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Arcademan:
6 -- THE UNDERTAKER vs. C.M. PUNK (w/Paul Heyman) -- Taker's Undefeated Streak On The Line

Punk entered the ring, the bell sounded, and Taker went after Punk as if they were in an MMA fight. Punk then ducked a right and slapped Taker, who chased Punk out of the ring. Punk re-entered and slapped Taker, then walked into a big-boot from Taker. Big buzz in the stadium for this match. Taker had enough of this and chucked Punk to the outside, where he ran Punk into the ringpost. Taker measured Punk for strikes as a dueling chant picked up of "Under-taker / C.M. Punk." Taker then did his old-school leg drop across Punk's throat on the ring apron.

Back in the ring, Taker went to work on Punk's shoulder as Cole said Taker is not only fighting for Paul Bearer's honor, but the memory a lot of the WWE Family has of Bearer. Taker then went for an Old-School walk-the-ropes, but Punk countered with an armdrag across the ring. Punk smirked, then hopped to his feet and punched and kicked Taker on the mat. Punk then went Old-School by walking the ropes before dropping a fist to Taker's arm. Punk smirked to himself as the crowd cheered, then covered Taker for a nearfall.

Punk went to work on Taker as Heyman held out the urn a la Paul Bearer. Taker had an opening, but then missed a corner attack and ate the turnbuckle knee-first. The match then moved to the floor, where Punk landed a double-axehandle smash to Taker. Back in the ring, Punk went to work on Taker, but Taker dumped Punk to the floor. Taker then wanted to fly over the top rope, but Heyman hopped on the ring apron to block. Taker teased chokeslamming Heyman, but Punk came flying off the ropes to splash Taker for a nearfall.

They reset, then Punk dropped Taker to the mat and climbed to the top rope. Punk wanted a Macho Man elbow drop, and he connected. Punk covered, but Taker kicked out. Heyman sold exasperation with Punk being very close. Punk felt it, calmed himself down, and then called for the GTS. Punk got Taker in the air, but Taker slipped out and delivered a super-chokeslam. Taker covered, but Punk kicked out.

At 12:00, Taker slowly recovered, then the two men came to their feet and traded bombs. Taker then delivered a big corner splash before snake-eying Punk, but Punk intercepted the big boot with a flying kick for a two count. The dueling chant picked up, then Taker took Punk to the outside. Taker cleared the Spanish announce table, then wanted a Last Ride Powerbomb, but Punk escaped and kicked Taker in the head. Taker rested on the announce table, then Punk climbed to the top rope. "This is about history," JBL whispered. Punk wanted a flying elbow drop onto the table, but he came up just a bit short, landing with a thud. Actually, on another replay, Punk landed the move, but the table didn't break and he only grazed Taker. After the replay, Punk re-entered the ring and Taker made it back in at nine.

They reset and Heyman told Punk to do whatever he has to do to win. Punk sold a knee injury, then slowly crawled toward Taker, who sprung on him with the Hell's Gate submission. But, Punk countered into a jackknife pin for a nearfall. Punk then flowed into the Vice. He tried to pin Taker out of the Vice, but Taker sat up and flashed The Eyes to Taker. Punk tried to ignore it and nailed GTS, but Taker bounced off the ropes into a Tombstone on Punk. Big reaction as Taker hit the Tombstone, then the crowd exploded when Punk kicked out just before three.

The crowd buzzed as the two men reset before trading bombs from their knees. Punk headbutted Taker, but Taker absorbed a kick to the chest, no-sold, and the ref was bumped. Heyman distracted Taker, then Punk kicked Taker into the corner. Punk nailed the running knee, but Taker positioned him for the Last Ride. In the background, Heyman handed Punk the urn, which Punk blasted Taker with before he could hit the Tombstone. Punk then did the Taker pin, the ref slowly counted, but Taker kicked out. Heyman just fell down to the ground on his knees. "Why?!" Heyman said with hands on head.

At 21:25, the match reset, then Punk did the Taker throat-slash. Punk wanted the GTS, but Taker elbowed out. Punk again teased the GTS, but Taker blocked. Taker took a deep breath, flipped Punk onto his shoulders, steadied themselves, and delivered another Tombstone. Taker covered and this time it was good for the three count. You just can't kill the dead at WrestleMania.

After the match, Taker rolled out of the ring, grabbed the urn, and brought it into the ring. After a replay of the great sequences during the match, they cut back to Taker with tears in his eyes standing in the ring. Taker then knelt down as 21-0 flashed on the video screen. Taker then knelt down and posed before the urn as fireworks shot off in the stadium. "One of the greatest things I've ever seen, guys," JBL said. The camera pulled back from the top of the stadium as 21-0 lingered on the scoreboard, then WWE cut back to Taker leaving the ring with the urn in-hand. Smoke then filled the rampway as Taker slowly made his way to the stage, where he did his customary one-arm pose before lightning flashed. Taker then disappeared to the back.

WINNER: Taker at 22:07 to retain The Streak. They were so good at making people believe The Streak was in jeopardy. Even if people were 100 percent sure Taker was winning, they told such a good story that the journey to see how Taker would continue The Streak was worth a full investment. (****1/4)

Arcademan:
8 -- TRIPLE H (w/Shawn Michaels) vs. BROCK LESNAR (w/Paul Heyman) -- No Holds Barred, Anything Goes -- Triple H's career on the line

Lesnar attacked Hunter, who then took the match to the floor. On the floor, Lesnar picked up a chair, but Hunter clotheslined Lesnar off the guardrail to the floor, with the back of Lesnar's head bouncing off the floor. That didn't look good. Back in the ring, Hunter tried to use the chair, but Heyman yanked it away from the outside. The match then moved back to the floor, where Hunter ran Lesnar into the ring steps, opening up a slight cut. Not much heat on this through the first four minutes. Then, Lesnar measured Hunter and suplexed him through the previously-indestructible Spanish Announce table, which was obviously rigged in-between matches so that it would break.

After the table spot, Lesnar tossed HUnter into the table scraps, bouncing the back of Hunter's head off the floor. The announcers stressed the match story to this point of Lesnar enjoying destroying Hunter. Lesnar then chased off Michaels when he got a little too close. Back in the ring, Lesnar held up his arms for a reaction, which drew a mix of cheers and boos. The audience just doesn't seem to know how to react to Lesnar. Lesnar then continued the assault as Heyman shouted from ringside that it's only a matter of time.

At 8:20, Lesnar grappled Hunter and delivered a release German Suplex. Heyman shouted at Hunter to put an end to the beating, but Hunter fought back. Lesnar then dumped Hunter clear over the top rope to the floor as the crowd remained quiet. On the outside, Lesnar stalked Michaels, who stood his ground before Hunter waited for Lesnar to turn around so that he could clothesline him. Hunter then clotheslined Lesnar over the guardrail into the front row.

Back in the ring at 11:00, Lesnar came back with a German Suplex for a two count. Heyman got on the ring apron, then Michaels got on the ring apron from the other side, so Lesnar smashed Michaels in the mouth. Lesnar smirked, then walked back to Hunter, who delivered a spinebuster. Hunter tried to re-gather himself, then wanted the Pedigree, but Lesnar countered. Suddenly, Michaels entered the ring, Lesnar blocked Sweet Chin Music, and Lesnar gave him the F5. Lesnar then turned around and took a Pedigree to little heat, but Lesnar kicked out before three.

After they replayed the nearfall, Hunter was shown returning to the ring with Sledgehammer in-hand. But, Lesnar blocked a sledgehammer shot and hit the F5. Lesnar covered, but Hunter kicked out just before three. Tit-for-tat kicking out of finishers. The match returned to the floor, where Lesnar popped Hunter with a chair shot before throwing him into the ring steps. As Lesnar paced the ringside area, one fan's audio was picked up: "C'mon, Brock, just end his career," almost pleading for the match to end. Lesnar then bashed Hunter with the ring steps before chucking the ring steps into the ring.

Lesnar rolled Hunter back into the ring, then throat-slashed the hard-camera. Lesnar grabbed the ring steps, then popped Hunter in the shoulder before covering for a nearfall. "Torture him all night long!" Heyman shouted audibly from ringside. Lesnar was slow to follow up, which gave Hunter an opening. But, Lesnar slapped on the kimura lock. Hunter fought the hold, then Lesnar sat on the second rope to apply more pressure to the arm. But, Hunter lifted Lesnar into the air and slowly transitioned to a spinebuster to break the hold.

Hunter and Lesnar reset, then Hunter crotch-chopped Lesnar, who ate the ringpost going for a corner charge. Hunter followd with a low-blow, then he wrapped Lesnar's arm around the ringpost. Hunter grabbed a chair as Michaels was spotted passed out/reclining/taking a nap leaning against the guardrail in the background.

Back in the ring, Hunter slapped on the kimura lock. Heyman, desperate, decided to enter the ring and grab a chair, but Michaels entered the ring and superkicked Heyman. They re-focused on the kimura lock, which Lesnar teased tapping out to. But, he refused to tap as the crowd came to life, then lifted Hunter into the air to slam him onto the ring steps. But, Lesnar couldn't follow up, so Hunter re-applied the submission, only to have Lesnar slam him onto the steps again. After a pause, Hunter re-applied and this time Lesnar twisted the arm back a la how Lesnar "broke" Hunter's arm in 2012. Lesnar waved his hand up and down teasing tapping, but Lesnar summoned power to slam Hunter onto the ring steps again. Or, did Hunter DDT Lesnar on the way down? Apparently he did.

At 23:00, they reset away from the ring steps. Hunter then grabbed the sledgehammer and measured Lesnar to pop him in the head. Hunter wobbled around the ring, then forced the energy to do his Triple H Pose. Hunter grabbed Lesnar and dragged him onto the ring steps for the Pedigree onto the steps. Lesnar bounced down to the mat, Hunter recovered, and pinned Lesnar for the pin and the win.

Post-match, Shawn Michaels entered the ring and the camera focused on Michaels having a bloody lip/nose. Michaels and Hunter embraced, then Hunter cleared the ring before WWE replayed high-points from the match.

WINNER: Hunter at 23:58. This one of those matches where the audience knew the result of the journey and didn't feel like taking the ride, unlike Taker-Punk. And, similar to Summerslam when the first match occurred. They had a great final two minutes with Lesnar teasing tapping out for a long time, but it wasn't enough to save it. (**3/4)

Arcademan:
8 -- WWE champion THE ROCK vs. JOHN CENA -- WWE Title match

Rock and Cena went through an early feeling-out process as the announcers talked about what would happen if each man won and lost. JBL said for Cena, he would carry the label of "Can't Win The Big One," and be the Jim Kelly of WWE - four-time Super Bowl-playing QB Hall of Famer, but never won the Super Bowl.

At 7:00, Rock slapped on a sleeperhold to take control of the match. A light "boring" chant started, then faded out. Cena escaped, then dropped Rock and smirked toward the crowd. Lawler claimed, "This crowd is split 50/50," trying to play up the narrative even though it was 90/10 for Rock. Or, 70 Rock/10 Cena/20 disinterested. Cena then delivered a shoulder tackle, audibly shouted, "Drop down," to Rock, then Rock dropped down, and Cena airballed Rock. After a weak mid-ring exchange, Rock applied the Sharpshooter, but Cena escaped and hit a sit-out slam.

Cena stood up and smirked, then very slowly leaned down over Rock and hand-waved him. Cena slowly bounced the ropes, but missed the fist drop. Rock then DDT'ed Cena and cussed out Cena, who very slowly reached his feet. Rock wanted Rock Bottom, but Cena countered with the STF. Cena visibly whispered in Rock's ears some instructions for the next spot, which Lawler claimed was Cena "talking smack." Cena then slingshot Rock into the corner, then delivered the Five-Knuckle Shuffle.

Cena wanted an Attitude Adjustment, but Rock countered with a spinebuster. Rock wanted the People's Elbow, but Rock grabbed Rock's leg and flowed into the STF. The crowd didn't buy it as a potential finish, then Rock broke free. Rock then hit Rock Bottom center-ring. Rock covered, but Cena kicked out. Rock then casually walked around the ring before walking into the Attitude Adjustment. It was only good for a two count, though.

Cena then took his time climbing to the top rope, where he missed with a guillotine leg drop. Rock followed with the People's Elbow, then covered for a two count. Cena rolled to the ring apron, then rolled clear down to the floor. Rock then slowly scooped up Cena on the floor and rolled him back into the ring. In the ring, they traded bombs before Cena went for a flying cross-body splash, but Cena intercepted, then powerlifted into the AA, but Rock countered with Rock Bottom. Again, though, Cena kicked out. (It's worth noting Cena's kick-outs have been a beat too early, killing the drama of the nearfall.)

Rock and Cena reset at 18:30 with Rock stalking Cena, then wanting the People's Elbow again, only turning it into You Can't See Me. Rock then wanted the Shuffle, but Cena popped to his feet and hit the AA, reversing roles from the finish of Cena-Rock last year, but Rock kicked out of this pin attempt. Cole noted the role-reversal, but it didn't cost Rock the match, unlike Cena last year.

At 20:00, they slowly reached their feet. Cena jabbed Rock, then again. Rock responded and they traded bombs. Teased finishers, then Cena hit Rock Bottom for a close nearfall. Cena entered Actor Mode reacting with his face to the nearfall. Cena then slowly unfolded two fingers to the ref, asking, "Only two?" Next, Cena stood up, checked his hand, looked down at Rock, then decided to tease the People's Elbow, just like last year. Cena mockingly did Rock's pose, then Rock stood up. Only, this time, Cena held the ropes when Rock popped up. Cena, thinking he suckered in Rock, then wanted AA, but got too cocky posing for the hard camera, and Rock countered with Rock Bottom. But, Cena kicked out. Great sequence.

They reset at 23:00 with another AA tease from Cena. But, Rock intercepted. Another tease. Another one. More blocks. Rock then hit a DDT center-ring. Rock then stood up and waited for Cena to get up, which took a while. Rock wanted another Rock Bottom, but Cena ducked and hit the Attitude Adjustment. Cena immediately covered and it was good for the win.

WINNER: Cena at 23:58 to capture the WWE Title.

Arcademan:
1 -- TRIPLE H (w/Stephanie McMahon) vs. DANIEL BRYAN -- winner advances to the WWE World Title main event

Hunter continued to sneer at Bryan, then smirk toward the crowd as the two wrestlers felt out the crowd. Hunter then walked toward Bryan and extended his hand, but Bryan responded with a kick to the hand. A roll-up produced a two count, freaking out Hunter. Bryan followed with rapid-fire kicks in the corner, sending Hunter scampering to the floor for a breather. As Steph tried to help Hunter calm down, Bryan extended his hand in the ring. Nice opening.

Back in the ring, Hunter tried to work on Bryan's shoulder, but Bryan responded with a take-down into a side headlock. Hunter responded with a take down, but Bryan responded with uppercuts. Meanwhile, Lawler said he thinks Hunter put this match on first so that if he wins, he could rest up for the main event. Bryan went for kick strikes, but Hunter grabbed Bryan's foot and leg-wrenched him. Hunter thought he was in control again, but Bryan knocked him to the floor. Steph checked on Hunter, then Bryan came off the top turnbuckle with a flip dive aimed for Hunter, but Bryan seemed to take the worst of it.

Back in the ring, Bryan covered Hunter for a two count. "You're never going to win!" Steph shrieked from ringside. On the floor, Hunter took Bryan to the announce table and yanked Bryan shoulder-first down onto the announce table. "Yes!" Steph mockingly shouted. Back in the ring, Hunter went to work on Bryan's shoulder as the announcers said this looks like all of Bryan's hard work coming to an end. But, Bryan responded with a strike that sent Hunter to the floor. Bryan prepared for a suicide dive, but Hunter responded with a strike to the face. Hunter then smashed Bryan across the ring apron.

Bryan made it back into the ring just before ten, then Hunter applied a cross-face chicken wing. "Daniel Bryan" chant as Bryan tried to fight off the hold. Hunter then flowed into a cross-face submission, looking to avenge WM20. Bryan made it to the bottom rope, though, to get a rope break. Hunter then yanked down on Bryan's shoulder to keep working on the injury. Suddenly, Bryan fought back with strikes. Hunter responded, then Bryan knocked down Hunter with a flying attack.

Reset at 13:30. Bryan followed with a German Suplex for a nearfall. Then a second with a bridge for another two count. Bryan tried a third German, but Hunter blocked and nailed a German of his own. Both men sold the effects of the sequence, then Hunter covered for a two count. The match then moved to the top turnbuckle, where Bryan fed off "Yes!" chants to block Hunter and deliver a big sunset flip powerbomb. Both men sold on the mat.

At 16:30, Bryan got up and delivered two running knee strikes in the corner, but Hunter responded to the third attempt with a big lariat. Both men sold on the mat as Steph exclaimed, "Yeaaaah!" Hunter was slow to his feet and approached Bryan for the Pedigree, but Bryan blocked and jack-knifed Hunter for a two count. Kick strike to the head and the crowd rallied hard behind Bryan. Bryan climbed to the top for a diving headbutt, but Hunter got his leg up to block. Hunter immediately went to the cross-face submission, Bryan crawled across the ring, but Hunter rolled them over to the center of the ring. Bryan managed to escape and also reverse into a cross-face of his own, popping the crowd. Hunter flailed his arm, but Bryan locked it on tighter as Steph sold concern ringside. Hunter teased tapping, but finally reached the bottom rope for a break.

Hunter rolled to the floor for a breather, then Bryan got up and delivered a suicide dive. Then, a second suicide dive to the outside. Bryan took Hunter back into the ring and followed with a top-rope missile dropkick. Bryan kipped up like Shawn Michaels, then delivered one Yes! Kick. A second. A third. A fourth. Big wind-up for a fifth to the head. But, Hunter kicked out just before three as Steph seemed to be out of energy ringside.

Bryan wanted to end it with the big running knee, but Hunter responded with a spinebuster. Hunter flowed right into a Pedigree, but Bryan kicked out at two. The crowd popped, then erupted into "Yes!" chants as Steph sold concern that maybe she underestimated Bryan. Steph tried to give Hunter a pep talk, but Bryan caught Hunter with a roll-up for a close two count. Hunter responded by unloading on Bryan with right hand strikes. He then went for a second Pedigree, but Bryan countered with a bridge pin for a close two count. Hunter maintained the Pedigree grip, though, and Bryan blocked a second Pedigree attempt. So, Hunter drove knees to Bryan's head.

Hunter again gripped Bryan for a Pedigree, but Bryan reversed into a wind-up kick to the face. Bryan tried a big kick, but Hunter blocked. Bryan blocked a follow-up from Hunter, created separation, and smashed Hunter with a big running knee. Cover and a three count. Clean win for Bryan.

Post-match: The crowd erupted in "Yes!" chants as Bryan and Hunter recovered on the mat. Bryan stood up and celebrated by holding up one finger that he's got one more to go. Suddenly, Steph entered the ring and slapped Bryan. Bryan smiled, so Steph kept slapping him. Hunter then attacked Bryan from behind and posted him. Hunter grabbed a chair and smashed it across Bryan's shoulder, creating questions over whether Bryan can make the main event. Hunter and Steph then left the ring as Bryan was tended to by the ringside doctor.

WINNER: Bryan at 25:58. Very good WrestleMania match. The post-match attack now sets up the show-long question of whether Bryan will make the main event. Well done all-around. (****)

Arcademan:
2 -- THE SHIELD (U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE & ROMAN REIGNS & SETH ROLLINS) vs. NEW AGE OUTLAWS (ROAD DOGG & BILLY GUNN) & KANE -- six-man tag match

 Hot start to the match with the match time likely cut down due to the length of the first hour. Reigns stood out early delivering double spears to the Outlaws, then Shield nailed a triple powerbomb to both Outlaws at the same time. Shield covered the Outlaws for the win.

 WINNERS: Shield at 2:56. That was quick and decisive.

 3 -- ANDRE THE GIANT BATTLE ROYAL

 Big Show's music played and WWE revealed a host of individuals were already in the ring. Sheamus got a ring entrance, then the bell sounded. Yoshi Tatsu, who was not part of the original list, was the first elimination. Raw GM Brad Maddox was out next. Brodus Clay was eliminated by Khali and Khali was eliminated next. Zack Ryder was cut next as bodies started flying.

 Darren Young was eliminated, then Mark Henry eliminated all of 3MB. Big Show then eliminated Henry. Chaos everywhere, then Titus was eliminated. Santino pulled out his Cobra and took out the cameraman instead of Miz. He adjusted and took out Miz anyways. Del Rio then eliminated Santino to re-create the Royal Rumble 2011 ending.

 Cody Rhodes eliminated his former partner, Damien Sandow, then Big E. pressed Justin Gabriel clear over the top rope to the floor. Big E. eliminated David Otunga next and Cole said he can go sue somebody now. Lawler commented that this is like fireworks going all different directions. Fandango suddenly eliminated Big E., setting off "Fandango'ing" in the crowd. Fandango danced on the ring apron, which drew over Sheamus to deliver about 25 clubbing forearms to the chest. He then playfully shoved Fandango off the apron to the floor.

 Big Show scooped up R-Truth and tossed him over the top rope to the floor. Cesaro, who was pulled from the battle royal in favor of the pre-show Tag Title match, emerged as a candidate to win as the sea of bodies cleared out. "I didn't even know Cesaro was in this thing," JBL observed. Del Rio then eliminated Goldust. He followed by eliminating Cody Rhodes.

 Rey Mysterio got a brief spotlight, then Cesaro suddenly eliminated him with a big European Uppercut. Ziggler tried to go after Cesaro, but he took a big pop-up uppercut. Suddenly, Kofi was dumped out of the ring, but his feet landed on the ring steps, avoiding elimination in a unique manner. Kofi hit the ring and springboard off the top with a cross-body to Ziggler. Trouble in Paradise to Big Show, but Cesaro grabbed Kofi and put him in the Big Swing. JBL asked if he could Big Swing Kofi over the top rope, but Cesaro just kept going on the Big Swing.

 Reset at 11:00 with Big Show grabbing Cesaro to deliver a big chokeslam, drawing boos from the crowd. Sheamus then Brogue Kicked Kofi off the ring apron to eliminate him. Ziggler followed with a snap DDT to Sheamus, then Del Rio whiffed on a superkick that eliminated Ziggler. Boos from the crowd.

 The Final Four was Sheamus, Del Rio, Big Show, and Cesaro. Sheamus and Del Rio then eliminated each other battling against the ropes. It was down to Cesaro and Show, who went for a chokeslam, but Cesaro blocked. Cesaro then tried big clotheslines to eliminate Show, but Show chucked Cesaro over the top rope. Cesaro held on, then climbed to the top rope, but Show nailed him with a KO Punch to boos. Show tried to eliminate Cesaro, but Cesaro slipped out, then nailed uppercuts after uppercuts. Suddenly, Cesaro had his Hogan bodyslamming Andre moment by lifting Show into the air and bodyslamming Show over the top rope to the floor to win, popping the crowd.

 Post-match: Cesaro collected himself as Show stood stunned ringside. Show then reached through the ropes with a hand and Cesaro accepted it for a handshake. Cesaro took his spotlight in the ring, then five referees brought the Andre trophy into the ring. Cesaro lifted the entire trophy into the ring, standing tall victorious.

 WINNER: Cesaro at 13:25. And Cesaro's star has been made. Rough battle royal early on, but huge ending for Cesaro's career.

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