WrestleMania XX: Difference between revisions
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'''WrestleMania XX''' was the |
'''WrestleMania XX''' was the nineteen [[WrestleMania]] [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] produced by [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE). It took place on March 14, 2004 at [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City|New York]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prowrestling.about.com/od/wrestlemania/p/wm20.htm|accessdate=2008-02-05|title=WrestleMania XX Results|last=Cohen|first=Eric|publisher=About.com (Professional Wrestling)}}</ref> It was a [[WWE Brand Extension|joint-promotion]] pay-per-view event, featuring performers from the [[WWE Raw|Raw]] and [[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown!]] brands. The event was the third WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden but the fourth to take place in the [[New York metropolitan area|New York]] [[metropolitan area]] (following [[WrestleMania (1985)|WrestleMania I]], [[WrestleMania 2]], and [[WrestleMania X]]).<ref name="WWEFacts"/> The celebrated return grossed more than [[United States dollar|$]]2.4 million in ticket sales, making the Pay-Per-View the highest grossing event ever for WWE at Madison Square Garden.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2004/2004_03_14.2.jsp|title=WrestleMania XX Sets Record As Highest Grossing Event For World Wrestling Entertainment at Madison Square Garden|publisher=WWE Corporate|date=2004-03-14|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref> A sold-out Madison Square Garden was filled with more than 20,000 people from 16 countries, 48 [[U.S. state|states]]. Fans from more than 90 countries watched the televised event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2004/2004_03_14.1.jsp|title=More Than 20,000 Attend WrestleMania XX As World Wrestling Entertainment Triumphantly Returns To Madison Square Garden|publisher=WWE Corporate|date=2004-03-14|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref> |
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The card for the event featured two [[Card (sports)#Main event|main events]]. The main match for the Raw brand was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Triple Threat match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] between Champion [[Triple H]], [[Shawn Michaels]] and [[Chris Benoit]]. Benoit won the match, performing the [[Professional wrestling holds#Crossface|Crippler Crossface]], making Triple H submit.<ref name="WrestleMania XX Main Event">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/mainevent|title=Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H - World Heavyweight Championship|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref> The main match for the SmackDown! brand featured [[Eddie Guerrero]] versus [[Kurt Angle]] for the [[WWE Championship]] which Guerrero won after a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Small package|Small package]]. The event also featured the return of [[The Undertaker]], who defeated [[Glenn Jacobs|Kane]] after a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone Piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]].<ref name="SLAM! Report">{{cite web|first=John| last=Powell|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/03/15/382634.html|title=WrestleMania XX bombs|publisher=SLAM! Sports|date=2004-03-15|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref><ref name="WrestleMania XX Undercard">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results|title=WrestleMania XX Results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref><ref name="WrestleMania XX Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/wrestlemania20.html|title=WrestleMania XX Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-26}}</ref> |
The card for the event featured two [[Card (sports)#Main event|main events]]. The main match for the Raw brand was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Triple Threat match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] between Champion [[Triple H]], [[Shawn Michaels]] and [[Chris Benoit]]. Benoit won the match, performing the [[Professional wrestling holds#Crossface|Crippler Crossface]], making Triple H submit.<ref name="WrestleMania XX Main Event">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/mainevent|title=Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H - World Heavyweight Championship|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref> The main match for the SmackDown! brand featured [[Eddie Guerrero]] versus [[Kurt Angle]] for the [[WWE Championship]] which Guerrero won after a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Small package|Small package]]. The event also featured the return of [[The Undertaker]], who defeated [[Glenn Jacobs|Kane]] after a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone Piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]].<ref name="SLAM! Report">{{cite web|first=John| last=Powell|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/03/15/382634.html|title=WrestleMania XX bombs|publisher=SLAM! Sports|date=2004-03-15|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref><ref name="WrestleMania XX Undercard">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results|title=WrestleMania XX Results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref><ref name="WrestleMania XX Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/wrestlemania20.html|title=WrestleMania XX Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-26}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 15:32, 6 March 2009
| WrestleMania XX | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Promotion | World Wrestling Entertainment | ||
| Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown! | ||
| Date | March 14, 2004 | ||
| City | New York, New York | ||
| Venue | Madison Square Garden | ||
| Attendance | 20,000 | ||
| Tagline(s) | Where it all Begins... Again | ||
| Pay-per-view chronology | |||
| |||
| WrestleMania chronology | |||
| |||
WrestleMania XX was the nineteen WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on March 14, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York.[3] It was a joint-promotion pay-per-view event, featuring performers from the Raw and SmackDown! brands. The event was the third WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden but the fourth to take place in the New York metropolitan area (following WrestleMania I, WrestleMania 2, and WrestleMania X).[4] The celebrated return grossed more than $2.4 million in ticket sales, making the Pay-Per-View the highest grossing event ever for WWE at Madison Square Garden.[5] A sold-out Madison Square Garden was filled with more than 20,000 people from 16 countries, 48 states. Fans from more than 90 countries watched the televised event.[6]
The card for the event featured two main events. The main match for the Raw brand was a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship between Champion Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit. Benoit won the match, performing the Crippler Crossface, making Triple H submit.[7] The main match for the SmackDown! brand featured Eddie Guerrero versus Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship which Guerrero won after a Small package. The event also featured the return of The Undertaker, who defeated Kane after a Tombstone Piledriver.[8][9][10]
Background
The main feud heading into the pay-per-view was on the Raw brand, with Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit feuding over the World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H was the champion heading into the event. At the Royal Rumble event two months earlier, Triple H and Michaels faced each other with the World Heavyweight Championship up for grabs in a Last Man Standing match. The match ended in a draw after neither superstar answered a ten-count when Michaels performed the Superkick. As a result, Triple H retained the title.[11] Also at the pay-per-view, in the actual Royal Rumble match, SmackDown!'s Benoit won the contest, eliminating The Big Show last.[12] The following night, on the January 26 edition of Raw, Michaels and Triple H were involved in a in-ring promo when Raw's Sheriff, Stone Cold Steve Austin made his way to the ring. He stated that, although Michaels should have a rematch, he had to "enforce the law". He stated that, in the rules it specifies that the winner of the Royal Rumble may face either the WWE Champion or World Heavyweight Champion. The winner of the Royal Rumble, Benoit made his way to the ring, and stated that he would be challenging the World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania XX.[13][14] On the February 2 edition of Raw, Benoit was booked to play in his first contest on the brand, defeating Mark Henry, making him submit to the Crippler Crossface in front of Triple H, who attempted to distract Benoit.[15] Both Triple H and Michaels were also in singles action later in night, defeating Spike Dudley and Randy Orton respectively. After the Michaels versus Orton bout, Triple H attempted to attack Michaels, but Benoit chased Triple H away. Benoit and Michaels then proceeded to shake hands.[16] The following week on Raw, after Benoit defeated Ric Flair, a contract signing for the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XX took place. Triple H signed the contract for the match, but just as Benoit was about to sign the contract to confirm the match, Michaels made his way to the ring. Michaels stated that he wanted to finish his long-running feud with Triple H at Madison Square Garden. As Benoit was about to state that it was not going to happen, Michaels cut him off by Superkicking him. Michaels then proceeded to sign the contract.[17] On the February 16 edition of Raw, Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff suggested that Triple H should defend his championship against either Michaels and Benoit on that night, but Triple H rejected the proposal. Benoit, however, made his way to the ring, and put Triple H in the Crossface submission maneuver. As a result of Triple H rejecting the proposal, Bischoff booked a match between Michaels and Benoit for the main event. Benoit looked set to win, but Triple H distracted him, allowing Michaels to perform the Superkick on Benoit. Triple H began to celebrate with Michaels, but instead performed the Pedigree on Michaels. Moments later, Austin came to ringside, and announced that Triple H would defend the title against both Michaels and Benoit at WrestleMania in a Triple Threat match.[18]
The main feud on the SmackDown! brand was between Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship. In the beginning of 2004, Angle and Guerrero were allies. Angle then won a Triple Threat Match that also included John Cena and The Big Show at No Way Out for a shot at the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. That same night, however, Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship. Angle then attacked Guerrero on the following edition of Smackdown!. Angle called Guerrero a disgrace to the title, allowing him to draw heel heat for the match.
Event
The event began with the Boys Choir of Harlem singing "America the Beautiful".[8][19] The first match that aired was a singles match between The Big Show and John Cena for the WWE United States Championship. Cena then grabbed his signature chain and attacked Big Show with it, however the referee saw Cena and confiscated the chain. With the referee securing the chain with his back turned, Cena hit Big Show with hidden brass knuckles and executed his signature FU maneuver. Cena then immediately pinned The Big Show to win the match and the United States Championship.[8][19][20] This match was the first time that the United States Championship had been defended at a WrestleMania.
The next match was a Fatal Four-Way tag match between Rob Van Dam and Booker T, Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak, The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) and La Résistance (René Duprée and Rob Conway) for the World Tag Team Championship. The match ended when Conway was pinned by Van Dam after Booker T used his Scissor kick maneuver on Conway, which was then followed by Van Dam's Five-Star Frog Splash. Booker T and Rob Van Dam retained the titles as a result.[8][19][20]
The third match was between Christian and Chris Jericho. Christian won the match after Trish Stratus hit Jericho on the face with her elbow.[8][19][20] Next up was a Handicap match featuring Evolution (Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair) and The Rock 'n' Sock Connection (The Rock and Mick Foley). Evolution won the match when Orton pinned Foley after successfully executing an RKO.[8][19][20]
"Mean" Gene Okerlund then introduced the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2004. This was followed by a Playboy Evening Gown Match featuring Torrie Wilson and Sable against Stacy Keibler and Miss Jackie. Wilson pinned Jackie for the win. The next match was a Cruiserweight Open for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. Cruiserweight competitors stood outside the ring, while two competitors wrestled in the ring. As one wrestler lost, another one entered. Último Dragón pinned Shannon Moore, but is then pinned by Jamie Noble. The next elimination was Funaki, who was pinned by Noble. Nunzio was then eliminated by count out when he was unable to return to the ring after performing a dive through the ropes onto Noble. Billy Kidman then entered the match, pinning and eliminating Noble. Kidman was then pinned and eliminated by Rey Mysterio. Tajiri was the next entrant, but is pinned by Mysterio. Akio was the next scheduled entrant but was unable to compete due too being inadvertently attacked by Tajiri when Mysterio ducked. The Cruiserweight Champion, Chavo Guerrero was the final entrant and pinned Mysterio to win with the assistance of his father Chavo Guerrero, Sr., thus retaining the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.[8][19][20]
The seventh match featured Brock Lesnar and Goldberg with special guest referee, Steve Austin. The beginning of the match began with both men staring each other down, drawing large heat from the fans throughout the match; it became known a few days before the event that both men were leaving the company shortly thereafter. Goldberg then successfully took Lesnar down with a Spear, that would only draw a two count after a pin attempt. Lesnar then executed the F-5 maneuver on Goldberg, but also resulted in a two-count pin attempt. Afterwards, Lesnar missed an attempt to knock Goldberg down, allowing Goldberg to execute another spear and a successful Jackhammer maneuver that led to a three count for Goldberg, thus winning the match. After the match, Steve Austin executed a Stone Cold Stunner on both competitors to the crowd's delight and celebrated with beer in the ring.[8][19][20]
The eight match was the encounter of Victoria and Molly Holly for the WWE Women's Championship, where Holly would have to be shaved bald if she lost. Victoria would counter a Widow's peak maneuver attempt by Holly into a Backslide pin, drawing a three count, thus winning the match and retaining the WWE Women's Championship. Holly tried running towards the backstage area to escape the match's stipulation, but was eventually stopped by Victoria who would knock her out and place her onto the barber's chair, shaving her bald.[8][19][20][4]
The next match featured Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle over the WWE Championship. Guerrero used a DDT and Frog Splash maneuver on Angle that would result in a two-count pin attempt. Angle then secured Guerrero with an Ankle lock hold. However, Guerrero escaped the hold by rolling through it and throwing Angle out of the ring. As Angle was outside, Guerrero loosened his ring boot to relieve the pain. As Angle returned to the ring, he applied another Ankle lock on Guerrero that would end up being unsuccessful with Guerrero escaping the hold by pushing Angle off with his other foot leaving Angle holding the Guerrero's loosened ring boot. With Angle confused, Guerrero executed a Roll-up pin maneuver leading to a successful pinfall, thus winning the match and retaining the WWE Championship.[8][19][20]
The tenth match of the event was the encounter of The Undertaker and Kane, which would be Undertaker's first match since he was buried alive at Survivor Series 2003. The Undertaker made his return under his "Deadman" gimmick, as he was accompanied to the ring by Paul Bearer. The two wrestlers brawled in the beginning of the match, until Kane used a Chokeslam maneuver on Undertaker, which caused no effect as Undertaker sat up immediately afterwards. The Undertaker then retaliated by Chokeslamming Kane and executing a Tombstone piledriver into a successful pinfall, thus winning the match and remaining undefeated at WrestleMania with a 12-0 record.[8][19][20]
The main event was a Triple threat match over the World Heavyweight Championship between Triple H, Chris Benoit, and Shawn Michaels. This was the seventh title defense of the night, the most in WrestleMania history. Benoit gained control over Michaels when he applied the Crossface hold. As Michaels was about to submit, Triple H would save the match. Triple H and Michaels teamed up to suplex Benoit through the announcer's table. Michaels then attempted to hit Benoit with a Sweet Chin Music maneuver, but Benoit countered it, throwing Michaels out of the ring. As this occurred, Triple H attempted to Pedigree Benoit. Benoit, however, countered it and held Triple H with Crossface hold that would force Triple H to submit. As a result, Benoit won the match and the World Heavyweight Championship.[8][19][20][7]
Aftermath
| Other on-screen talent | |
|---|---|
| Role: | Name: |
| Commentator | Jim Ross[21] |
| Jerry Lawler[21] | |
| Michael Cole[21] | |
| Tazz[21] | |
| Carlos Cabrera (Spanish)[21] | |
| Hugo Savinovich (Spanish)[21] | |
| Referee | Chad Patton[21] |
| Mike Chioda[21] | |
| Jim Korderas[21] | |
| Nick Patrick[21] | |
| Charles Robinson[21] | |
| Brian Hebner[21] | |
| Earl Hebner[21] | |
| Tim White[21] | |
| Ring announcer | Howard Finkel[21] |
| Tony Chimel[21] | |
Despite a huge effort from WWE to promote the Brock Lesnar versus Goldberg contest, some critics expressed disappointment with the match, with many in Madison Square Garden booing both competitors and only cheering for Steve Austin because of the fact that both participants were set to leave the WWE after the event.[8][22]
At Backlash, the original main event match was between Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels for the World Heavyweight Championship.[23] Though, on the March 29 edition of Raw, after being traded to SmackDown![23] and brought back to Raw,[24] Triple H demanded that the intended match at Backlash be changed to Benoit and Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship.[25] Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff liked the idea of the match, but concluded with adding that he made a promise to Michaels for granting him a World title match at Backlash;[23] instead Bischoff booked a Triple Threat match between Benoit, Michaels and Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship.[25] At Backlash, Benoit retained the World title, after he forced Michaels to submit to the Sharpshooter.[26]
The feud between Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero continued. On the March 25 edition of SmackDown!, Angle was made the on-screen General Manager of SmackDown!,[27] as part to the storyline of Angle's legitimate neck problems.[28] This angle would also play on the April 15 edition of SmackDown!, when he attributed injuries suffered after The Big Show chokeslammed Angle off a ledge.[29] In reality Angle announced that he would be having neck surgery in May and would be out of action until August.[30] At The Great American Bash, Angle cost Guerrero the WWE title in a Texas Bull Rope match against John "Bradshaw" Layfield, after Angle reversed the outcome of the match when Guerrero appeared to have retained the title.[31] In the same month, Angle's position as General Manager of SmackDown! came to an end when he was fired by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, after McMahon had exposed that Angle was not really injured.[32] At SummerSlam, Angle and Guerrero were booked in a match, in which it saw Angle defeat Guerrero after he forced Guerrero to submit to the Ankle lock.[33]
Results
References
- ^ "Miscellaneous Wrestling Information". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
- ^ "Wrestling Music". Wrestling World. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
- ^ Cohen, Eric. "WrestleMania XX Results". About.com (Professional Wrestling). Retrieved 2008-02-05.
- ^ a b "WWE WrestleMania XX Facts". WWE. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
- ^ "WrestleMania XX Sets Record As Highest Grossing Event For World Wrestling Entertainment at Madison Square Garden". WWE Corporate. 2004-03-14. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ "More Than 20,000 Attend WrestleMania XX As World Wrestling Entertainment Triumphantly Returns To Madison Square Garden". WWE Corporate. 2004-03-14. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ a b "Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H - World Heavyweight Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Powell, John (2004-03-15). "WrestleMania XX bombs". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "WrestleMania XX Results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "WrestleMania XX Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- ^ Powell, John (2004-01-26). "Benoit wins the 'Rumble'". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ "Chris Benoit (spot No. 1) wins the Royal Rumble Match". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ Tylwalk, Nick (2004-01-27). "Raw: Mrs. Foley's little boy is back". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ "Raw Results - January 26, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ Tylwalk, Nick (2004-02-03). "Raw: Benoit and Michaels align". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ "Raw Results - February 2, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ "Raw Results - February 9, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ "Raw Results - February 16, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Pankonin, John (2004-03-14). "WrestleMania XX Report". 411 Mania. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "WrestleMania XX results". Gerweck. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "WrestleMania XX Results". Hoff Co, Inc. (Complete WWE.Com). Retrieved 2008-02-05.
- ^ Tito, Mr. (2004-03-15). "The Wrath of Tito - Wrestlemania 20 Review and Grade". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ a b c "Raw results - March 22, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
- ^ "Online World of Wrestling Profiles - Triple H". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
- ^ a b "Raw results - March 29, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
- ^ Powell, John (2004-04-19). "Feature bouts save Backlash". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
- ^ "SmackDown! results - March 25, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
- ^ Gray, Richard. "Further details on Kurt Angle's injury; Condition very serious". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
- ^ "SmackDown! results - April 15, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "Online World of Wrestling Profiles - Kurt Angle". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "The Great American Bash 2004 review". hoffco-inc.com. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "SmackDown! results - July 22, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ Clevett, Jason (2004-08-16). "Orton-Benoit, Guerrero-Angle save SummerSlam". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2008-02-11.