Wrestlemania 23, while not yielding too many surprises, still managed to be a pretty damn good PPV that exceeded all expectations… Even though John Cena is STILL (and perhaps will forever be) The Champ.

Coming from Detroit, Michigan, Wrestlemania is "All Grown Up" and kicks off with montages of the historic Wrestlemania III where Hogan slammed Andre, twenty years ago.

Aretha Franklin starts the show singing "America the Beautiful" and looks like Jabba the Hutt with a blonde weave. The gold trenchcoat is not helping the cause.

The separate announce teams are announced, RAW's newly-minted Hall of Famers Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jim Ross; Smackdown's Michael Cole and JBL and ECW's Tazz and Joey Styles before the first match of the night gets underway.

The Money In The Bank Ladder Match combatants make their entrances in the following order:
- Jeff Hardy
- King Booker w/ Queen Sharmell (wearing a gorgeous gown with feathered train)
- Finlay and his sheleighly
- CM Punk (who received a huge crowd pop)
- Ken Kennedy (The mike descends from the ceiling near the top of the Titan Tron and he does his schtick before walking to the ring)
- Matt Hardy (walks out and touches the ladders for luck)
- Randy Orton (also touches ladders)
- Edge (has brand new trunks, black, white and grey with hints of red. Edge slides into ring and all eight men are in the squared circle.)

Kennedy and Edge circle one another as everyone else looks skyward at the dangling briefcase. Then, it's on!

Orton and Kennedy hammer one another outside near ladders. CM Punk and Jeff Hardy double team Booker T. Edge sets up the ladder and begins to climb. Matt Hardy stops him and the two take it outside. Then Orton and Finlay grapple, punching one another at the top of the ladder to get to the briefcase. As the ladder topples, both men jump off. Hardy climbs and nearly reaches it beforeKennedy pushes him off.

Some comic relief ensues with Booker pulling out a teeny weeny step ladder from underneath the ring and looking confused. CM Punk grabs the ladder and wails away at everyone with small ladder that had belonged to Finlay's Little Leprechaun Bastard, Hornswoggle. Edge throws the small ladder at CM Punk's head and busts him open.

Inside the ring, King Booker kicks Kennedy and cleans house on Finlay and others, too. He hits a spinaroonie before both Hardy brothers clobber him with ladders and dish out the Side Effect on Edge. Jeff Hardy pushed off the top rope by Finlay. Edge seals the deal and suplexes Hardy on a pile of ladders. It looked painful.

Kennedy pummels Matt Hardy on top of ladder. Kennedy performs a Ken-ton off of top rope and onto Matt, misses and lands on the ladder with back of his neck. Jeff Hardy follows up with a swanton.

Matt and Jeff Hardy stand on top of the ladder, punching one another at the top for briefcase. Both brothers are pushed off of ladder. Edge spears Finlay and then Orton, Booker T, Kennedy., Hardy, Jeff. CM Punk dodges out of the way and Edge hits corner, spearing himself.

CM Punk makes like old school ECW and wears the ladder, swinging it and clearing the ring. Edge spears Punk and then the ladder he's wearing takes out Finlay and Orton.

Edge brings another ladder back into the ring And this time, it's a really big one. Edge is halfway up and Orton pushes the ladder over. Edge hits outside the ring. Jeff Hardy face-first suplexes Orton. Matt and Edge go at it outside with Matt seeming to emerge victorious. Matt sets up Edge on the ladder, laying him out flat across it. Inside the ring, Jeff Hardy nearly has the briefcase in his hand atop the ladder. Outside, his brother, Matt wants Jeff to jump on top of Edge on the ladders. Jeff wrestles with climbing to the top, winning the title shot or dropping onto Edge. He makes a dumb move and turns around and jumps on Edge. Nice going, Matt. You screwed your brother. The ladders break underneath Edge and man, did that spot look sick… And painful. Edge leaves the ring strapped to the gurney and Jeff Hardy is a mess.

Back to the action, Kennedy and Orton are in the ring. Orton RKO's Finlay and Kennedy. As Orton climbs to the top, CM Punk clobbers him in the spine with a ladder. Two ladders stand in the middle of the ring with both men at top. Orton and CM Punk duel with one another from the top of their respective ladders.

King Booker climbs to the top. Orton nails him from behind. Goes for another RKO but Booker gives him the Book End from atop the ladder. Booker climbs up again. Matt Hardy climbs up the ladder with Booker. Sharmell gets in the ring and grabs Matt Hardy's leg, shaking him off the ladder. Booker almost gets the briefcase but Matt Hardy threatens to maul Sharmell. Booker T makes the hard decision to come to the rescue of his wife, forgoing the title shot. Matt nails Booker with the Twist of Fate.

Hardy climbs the ladder but Finlay pushes him off. Finlay is bleeding like madd whoa from the top of his head as his little buddy, Hornswoggle intercedes on his behalf and goes up the ladder for Finlay. Kennedy comes in and climbs ladder, kicking Finlay on his way up. At the top of the ladder, Kennedy exchanges words Hornswoggle before scooping up the leprechaun and Kennedy rolls forward off of the top of the ladder with Hornswoggle on his back. Finlay hits Kennedy in the face with the ladder. Finlay starts climbing. CM Punk dropkicks the ladder at Finlay before setting it up and starting to climb. Punk almost gets the briefcase before Kennedy comes up. Both men hit one another. CM Punk kicks Kennedy. Kennedy grabs a ladder and then clocks Punk in the face with it. Kennedy climbs up and unhooks the briefcase for the win.

WINNER: Mistaaaaaaaaah! Kennedaaaaayy! Kennedy.

From beginning to end, this was a great match, chock full of surprises and tremendous performances from all eight men. They couldn't have picked a better match to kick things off for Wrestlemania 23. Every man in the ring performed convincingly and added an element of storytelling to the match in addition to incredible work in the ring.

After the match, Mr. Kennedy was interviewed backstage with Todd Grisham and spewed forth promo gold: "Blah, blah, blah, blah! First and foremost would like to congratulate myself. Nice guys finish last. Thank God I'm not a nice guy. Thank God, I'm Mr. Kennedy. Thank, God I'm Mr. Money in the Bank… Bank."

Up next is the battle of the big men: The Great Khali vs. Kane
The Great Khali slowly trudges to the ring whereas Kane comes out to a huge pop from the crowd. I had never noticed the inverted pentagram and tons of 666's on the screen behind him for Kane's ring entrance. As Kane comes out, I channel Clara Peller and wonder "Where's the meat hook?"

Both men tie up. Khali tosses Kane to the mat. Kane kicks Khali and runs at the ropes towards Khali and then falls back. Kane throws several hard right hands to Khali before Khali throws him out of the ring.

Kane uses the ropes to work on Khali's head before the bigger man swats Kane to the mat. He scoops up Kane to waist level and drops him on the mat. Khali trots out the Vulcan nerve pinch on Kane with The Big Red Machine elbowing his way out of it. He tosses Kane backwards to corner, throwing elbows to Kane's head and neck. Kane throws some more right hands and Khali shoves Kane backwards. Kane flies at Khali in corner, flying too the top ropes and failing to knock down Khali.

In an Andre-esque maneuver, Khali locks his arms in the ropes. Kane batters him and goes underneath the ring to get his meat hook. Khali busts loose and he and Kane hammer one another in the head. Khali removes turnbuckle pad as Kane's meathook sits on the ropes. At an opportune moment, Kane ends up groining Khali with his prop.

Kane almost pins Khali, but to no avail. Both big men have their hands around one anther's throats. Khali double-handed chokeslams Kane and pins The Big Red Machine with one foot on him. Khali goes for the meathook and winds the chain around his fist and chokes Kane further.

WINNER: The Great Khali

I was not surprised by this win. It was a much better match than I expected, although not one for the ages.

Backstage in the locker room, Cryme Tyme was talking with Eugene and realized that he was still bummed about his haircut at the hands of Mr. McMahon last week. Shad and JTG said that they would hook him up to cheer him up. Backstage, a bunch of scantily clad hot bootie babes were shakin' their thing. The three dancing girls and Cryme Tyme are boogieing down until the music skids to a halt…. It's Moolah and Mae Young! And they're wearing the exact same outfits as the dancing bootie babes! The music kicks in again and Eugene, Cryme Tyme, Moolah, Mae Young and the dancing girls keep kickin' it before the arrival of none other than…. The Doctor of Style himself, Slick! Slick starts breakin' it down as everyone chants "Go Slick! Go Slick!" Not to be out done, here comes Hall of Famer, Dusty Rhodes! The Common Man breaks it down and the dance party is in full effect. Sgt. Slaughter and Irwin R. Shyster (IRS and his briefcase) join the party, dancing it up. Mean Gene is on the scene, too. Then… Enter the Dragon: Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat clad in a black gui does a martial arts move and winks at the camera. Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco are dancing, too. All of a sudden, Ron Simmons pops up and screams "DAMN!" This was awesome!!! And probably one of my favorite moments of Wrestlemania 23.

But enough fun and hijinx! Back out to the ring for the matches! MVP makes his entrance with an entire squadron of cheerleaders wearing black and red. MVP is wearing a red, white, and blue singlet, no doubt geared up to win the United States Championship belt.

Chris Benoit comes out to a huge pop from the crowd. The WWE's "rabid wolverine" is wearing yellow and blue tights which is kind of a nice nod to Marvel Comics' own Wolverine.

Both men lock up with Benoit forcing MVP to the corner. Benoit takes and holds MVP to the mat with his powerful legs. MVP flips up and moves through Benoit's legs and has him in an anklelock. He gets Benoit in a headlock before knocking Benoit back to the canvas again. MVP throws Benoit through the ropes. Benoit goes for the sharpshooter but MVP counters. The Rabid Wolverine goes for another submission move before MVP makes it to the ropes to have the hold broken by the ref. MVP fireman's carries Benoit to the canvas. He kicks Benoit and throws him to the corner. Benoit knees MVP and props him up on the top rope. The Wolverine delivers hard chops to MVP's chest, attempting to suplex him from the top. MVP battles out of it and then dives back into the ring. He twists Benoits arm and then kicks him hard in the back. Benoit hard chops MVP to the face. MVP keeps working on Benoit's shoulder. MVP kicks at Benoit's head and Benoit dodges it.

Benoit pulls off three German suplexes in a row to MVP. He climbs to the top, possibly to attempt the flying headbutt and MVP thwarts it at the top rope level. He throws him back to the mat and Benoit reverses the hold almost pinning MVP. MVP suplexes Benoit backwards and hooks Benoit's leg. MVP kicks Benoit again as Benoit launches himself off the ropes. Benoit attempts to scoop-slam MVP and the youngster averts it. Similarly, Benoit almost gets the crossface on him but MVP blocks it.

MVP drops the elbow on Chris Benoit for a nearfall. Benoit kicks out. MVP has his leg flying at Benoit in the corner and misses with a big whiff. Benoit catches him off guard and drops him to the canvas.

Benoit gets off 2 German Suplexes on MVP. Goes for the Third, then goes again for a few more.

Benoit goes for a headbutt and makes it. He pins MVP and retains his United States Championship title.

WINNER: Chris Benoit

This was another excellent match with strong work from both men. I wasn't sure if Benoit was going to pull this one off, but he did. Lately, it seems that he's been relegated to J.O.B.bing for younger guys, but it was nice to see him retain.

In another backstage vignette, Trump is backstage on the phone with some beauty pageant chick seated next to him. The lights dim in the dressing room and go red and the Boogeyman pops up from behind the couch. The Boogeyman scares the crap out of the chick with Trump and sends her fleeing from the room. Trump is unimpressed and wants a sandwich. He asks the Boogeyman if he can get him a sandwich. Boogeyman's reply is "I'm going to get you a sandwich. How 'bout a worm sandwich?" Laughter ensues.

Back in the ring, Lillian Garcia introduces Howard Finkel to announce the Class of 2007 Hall of Fame. Highlights of the induction ceremony held the previous night were shown.

In this year's Hall of Fame class, the inductees are:
- Jim Ross
- Mr. Perfect (as inducted by his father Larry "The Ax" Hennig and Mr. Perfect's wife
- Jerry "The King" Lawler
- Nick Bockwinkle (still looking great and impeccably classy)
- Mr. Fuji (wheeled out to the ring by the Magnificient Murraco)
- Afa and Sika, The Wild Samoans (who seemed to be having a great time mugging the camera)
- The Sheik (as inducted by his wife, Joyce Farhat)
- and last but not least, The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes.

Following the Hall of Fame inductees, Holla, holla, holla! It's Theodore Long! And he's here to introduce the next match, playa!

Batista comes out first with his shiny, shiny belt. The crowd pops once he does his typewriter dance and a buttload of pyro shoots off. Batista poses atop the ropes for some time before Undertaker makes his grand entrance.

Here come the chanting druids with their faces covered like Cobra Commander and carrying torches. I wonder if Ric Flair is under one of the hoods. The arena is completely silent as the camera cuts back to reaction shots of Batista, looking slightly perplexed. The pyro goes off and crowd cheers. The Undertaker's bong rings throughout the arena and the crowd cheers even more. Undertaker is backlit at the entrance ramp as he makes his way down amid smoke and fog. The Dead Man's slow swagger is lit by lightning and flames shooting down the walkway.

The Undertaker rolls his eyes before taking off his super-cool hat and duster. He looks jacked.

The match starts as Batista runs at Undertaker and takes him off his feet, spearing him before taking him to the corner. Undertaker pummels Batista in the corner. Batista shoves Taker to the corner again, hammering fists at his head before sending him to the corner and knocking him flat. Batista knocks 'Taker over the top of the ropes, but 'Taker lands on his feet. Undertaker and Batista take it outside the ring, trading fists. Batista sends 'Taker flying to the steel steps and Undertaker connects with them, flying over them and landing on his back from the impact. Batista hurls him back into the ring. Batista climbs to the top and spears Undertaker again with a near fall.

Undertaker springs up only to have Batista clobber him with fists. Undertaker delivers a big boot to Batista, getting clocked again.

Undertaker is kneeling and Batista nails him. On his knees, Undertaker grabs Batista's foot and then hammers him with fists. He runs at Batista in the corner, staggering the Champion with a hard boot to Batista, knocking him to the canvas before laying him out on the canvas for a near fall.

Going Old School, Undertaker slaps an arm bar on Batista as he walks the top rope. Batista turns around and Undertaker picks him up for a chokeslam. Batista powers Takers fist away from his throat and the two men go at it once more.

Undertaker punches Batista in the jaw, sending him clean out of the ring. Batista is sent face first into the steps. Capitalizing, 'Taker sends numerous flying elbows to Batista on the ring apron outside the ring, capping it off with a guillotine leg drop. 'Taker runs back into the ring and goes flying over the top rope and onto Batista outside, laying out the champion, and himself in the process. It's Air Undertaker!

Outside the ring, he slams Batista's face into the barricade. Batista sends Undertaker flying through the bell table and almost onto Lillian Garcia. Batista stomps Undertaker and delivers several hard punches to the Phenom's head. The Champion rips off the cover from a table, nearly sending it into a camera man. Tazz moves out of the way as Batista punches Undertaker atop the announcer's table, executing a running powerslam through the announcer's table. Running from table to table, Batista puts Undertaker through it with the two 300+ lbers in the air for a good couple of seconds.

Batista gets back into the ring. Undertaker kicks out of a pinfall. Undertaker gives Batista several high elbows in the corner. After a belly to belly suplex to Undertaker, Batista goes for another near pin. He punches Undertaker's head at the top of the ring. Undertaker picks up Batista for the Last Ride and Batista kicks out at the count of two. Batista spinebusters Undertaker before shaking the ropes a la Ultimate Warrior. Undertaker picks him up again for the chokeslam. Batista kicks out again.

Once more, Undertaker picks up Batista but Batista gets out of it. Batista spears him before going for the Batista Bomb. This time, Undertaker manages to kick out. The crowd is staunchly behind the Undertaker, wanting him to continue his undefeated Wrestlemania streak. Batista goes for a second Batista Bomb but Undertaker picks him up for a back body drop. Batista tries to pick up Undertaker, but he maneuvers out of it. 'Taker goes for the Tombstone on Batista. Undertaker is the new World Champion!

On his ring exit, Undertaker looks back over his shoulder, hoisting the belt up in the air.

WINNER: Undertaker - New World Champion! 15-0 Wrestlemania streak continues.

This was a solid match although it was expected that Undertaker would keep his streak alive. Despite what many were expecting from Batista, he held his own in this match against the veteran workhorse, Undertaker. Both men looked great out there and for sheer emotional value, this could have been the match of the night. However, for pure entertainment and wrestling value, the MITB Ladder Match ties it up for Match of the Night.

Backstage, Stephanie McMahon brings her daughter, Vince McMahon's grandbaby to visit with Grandpa. Vince makes goofy faces at little Aurora Rose in her stroller and details in cutesey-baby talk what he is going to do to Donald Trump. "Would you like that?" he asks of his granddaughter. Stephanie stands by looking slightly disgusted and a whole heap of disturbed. All of a sudden, Vince takes a sniff and asks, "Do you smell what I smell? She just took a Trump!" Oh, you rascal, Vince McMahon! You've coined a new phrase for taking a dump!

Calling the action for the next match, The ECW Originals vs. The New Breed, is the announce team of Tazz and Joey Styles, sans table, thanks to Batista's handiwork.

The ECW Originals, Sandman, RVD, Tommy Dreamer, and Sabu make their way through the stands to get to the ring. Sandman stands atop the ring ropes with his Singapore cane hoisted high.

The New Breed comes down through the back near the Titan Tron all together: The Alpha Male Marcus Cor Von, Matt Striker, Elijah Burke, and Kevin Thorne with Ariel

The match starts with Sabu getting whacked by Matt Striker. He launches himself off the ropes at Striker, issuing a low kick to Striker's head Sabu holds him over the top rope and Sandman guillotines him.
Meanwhile, Tommy Dreamer and Sandman double-team Elijah Burke. Burke takes Dreamer down before Cor Von comes in and gives Dreamer some hard hits. A low blow to Dreamer sending him backwards. Tommy Dreamer clearly takes the brunt of punishment during this match.

Cor Von tags in Burke and throws Dreamer backwards. Burke connects on Dreamer's back before Kevin Thorn tagged in. He chokes Dreamer and sends him flying to the corner and before powerbombing him to the canvas.

Cor Von chokes back on Dreamer before Burke comes in. Dreamer takes both men out with a DDT/Neckbreaker combo on both men which looked quite nice.

Dreamer edges his way to the corner and tags in RVD with vicious kicks to Striker. RVD climbs to the to rope

RVD hits Rolling Thunder to Matt Striker and sends him flying. The crowd loves it and Van Dam again goes for some more Rolling Thunder on Striker. Soon after, Cor Von takes out Van Dam, however Sabu takes out Cor Von to the outside. Striker is slammed to the canvas by Dreamer.

RVD comes back in and 5-star Frog Splashes Striker and for the pin. The ECW Originals win. All four men link arms and raise their hands high in victory.

WINNER: ECW Originals

This match was short and rather painless. I was surprised the Originals scored the win since rumor has it that many of them are going to be gone in a matter of a few months. Still, it was nice to see the old school guys pick up the victory. The New Breed held their own fairly well in the match. It was a decent match, not great, but definitely too watered down to ever pass muster in the original ECW in its heyday.

Following a recap of the events leading up to the Vince McMahon vs. Donald Trump match and its surrounding media hype, the Hair vs. Hair match starts with the Barbershop pole, chair and utensils coming down to the ring of their own accord. Vince follows the props and swaggers out to the ring and stands center stage.

The camera closes up on Trump's entourage in the front row and he has a bunch of beauty queens sitting front row.

The Samoan Bulldozer comes down to the ring in full regalia. Umaga has on an awesome sarong outfit and looks very menacing carrying a whip that appears to be made out of hair. He is accompanied to the ring by Armando Estrada. Estrada is looking super dapper tonight as well with a styling black suit and hat combination. Maybe it was seeing Mommy Umaga at the Hall of Fame supporting her big brothers Afa and Sika that's making me like Umaga a bit more. Yes, even a Samoan Bulldozer has a mommie. Umaga is growing on me.

Donald Trump comes down to the ring accompanied by the former Miss USA, (the one with the booze and drug problem. Like anyone really cares what her name is.) Bobby Lashley makes his way down to the ring to represent The Donald. Bobby Lashley almost pulled himself an Ultimo Dragon Wrestlemania Moment and almost wiped out getting atop the ring ropes.

Stone Cold Steve Austin makes his entrance and Vinnie Mac looks nervous. Stone Cold flips the bird high in the air going to the four corners of the ring.

Things start up with Umaga finally climbing into the ring. Lashley lands several hard punches to Umaga and punches him into the corner. Stone Cold drags Lashley off of Umaga from the corner, declaring enough is enough. Umaga throws Lashley to the corner with the ECW Champion leaping up and issuing a flying shoulder block to Umaga. Armando Estrada creeps over and places Umaga's foot on the rope to halt the pin. Lashley picks up Estrada and throws him into the ring. Umaga sails over Lashley's head and out of the ring.

Umaga looks at Estrada to make sure he's okay. (Again, the slight humanization of Umaga is doing wonders for getting him over with me.) Estrada is moved out of the way to the back and Lashley ends up with a suicide dive to the outside. McMahon grins madly. Lashley is back in the ring and Umaga begins choking him. Austin orders Umaga to stop. Austin breaks the hold again after a count of five when Umaga goes back again to choke out Lashley.

Austin and Umaga stare down one another before Umaga and Lashley trade blows again, this time with Umaga swatting Lashley to the canvas. Umaga lands on Lashley twice, jumping from the second rope. Lashley battles back, punching Umaga in the face.

The crowd seemed to be booing Lashley, picking up Umaga who lands on him. McMahon climbs onto the ring apron and urges Umaga to finish Lashley. Umaga climbs to the top rope, only to be picked up by Lashley and thrown to the canvas. Lashley twirls Umaga down to the mat with a 360 flip. Austin almost counts to ten and then says that there are no count outs. Both men get to their feet past the count of ten.

Shane comes to his father's side outside the ring to lend some moral support. Umaga punches Lashley in the corner before Austin pulls him off. An angered Umaga nails Stone Cold with the Samoan Spike. Shane is in the middle of the ring, attempting to motivate Umaga on behalf of his father. Shane takes it to Lashley in the corner before Umaga comes to and punches Lashley, double-teaming him with Shane O-Mac

Vince drags out the trashcan from underneath the ring. As per any given Wrestlemania, Shane is ready to go Coast-to-Coast on Bobby Lashley and smashes the metal garbage can right in his face. And it's awesome!!! Shane takes off his shirt and has a referee shirt underneath his ensemble, prepared to help out his pops.

Meanwhile, outside the ring, Trump flies at McMahon, tackling him to the mat.

On the inside, Lashley is laying prone in the middle of the ring. Stone Cold is still out from the Samoan Spike. Shane almost counts to three as Umaga almost pins Lashley. Stone Cold comes to and goes at it with Shane. Umaga gives Stone Cold the Spike again. Stone Cold battles back and averts yet another spike, which allows Lashley to battle back and pin Umaga. Stone Cold counts to three and Bobby Lashley wins.

McMahon looks traumatized outside the ring. Stone Cold goes to the outside and throws McMahon into the ring. Shane comes from behind McMahon and tries to help his father. Stone Cold takes him out and stuns him, flipping Shane the double-bird. McMahon is crawling around outside the ring and is slinking around outside the ring and heading to the back to avoid getting his head shaved.

McMahon waves goodbye from almost near the top of the ring, thinking he's in the clear. Bobby Lashley runs at him and picks McMahon up, carrying him back to the ring. Trump gives the thumbs up as Lashley throws McMahon into the barber's chair.

Stone Cold is standing directly behind McMahon. The chair and utensils have already been set up in the ring and Trump grabs the clippers to make the inaugural cut. Austin holds McMahon in place. The crowd goes nuts as McMahon is getting his head shaved. Lashley holds McMahon's hair aloft and this is a pretty quick buzz cut in the middle of the ring. All hree guys are shaving McMahon as "The Bald Headed Blues" cues up throughout the speakers and Vinnie Mac freaks out. McMahon sits in the middle of the ring with a bunch of shaving cream stacked atop his head, looking ridiculous and mugging for the camera. McMahon foams at the mouth and you wonder if it's real or if it's Barbasol.

Austin cracks open a Steveweiser and celebrates. Lashley rubs McMahon's head and grabs the mirror. McMahon topples himself backwards in the barber's chair after seeing what he looks like before slinking to the back.

Steve Austin catches a Steve Weiser in the middle of the ring and starts drinking up. Austin catches beers as his bizarre, mutant power would dictate, not dropping a single one. Austin stuns Donald Trump in the middle of the ring and the crowd erupts before Stone Cold heads to the back, flipping the bird all the way.

WINNER: Bobby Lashley (representing Donald Trump)
This match was basically what it was expected to be. No major surprises went down. Vince lost the match as predicted and the whole thing was played for laughs.

Clips of a Wrestlemania Dark Match are shown featuring Ric Flair and Carlito vs. Gregory Helms and Chavo Guerrero from earlier in the evening. This one happened to be a lumberjack tag match which Flair and Carlito won. Too bad they didn't show this match instead of the upcoming Lumber Jill match with the Divas surrounding the ring.

Battling it out for the Women's Championship belt, the challenger Ashley comes out first in red and black vinyl. The Champion Melina makes her entrance to the ring wearing an awesome fur hoodie.

Right out of the gate, Melina is taken down to the canvas by Ashley. The champion is thrown out of the ring and then thrown back in by the lumberjills. Ashley is flung to the ropes and then throws Melina to the corner. The challenger holds her in place with a foot before Melina kicks up and knocks Ashley's leg out from under her.

Melina yanks back on Ashley with her boots pressed into the challenger's back. Melina winds up with a tiltawhirl slam and Ashley breaks it. Ashley sends Melina across the ring and goes for the Star Struck flying elbow. Melina rolls through after Ashley connects to retain the Women's Championship!

Once again, Melina thrown outside the ring and then back in by the Lumberjills. Allthe girls go at it in the ring for maximum titillation factor (which is hovering around a beyond Viagra-nil.) Melina clutches her jaw outside the ring as Ashley pouts in the middle of the ring. Yes, pouts. It's truly a gay moment in sports entertainment. Trinity raises Melina's hand outside in victory.

WINNER: Melina

This was a decent match, owing to the fact that it was quite brief. Thankfully, Melina retained her title and edged out Ashley, in spite of the Playboy covergirl's mammoth push. Melina managed to make Ashley look pretty good in there which was no easy feat. Thankfully, this was a quick one.

Finally, the last match of the night is ready to begin with John Cena defending his Heavyweight Championship belt against Shawn Michaels.

Shawn comes out to his DX music and thunderous applause from the crowd. HBK is looking awesome in full-on old-school ring gear in red and white with tons of dangling crosses. He throws out several crotch chops as the pyro creates a huge X behind him. Michaels smiles and shimmies his way down to the ring and is completely into it. He dives into the ring and does the Heartbreak Twirl before posing in the center of the ring. Oh, and apparently, Shawn shaved his chest for the big match.

Up next, the Champ John Cena makes his grand entrance. A Ford Mustang takes off from the street and speeds down the block, into the parking garage and bursting through a plate glass Wrestlemania 23 sign. John Cena's music cues up and Cena emerges from the car. Cena stands in the middle of the ring, hoisting his spinner belt high in the air. The crowd greets him with a mixture of cheers and boos.

Shawn waves to the crowd from the top of the ring post as Cena laughs. The match begins and Cena is slapped to the canvas and HBK celebrates with a crotch chop. Michaels has Cena in a side headlock and then twists his arm behind his back. Cena reverses it. Michaels goes above Cena's head and then hard chops him down to the canvas.

Cena looks dazed and confused getting to his feet. Michaels is heavily coated with man tan and looks eerily like Kurt Russell as Captain Ron.

Captain Michaels twists Cena's arm around before landing him in a side headlock and taking The Champ down to the canvas. Both men are on the mat before Cena fights to his feet. Shawn dodges a few blows before ultimately being taken down to the canvas again by Cena.

Cena is booed as he nails Michaels with a clothesline. Michaels tackles Cena to the mat and hammers away at him. From the outside, Shawn uses the ring ropes to his advantage before hip-tossing Cena to the concrete. Shawn deals out some knife-edged chops to Cena before hitting the insaguri kick. Michaels stands on the ring ropes and then launches himself backwards off of the second rope in a springboard moonsault and taking Cena backwards onto the announce table.

Cena writhes in pain outside the ring before Shawn throws him back in. HBK whacks Cena hard in the chest. Michaels takes out Cena's leg right at the knee joint, stomping the hell out of it. HBK brings Cena's leg over to the ring post and works over his knee some more. Michaels stomps away at it some more before sliding in and clobbering him in the back of the knee, taking Cena back down to the canvas and delivering a high, jumping knee to Cena below. Michaels winds back and cracks Cena across the face before tangling Cena in the ropes and further damaging his knee.

Cena tries to battle back and swings and misses at HBK. Michaels keeps hammering on Cena's injured knee. Cena finally nails HBK in the breadbasket, quelling the assault.

Cena finally comes back and takes Michaels to the canvas. Michaels is wearing the crimson mask as Cena lifts him high in the air, apparently, his knee in perfect shape despite the mad pummeling it took throughout the match.. The crowd is booing like madd whoa. The usual Cena artillery is whipped out. You Can't See Me. Five Knuckle Shuffle. Michaels starts to get to his feet. Cena picks him up ready to go for the FU but Michaels gets out of it. HBK channels Ric Flair and lands in the Tree of Woe but pops himself up out of it. Michaels comes down and he and Cena trade a flurry of blows. Michaels accidentally superkicks the referee with one that was meant for Cena, knocking the ref unconscious.

Michaels counters the FU with a DDT in an absolutely fluid and beautiful move. Michaels scoots back to the corner outside the ring and throws the steel ring steps around, dragging Cena to the outside. He picks up Cena for a piledriver on the steel steps and The Champ is laid out.

Back in the ring, Michaels drags Cena back in and climbs to the top rope, delivering a vicious move from the top rope. HBK tunes up the band in the corner but takes too long. Cena runs at Michaels and clotheslines him.

Michaels rolls Cena backwards for a cradle pin, but Cena claps Michaels in the side of the head with his feet and breaks the hold. Cena goes for the FU again on Cena and this time gets it. The crowd is booing. Cena hooks the leg and Michaels kicks out.

From the corner, Cena hammers at Michaels, picks him up and attempts another FU from the top rope. Michaels averts it and sends Cena back down to the canvas. Michaels climbs to the top rope and launches himself at Cena. He hits Cena at the mat. The two roll over and over again on the canvas.

Michaels boots Cena off of him as Cena goes for the STFU. Cena finally locks on his submission maneuver. Michaels makes a move towards the ropes and breaks the hold and then nails Cena with Sweet Chin Music. Both men are flat on the canvas. Michaels creeps over to Cena on the mat and swings an arm around him in an attempt at a pin. Cena gets the shoulder up. The ref is counting and makes it to a count of nine as the two men finally get to their feet. Cena picks up Michaels in an FU and Michaels averts it only to be put in the STFU.

Michaels taps like a Broadway revival of 42nd Street and John Cena is still the champ. Whoopedy doo.

WINNER: John Cena. Who else did you think would win?

At the match's emotional conclusion, Michaels heads to the back as Cena attempts to shake hands with him. HBK all but says "Handshake? Denied!" Cena celebrates in the ring amid a flurry of confetti.

While this was a very good Wrestlemania, the last match left a sour taste in my mouth. It's not that I don't like Cena, it's just that I'm sick of the uber-push. The way the match was being hyped, it seemed like Michaels could have made a legitimate contender for the belt. Plus, to tease Cena having an injured knee for most of the match and have him recover as if nothing ever happened was rather lame. (Pardon the pun.)

Overall, this was an above-the-boards Wrestlemania with only a few dead spots here and there. The obvious highlights were the MITB match and Undertaker's win over Batista, continuing his streak and capturing another title run. It was worth the $50 plunked down although some matches, I could have lived without. Good show.