Era-Zona: Wrestlemania 24 Recap

Better late than never. That's a phrase majorly used as of late. But nothing compares to seeing some of the greatest superstars in history start and end the biggest pay per view of the year explosively. On Sunday night, we saw the dawning of a new era and the end of a legendary era. Here is the true recap of a Wrestlemania 24 that left even me in tears.

JBL Defeats Finlay (Belfast Brawl)

After nearly a month of torture, the time had finally arrived for Finlay to exact revenge on the man that put his son in the hospital. But the Irishman didn't show up alone. That's right folks! Hornswoggle returned at Wrestlemania with an extra spring in his step. The match started outside with Layfield and Finlay beating the holy hell out of each other and grabbing anything that wasn't nailed down to use on each other.

As JBL reached for Finlay's trustee Irish stick, Hornswoggle jumped in and nailed him with a kendo stick which had little effect on Layfield's determination. But it was enough to take his attention away from his opponent. After going ballistic on the self proclaimed "Wrestling God," Finlay then reached for the steel steps. As he walked towards JBL, Layfield whacked him with a kendo stick to the ankle. JBL jumped up and nailed the Irishman with the Clothesline from Hell to secure the pinfall victory in Finlay's patented match. 

CM Punk Becomes 2008 Money in the Bank Winner

It may have one superstar short, but the Money in the Bank Ladder Match was nothing short of phenomenal. All seven superstars filled the void left by Jeff Hardy's untimely departure, and even Shelton Benjamin played the role of Edge this year as he was thrown off the ladder into an awaiting ladder outside the ring. MVP looked to claim victory as six superstars were left prone around the ring. But just when it looked Porter's first dance would be golden, a surprise return left him down for the count. Matt Hardy returned from injury and delivered a 20 foot high Twist of Fate on the man that put him on the shelf with a knee injury.

This left Mr. Kennedy, Chris Jericho, Carlito, and John Morrison to battle at the top for the briefcase. Unfortunately, all four men beat each other so bad that they all fell to the bottom and never completely recovered. Jericho started to scale the ladder, but so did Punk. The two battled back and forth at the top of the ladder, but Jericho's leg slipped and he wound up being stuck between a rung of the ladder.

This left Punk all alone at the top to retrieve the briefcase and make up for the loss in last year's MITB match. Once again, ECW owned the briefcase that guarantees success and a shot at any World Championship over the next 12 months. The Era of Punk begins on a high note as he is now Mr. Money in the Bank.

Smackdown vs. RAW: Batista defeats Umaga

The hyped up match between the Animal and the Bulldozer was exactly what we all expected: Explosive! The two battled back and forth from the opening bell, and Umaga had the upper hand for the duration of the match. There were those who thought this match could have been more entertaining, and apparently, someone was listening. Umaga attempted a Samoan Spike but was blocked by Batista and received a Spinebuster instead.

This led to the Batista Bomb that could have easily rocked the foundation of the Citrus Bowl. The raw power and strength of Batista was imminent when he picked up the massive Samoan, drove him into the ground, and fell down himself. The Animal picked up the victory and Smackdown picked up the bragging rights. This victory will most likely set up another showdown between Batista and the World Champion.

Kane defeats Chavo Guerrero to become ECW Champion

Earlier in the evening, before all the festivities, there was a 24 man Battle Royal to determine the No. 1 Contender for Chavo's ECW Title. Kane survived the wrath of Mark Henry and went on to attempt to claim his second World Championship reign in his career. As Chavo paraded around in the ring with his Warrior smock draped around him, the fire rose to the top of the Citrus Bowl, Chavo started trash talking his opponent before he even started walking towards the ring.

The problem: Kane wasn't coming down the ring from the entrance; He came from in the crowd! Chavo had no idea what was waiting for him in the ring because he was still trash talking the entrance music. Even the referee was trying to let the champion know who was standing behind him. And just like a thief in the night, Kane wrapped his massive hands around the throat of Guerrero and chokeslammed him for the quick win. In record time, Kane ended Chavito Heat's reign over the ECW Jungle, and became the new King of Extreme.

Randy Orton defeats John Cena and Triple H to retain WWE Championship

It was one of the most anticipated matches on the card Sunday night, and it didn't fail to disappoint anyone. This match was mainly about two men who were either injured and didn't make the show (Triple H) or injured by one of the men in the show (Cena). But the truth is this match was about a Wrestlemania rematch between the Game and the Doctor of Thuganomics. Orton did make his presence felt on multiple occasions, but in the end, it was all about Cena and Triple H battling it out.

Cena applied the STFU to both of his opponents, but both persevered and survived without tapping out to the submission manuever. Orton nailed the RKO on both Cena and Triple H but was unable to pick up the victory on either individual. The Game applied a modified Indian Death Lock on the Legend Killer, but Orton refused to tap out. So Triple H turned his attention to Cena and landed the Pedigree on him. Just when it looked like he was about to become a 12-time Champion, Orton punted Triple H in the head and stole the win from his two contenders. Orton proved that his "One Man Dynasty" will indeed continue at least until Backlash.

Floyd "Money" Mayweather defeats the Big Show

The worries over Mayweather accepting the challenge of the almost 500-pounder was put to rest as the two finally competed against each other at Wrestlemania. Mayweather used his speed to keep the Giant at bay, but the Show used his power to knock around the WBC Welterweight Champion. The entourage had finally seen enough as they pulled Money out of the ring and started to escort him to the back. Unfortunately, Big Show was not done with the boxer as he brought him back to the ring to finish the job he started.

But the entourage came back into the ring and smacked him with a chair. One of the members got knocked out for his troubles, but Mayweather capitalized on the distraction and proceeded to go straight up Home Run Derby on the World's Largest Athlete. Mayweather then yanked a gold chain from his fallen comrade's neck, wrapped it around his fist and cold cocked the Big Show in the jaw. The World's Largest Athlete couldn't recover quick enough and was defeated via knockout by the World's Greatest Boxer. Money Mayweather defeated the Big Show on the Grandest Stage of them All, and Big Show was left with a massive bruise on his jaw and a splitting headache. 

Undertaker defeats Edge to become New World Heavyweight Champion

It was the second straight year that the Phenom would be competing in the main event at Wrestlemania. And it was the second straight year that it would be his streak against the gold. But the Rated R Superstar has the advantage over the Deadman due in large part because The Undertaker has never defeated Edge. There were those who believed that this would be the last ride of the Phenom, but someone forgot to tell that to the Undertaker. Taker went ballistic at every turn and so did Edge.

The Ultimate Opportunist took every chance he could to take out the Undertaker, and almost pulled it off. During the match, Edge countered almost everything that the Deadman threw at him. In the process, Edge fell victim to a chokeslam, Last Ride, and Tombstone Piledriver. But somehow, Edge didn't succumb to the devastating moves. With the referree knocked out by a big boot from Undertaker, Zack Ryder and Cody Hawkins ran down to the ring to attempt to assist their boss. The only thing they got for their troubles was a chokeslam from the Deadman. But they did provide enough of a distraction to allow Edge to deliver a Spear on the Phenom.

One...the streak...Two...is...KICK OUT!...not over! Edge set up for another Spear and delivered it with the same amount of force as the previous one, but what happened next he didn't see coming. Undertaker applied his devasting chokehold which is being known as the "Rest In Peace" Death Choke. Edge held on as long as he could, but in the end, just like everyone else who has felt this maneuver, the Rated R Superstar had no choice but to tap out. The Undertaker improved his impressive Wrestlemania streak to 16-0, a mark that even Tom Brady and the '72 Dolphins can be impressed with and jealous at the same time.

Shawn Michaels defeats Ric Flair to retire the Nature Boy

On Saturday night, Triple H got the honor of inducting the 16-Time World Champion into the WWE Hall of Fame. On Sunday night, Shawn Michaels got the honor of putting him on the shelf. For 36 years, the Nature Boy has styled and profiled in WCW and WWE. This is arguably the most emotional section of any column I have ever written.

After shedding tears when Brett Favre decided to retire, I found myself around a group of guys watching the hardest match of the night. The battle between Naitch and HBK was all it was expected to be. Flair landed the Figure Four Leglock twice, and Michaels landed his modified Figure Four at least once. But was the highlight of the match was the ability of Flair to kick out of not one, not two, but three Superkicks. But it was the fourth one that was indeed the worst of all for everyone involved.

Shawn mouthed the words "I'm Sorry." before he landed the four Sweet Chin Music and scored the pinfall victory that left HBK not even wanting to be seen. After the match, Flair regained his composure and stood alone in the ring as almost 80,000 fans rose to their feet in the Citrus Bowl to deliver the world's loudest standing ovation as chants of "Thank you Naitch" rang throughout the Stadium.

Even in a bar in Colorado, the 500 fans who came to watch this year's Wrestlemania rose to their feet, raised their glasses, and shed a good Niagra Falls worth of tears for the Nature Boy. So on behalf of all of us at the Bleacher Report, I like to say thank you, Ric Flair. Thank you for 36 years of being the stylin', profilin', jet flying, limosine riding, kiss stealing, wheelin' dealin, imitator tapping, chest slappin, son of a gun! You will be missed! Thanks for the memories!

That's the recap and rundown of this year's Showcase of the Immortals. I hope I did it justice because nothing is worse than watching your last Wrestlemania in a place you called home and not knowing that tears would be shed when it was over.