Christopher
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Well GAF it's that time...Wrestlemania 22 weekend is upon us, many have already started to leave their homes to head out to Chicago. As the festivities start, lets use this thread for all discussions involving; The Press Conference, The Hall of Fame, Wrestlemania 22 our pre and post show thoughts.
In his WWE career, Edge has been involved in some of the most memorable WrestleMania matches, and has won them all. At WrestleMania 22, he hopes to continue that trend when he steps into Mick Foleys domain, taking on the Hardcore Legend in a Hardcore Match.
On the Feb. 16 edition of RAW, Foley was the referee for Edges WWE Championship Match against John Cena. After the Rated R Superstar was defeated, he blamed the Hardcore Legend for the loss, spearing him in the middle of the ring. The next week, after defeating Hacksaw Jim Duggan on RAW, Edge issued a WrestleMania challenge to Foley, saying he would go to Foleys home to get an answer if he didnt show up the next week. (Watch video)
On the Feb. 27 RAW, Foley declined Edges challenge of a traditional match, instead offering a Hardcore Match on April 2. Foley then rushed the ring with a barbed-wire baseball bat, sending Edge & Lita scurrying from the ring. (Watch video)
The following week, as Edge was prepared to spear Maria, Foley ran in to brawl with the Rated R Superstar. Edge was able to come out on top, spearing Foley and delivering a one-man Conchairto. As Foley lay beaten in the ring, Edge then announced that he accepted Foleys Hardcore challenge. (Watch video)
On the March 13 RAW, Edge mocked Mick Foley with a series of movie-style trailers. Edge also announced that his talk show, The Cutting Edge, would return at Saturday Nights Main Event with special guest Mick Foley.
Before Edge brought Foley out for the Cutting Edge, the Rated R Superstar belittled his WrestleMania opponent, basically saying that he has become a shell of his former self. But the Hardcore Legend responded in typical hardcore fashion. Edge tried to fend off Foley with a flaming table, but Foley stormed right through and tried to use a bag of thumb tacks. Edge was able to turn the tables, though, and bulldogged the Hardcore Legend face-first into the tacks. Foley, however, actually seemed to enjoy being in the tacks. The Hardcore Legend seemed rejuvenated and chased Edge up the ramp. Foley exacted a measure of revenge from the previous week when he bashed Edge's skull with a con-chair-to of his own.
The following Monday on RAW, Foley announced that the old Hardcore Legend was back. Lita came out to try to persuade him to give Edge clemency, but Foley instead instructed her to slap him. Edge then tried to attack Foley from behind, but Mick put Lita in the Mandible Claw to keep him at bay. (Watch video)
Last year at WrestleMania 21, Edge became Mr. Money in the Bank. Can he come out on top at WrestleMania once again, or will Foley prove that hes still the only Hardcore Legend in WWE? Watch WrestleMania on April 2 to find out.
For months, Mickie James claimed to be Trish Stratus biggest fan, going so far as to proclaim her love for Trish on several occasions. Thanks to a brutal attack on Saturday Nights Main Event, it seems the love is gone, and now at WrestleMania 22, James will take on her idol for the Womens Championship.
Last fall, James made her debut on RAW, helping Trish & Ashley fend off an attack from Victoria. (Watch video) She said she was Trishs No. 1 fan, and did anything and everything to help Trish succeed, even seemingly sacrificing herself to help Trish win the Fulfill Your Fantasy Battle Royal at Taboo Tuesday. James even dressed up as Trish for Halloween, complete with replica Womens Championship. (Watch video)
Shortly before Christmas, Mickie decided to profess her love for Trish in the locker room. The two were standing underneath mistletoe, and Mickie tried to kiss Trish; the Womens Champion seemed flustered and walked away, leaving Mickie confused. Mickie apologized, but for the first time it seemed there was something more to their relationship, at least in Mickies mind. (Watch video)
At New Years Revolution, Trish defeated Mickie to retain the Womens Championship, but Mickie seemed happy just to have the opportunity to be in the ring with Trish. From there, her behavior became continually more aggressive until Trish had enough.
On the March 6 edition of RAW, Trish told Mickie that they needed to spend some time apart, because her behavior was too much to take. Mickie seemed crushed but agreed to Trishs request. (Watch video) The next week, an attack on Torrie left Trish without a partner for Saturday Nights Main Event. Mickie volunteered to fill in, saying she would respect Trishs wishes to go their separate ways after the match.
Trish agreed, and when Saturday Nights Main Event rolled around, the two were victorious over Candice & Victoria. After the match, Mickie wanted to say goodbye to Trish the proper way, and leaned in to try to kiss the Womens Champion. After Trish pulled away, a crestfallen Mickie nailed her idol with a Mick Kick and laid her out with her own version of Stratusfaction. Later on WWE.com Unlimited, Mickie said she dedicated her life to Trish, but not once did Trish appreciate her. Mickie said Trish broke her heart, and now she would break Trish.
The following Monday on RAW, Mickie claimed to have a gift for Trish. As Trish came down to claim it, Mickie revealed a bound and gagged Ashley as the surprise. An angered Trish quickly attacked Mickie, but as the Women's Champion stopped to help her abducted friend, Mickie attacked from behind, leaving Trish laying in the ring after a vicious Tornado DDT. (Watch video)
So at WrestleMania 22, Mickie will get her chance to take the one thing Trish values most, the Women's Championship. Can she topple the most decorated Womens Champion in history and walk out with the gold, or will Trish put Mickie in her place once and for all? Find out on April 2
In recent weeks, the friendship between Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson has disintegrated. At WrestleMania 22, the current Playboy Magazine cover girl and the former two-time Playboy model will settle their differences in a Playboy Pillow Fight.
Tensions began to mount between the two on the Feb. 16 edition of RAW. After Torries loss to Ashley, Candice attempted to cheer her up by announcing the upcoming release of her Playboy pictorial. (Watch video) Things were made worse two weeks later when Candice blamed Torrie for her loss to Womens Champion Trish Stratus, even slapping Torrie in the face during WWE.com Unlimited. (Watch video) As the launch of Candices issue of Playboy came near, Candice became more and more arrogant, repeatedly telling Torrie that she was the hottest WWE Diva to ever pose in Playboy.
On the March 6 edition of RAW, Candice revealed her Playboy cover to the world. Then, in a shocking moment, after Torrie took offense to Candices statements, Candice had Victoria attack Torrie from behind. Victoria & Candice left Torrie beaten in the ring, breaking up their friendship for good. (Watch video)
It was announced the next week that Torrie would team with Trish Stratus to face Candice & Victoria at Saturday Nights Main Event, but Torrie was mysteriously knocked out backstage on RAW. An autographed copy of Candices Playboy was found at the scene, and the attack left Torrie unable to participate in the scheduled match.
That Monday on RAW, Torrie took on Victoria. As the match began, Candice made a grand entrance, coming out on a bed caried by four men. She then proceeded to throw pillows at Torrie as a distraction; it worked, as Victoria was able to hit the Widow's Peak on Torrie for the quick victory. After the match, Candice hit Torrie with a pillow for good measure.
Regardless, Torrie will get a chance for revenge on April 2. Can Torrie shut Candice up once and for all, or will the Candy-licious Diva prove to be too hot for WrestleMania?
In recent months, Kane & Big Show have had issues with Chris Masters & Carlito. At WrestleMania 22, the World Tag Team Champions will put their gold on the line against the two young lions.
This past February, Kane defeated Masters in a singles match on RAW. After the bout, however, Masters attacked the Big Red Monster from behind, cinching in the Master Lock. It was also Masters & Carlito who teamed up to eliminate Kane in the Elimination Chamber Match at New Years Revolution.
On the March 6 edition of RAW, Mr. McMahon gave Masters & Carlito this opportunity as a reward for Masters helping him with Marty Jannetty the week before on RAW. That night, they responded by attacking Kane during his WrestleMania rewind match with Triple H; after Carlito spit his apple in the Big Red Monsters face, he & Masters ran him into the steel ring post. (WATCH video)
They tried to attack Big Show later in the night, but Kane ran out to stop them before they could reach his partner. (WATCH video)
This wont be the first time the two teams have met for the gold; on RAW the night after the Royal Rumble, Kane & Show beat Carlito & Masters to retain the World Tag Team Championship. (WATCH video)
The two teams were at odds on the March 13 edition of RAW as well. Big Show & Kane came out at the tail end of the John Cena and Triple H contract signing, and they were soon attacked by Carlito and Masters. (WATCH video)
Since everyone seemed so eager to fight, Mr. McMahon set up a six man tag team match for later on RAW - WWE Champion John Cena, Kane & Big Show vs. Triple H, Carlito & Chris Masters. Not too long after the match began, Carlito and Masters grabbed a couple of steel chairs and nailed Big Show & Kane. (WATCH video)
The following week, the two teams were matched up in singles competition, with the partners banned from ringside for both matches. In the first bout, Kane quickly defeated Carlito after a chokeslam, causing Carlito to blow up at Masters. (Watch video) The Masterpiece said he had a plan, and later in the night it came to fruition; Big Show defeated Masters by DQ, but it was a result of Masters nailing him twice with a steel chair. After the match, The Masterpiece ran Big Show into the steel ringpost as well. (Watch video)
Can Carlito & Masters overcome the much bigger team of Kane & Big Show at WrestleMania 22, or will Big Show & Kane continue their amazing stretch of dominance in the RAW tag team division? Watch WrestleMania 22 to find out.
Plus, Big Show will participate in the Master Lock Challenge Monday on RAW. Since starting the challenge nearly one year ago, Chris Masters has yet to have anybody break his finisher. Will the mighty Big Show be the first one to do it?
Find out all this and more Monday night at 9/8 CT on the USA Network
The final RAW before Wresltemania and this is how our card is looking so far on the RAW side:
Since prior to the Royal Rumble, Triple H has targeted WrestleMania 22 in Chicago as the time and place for the King of Kings to regain his throne. To get there, the 10-time world champion had to battle through the Road to WrestleMania Tournament, last dispatching of Rob Van Dam and Big Show in the Triple Threat finals. (WATCH video)
In doing so, The Game accomplished the first of his goals: securing a main event, WWE Championship Match at WrestleMania. Next, the Cerebral Assassin will have to devise a way to defeat resilient champion John Cena.
While Triple H settled scores with the likes of Ric Flair and Big Show, John Cena battled against all odds week after week for almost a year to hold onto his gold. That run was finally stopped by Edges well-timed money in the bank, but Cena bounced back with more intensity and desire than ever and immediately recaptured the WWE Championship.
Both Triple H and John Cena were put to the test on the March 6 edition of RAW. They both participated in WrestleMania Rewind Matches in which they faced former WrestleMania opponents. Triple H faced Kane, and thanks to some interference from Carlito and Chris Masters, The Game was able to pick up a victory. (WATCH video)
Cena had the daunting task of taking on his WrestleMania XX opponent, Big Show. Cena managed to overcome the big size differential and even hoisted the mammoth Big Show up for a thunderous FU. The maneuver even impressed Triple H who was watching from outside the ring. (WATCH video)
One week later they made their WrestleMania match official during a contract signing on RAW. The two got into a war of words, but before a physical confrontation could escalate Big Show & Kane came to the ring as well as Carlito and Masters. Cena had his back turned to Triple H amidst the chaos, and The Game picked up a sledgehammer that he had hidden underneath the table in the ring. Cena turned around before Triple H could take a swing, but the intensity was so thick you could cut it with a knife. (WATCH video)
Later that night, Cena and Triple H were on opposite sides in a six man tag team match. The Champ teamed up with World Tag Team Champions Kane & Big Show to take on Triple H, Carlito & Chris Masters. After some heated action, Carlito and Masters nailed Kane and Big Show with steel chairs, causing a disqualification. Then, from out of nowhere, Randy Orton stormed the ring and hit Cena with an RKO. Orton's former mentor, Triple H, looked upset at first, but then an evil smile crept across his face. (WATCH video)
Orton's attack was an effort to get an upperhand heading into Saturday Night's Main Event on March 18 on NBC.
After what happened on RAW, it was only fitting that the Handicap Tag Team Match came down to Orton and Cena. The Champ had things going his way, but Triple H broke up a pin attempt and Pedigreed his partner and WrestleMania opponent. He put Orton on top for the pin, but Rey Mysterio pulled him off, not wanting to win in such a fashion. Triple H Pedigreed Rey, but then Kurt Angle clotheselined The Game out of the ring. Orton came back and RKO'd Angle, but Cena was able to counter another RKO and picked up the win with a roll up.
That Monday on RAW, Cena & Triple H found themselves on opposite sides of a tag team match. However, Cena was quickly disqualified for using a closed fist, giving Triple H & Shane McMahon the victory over Cena & Shawn Michaels. The match was then made into a Handicap Match, but no decision was rendered after Cena returned to help HBK fend off Shane & The Game. An irate Mr. McMahon then announced that Cena would face the WWE Chairman himself on March 27. (Watch video)
What will happen at WrestleMania 22? Will the King of Kings come through on his bold declaration and be crowned an 11-time world champion, or will The Champ once again rise to the occasion on the biggest stage of them all?
Since the night after Christmas, Mr. McMahon has made it his mission to make Shawn Michaels life a living hell. At WrestleMania 22, HBK will get a chance to get some retribution when he meets the WWE Chairman one on one.
On the Dec. 26, 2005 edition of RAW, HBK told Mr. McMahon to get over the Montreal Incident; Shawns comments irked the WWE chairman, who told HBK that if he didnt watch his step, hed get screwed worse than Bret Hart ever did. (Watch video)
Over the next few weeks, Mr. McMahon did everything he could to throw HBK off his game, including banning Sweet Chin Music during one match. However, the biggest blow came at the Royal Rumble, when Shane McMahon made a surprise appearance and eliminated HBK from the Royal Rumble Match. Shane struck again the next night on RAW, attacking HBK with a chair as he jawed with his father. (Watch video)
In subsequent weeks, Mr. McMahon continued to toy with Shawn, taking him out of the Road to WrestleMania Tournament and announcing a mandatory Shawn Michaels Retirement Party, where HBK would be forced to walk away from WWE forever. Instead of signing his retirement papers, though, HBK ripped them up and threw them in McMahons face. (Watch video)
The next week, Mr. McMahon made Michaels take on four members of the Spirit Squad in a Handicap Match. After the Spirit Squad got disqualified, HBKs former partner Marty Jannetty made a surprising return to help Shawn fend off a 5-on-1 attack. Mr. McMahon announced later that night that he would offer Jannetty a full-time WWE contract, but Marty would have to kiss his ass to get it. (Watch video)
On the Feb. 27 edition of RAW, the WWE Chairman offered Marty the contract. When Marty wouldnt kiss his ass, he called out Chris Masters, telling Jannetty that he would get the contract if he could escape the Master Lock. As the Masterpiece had the hold locked on, Mr. McMahon made him bring Marty down to kiss his ass. HBK interrupted, hitting Masters with Sweet Chin Music and stalking the WWE Chairman, whose pants were still around his ankles. Before he got to him, however, Shane McMahon attacked HBK from behind and laid him out with a chairshot. (Watch video)
As Mr. McMahon berated an unconscious HBK, he announced that Michaels would take on Shane in a Street Fight at Saturday Nights Main Event. After Shane made the defenseless HBK kiss his fathers ass, Mr. McMahon then said he would kick Shawns ass at WrestleMania as well.
The following week, HBK tried to attack the McMahons during a speech. Instead, Mr. McMahon announced that HBK would meet Shane that night on RAW. (Watch video) Prior to the match, Stephanie McMahon set up HBK, slipping something in his drink that caused him to become ill. This made him easy prey for Shane, who easily pinned Michaels. To add insult to injury, Mr. McMahon then made and won a match against HBK immediately afterward. (Watch video)
On the March 13 edition of RAW, Mr. McMahon made Michaels take a public urination test as a result of the previous week. Things went bad, and HBK ended up throwing his cup of urine onto the McMahons. (Watch video) Mr. McMahon put HBK in a Steel Cage Match against the Spirit Squad as punishment, and Shane interfered to make sure the Spirit Squad got the victory. After the match, Shane grabbed a garbage can and drove it into the already bloodied HBK's head, courtesy of a coast-to-coast Van Terminator. (Watch video)
Before Shawn could even get to WrestleMania, he had to face Shane at Saturday Night's Main Event in a Street Fight. In a breath-taking, death-defying maneuver, HBK suplexed Shane off a ladder in the ring to the outside through a pair of tables. The Showstopper looked poised to pick up a victory after some Sweet Chin Music, but Mr. McMahon intervened and saved his son. Following a low blow, Shane lokced in a Sharpshooter, and Mr. McMahon immediately called for the bell in a moment all-too-similar to the Montreal incident in 1997. It was then that Mr. McMahon screwed Bret "Hit Man" Hart and it was now that he screwed HBK.
Two nights later on RAW, Mr. McMahon made the WrestleMania match a No Holda Barred Match, and announced that the main event of RAW would be HBK & John Cena against Triple H & Shane. Cena was quickly disqualified for using a closed fist, and Mr. McMahon threw him out of the match, announcing a new match instead: HBK vs. Shane & The Game in a Handicap Match. HBK fought valiantly, but just as it looked like he would succumb to the Pedigree, Cena returned to help HBK and the match was declared a no-contest. (Watch video)
Will Michaels have enough gas left in the tank to finally get the best of the McMahons, or will the WWE Chairman triumph on April 2
For weeks, Booker T and his wife Sharmell have been haunted by the bizarre Boogeyman. Everywhere Booker and Sharmell turn, the worm-eating Superstar is right behind them. Booker T demanded that General Manager Theodore Long put a stop to Boogeyman, but instead, Long left that up to Booker T and set up a match for Saturday Nights Main Event.
The match, however, never even happened. While in the back receiving medical attention, Booker T explained to Long that he heard something pop in his knee earlier in the day. The only way to see what the real extent of the injury was would be with an MRI. The only problem, though, is that an MRI would take well over a few hours to obtain. So, going along with the doctors opinion, Long canceled the match. Booker T limped out of the room, but a smile briefly crept across his face in between yelps of pain.
Later on in the show, Booker T was getting out of the shower, and he and Sharmell were talking about how they had duped Long. Booker was never injured. He just wanted out of the match, and the five-time WCW Champion had gotten his way. Booker T even did a little dance, showing no signs of a knee injury. Then all of a sudden, Boogeymans music hit and the worm-eating Superstar lowered himself down from the ceiling. Booker T, only dressed in a towel, and Sharmell, who didnt have a shirt on yet, screamed out in terror and ran out of the room.
Booker T may have gotten his way, but the satisfaction will only be momentary. Long decided that match will go on at WrestleMania 22.
The following week on Friday Night SmackDown, Long had Booker sign the contract for the match. He initially refused, but Long said that he would be fired if he didn't sign. The General Manager did allow Booker a partner, and once Booker signed the contract, he said he didn't care who his partner was. With that, Long announced that Booker's partner would be none other than his wife, Sharmell. Booker & Sharmell were horrified, but the contract had already been signed. (Watch video)
Can the husband and wife face their fears on April 2 to be successful?
Chris Benoit and JBL are two of the toughest Superstars in WWE history. The Rabid Wolverine has shown time and time again that he has ruthless aggression, and JBL has proven that he can trade blows with the best of them. Add Benoits United States Championship to the equation and you have all the makings of a brutal brawl. And that was before things became personal.
On the Feb. 24 edition of SmackDown, Chris Benoit teamed up with Lashley and Rey Mysterio to take on JBL, Lashley and Randy Orton. Benoit and JBL ended up on the outside of the ring, and the Rabid Wolverine went in for the kill. He sandwiched JBLs hand in between the ring steps and the ring post. Then he backed up, gathered a head of steam and smashed the steps into JBLs hand, crushing it against the post. To make sure he had done enough damage, Benoit geared up and slammed the steps once again as JBL screamed out in pain. Not only did Benoits team end up picking up the win, but JBL landed on the operating table due to a broken hand. (Watch video)
JBL sent a message to Benoit on the March 17 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, however. After Benoit made Orlando Jordan tap out to the Sharpshooter, JBL left the announce table and got in the ring, nailing Benoit with a beer cooler. (Watch video)
JBL had his hands full with Stone Cold Steve Austin at Saturday Night's Main Event in a Beer Drinking Contest. The Wrestling God tried to cheat his way to a win by spilling his beer instead of drinking it, but the Texas Rattlesnake caught him in the act. JBL tossed a beer at Stone Cold and tried to retreat, but Benoit ran out and threw the media maven back into the ring for a Stunner.
The following week on Friday Night SmackDown, JBL said that he would go out and face Benoit, but he wasn't cleared with his broken hand. Instead, he recruited William Regal to face the Rabid Wolverine. Things didn't work out in JBL's favor, however, as the United States Champion made Regal tap out to the Crippler Crossface. (Watch video)
JBL has vowed to beat Chris Benoit on the grandest stage of them all. Can JBL get some revenge on the Rabid Wolverine and win his first United States Championship as a result?
The Deadmans WrestleMania streak is well-documented. The most successful Superstar in WrestleMania history is an astounding 13-0 on the grandest stage of them all. But that can all change at WrestleMania 22. Year after year, Superstar after Superstar tries to bring the amazing streak to an end, but this could finally be the year as the Worlds Strongest Man takes on Undertaker in a Casket Match.
At first glance, it might appear that Undertaker has an enormous advantage heading into the Super Bowl of professional wrestling. He is undefeated after all, and this is one of his signature matches. Its as if he has the home field advantage. But hes not facing any ordinary opponent. Hes facing the human wrecking machine, Mark Henry.
Henry burst back onto the scene in December, attacking then-World Heavyweight Champion Batista. Within weeks he had brutalized the Champion so badly, he knocked him out of commission with a triceps injury. He then came within inches of defeating Kurt Angle for the World Heavyweight Championship. The Wrestling Machine needed a steel chair and exposed turnbuckle to fend off the Worlds Strongest Man. After such an impressive showing, Henry felt he deserved a rematch. But that match went to Undertaker instead.
Undertaker and Angle went on to have a classic encounter at No Way Out. Undertaker seemed to have the World Heavyweight Champion down and out in a triangle choke, but Angle was able to reverse it into a pinning combination for the pin. While the Deadman and the Wrestling Machine were putting on a wrestling clinic, though, Mark Henrys anger and frustration continued to build.
So, when Undertaker received a rematch two weeks later on Friday Night SmackDown, it was no surprise that all of Henrys emotion finally erupted. Angle missed a moonsault, so Undertaker went in for the kill and hit the Tombstone. Before the referee could make a three-count, however, the Worlds Strongest Man stormed the ring and attacked the Phenom.
Henry had cost Undertaker the World Heavyweight Championship, but he wasnt done with the Deadman yet. He continued assaulting him outside the ring and set him up on the announce table. Henry then climbed up on the Spanish announce table, but it looked like he was having second thoughts. He backed away from the edge of the table, but it turned out that it was just to get a running start. With a head of steam, Henry leapt off the Spanish announce table onto Undertaker and through the SmackDown announce table. (Watch video)
One week later, Henry opened up SmackDown, exclaiming that he refuses to be forgotten. He called out Kurt Angle, wanting an opportunity at the World Heavyweight Championship. Angle, never one to back down from a challenge, came to the ring. Within moments, Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio joined the fray, and General Manager Theodore Long threw them all in a tag team match later in the show. Henry showed his dominance once again and his temper. As the match wore on, Henry grew frustrated and took it out on senior official Nick Patrick, flattening him with a thunderous avalanche. Daivari brought a table into the ring and Henry looked ready to squash Mysterio. Angle made the save, but then Orton caught him from behind and put the champ on the table. Henry knew what to do next and leapt off the middle rope, crashing down on Angle and threw the table. But almost immediately after Henrys impressive splash, the lights went out and the gong sounded. Fog began to fill the arena and Undertakers ominous voice rang throughout. He simply stated, You. Me. WrestleMania Casket Match. Most men would tremble at fear at the thought of facing the Deadman in such a match, let alone at WrestleMania, but not Mark Henry. The Worlds Strongest Man seemed ready for the challenge, and was not afraid of the Phenom. (Watch video)
Henry didn't want to wair until WrestleMania to confront the Deadman, though. So, at Saturday Night's Main Event, the World's Strongest Man called out Undertaker. But always be careful what you ask for. The Phenom responded, and his druids brought a casket to the ring. Undertaker threw Henry into the ring steps and kicked him into the crowd. He continued to send a message when he delivered a thunderous Tombstone to Daivari on top of the casket.
Can Mark Henry bring Undertakers unprecedented WrestleMania winning streak to an end? Or will the Deadman make it an unbelievable 14-0? Dont miss WrestleMania 22, April 2 at 7/6 CT only on pay-per-view.
Last year at WrestleMania 21, Edge defeated five other RAW Superstars to win the first-ever Money in the Bank Ladder Match, earning a contract to face the WWE Champion anytime in the next year. This year, Money in the Bank returns to WrestleMania, and another Superstar will walk out of Chicago on April 2 with a guaranteed championship opportunity.
On the Feb. 20 edition of RAW, Carlito announced during his match that he had an idea for WrestleMania that was Money in the Bank. (Watch video) The next week, Carlito announced that he pitched the idea to Mr. McMahon, who approved it and sanctioned another Money in the Bank Ladder Match for WrestleMania 22.
On the Feb. 27 RAW, three qualifying matches were held to determine who would go on to WrestleMania, but no one knew who their opponent would be until the match began. In the first qualifier, Rob Van Dam defeated Trevor Murdoch with the Five-Star Frog Splash. In the second match, Intercontinental Champion and 2005 Money in the Bank participant Shelton Benjamin qualified when he pinned Chavo Guerrero after Randy Orton nailed Chavo with an RKO.
Carlito then came out for the final qualifier of the night, and Nature Boy Ric Flair was announced as his opponent. Late in the match, Carlito appeared to have the berth secured when he went to ringside looking for an apple. As he climbed back inside the ring and prepared to spit in Flairs face, the Nature Boy kicked Carlito, forcing him to choke on the apple. Flair then rolled Carlito up, and with the help of the ropes, pinned him to become the third entrant into the match. (Watch video of qualifiers)
On WWE.com Unlimited during the March 6 RAW, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long interrupted an interview with Rob Van Dam to make a shocking announcement. Long said that the Money in the Bank Match will be an inter-promotional one, and he set the qualifying matches to begin on the March 10 edition of Friday Night SmackDown. (Watch video)
Since then, RVD, Flair & benjamin have been at each others' throats. On the March 13 RAW, Flair inadvertently cost RVD a match with Benjamin for the Intercontinental Championship. (Watch video) The next week, all three men were involved in a Triple Threat Match for the gold; in an unusual finish, Benjamin retained the gold when he pinned Flair while the Nature Boy had RVD in the Figure-Four Leg Lock. (Watch video)
On the final RAW before WrestleMania, Flair came to the ring to talk about his plans to win the match. Shelton Benjamin interrupted, and a brawl broke out between the two. RVD made the save for Flair, nailing the Intercontinental Champion with Rolling Thunder on a ladder. RVD then reminded both of them that it would be every man for himself at WrestleMania, prompting Flair to nail RVD with a ladder. (Watch video)
On the SmackDown side of things, qualifying has been just as crazy.
SmackDown's first qualifier matched the rough and tough Finlay against impressive newcomer Lashley. The previous week, the two Superstars had a match, but a winner was never determined. Instead, Lashley and Finlay swung chairs at each other causing a double-disqualification. With so much riding on the match, it was no surprise when it broke down as well. In fact, the match never even started.
Before Lashley could get into the ring, he and Finlay clashed head-on. Officials and security swarmed and tried to separate them again, but the two brawled all the way out to the parking lot. Finlay bashed Lashley with a steel pipe, but Lashley came back and bashed Finlays head into a car eight times. With Finlay laying on top of the car, Lashley attempted to do the unthinkable. The hard-hitting, soft-spoken monster began pushing the car over. Security tried to stop him, but Lashley would not be denied. Showing superhuman strength, Lashley was able to tip the car completely over. Before he did so, though, Finlay was fortunate enough to roll off the car, otherwise he would have been crushed. (Watch video)
The following week, the two met again, this time in a Lumberjack Match. Thanks to his trusty shillelagh, Finlay was able to defeat Lashley to become the fourth qualifier. (Watch video) Also that night, Matt Hardy became the fifth qualifier, defeating Road Warrior Animal by disqualification after the referee found brass knuckles on Animal and reversed his original decision. (Watch video)
The final qualifier was determined on the March 24 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, as 20 men entered a Last Chance Battle Royal for the final spot. It came down to Lashley and MNM as the final three, and after the WWE Tag Team Champions botched a double-team, Lashley picked up Mercury in a gorilla press. He tossed Mercury into Nitro, sending both men tumbling over the top rope to give Lashley the victory and the final spot. (Watch video)
Who will follow in Edges footsteps and become Mr. Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 22? Tune in on April 2 to find out.
At WrestleMania 22, the World Heavyweight Championship will be decided in a Triple Threat Match.
At the Royal Rumble, Rey Mysterio last eliminated Randy Orton to win the Royal Rumble Match, earning a championship match in the main event at WrestleMania. Rey dedicated the victory to Eddie Guerrero, and this dedication would ultimately lead to him losing his opportunity.
Randy Orton made some disparaging comments about Guerrero, but it was all a ploy. The Legend Killer wanted Reys main event slot all along, and challenged Mysterio to a match for the opportunity. Because of Ortons slander of Guerrero, Rey accepted. However, at No Way Out, a handful of ropes helped Orton defeat Mysterio, claiming the prize Rey had won in the Royal Rumble Match.
The following Friday night, Rey apologized to everyone for letting them down by losing the opportunity. However, General Manager Theodore Long interrupted his speech; he told Rey that while he couldnt take Orton out of the main event, he could add to it, and announced that the main event of WrestleMania 22 would be a Triple Threat Match, with both the Legend Killer and Mysterio challenging the World Heavyweight Champion. (WATCH video)
As for the final slot in the match, it will be Kurt Angle. Kurt Angle faced Undertaker in a No Way Out rematch on the March 3 edition of SmackDown. After missing a moonsault, Undertaker was able to connect with a Tombstone and it looked like the Deadman would be the new World Heavyweight Champion. But Mark Henry stormed the ring and broke up the pin. The interference gave Undertaker the win, but Angle retained the gold since the Championship cannot change hands via diqualification. (WATCH video)
One week later, Mysterio and Angle, despite facing each other at WrestleMania, teamed up to take on Orton and Henry in a blockbuster tag team match. Angle and Mysterio seemed to work well together as a team, but things broke down as the match wore on. The World's Strongest Man savagely attacked the referee, and all hell broke loose. Henry appeared poised to splash Rey through a table, but Angle made the save. Orton then attacked the World Heavyweight Champion and laid him down on the table. The Legend Killer then directed Mark Henry to come off the middle rope, splashing Angle through the table. (WATCH video)
But before these three Superstars can even get to WrestleMania, they will be forced to team up with each other to take on WWE Champion John Cena and Triple H in a RAW WrestleMania main event vs. SmackDown main event match at Saturday Night's Main Event. They had a bit of a warmup on Friday Night SmackDown on March 17, and were able to defeat MNM & Mark Henry. However, Orton never tagged into the match, instead waiting until Mysterio nailed Joey Mercury with a 619 to get involved. At that point, the Legend Killer tagged in, tossed Rey to the floor, and made the pinfall on Mercury. (Watch video)
With so much bad blood and emotion among the three Superstars, it was no surprise that they couldn't coexist as a team at Saturday Night's Main Event. The RAW side couldn't get along either. Triple H nailed John Cena with a Pedigree and Orton went for the pin. Mysterio didn't want to win that way, so he pulled the Legend Killer off Cena. Triple H Pedigreed Mysterio as a result, but Angle knocked The Game out of the ring. Orton came back and hit Angle with an RKO, but Cena was able to roll up the Legend Killer for the win.
On the following Friday Night SmackDown, Orton cost both of his opponents their matches. First, he gave Mysterio an RKO, allowing Finaly to pick up a victory. (Watch video) Later in the night, he attempted to interfere in Angle's match with Mark Henry; Mysterio tried to stop him but accidentally hit Angle with a West Coast Pop, allowing Henry to get the pin. Angle & Mysterio argued after the match, and the World Heavyweight Champion ended up on the receiving end of a 619. (Watch video)
Who will emerge from Chicago as the World Heavyweight Champion? Can Orton fulfill his proclaimed destiny and regain the gold? Can Rey take home the gold in memory of his beloved friend? Or will the Olympic Gold Medalist stay golden through April 2? To find out, be sure to watch WrestleMania 22.
Also the hall of fame class of 2006 will make their way to the biggest stage of them all on April 2nd. Watch as Bret Hart, Eddie Guererro, Sheri Martel, and Mean Gene finally get their credit as they are inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
I know this Wresltemania looks like crap, but the atmosphere has me excited...here's to a good wrestlemania everyone . ...GAF is going to get it right?