him. They trade shots as Reigns pushes the ladder over but both Kidd and Christian put a foot on the bottom rope to avoid the landing and they bounce back with Kidd kicking Reigns in the face! Kidd and Christian now go at it.
Christian hits a few right hands and finally kicks Kidd off of the ladder! Christian has his hands on the briefcase but suddenly, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose get in the ring and they push the ladder over sending Christian crashing to the ropes!!!! The rookies, Ambrose and Rollins have got themselves involved in this somehow!
Ambrose and Rollins now start beating down Christian as the crowd is stunned. Rollins hits the Blackout on Christian sending him face-first into the ladder! Kingston is in but he gets a beating at the hands of Rollins and Ambrose. Del Rio goes after them but he gets outnumbered as well. Ambrose gets Del Rio out of the ring and hits the Dirty Deeds (headlock driver) on the floor!
Back in the ring, Rollins sets up a ladder in the corner and he powerbombs Kingston into it! Kidd crawls into the ring but Ambrose pulls him out and whips him hard into the barricade. Miz now goes after Rollins so Ambrose blind-sides him but Miz fights back. Reigns comes in and now he stands on Miz's side. They get ready to fight together but then Reigns Spears Miz down! Reigns embraces with Ambrose and Rollins revealing that they are into this together! Of course they are, Rollins and Ambrose are dressed exactly as Reigns!
Tyson Kidd springboards off the ropes but Reigns catches him with a Superman Punch in mid-air! Reigns goes outside and places a ladder to lie in between the ring apron and the announce table. Ambrose and Rollins get Kidd up and they lift him up before placing him on Reigns' shoulders. The rookies then connect with some sort of a Triple Powerbomb sending Kidd flying over the ropes and crashing into the ladder outside! The ladder crashed in half! Reigns sets up the ladder and climbs up as Rollins and Ambrose check out to make sure no one interferes. Reigns unhooks the briefcase to win the match in his WrestleMania debut!
Winner & Mr. Money in the Bank: Roman Reigns!
Roman Reigns celebrates on top of the ladder, holding up the briefcase as everyone in the arena looks shocked. We then see a series of highlights from the match leading to the chaotic finish. Back live, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins also climb up the ladder and they celebrate with Reigns. The three of them put their fists together and they all get a hold of the briefcase as if it belongs to all three of them.
We go outside the Boiler Room where Mankind is sitting in a corner talking to Mr. Socko. Mankind says that tonight Cody Rhodes will not get in that Boiler Room with a comon man like Mick Foley or a cool guy like Dude Love or even a ruthless maniac like Cactus Jack. He is gonna get in that Boiler Room with Mankind. He says that tonight Mankind and Mr. Socko will walk out of the Boiler Room while Cody Rhodes will never find the exit and no one will ever see him again. Mankind then enters the Boiler Room.
This rivalry between Valiant Cody Rhodes and the Hardcore Legend Mick Foley started back at No Way Out where Cody Rhodes lost a chance to compete at the main event of WrestleMania when he was defeated by Daniel Bryan in a match that Mick Foley served as the special guest referee. Blaming Foley for his troubles, Cody attacked the Hardcore Legend in an attempt to prevent Foley from being able to appear in the Hall of Fame Ceremony where he would be inducted into the HOF. After weeks of teasing his return, Mankind made his appearance on Raw, challenging Rhodes to one of the most unique, unpredictable and brutal contests the WWE has ever seen: A Boiler Room Brawl!
We see Cody Rhodes outside of the Boiler Room with Referee Chad Patton explaining the rules. The first man to walk out of the Boiler Room wins. There are no pinfalls, no submissions and everything goes. Rhodes opens the door and gets in as this match is officially under way.
Boiler Room Brawl
Cody Rhodes vs. Mankind
Cody Rhodes begins to walk through a dark hallway keeping an eye out for his devious opponent. Mankind pops out of nowhere and attacks Rhodes from behind! Rhodes fights him off and pushes him against the door of the room. Rhodes then smashes Mankind's head against a crate before ramming him back-first against the crate. Rhodes gets a steel pipe but misses with a swing and ManKind unloads with right hands before tossing Rhodes over the crate.
Rhodes climbs up some stairs and Makind follows. They continue to brawl when Mankind reaches Cody and Mankind gets thrown into an old refrigerator! Rhodes then throws Mankind onto some wood and pipes that were leaning against the wall. Mankind has a piece of glass and he breaks it over Cody’s head! A bleeding Cody Rhodes goes through a table and then a large piece of glass. Rhodes is bleeding in the face and the shoulder as he was cut by the glass. The camera man is doing everything he can to avoid showing the bloody spots.
Mankind chases Rhodes who tries to get away from his crazed opponent. Steam goes right into Mankind’s face now as Cody pulled on a pipe and Rhodes finds an opening to disappear in the dark boiler room. Mankind searches for Rhodes calling him out. Rhodes comes from behind with a steel chair and cracks it against Mankind's back. Rhodes unloads with chair shots down at Mankind and looks to be out of his mind at the sight of his own blood!
Mankind then low-blows Rhodes with a pipe! Mankind puts Rhodes over a table and climbs a ladder. Mankind dives with an elbow but Rhodes moves and Mankind goes through the table by himself! Rhodes covers but there is no referee and no pinfalls count in this match. Rhodes goes nts before he starts searching for the exit door. Mankind jumps him out of nowhere and whips him into a pile of wood. Rhodes grabs a wood and cracks it over Mankind's head! Rhodes jumps and steps on a crate before kicking Mankind in the side of the head (modified Disaster kick).
Rhodes again searches for the exit door but again Mankind comes out of nowhere and takes down Rhodes before unloading with right hands. Mankind has a 2x4 and he cracks it over Rhodes' back! Mankind pulls out Mr. Socko now and he applies it on Rhodes! Rhodes connects with a low-blow out of desperation and he follows up with Cross-Rhodes on the floor! Rhodes then tosses a few pipes over Mankind.
As Mankind is buried under some pipes Rhodes searches for the exit. Rhodes finally finds the exit door, however Mankind appears with a fire extinguisher and he tosses it at Rhodes but Cody ducks the bullet. Rhodes punches Mankind, he grabs the fire extinguisher and spays Mankind in the face! Rhodes then hits Mankind in the head with the fire extinguisher. A bloody Cody Rhodes continues to hit Mankind with the extinguisher until Mankind is not moving anymore. Rhodes pulls off Mankind's mask and exits the Boiler Room.
Winner: Cody Rhodes!
Rhodes is immediately checked by ETM's as he is bleeding from the head and he looks to have a deep cut on his left shoulder. We see highlights from this brutal Boiler Room Brawl as Rhodes is helped to the trainers room still holding Mankind's mask. Medics get in the Boiler Room to check on Mankind but he is nowhere to be seen...
A promo for WrestleMania XXX airs. The 30th WrestleMania will take place at New Orleans on April 6, 2014!
We go to the commentators and Cole gives credit to Cody Rhodes for being able to defeat Mankind in his own environment through all the cuts and bleeding he suffered at the hands of Mick Foley. JBL agrees and says that Cody may never be the same.
We get a video package highlighting the events that led to tonight's No Holds Barred contest between The Viper Randy Orton and the Beast Brock Lesnar. Feeling insulted after hearing that Randy Orton has been given the nickname "the WWE's Apex Predator" Brock Lesnar made a target out of the Viper, claiming that there is only one Apex Predator in the WWE and that's him. Lesnar delivered a brutal assault to Randy Orton on Raw and went on to challenge him to a match at WrestleMania. Orton soon came back to not only attack the Beast and accept the challenge but to also add a No Holds Barred stipulation. Who will survive this war tonight? Who will be crowned the WWE's Apex Predator?
The Beast in Carnate makes his way out accompanied by his advocate, the devious, yet legendary, Paul Heyman. Heyman felt the wrath of Randy Orton a couple of weeks ago, receiving an RKO at the hands of the Viper something that only angered the Beast Brock Lesnar even more. Tonight marks the first WrestleMania appearance of Brock Lesnar in nine years and his fourth match overall since his return back in July. With a victory over CM Punk at the 25th Anniversary of SummerSlam and two straight victories over Triple H once via KO at No Mercy and once inside Hell in a Cell at Armageddon, the Conqueror has yet to be beaten in a PPV Match.
The crowd in New Jersey erupts in cheers as the Viper Randy Orton comes out next looking more focused than ever. This is the 10th straight appearance at WrestleMania in his career and with a record of 4 wins-5 losses the Viper will look to even the score tonight by taking on his biggest challenge to date. Facing opponents like John Cena, HHH, CM Punk and The Undertaker in the past, this Beast might be the Viper's toughest and most ruthless WrestleMania opponent, so for Orton this is as much of a huge threat as much as it is a big opportunity to cement himself as the WWE's Apex Predator.
No Holds Barred
"The Viper" Randy Orton vs. "The Beast" Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman)
The bell rings and Lesnar with connects a takedown on Orton and he unloads with right elbows to the head right away! Orton fights back with right hands on Lesnar. Lesnar kicks him away and then gets another takedown. Orton with strong right hands now to get Lesnar off of him. Orton gets the better of Brock with right hands and stomps in the corner. Lesnar reverses a whip sending Orton crashing into the other corner and follows up with a big clothesline to take the control.
Lesnar dumps Orton on the outside and follows as Heyman looks on in approval. Lesnar goes to bang Orton's head against the announce table but Orton blocks it and bangs Lesnar's head against the table instead. Orton pushes Lesnar to the steel steps and then smashes his head against the steps. Orton with a whip but Lesnar blocks it and clotheslines Orton on the floor. Lesnar has a chair in hand now as Heyman taunts Orton.
Orton ducks a chair-shot and dropkicks the chair into Lesnar's face! Orton then shoves Lesnar face-first into the steel post. Orton unloads with chairshots to the back of Lesnar now as Heyman screams at him to stop. Lesnar gets to the apron as Orton gets in the ring with the chair. Orton then connects with the suspended DDT on the chair for a nearfall! Lesnar counters an RKO and hits a spinebuster on the steel chair for a nearfall of his own!
Lesnar goes for a powerbomb but Orton connects with a low-blow. Orton then hits the inverted backbreaker for a nearfall. Orton clotheslines Lesnar over the ropes to the outside. Orton then drives Lesnar back-first against the barricade. Lesnar surprises Orton with a forearm to the face and Orton's nose is now bleeding. Lesnar with a kick and then he shoves Orton into the barricade. Lesnar rams Orton back-first against the ring apron and then drives his shoulder into Orton's gut. Lesnar with a knee to the gut and then he sends Orton face-first against the steel post.
Lesnar sends a table, a steel chair and the top half of the steel steps into the ring. Orton with a kick but Lesnar hits a German suplex to take him down on the floor! Lesnar gets him back in the ring and unloads with knees to the back followed by forearms to the side of Orton's head. Orton's eye is bleeding as well. Lesnar sets the table but turns into an RKO by Orton out of nowhere. Lesnar no-sells it and he gets up looking stunned so Orton his a 2nd straight RKO! Lesnar then rolls out of the ring to the floor.
Orton follows and grabs a singapore cane from under the ring. Orton with a shot to the mid-section and then he smashes the cane onto Lesnar's back. Lesnar rolls back into the ring and Orton follows. Orton with a pair of clotheslines, ducks one but Lesnar avoids the scoop slam and hits a powerslam of his own for a close nearfall. Lesnar goes to powerslam Orton through the table but Orton slides off his back and hits a European uppercut. The steps are behind Orton so when Lesnar charges, Orton catches him with a scoop slam into the steel steps! Orton hooks the leg for a nearfall.
Lesnar pushes Orton off of an RKO attempt and hits a vicious clothesline. Lesnar then powerbombs Orton through the table! Heyman screams at Lesnar to cover him but Brock doesn't seem to care about pinfalls anymore. Lesnar goes for an F-5, Orton counters, Lesnar blocks an RKO and shoves Orton into the turnbuckles in the corner. Lesnar then hits a German suplex to Orton. Lesnar puts Orton on top of the steel chair and then goes up top for unknown reasons but Orton crotches him. Orton goes up top and hits a superplex onto the chair!! Orton gets a close nearfall for that!
They exchange right hands now until Lesnar catches Orton with a knee to the gut before delivering another massive German suplex. Lesnar goes for a powerbomb on the steel steps but Orton counters with a back body drop onto the steps! Orton then strikes with a third RKO! Orton hooks the leg...
1...
2...
...but Heyman breaks up the pinfall!!! Paul Heyman saves his client from perhaps suffering defeat!
Orton now stalks Heyman and stops him before he can exit the ring. Heyman begs for mercy but Orton drops him with an RKO! Heyman is out of commision! Orton stalks Lesnar now and calls for the punt to the head. Orton goes for it but Lesnar cuts him off, scoops him up into his shoulders and delivers a decisive F-5 to get the pinfall! The Beast has beaten the Viper!
Winner: Brock Lesnar!
After the match, Brock Lesnar is slowly up to his feet as we see highlights from this brutal match leading to the finish. Lesnar gets out of the ring and drags Heyman under the bottom rope. Lesnar carries Heyman into his arms and heads to the back. Back in the ring, the official is checking on Randy Orton who is still bleeding from both the eye and the nose.
Highlights are shown from WrestleMania Axxess featuring the WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee.
Backstage Matt Striker is with the Rock. The Rock says that two years ago HBK Shawn Michaels was inducted to the Hall of Fame. Three years ago he wrestled his last match against the Undertaker and four years ago he and the Undertaker had one of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time. He says that over the years HBK has proven the he is Mr. WrestleMania with epic matches against "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, John Cena, Kurt Angle, Stone Cold Steve Austin and even Mr. McMahon himself.
Tonight however he faces someone he has never faced before and he will never face again. He says that tonight Shawn Michaels will have his greatest WrestleMania match of all time against the Great One, The Rock. Too bad for him that he isn't going to win it.
The COO of the WWE Triple H and his wife, One of WWE's Principle Owners, Stephanie McMahon come out. Trips says we had a hell of a show thus far and it's only going to get better. He says that by the end of the night we will know if the Undertaker's Streak is 20-1 or 21-0. We will know which is the better Icon, HBK Shawn Michaels or the People's Champ the Rock. And we will also get to know who is going to be the Undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion. John Cena...Dolph Ziggler...or Daniel Bryan!
Stephanie says that before all that they are proud to announce that 80,676 fans are in attendance tonight, making WrestleMania 29 the second highest attended event in the history of WWE after WrestleMania 3! She says thank you WWE Universe. Then she says that before we get to the triple main event we have one more thing to settle. One General Manager for both Raw and SmackDown. Theodore Long or Eric Bischoff.
We get a highlight video from Teddy Long's journey as SmackDown GM from 2004 to date and then Eric Bischoff's reign as Raw GM back in 2002 until late 2005. Stephanie then brings out her father and father of WrestleMania, Vince McMahon! Mr. McMahon comes out to a big ovation and he says that he couldn't be more proud about the WWE and the fact that next year we are closing in on 30 years of WrestleMania! He says that whoever wins the following match will carry a heavy burden on their shoulders. He says that the man that becomes GM of Raw and SD will have the ultimate power to do as they wish. He says that from now on he will enjoy himself in an extended vacation he has planned while it will be up to Stephanie and HHH to make sure that whoever runs things does what's best for business.
Eric Bischoff comes out along with his team, "The Devil's Favorite Demon" Kane, "The Swiss Superman" Antonio Cesaro & "Mr. Big Time" Aaron Stevens. Vince, HHH and Steph will be watching on from ringside.
Eric Bischoff Team - Facts:
Kane:
The Devil's Favorite Demon is a former World Champion, Intercontinental Champion, Tag Team Champion and 2010 Mr. Money in the Bank. The Demon Kane is one of the most dangerous and feared superstars in WWE History.
Antonio Cesaro:
The Swiss Superman is one of the most fast rising stars in the WWE today. Cesaro made his PPV Debut at the Survivor Series event and went on to pick up his first major pinfall victory at Armageddon over Randy Orton.
"Mr. Big Time" Aaron Stevens:
On his second month in the WWE, "Mr. Big Time" captured the Intercontinental Championship by defeating a WWE Veteran in Christian, in an incredible Three Stages of Hell contest. Stevens held on to the prestigious title for four months.
"Holla, Holla, Holla" Theodore Long comes out accompanied by "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus, "The World's Largest Athlete" Big Show and "The Second City Saint" CM Punk.
Theodore Long Team - Facts:Big Show:
: The World's Largest Athlete has won every active title in the curent roster of the WWE and has wrestled them all from The Rock to Steve Austin, to The Undertaker. Big Show is one of the most loyal WWE Superstars and a sure thing future Hall of Famer.
Sheamus:The Celtic Warrior won his first WWE Title in his rookie year in 2009 by defeating John Cena in a Tables match. Sheamus is now a former four time WWE Champion and former US Champion as well.
CM Punk:One of the most popular and beloved by fans, WWE Superstar, is CM Punk. Punk made his WWE Debut in 2007 and has gone on to become a four time WWE Champion as well as Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion. Last year's WrestleMania saw Punk successfuly defending the WWE Title in a huge Triple Threat contest.
Elimination 6 Man Tag Team Match
Team Teddy Long - CM Punk, Big Show & Sheamus vs. Team Eric Bischoff - Kane, Antonio Cesaro & Mr. "Big Time" Aaron StevensThe bell rings and Cesaro will start the match against CM Punk. Punk kicks and punches him to the corner before stomping away at him. Cesaro turns him around and unleashes some fast right hands on him. Cesaro bounces him off the corner before slamming him on the turnbuckle. Cesaro hits a snapmare and drops an elbow before ripping at his face. Punk ducks a clothesline and hits a rolling neckbreaker. Sheamus tags in, and they hit a double-team wishbone split.
Sheamus sends Cesaro to the corner and hits a clothesline. Sheamus hits a snapmare before hitting a suplex. Sheamus wrenches the arm before driving his shoulder into him. Sheamus punches him, but Cesaro punches him down. Cesaro sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Big Show gets the tag from Sheamus as Kane tags in, and they circle the ring.
They lock up, and Kane applies a side headlock. Big Show whips him off, and shoulder blocks him down for a one count. Kane reapplies the side headlock, but Big Show counters out with a back suplex for a two count. Kane punches and kicks him down before sending him into the ropes. Big Show bounces back with a clothesline before tagging CM Punk in.
Punk kicks away at him in the corner before the referee backs him up. Punk uppercuts him a few times before Kane pushes him back and uppercuts him down. Kane then throws him out of the ring in front of The Authority. Sheamus and Big Show run over to keep team Bischoff back. Of course, a brawl between the teams breaks out at ringside so Triple H gets in the way to stop it. He orders the two teams to keep it together and Punk gets in HHH's face now. Kane capitalizes on this slight distraction and drops Punk with a big boot and then he sends him back to the ring before tagging in Aaron Stevens.
Stevens sends Punk into the ropes, and he turns him inside out with a knee to the midsection. Stevens taunts the crowd, and he rubs Punk's face on the top rope. Punk punches and chops him against the ropes before hitting a suplex for a nearfall. Punk puts him in the corner and punches away at him. Stevens reverses a whip to the opposite corner, but he runs into a boot. Punk goes to the top rope, but Stevens sweeps the feet and puts him in the tree of woe. Stevens then stomps him before tagging Cesaro in.
Cesaro stomps and punches Punk until he falls out of the tree of woe. Cesaro lifts him up by the waist and puts him in the top of the corner. Cesaro hits a superplex for a nearfall. Stevens tags in, and he stomps Punk down. Kane and Cesaro take cheap shots when the referee isn't looking. Stevens hits a running forearm on him for a two count. Stevens applies a chin lock, but Punk fights up. Punk ducks a clothesline and hits a roundhouse kick to the temple. Both men are down.
Tag to Big Show and Cesaro. Cesaro with a pair of shoulder blocks but he gets shoulder blocked down by Big Show. Big Show hits a running butt bump in the corner before hitting a body slam. Big Show drops an elbow for a two count. Big Show and Bischoff now exchange words as Bischoff gets on the apron. Big Show shushes the crowd and goes for a chop, but Cesaro ducks it. Cesaro punches and uppercuts him, but Big Show head-butts him back down.
Sheamus tags in and hits a pair of shoulder blocks but misses a running knee lift and eats a dropkick. Cesaro then hits a double foot-stomp to the chest. Kane is tagged in, and he kicks Sheamus a few times before dropping some elbows on the leg. Sheamus clutches his leg and rolls away. Kane hits a suplex for a one count. Stevens tags in, and he stomps on Sheamus' hand. Stevens talks some trash to Sheamus as the crowd boos him. Sheamus slaps him in the face, and Stevens kicks him in the midsection.
Kane tags in as Stevens punches away at Sheamus. Kane uppercuts Sheamus before sending him into the ropes but lowers his head and eats a running knee lift which he then follows up with a rolling fireman's carry. Stevens tags in and stops Sheamus from making a tag. Sheamus then gives Stevens a back body drop over the top rope. Eric Bischoff distracts the referee as Kane knocks Sheamus down with a big boot. Teddy Long now gets in Bischoff's face and Bischoff pushes him. Bischoff, Kane and Cesaro now start bullying Teddy so Punk takes them all out with a suicide dive to the outside!
Back in the ring, Stevens misses a running double knee in to the corner. Sheamus makes the tag to Punk, and the crowd erupts. Punk ducks a clothesline and knocks Cesaro off the apron. Punk punches away at Stevens before having a whip reversed on him. Punk backflips over him, ducks a clothesline, and takes Kane out with a suicide dive! Punk snaps Stevens off the top rope and hits him with a springboard clothesline off the ropes. Punk goes up top and hits a diving elbow-drop for a nearfall. Punk goes for GTS but Stevens counters into a Russian leg-sweep.
Kane is tagged in, and he gives Punk a side slam but Sheamus breaks up the pinfall. Cesaro comes off the top rope with a European uppercut taking out Sheamus. Punk clotheslines Cesaro to the outside. Big Show tags himself in and then takes out Stevens. Big Show, Punk and Sheamus stand tall in the ring. Team Bischoff regroup at ringside as Bischoff yells at them to get back in there. Big Show goes outside and takes on Kane with right hands. Kane backs at the barricade and Big Show charges but Cesaro pulls Kane out of harms way and Big Show goes through the barricade, crashing into the time keeper's area! Cesaro and Stevens help Kane get back in the ring and Punk and Sheamus are trying to get Big Show up but he's too...well, big. Eventually, Big Show is counted out!
Big Show has been eliminated via count out.
We finally have our first elimination as Sheamus gets in the ring and Kane makes the tag with Cesaro. They lock up, and Sheamus grabs the arm before Cesaro rolls him up for a one count. Sheamus applies a waist-lock, but Cesaro gets to his feet. Sheamus wrenches the arm and brings him down to a knee. Cesaro twists out and takes Sheamus down for a two count. Sheamus uppercuts him and hits a headlock takeover. Sheamus puts him in the corner and punches him. Sheamus sends him to the corner and hits a shoulder thrust. Sheamus hits the ropes, but Cesaro clotheslines him down. Sheamus quickly snaps him off the top rope and goes for a slingshot battering ram, but Cesaro uppercuts him out of the ring to the floor! Cesaro wants another count out but Sheamus gets back in at 8. Sheamus avoids a running uppercut and connects with an Irish Curse Backbreaker for a close nearfall. Cesaro goes to the apron, and Sheamus starts the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán before Cesaro snaps him off the top rope.
Kane blind tags in as Cesaro slingshots from the apron and Sheamus catches him into his shoulders before delivering the White Noise! Sheamus then turns into a Chokeslam by Kane! Kane hooks the leg but Punk breaks it up! Kane dumps Punk to the outside and tags in Stevens. Kane goes out of the ring and after Punk as Stevens stalks Sheamus. Stevens goes for the Dismissal but Sheamus counters out and pushes him into the ropes. Stevens bounces off the ropes and runs into a Brogue kick by Sheamus! Sheamus hooks the leg and gets the three!
Aaron Stevens has been eliminated via pinfall.
And now the numbers are even but not for long as Cesaro quickly gets in the ring and kicks Sheamus in the head. Cesaro then hits the Neutralizer and he gets the pin over the Irishman!
Sheamus has been eliminated via pinfall.
And now CM Punk is all that's left from team Teddy as Bischoff starts laughing. Punk is on the outside now as he stares down Cesaro who invites him into the ring. Kane then catches Punk by surprise and Chokeslams him into the barricade! Kane puts Punk back into the ring and Cesaro simply makes the cover...
1...
2..
And Punk somehow kicks out! Cesaro and Bischoff can't believe it as a light of hope is shown in Teddy's face. Cesaro now goes for the Neutralizer but Punk counters into a roll-up for a close nearfall. Cesaro hits a double foot stomp to the chest right away. Kane tags in and he signals that it's over. Kane goes for Tombstone Piledriver but Punk counters into a small-package for the three!
Kane has been eliminated via pinfall.
Kane snaps as he can't believe that he's been eliminated. Kane big boots Punk down and calls for another Chokeslam but Sheamus pulls Kane out of the ring and they go at it. Sheamus gets the better of Kane and they fight up on the ramp. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Cesaro stomps at Punk and hits another double foot stomp to the chest for a nearfall.
Cesaro waits for him to get up before hitting a double leg. Cesaro starts swinging Punk around, but Punk holds the bottom rope to stop it and gets an inside cradle for a nearfall. Cesaro then pops up and turns him inside out with a clothesline. Cesaro goes for the Neutralizer, but Punk counters into a jack-knife pin for a nearfall.
Cesaro goes for a sidewalk slam, but Punk flips through. Punk puts him onto his shoulders for a GTS but Cesaro elbows out and hits a springboard European Uppercut for another close nearfall. Cesaro quickly goes for the Neutralizer but Punk counters into the GTS! Punk hooks the leg and Cesaro puts a foot on the rope to break up the pin! Bischoff almost had a heart-attack at ringside!
Punk quickly locks in the Anaconda Vice as Cesaro has nowhere to go! Punk keeps it locked in so Bischoff gets on the apron to distract the referee. Cesaro taps out but the referee doesn't see it as he's too busy dealing with Bischoff. Teddy then pulls Bischoff off of the apron to take him out!
Cesaro eventually fights off of the hold, punching away at a worn out Punk. Cesaro scoops him up for a suplex but Punk counters into a suplex of his own. Punk rolls to the apron and uses the ropes to get up. Punk springboards and Cesaro catches him in mid-air with a Very European Uppercut! Cesaro quickly follows up with the Neutralizer and he gets the final pinfall!
Winners: Team Bischoff!
After the match, Bischoff gets in the ring to celebrate with Cesaro as we get highlights from the match leading to the finish.. Teddy Long is at a loss now at ringside as he just lost his job. Aaron Stevens joins in the celebration and shakes hands with Bischoff. The Authority get in the ring and they congratulate Bischoff. HHH seems a little reluctant to celebrate with Bischoff though. CM Punk is at the stage now looking on. He turns his back and leaves as Eric Bischoff now has total control of both Raw and SmackDown!
A video shows highlights from the "Be A Star Anti-Bullying Campaign" in Hartford, CT with David Otunga and Stephanie McMahon.
Natalya's music hits and out comes the "Queen of Harts" accompanied by none other than her Uncle, the legendary Bret "The Hitman" Hart who will be watching this match from ringside. Natalya won a Triple Threat match six weeks ago on Raw over Kelly Kelly and Tamina Snuka to become the #1 Contender for the Divas Championship. Even though she has been in the WWE since 2007, Natalya has won the Divas title only once and it was a short title reign. Could tonight be the biggest night in Natalya's life?
The WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee comes out next, skipping her way down to the ring to make her WrestleMania debut. The eccentric Diva won her first Divas title back in October but lost the title at Armageddon to Beth Phoenix. Following a minor concussion injury, AJ returned with an entirely different attitude, looking more deranged than anyone thought possible. AJ defeated the Glamazon to win back the Divas title on January and never looked back. Ever since Natalya became the #1 Contender, AJ has showed nothing but disrespect towards Natalya and her legendary family, the Harts.
WWE Divas Championship
"The Black Widow" AJ Lee(c) vs. "The Queen of Harts" Natalya (with Bret Hart)The bell rings, and they circle the ring. AJ talks some trash, and Natalya shoves her down. AJ gets up and runs into a shoulder block. Natalya hits a snapmare and dropkicks her in the back. Natalya goes for the Sharpshooter early on, but AJ blocks it. Natalya then applies a modified Indian deathlock but AJ quickly grabs the ropes.
Natalya punches away at her before charging her in the corner. AJ sidesteps her and jumps on her back for a sleeper hold. Natalya powers AJ to the corner, but AJ quickly kicks her in the back of the head for a nearfall. Natalya with a quick fireman's carry and then works over the left arm of AJ. Natalya with a snapmare into a dropkick to the back of AJ. AJ bails out of the ring but Bret gets in her way.
AJ slaps Bret Hart across the face so Natalya leaves the ring to chase her down. AJ is back in attempting a baseball slide, Natalya blocks this, pulls AJ out and then sends her into the ring barricade. Natalya puts her back into the ring and mounts her with right hands before the referee backs her off.
AJ gets her boots up when Natalya charges at her in the corner and then she gets a guillotine choke applied. Natalya breaks it up and pulls off a quick dropkick. Natalya then connects with a series of suplexes on AJ. Natalya plants AJ with a sitdown scoop slam for a nearfall. Natalya quickly hits a snap suplex for another nearfall as she starts to get frustrated now.
Natalya sends her into the ropes, but she lowers her head and eats a kick. AJ hits the ropes, and Natalya catches her with a side slam for a two count. Natalya yells that AJ has no respect. Natalya goes for a spinning powerslam, but AJ counters into the Black Widow submission hold! Natalya is able to over-power AJ and break the hold before she hits a delayed vertical suplex for another nearfall!
Natalya calls for the Sharpshooter but AJ pulls her by the hair into a small-package for a close nearfall. AJ ducks under a clothesline and goes for the Black Widow but Natalya counters out and levels her with the discus clothesline! Natalya hooks both legs....1....2...and AJ kicks out at 2,5! Natalya can't believe it!
Natalya now gets cheered on by Bret Hart as she picks AJ up. AJ slides out of a powerslam attempt and rolls her up for a close nearfall. Natalya quickly sweeps the legs and gets the Sharpshooter applied! AJ is reaching for the bottom rope, she gets close, but Natalya pulls her out to the middle of the ring keeping it locked on! Eventually, AJ is able to crawl to the ropes and grab the bottom rope to save her title.
Natalya gets a kick to the knee and AJ then hits a Shining Wizard for another nearfall. AJ then taunts Bret Hart before applying the Sharpshooter on Natalya! Natalya manages to get to the ropes and save herself from tapping out to her own finishing move. They begin to exchange right hands until AJ hits a heel kick to the gut. AJ hits the ropes but Natalya catches her with a powerslam!
Natalya then gives AJ a bodyslam before getting the crowd pumped up. Natalya goes to the top rope but AJ pushes the ropes to crotch Natalya on the top. AJ goes up top and attempts a superplex but Natalya fights back. Natalya with some right hands to knock AJ off the top rope. AJ goes back up though and this time she wraps her legs around Natalya's head. AJ then connects with a beautiful hurricanrana off the top rope! AJ quickly follows up with the Shining Wizard, she hooks the leg and gets the pinfall!
Winner & Still WWE Divas Champion: AJ Lee!
After the match, AJ celebrates in the ring as the referee hands her the Divas title. We get highlights from the match leading to the finish. Back live, AJ skips around the ring holding up the Divas title as Bret Hart helps up his niece at ringside, as he looks to be disappointed. Natalya is crying now as she realizes that she lost her chance to become champion. Bret escorts Natalya to the back as AJ blows them a kiss from the ring.
The second part featuring the three main events will be posted shortly.
