Select Next Article by Category

WE ARE A PROUD UGO AFFILIATE SINCE 1999

Support Our Sponsor: PWI!
===========================
CHECK OUT OUR AFFILIATE WRESTLING NEWS SITE - THE FASTEST GROWING PRO WRESTLING SITE IN 2008! (click on logo)

|
Torch Feedback
TORCH QOTW Reax: Torch Readers identity where WrestleMania 24 ranks against past WrestleManias
Mar 31, 2008 - 4:12:57 PM |
|
By James Caldwell, Torch columnist
This week's Torch Question of the Week is whether WrestleMania 24 stacks up against the classic WrestleManias of years past. We still want to hear from you! Send your thoughts to jctorch@gmail.com for inclusion in future batches of feedback.
Learnl Jones of Rochester, N.Y., Dishwasher - Man, that's a real tough question. I'm not sure if I would rate last night's WrestleMania as the greatest in history just yet. To me, if you compare this year's card to last year's, last year was better because both main events were outstanding. Last night's triple threat match was just OK to me. So was Taker-Orton. WM 24 probably wouldn't make my top five. But for the sheer spectacle and the grandeur, yeah, last night's first outdoor show in fifteen years was off the charts. That aerial shot was just amazing.
My top five Wrestlemania's are (1) X-7 from Houston, (2) XIV from Boston, (3) III from the Silverdome, (4) VIII from the Hoosier Dome, (5) XXIII from Ford Field.
***
Mark from Toronto - I think 24 will rank no higher than top 7-8. I will preface this by suggesting WWE still does not have a mega-star at the moment. There is no Hogan, no Bret, no Rock, no Austin, and no Angle. Triple H is passing the torch still, HBK is not main eventing, and Undertaker is been-there, done that. Edge and Cena have come nearest to that 'mega star' push, but still aren't 'cool' with everyone in the audience yet. (Edge is nearer than Cena.)
(1) WM X-7 - nearly everyone was involved in a picture perfect match meant for their skill set/popularity. It flowed from beginning to end with no hiccups (except maybe the Battle Royale, but it was better than a Bunny match.)
(2) WM XX - a bit over-produced and pre-packaged, but hit a lot of home runs along the way. Two exceptional championship matches and a bunch of other matches worth the money.
(3) WM X - the best of the classics; brought WWE into a new era with a bang. Some of the greatest memories that sports entertainment will ever have.
(4) WM 2000 - even without any singles matches, I still re-watch it often because of how entertaining this one really was.
(5) WM III - the essence of WrestleMania lies with this one forever. The greatest degree of spectacle for all-time.
***
Mark DiNatale of Los Angeles, Calif. - I am not sure if I put this in the top five WM's of all time. But it's certainly in the top ten. I also think since I am an older fan, in my opinion I have seen matches that I was way more emotionally invested in - WM 14 with Austin vs. HBK, WM 13 with Austin vs. Bret Hart, WM 17 with The Rock vs. Austin and Taker vs. Triple H, WM 6 with Hogan vs. The Warrior, and WM 2 offered several great matches, including my favorite, the tag title match from Chicago.
I think WrestleMania 24 is going to be considered great down the line when you think that WM 24 was more than a one or two match card. It had an unpredictable MITB match that was very exciting to watch, the HBK vs. Flair match was everything that WrestleMania is all about, two excellent title matches, and the Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show was excellent for the "mainstream media coverage" match that Vince likes. Now as I type this, maybe this is one of the better cards the WWE has done with WrestleMania. WM 24 felt like it was cared for and loved and was treated with the respect it deserves.
***
Russell Jaffe of Chicago, Poetry MFA Candidate - This was the best WrestleMania of all time, and I have seen them all. There were no bad matches, just one ugly squash that was stupid and BunnyMania which was "hot," if you are in to Snoopy Dizzle, or something. Ok, so maybe BunnyMania sucked. But everything else was great. The sheer spectacle of it and unmitigated excitement throughout the night was like nothing I had ever seen. I felt like this was bigger than the Super Bowl. Tremendous, tremendous wrestling from everyone involved, and yes, I did cry when Flair lost. Also, Batista vs. Umaga was not nearly as bad as everyone says; not everything can be a main event. WWE really put on their best WM to date and it represented everything that is spectacular about professional wrestling in a big, big way.
For more BREAKING NEWS on WWE, TNA, ROH
visit our co-affiliate: JASON POWELL'S PROWRESTLING.NET
REACT TO THIS STORY IN OUR FREE PWTORCH FORUM
PWTORCH VIP SIGN-UP INFO - NO ADS, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
|
Torch Feedback
Latest Articles by Category |
(c) 1999-2008 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.
|
|
| Articles Grouped by Category |
 |
| Torch Today |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/20: Bash PPV preview, CW prez upsets critics, Punk interview, title belt process detailed |
| New Volunteer Contributors Wanted: Apply this week to be part of PWTorch.com! |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/12: TNA PPV preview and notes for tonight, Mark Henry interview, Keibler at Comic-Con |
 |
| WWE News |
| Interview Highlights: Ted DiBiase talks about his book, business philosophy, trainers, JBL comparisons, Ultimate Warrior |
| 7/15 WWE in Charlotte, N.C.: Complete Smackdown taping report including tag partners facing off |
| Ratings News: ECW ratings hold steady, headlined with the Hardys, up against Major League Baseball All-Star Game (w/Keller's Analysis) |
 |
| TNA News |
| 7/15 TNA Impact tapings in Orlando, Fla.: Victory Road follow-up, Cornette addresses Booker-Joe controversy |
| TNA Impact Ratings: Final Impact before Victory Road draws strong final 30 minute rating for final PPV hype (w/Keller Analysis) |
| Interview Highlights: Booker T discusses his time in TNA, Sunday's PPV main event, retirement thoughts, more |
 |
| ROH News |
| ROH News: Lance Storm interview on working with ROH wrestlers and injuries in pro wrestling |
| ROH News: ROH to continue on PPV, Lance Storm returns to ROH, KOCH DVD update |
| Torch Indy Weekend Report: Balls vs. Abyss, Lynn, Strong & Evans in PWG, Danny Havoc in CZW |
 |
| Other News |
| Interview Highlights: Jesse Ventura announces whether he will run for Senate this year on CNN's Larry King Live tonight (w/Keller Analysis) |
| Torch Indy Weekend Report: Black over Lynn in AAW, Castagnoli, Delirious in Chikara, Basham, ODB |
| Torch Indy Weekend Report: Hero wins PWG title, Moose breaks leg, Shimmer taping, Briscoe fired |
 |
| PPV Reports |
| KELLER'S TNA VICTORY ROAD PPV REPORT 7/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live event from Houston |
| CALDWELL'S TNA VICTORY ROAD PPV REPORT 7/13: Live on-site coverage from Houston |
| KELLER'S WWE NIGHT OF THE CHAMPIONS PPV REPORT 6/29: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of event |
 |
| TV Reports |
| KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 7/17: A ruling on the ownership and possession of the TNA World Championship, 10-Woman Gauntlet |
| KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 7/18: Edge and Vickie get married, then Triple H presents them with a devastating surprise video |
| 7/18 WWE SMACKDOWN: Parks's Ongoing "Real-Time" Coverage of the Edge-Vickie Wedding Show |
 |
| Arena Reports |
| 7/19 TNA in Monroe: Machismo vs. Dutt, Petey vs. Kaz, LAX vs. Guns, Styles vs. Angle, Tomko vs. Christian |
| 7/14 WWE Smackdown in Ashville, N.C.: Michelle McCool & Cherry vs. Victoria & Maryse, Jeff Hardy vs. Edge, Khali vs. Bourne |
| 7/15 TNA Impact tapings in Orlando, Fla.: Victory Road follow-up, Cornette addresses Booker-Joe controversy |
 |
| MMA / UFC Coverage |
| Torch MMA Rankings, California's MMA Rules, Vera Makes Claim, Victor Belford, Machida, UFC PPV |
| Torch coverage of Rampage Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin, plus Brandon Vera Exclusive Interview, more! |
| UFC News: Dana White reveals major announcement regarding UFC - full story and analysis |
 |
| KELLER'S TAKE |
| KELLER: An overhaul is in order for Raw before ratings drop further - several specific suggestions |
| KELLER: McMahon Returns for That? Nothing Funnier than a DUI! Let Me Shift So You Can Hit Me! |
| A KELLER SHORT: Should Mr. Kennedy be a babyface; coffee shop eavesdropping |
 |
| MITCHELL'S TAKE |
| MITCHELL'S MEMO: A Prayer For The Business - Michaels delivers profound message during Jericho promo |
| A MITCHELL SHORT: More Important Info Regarding The WWE McMahon Million Dollar Giveaway |
| MITCHELL: TNA's Grass Roots Approach To House Shows |
 |
| MCNEILL'S TAKE |
| Move To The Music: McNEILL previews WWE's Great American Bash! |
| Fans' Revenge: McNEILL previews TNA Victory Road! |
| Paul, I Can't Feel My Legs: McNEILL previews Night of Champions! |
 |
| CALDWELL'S TAKE |
| CORNER CUBE THURSDAY 7/17 - "Bigger, Stronger, Faster*" review: Most-important movie you'll see this year |
| CORNER CUBE WEDNESDAY 7/16 - ECW, Uggla, and Rampage make for an interesting night |
| CORNER CUBE MONDAY 7/14 - TNA booking way behind the rest of the company |
 |
| RADICAN'S TAKE |
| WEEKEND DVD SPOTLIGHT: SHIMMER Vol. 18 (Kong-Busic,Del Rey-MsChif) |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/18: Passionate reader feedback on Victory Road, mainstream perception of pro wrestling, and more! |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/17: Randazzo’s “Ring of Hell” offers up all of the problems within wrestling, but ultimately offers no solutions |
 |
| The Specialists |
| ECW Storylines and Feuds - More on Mark Henry's and Tony Atlas's characters, plus the Chavo-Bourne feud |
| Raw Storylines and Feuds - Complete overview of the feuds including Punk-Batista, Cena-JBL, and Y2J-HBK |
| PARKER'S PENNY THOUGHTS: FRIDAY: 7/18: Is Ric Flair the Savior of wwe.com? |
 |
| Guest Editorials |
| EDITORIAL: The latest TNA PPV is probably a prime example of why I don't buy their PPVs |
| EDITORIAL: John Cena Needs to Turn Heel - A.S.A.P. |
| WWE Raw Reax #2: "Why wasn't Triple H a little upset for McMahon throwing Flair out the building?" |
 |
| Torch Feedback |
| TNA Impact Reax #1: "TNA continues to shoot itself in the foot with the overemphasis on gimmick matches thus burning out the novelty." |
| WWE Raw Reax #5: "C.M. Punk is not being booked effectively. No World Champion should have to wrestle during the first hour." |
| WWE ECW Reax #1: "Philadelphia, I know ECW probably has disappointed you a lot this past year, but please give them a chance." |
 |
| Ask the Editor |
| Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"? |
 |
| DVDs - VGames - Books |
| WEEKEND DVD SPOTLIGHT: SHIMMER Vol. 18 (Kong-Busic,Del Rey-MsChif) |
| RADICAN: Al Snow discusses his wrestling career, philosophy, time in OVW, and more in new interview |
| DVD Review: ROH "Glory By Honor VI, N2" with Kenta vs. Misawa, 110307 |
 |
| Torch Flashbacks |
| KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (7-17-08): Cena attacks Taker, plus Benoit, Angle, Eddie, Rhyno, Lesnar, Zach Gowen, Sable |
| FREE - PWTORCH NEWSLETTER BACK ISSUE (PDF Format): Foley Torch Talk, Kane mess, Cornette compliments, Bret on Montreal |
| KELLER'S TNA REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (7-16-03): Russo vs. D-Lo main events show, plus Raven, Sabin, Jarrett, Justin, Kaz, Sting |
 |
| VIP Exclusive Features |
| Radican Audio Spectacular with Burgan: All-ROH - News, DVD Covers, Podcasts, More (65 min.) |
| Mitchell Audio Show, pt. 2: Listener questions on Dallas Page's Rep, Dark Journey-Dick Slater, Black Scorpion (45 min.) |
| Mitchell Audio Show, pt. 1: JBL tries to kill Cena on Raw, Samoa Joe-Booker, Bash PPV Preview (58 min.) |
 |
| Torch Trivia |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about wrestling's vehicular assaults? |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about multiple-man matches? |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about short title reigns? |
 |
| Torch Instant Polls |
| POLL: JBL attempting to crush John Cena with a car at the end of Raw was or was not a good idea? |
| PWTORCH POLL: Who was the MVP of the June 30 episode of WWE Raw? Punk? Batista? Edge? Ross? Jericho?... |
| POLL: Which person's career was likely hurt the most by being drafted? |
 |
| PWTorch Free Podcast |
| FREE PODCAST: Excerpt of "The Audio Experience" with Dusty & Eric (07-17-08) |
| FREE PWTORCH PODCAST: TNA Victory Road PPV Audio Roundtable with Keller, Mitchell, McNeill |
| FREE PODCAST: UFC PPV Analysis (Rampage vs. Forrest) in-depth with MMATorch's Shawn Ennis and John Taylor |
 |
| Annual Obituaries |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade... |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart |
 |
|
|