WrestleMania XX

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WrestleMania XX
Details
Promotion	World Wrestling Entertainment
Brand (s)	Raw SmackDown!
Date	March 14, 2004
Venue	Madison Square Garden
City	New York, New York
Attendance	20,000
Pay-per-view chronology
No Way Out (2004)	WrestleMania XX	Backlash (2004)
WrestleMania chronology
WrestleMania XIX	WrestleMania XX	WrestleMania 21

WrestleMania XX was the twentieth 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.^[1] It was a joint-promotion pay-per-view event, featuring performers from the Raw and SmackDown! brands. The tagline for WrestleMania XX was "Where it all Begins... Again". The official theme song for the event was "Step Up" by Drowning Pool.^[2] The secondary theme song was "Touché" by Godsmack.^[3] 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 returning Undertaker defeating Kane after a Tombstone Piledriver.^[8][9][10]

Contents 1 Report 1.1 Background 1.2 Event 1.3 Aftermath 2 Results 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Report

[edit] 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 is 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]

[edit] 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. In the beginning of the match Cena scoop slammed The Big Show twice. 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. Ultimo Dragon 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 Crusierweight 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. 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. However, Benoit also 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]}

[edit] 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]
	Tom Prichard[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 legit 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 heaving 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]

[edit] Results

Numbers in parentheses indicate the length of the match.

• John Cena defeated The Big Show to win the WWE United States Championship (9:14)^[8][9][10]
  • Cena pinned Big Show after hitting him with brass knuckles followed by a FU.
• Rob Van Dam and Booker T defeated Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak, The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) and La Résistance (René Duprée and Rob Conway) in a Fatal Four-Way match to retain the World Tag Team Championship (7:51)^[8][9][10]
  • RVD pinned Conway after a Scissors Kick from Booker followed by a Five-Star Frog Splash.
• Christian defeated Chris Jericho (14:52)^[8][9][10]
  • Christian pinned Jericho with a roll-up after Trish Stratus elbowed Jericho in the face.
  • Tim White returned to referee this match after his injury at Judgment Day 2002.
• Evolution (Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair) defeated The Rock 'n' Sock Connection (The Rock and Mick Foley) in a Handicap match (17:03)^[8][9][10]
  • Orton pinned Foley after an RKO.
• "Mean" Gene Okerlund introduced the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2004:
  • Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Tito Santana, John "Big John Studd" Minton, Harley Race, Pete Rose, Don Muraco, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Sylvester "Junkyard Dog" Ritter, "Superstar" Billy Graham, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and Sgt. Slaughter.^[8][9][10]
• Torrie Wilson and Sable defeated Stacy Keibler and Miss Jackie in a Playboy Evening Gown Match (2:33)^[8][9][10]
  • Wilson pinned Jackie.
• Chavo Guerrero won a Cruiserweight Open to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship (10:28)^[8][9][10]
  • Último Dragón pinned Shannon Moore after a Dragon DDT (1:18)
  • Jamie Noble forced Dragon to submit with the Paydirt (2:14)
  • Noble pinned Funaki with a Small package (2:23)
  • Noble defeated Nunzio by countout (4:21)
  • Billy Kidman pinned Noble after a top rope BK Bomb (6:06)
  • Rey Mysterio pinned Kidman after nailing a leg trap sunset flip powerbomb off the ropes (7:22)
  • Mysterio pinned Tajiri with a roll-up. (8:37)
  • Mysterio defeated Akio by forfeit. (8:37)
  • Chavo Guerrero pinned Mysterio with interference from Chavo Guerrero, Sr. (10:28)
• Goldberg defeated Brock Lesnar (w/Steve Austin as special guest referee) (13:42)^[8][9][10]
  • Goldberg pinned Lesnar after a Spear and Jackhammer.
  • After the match, both men received Stone Cold Stunners from Austin.
• Vince McMahon walked out to the stage and expressed his gratitude to the fans for the last twenty WrestleManias on behalf of his family and World Wrestling Entertainment.^[8][9][10]
• Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty defeated The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin), The Basham Brothers (Danny and Doug) and The APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq) in a Fatal Four-Way match to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship (6:01)^[8][9][10]
  • Rikishi pinned Danny after a Banzai Drop.
• Jesse Ventura conducted a short interview with Donald Trump, who was in attendance.^[8][9][10]
• Victoria defeated Molly Holly in a Hair vs. Title match to retain the WWE Women's Championship (4:53)^[8][9][10]
  • Victoria pinned Molly when she countered Molly's Widow's Peak attempt into a Backslide Pin.
  • Due to losing the match, Molly's hair was shaved off as stipulation.
• Eddie Guerrero defeated Kurt Angle to retain the WWE Championship (21:32)^[8][9][10]
  • Eddie pinned Angle with a Small package while using the ropes as leverage.
  • During the match Eddie slipped his boot off and used it as a distraction.
• The Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) defeated Kane (7:45)^[8][9][10]
  • Undertaker pinned Kane after a Tombstone Piledriver.
  • Undertaker returned in his "Dead man" persona.
  • Undertaker came out with druids surrounding him.
• Chris Benoit defeated Triple H (c) and Shawn Michaels in a Triple Threat match to win the World Heavyweight Championship (24:47)^[8][9][10]
  • Benoit forced Triple H to submit with the Crippler Crossface.
  • After the match Eddie Guerrero celebrated with Benoit in the ring to close the show.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The Official Website of WrestleMania XX