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WrestleMania 21 was the twenty-first annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. It took place on April 3 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The event was the first WrestleMania at the Staples Center, but the fifth to take place in the Southern California metropolitan area (following WrestleMania 2, WrestleMania VII, WrestleMania XII and WrestleMania 2000). WWE claimed that tickets were sold out in less than one minute for this event, which would be a record for the fastest selling WrestleMania and WWE event ever and the fastest ticket sell-out in the Staples Center's history. The event drew a Staples Center record attendance of 20,193 people from 14 countries and 48 states and grossed more than $2.1 million in ticket sales, making it the highest grossing WWE event ever at the Staples Center, and the highest grossing of the five WrestleManias held in California. In addition to those in attendance, WrestleMania 21 was seen by millions of fans in more than 90 countries.
WrestleMania 21 was a joint-promotion PPV event, featuring wrestlers from both the RAW and SmackDown! brands. The tagline for WrestleMania 21 was WrestleMania Goes Hollywood. The theme song for WrestleMania 21 was "Bigtime" by The Soundtrack of Our Lives. The finishing recap video was played to "Behind Those Eyes" by 3 Doors Down.
The commentators for RAW were Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler. The commentators for SmackDown! were Michael Cole and Tazz. The Spanish commentators were Carlos Cabrera and Hugo Savinovich. Howard Finkel did the ring annoucing for the RAW bouts and Tony Chimel did the same for the SmackDown! matches.
Match results
- DVD release: 30-man interpromotional battle royal
- From the RAW brand: Simon Dean, William Regal, Tajiri, Rob Conway, Sylvain Grenier, Gene Snitsky, The Hurricane, Rosey, Chris Masters, Viscera, Rhyno, Val Venis, Tyson Tomko and Maven
- From the SmackDown! brand: Booker T, Paul London, Heidenreich, Spike Dudley, Nunzio, Funaki, Doug Basham, Danny Basham, Orlando Jordan, Mark Jindrak, Luther Reigns, Scotty 2 Hotty, Hardcore Holly, Charlie Haas and Akio
- Held prior to the live pay-per-view broadcast, this battle royal was filmed for the WrestleMania 21 DVD release, an overseas WWE promotional DVD (For the Daily Star Newspaper in the UK), and for the paying crowd. Booker T won the 30-man interpromotional battle royal.
- Both men were one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions at the time of this match. This was the first time in the history of WrestleMania that members of the tag team championship fought each other. Mysterio defeated Guerrero with a Huricannrana pin.
- Backstage, WWE Champion JBL, United States Champion Orlando Jordan, and the Basham Brothers have a heated confrontation with World Heavyweight Champion Triple H and Ric Flair.
- Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Chris Jericho vs. Edge vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Benoit vs. Christian (w/Tyson Tomko) vs. Kane (15:10)
- The victor of the match earned himself a contract to wrestle for the World Heavyweight Championship anytime within the next twelve months, up to and including WrestleMania 22 (however, due to the switching of brand champions at the 2005 Draft Lottery the contract was changed to a WWE Championship match). Edge gained the victory by knocking Benoit off the ladder with a steel chair shot to the left arm and shoulder, and climbing up to grab the briefcase.
- Eugene entered the ring to talk about his memories of WrestleMania. Muhammad Hassan entered afterward and complained about how he was excluded from WrestleMania 21. He attacked Eugene and gave him the camel clutch to create his own "WrestleMania moment". Hulk Hogan entered and interrupted their attack, clearing the ring. He then posed for the crowd.
- Interpromotional match: The Undertaker (SmackDown!) vs. Randy Orton (RAW) (14:06)
- The Undertaker defeated Orton with a Tombstone Piledriver, even after the interference of "Cowboy" Bob Orton, earning him his thirteenth consecutive WrestleMania victory and increasing his undefeated streak to 13-0.
- For the WWE Women's Championship: Trish Stratus (c) vs. Christy Hemme (w/Lita) (4:40)
- Trish Stratus retained her championship against Christy Hemme after a Chick Kick.
- Interpromotional match: Shawn Michaels (RAW) vs. Kurt Angle (SmackDown!) (27:16)
- Kurt Angle defeated Shawn Michaels by submission with the Ankle Lock.
- After the match, Shawn Michaels was given a standing ovation, but some fans chanted "You tapped out!"
- The awards for the best female and best punchline in the WrestleMania 21 trailers went to Basic Instinct with Stacy Keibler, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Christian, The Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young.
- '''Piper's Pit, with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper: Stone Cold Steve Austin
- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper interviewed Stone Cold Steve Austin in his infamous Piper's Pit segment. They slapped each other at the beginning of the interview, and Piper had fun with the audience's "What?!" chants. Later, Carlito Caribbean Cool interrupted and insulted them, resulting in Piper eating Carlito's apple and spitting it in his face, and Austin attacking Carlito with a Stone Cold Stunner, and throwing him out of the ring. Austin and Piper celebrated with Austin's trademark beer party, then Austin gave Piper the Stone Cold Stunner.
- The award for best overall WrestleMania 21 trailer went to Taxi Driver featuring (in order): Heidenreich, Batista, Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Shelton Benjamin, Doug Basham, Danny Basham, The Big Show, Candice Michelle, Carlito Caribbean Cool, Tajiri, Orlando Jordan, Joy Giovanni, Gene Snitsky, Paul London, Tazz, Chavo Guerrero, Hardcore Holly, Molly Holly, and Michael Cole.
- Sumo Match: The Big Show vs. Akebono (3:00)
- Akebono defeated The Big Show by ringout.
- For the WWE Championship: John "Bradshaw" Layfield (c) vs. John Cena (SmackDown! Main Event) (12:16)
- Cena defeated JBL with an F-U to become the new WWE Champion.
- WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2005
- WWE honored the 2005 inductees of the WWE Hall of Fame: Jimmy Hart, Paul Orndorff, The Iron Sheik, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Nikolai Volkoff, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and Hulk Hogan.
- For the World Heavyweight Championship: Triple H (w/Ric Flair) (c) vs. Batista (RAW Main Event) (21:31)
- Triple H came out to a live performance of his theme tune by Motörhead. 2005 Royal Rumble winner Batista defeated Triple H with a Batista Bomb to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. This was Triple H's fourth straight Wrestlemania main event. He has lost the last two.
Promotion
In line with the event's Los Angeles location, WrestleMania 21 was promoted on television with a series of trailers parodying famous modern movies, but with wrestlers playing the starring roles. Movies parodied included:
- Forrest Gump with Eugene playing Tom Hanks' title role, and a cameo appearance by William Regal.
- Braveheart with Triple H playing Mel Gibson's role and Ric Flair making a cameo appearance.
- Basic Instinct with Stacy Keibler playing Sharon Stone's character, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Christian playing interviewers in the famous "leg crossing scene," and a cameo appearance by The Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young.
- Pulp Fiction with Eddie Guerrero and Booker T playing John Travolta's and Samuel L. Jackson's roles, respectively.
- A Few Good Men with John Cena and JBL playing the roles of Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson in the famous courtroom scene, and also featuring Jonathan Coachman in a cameo role as the judge.
- Dirty Harry with Undertaker playing the title role of Clint Eastwood.
- When Harry Met Sally... with Kurt Angle and Christy Hemme playing the Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan roles in the famous eatery scene, with Linda McMahon giving the "I'll have what she's having" line after.
- Taxi Driver featuring, in order: Heidenreich, Batista, Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Shelton Benjamin, Doug Basham, Danny Basham, The Big Show, Candice Michelle, Carlito Caribbean Cool, Tajiri, Orlando Jordan, Joy Giovanni, Gene Snitsky, Paul London, Tazz, Chavo Guerrero, Hardcore Holly, Molly Holly, and Michael Cole, all of whom are auditioning by saying their unique versions of the famous You talkin' to me? quote by Robert DeNiro.
- Gladiator with Stone Cold Steve Austin playing the eponymous Russell Crowe role, first aired at the beginning of WrestleMania 21.
Trivia
- WrestleMania 21 marked the first time the WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship both changed hands on the same night in standard singles matches and at a WrestleMania.
- The name of the theme song for WrestleMania 21, Bigtime, is also the name of the theme song for WrestleMania 22, however it is spelled Big Time and is performed by Peter Gabriel.
- Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker were the only two competitors from WrestleMania VII to return to Los Angeles to compete at WrestleMania 21. Michaels teamed with Marty Jannetty to face The Barbarian and Haku. Undertaker faced Jimmy Snuka. Both were victorious. It was Michaels first WrestleMania victory, and The Undertaker's WrestleMania debut.
- This marked Stone Cold Steve Austin's 9th overall appearance at a WrestleMania.
- This is the third WrestleMania to use Arabic numerals instead of Roman numerals (the previous two being WrestleMania 2 and WrestleMania 13).
- This WrestleMania holds the Staples Center's attendance record with a crowd of 20,193.
- This would be Eddie Guerrero's final WrestleMania appearance before his untimely passing on November 13, 2005. He had previously appeared at WrestleMania 2000, WrestleMania X-Seven, WrestleMania XIX, and WrestleMania XX before he would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2006.
- This would be the final WrestleMania appearance for long-time WWE referee Earl Hebner, who was fired on July 18, 2005.
- The Undertaker improves his perfect win-streak to 13-0.
- WrestleMania 21 marked the first WrestleMania not to feature The Rock since WrestleMania XII in 1996. He made his debut during WrestleMania 13 and appeared every year consecutively until WrestleMania XX, currently his last WrestleMania appearance.
- Hulk Hogan's appearance marked his first since WrestleMania XIX in 2003, and his 12th overall appearance at the annual event.
- Christy Hemme is the only superstar to make her televised WrestleMania in-ring debut.
- The 100 dollar bills that were dropped during JBL's entrance had a picture of Bradshaw on both sides with the title "In John Bradshaw Layfield We Trust" and "For promotional use only, not real tender".
- This is the first Piper's Pit segment at a WrestleMania since WrestleMania V.
- The lead-up to Hulk Hogan's induction to the WWE Hall of Fame and segment with Eugene, Hassan and Daivari was featured in an episode of Hogan Knows Best titled WrestleMania.
- During the Money in the Bank match, Tyson Tomko carried Christian up the ladder on his shoulders in the electric chair position. Ultimately, Kane attacked Tomko, leaving Christian on the ladder. At WrestleMania X-Seven during the TLC II Match, Rhyno helped Christian up the ladder in a similar manner.
- John Cena won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 after winning the WWE United States Championship in the opening match at WrestleMania XX a year earlier. A move that Rey Mysterio would do the following year at WrestleMania 22 (instead, he won the World Heavyweight Championship). Conversely, Eddie Guerrero participated in the opening match at WrestleMania 21 after defending the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XX. Also, Chris Benoit participated in the second match of WrestleMania 21 after winning the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XX.
- This was the first time that WWE Tag Team Champions would face each other in a single's match at a WrestleMania event.
- This was the third consecutive year that the Intercontinental Championship was not defended. In fact, the Intercontinental Championship, the United States Championship, the Cruiserweight Championship, nor either the World or WWE Tag Team Championships were defended.
- This was the first WrestleMania to feature a match involving ladders since WrestleMania X-Seven, when the TLC Match was held.
- WrestleMania 21 was the first WrestleMania event not to feature a tag-team match and the first since WrestleMania III not to feature a tag team title match.
- This event marked the second time in a row that Triple H lost the World Heavyweight Championship at a WrestleMania event.
- This event marked the fifth time that Triple H was played to the ring by a live band. He was played to the ring live at WrestleMania XIV and SummerSlam 1998 by Chris Warren and The DX Band. Motörhead performed at WrestleMania X-Seven, and Drowning Pool the following year at WrestleMania X8. Triple H lost both matches in which Motörhead played his music.
- Celebrity guests for WrestleMania 21 included former WCW Champion David Arquette, Motörhead, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, The Black Eyed Peas, Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins, Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ice Cube, Carmen Electra, Sylvester Stallone, Marg Helgenberger from Crime Scene Investigation, and former MADtv cast member Will Sasso.
- WrestleMania 21 marks the fourth consecutive time that Triple H headlined WrestleMania in a World Championship match, beating the previous record of Hulk Hogan's three times.
- This WrestleMania, along with the preceding one and the proceding one, would all take place from the three locations that hosted WrestleMania 2, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles (This one from Los Angeles, WrestleMania XX from New York, and WrestleMania 22 from Chicago).
- Of the competitors in the Money In The Bank Ladder Match, only Chris Benoit, Kane, and Chris Jericho had been former World Champions at the time. Chris Benoit has been a former World Heavyweight Champion, Kane has been a former WWE Champion, and Chris Jericho has been both a former WCW World Heavyweight Champion (then called the World Championship) and a WWE Champion at the same time to become the first WWE Undisputed Champion.
- Every match, besides the Women's Championship match, had at least one competitor who has been a former world champion (Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Kane, Undertaker, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Big Show, JBL, and Triple H).
- All participants of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match have previously been in at least one ladder match, and have also been former WWE Intercontinental Champions.
References
External links
- The Official Website of WrestleMania 21
- WrestleMania 21 Comprehensive Recap
- WWE WrestleMania 21 Event Review
"WrestleMania 21"