WWE WrestleMania 25 Results

WWE Tag Team Champions def. World Tag Team Champions (New Unified Tag Team Champions)
On The Grandest Stage of Them All, in front of 72,744 captivated members of the WWE Universe, WWE Tag Team Champions Carlito & Primo forged their place in history by defeating World Tag Team Champions John Morrison & The Miz in a Lumberjack Match to become the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions.

The high-stakes battle kept the electrified WWE Universe completely transfixed as each action-packed moment proved bigger than the one before it. The entire crowd held a collective breath with every near fall; every dangerous ascension to the top rope; every time a Superstar hurled his opponents to the dangerous lumberjacks in an absolute fast-paced, slugfest of epic proportions. In the end, Primo unified the gold in style, countering Morrison by borrowing his brother's Backstabber to snatch destiny’s three-count.

Problems between the two decorated tag teams can be summed up in three explosive words: Gold, girls and glory. The Colon Brothers and their “Dirt Sheet” adversaries each successfully defended their titles against the other, all while playing tug-of-war with the affections of Nikki & Brie Bella. On the same night that Carlito & Primo threw down the ultimate gauntlet for a Unification Match at WrestleMania, The Bellas split with each other, each lending their support to one of the tag teams. And just when it looked like the excitement could be no greater, ECW General Manager Theodore Long shocked Superstars and fans alike by declaring the historic battle a Lumberjack Match.

The World Tag Team Championship – the original tag team title of WWE – built an illustrious history on the backs of iconic brothers-in-arms that include Tony Atlas & Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, The Hart Foundation, Demolition, Money Inc. and Edge & Christian. Fighting for tag team supremacy at WrestleMania meant risking life and limb, incorporating everything from the unforgiving cane of Freddie Blassie to the most lethal of ladders along the way.

When the WWE Tag Team Championship was created in 2002, it changed the very nature of tag team action in the process. From that point forth, there would always be two separate, elite tag team divisions. And though the new titles gained instant prestige, separation has never been where the true spirit of the tag team championship lays.

The best tag team is the one that is truly unified, transforming the diverse strengths of two Superstars into the fluidity and power of one. And on The Grandest Stage of Them All, every member of the WWE Universe stood witness as Carlito & Primo once again made that philosophy a reality, bringing things full-circle as they solidified themselves among the annals of tag team greatness.

CM Punk wins Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Mr. Money in the Bank CM Punk regained that status from last year, making history as the first person ever to win multiple Money in the Bank Ladder Matches.

The repeat golden opportunist overcame seven worthy opponents, the laws of probability and the laws of physics. In the week leading up to the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, The Straightedge Superstar admitted, “You really can’t ignore what a dangerous match this is.”

The briefcase dangled from a 265-foot ceiling and was only obtainable by stunning the seven other competitors long enough to climb one of multiple ladders towering 20 feet over the canvas to detach the coveted prize. It is a feat that is hard enough to accomplish once, but CM Punk has managed to fulfill mission impossible and win the contest twice in as many years.

The victor faced stiff competition, especially from Christian. Captain Charisma, who returned to WWE just more than a month prior, had made it his mission to win this bout, a stipulation he helped to create by participating in the first-ever Money in the Bank Ladder Match. He exuded the type of fearlessness it would have taken to make a run at his first World Title. He even miraculously survived a fall off the ladder while he was on top by catching himself on the ropes and pushing himself back upright, but in the end CM Punk proved he wanted it the most.

Another member of the first Money in the Bank contest was present, as Shelton Benjamin looked for his first win for the stipulation after participating in all but one of the contests that have existed. The former United States Champion is always known for making memorable moments in this type of match, and this year’s competition was no exception. He made the ladders his personal jungle gym, swinging off of them and pulling off impressive aerial moves. He even had Punk by his feet as The Straightedge Superstar dangled from a rung. Unfortunately for his seven opponents, Punk was in the same situation last year and like then, he overcame this time.

In addition to facing Christian and Benjamin, CM Punk had to withstand a current champion in United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter, the high-flying Kofi Kingston, the experienced Finlay with help from his son Hornswoggle, and two massive, intimidating giants in Kane and Mark Henry. The Big Red Machine was a step away from securing the briefcase until Punk regained his balance after hanging by his legs and kicked Kane to the canvas. At that point, it was all CM Punk and no one was close enough to do anything about it.

Now, two questions remain. When will CM Punk cash in his title opportunity, and will he spend wisely and continue the streak of each Money in the Bank Ladder Match winner successfully earning championship gold within a year? Time will tell.

"Santina" Marella wins 25-Diva Battle Royal for title of "Miss WrestleMania"
Santino Marella may not have been allowed to compete for the coveted crown of “Miss WrestleMania” at the silver anniversary of WWE’s greatest spectacle … but it didn’t stop his “twin sister” Santina from besting 24 other Divas in Sunday’s Diva Battle Royal.

While more than 70,000 raucous fans inside Reliant Stadium, and the rest of the world watching the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania at home, rocked out to Kid Rock’s live performance of his hit single “So Hott,” that was hardly the term to describe “Santina's” surprise entrance, joining the Divas in their battle royal.

The WWE Universe was more than excited to see WWE Diva Alumni returning to the ring for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Former Divas Joy Giovanni, Miss Jackie, Molly Holly, the recently-retired Victoria and Torrie Wilson all made their way to the ring in hopes of once more achieving WWE glory on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

An all-out brawl began the match, with a flurry of fast-paced action, as one suspect Diva -- clad in pink shoes, a pink skirt and black form-fitting top -- watched the action as it unfolded within the squared circle. As one Diva after the next was strewn on the floor outside the ring, it came down to Beth Phoenix and Women's Champion Melina.

As Beth Phoenix attempted to throw Melina out of the ring, the low-key Diva flipped The Glamazon to the floor, eliminating both she and the Women's Champion. As Phoenix glared back inside the ring, the unknown Diva revealed her name: Santina Marella, Santino's twin sister from Italy.

And though Santino's twin sister may have taken the crown of "Miss WrestleMania" and danced in the ring after receiving her crown, on this night, hopefully, the memorable appearances of past Divas will ease the ugly memories of "Santina" for the WWE Universe.

Chris Jericho def. WWE Legends
When the dust finally settled inside Reliant Stadium Sunday night, the arrogant Chris Jericho may have emerged victorious in his battle against WWE Hall of Famers Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, but it was Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke & WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair who stood tall, hands raised in the ring.

For months, Jericho had preached that Mickey Rourke’s Oscar -nominated role as Randy “The Ram” Robinson in The Wrestler supplied WWE’s Hall of Famers & Legends with false hope. The role, at least in Jericho’s eyes, gave the older ring warriors an illusion of grandeur, encouraging these “pathetic has-beens” – as Jericho was fond of referring to them – to continue to step into the squared circle.

Four Legends, each friends of Rourke, took offense to the claim, stating that they were the ones who had opened the door for Superstars like Jericho. On several occasions, WWE Hall of Famers Ric Flair, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka & Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat confronted Jericho, only to fall victim to the egotist’s underhanded and excessively brutal attacks.

Tensions finally reached their breaking point, leading Jericho to challenge the Hall of Famers to a 3-on-1 Handicap Match, with Flair in their corner. He also invited Rourke to the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania so that the actor might witness the carnage first-hand.

In Houston, it seemed as though everything was going exactly as Jericho had planned. He systematically eliminated his foes, first Snuka, then Piper and, finally, Steamboat.

During his post-match tirade, however, Jericho overstepped his bounds. After giving Flair a Codebreaker, the devious Superstar goaded Rourke into the ring. The star of The Wrestler entered the squared circle, but soon decided he’d heard enough of Jericho’s relentless taunts. Rourke, a former boxer, swung a slew of heavy fists at his tormentor, finishing with a punch that dimmed the lights of the conceited Superstar and dropped both him, and his pride, to the mat.

After Jericho regained his footing, he quickly retreated up the ramp, leaving the “Nature Boy” to enter the ring and join Rourke in celebration. The two friends did not rejoice for themselves, however, but rather for all the Hall of Famers, Legends and in-ring performers of the past who have helped to shape the WWE into what it is today.

Rey Mysterio def. JBL (New Intercontinental Champion)
For months, John “Bradshaw” Layfield had promised that he would accomplish something never before achieved at a WrestleMania that’s been 25 years in the making. On the final week before WrestleMania, he vowed to deliver “the most decisive victory in WrestleMania history.” And the vessel on whom he would carry out his claims was Rey Mysterio.

Well, JBL certainly lived up to his words in Houston’s Reliant Stadium Sunday night. And he did so in an astonishing 21 seconds, in front of more than 70,000 fans. The problem? He was on the losing end.

That’s right, WWE Universe – if you headed to the kitchen or Reliant Stadium concession stands for a beverage break, it’s quite conceivable that you actually did miss the ring official slap down a three-count that would award Rey Mysterio his first Intercontinental Championship … and in essence, send The Longhorn Loudmouth into a frenzy that resulted in him quitting right on the spot.

Truly, no one expected such an historic moment quite so quickly, especially considering the significant height advantage enjoyed by JBL. Mysterio – the David to JBL and his Goliath-sized ego – had no such benefits heading into his first WrestleMania since 2006, when he captured the World Championship. In fact, one could argue that Rey had even less of an advantage this time around; after all, the match had been set weeks in advance, giving JBL plenty of time to prepare. And even though Rey defeated JBL on Raw less than a week leading up to WrestleMania, one had to believe that the Wall Street media maven would know precisely how to counter the “Ultimate Underdog.”

Then again, JBL also probably thought that he would have been in this fight much longer than 21 seconds on Sunday night, particularly after several minutes of declaring himself a "hero" to the Lone Star State - a point vociferously debated by the fans he passed by en route to the ring. And when JBL nailed the Joker-themed Mysterio in the face with a boot before the bell even sounded, his historic victory seemed all but certain. But the bell did ring, and within those 21 seconds, Rey caught his opponent completely off-guard, nailing him with an immediate 619 inside the ropes and a Frog Splash off the top rope.

The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania was the latest example in which Rey Mysterio proved to be the ultimate bane in JBL's otherwise pampered existence. It was Mysterio who had forced The Longhorn Loudmouth into a premature retirement on SmackDown back in May 2006. And on a Sunday night in Houston, less than three years later, he would do so again … and this time, judging from JBL’s irate reaction afterward, for good.

With that, more than 70,000 fans in Reliant Stadium welcomed Rey Mysterio as their newest Intercontinental Title holder Sunday night in Houston, and also made it abundantly clear that JBL would always be remembered in his final and most historic match in WWE history. Especially since they’d only need to remember less than a minute of it.

Source: WWE.com