WWE
The grandest
Stage of them all

  By Muhammad Omar Iftikhar

Teens and adults are always excited about the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The wrestlers, known as WWE Superstars, appear on weekly shows that are RAW, Smackdown and ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling). Some of the famous ones being The Undertaker, The Rock, Stone Cold, Triple H and Kane. Apart from these weekly shows, the WWE also hosts yearly events such as Summer Slam, Survivor Series, Armageddon, Royal Rumble and more. Along with these annual shows, Wrestlemania is considered as the most famous professional wrestling event of the year. Wrestlemania has been taking place for the past 22 years since it was first held in 1985. This year, Wrestlemania 23 was held in Detroit, Michigan. It was a star-studded evening, as thrilling matches took place. 

Wrestlemania 23 started off with the Money in the Bank ladder match. It involved eight WWE Superstars from all three brands (RAW, Smackdown and ECW). The goal of the match was to get the briefcase that was hanging 15 feet above the ground. The participants had to climb a ladder and get the briefcase with the WWE Championship contract in it, which gives the security to the superstar to challenge the WWE Champion at any time in the future. The eight superstars who battled out were Mr. Kennedy, Edge, CM Punk, King Booker, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Finlay and Randy Orton. The loudmouth Mr. Kennedy from Smackdown won the match and now he is the Mr. Money in the Bank with an opportunity to compete in a WWE championship match.

In another match, the two giants in the WWE, Kane and The Great Khali went one-on-one. The big red monster Kane wasn't big enough to put The Great Khali down. In the end, it was Kane who lost the match as Khali pinned Kane for the three count after a thunderous choke bomb.

The Rabid Wolverine, Chris Benoit successfully defended his WWE United States Championship against another loudmouth Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP). Chris Benoit went on the top turnbuckle and flew in air, landing on MVP's shoulders giving him the head butt that he is famous for.

Wrestlemania is also known for the WWE Hall of Fame, as the former and current superstars are inducted in the prestigious WWE Hall of Fame for their services rendered to their industry. This year, the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2007 included Nick Bockwinkel, Mr. Fuji, The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika), The Sheik, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig and the commentators from RAW  "Good Ole J.R." Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler.

One of the most anticipated matches of all times was the World Heavyweight Championship, the title that belongs to Smackdown. It was a dream match, as the World Heavyweight Champion Batista wrestled against the dead man, The Undertaker. Batista had to face The Undertaker who has a record-setting wining streak of 14-0 at Wrestlemania. Batista looked as if he had things under control, but even the biggest superstars have collapsed against The Undertaker and that's exactly what happened to Batista as well. The Undertaker gave Batista the legendary tombstone piledirver, that Undertaker himself has made famous over the years, pinned Batista for the three count and became the new World Heavyweight Champion. This is his fifth championship win that takes his Wrestlemania winning streak to a staggering 15-0.

Another main event of the night was the WWE Championship match, the title that belongs to RAW. The WWE Champion John Cena had to defend his title against the Heart Break Kid, Shawn Michaels. These two are also the current World Tag Team Champions, but had to fight for the gold at Wrestlemania 23. In the end it was John Cena who forced Shawn Michaels to submit after Cena had applied his submission move, the Stepover Toehold Facelock (STF). Michaels had no option but to tap out as Cena beat Michaels and successfully defended his WWE Championship.

Wrestlemania 23 was also eagerly awaited by wrestling fans for the Battle of the Billionaires. It was another huge match of massive proportions. The chairman of the WWE, Mr. Vince McMahon, a billionaire, had been bragging a lot that his status is more than the billionaire Donald Trump. It was Donald Trump who challenged Mr. McMahon to a match at Wrestlemania 23. Both would select a superstar of their choice who would battle out in the ring, but with one big stipulation. The loser would get his head shaved. If Mr. McMahon would win then he would shave Donald Trump's head and vice versa. Mr. McMahon had chosen the Intercontinental Champion, the Samoan Wrecking Machine, Umaga. And Donald Trump, keeping in mind the high stakes of the match, chose the ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley in his corner. The towering intensity of this match required a special guest referee and it was the Texas Rattle Snake, Stone Cold Steve Austin who was the guest referee, intended to keep law and order in the ring. Lashley came out victorious after he took down Umaga by a spear. Mr. McMahon was then forced to sit in the barber's chair as Donald Trump shaved his hair with crazy fans screaming in delight.

Wrestlemania 23 was a roller coaster ride; the event that is considered to be the "Grand-daddy of them all", didn't fail to make its fans go wild.