The twenty-fourth annual WrestleMania event was produced by the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on March 30, 2008, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida and was the first time WrestleMania was held in the state of Florida.
Note here that this was the first WrestleMania event to be broadcast in HD. This event had a total of 10 matches including a Battle Royal, Money in the Bank ladder match and a Career threatening match.
The extravaganza was sky high and the star power was phenomenal. The world’s highest paid athlete, Floyd Mayweather’s presence made this event even more special. With all this said, let us have a look at some of the best matches from the show-
Kane vs. Chavo Guerrero
The match between Kane and Chavo Guerrero at WrestleMania 24 gained prominence in terms of the match duration but in an unedifying way for Chavo. This was the shortest match in Mania history till date.
This match was fought for the ECW title which was defended by Chavo Guerrero against the Big Red Machine, Kane. The match lasted for only 11 seconds after Kane won the match by delivering a Chokeslam to Chavo and won the title just like that. The duration was so that short that the entrance of both the superstars individually lasted at least three times more than the match itself.
Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather
The world’s largest athlete and the world’s highest paid athlete competed in a No DQ match that lasted for nearly 12 minutes. Mayweather tried to escape the beating from Show and walked away from the match, in the beginning.
But the giant would not let this happen and quickly brought him back into the ring. Mayweather’s supporters helped their boss by attacking the Giant with a steel chair. Big Show momentarily changed his focus on the culprit who attacked him and delivered a Chokeslam to him.
Mayweather quickly capitalized on the distraction and beat Show with several chair shots on the head. Mayweather finally removed his glove, put on the brass knuckle and knocked Show out cold. Mayweather won his first ever WrestleMania match to make it 1-0.
John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. Triple H
WrestleMania 22 is for John Cena vs. Triple H, WrestleMania 25 is for Randy Orton vs. Triple H but at WrestleMania 24, the match was a culmination of what had already happened a couple of years back and what was to come a year after.
A triple threat match for the WWE Championship between all-time rivals, John Cena, Triple H and Randy Orton. Orton, the cleverest of the lot gained a clear advantage right from the beginning and used triple threat rules perfectly.
During the closing moments of the match, Triple H delivered a Pedigree to Cena, after countering Cena’s FU. Just when Triple H was looking for the cover, Orton delivered a punt to the ‘Game’ and pinned Cena for the win.
Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair
In a 20-minute physically draining battle, Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair competed in a ‘Career Threatening Match’ which if Ric Flair lost, he was to quit wrestling. With everything on the line for Flair, the Superstars carried a lot of emotion during the match.
Flair was slapped by Michaels and that led to the ‘Nature Boy’ bleeding profusely. Shawn went for the Sweet Chin Music and his version of the Figure 4 but could not get Ric pinned or tap put.
Ric Flair went ahead with repeated chops to Michaels’ chest and Mr. WrestleMania knocked Flair cold with another Superkick. He got up and uttered the words- “I am sorry, love you!” and delivered a final Superkick. This time, Flair would not kick out, engding his legendary 35-year old wrestling career.
The Undertaker vs. Edge
The Undertaker and Edge fought in the main event at WM 24 for the World Heavyweight Championship. Edge put on a great show in this match by blocking all the moves of the Phenom.
He delivered two spears to the Deadman but Undertaker managed to survive. During the match Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder came to save Edge but the Phenom planted both of them to the floor. This distraction helped Edge to gain momentum, only momentarily.
After a long gruelling match, Undertaker finally caught Edge in the Hell’s gate submission and Edge tapped out and lost the match. With this, the Undertaker went 16-0. The resilience and tact shown by Edge in this match impressed the WWE universe.
