Wrestlemania 21 - XXI

Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero

At No Way Out, Guerrero and Rey Mysterio bested the Bashams for the WWE Tag Team Championships! The end came to the Bashams when Mysterio tossed a belt to Guerrero behind the referee's back and smashed Doug in the face.

The rumored matchup between Guerrero and Mysterio relates from the previous heat between the two involving Guerrero's tactics and their previous contests. Guerrero did turn on his tag team partner Taijiri just last Spring.

The match concept was further illustrated during a vignette on the 03/03 Smackdown! The scene involved Chavo Guerrero Jr.s and Rey Mysterio backstage. Chavo was talking about how Rey had beaten Eddie the last three times they had met, and Chavo also added that Eddie hated to lose, as how Eddie was biding his time until he could strike. Chavo warned Rey never to trust a Guerrero...

How it ended:
Eddie hit the Three Amigos vertical suplexes, then went to the top rope. Rey moved, and Eddie crashed on the frog splash attempt. Mysterio was bleeding from the mouth. Rey grabbed La Magistral, but Eddie reversed it for a two count.

Rey kicked Eddie in the gut twice, then went for a rana, but Eddie tossed it off. Rey landed on his feet, then gave Eddie a drop toe hold into the ropes. Rey hit the 619, then went for the West Coast Pop, but Eddie caught it and powerbombed Rey for a close two count. The fans chanted "Eddie" but Guerrero was getting frustrated. Eddie charged, but Rey hit a headbutt to the gut, then grabbed a lighting fast rana for the pin at the thirteen minute mark. Guerrero shook Mysterio's hand following the match, but the two left separately.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Chris Jericho vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Kane vs. Christian vs. Edge vs. Chris Benoit

Eric Bischoff took Chris Jericho's advice from the February 28 announcement on RAW that he and five other superstars should take part in a six-man ladder match. Bischoff called Jericho, Christian, etc. to his office to announce the ladder match for Wrestlemania 21. Before Edge and others could complain, he named a special stipulation to the WM event. Dubbed "Money in the bank", Bischoff states that suspended above the ladder in a briefcase is a World Championship contract. The winner of the match will be granted a title shot at any time during the following 12 months, including the possibility of utilizing that clause for the title at Wrestlemania 22 in Chicago. Following the announcement Bischoff set up three matches between the six participants.

The matches of the night: Chris Benoit caused Shelton Benjamin to tap out to the crippler crossface, Christian lost to Kane despite help from Tyson Tomco, and Edge defeated Christian with some help from a low blow.

How it ended:
Benjamin went for the briefcase, but Christian used a ladder to knock him down. Kane gave Christian a boot to the face. Kane went for a chokeslam on Benjamin, looking to toss him to the floor, but Benjamin instead got his leg twisted in the top and middle rope. Tomko ran in and booted Kane, then tried to help Christian up the ladder. Kane knocked Tomko to the floor. Christian went to the top of the ladder, but Kane toppled it and Christian fell to the floor, landing on Tomko. Kane climbed the ladder, but Jericho climbed up and started punching him. Kane and Jericho toppled into the top rope, with Jericho falling to the floor, and Kane bouncing off into the ring.

Benoit set up a ladder in a corner, and favoring his arm from the earlier move by Christian and bleeding from his nose, climbed up and gave Kane a diving headbutt from the top of the ladder. Benoit busted open the stitches above his eyes with the move. A "Benoit" chant broke out, as he climbed the ladder. Kane sat up, and climbed the ladder. Kane grabbed Benoit by the throat, but Benoit headbutted him repeatedly until he fell off the ladder. Benoit went for the briefcase, but Edge hit Benoit in the bad arm with a chair, and Benoit fell to the mat. Edge climbed up and grabbed the briefcase for the win at the sixteen minute mark.

Edge clutched the briefcase in the aisle, a smile on his face, as Benoit was shown clutching his arm and screaming in the ring. Edge gets a world title shot at any point during the next year.

Randy Orton vs. The Undertaker

Randy Orton hinted at this main event type card for Wrestlemania 21 on the February 28, 2005 edition of Raw. Orton claims he has something special lined up for Wrestlemania 21 and hinted at a match involving the Undertaker when he laid down an edition of Smackdown! magazine featuring UT on the cover...

The following week Randy Orton heads to the ring and announces that he is indeed challenging the 12-0 Undertaker. He talks about his upbringing and watching his father Cowboy Bob Orton competing in the ring and how he plans on continuing the legacy of the Orton family name. He states that he is the Legend Killer and that he wants to take on the most Legendary force at Wrestemania, the undefeared Undertaker. Bischoff follows in the ring and talks up the match claiming that Raw will be the better brand. Orton talks about his days with WCW and the 82 straight week of ratings winnings versus the WWE. So Bischoff is a legend in his own regard... Orton delivers the RKO to another legend and leaves the ring!

How it ended:
Undertaker went for the Last Ride, but Orton shifted his weight and landed on top of him. Cowboy Bob Orton ran in, wearing a cast, and blasted Undertaker with it. Bob then woke up the referee, as Randy covered Undertaker. The referee managed a two count, but Taker got his shoulder up. Orton went to whip Taker into Bob, who had the cast ready, but Taker booted Bob off the apron. Undertaker went for a chokeslam, but Orton turned it into an RKO. Orton covered, but Taker barely got his shoulder up to avoid the three count. Orton then made Undertaker's gesture, and lifted Undertaker for a tombstone. Undertaker shifted his weight, forcing Orton backwards, and reversed into his own tombstone position. Undertaker then dropped Orton with the tombstone for the pin at the fourteen minute mark. 13-0.

Women's Championship Match
Christy Hemme vs. Trish Stratus

Trish Stratus and Christy Hemme have been building heat between one another over the course of several weeks on Raw. It all started when the annoucement that Hemme would be in the upcoming edition of Playboy magazine came to Trish's attention. The two first confronted one another with Christy indicating that Trish was still the WWE slut on Raw. That altracation resulted in a nasty slap to the face of Hemme by Stratus. The following week the two once again confronted one another as Hemme was talking about her Playboy shoot. Stratus knocked Hemme out with the chick kick and proceeded to spray paint slut on the back of Hemme.

Flash to Raw on March 7th and the two again are in the ring. Hemme startles Trish with the challenge for a Women's title match at Wrestlemania! Stratus talks herself up as the six-time Women's champion and indicates that Hemme has no chance. Before she could finish her statement, Hemme announces that she has been trained recently by none other than the Trish adversary of Lita! Lita enters the ring and Stratus turns to face her only to get a Twist of Fate by Christy Hemme. Hemme and Lita ascend up the ramp as Stratus recovers in pure anger.

How it ended:
At the bell, Trish laid down and dared Christy to get on her. Trish then shoved Christy to the mat twice and kicked her out of the ring. Trish gingerly shoved Christy into the ringsteps, then rolled her into the ring. Trish chopped Christy in the corner, and kicked her in the gut, then skipped across the ring. Christy blocked a Chick Kick, and kicked Trish in the groin while Lita distracted the referee. Christy pulled Trish off the ropes, kicked her, and used a vertical bodypress rollup for two. Trish went back on offense with chops, then argued with Christy. Christy did a split in the corner to avoid a charge and grabbed Trish in a sunset flip for two. Trish gave Christy a spear, and knocked her to the floor. Trish went outside, asked Lita "What are you gonna do?" and kicked Christy. Trish went around the ring and shoved Lita to the ground. Trish got back into the ring and yelled at Lita, allowing Christy to roll her up for two. Christy hit some kicks and rammed Trish into the turnbuckle. Christy hit the Twist Of Fate for a two count. The fans seem to be favoring Trish over Christy. Trish rolled up Christy, but Christy reversed and hooked the tights for a two count. Trish hit a poor Chick Kick for the pin at the four minute mark.

Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels

Kurt Angle beat on Shawn Michaels visciously at the Royal Rumble after being eliminated. The brawl resulted in a bloody mess for Michaels as Angle used various objects outside the ring as his weapons...

Flash to Monday Night Raw on February 14th and a segment is shown between Michaels and the Coach. The Coach reminds Michaels of what happened and shows a Japanease news article profiling the altercation. He asks for his thoughts and Michaels responds angrily but does not hint his intentions for revenge.

Kurt Angle narrowly lost his #1 contender's match versus John Cena at No Way Out on February 20, 2005. With Angle out of the Wrestlemania Main Event, his card is wide open. The next night on Monday Night Raw, Shawn Michaels confronts Smackdown! generaly manager Teddy Long and asks him to give Kurt Angle a message. He says that Wrestlemania is the event where the best of the best from both Raw and Smackdown! participate in the same show. Therefore he is issuing a challenge to Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle for a match at WM 21.

Flash next Monday to February 28, 2005 on Raw. Shawn Michaels, beaten to a bloody pulp, narrowly scores the victory in a street fight versus Edge with sweet chin music. However before the Heartbreak Kid can celebrate, enter a bald man in street clothes. It's none other than Kurt Angle from Smackdown! and the WWE's only Olympic Gold Medalist pounds what's left of Michaels into oblivion, delivering an Angle Slam at the end. Angle accepts Michaels challenge alright!

However the drama was not yet over for the first week of March. On Smackdown! as part of the Kurt Angle invitation (a squash match between Angle and an unknown jobber), a hooded wrestler came to the ring. After determing that it was a local Albany wrestler, Angle proceeded to get ready to beat the crap out of the jobber. However before that could happen the cameraman jumped Angle from behind and a brawl ensued before security stepped in to break up the maylay. The cameraman was none other than Shawn Michaels getting retribution for the Monday Night Raw attack the night before.

Kurt Angle interrupted a segment involving Shawn Michaels on the March 7th edition of Raw. He claims that while he was winning the Gold Medal in Atlanta during 1996 that all he heard about was Shawn Michaels and his win over Bret Hart in professional wrestling. "When are you going to jump to professional Angle?" was asked of him repeatedly back then much to Angle's anger. He uses this for motivation and claims that over the next few weeks he will duplicate everything that HBK has ever accomplished in his career.

How it ended:
Michaels slowly got to his feet, and Angle rolled over and grabbed his foot and applied the ankle lock. Michaels fought the hold, kicking and rolling, but Angle would not release the hold. Angle yanked Michaels into the center of the ring, and Michaels lunged and reached, but could not make the ropes. Angle dropped down and added a leglace to the hold. Michaels screamed in pain, and reached for the ropes, and started shaking and convulsing in the hold. After about a minute and a half in the hold, Michaels tapped out at the 28 minute mark. The fans applauded the match. Angle left, triumphant, as Michaels slowly made it to his feet. The fans applauded him, and Michaels returned the applause, then limped from the ring.

Sumo Match Challenge
Akebono vs. The Big Show

The Japanease Sumo wrestling champion Akebono and The Big Show will square off in a special sumo match challenge at Wrestlemania. Akebono appeared as a special guest during the WWE Japanease tour in late February. Sho Funaki helped initiate the challenge between the two wrestlers.

The Big Show tipped over a jeep as a show of strength on the March 24, 2005 edition of Smackdown! to send a message to Akebono. The official weigh-in for the Sumo challenge will take place on the March 31st, 2005 edition of the show.

How it ended:
Akebono and Big Show entered in robes and sandals, with Show stopping during his entrance to "show some leg" to the camera. Both men removed their robes, and were in traditional sumo gear. The announcers explained the rules and traditions involved in sumo. They did the salt ceremony, then got in position. The fans booed all the waiting and stalling. They finally started trading slaps, and trying to muscle each other out of the circle. Show hit a shoulderblock, but Akebono didn't move. Show called for a chokeslam for some reason. They started slapping and shoving again. Show lifted Akebono off his feet and turned, but Akebono was not out of the circle. Akebono then used the leverage off the move by Show to take him down and out of the circle, with Show falling to the floor at the one and a half minute mark. The two shook hands and hugged following the match.

WWE Championship Match
John Cena vs. John Bradshaw Layfield

JBL has the current longest running streak of any champion within the WWE. He reign looks to continue through to Wrestlemania 21 despite the barbed wire steel cage match he has with the Big Show at No Way Out. As expected, JBL pulled a sneaky victory over the massive Big Show to retain his WWE Championship.

Another headlining match at No Way Out was the #1 contenders match between John Cena and Kurt Angle. John Cena and Kurt Angle fought each other's best moves with Cena taking the victory into the end with an FU.

With a John Cena win and Batista challenging Triple H at Wrestlemania, the stage is set for the Cena vs. JBL WWE Championship Match.

The follow Smackdown! saw Cena interrupt JBL's tribute to himself as the longest reigning champion in WWE within the last 10 years by helping the Big Show clean house versus Layfield, Orlando Jordan, and the Bashams. Big Show & Cena would later go on to win in a tag team Main Event match versus Jordan and an injured JBL.

An angered JBL ordered chief of staff Orlando Jordan to take on John Cena on the 03/03 Smackdown! television broadcast. JBL issued the ultimatum that he either won or lost his job as JBL's chief of staff. The match represented the main event that night and Orlando Jordan fought valiently but was looking like he wasn't going to win. Enter the Basham brothers interrupted the match after a Cane FU on Jordan. Cena quickly dispensed of the brothers but the distraction paid off as Jordan was able to recover enough from the death valley driver to get back up. John Cena advanced to OJ to beat him down again when out of the blue JBL and his WWE Championship belt appeared. The world champion proceded to KO Cena in the head with the title belt allowing Jordan to pick up the upset victory. Winner and new WWE U.S. Champion, Orlando Jordan! As JBL and OJ celebrated up the ramp, the two mocked Cena by spinning the disc on the US Title belt.

How it ended:
Cena and JBL traded punches, and JBL ran into a Cena boot. JBL came back with a spinebuster for a two count. JBL hit a cross armed neckbreaker for a two count, but Cena kicked out. JBL kicked Cena in the head a few times, and Cena got mad and battled back with a punch, only for JBL to poke him in the eyes and then hit a clothesline in the corner. JBL hit a short arm clothesline for a two count, then delivered a forearm to the back after a snapmare. JBL, applied a sleeper, but Cena broke out with a back suplex. Both men collided with clotheslines and fell to the mat. They went to the floor, and JBL hit a neckbreaker on the outside, then rolled Cena in for a two count. JBL hit a superplex, and slowly went on top for a two count. JBL went to the top rope and jumped into a Cena powerslam. Cena hit a series of clotheslines and a backdrop, then hit a flying tackle. Cena hit a hiptoss and a side suplex into a powerbomb. Cena dropped the Five Knuckle Shuffle after doing the "You Can't See Me" bit. Cena pumped up the sneakers. Some fans booed. Cena ran into a JBL boot, and JBL went for the Clothesline From Hell. Cena ducked it and grabbed the FU for the win at the twelve minute mark. Cena went into the crowd to celebrate after the match.

World Championship Match
Triple H vs. Batista

Despite all of the attempts to convince Dave Batista that the Big Show, JBL, and other Smackdown! headliners are out to get him, Triple H's plans backfired in the end. Triple H and Ric Flair were shown backstage during Monday Night Raw on February 21, 2005 discussing the recent events between Dave Batista and Smackdown! stars such as JBL. Triple H then spills the beans and says to Ric Flair "Do you know how hard it is to get Smackdown! footage aired on Raw?" and follows with "Do you know how hard it is to find a white limosine with a pair of JBL's stupid horns on the front?" Ric Flair's eyes widen in shock, and he is amazed at how devious Triple H has been with the news of his actions. "This is why they call you the cerebral assasin, woooo!". Unknown to both is the fact that Dave Batista is standing within ear shot just outside of view in the adjacent hall.

Over the course of January and February, Triple H has made sure various vignettes of Smackdown! superstars badmouthing Batista have gotten on the air on Raw. This series of events culminated with Triple H having someone drive a limo that looks like JBL's and trying to have him run down. It worked intially as Dave Batista decided to pay Smackdown! a visit on February 17th. Upon getting there, Batista smashed JBL's limo's windows out and ripped his ornamental horns off the hood. At the end of the show, the Big Show was taking the beat down from JBL, the Basham Brothers, and Orlando Jordan. Enter Batista who cleans house and chases JBL up the ramp.

At the contract signing for Dave Batista at the end of Monday Night Raw on February 21, 2005, Batista made his decision. As the winner of the 2005 Royal Rumble, he was allowed to pick which champion he wants to take on at Wrestlemania 21. With the actions of Triple H out in the open, Batista makes his decision and then powerbombs the World Champion through the contract signing table! The main event match for WM is set!

How it ended:
Triple H charged Batista and got caught in a spinebuster. Batista went for the Demon Bomb, but Triple H hit a low blow. Triple H went for a Pedigree, but Batista blocked it, and forced Triple H's hands apart. Batista started to backdrop Triple H, then dropped it into a Reality Check/Kryptonie Krunch type move. Batista got psyched up, gave Triple H the thumbs down, then hit the Demon Bomb for the clean pin at the twenty one minute mark.

A bloody Triple H stared at Batista, then left in Ric Flair's arms. Batista celebrated with the title belt to end the show, and a video package of highlights rolled.